Trimfinity club expanding to cater for teens

Trimfinity Arch Club, a club for children aged six to 10 with additional needs which launched last October, is gearing up to open a new club for teenagers.

Trimfinity Arch Club has been hugely successful since it launch and there is a waiting list for children to join such is the demand. Having seen he benefits the club had for younger children, founder Melissa Barwell and the committee turned their attention to setting up something similar for teens with additional needs so they could have a social space to meet and make friends.

Melissa's eight-year-old son Lenny has autism and she decided to set up a Trimfinity Arch Club as there was no club in the Trim locality for children with additonal needs. Melissa is also chairperson of the Trim Autism Friendly Town initiative, which aims to support and encourage people to understand Autism and create a more united community. The groups works with local businesses to increase inclusivity and provide training for staff and practical support.

Melissa explained that social groups can have a huge impact on people with autism and there was nothing based in Trim. She said there were great groups in Athboy and Navan but nothing locally and at the time she didn't drive.

"I thought it was a void. I wanted Lenny to make friends and have a social space where he could be himself and everyone understands".

The club began last October and met every week in the Living Hope Church. The weekly meetings are now on a break for the summer but the group is also running a summer camp. From September, their meetings will resume but in a new venue at the Aura Leisure Centre.

Apart from the children making friends and having a social outlet, Melissa explained that it also provides a great support system for parents and they have built fantastic relationships and made friends.

"There is no pressure on the kids. If they want to get involved they can and if they don't that's fine. It's a great environment and has helped Lenny thrive. Before he tended to play on his own but now he is engaging with the other kids and its mad to see the development in only a few months. He is happy to engage and play."

At the same time, they saw that there was nothing for older children and Melissa said the teenage years can be particularly difficult and felt it was important that they have something in place for older children.

The new teen club will meet in Trim Library bi-monthly initially, and Melissa explained that if there is enough interest, they will increase it to weekly.

Volunteers are in place, the venue is in place and they are just waiting for garda vetting and other paperwork to come through and hope to be open by the end of next month.

To find out more about getting involved contact Trimfinity Arch Club by email on trimfinityarchclub@gmail.com.