Lighthouse Safe Harbour

(Lighthouse Safe Harbour was previously known as Lighthouse Bourne End. A change by name only. We feel this better reflects the specialist nature of our provision, as well as being a very cool name!)

What is Lighthouse?

Lighthouse is a Christian holiday club for primary-school aged children which gets the summer holidays off to a great start. Lighthouse started in Great Missenden in 1987 and has continued to grow. There are now 15 Lighthouses - Beaconsfield, Burnham, Cressex, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Langley, Loudwater, Mansfield, Marlow, Princes Risborough, Shelswell, Water Eaton (was Bletchley South) and of course, Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour was launched in 2019 and is the first of it’s kind, it is a specialist Lighthouse designed specifically for children with additional needs.

Watch our video here!

What goes on at Lighthouse?

Lighthouse Safe Harbour has a programme of teaching, games, songs, activities, sports, and creative sessions.

When and where?

In 2024 Safe Harbour will be in a new location: Westfield School, Highfield Road, Bourne End SL8 5BE
The dates are Monday July 29th to Friday August 2nd.

What’s different about Lighthouse Safe Harbour?

Lighthouse Safe Harbour is Jesus meeting children where they’re at!

It is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for children with certain types of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or additional needs.

We have made a number of environmental changes which will allow your child’s needs to be met, and therefore provide them with the opportunity to thrive and make the most of their week.

The type of SEN and additional needs that Lighthouse Safe Harbour aims to support include:

Anxiety
Attachment Needs
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Challenging Behaviour
Language Needs
Pathological Demand Avoidance
Sensory Processing/Integration Difficulties
Working Memory Difficulties

However, at Safe Harbour, we don’t just look at diagnosed needs. We recognise not only that the assessment process can be long, but also that it is not always possible or appropriate to obtain a diagnosis for a particular need your child has. Therefore, a decision will be made about whether Safe Harbour is right for your child based on the information given in the application form, as opposed to looking simply for diagnoses.

Is Lighthouse Safe Harbour right for my child?

Whilst many children with Special Educational Needs are able to be supported at other Lighthouse sites, the Safe Harbour site aims to support children whose needs cannot be met within the typical Lighthouse format.

When thinking about whether Lighthouse Safe Harbour is right for your child, it may be helpful to consider the following questions:

Does your child…

Have difficulties regulating their emotions?
Find it difficult to follow or remember instructions?
Have difficulties with social skills and building relationships?

Experience sensory overloads?
Display challenging behaviour?
Ever show physical aggression towards themselves or others?
Ever destroy property?
Use verbal aggression?

Attempt to abscond?

Do they benefit from…

An increased level of routine and structure?
Adults explaining the social information in their environment?
Receiving short and repeated instructions?

Receiving information in a visual format?
Reduced sensory information in the environment?
Smaller group sizes/Higher adult ratios?

If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, then it is likely that Safe Harbour would be the right environment for your child.

Lighthouse Safe Harbour has a different admissions policy to other Lighthouses as we do not run on a first-come-first-served basis. Please refer to the Admissions Policy at the bottom of the page.

Who is in charge of the children?

Lighthouse Safe Harbour is run by volunteers, the majority of whom will be 16+. Children are placed into smaller groups of 7-8 children, and we aim for a 1:2 ratio of helpers : children.

Children are placed in groups according to need, rather than age.

We also have specialist teams to help with craft, sports and other activities. We take up references for all helpers and police check adults.

How much does it cost?

To run Lighthouse Safe Harbour costs £50 for each child. (which we think is fabulous value!).

Although we do not charge a set amount for children to attend, (as we do not want to deny any child a place) we do rely upon your donations and those of local churches, businesses and other generous benefactors so Lighthouse can continue each year. Details of how you can support Lighthouse Safe Harbour will be sent with tickets and you can look at our donations page. Donate here

We want to provide a great experience for your child. Please support us. Every donation, great or small, makes a difference. Thank you!

What happens next?

When applications open in May please complete the on line application form in full. The more information that you can provide, the better. Please tell us as much as you can about your child so that we can ensure we have put the necessary provisions in place to meet their needs.