A SPECIAL group of visitors have helped to bring children with disabilities or developmental difficulties out of their shells.

Sparkle, the charity partner of the Serennu Children’s Centre, has provided a number of activity sessions with the help of various animals at the weekly clubs hosted by the charity. A and S Animal Encounters provided animals including meerkats, snakes, lizards and tortoises for the sessions.

South Wales Argus:

Dawn Watkins, supervisor at Sparkle, said: “They loved it, absolutely loved it. Every single young person was excited about the experience.

“One young person really came out of his shell, he never would have touched an animal before. And it’s boosted their confidence speaking to new people.”

Funding to help the projects at the centre was given by the Welsh Government and Newport City Council’s Winter of Wellbeing fund.

South Wales Argus:

Sparkle delivers supported leisure activities at the Serennu Children’s Centre in Rogerstone and across Gwent for children and young people with disabilities and/or developmental difficulties. It also provides support and guidance for children, young people and their families.

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The aim of the charity is to ensure that the children, young people and their families are able to participate in valuable childhood experiences with access to the same range of opportunities, life experiences, activities and community services as any other child and their family.

South Wales Argus:

Find out more about Sparkle at https://www.sparkleappeal.org/

Sparkle is on Facebook, Instagram (@sparkleappealofficial) and Twitter (@sparkleappeal).