Sheffield charity for autistic children creates online timetable of fun

Sparkle Sheffield says the lockdown has been extremely difficult for families, with many children finding it unbearable because routines have been broken.

Even problems such as not being able to get specific food for children has caused stress and anxiety for families.

The charity decided to help by introducing a weekly timetable with virtual play sessions from around the world.

There is yoga from Seattle, a puppet show in California, a visit to Coral World in the Caribbean and a zoo in Singapore.

There are also play sessions from around the UK, including a bubble show from London, science entertainer from Hampshire and a plant-based cookery demonstration, drama, taekwondo and Lego therapy, all from Sheffield.

There will also be an extra bedtime story session called Sparkle Us A Bedtime with a mixture of the charity's Youth Ambassadors and celebrities reading a bedtime story at 7pm

Celebrities include patron Adrian Lester, Hugh Bonneville, Meera Syal and Jason Manford.

Parents can also be supported with talks by professionals on how to cope with challenging behaviour doing lockdown, speech and language tips plus coping strategies.

Sparkle Sheffield is funded by Children in Need for monthly play sessionsm, so has created the timetable during the coronavirus lockdown.

Each session is provided by Zoom video calls, for more information about how to access them email [email protected]