Younger visitors to this Sunday’s Carpark-Fest event will have a little respite from the live music, games and general excitement of the event, thanks to an Overton teacher and entrepreneur.
Michelle Green is a qualified teacher with a background in education, tutoring and supporting children and young people with SEND and social, emotional and mental health needs.
After qualifying as a teacher in 2009 she moved into tutoring with ‘more individualised support’. Today she runs and operates The Haven, based in Overton.
Michelle says, “I set up The Haven earlier this year because I wanted to create the sort of space I felt was often missing for children and young people who don’t necessarily thrive in traditional environments.
“For Car Park Fest, The Haven is creating a free sensory space for children, young people and families who might need a quieter place during the event.”
Although Sunday’s event which features live music from acts such as Jake Ward, Lani Clayton and Funkline is helping to fundraise for Overton Radio and Test Valley Men’s Shed, we’re happy to share that Michelle is fundraising to complete her ‘sensory space’.
“Even small donations really do add up”, says Michelle. “It will help us create something that can hopefully be used at lots of local events in the future.
The link to her Crowdfunder can be accessed by clicking here.
Michelle adds, “The Haven is deliberately small, calm and flexible. Children and young people do best when they feel understood and safe – and that sometimes changing the environment can make an enormous difference.
“On Sunday, The Haven will offer somewhere people can step away from everything for a while, regulate and then, hopefully, return to enjoying the event.
“We’ll have comfy beanbags, sensory lighting and light-up resources, fidget and sensory items, a small table with quieter activities and some simple communication resources for children who might find it difficult to explain what they need when they’re overwhelmed.
“There will be no expectation to talk, join in or ‘do’ anything. People can simply come in and have some space.”
Michelle’s mini-Haven will be at the back of the carpark, tucked away in the quietest location, adjacent to the vehicles being exhibited by the Overton Classic Car Club.
The event runs from midday until late in the evening and features 11 local traders, 7 musical acts with food supplied by the pub until 3pm and then authentic German sausages from Jeffrey's Lunchbox and Ice Creams from Sonny Jim's available with a ‘Chilli Challenge’ hosted by Come Dine With Me winner Chris Cloke.