A Relaxed Christmas event for children with autism and special educational needs has been welcomed.
The Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council initiative which will see children enjoy the magic of festive season in a suitable format at Bleary Business and Community Centre from this Wednesday, December 4.
Booking is essential to enjoy the ‘Relaxed Christmas ’ initiative. It will take place on weekdays from 4pm to 8pm; on Saturdays from 11am to 6pm; and on Sundays from 12 noon to 7pm. The last ‘Relaxed Christmas’ session will take place on Sunday, December 15.
The experience will offer a range of seasonal activities featuring thoughtfully chosen Christmas decorations, lighting, props, and sensory items.
Each family will have the opportunity to spend quality time together in a truly magical atmosphere, with the overall experience lasting approximately 40 minutes.
Families will be able to immerse themselves in a festive journey featuring a silent disco, Mrs Claus’s Kitchen, the North Pole Projection Show, and Santa’s Grotto. Some of the sessions are already fully booked, which is why early booking is essential.
Speaking at last Monday’s (November 25) ABC monthly meeting, Cllr Julie Flaherty told Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy: “The Relaxed Christmas event, I’m really looking forward to that. I believe you will make your visit to Bleary to ‘Relaxed Christmas’, and I tell you, get ready for it, because it’ll be like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
“I know there’s a few few spaces still left, so any parent that maybe hasn’t been to one of these events before, or feels maybe nervous, please don’t, it is a very special event for children and you will be well looked after.
“I hope you get out of it what I know I do. We have a very small team in the Events part of Economic Development in our town centres, and they’ve worked really hard and diligently.”
Last year’s ‘Relaxed Christmas’ initiative proved to be such a success that the UUP councillor for Portadown DEA was quite emotional when she mentioned attending it, at a council meeting held last February.
A total of 220 families attended the sessions in December of last year, and over 280 children and 292 adults came to visit. Attendance is likely to be greater this year, as a lot more sessions have been scheduled to help meet demand.
Referring to last year’s ‘Relaxed Christmas’ event at the committee meeting held last February, Cllr Flaherty said: “When it comes to Christmas there’s one thing I I will never miss and it’s that Relaxed Christmas event. It’s an event that we really should be very proud of in this council. It’s a very special event for families and children. I get all emotional when I talk about this. It’s so important for these children.
“When we do something in this council well, we should be singing it from the rooftops that we do it well and that it’s appreciated.”
Booking is still open for this year’s ‘Relaxed Christmas’ sessions at Bleary Business and Community Centre. Tickets are available on the ABC Council’s social media outlets – Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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