A Christmas Party With a Difference: Inclusion, Sensory Magic and Community Connection

A truly unique Christmas celebration took place this week at Benfield Football Club, hosted by Unite Club in partnership with NAPI (North East Action for Parents and Inclusion). Unlike typical festive parties, this event was created specifically with SEN families in mind, ensuring accessibility, emotional safety and thoughtful planning were at the centre of every decision.

NAPI is known across the region for its commitment to recognising the diverse needs of children and their families. Their work focuses on empowering families, supporting communities and promoting inclusive practice. Joining forces with Unite Club brought this mission to life in a powerful way.

Event lead Katie Toner brought the Sensory Shuttle, giving children access to a calm breakout space where they could regulate, rest or simply take a moment away from the excitement. The environment inside the venue was also carefully designed, with activities adapted to suit a wide range of sensory profiles and abilities. Intertwinned NE added joyful entertainment, and staff from Hadrian School in Newcastle contributed their expertise to support families throughout the day.

Among the team was Jodi Heyes, founder of Worley’s World CIC and the creative force behind the Worley’s World model. Jodi supported the welcoming of families as they arrived, offering reassurance and connection while also sharing the magic of her trauma-aware, play-led approach to emotional regulation. Many families and professionals took the opportunity to learn about Worley’s World and its tools for supporting big feelings at home.

One of the standout achievements of the event was the way children were supported to visit Santa without overwhelm. Thanks to the sensory-friendly setup, each child could approach in their own way, at their own pace and with the emotional safety they deserved.

This Christmas celebration highlighted what is possible when organisations across the North East come together with shared values and a genuine commitment to inclusion. With collaboration from Unite Club, NAPI, Intertwinned NE, Hadrian School staff and community creatives like Jodi Heyes, the event became a shining example of what accessible festive joy can look like.

For many families, it will be remembered as a Christmas party where their children were not only welcomed, but truly understood.

Here are the websites for the organisations involved with the event:

• Unite Club – https://www.uniteclub.co.uk/ 

• NAPI (North East Action for Children Parents & Inclusion) – https://www.napi.org.uk/ 

• Newcastle Benfield Football Club – https://benfieldjuniors.com/ 

• Hadrian School – https://hadrian.newcastle.sch.uk/ 

• Intertwined NE – https://www.intertwinedne.com/ 

• Worley’s World CIC – https://www.worleysworld.co.uk/