Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently paid a visit to Butterflies Youth Club in Hockley, to see for himself the facilities that they provide for local young people with special educational needs, which include after-school clubs, weekend clubs, holiday clubs, as well as pre-school for special needs/disabled children.
The Youth Club, which is run by volunteers with grant assistance, from a number of bodies including UK Youth, was established several years ago, on the site of the old ‘Massive Youth Project’ at Eldon Way, in Hockley. Butterflies provides youth facilities for young people with special educational needs, including at the end of the school day, for those parents who have still not finished work.
During his visit, Mark was shown around the facilities, including the ‘sensory room’, by Butterflies Coordinator Ms Jo Bejestani (who incidentally grew up just a few hundred yards around the corner from Mark, in Basildon, many years ago.)
Commenting on his visit to Butterflies, Mark said:
“It is a shame that the old ‘Massive Youth Project’ stopped operating several years ago, but, conversely, it is good to see that those facilities are now being put to very good use by the Butterflies Youth Club, especially to help cater for children with special educational needs. I am very grateful to the staff of Butterflies who showed me around and also gave me an opportunity to chat to the young people- who come from right across south Essex- and who take advantage of their services. This is also an issue close to my heart as I have recently launched a campaign to try and create a new special needs school in south Essex, something I also discussed with the staff while I was there. Having seen the very important service that Butterflies provide, I wish them and all their customers the very best for the future.”
