We are SPICE, Special People on ICE.
We can trace our roots back to 2002 at the Slough Ice Arena where a small group of about 5 children and young adults with special needs were being coached in a small coned off area of the rink. Fast forward to the present day and each Sunday 52 weeks a year, upwards of 120 members, siblings and volunteers take to the ice from 10:00 to 11:30 where all types of abilities are catered for.
Some of our members need 1 2 1 support, sometimes even 2 to 1 support whilst they are learning to skate. SPICE has the support of many volunteers who turn up each week and who are really the life blood of SPICE.
All our coaches are professionally trained and affiliated to NISA, the National Ice Skating Association – we currently offer four ability groups for our members so that there is a real path of progression.
SPICE membership includes children and young adults with a variety of special needs including Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Global Development Delay, Hydrocephalus, acute deafness and epilepsy.
Speak to our parents and it’s true that our members do see improvements in their motor skills, their self esteem and team play, but they give back far more than they take in terms of amazing and impressing us with their ‘can do’ mentality and their ability to over deliver on our expectations!