Trampolining
Trampolining for 2 - 18 year olds, for those on the autistic spectrum, autism, ASD, Aspergers Syndrome. Specially reserved at Blackpool Sports Centre every Sunday (except a few).
Also for young adults on the autistic spectrum on Wednesday, See Tiggers 2 below.
Sunday - 12.30 to 4pm - Trampoline, bouncy castle, soft play, hard play.
Sunday - 2.00 to 4pm - Climbing Wall in term time only.
Each session lasts one hour.
(please contact us first as some Sundays are not available)
Where:
Blackpool Sports Centre
Stanley Park
West Park Drive
Blackpool
FY3 9HQ.
Thanks to support from Blackpool Council Leisure Services, Blackpool Tiggers now has a third trampoline and has some spare places.
Call to book a place.
Click on the posters below to download a copy.
Introduction to Tigger sessions - Members/ Parents/ Carers
Tigger sessions take place on Sundays between 10 30 and 2 30 usually in
At the sessions we have two types of volunteers; sport and play. These wear black jumpers and orange t shirts respectively.
Playing
We realise how ASD children cope with having to wait. We therefore have a soft play area and bouncy castle for them top enjoy and to make it easier for you. We also have volunteers who understand the nature of Autism and are there specifically to play with the children. You will be able to use the soft play (and our play volunteers) both before and after their turn on the trampoline.However, we do ask that you only stay in the hall for an hour as the area becomes too crowded.
Bouncing
As you come into the door and pay, you should read any notices on the table and the notice board beside it. You will be given a laminated picture of your child which should be stuck on to the board by the trampoline. On your first session there won't be a photo but one will be taken in time for the next session. The board by the trampoline has two headings which are; now and next. Which side the picture is put on corresponds to which trampoline they will be going on. Every Tigger gets 15 minutes on the trampoline in one go with the aid of our qualified coaches. We have a high coach to bouncer ratio due to the special attention the children need. At first we focus on getting them comfortable on the trampoline then when they are ready we start to teach them new techniques.
Trampolining Information
Each Tigger has a trampoline slot of half an hour, within which they get 15 minutes ‘bounce’ time. This reduces waiting time and allows those with high energy to have a more ‘intensive’ bounce period, if required.
Sports volunteers assist by ‘spotting’ and coaching the Tiggers whilst on the trampoline. Parents may also be asked to ‘spot’ for their child and must remain in the hall and responsible for their child.
The sessions are supervised by at least one, and often more, qualified trampoline coaches. We have input from a qualified trampoline club coach. Sports volunteers also work towards trampoline coach qualification.
Members are assessed and encouraged to work towards and achieve Awards under the British Gymnastics Scheme.
Before or After
Either before and/or afterwards, Tiggers can use the soft play and bouncy castle. This helps with ‘waiting time’ and gives an opportunity for social inter-action.
Play volunteers support the Tiggers in developing social skills such as turn taking, behaving appropriately, conversation. We have input from qualified Play Therapists.
A Session
A Tigger ‘session’ is one hour. Tiggers are welcome to come before their ‘slot’ on the trampoline, or stay after their trampoline time to use the soft play and bouncy castle, but the total hall time is one hour. This is to ensure that all children get the quality session they need, respond to those children who cannot cope with too many people and make the sessions manageable. By parents co-operating in this it makes Tiggers a good experience for all the children.
Sensory Room
Following the session time some Tiggers choose to spend time in the sensory room which is set to a calming environment of low lights and soft music. Parents are asked to accompany their child in the room, which will have a Tigger volunteer present. (Parents beware, you may doze off!).
Child Safety
All approved volunteers have a clear Criminal Records Bureau check at advanced level. All probationary volunteers have applications in process. Volunteers have to serve 3 month’s probation, provide two satisfactory references, attend for a minimum amount of agreed time and show enthusiasm and commitment to become an approved Tigger volunteer.
Volunteers attend appropriate training in Autism and topics relating to working with children with disability and behavioural challenges.
Volunteers are easy to spot because they wear orange polo shirts with ‘Play’ written on the back or black sweatshirts with ‘Sport’ written on the back.
Some parents also volunteer to help manage the sessions and they also wear orange ‘play’ polo shirts.
You are welcome to ask any volunteer, at any time, about anything to do with Tiggers. If they don’t know the answer, they will find someone for you who does.
All volunteers have safety as their first priority, so if they ask you to stop doing something or to do something, you must do as they say and ask about it later. If you do not do as a volunteer requests, you may not be allowed your trampoline time.
Read the Trampoline Safety advice>
When you arrive
When you get here you will be greeted at a table where a Tigger volunteer will ask you your name and your timeslot.
You will then pay the money for your session and be given a coloured circle and matching tabard (you can choose the colour).
Faces on places
You will see that next to the trampoline there is a noticeboard with ‘Now’ and ‘Next’ on. Under each word are faces of Tiggers in circles.
You will be advised if it is time to put your circle on the ‘Now’ or ‘Next’ area.
You will have your photograph taken so that next time you come, your face will be in a circle.
Specialist Introductions
You will be introduced to one of the qualified coaches and asked to complete a form advising the coaches of your child's particular preferences and needs. This sheet will be given to whichever coach is going to be working with your child at every session they come to. This way the children get consistency but don't get too 'attached' to one particular coach. If anything changes you can alter the 'advice to coach' form at any time.
Within your first few sessions you will have had an opportunity to observe the hall and activity and then you will be asked to help one of the volunteers completed a risk assessment for your child to have as safe an experience as possible at Tiggers. If anything changes you can always request to update the risk assessment.
date: 6 December, 2009