This October half term, the Portsmouth Teenage Project once again delivered a week of unforgettable experiences for young people aged 11-16 years old with mild to moderate learning and/or physical disabilities.
Run by Enable Ability, and supported by the Household Support Fund through Portsmouth City Council, the Project focuses on helping young people develop confidence, independence and social skills through fun, structured activities in a supportive group setting.
The Household Support Fund is money from the UK Government to help residents most in need with everyday essentials such as food and energy bills. In Portsmouth, the fund also helps local projects like the Portsmouth Teenage Project to prevent families from falling into, or further into, financial crisis. The support ensures that children and young people can continue to access meaningful opportunities, stay active and feel included during school holidays, regardless of financial circumstances.
Across five exciting days, participants took part in many exciting activities; this included picking pumpkin from the ground and making soup from the pumpkins they picked earlier in the day. The Project were also fortunate enough to be gifted a tromboncino (more commonly known as a ‘trombone squash’) from a local school in Portchester called Wicor Primary School, where the pupils grow vegetables from their very own allotment in the school grounds; this type of squash was also added to the pumpkin soup which complimented the taste perfectly.
Other activities included an energetic session at Exploria, indoor adventure golf and a cinema trip. The week finished with a dazzling fireworks display at Fontwell Racecourse, bringing together everything the Project stands for; teamwork, laughter and new friendships.
One participant, aged 14, started the week nervous about travelling and meeting new people. By the end, they were helping staff, chatting confidently with others and describing the final night as “the best night ever”.
Project Leader James Donougher said, “It’s been incredible watching how much confidence our young people have gained in just a few days. You see them arrive shy or unsure, and by the end they’re helping others, laughing together and making memories that stay with them for life.”
Parents have also noticed the difference. One parent shared, “My child came home every day buzzing to tell us what they’d been up to. They’ve become more independent and even helped cook dinner one evening”.
The Portsmouth Teenage Project continues to give young people in the city a safe space to grow, explore and connect through shared experiences, all while building skills that last well beyond the holidays.
For more information or to make a referral, visit www.enableability.org.uk
