Hipp!!Bones is a club for youngsters with special needs in the North Dorset area. We need a touch screen computer to improve our provision!
Our stretch goal will enable us to provide a more powerful touchscreen computer with a larger screen, a wider range of inclusive software, an external CD Rom, and a WiFi printer. The touch screen will allow direct interaction with the software, without using the mouse which can be a huge distraction for those with Autism, and the larger screen will benefit those with visual and physical difficulties.
Update!
We are so thankful for all of the contributions that have helped us reach our goals in such a short time! Thank you!
The campaign still has quite a bit of time left, however, so we'd like to continue to ask for your donations. Now that we'll be able to buy a PC, software and a printer, if there are any extra funds given to us in the CrowdFunder we will use it to further improve the provision.
For example, some other items that would be very useful to us in 2019 include:
Funding Hipp!!Bones requires that we raise approximately £5k per annum. We'd ask that, if possible, you consider donating even though we have reached the initial target for the computer and accessories.
Finally, Hipp!!Bones relies on volunteers - so if you are local to Gillingham (N. Dorset) and have some time to spare, we do hope you'll get in touch.
Thank you!
J. Green, Hipp!!Bones
Overview
Hipp!!Bones provides a targeted youth club for young people with learning difficulties, disabilities, Autism and/or additional needs living in North Dorset and neighbouring counties. We predominantly cater for young people aged 11-19 years of age, although we can continue to cater for our members up to the age of 25 years of age.
We understand how difficult the journey can be to find the right provision to meet the needs of young people with additional needs and disabilities, which is why Hipp!!Bones is hugely important to its members and the community it serves. The club enables vulnerable young people to meet in a safe environment, where they can meet with friends outside school, socialise and form new friendships, and acquire the skills necessary to become more independent as they move into adulthood, thus boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
Activities and Programme
Hipp!!Bones runs from Gillingham Youth & Community Centre, Cemetery Road, Gillingham from 10 am to 12 noon on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, all year round (with the exception of New Year’s Day). We offer four longer sessions across the year, in the school holidays, for off-site activities. The club encourages young people to explore new activities and gain life skills, through a variety of arts & crafts, cookery, and sporting pursuits. Air hockey, pool, and the Nintendo Wii are also available in the Coffee Bar. All activities are appropriately differentiated to meet each young person’s needs, routines are in place giving a sense of security, and staff use simple language reinforced with visual clues and sign language to support communication. We have communication aids; switches and switch activated resources to enable young people with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties to participate independently in activities and have greater control over their immediate environment.
But we need a new computer!
Our dedicated Hipp!!Bones computer has become obsolete, and our current meeting place has only very limited facilities for us to provide computer related activities as part of our programme. We’d like to fix this as our members haven't had access to a PC for approximately 18 months. We are using this campaign to raise funds for a new touch screen computer, that can also be used with a keyboard and mouse if appropriate. Touch screens are invaluable in accommodating young people with physical issues that might find a traditional mouse and keyboard setup difficult to use. Users with cerebral palsy, for instance, may have difficulty manipulating a mouse or typing on a standard keyboard, making traditional computing tasks difficult. Directly accessing icons on a screen, however, is much easier for a young person with physical difficulties.
We would like to install inclusive technology apps, switch accessible software, touch screen software, Clicker 7, Symwriter 2, and install games from CD ROM (if indeed they still exist), and other learning resources. We have jelly bean switches, a roller ball mouse and large letter/ colour coded QWERTY keyboard, we just need the new touch screen computer and more software.
By providing a touch screen PC combined with the power of Windows 10 Professional, it will enable access for those with physical difficulties, support developing and emergent writers, and have a Microsoft package for the more able to produce simple flyers, PowerPoints and videos to promote the club, and research off-site trip venues on Google, thus offering differentiation for all members. By providing a varied and relevant programme of fun learning opportunities, Hipp!!Bones supports and empowers young people who are disabled to live the life they choose and achieve their full potential.
About Us
Hipp!!Bones staff are very knowledgeable and experienced in the fields of youth work and special education and are supported by a team of dedicated adult volunteers and young volunteers.
Hipp!!Bones Club 4 Youngsters with Special Needs Ltd’ (Hipp!!Bones C4YSN Ltd), is a not for profit company limited by guarantee that was incorporated on the 14th July 2015, to secure the financial future of Hipp!!Bones. On the 1st September 2016, the management of Hipp!!Bones also came under the remit of Hipp!!Bones C4YSN Ltd Management Committee.
Company Officers
Belinda Brenda Louise RIDOUT – Director and Management Committee Member
David Philip Louis WALSH – Director and Chairman
Susan Joan HUNT – Director and Vice Chair
Joan Weymouth ARATHOON – Director and Management Committee Member
Tracy DONEGAN – Treasurer
Serena BURGESS – Secretary
Jennifer Carol GREEN – Management Committee Member, Safeguarding Lead, Health & Safety Lead and Youth Support Worker in Charge
Find or Call Us
Hipp!!Bones C4YSN Ltd
Company Number: 09684386
Company Address: 4 Cedar Park, Cobham, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7SF
http://www.hippbones.co.uk
07983 674719
Thank You!
"Creative Commons Thank-You-Word-Cloud" by Ashashyou is licensed under CC A-S A 4.0 International. All other images are copyright (c) 2019 Hipp!!Bones C4YSN Ltd.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation.