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Complex Needs

The next Seashells group for children with Complex Needs – Friday 13th March, 10:30am-11:45am at Windmill Children’s Centre

Support for Children with Complex Medical Needs and their Families

At Ealing Anchor Foundation (EAF), in collaboration with Early Start SEND Ealing, are proud to offer welcoming, inclusive sessions designed especially for children aged 5 and under with complex medical needs.

Our aim is simple: to make it easier, safer, and more joyful for families to attend, play, and connect.

Safe, Supported, and Accessible Sessions

Every session is set up with the needs of medically complex children in mind. We provide:

  • An extra pair of hands to support your child and the group as a whole
  • Specialist toys and sensory equipment tailored to support and stimulate children with a wide range of needs
  • Transport arranged for a small charge if travelling to the session would be too stressful or difficult

We understand how overwhelming it can be for parents and carers to visit new places or attend group sessions. Our team are here to support you at every step so that you and your child feel safe, welcomed, and understood.

A Community That Truly Gets It

Many families attending EAF sessions are caring for children with significant medical needs. Our play and support groups as well as our trips and parties offer a unique space where:

  • Parents and carers can connect with others who share similar experiences
  • Children can enjoy play in a safe, nurturing environment
  • Siblings are always welcome and included
  • Families can share the joys, challenges, and everyday realities of caring for their child

We strive to make every visit enriching, meaningful, and enjoyable for the whole family.

About Seashells Group: A Family Sound Journey

We are delighted to offer a special sensory experience for families: The Seashells Sound Journey — a calming, creative, and fully inclusive session suitable for young children with complex needs who are not yet walking.

What Is a Sound Journey?

A Sound Journey is a gentle sensory experience where children and families can relax while being guided through sound and storytelling. Participants can sit or lie comfortably while a soothing soundscape created with instruments such as chimes, drums, and shakers encourages imagination and deep relaxation.

Children are free to explore, vocalise, or play instruments. Every sound they make becomes part of the shared musical moment.

What to Expect

A Seashells session offers:

  • A calming, nature‑inspired sound and story journey
  • Time to relax, reconnect, and unwind as a family
  • Opportunities for children to explore instruments and express themselves
  • A space where all forms of communication and movement are welcomed

Sessions explore themes from the natural world — animals, landscapes, weather, and the elements — encouraging creativity through rhythm, texture, and imagination.

Session Structure

Each 40‑minute session includes:

  • First 10 minutes: A guided sound and story journey led by Esther. Up to four families are invited to rest, listen, and drift into imagination.
  • Second 30 minutes: A group circle where families help co‑create a simple story using instruments, expressing its characters and feelings through shared play.

About Esther

The Seashells group is led by Esther, an Ealing‑based artist, performer, and mother of mixed Iranian–Scottish heritage. With more than 20 years of creative practice and a decade of experience facilitating inclusive spaces, Esther brings warmth, sensitivity, and artistic depth to every session.

Her practice is shaped by:

  • Traditional storytelling and world music
  • Movement and rhythm-based creative practices
  • Lived experience as a neurodivergent burns survivor
  • A belief in the therapeutic power of creativity, connection, and play

Esther is not a therapist but an artist who uses creative methods to foster joy, curiosity, and meaningful connection.