Activities

Hopedale House benefits from being close to a local market town, and within a 15 minute drive of Stoke-on-Trent’s extensive cultural, leisure and recreation facilities, but is rural enough to provide a peaceful, tranquil and therapeutic place to live on the edge of the spectacular Peak District National Park.

 

We believe that every child can be inspired by something; it is our aim to identify what ignites their passion and nurture their creativity. Children are encouraged to develop hobbies and interests through weekly 1:1 specialist sessions in areas such as electronic music, DJ-ing, sensory ceramics, horticulture, cookery, DIY, beauty and sports. Key workers also engage in these sessions, enabling them to further pursue the hobby with their key child. Family contact sessions can also incorporate these hobbies, if appropriate, providing a focus for positive interaction.

 

In the evenings and at the weekends, there is always the opportunity for children to join guided group activities, which may or may not be based on-site. Our experience has shown that positive behaviour is more likely when children are busy doing something that they enjoy.

 

Of course, for older children, a structured, personalised, working-towards independence programme, that allows children to experience the world of work and to manage their own needs, operates within both the home and the school.