A charity delivering creative projects for children with additional needs has designed a colourful calendar featuring some of the children and young adults it has helped.
Shabang! Inclusive Learning, based at The Watershed in Slaithwaite, has entitled its full-colour 2018 calendar “ChooseHappy” and included a different inspirational quote for each month along with the heart-warming images.
The quotes include the words of murdered Batley & Spen MP Jo Cox: “We have far more in common than that which divides us” as well as actress Katherine Hepburn’s advice: “If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.”
Each picture features children and young people who attend Shabang’s creative projects – accompanied by the appropriate Makaton symbols and signs. Makaton is a communication system designed specifically for children with communication needs.
Shabang created the calendar – its sixth – working with photographer Mike Barratt, of Frogs Design, based at Hebden Bridge.
Those featured range in age from four months to adults and all have additional needs including Down syndrome, autism and complex needs.
Kim Reuter, of Shabang, said: “Raising positive awareness and celebrating our children is definitely the name of the game. We aim to challenge perceptions and celebrate difference”.
The calendar was printed by Huddersfield-based print firm Brooke and Learoyd. All proceeds from the sale of the calendars, priced £9.99, will be used to fund Shabang’s projects next year.
Said Kim: “The calendars make excellent end of term presents for parents to buy for teachers and support staff. We would love to see more of our calendars on classroom walls across Kirklees.”
Shabang runs projects for children from babies and pre-school children with its weekly sessions called Little Tiddlers. The Up Club drama club for children and young people with Down’s Syndrome, Better Together family events, arts and crafts events for girls and young women and digital photography project Pixel Mates for young adults with disabilities, which starts in January.
Get in touch with Shabang if you or your child would like to join in.
The calendars are available from Sainsbury’s at Shorehead, at website www.shabang.org.uk/shop/ or by phoning Shabang on 01484 848073.
