Joanne (Jala) Vally Mamode, a Roald Dahl funded Transition Specialist Nurse based in Newham, made a request to the ELFT Charity for monies to fund a trip to the theatre for a group of young people under the care of the Specialist Children and Young People's Team. Her request was successful and the 20 December 2023 saw a minibus of young people and parents setting off to the New Wimbledon Theatre to see the Cinderella pantomine featuring Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood.
Jala explains. "The reason I wanted to do this trip was to expand the horizons of these young people. They have special needs and limited experience outside of their home or school /college. They rarely get to have exciting ventures such as this. I really wanted them to have this experience for them to know what is out there and to make some great memories that they will always remember. I wanted this for their parents too as something they could experience and treasure together."
Enjoying the Journey
Both the patients and parents loved the journey on the minibus. Many do not travel often outside of Newham so they were very excited. The minibus driver joined in with the fun and ended up pointing out various landmarks along the way. Many of the young people are not in mainstream education so do not get to mix with young people with needs similar to their own. So it was heartwarming to see them bonding and enjoying each other's company. In all, the group consisted of six patients, six parents, two staff and two carers for patients who needed extra support.
Special Performance
The selected show was a relaxed performance meaning it was more suitable for people with additional needs. The cast came out and introduced themselves before it started. The lights did not dim as much as they would usually, and there were fewer loud noises. There was a quiet area for people to go if they needed space. And there was popcorn!
Absorbing Production
The reaction of the group surpassed the expectations. Jala said, "The young people absolutely loved it. Most had never been to the theatre before and they were very excited. They were gripped for the entire performance. Most of the patients I took were non-verbal. Those who were verbal told me that they loved it! One said 'It was amazing". One patient who can become agitated and restless was totally absorbed by the performance and sat rocking and clapping his hands throughout. Though he is largely non-verbal, he was singing on the minbius on the way back. It was so touching to see the impact of the experience."
Thank Yous
The feedback from the families as you can imagine was outstanding:
"Thank you so much. The outing was just what we needed. A big thank you to Jala and ELFT charity for a wonderful day at the theatre. God bless you for organising this."
"We had a fantastic time, more than we had ever expected."
"It was a wonderful experience and a lovely day."
"Thank you so much for arranging this trip. We had a great time and I am sure everyone else did as well."
"The impact on my daughter was profound; she returned from the trip with newfound confidence and a sparkle in her eyes. Such experiences are invaluable for our special needs children, who often face limitations in participating in typical social activities. I extend my gratitude to the ELFT Charity for funding this initiative. Their support made it possible for our children to enjoy a day filled with laughter, joy, and positive experiences."
Reflections
Jala was absolutely thrilled with the day. She said, "To be honest, prior to going, I was worried that some of the patients would struggle to sit for the performance or engage. I could not believe how well the whole day went. They loved the bus journey despite the length of travel and they were totally transfixed at the theatre. Not one person got bored, agitated or unhappy at any point. Every time I looked around they were smiling, clapping and rocking to the music. It truly could not have gone better."