A new Scout group is to be set up to accommodate children with special needs.

The group is to be based at Braddan community hub, which already has a number of children who attend after school, offering respite to families.

Island Scout commissioner Guy Thompson said: ’I have tried to have a policy not of closing groups but of opening new ones.

’The next challenge is to open up the 1st Rainbow Scout Group, Ellan Vannin.

’It has been an ambition to form a new group but with a difference, in that the group will be fully inclusive and cater for children with complex needs.’

The group is, he said, supported fully by the Manx Lottery Trust and business organisations such as Celton Manx, and will be holding its first meeting on July 23.

’Really, we’d like to offer taster days to island children with complex needs and we’d like to take them to our dedicated camp site, Mullin Ny Carty at Malew, where they can make use of various facilities we have there such as the climbing wall and archery,’ he said.

Another goal is to buy an all-terrain wheelchair, giving a chance for some of the children, who would not otherwise be able to get there, to get to the tops of some of the island’s hills.

’We expect this to be supported by some of the Explorer Scouts as well as the Scout leaders. There’s no reason why our present Scouts can’t help out and be part of the group,’ Mr Thompson said.

’And everyone in the new group will be invested as a Scout and therefore covered by the Scouts’ insurance.

Thanks to the support from the Lottery fund and businesses, the new Scouts will be able to enjoy their experience free of charge.

The project is being supported by the island’s assistant commissioner for special needs, Penny Collier, along with Lisa Kelly and other Scout leaders.

Anyone wanting more information can call Mr Thompson on 466402.