SEND Youth Games and Movie Night at YMCA Lincolnshire

Looking for a welcoming and fun evening where young people can relax, connect, and just have a good time? YMCA Lincolnshire’s SEND Youth Games and Movie Night is happening this Wednesday (13th November) at the Showroom on Tritton Road, Lincoln and it’s free to attend! Hosted by the youth team, this event is designed especially for children and teens ages 6 to 18, with all sorts of activities, treats, and spaces where they can feel right at home.

Leo Copsey, YMCA’s youth services manager, and youth worker Leum are excited to create a night that gives young people a chance to enjoy themselves outside of the usual school or home environment. “Tomorrow we’ve got a Games and Movie Night, specifically aimed at SEND children,” says Leum. “It’s aimed to just give them somewhere they can come, chill out, enjoy their time.”

What’s Happening?

The Games and Movie Night is packed with activities, including:

• Free popcorn and snacks – classic snacks for a classic night!

• Movies – a chance to watch some favourite films in a relaxed, comfy setting.

• Games – there’s something for everyone, from board games to active play.

• Xboxes – for those who love gaming, there’s plenty of screen time available.

Leum is especially looking forward to it and encourages young people to come and make it a true gathering. “I’m excited for it. So, I’m hoping someone else will come and make sure I don’t have to eat all the snacks myself!”

Event Details

The event is designed to cater to different age groups in a safe, relaxed environment:

• Ages 6 to 11: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

• Ages 11 to 18: 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

“We have two sessions,” Leum explains, “to make sure we’re creating a positive space for everyone to feel comfortable, engage with others, and enjoy themselves.” 

Creating a Safe, Supportive Environment

YMCA Lincolnshire’s youth services are all about providing young people with spaces where they can express themselves freely and enjoy social interactions in a secure setting. “The YMCA is all about reaching out and serving others,” Leo shares. “It’s about welcoming people that need a bit of support, need a bit of a platform to be the best versions of themselves.”

To ensure each young person feels at ease, YMCA Lincolnshire tailors its approach to each individual’s needs. For those attending for the first time or who might feel a little anxious, Leo encourages parents to join their child for the session and see how they interact. “Come and have a chat to us, bring your young person to the session, and see how they start interacting,” he suggests.

Leo recalls instances where nervous young people quickly felt at ease with the team’s supportive presence. “We’ve had parents bring non-verbal or limited-communication young people, and within about 10 minutes they’ve felt safe enough to grab one of the youth workers’ hands, point to an activity, and go off to play without the parent needing to be involved.” YMCA’s open and reassuring environment helps build trust and familiarity, which is central to the team’s approach.

Designed for SEND and Young People in Lincolnshire

YMCA Lincolnshire is committed to supporting young people of all backgrounds and needs, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Games and Movie Night is specially designed to ensure that all young people, regardless of background, can participate. “We’re not here to pitch a dream of everyone being perfectly engaged all the time,” says Leo, noting that young people come with unique needs and that the team is prepared to offer one-on-one support when needed.

Leum, who’s worked closely with many young people and families, adds that they always make adjustments to meet each attendee’s comfort level. “There’s always a lot of anxiety the first time coming in,” he explains. “We’ve had people come in who’ve tried other places and maybe been met with some level of lack of understanding. Here, we give everyone time to feel comfortable and stay until they feel at home.” For many families, this level of consideration and individual focus makes all the difference.

How to Join the Fun

Interested in joining Games and Movie Night? No booking is required – just show up and enjoy! For those who want more details, feel free to connect with YMCA Lincolnshire Youth on Facebook. You’ll find information on the event, as well as a QR code for easy access to the sign-up form if you'd like to let the team know you’re coming.

“We’ve got popcorn, snacks, games, movies, Xboxes – anything and everything you might need to have a good time on a Wednesday night,” says Leo.

Join us this Wednesday at the showroom on Tritton Road for a night of fun, laughter, and community. It’s a perfect way for young people to relax, make friends, and enjoy an evening designed just for them.

Visit https://lincsymca.my.site.com/webforms/s/ymcalsignform for more details