Seven Up Charity
Charity 1179683
Overview
Summary
Seven Up Charity appears to be a place-based inclusion organisation whose core role is not simply to provide activities, but to create ordinary social, developmental and leisure opportunities for disabled children and young people who may otherwise be excluded. Its model combines age-specific provision, family respite, accessible spaces and partnership-based delivery in Handsworth. The organisation also appears to be extending its role into transition-to-adulthood support and shared community infrastructure.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Handsworth
Confidence: high
Direct evidence shows that Seven Up delivers all of its holiday play schemes from Rookery Children's Centre and has developed and uses the adjoining Secret Garden. The centre is officially recorded in the Handsworth ward.
- Seven Up Charity official website
States that all holiday play schemes are delivered from Rookery Children's Centre and describes the Secret Garden developed by Seven Up on land adjoining the centre. - Birmingham City Council: Rookery Children's Centre directory record
Lists Rookery Children's Centre in Handsworth, Birmingham. - GOV.UK: Rookery Children's Centre establishment record
Records Rookery Children's Centre, Rookery Road, Handsworth, as being in the Handsworth ward.
Holyhead
Confidence: high
Direct evidence from both Seven Up and Hamilton School identifies Hamilton School as a delivery venue for Seven Up's Saturday, after-school, weekend and school-holiday provision. Birmingham City Council records the school in Holyhead ward.
- Seven Up Charity official website
States that Saturday play sessions are delivered from Hamilton School and that its after-school club operates from the school. - Hamilton School official website
States that the school works closely with Seven Up to provide after-school provision and additional provision at weekends and during school holidays. - Birmingham City Council: Hamilton School directory record
Lists Hamilton School in Handsworth, Birmingham, and records its ward as Holyhead.
Remaining uncertainties
- Seven Up's website describes a partnership with Crick Gardens CIC in Handsworth and says that the garden has been used for youth holiday provision, but the available evidence does not establish the garden's precise location within one of the supplied wards or confirm the present frequency of delivery there.
- The registered charity address at All Saints Centre, Kings Heath is not treated as an operational area: the available evidence does not show that services are delivered there.
- The charity's objects and website describe an aim to help children and young people across Birmingham, and partnerships may create wider referral or leisure opportunities. However, the available evidence identifies regular direct delivery only at the Handsworth and Holyhead venues, rather than proving routine citywide service delivery.
- ATHAC and Dens of Equality are named as partners, but the evidence does not specify a continuing Seven Up delivery site or a Birmingham ward materially added through those relationships.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme timetable or latest annual report confirming every active delivery venue, service type and frequency.
- Confirmation of the operational area for Crick Gardens CIC's garden site, together with confirmation that Seven Up is still delivering youth holiday sessions there.
- Evidence distinguishing the role of All Saints Centre and The Hive Jewellery Quarter as administrative, meeting or service-delivery locations.
Areas of work
- Disability
- Recreation
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Other Defined Groups
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Inclusion is delivered through ordinary leisure, not separate specialist provision alone
The available evidence suggests Seven Up treats play, leisure and youth activity as routes to belonging, relationships and fuller participation in community life, rather than as peripheral recreation.
Why it matters
This helps explain why its work may matter beyond activities themselves: it appears designed to counter social exclusion while supporting development and family wellbeing.
Show evidence
“The charity exists to provide inclusive play, youth and leisure time activities so children and young people can develop capabilities, relationships and experience.”
Source:Charity Commission“The organisation states that disabled children and young people have the right to an ordinary life.”
Source:Organisation
Its operating model is anchored in trusted local institutions and spaces
Seven Up appears to operate as a networked local provider, using schools, children’s centres and community gardens for delivery, referrals, storage and specialist outdoor space rather than relying on a single standalone facility.
Why it matters
This indicates that relationships with local institutions may be as important to its reach and resilience as its own staff or programmes. It may also enable families to encounter support through familiar settings.
Show evidence
“Saturday sessions and an afterschool club are delivered from Hamilton School.”
Source:Organisation“Rookery Children Centre family support workers act as a referral point for parents and carers.”
Source:Organisation“Holiday playschemes are delivered from the Secret Garden at Rookery Children Centre and the organisation has an agreement with Crick Gardens CIC.”
Source:Organisation
There are signs of a deliberate pathway beyond childhood
Provision spanning ages 5 to 30 suggests the organisation may be responding to a gap in inclusive social opportunities as disabled young people move through adolescence and into adulthood.
Why it matters
This distinguishes Seven Up from a conventional children’s play provider and raises an important question about whether it is becoming a continuity-of-relationships service during transitions that are often difficult for families.
Show evidence
“Services include sessions for ages 5-11, 12-18 and a 19 Plus group for young adults aged 18-30.”
Source:Organisation“The organisation has worked with ATHAC to develop a new youth offer for disabled young people, including arts opportunities.”
Source:Organisation
- How many children, young people and families use each service, and which communities are least reached.
- Whether the 19 Plus provision offers social activity only or also supports wider independence, employment or transition outcomes.
- How dependent delivery is on particular venues, grants or informal partnership relationships.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent service data showing participation, waiting lists, referral routes, demographics and unmet demand.
- Feedback from children, young people and carers about inclusion, respite, relationships and barriers to access.
- Information on funding, staffing, volunteer capacity and the durability of key venue partnerships.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We offer a range of accessible inclusive services to primarily to disabled children and young people [5-25 years] working with a range of community based partnerships in Birmingham. These services run after-school, weekends and school holiday periods. They provide play and leisure opportunities.
Charity objects
FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, TO HELP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN BIRMINGHAM (AND ESPECIALLY, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED OR WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH OR OTHER ADDITIONAL NEEDS), IN PARTICULAR THROUGH PROVIDING INCLUSIVE PLAY, YOUTH AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES; SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPABILITIES, RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPERIENCE THAT THEY MAY GROW AS INDIVIDUALS, FLOURISH AND COME TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL AS FULL AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.