In January 2020, we were funded a 5-day break at Bluestone Wales for 37 families. In January 2022, thanks to support we were able to smash this by taking 111 families, our dream for January 2024 is over 300 families!!! You can help us achieve our dream.

Play, Stay and Sign is a pioneering project which involves taking families with disabled children away for a residential stay where the focus is on encouraging sign language in a fun, friendly and supportive setting.

Many families with disabled children use signing, or want to use it, to assist their disabled childs communication, understanding and inclusion in everyday life. Follow Your Dreams is a passionate advocate for the use of signing with disabled children where it will enhance their communication and understanding. As a charity we have aimed to incorporate sign into as many of our activities as possible. Our members have relayed to us a real need for more opportunities to encourage signing use amongst their families, and a definite lack in provision for learning and improving their signing skills, particularly in practical, family-friendly ways. We are grateful to be supported by Andy Mc Makaton Tutor, Amanda Glennon Inclusive Teaching Matters, Suzanne and Tracy Singing Hands and DJ Jay.

Bluestone 2024

Families will benefit from an invaluable opportunity to meet, make friends, and socialise with other families experiencing similar situations, and opportunities to support each other, and share their knowledge and experience.

They will benefit from the opportunity to enhance relationships within the family unit through spending quality time together on a break away from daily routines and challenges. They will benefit from support with the tools for improving their communication with, and understanding of, one another.

Children with disabilities will benefit from the opportunity to enjoy unique, inclusive and accessible sign-based activities, centred around their communication needs. The residential will help them to feel more included in a group or community as well as in family life, and less excluded and isolated by their disability. Which is also incredibly important to their siblings and carers who are also an important part of this very special project.

In 2022 we were able to follow COVID guidelines and regulations to keep the event COVID safe. The theatre we use is outdoors, cold on times, but families were able to keep a 2 metre distance and were able to wear masks if they chose to. However, we were restricted with numbers and the types of activities we could do. We are hopeful by Bluestone 2024 to take this remarkable project to a whole new level with the support of our incredible volunteers, funders, entertainers and YOU as a fundraiser.

All money raised for Bluestone 2024 will be restricted funding and ringfenced specifically for this project. Please help us make our dream come true Bluestone 2024.