Information for Parents

What happens at KEEN?

KEEN offers one-to-one or even two-to-one coaching for children with special needs. Each child is paired up with a volunteer who can provide individual attention and care. All our coaches are vetted and attend a training session before working with children. At the beginning of each sports session, the coach responsible for your child will be given a profile card containing information provided by you, regarding your child's favourite games, abilities as well as any important medical details.

Do you want to know more?

There is lots of information on this page. You can also look at the parents information booklet by clicking here.

To join KEEN you need to fill in a registration form which you can download here and post back to us. This form provides us with information about your child and your contact details. Once we have received your registration form we will give you information about our sessions and invite you to come along!

If you have any questions, please contact us by email for more information.

When and where do sessions take place?

Sports and arts sessions currently take place weekly during school term time on Sunday mornings between 11.15am and 12.45pm. They are held in Tufnell Park in North London. Special events take place throughout the year at different places in London. Most activities are completely free.

What do you do at sessions?

Sports Sessions

The session starts with a warm-up and then the sports and games begin. Some of the games we play include football, basketball, playground games, relay races and much more. In a typical session, there are two or three different activities on offer. A session leader instructs the whole group in each sport or activity, while the coaches make sure each child is able to take part and have fun.

Creative Sessions

At out creative sessions we do an arts and crafts activity such as making masks, or painting, we sing and we dance! We do activities according to what the children enjoy and this session is different each week.

Special Events

Due to the level of support and one-to-one attention we are able to provide, we give special needs children access to activities in which it is otherwise very hard for them to participate. We go ice skating, trampolining, swimming and pony riding, and hold an annual party and a picnic at an adventure playground.

What will my child gain?

FUN - The emphasis at KEEN is always on having fun and making sure everyone enjoys themselves.
CONFIDENCE - Athletes at KEEN are encouraged to achieve at their level of ability. With individual coaching, every child can succeed and go home with a sense of pride.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT - Taking part in sports helps KEEN athletes to learn new skills and develop coordination, as well as being great exercise.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - As part of the KEEN community, children make new friends and have a a chance to play together in a supportive environment.
And if you need to hear more, read these quotes from K.E.E.N. Oxford parents:

"As a family it's transformed our lives. Students were saying to us that they enjoyed being with our children and wanted to be with them more - it did wonders for our children's self-esteem and wonders for the sense of isolation you feel as a special-needs family.
It's a sense of belonging. Kate wears her T-shirt with enormous pride. She's probably cold tonight but she wouldn't wear anything over that shirt because she's so proud to belong." - Krzysia Gossage

"K.E.E.N. has given Richard the confidence to try any sport, he has learned to play tennis and we go off and do tennis exhibitions now for the Lawn Tennis Association. We'd be lost without K.E.E.N. now." - Bridget Hunt

"The kids are accepted as individuals, and not as people who have a problem". - Kate Wall

Are there any restrictions?

Currently KEEN offers activities to children between the ages of 5 and 14 with physical disabilities and mild to profound learning difficulties. We work with a huge range of abilities. It is exciting and challenging to have such a mix of abilities, because so many of the athletes are able to help others out, allowing them to put their own disabilities into context. Siblings are also welcome at KEEN, so we have mainstream children too. We welcome everybody and provide full support for all.

Last Updated 1/Dec/2007