THE Minehead mother of a boy with autism has appealed to parents of children with disabilities or additional needs to make use of a special monthly play session – or face losing the only service of its kind in the area.

Monthly sessions at The Hub Soft Play Centre, in Alcombe, Minehead, were set up in a trial scheme from February, to provide somewhere for children to play and let off steam while parents can chat with each other or staff from attending services.

But unless enough parents and children make use of it, the scheme could end, with local parents having no other alternative except in Taunton or Bridgwater.

Now Mary Carlton, whose six-year-old son George has autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), is appealing to other local parents to join in, and not let the monthly Wednesday afternoon sessions end.

“This has been invaluable to us as a family, and personally as my son’s mother and full time carer,” said Mary.

“It is a chance for me to talk to people in the same boat, who are caring for a child on the spectrum or with another disability or additional need.

“We share strategies, compare notes and laugh together – sometimes it can get lonely and you can feel isolated, because unfortunately even in this day and age there still is a lack of understanding and empathy surrounding ASD and similar medical conditions.

“I have seen my son’s confidence grow, he can play with children who are like- minded and has made new friends, and so have I,” she said.

The sessions are at The Hub Soft Play Centre, which is run by Minehead Baptist Church for local community groups. Sessions cost £2.50 per child (free to those under one), and there is a coffee bar with low cost refreshments, or families can bring their own snacks.

The next session is on July 18, from 4pm to 6pm, and a new quiet play area will also be available, with some sensory equipment.

Families can just turn up, and children are asked to wear socks.