Over 50 children and young people with special needs from Blagoevgrad, Radomir and Plovdiv met, played and had fun together as part of the “Let’s Play Together” initiative, which took place on 8 August at the “Europe” Youth Cultural and Information Centre in Radomir.
The event was organised by the ‘For Tomorrow’ Foundation with the support of Radomir Municipality and transformed the centre into a space for games, socialising, new encounters and shared experiences.
Children and young people, accompanied by their parents, took part in the initiative, as did representatives of social services from Blagoevgrad and Radomir. From Blagoevgrad, participants included the ‘St John of Rila’ Family-Style Accommodation Centre for Children and Young People with Disabilities, the ‘Struma’ Sheltered Home for People with Intellectual Disabilities, and the ‘Sunny Home’ Sheltered Home for People with Intellectual Disabilities. From Radomir, representatives from the Community Support Centre, the Centre for Social Services for Children and Young People with Disabilities, and the “Vurba” Day Centre took part, with the support of resource teachers and volunteers from the “Buchaloto” Association.
The games were organised and run by young people from the ‘For Tomorrow’ Foundation and the project’s international partners – the Croatian organisation EUTOPIA and the Turkish organisation Back to Nature.
The initiative was part of the international youth exchange ‘G.A.M.E. for Inclusion’, funded under the ‘Erasmus+’ programme. As part of the exchange, the young people developed and adapted traditional, cultural and interactive games, which they presented to the participants in Radomir.
The programme offered a variety of sporting challenges, fun outdoor games and team competitions. The activities were tailored to the participants’ abilities and focused on communication, cooperation, teamwork and shared experiences.
Through play, the participants had the opportunity to develop and practise skills such as coordination, following instructions, sportsmanship and teamwork.
“We wanted to show that when we create a suitable and welcoming environment, every young person can get involved, interact and demonstrate their abilities. The young people from the three organisations didn’t just take part in the preparations – they led the games themselves and were active participants in the event. In this way, together we experienced the idea that play is a universal language that brings people together,” said Dimitar Urdev, chair of the ‘For Tomorrow’ Foundation.
According to Petya Petrova, a psychologist and trainer at the foundation, the play-based approach creates a natural and positive environment for learning and development. “Through play, young people don’t just have fun – they socialise, learn to work together, gain confidence and develop skills. That’s why we want these approaches to reach more organisations, professionals and families,” she pointed out.
For parents and professionals who support people with special needs, such initiatives are valuable because they create opportunities for socialising, making new connections and actively participating in community life. They give young people the space to be accepted for who they are, to demonstrate their abilities and to gain confidence.
At the same time, parents, carers and professionals gain new ideas and practical approaches to promoting the socialisation and inclusion of people with special needs in various community activities.
‘Let’s Play Together’ has shown that social inclusion begins with something simple – the opportunity to be part of the community, to participate, to interact and to be accepted. It is precisely such gatherings that enable young people to realise their potential, build confidence and develop the skills needed to participate fully in public life.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to all participants with special needs – aged between 5 and 50. They also received gifts from Radomir Municipality and friends of the initiative.
About the ‘For Tomorrow’ Foundation
The ‘For Tomorrow’ Foundation in Blagoevgrad works to improve the quality of life for people with special needs and to ensure their full participation in society. The organisation promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practice and mutual support between specialists and families, whilst supporting the development and social integration of children and young people with special needs.
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