Slim Ricks outdoor food adventures - growing confidence through food and connection - SEND events and activities

Description

Slim Ricks BBQ School is an outdoor (sheltered) food venue and cookery school, promoting equality, inclusion and community engagement through food education.

This part of the organisations offer is specifically for children and young people living in Southend-on-Sea aged 3 to 18 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) including Autism, ADHD and other additional needs, and their parent carers. The activity includes food education and supportive sessions to support children with ARFID.

Activities will encourage independence, decision making, teamwork and creativity while helping participants build positive relationships with food and healthy eating.

Accessibility equipment, visual learning resources and adapted kitchen aids will support children to participate successfully.

Children and young people will:

  • participate in inclusive cooking and food and nature related activities
  • be supported and able to participate at their own pace
  • develop confidence, communication skills, social interaction skills and practical life skills through hands on cooking experiences

Parents and carers will:

  • benefit from an activity where they can relax and unwind knowing their child is being supported by providers with lived experience of SEND
  • have opportunities to meet other SEND families, build friendships and share experiences
  • receive complementary hot and cold drinks
Name and position

Ricky Lockyer

Telephone

07545 185 108

Email address

Admin - info@slimricks.co.uk

Website

https://www.slimricks.co.uk

Address

Slim Ricks BBQ School, Scotts of Southend, Sutton Road, SS4 1LG

Map
Session information

We are delighted to be delivering this programme through the Main Access Grant and look forward to welcoming Southend families over the coming year.

Dates and times:

The first funded sessions will begin at the end of August 2026 and will continue throughout the 2026/27 period.

Sessions will take place during school holidays, and will be added to the Slim Ricks website at the end of July.

We will then continue to add session information on a rolling basis alongside our existing classes.

Any additional support, for example sessions where a BSL interpreter will be present, will be clearly detailed within the title and individual session description.

Attendance:

Children and young people are welcome to attend multiple sessions, subject to availability. Repeat attendance is encouraged, as it supports confidence, skill development and familiarity with the environment and staff.

Bookings:

All enquiries and bookings must be made in advance via our online booking system. Bookings cannot be accepted through social media.Families are welcome to contact us directly if they would like guidance on which session may be most suitable for their child or young person before booking.

Cost

There is no charge for this specific programme as the activity is supported by 2026/27 Short Breaks Main Access Grant funding from Southend-on-Sea City Council.

Contact the provider for details of costs relating to other parts of their offer.

Age range

This programme is for children and young people aged 3 to 18 and their caregivers.