What we learned this summer

The Summer Escapes programme of 2025, funded by Southwark Council, turned out to be a wonderful success – but also an unexpected learning journey. At the start, things weren’t easy. We had planned the programme only for young adults aged 16–25, but numbers were low. Opening the project to younger participants from age 11 upwards felt like a gamble. Could such a wide age range really play and learn together? To our delight (with safeguarding in place), the answer was yes – not only did they mix, but they thrived together. Friendships formed across ages, and the young people surprised us with their generosity and adaptability.

Bowled Over: Competition and Collaboration

One highlight was a bowling trip to Finsbury Park with My Teen Tribe and the Young Adults group. Bowling can get competitive, and with such a wide age range we worried about conflict. Instead, the group embraced the challenge of competing with themselves rather than each other.

What was truly heartening was the way collaboration flourished. A young teenager named M. stepped in to help a young adult who had never bowled before. Together, they worked on technique, and before long, the strikes were flowing. The day became less about scores and more about teamwork, encouragement, and joy.

Baking and Bonding

Inspired by the Great British Bake Off, we organised a baking day with Damian, a local baker who taught the group how to make cinnamon rolls. The process required patience and teamwork, and everyone rose to the challenge.

While the dough was proofing, the group turned to dodgeball. At first, the young adults held back, but the younger ones encouraged them in until everyone was playing. By the time the trays of cinnamon rolls emerged from the oven, the air was full of laughter – and the sweet smell of success. The day taught us about trust, resilience, and the rewards of shared effort.

Unusual Connections at the Movies

Another memorable escape was a cinema trip to see Lilo & Stitch. A 21-year-old with higher needs joined two young adults and a supervisor. Though strangers, they quickly found themselves working together – explaining the process, helping with practicalities, and learning each other’s rhythms.

It was a simple outing, but one that captured the essence of the Neurodiversity Family Hub: integration, acceptance, and joy through shared experience. The cinema showed us how quickly barriers can melt away in an inclusive and open environment.

Celebrating Shared Spaces

To close the summer, the Hub hosted a lively “Summer Jam” with spray painting, karaoke, a photo booth, treasure hunts, and tricycles. For neurodiverse young people, such events can be overwhelming, but quiet areas for rest made the party enjoyable for all.

What we saw was inspiring: older and younger children creating together, then naturally branching into different activities, all while respecting each other’s boundaries. It was a living example of solidarity, adaptability, and mutual respect.

Lessons for the Future

Looking back, this summer has reshaped our approach. We learned to let go of strict age separations and instead embrace collaboration between younger children and young adults. This trust in their ability to learn from one another has paid off in ways we never imagined.

The Summer Escapes programme didn’t just give young people fun days out – it gave us all a new faith in what can happen when different ages, abilities, and personalities come together. We step into the year ahead with gratitude, hope, and excitement for what this remarkable community will achieve next.