Come and join us for a SEN Christmas experience like no other - Monday 21st December at

Tyneside Cinema.

As SEN parents ourselves we know how difficult the Christmas period can be - the expectation of attending Christmas events with our kids, the hustle and bustle - the fact that we know what our Christmas looks different to other peoples. It's alot, and often - we decide that not doing anything is the better option.

This is why, the North East SEN-collective has planned a Christmas event like no other - centred around what we need, with people who understand.

The date

You're invited to join us on Monday 21st December at Tyneside Cinema. We have booked the Digital Lounge at the cinema which is a relaxed room, with comfy sofas - we can control the lighting, the sound and the temperature. Our kids can take their shoes off, walk around, get comfy, bring their own snacks and be their true authentic selves. No judgement, no weight of other peoples opinions - just us, with our kids experiencing Christmas at the cinema - perhaps for some, for the very first time.

The film/s

We are going to be screening The Snowman (26 mins) immediately followed by The Snowman & The Snowdog (24 mins) - if you can manage some (great) if you can manage all (great), if you only manage a few moments then that too is absolutely okay - we are flexible and are here to meet whatever your needs are. We have intentionally chosen an animated short film to appeal to as many families as possible - if you can manage both films then that's 50 mins in total which feels far more manageable than sitting through a full film. Timeless classics too.

Time with Santa

Following the film/s you'll be invited to then spend up to an hour in the Coffee Rooms which is the room next door to the screen - this is where Santa will be. It's a really lovely space, with tables and chairs and a place to relax.

We know that meeting Santa is difficult for alot of us - again, the queueing, the specific time slots, the expectation of interaction, engagement and "performance" as such. Its too much. But it's really hard for us to miss out on those things with our kids too.

So our plans are different - Santa will simply be in the Coffee Rooms. Santa will happily come and interact (should you want that for your child/children), he'll happily keep his distance too for those that would prefer - no rules, no specific time slots, no expectations - you give us the nod as to what you want/need.

The timings

We want to make sure that numbers are managed so that people feel they have the space to enjoy the film and the Santa experience so this is how it will work...

We have 3 time slots...

Screening 1

Cinema screening - 10.00 - 11.00

Coffee Rooms with Santa - 11.00 - 12.00

Screening 2

Cinema screening - 1.00 - 2.00

Coffee Rooms with Santa - 2.00 - 3.00

Screening 3

Cinema screening - 3.30 - 4.30

Coffee Rooms with Santa - 4.30 - 5.30

Ticket details.

It's a personal frustration of ours that parents pay a premium (or have to pay at all) to take their kids to Christmas events - this is why we are only going to be selling tickets for the kids (with the adults going free).

Tickets will be priced at £10 per child (plus a small booking fee), with up to 2 x free accompanying adult tickets per booking. Please make sure you add the adult tickets to your booking (even though they are free) because we need to ensure that we don't go over the capacity for the sessions. This whole event has been created to meet as many needs as we can and capacity is key in that planning.

We really hope that you can make one of the sessions - if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable in attending the event then please get in touch and let us know.

Claire & Jane x

Description supplied by the event organiser.