Following Hari’s Lead: Finding Joy, Confidence and Belonging at Sparkle

At Sparkle, we often talk about the number of children and families we support across Gwent. We can share statistics about disability, developmental difficulties and the growing need for inclusive spaces. But while those numbers matter, they never quite capture the feeling behind the work.

The real story is often found in the quieter moments.

A child walking confidently into a room on their own.

A parent finally feeling understood.

The anticipation of heading somewhere that feels welcoming and familiar.

Six-year-old Hari has found one of those places in Sparkle’s Play Club.

According to his mum, Jen, the excitement begins long before they even arrive.

‘Hari will hold his picture card and flap his hands with excitement when he knows it’s that time,’ she said.

There is something wonderful about a child looking forward to an activity. Most parents will recognise that feeling. But for families of children with additional needs, those feelings can sometimes carry an extra layer of meaning. They speak of trust, familiarity and the reassurance of knowing your child is heading somewhere they genuinely enjoy.

It's a simple moment, but one that says so much.

Hari has been part of the Sparkle community since he was two years old. Over the years, his family have attended parent and child sessions, seasonal events, MediCinema screenings and used the centre’s play spaces. More recently, Play Club has become an especially important part of Hari’s journey.

When Jen talks about Sparkle, she keeps coming back to the staff.

Jen describes the team at Play Club as people who take the time to understand Hari as an individual.

Rather than expecting him to adapt to the environment around him, they follow his lead in what makes him feel settled and confident.

It's a small distinction, perhaps, but one that has made a world of difference to Hari and his family.

‘I know he has the best time as he is more than happy to go in,’ she said, ‘and the staff follow Hari’s lead in what works best for him.’

And now, that comfort has grown so much that Jen says there is only one problem.

‘We can no longer use the park at Serennu,’ Jen joked, ‘as Hari is desperate to get inside to Play Club every time!’

For many children, a trip to the park would be the highlight of the afternoon. For Hari, the real excitement lies beyond it. The fact that he is so eager to get through the doors of Play Club tells its own story about what the sessions have come to mean to him.

Having staff who understand different forms of communication has made a huge difference for both him and his family. Through visual prompts, patience and a willingness to follow Hari’s lead, the team help him feel included and able to engage in ways that work for him.

And little by little, that sense of confidence and belonging has continued to grow.

Jen says that support has meant everything.

‘So, a huge thank you to everyone involved at Sparkle with our little man,’ she said. ‘You have all been so amazing and we are so grateful.’

Every family's journey is different, but the things parents often talk about are surprisingly similar. Feeling welcomed. Seeing their child grow in confidence. Finding people who take the time to understand the individual child in front of them.

Those moments are reflected in the little things. A picture card held excitedly in anticipation. The eagerness to get through the doors of Play Club. And the reality that these days, even a trip to the park can end with Hari trying to make his way inside instead.

Sometimes, that tells you everything you need to know.

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