An inclusive Meet Santa experience at The Circle has been praised after creating a deeply meaningful Christmas moment for Florence, a child with autism and complex needs.
Florence, aged 11, visited The Circle Bacup as part of its annual Meet Santa event, which is designed to ensure every child feels safe, understood, and fully included.
Her mum said the visit felt like a dream come true for Florence, who loves The Christmas Chronicles and dreams of seeing reindeer.
Florence’s mum said, “Florence felt her dream truly came true when she came to The Circle. Seeing her face light up was amazing. Even the Santa looked like the actor from the film. The effect The Circle created and the attention to detail for the children, was incredible. It’s such a wonderful place for the community.”
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She added that Florence loves the film so much that the family waited until Christmas Eve to decorate their tree, just like in the movie.
A spokesperson from The Circle said Florence’s visit was especially meaningful for the team.
They said, “Florence’s visit to meet Santa was truly special to us, and we’re so grateful her family trusted us to be part of that moment.”
They explained that inclusion is at the heart of the Meet Santa experience, adding: “Taking the time to make sure a child feels safe, understood, and comfortable isn’t something extra for us; it’s at the heart of everything we do. Every child is treated as an individual, and we take the time to understand what they need to feel happy and at ease.”
They also highlighted the role Santa plays in creating a calm and welcoming environment.
“Our Santa has a genuine understanding of children, including those with additional needs. He never rushes an interaction and adapts how he communicates so each child feels included and valued.”
The Circle said Christmas is an especially important time for the organisation and that being part of a child’s Santa experience is something they take seriously.
They added that creating calm, magical moments where every child feels welcomed and celebrated is something they are incredibly proud of.
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