Louise and Jaime’s Story
Finding somewhere safe, accessible and supportive for Jaime to go on her own felt a real challenge for Louise. Jaime has complex needs, and leaving her anywhere meant carrying a constant sense of worry and guilt.
“Other clubs outside school meant I’d have to find and fund a carer to go with her. What I really wanted was a place where 
Jaime could build her confidence and spread her wings on her own.”
Accuro was first recommended to Louise by a teacher when Jaime was much younger, and she put Jaime’s name down straight away. When Jaime was nine, she started attending Accuro’s Saturday Play Club and Holiday Scheme, and Louise quickly realised this was somewhere different.
“Straight away, I noticed that the staff focused on what would make the children happy, and they spoke directly to Jaime rather than through me. We were made very welcome, and Jaime was included immediately. I didn’t even stay at the session as I thought. I came back to collect her and there were smiles all over her face. She must have felt safe enough to relax and enjoy it.”
Louise says that even within SEND settings there can sometimes be assumptions about a child’s needs, but that hasn’t been her experience at Accuro.
“I don’t find that at Accuro. The staff really go out of their way to understand individual needs, using different ways of communicating, and that’s made such a difference.”
That approach has helped Jaime to grow in confidence and feel able to try new things, even when communication feels difficult.
“Even though Jaime doesn’t have all the tools yet, Accuro has given her the confidence to try. She’s much more confident about having a crack at communicating now.”
The impact of Accuro isn’t only felt by Jaime; it has also given Louise some much-needed breathing space in her week.
“Most of the time I’m single parenting Jaime, and when your child has complex needs you’re always on high alert and can’t really relax.”
While Jaime is at Saturday Play Club, Louise can meet her dad for a coffee, something that had previously been very hard to manage.
“We get to catch up properly, and Dad gets the chance to socialise outside the house too. That would be really difficult to do without Accuro.”
Before finding Accuro, school holidays could be especially difficult, and Louise often felt overwhelmed trying to keep Jaime occupied in a way that was safe and enjoyable.
“Summer holidays have almost finished me off in the past, so knowing there’s at least one day a week where Jaime is out having a lovely time makes a huge difference. It’s a day I don’t have to research or worry about whether somewhere is safe or will meet her needs.”
The Summer Holiday Scheme felt like a big step for both, pushing them slightly beyond their comfort zones.
“I was so nervous about sending her, as I worried about whether she’d be able to communicate her needs with adults she didn’t know very well. But every time she came out beaming and confident, and realising she could try things for herself made her so happy.”
Now, Accuro is somewhere Jaime genuinely looks forward to, and attending has become a positive and familiar part of her routine.
“I never get a no when I ask about going to Accuro — it’s always ‘yep’. She’ll go immediately, as much as possible.”
For Louise, the reassurance that Accuro provides has been life-changing, giving both of them something to look forward to each week.
“Knowing she’s safe, comfortable and happy is huge. It gives Jaime something that’s just hers, without me.”
Looking ahead, Louise also finds comfort in knowing that Accuro will continue to be there as Jaime grows older.
“One of the big appeals is knowing there are youth clubs and adult clubs she can access later. It’s wonderful to know there’s a future for her here too.”
And for any parent who’s unsure about getting in touch?
“Go, go, go — don’t look back!”
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Accuro Saturday Play Club and Holiday Scheme are supported through grant funding from Uttlesford District Council.
