Tanga’s umbrella of services
Our services are varied and bespoke according to the needs of the families who join us.
Don’t see what you need here? Contact us and we will be happy to help - whether that means direct help from Tanga or signposting to relevant organisations who might be able to give assistance in greater depth.
Youth & social club: “Tanga Club”
The club runs from Hexham Community Centre every Friday apart from the first Friday of the month and during school holidays. Activities are supervised by Tanga representatives and Youth Workers from Hexham Youth Initiative, but children and young people must be accompanied please! The opening times are 5.30 - 7pm and activities include art & craft, consoles, VR headsets, board games, pool and a tuck shop. There are occasional special event sessions (extra charges apply) such as Crazy Creatures or Creative Kitchens, and for parents and carers we bring in organisations like Carers Northumberland and Family Hubs.
Places at the club are limited due to the nature of our group, and must be booked via Bookwhen.
Quiet sessions & “out of school” groups
We recognise that not all of our families are happy to gather together in busier situations. Although our regular club is kept quite small, we do hold sessions with even fewer people, with a relaxed environment, no pressure to join in, reduced tuck shop and so on.
These sessions are provisioned according to demand, so please get in touch with us if you would like us to hold one.
A with the quiet sessions, we also provide educational enrichment in the form of groups which can be attended by children who are not able to attend school. Please get in touch with us for more information, or join our dedicated Facebook group for more information.
Tanga in the woods
In the school holidays and occasionally at weekends or evenings, we run a woodland session with a difference. There is something about being in a natural environment with no expectations of behaviour or timetabled activities which really works for our group.
Everyone who comes and joins us at the woods really enjoys it, from the free play, thoughtful crafts and nature themed “play as you go” activities to the campfire food, ‘smores over the fire and as much or as little energy expenditure as you would like! Young people can swing on the ropes, test their balance using the slack lines or drift along in a hammock - there are no hard and fast rules, apart from “stay outside the circle!” - for those who have been before! Check our Bookwhen for current sessions.
Trips & events
At Tanga, we love a good day out! Sometimes run as a fundraiser for our other services, sometimes heavily subsidised and sometimes fully funded, they are always fun! Transport is also offered from and to Hexham to make sure that no one is excluded from these brilliant events, and that everyone can benefit from the amazing support of being part of the Tanga Family Network. Our day trips offer much more than just a grand day out - they offer a space for our families to relax and enjoy the places with their children without the worry of negative reactions from the general public, as we have the strength in numbers to support each other and can offer understanding which would not necessarily be available via general admission.
Examples of trips we have attended include Beamish, Alnwick Gardens winter lights, South Tynedale Railway, Hexham Forum Cinema and Calvert Trust Kielder. Visit our private Facebook group, Tanga@TORCH, for the latest information on our trips and events!
Tanga family support
Since we started in 2019 we have placed as much importance upon helping families in similar situations. The name Tanga Club evolved into the Tanga Family Network because this is how our members refer to us - we are one big family, helping each other through the hard times and celebrating each other’s wins and achievements.
We started with regular support groups and coffee mornings according to demand, but also provide retreat days such as holistic therapy and healing, days in nature cooking bread over the fire in the woods and enjoying conversation without the children, going for meals plus online support and professionally led workshops. All our activities are heavily subsidised and provided at low cost, or if cost is a barrier to participation, for free.
Annual weekend away
For the last 3 years we have visited Center Parcs Whinfell Forest. This huge trip is heavily subsidised and incredibly popular, and for good reason.
Each year, up to 170 people join Tanga at Center Parcs for a mini-break. As with everything we do, it is a whole family affair and we even provide transport! The feedback from this trip is worth the amount of time it takes to gather funding and organise - some families had never dared to venture on holiday with their SEND children beforehand, and we have opened up a world of opportunity to them. For others, this is their annual holiday, and for many it is the value of having like minded people who understand their situations and challenges which can make the difference between enjoying a successful break and not.
The list for 2024 is full and the waiting list is closed - please join Tanga@TORCH or keep an eye on the website for the latest on our weekend away!