Music. Singing. Making bracelets.

Identical twins Hattie and Bessie have plenty in common, although they have their own favourites too. Hattie loves word searches, while Bessie would choose a jigsaw.

Since joining Sparkle Youth Club, the girls have found something else they share: a place they look forward to going, where they can spend time with friends and simply be themselves.

‘They get excited for their week one Thursdays,’ says their mum, Natalie. ‘They have friends there. They have a huge sense of belonging and have made some wonderful relationships with the staff.’

For Hattie and Bessie, who both have Prader-Willi Syndrome, having somewhere to socialise outside school was something their family had wanted for them for a long time.

Before Youth Club, Natalie says one of their biggest worries was the lack of opportunities for the girls to socialise and not having activities outside school to look forward to.

Natalie says both girls longed for activities outside school and opportunities to enjoy the same kinds of experiences as other children their age.

At Youth Club, those opportunities can be as simple as doing the things they enjoy.

Bessie loves crafts, baking, playing outside and the climbing wall, which she describes as ‘fantastic’.

Hattie loves the trampoline, seeing her friend Jasmine and playing games with Hannah, one of the Sparkle team. Through Sparkle’s Independent Living Skills sessions, she has also learnt how to blow dry her own hair.

Liberty, Sparkle’s Activities Co-ordinator, has seen that progress first-hand.

‘Since starting Youth Club, both the staff team and I have seen so much progress from Hattie and Bessie, from growing in independence and confidence to developing important life skills. We are so thrilled that they are able to be themselves here at Sparkle and feel included, valued, and respected as individuals.

 

But Youth Club has also given the girls opportunities to take their growing independence beyond the club itself.

 

One of their biggest adventures so far involved leaving Mum and Dad behind and catching the train to Cardiff with their friends and Sparkle staff.

During the trip, the girls learned how to use public transport and how to behave responsibly while out in the city.

‘They loved being out and about with their friends and Sparkle staff without their parents,’ Natalie says. ‘It was what they had always wanted to do on their own and they did it! They had such a wonderful time.’

 

For their parents, seeing Hattie and Bessie enjoying these experiences means a lot.

‘As parents, this means the world to us,’ Natalie says. ‘They feel grown up and included.’

Youth Club also gives their parents some rare time together, or the opportunity to spend time with the girls’ older sister, Tilly. Sometimes, they simply grab a coffee, knowing Hattie and Bessie are safe and having a brilliant time.

And the feeling goes both ways. Hattie and Bessie have clearly made their mark on Youth Club too.

 

'Although Hattie and Bessie are twins, they are both unique and wonderful in their own ways', LIberty says. 'When they arrive at Youth Club, we know they are about to put a big smile on the faces of the staff team and their friends within club. Their personalities, enthusiasm, and individuality make them a joy to have at club, and it has been wonderful to watch them grow and flourish within our Youth Club setting!’

Then comes pick-up.

The girls climb back into the car eager to tell Mum and Dad everything they’ve been doing, right down to what they’ve bought from the tuck shop.

For Natalie, the advice to another family considering Sparkle Youth Club is clear.

‘Do not hesitate. The staff are simply wonderful and caring, and allow the children to have amazing opportunities that ALL children should have. A safe space where they can truly be themselves.’

And perhaps Hattie and Bessie themselves put it best.

‘Youth Club has nice people,’ says Bessie. ‘I love doing craft and going outside to play. The rock-climbing wall is fantastic. I love it when we do baking.’

Hattie has her own favourites.

‘I love going on the trampoline and seeing my friend Jasmine. Hannah, one of the staff, plays games with me. I also learnt how to blow dry my hair.’

Two girls. Their friends. Their Thursday nights.

And plenty to tell Mum and Dad about on the way home.

 

Help keep clubs like Hattie & Bessie's Youth Club going.

Every year, Sparkle needs to raise £750,000 to keep its services running for children, young people and families across Gwent.

Your support helps create more Thursday nights like Hattie and Bessie's: time with friends, opportunities to build confidence and independence, and somewhere to simply be themselves.

If you'd like to help make that possible, please consider making a donation to Sparkle.

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