Show them you care

The voluntary service aims to offer help and support for the whole family, and is one of the beneficiaries of the Evening Advertiser's Christmas toy appeal.

The group provides children with special needs the opportunity to play and learn, while their parents have the chance to mix with others in similar situations.

The group was formed in 1987 by a team of parents with children with special needs. Koalas was originally based in the recreational room in the grounds of the Victoria Hospital. It now functions from a hut in Okus Road.

Stephanie Hathaway is the group's co-ordinator. She has been involved with Koalas from the onset when the group comprised of just six children.

Mrs Hathaway, who is in her 40s, estimates that over 300 children have attended sessions at Koalas, many of whom she still keeps in touch with.

She said: "Integrating children who have special needs with those who don't provides a great opportunity to play and learn.

"We normally have about 20 children from babies to five-year-olds in any one session with five members of staff other than myself.

"The mornings are structured to meet Ofsted guidelines which includes playtime. Each child has a key worker who is responsible for development needs. We also liaise with the children's therapists to ensure they are receiving the best possible care and attention."

Becky Rogers from Walcot is one of the newer parents to join the group. Her son, Nathan, was born eight weeks early and suffers from Prader Willi Syndrome. He is now ten weeks old.

Mrs Rogers, 25, explained: "Prader Willi affects one in every 22,000 births. It results from a chromosome deficiency and occurs by pure fluke of nature.

"At conception he received faulty chromosome 15 from his father's side. It means that he is constantly asleep and will remain lethargic for the first year of his life.

"I must be the only new mum who is actually wanting their child to cry.

"He will have a slower mental capacity than other children and won't be able to walk until he is about two. Any time between the age of one to five, his appetite will increase and he will always be hungry."

Stella Alston, 29, believes Koalas is a godsend for her 18-month-old daughter Bethany. Little Bethany suffered from fluid on the brain when she was born which has led to learning difficulties.

Her mother explained that as a result she is about seven or eight months behind other children. She has been attending the group since May with her brother Marcus, who is three.

Mrs Alston said: "Her condition wasn't picked up until she was about six months, despite the fact that her head was growing at a rate of a centimetre a week. Dr Ravi Chinthapalli at the PMH has been absolutely brilliant.

"Her head circumference is now about 50 centimetres but as her body size catches up it is less noticeable.

"It can get depressing when people stare and whisper in the street but Koalas helps me cope so much.

"Bethany has really come on since we have been coming here. Her skills are developing and she is able to reach out and grab items.

"The light room is fantastic. It really keeps her interest. They have cause and effect items in there, which encourages children to try it for themselves."

The light room has been in operation since 1995 and features fibre optics, a bubble machine, colourful switches and the remarkable light dome, which emits nursery rhymes.

Our Christmas toy appeal will provide these children with something a little extra.

Elaine Coghlan, 41, senior assistant play leader, said: "The parents are so appreciative when we receive these gifts. It's wonderful to see the reactions of the children as well as the mums and dads."

Koalas runs four sessions a week for 48 weeks a year. Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions run between 9.30am and 11.30am and cost £2.50, while Tuesdays run until 1.30pm and cost £3.50.

For more information call Stephanie on Swindon 615351.

www.hants.gov.uk/istcclr/cch07462.html

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