My Family Creates: Groove with Gertie – for SEND children

‘Groove with Gertie’ is a movement and music video designed for SEND children, created by Salma Zaman and Nisha Lall as part of the Huddersfield Literature Festival project ‘My Family Creates’ and launched during Sangam Festival 2021.

It will premiere on YouTube at 1pm on Monday 9 August.

The project provides free online creative activities specially designed for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) families, with particular focus on those of South Asian, African and Caribbean heritage. The videos and downloadable activity packs feature creative writing, dance, creative and physical movement, sensory drama and wellbeing activities – delivered by industry experts, Salma Zaman and Nisha Lall.

The activity packs are available to download from our Festival website and the videos are hosted on the HLF YouTube channel and available to SEND schools, organisations and networks.

My Family Creates fills a gap in provision for SEND families, many of whom have been shielding or limiting outside contact due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The aim is to improve confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing, and to reduce isolation for participants, while encouraging families to try new creative activities in the familiar setting of their own homes and to bond over shared experiences.

The project has the support of a range of local partners.

Dan Pearce, Deputy Principal of Castle Hill school, a Huddersfield Academy for learners with complex layered needs, said: “We think it is vital that there is diverse and inclusive support. It is difficult for many of our families to access appropriate community arts provision for many reasons. With wellbeing so high on the agenda, it is important that opportunities for families to access the arts are available.”

Darren Tordoff, Inclusions Officer, Kirklees Council, commented: “This type of activity, which will utilise Makaton, will have an increased appeal to children with a disability from a BAMER background. Data suggests that of all disabled children accessing community-based activity funded by Kirklees Council’s Disability Service, only 12% are from a BAMER background.”