A grandmother has been overwhelmed by the 'absolutely amazing' response to her calls for support in setting up a social group for those with special educational needs in Ludgershall.
The idea came about when Rachael Harris's 13-year-old grandaughter, who has autism and goes to a SEND school in Devizes, mentioned that she had no local friends and feels lonely.
Although they had looked for clubs in the area, they found that none were suited to older SEN individuals as it was mostly under-fives or on school days.
So, the grandmother-of-two who has lived in Ludgershall for 20 years said: "Let's set our own one up then.
"I said, 'we'll put a page up and see how we go' because even if we get ten people that would be brilliant, there'll be more children and you'll have someone to play with.
"But the response has been absolutely amazing, we've got over 100 families already that want to come."
The 52-year-old is on the Old Castle Club committee, which will be the venue for the club, and they had a great response to their request for donations with items like bean bags and toys flooding in.
To start with they plan to have a monthly social club, this first session a mixed age group of under 16-year-olds, but they will see if it is worth setting up a different group for the older children in this age range.
The owners of a local petting zoo have agreed to attend to the first session which will be held on Sunday, February 13 between 11am and 3pm.
Discos, bouncy castles, music, performing arts, and arts and crafts are just some of the exciting themes planned for future sessions.
The session is free, but Mrs Harris has set up a Go Fund Me page for the supplies that will need to be bought and replenished, such as paper, pens and crayons.
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