A Duxford-based social enterprise is asking businesses in Cambridgeshire to support its Brick Clubs initiative.
Play Included® specialises in inclusive play-based therapeutic activities for children and adults.
It has launched a series of sponsorship options for local companies for the new financial year.
This follows the successful set-up of three Brick Clubs in 2025, sponsored by intellectual property law firm Stobbs, of Cambridge Research Park.
As part of its Brick-by-Brick Programme, Play Included works closely with schools to deliver Brick Clubs that help children with a wide range of needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health challenges.
The Clubs are designed to help children develop confidence and communication skills and engage in meaningful social opportunities through structured LEGO® play.
They can explore collaborative brick building techniques and practise essential life skills such as turn-taking, problem-solving and teamwork.
Stobbs funded Play Included Brick Clubs at Bottisham Primary School, Orchard Park Primary School, and The Grove Primary School, with set-up help from local charity Red Hen at the latter two.
In total, 24 children benefited from additional support.
Now, Play Included is inviting local companies to help fund trained facilitators, equipment, and programme delivery in more local schools.
Its founder Gina Gomez de la Cuesta is a world-renowned expert on LEGO® therapy.
She said: “SEN is in the spotlight like never before. Since 2016, the number of children receiving all types of special needs support has risen.
“Around one in five children (18.4%) in England now have some kind of special educational need.
“The government is doing what it can to support these children – but additional resources are required in schools where funding constraints often limit access to programmes that can make a significant difference.
“Brick Clubs give children a chance to connect, communicate and succeed in ways that feel fun, natural and motivating. We see every week how powerful inclusive play can be.
“By partnering with local businesses and rolling out more Brick Clubs across Cambridge, we can give children with additional needs access to supportive, therapeutic spaces where they can thrive.”
Chris Murray, Marketing Chief at Stobbs said: “As a business, we care deeply about inclusion generally, and neurodiversity specifically.
“Many of our team members recognise themselves as neurodivergent or have neurodivergent children, and we have an internal community that meets regularly to share experiences and support. When the opportunity to sponsor Brick Clubs came up, we jumped at the chance.
“We love the idea of using LEGO® to help children step away from screens, build confidence, and connect with others through play — especially those who may feel on the edges of social groups.
“Seeing the impact of the clubs firsthand has been fantastic. We’re proud to be sponsoring more schools this year and wholeheartedly encourage other businesses to get involved and help fund more Brick Clubs locally.”
A variety of sponsorship packages are available including training school staff to become Brick-by-Brick programme facilitators, purchasing resources, and programme delivery.
If you are interested in sponsoring a Brick Club, email gina@playincluded.com or click here.
