This morning we decided we would go and visit the Tim Lamb Centre at the Rising Sun Country Park in Benton, Newcastle. Reilly has been there many times with school and always seems to enjoy it so on a rare Saturday off for Shane we decided to check it out. As always we showed Reilly photographs of the centre and he happily got into the car, this usually only happens on being shown photos of Toys R Us, Smyth’s or kinder eggs. Result.
Only around 10 minutes by car from my house The Tim Lamb Centre was like a little hidden gem that I should have found way earlier. We were shown around by a lovely young lady and I was really impressed by the facilities.
- Baby & toddler room packed with toys, play kitchens etc
- Art & crafts room
- Teen room with gaming consoles etc
- Trampoline room with 3 trampolines and enough Lego to build another centre
- Music room
- Sensory room fully equipped with sensory lights, wires etc
- IT Suite
- Soft play area
- Cafe
- Special toilets & changing bed
- Enormous outdoor play area – swings, slides, ride ons, climbing frames
- Chickens, guinea pigs, goats & rabbits!
But best of all was what there wasn’t. No judgey glares – the pressure was off. I am always in fear of the next meltdown and where it will be but not here. Everyone gets it.
The centre is for children with additional needs and their siblings. We signed up for a year immediately (£15 plus £2 per session). This also enables you to apply for a stay (for a fee) at one of their lovely caravans at Haggerston Castle or Appleby too.
I need somewhere like this where I can actually relax with Reilly, no tuts, no parenting advice from old codgers on how a smack would sort him out and a cup of tea in peace while he plays where he feels comfortable and is accepted. Priceless.
Pathways 4 all are a charity and a great one at that I know we will be returning frequently.
I also must say the name Tim Lamb was really familiar to me and it came to me that this was the gentleman that was spoken of very highly when we started the charity North East Hearts with Goals I believe he was a keen advocate of the placement of defibrillators as Metrocentre Manager. So a shared passion of making lives easier for those with different abilities and for saving lives. A great combination I’m sure we all agree. Strange how things link up.
Check it out, you might see me – I’ll be the one yawning and frazzled trying to stop Reilly having a wobbler ……. oh hang on that’s right that’s not just me anymore 😄.
A great day apart from he didn’t want to come home and attempted an escape from his car seat for the entire journey complete with screaming of banshee proportions. I’m pretty certain passing drivers would have noted the reg. Most of the night spent sat in the car which is his new favourite place.
Today’s nickname Luke Cloud Walker.
The Life of Reilly 