SEN and Disability Groups at Peter Ashley Activity Centres Portsmouth
At PAAC, we believe that outdoor experiences can and should benefit any and every person, regardless of physical, mental or psychological needs.
From training, planning and delivery, to equipment and building new facilities, inclusion is always front of mind in every aspect of our work.

We believe that the benefit of learning, developing and enjoying oneself in the outdoors are for everyone, no matter their needs. This is especially true for young people for whom opportunities for personal development are vital.

Our instructors have extensive experience in working with young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities in groups with mixed needs and abilities.
We have experience of delivering a wide range of activities to groups with additional needs. These have included: the physically impaired, sensory impairments, learning difficulties (ADHD, ASD, MLD, SLD, and PMLD) and challenging behaviour.

Trips typically vary from one off sessions, repeat weekly sessions, day visits, structured programmes, through to week long residential stays.

Bespoke Outdoor Experiences Programmes

The natural environment offers positive benefits for everyone and we believe that everyone should have access to those benefits no matter their needs.
We will work closely with you to create a bespoke outdoor experience programme that meets the needs of your group and, most importantly, that is engaging, developmental, exhilarating and lots of fun!

Adaptive Capacity and Experience

We offer many different activities with adaptive capacity, thus enabling all visitors to participate and achieve their personal best. Our well-trained staff have extensive experience of working with groups with mixed needs and abilities. Take a look below at the adapted activities and facilities we have available for SEN young people and adults.

 

“What an amazing place. Totally inspirational. I feel privileged to have worked so closely with Fort Purbrook for the last 4 years. We originally started with just a couple of sessions a week and now our pupils access up to 16 curriculum linked sessions a week and still the activities are always exciting and fresh and pitched at the correct level so nobody is excluded regardless of disability. Both centres have amazing staff with so much patience and encouragement, and are truly genuine with their approach to our pupils. Along with residentials and our summer water sports programme (that they fully support us with) Fort Purbrook truly is an inspirational centre.” – Steve Fifield – Outdoor Education Coordinator – Solent Academy Schools Trust

 

For more information about Family Adventure Days at the Peter Ashley Activity Centres call Fort Purbrook on 023 9232 1223 for details.

We offer bespoke activity mornings for young people with additional needs and their families through the school holidays, keep an eye on our social media pages for information on this!

We also offer special one-to-one deals or two-to-one deals! Get in touch to find out more!

If you want just a one-off session instead of a whole package this can be arranged.
Give us a call on 023 9232 1223 or email us today using the email button here:

Email Fort Purbrook

to book your perfect family activity day.

What you can expect
  • Choice of a range of inclusive activities – Archery, Climbing, Tours and more
  • Supervision and instruction from our fully trained staff
  • Available all year round
  • Teas, coffee & juice provided throughout full day bookings
  • Great day out
  • Full consultation at point of booking
Activities with Adaptive Capacity
  • Archery
  • Air Rifle Shooting
  • Bushcraft
  • Climbing
  • Initiative Tests
  • Orienteering
  • Problem Solving
  • Tours

Inclusive activities for young people with additional needs

We have various activities with adaptive capacity enabling all participants to participate, no matter their special educational needs or disabilities. Activities with adaptive capacity include:

Archery:
Our archery sessions are fully inclusive and we have specialised equipment to meet a range of needs simultaneously. A typical session will feature archery games and coaching, as well as learning about the equipment and sport.

Air Rifle Shooting:
Our Air Rifle sessions are fully inclusive and we have specialised equipment to meet a range of needs simultaneously. A typical session will feature coaching and some fun traditional and nontraditional rifle games, as well as learning about the equipment and sport.

Bushcraft:
Bushcraft studies the environment and how to best adapt to it. Immensely variable, our sessions focus on survival skills as well as environmental knowledge. Typical Bushcraft activities can be: fire lighting; shelter building; environmental games; nature walks; cooking; cordage; tracking and tool use. Cooking in particular provides for an enjoyable sensory experience that also teaches transferable practical life skills.

Climbing:
The centre has two specific bouldering rooms which has a range of options for people of all abilities. the walls allow for bouldering and roped climbing. There is a low angled slab for easy climbing, a high angled slab as well as vertical and overhanging routes. We also have an adaptable hoist system that a climber can use to ascend fully independently, with assistance or fully assisted. There is also the opportunity for assisted climbing through an instructor led assisted belay set up if required.

Initiative Tests:
The Initiative Tests are similar to our problem solving activity accept it is a purpose built environment in the depths of the fort. Full accessible this activity offers high sensory engagement along with meeting our teamwork elements. Think crystal maze but in the depths of our Fort!

Orienteering:
Orienteering consists of navigation and exploration. Groups are taught skills so they are able to independently guide themselves around our onsite course, which has also been made accessible to off road wheelchairs. Offsite navigating at Queen Elizabeth Country Park is also available as well as other local orienteering courses.

Problem Solving:
Problem Solving is a fun range of problem solving activities focusing on our model of teamwork which consists of five elements (communication, co-operation, trust, planning, and leadership). Because of its flexible delivery and broad variety of tasks; it is fully accessible and inclusive to those of any ability, simultaneously.

Tours:
We have an adventurous onsite route to explore that can be navigated using normal or off-road wheelchairs. The tours of the Fort explore the tunnels, moats and the history of the Centre. We can build this in to any school history curriculum. There are also many possible beautiful offsite routes on our doorstep. Tours can be adapted to include: bug hunting, team tasks, history, navigating and teaching about the local environment.