Delight as children's service is saved after closure of Hop, Skip and Jump

There were fears that youngsters – some of whom are disabled – would miss out on short breaks and after Hop, Skip and Jump announced it was to close last month.

The charity, based at Ridge Green, had seen a downturn in donations.

But yesterday Swindon Borough Council revealed it had found a new partnership to provide the service.

Brunel Special Educational Needs Multi-Academy Trust and the Uplands Enterprise Trust, w have jointly agreed to take on the service.

The former already runs six nurseries, schools and collages across Swindon for children with special needs, while UET has a farm for young people in Leigh.

Youngsters will be able to use the farm near Minety and give their parents are break from their responsibilities. There are indoor and outdoor play facilities, including sensory rooms, soft play areas and art and craft rooms.

Toothill mum Becci Taylor, whose son Mason-Quinn and daughter Mia-Rose both used Hop, Skip and Jump, said: “It is a huge weight lifted, I think all the families will be over the moon just like I am.

“I’m hoping the staff will get to keep their places there rather than new people coming in but nothing has been mentioned on that.

“It’s been a horrible year so far with everything that has been going on but this has been some fantastic news.”

Jess Franco-Franklin’s 11-year-old son Logan should also benefit.

She said: “We’re just thrilled and thankful that a new provider has been found. We don’t know the full situation yet, it looks like it could reopen in September so we will have to hang on until then.

“The main goal is to get it back to somewhere the children can go to get support and have fun. We need to keep the same staff we had before because the know our children, they know their needs and they’re just amazing.

“It needs to remain a facility and not become a school now that it’s been taken over by the UET. It needs to be a fun place they enjoy going to. This news has saved everything because lockdown has proven how difficult it would be without it.

“We’re just grateful that the council have got on with it quite quickly. I appreciate the press being involved so heavily because that’s put a lot of pressure on them. Facilities like this are getting slashed all the time so it’s important to save them because they help our children who are disabled with multi-complex disabilities.”

The council’s cabinet member for children’s services Mary Martin said: “I am delighted to announce that new providers have been found to take over the running of the short breaks centre that provides vital activities and support for children with special needs in the community.

“The council is looking forward to working with the trusts who are local providers already working with children with special educational needs and disabilities and who will bring a wealth of experience to the children and young people of Swindon.”

UET director Lisa Harding, director of UET, said: “We are excited to be working with the council, Brunel SEN MAT, families and most of all the children who will be accessing the provision at our farm.

“This is a great opportunity for UET to expand its offer to the young people we support with special education needs and disabilities in Swindon and will create much needed volunteering and paid job opportunities for them.

“The site has been closed for a number of months and to ensure that the provision is looking its very best, the UET Skills Forever team has started preparing planters and organising grounds maintenance and decorating teams.

Jackie Smith, the chief executive of the Brunel SEN MAT and UET, said: “I am delighted that UET, under the leadership of Lisa Harding, will be able to deliver this essential service to children and young people in Swindon.

“I am also very proud that the UET volunteering young people will also have a great project for the summer. We are very grateful to the council for giving UET the opportunity to make a difference to SEND Swindon families.”