Today, we had our first South Yorkshire Children’s Additional Needs Network (SYCANN) meeting of the year, and what a fantastic start it was! The meeting was packed with engaging activities, lively discussions, and plenty of opportunities to connect.
Welcome & Introductions
Nina Rose, our new chair, warmly welcomed everyone and gave a brief background of SYCANN for our new members. Her enthusiasm set the perfect tone for the rest of the session.
Previous Minutes & Matters Arising
We quickly agreed on the previous minutes, with no matters arising. Members were encouraged to complete the feedback questionnaire to help us make future meetings even better.
Reasonable Adjustment Bingo
The highlight of the meeting was undoubtedly the Reasonable Adjustment Bingo! Themed around reasonable adjustments for children with additional needs, the game was a hit. Fabulous prizes were up for grabs, including a bottle of red wine. We had two winners shouting bingo at the same time. They couldn’t share the bottle however—that would be unprofessional at midday in a law firm—so one winner graciously conceded it. 😜 Cheers to community spirit!
Open Discussion
We then moved on to an open discussion about the future direction of SYCANN. There was a lively conversation about having hybrid meetings and adjusting timings to boost attendance. We floated the idea of a hybrid meeting for the next one. Nina Rose and Maxine from Irwin Mitchell will be ringing round to drum up feedback and see how we can support engagement of our current membership on a quarterly basis.
Updates
We had several exciting updates to share:
- Activating Sheffield Culture for Children and Young People: Join us on Thursday, 13 March, from 10:30am to 12:30pm at The Workstation. This event is open to anyone working with children or young people. Grab your tickets on Eventbrite!
- Roundtable Discussion with Gill Furniss MP: Happening on Friday, 28 February, from 10:00 to 11:00am at the Circle in Sheffield. We’ll be discussing local health and social care issues.
- Irwin Mitchell and SYCANN Family Fun Day: Save the date for Sunday, 22 June 2025, at Niagara Sports and Social Club in Hillsborough, Sheffield. This is a fantastic networking opportunity with stalls, stands, and activities for children. Members, sign up for a stand/stall and bring your best activities and information for parents.
- Play Work Training Courses: Check out the Sheffield Play Partnership website for free courses, including paediatric first aid and other CPD child play training.
- Play Sundays Events: Join us every Sunday from 12-2pm at Temple Park Centre, Sheffield. These events are open to all families, providing a space for networking and fun. Snacks and hot drinks are provided, and no sign-up is needed.
- SHASBAH Updates: SHASBAH has secured a 3-year extension of lottery funding. Upcoming events include a free barge trip with lunch provided, accessible to wheelchair users.
Next Meeting
Mark your calendars for the next SYCANN meeting on 20 May 2025, from 10-12pm at the Irwin Mitchell Sheffield office. The provisional theme is green social prescribing, like attending forest schools. We can’t wait to see you there!
