1
jRun by parents for parents of additional needs or disabled childr
…IMPACTING ON
YOU…
.Welcome to the February
edition of Impacting On You. If you would
like to contribute to the next edition, please get in touch before 20
thMarch and remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page for up
to date information.
Please feel free to contact us at:
[email protected]
Telephone: 07825 185608
Portsmouth Parent Voice (PPV):
March 2015 Issue
PPV: Run by parents for parents of additional needs or disabled children
2
CONTENTS
Page 2: Content
Page 3: PPV – Editorial
Page 4: PPV “What do you think of the new Person Centred Review Meetings? Page 5: PPV Coffee morning
Page 6: PPV- Autism World Awareness Days Page 7: Pals/Enable Ability Teenage Project
Page 11: Community Learning Service- Courses
Page 12: Hampshire Teenage Project
Page 15: World Autism Awareness Week
Page 16: Council For Disabled Children
Page 17: Contact A Family
Page 18: Festival of short films made by people with learning disabilities
Page 19: GP guidance for people on the autistic spectrum
Page 20: Autism Hampshire- Light It Up Blue for World Autism Awareness Day
Page 21: Hampshire Autism Voice
Page 22: Sportability Club
Page 23: Circles Services
Page 24: PASN
Page 25: Preparing For Adulthood
Page 26: Singing Group
Page 27: Regular Group
Page 31: News in Brief
Page 36: Activities around Hampshire
3
Portsmouth Parent Voice
Hi Everyone!
Well, some people say that Spring is around the corner but I
remain to be convinced! We have a couple of dates to put in
your diary, the 10
thMarch when we will have our coffee
morning here at the Frank Sorrell Centre and we are lucky
enough to have a representative from Wingate Opticians who
will talk to us about visual stress and how it can affect reading
and writing. The second date is our Person Centred Review
meeting where we will ask parents what their experiences of
the new process have been like ( more details on the next
page).
As ever, please do get in touch if you need help, support and
advice on any issues that concern you.
Hope to see you soon.
Take care
4
What do you think of the new Person Centred
Review Meetings?
Dear Parent Carers
As you have recently started your conversion from a Statement of Special
Educational Needs to the new Education, Health and Care Plan, we would like to invite you to come along and tell us what you think about the new process.
As you know, this is a new process and Portsmouth City Council would appreciate your comments to know how the new Person Centred Review Meetings are working for families. Any comments made will be anonymous. Share with us what you think worked well and anything that could have been better. This invitation is for you to join us for coffee and cakes on Tuesday 31st March 2015 from 10am to 12pm at Frank
Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, Southsea PO4 9HR.
To book your place, please email me on: [email protected] or telephone: 07825 185 608
I look forward to meeting you.
Kind Regards Deirdre Smith
5
Portsmouth Parent Voice
Coffee Morning
Are you a parent, carer of a child or young person with
special needs or disability? Would you like to find out what
help is available in Portsmouth?
We would like to invite you to our coffee morning at the Frank
Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 9HR on
Tuesday 10
thMarch, 10 am to 12 noon.
We will have a guest speaker on the day, Emma from Wingate
Opticians who will talk to us about visual stress and how
children who have difficulties with reading can be helped.
6
Portsmouth Parent Voice
Autism World Awareness Days
Portsmouth Parent Voice and Autism Hampshire are pleased to
announce that we will be holding 2 events to coincide with World Autism
Awareness Week.
The first event will take place on Wednesday 1
stApril, 12.30 pm to 3 pm,
at the Frank Sorrell Centre,
Prince Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 9HR.
This session will be aimed and young people and adults with an Autistic
Spectrum Condition (ASC), their parents/ carers and professionals.
The second event will take place on Wednesday 8
thApril (during the
school holidays), 12 pm to 4 pm at the Frank Sorrell Centre Prince
Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 9HR and will be aimed at children with
(ASC) their parents/carers and professionals.
Both events are free to attend and we will be on hand to answer any
questions you may have. Various activities will be available on both days
as well as supporting organisations including Portsmouth University.
For more information, please contact:
7
March Programme 2015
Wheelchair Basketball
When: Weds 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March
Time: Beginner tbc
Experienced tbc
Venue: Portchester Community School, White Hart Lane, Portchester, PO16 9BD Cost: Beginner £2.50
Experienced £3 Both sessions £5
A good, fun session for everyone!!! The beginners session will focus on drills and
training and short games that help you get to grips with the basics so you can join in
with the experienced. The experienced session will be training with a game at the end.
Please bring a drink!
PALS Cookery Club
Cookery Club is back!!
Join us in the kitchen and test your culinary skills, and we’ll show you how to make some yummy brownies and cookies.
Please bring lunch and a drink.
When: Sun 8th March
Time: tbc
Venue: Horndean Technology College, Barton Cross, Horndean, PO8 9PQ Price : £6 (all ingredients are provided)
F F
8
Boxing Taster Session
Join us for another Boxing taster session especially organised for PALS and our
Teenage Project.
This is a non-contact sport that promotes fitness, builds self-esteem, and
confidence, and is great fun! Please note this strictly for age 11+ only! Please bring a drink, and remember to wear your sports clothes.
When: Sun 15th March
Time: tbc
Venue: Gym 01,
Unit 16, The Partnership Park, Rodney Road, Southsea PO4 8DF
Price : Free
Please note this activity is for 6 weeks only running on 15th and 22nd February, and 1st,
8th, 15th, 22nd March
Laser Quest
Come and join us at Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Come along for a unique adventure, set over 2 floors which represent the bridge of a hijacked container ship and a pirate stronghold.
Each game lasts 20 minutes with a break in between, and 3 games are included in the price.
Wheelchair accessible on the ground floor. Please bring a drink!
When: Sun 22nd March
Time: tbc
Where: Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
(Entry through Victory Gate at the corner of Queen Street and the Hard)
Price: £12
F F
9
Social Club
Join us for an Easter themed Social Club at the Frank Sorrell Centre.
We will be having loads of fun doing lots of Easter craft activities, plus making
yummy Chocolate Rice Crispie Cakes and of course the Wii will be there. Please bring lunch and a drink.
When: Sun 29th March
Time: tbc
Venue: Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 9HR Price : £5
Don’t forget:
Wherever you see this symbol on our program you can bring a friend or sibling with you to enjoy the fun too.
Friday 6th March
Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, PO4 9HR Contact for details
Cost: £5
We will be heading back for our first Frank Sorrell of the month, join us for a cuppa and all the usual games, wii and crafts – or just catch up with your friends!
Friday 13th March
Pool @ Bowlplex Gunwharf Contact for details
Cost: £5 (Travel Cost as usual)
We will be heading over to Gunwharf to try our hand at pool, come learn some new skills (or show off old ones) let’s see what team can sink the most balls into the pockets!!
Saturday 21st March
London Trip – Madame Tussauds Contact for details
Cost: £30 (Travel Cost as usual)
We will be taking the train and tube up to London again to continue developing our long distance travelling skills!! Madame Tussauds is home to hundreds of celebrity figures - With everyone from the royals to sporting heros to movie stars to musicians you’re sure to bump into your idol!!! Please note a deposit of £10 will be required to secure your space, please get your deposit to us ASAP but no later than Friday 6th March.
F
10
Friday 27th March
Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, PO4 9HR Contact for details
Cost: £5
Fancy a go at karaoke? Or maybe just come along and have a chat with friends, play on the Wii or create something wonderful at the arts and crafts table. Let’s catch up and feedback to each other on your favourite part of the London trip!!
If once you have booked onto an activity, and you can no longer make it,
please let me know ASAP as over the last few months we have had a lot of
issues with last minute cancellations which have meant that some of our
budget may have been wasted when it could have gone to future activities.
Thank you!
For more details about becoming part of Teenage Project, you can contact
me at:
Sally Salmon
Teenage Project @ Enable Ability 311-313 Copnor Road Copnor Portsmouth PO3 5EG Mobile: 07981100802 Email: [email protected]
Teenage project is funded by Portsmouth Short Breaks. Enable Ability: Charity number 276422
12
HAMPSHIRE TEENAGE PROJECT
Who are we?
Hampshire Teenage Project is run by Enable Ability and funded by the Big Lottery Fund for young people aged 13-21 years living in Hampshire; areas include:
Emsworth, Havant, Hayling Island, Waterlooville, Fareham, Gosport and surrounding districts, plus north Portsmouth (Paulsgrove, Farlington & Drayton).
The project aims to provide young people with physical and/or mild-moderate learning disability, or Special Educational Need, with the opportunity to engage in a variety of planned recreational, social and sporting activities as part of a group setting.
This enables young people to interact and socialise with other peers on a regular basis. Activities are designed to improve pivotal life skills for all young people; including building their confidence & self-esteem, independence, communications and multitasking skills, to name a few.
Hampshire Teenage Project staff are trained and qualified to support young people and accommodate their needs during each activity, regardless of their level of ability, physical or otherwise.
Activities for the project include social clubs, going out for meals, going to the
cinema, ten pin bowling, art and crafts activities, baking/cooking, sports and general socialising. We also arrange a variety of day trips outside of the local area for any museums, theatres or theme parks.
A mini bus service is also provided to accommodate for long distance trips. All activities for the project do take place on weekends, usually on Saturdays with the occasional Sunday and weekday. There is no obligation to attend all activities; parents and carers are free to register their son/daughter for as many activities as they please
Who to contact?
If you are interested in your young person being involved with Hampshire Teenage Project, please contact the Coordinator, Mary Ive:
Address: Hampshire Teenage Project, Enable Ability, 311-313 Copnor Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5EG
Email: [email protected] Facebook Page: Please “like” Hampshire Teenage Project
15
Get ready for World Autism Awareness Week 2015!
This year we have a whole week of activities for you to get
involved in to stand out for autism! From Onesie Wednesday™
to pink and purple bake-offs, there's something for everyone
Sign up now for your free pack:
http://www.autism.org.uk/Get-involved/Raise-money/World-Autism-Awareness-Week/Individuals-WAAW-pack-request.aspx
16
Young offenders with SEN
Changes to support for young offenders with SEN take place in April this year. Want to know what these changes look like? Our fact sheet gives the background to the changes and what they mean in practice.
For more information, please use the link:
http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/media/787590/sendreforms_youngoffen ders.pdf
Rights hub for young people
The Equality and Human Rights Commission have an inspiring and informative hub for young people where they will find loads of information about their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/our-work/key-projects/young-peoples-rights-and-crc
17
Contact a Family responds to Katie Price story on school transport
Fans of Celebrity Big Brother can’t have failed to notice the 'discussion' around school transport for disabled children that took place on the programme – and then made its way into the national newspapers.
School transport is a top issues for callers to our free helpline. Parents we speak to everyday tell us that transport for their child has been cut by their local authority due to the enormous budget cuts they face. Others have been offered unsuitable transport for their child or have been told that they must pay for their child's transport themselves. Contact a Family's helpline can help you understand more about your rights around school transport and other education issues, as well as helping to identify financial support available to you.
For more information, please use the link below:
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news-and-media/contact-a-family-responds-to-katie-price-story-on-school-transport/
Our new Family Life advice website pages go live
Whatever your child's disability or condition, there will be moments in their life that are pure joy and others that are very challenging. These difficulties can take their toll, affecting your sleep, your relationships and your health. We know from speaking to families that a bit of advice goes a long way. That's why we've added a whole new Family Life section to our website with tips written by our parent advisers, to help all members of the family support each other and their disabled child.
For more information, please use the link below:
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support/family-life/
You can access the full newsletter at:
18
Carousel, a disability arts organisation, based in Brighton are
holding their:
Oska Bright - a festival of short films made
by people with learning disabilities.
We're screening one Oska Bright short film, Johnny Dreams as well as a
full length feature film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) - which
was the first animated film ever to be released - on
Thursday
5 March
at
No. 6 Cinema in Portsmouth at 7pm.
It's a free event
and will have
live music accompaniment
from Owen
Eastwood, a local musician.
The films are really amazing and offer a great experience for anyone
who loves films, including others with learning disabilities.
Free Event THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED (PG) plus short Johnny Dreams Director: Lotte Reiniger. Germany 1926, 81 mins. The Adventures of Prince
Achmed is the earliest surviving animated feature. Young Prince Achmed is brave and eager for adventure, so when the most powerful sorcerer in the world challenges
him to fly a magic horse Achmed, plunges headlong into a series of exciting escapades. Featuring a live score by musician Owen Eastwood. Johnny Dreams is a
Javanese Shadow Puppet inspired animation by visual artist Aideen Barry and The That’s Life Film Collective from Brothers of Charity Services Galway, Ireland. It tells the story of Johnny who discovers an old gramophone and listens to magical music
and dreams of a voyage to the Island of Java. Runtime 5 mins
To book on this fantastic event ring:
07435 029408 or
21
Hampshire Autism Voice
Hampshire Autism Voice (HAV) is the parent, carers and people with autism group established within the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB).
HAV has been developed to give a voice and active involvement to people with autism, their families and carers within the HAPB and the autism strategy work streams. HAV actively participates in the planning, delivery and monitoring of services for children, young people and adults with autism living in Hampshire. We are working to establish a HAV Network which we hope will be operational during Spring 2015 and we need your help!
We are looking for the following groups of people below to participate in occasional surveys in order to gain your views on various aspects of how Autism is supported. This will be fed back anonymously to the HAPB. Email is preferred but a postal option can be set up.
People with Autism
Families of people with Autism Support Workers
Organisations that work with people with Autism
With your help we can make sure that your views are represented and supported in the Hampshire Autism Strategies.
Please reply to [email protected] indicating which group from above you represent.
23
24
AUTINET - Internet Cafe
6.30pm – 8.30pm
John Pounds Community Centre, every Wednesday in term time starting on 14th January.
Open for secondary school age children to access the internet securely, have a tuck shop, social events in the school holidays and social interaction with others of a similar age.
Please let Christy know if you are interested: Phone: 07914 331 876 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pasn.co.uk
Gym is a great opportunity for children and families to get together in a secure environment with lots of fun activities and exclusive use for PASN of gym space and equipment. Now held on a SATURDAY from
5.30pm-6.30pm
6th March 24th April 1st May 5th June 3th July 11th September 2nd October 6th November 4th December
Everyone attending needs to fill out a gym membership form on their first session this year - this can either be emailed back to me in the office or handed in at your first gym session. The forms can be completed by: cutting and pasting the link below (you can then download the form), or filling one in
at your first gym session.
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2938a7100938ae4d24980cf27/files/GYM_Me
mbership_Form.doc
For more information, contact PASN
or check the website
25
Preparing for Adulthood Review Launch
This month sees the launch our new toolkit created with the National Development Team for Inclusion, Helen Sanderson Associates and the Council for Disabled Children! This toolkit explores how person-centred approaches can help effectively transfer Statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments to Education and Health Care Plans.
http://preparingforadulthood.org.uk/news/news-2015/preparing-for-adulthood-review-launch
Engaging employers to find work experience for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities: a guide for post-16 providers
Our guide has been developed for post - 16 learning providers to help establish strong relationships with employers and explores the benefits, understanding how to get employers involved and how to maintain these relationships.
http://preparingforadulthood.org.uk/resources/pfa-resources/engaging-employers-to-find-work- experience-for-young-people-with-learning-difficulties-andor-disabilities-a-guide-for-post-16-providers
26
ARE YOU A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SEN OR
ADDITIONAL NEEDS?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RELEASE
SOME STRESS & ALSO MEET OTHERS IN THE
SAME SITUATION AS YOU?
ARE YOU A FAN OF MUSIC OR SINGING?
THIS COULD BE FOR YOU!
I AM A PARENT OF AN AUTISTIC CHILD & IM HOPING TO START
UP A SINGING GROUP.
IT WILL BE VERY INFORMAL & NO EXPERIENCE IS NESSERSARY,
THIS IS A VERY GOOD STRESS RELEASE!
IM HOPING TO GET SOME FEED BACK ON WHO WOULD BE
INTERESTED & WHEN & WHERE PEOPLE COULD ATTEND? (WILL
BE IN THE PORTSMOUTH AREA)
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED
IN PLEASE COMMENT ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS POST &
WHETHER YOU WOULD PREFER A DAYTIME GROUP OR
EVENING ONE?
MEN & WOMEN WELCOME BUT WILL BE A CHILD FREE
GROUP....JUST FOR US GROWN UPS!!
THANKS FOR READING.
27
Regular Groups
Paulsgrove Parenting Angels
Are you the parent/carer of a child who has additional or special educational needs? Do you often feel overwhelmed and under supported? Do you live in the Paulsgrove Ward?
We are a parent led support group working with Portsmouth Parent Voice. Come along to our monthly coffee morning where you can meet with other parents and access information on other services that are available.
We meet on the last Thursday of the month at Paulsgrove Community Centre in Marsden Road from 09.30am-11.00am
Please email us or check our Facebook page
HILSEA YOUTH CLUB
Learning Disabilities and Difficulties Nights Mondays: 6 – 9 pm
FUN, SAFE NIGHTS AT HILSEA YOUTH CLUB, SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND DIFFICULTIES, PROVIDING RESPITE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS.
These nights are for young people aged 14-19 who have learning
disability, difficulty or physical or sensory impairment impacting daily living.
Need more information?
Please contact Amanda at [email protected] contact mobile is 07824882839 or land line 02392 652762
Youth Club building found in the car park of City of Portsmouth Boys School, London Road,
28
New Sport & Social Club for Adults 16+ With Disabilities
And/Or Additional Needs,Dis-Play Portsmouth CIC
Dis-Play Community Interest Company (in collaboration with Portsmouth City Council and Chances4change funding) will be starting a Sport and Social session for adults 16+ with disabilities and/or additional needs on Wednesdays.
At this friendly club participants will be able to play sports games, learn skills,
socialise and most importantly have fun! The club is every Wednesday from 7.30pm until 9pm. Please see below for venue and contact details for more information and booking details.
The cost is £2 per session.
Please note: Unfortunately they cannot provide personal care at the sessions but please feel free to bring your carer along if needed. Sessions will not run over Easter holidays.
Contact: Havelock Community Centre, 324 Fawcett Road, Southsea,
Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 0LQ
Tel: 07783 946609
Email: [email protected]
Dis-Play Sport and Social Club, Havant
Sports and Social club for 12-26 year olds with
disabilities or additional needs
DisPlay Sport and Social Club opened up in early December 2014 and have had very good success in the Portsmouth area.
There is now an opportunity for the club to open in Havant for 12-26 year olds with disabilities and/or additional needs
What they need to do is get a grasp of the level of interest in this club before it opens (which could be very soon if the interest is there!).
If interested in the club please email [email protected] with the age of the person that will be attending, the nature of their disability/additional need, and a contact detail (so contact can be made if the club does go ahead).
29
The club would follow the same format as the Portsmouth club being on a week day evening for one and a half hours in duration and would cost £2 per session which includes free squash.
Unfortunately personal care would not be provided but parents/carers would be welcome to attend for free if necessary.
For more information on these Clubs please see contact below:
Contact:
Tel: 07783 946609
Email: [email protected]
Portsmouth Disability Forum Health Cafe
Worried or concerned about health or social care related issue?
In a relaxed environment, share your concerns with people who listen,
understand, and will sign post you in the right direction. Drop in session
between 1pm and 3pm, on a monthly basis at the Frank Sorrell Centre,
Prince Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO4 9HR
Tel :02392 815266
Dates for Tuesdays 2015
21
stJuly
18
thAugust
17
thMarch
15
thSeptember
21
stApril
20
thOctober
19
thMay
17
thNovember
16
thJune
15
thDecember
30
Wheels for All
Wheels for All provides cycling opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and differing needs. Using specially adapted cycles, individuals and families can cycle together, learning new skills or rediscovering a previous pastime.
To find out when and where our next cycling session is, please phone 023 9284
1560, or email [email protected].
To keep the Wheels for All programme running, we are looking for volunteers to help us run our cycling sessions. In return for donating a few hours of your time you will: get a nationally recognised qualification
meet new people
be part of your community
improve your CV
take on a new challenge
learn a new skill
31
NEWS IN BRIEF
Digital Bubbles: Innovative technologies for Autism Seminar
University of Sussex on Monday 23 March 2015
The theme of this bubble is development. Are aspects of development in autism bestseen as delayed or different? How can developmental psychology informunderstanding and intervent ion? If autism involves different development, maybe weshould
re-think how we intervene. Different theoretical approaches illuminate thesequestions in differe nt ways, as represented by our exciting range of speakers:
Ouriel Grynszpan CNRS Paris
Vasu Reddy Portsmouth
Antonia Hamilton UCL London
Our conference will be opened by Richard Brown and Mark Bushby, of AutismSussex. Attendance is free, first come first served, registration online at link below.
We also have a limited number of UK travel bursaries for stakeholders, e.g. support
and advocacy groups, and for postgraduate research students: guidance andregistration onlin e link below.
Contact:
Web: http://digitalbubbles.org.uk/?page_id=15
St Mary’s Lego Therapy Training Day - Book Your Places Now!
Bexhill, East Sussex
St Mary’s are holding a Lego Therapy Training Day on Thursday 19th March from 10am-4pm at St Mary’s School & 6th Form College, Wrestwood Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 2LU and invite you to attend. It is appropriate for parents, carers and professionals and the cost will be £100 including a buffet lunch and resource pack. For children with ASD, Lego Therapy has proved to have a significant impact on their social skills development (Cambridge Autism Research Centre 2007) and staff at St Mary’s have adapted this approach to be used with children and young adults on the autistic spectrum and also those with specific language impairment. Booking essential. For more details, email [email protected] or call 01424 730740.
32
Legal Aid is Still Available for Disabled Children
This article has kindly been produced by Douglas Miller, a Rose Road Association Trustee
Despite what you may have seen in the media over the last two years, Legal Aid is still available for disabled children to investigate clinical negligence claims.
Although Legal Aid was withdrawn for all personal injury and clinical negligence claims, an exception was made in the legislation for children suffering a neurological injury in the first 8 weeks of life. This means that if you suspect your child’s disabilities were caused by a clinical accident, either before, during, or shortly after birth, public funding is available to investigate these claims.
Anyone who suspects that their children’s injuries could arise from negligence should take action before the government takes further steps to reduce this access to justice. You may have been told disabilities are due to prematurity, but this is not always correct, as an injury can be avoided if the appropriate safeguards are put in place, or it is possible to prolong the pregnancy to achieve a longer gestation.
Don’t worry if you think you might not financially qualify. The means test is limited to the means of the child, and not the family, so most children will qualify without having to make a
contribution.
Parents should contact a Solicitor specialising in brain injury claims, who has a franchise from the Legal Aid Agency to offer this funding. That solicitor should be able to tell you quite quickly if there is assistance that can be offered, but beware as some solicitors prefer only straight forward cases.
A full list of the lawyers specialising in these claims is available on the law society website. The following checklist will help you find the right solicitor for you:http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/
Look carefully at what solicitors say about themselves and the services they offer. It is good to check if they have a track record in recovering damages in the more obscure cases.
Not all solicitors have the same level of experience. A wider range of cases can mean more experience to answer the questions you might have.
If you can, find a solicitor with a dedicated team which might help you with all of the legal issues surround disability, not just the compensation.
Douglas Miller, Coffin Mew LLP, Trustee of the Rose Road Association.
33
Portsmouth Local Offer
(http://www.portsmouthlocaloffer.org/)We are keen to increase the range of information contained within the Portsmouth Local Offer and would welcome you contacting us if you feel your service or organisation should be included on the website. For further information phone us on 023 921 166 or
e-mail us at [email protected]
Waving not drowning, Working Families' Project for Carers
and Parents of Disabled Children who Work or Wish to
Work
Waving not drowning:
I am available to talk to parents' groups about the rights parents of disabled children have in the workplace. If you would like to arrange for me to visit your parent group, please
contact me at [email protected] or 020 7017 0072. I'd only need my fare from London paid.
Have you joined the Waving not drowning Facebook Group to join in the chat about working and caring? There is also a Working Families Facebook page. You can 'like' it. If you want to join Facebook go to www.facebook.com. Signing up is very straight forward. You too could win up to £50 in the Waving not drowning Draw, a fun way you can support
the Waving not drowning project. Just email [email protected] for a form to buy monthly tickets at £2 each by direct debit.
One third of the profits will go to lucky prize winners each month.
The more tickets sold the greater the prize money. The rest of the profits go to help the Waving not drowning project including
Staffing a helpline advising carers and parents of disabled children Publishing a free newsletter for carers and parents of disabled children
Campaigning for a better deal for carers and parents of disabled children in the workplace Please forward this e-bulletin to any friends or colleagues who would be interested. They can contact me at [email protected] to get on the distribution list for the e-bulletin and for the free Waving not drowning newsletter.
34
Dynamite
The Dynamite Group is currently recruiting new members to help consult and improve services to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. If you are a young person aged between 14-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and would like to be part of a consultation group aimed at helping to shape the council's information and support to the new changes in SEND legislation, please contact Matt Small (details below)
Between now and March 2015 the group will be working directly on:
1) Producing accessible information for children and young people on the changes to SEND legislation
2) Developing the Local Offer to be more accessible to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
If you would like more information about Dynamite, please 'like' us on Facebook or find our page on Portsmouth's Local Offer or contact Matt
[email protected] Tel 02392 688161 Mobile 07951059897
The dynamite survey will be coming out soon via schools, Facebook and emails. Do encourage your young people to take part. Big prizes to be won!!
35
Guide to Heathrow Airport for Disabled Passengers
We have recently been supplied with a link to 22 guides for disabled passengers at airports in the UK. The information contained in them includes;
+ General tips for disabled passengers
+ Parking information
+ Airport terminal information
+ Locations of special assistance areas
+ Special assistance bus
+ Flying with guide/assistance dogs
You can find the Heathrow guide via the following link;
http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/disabled-facilities.html
For other UK airports, please email [email protected] and request the link for a guide to any other airport you wish to use.
36
Activities around Hampshire
Horizon Leisure Centre
Additional Needs Swimming – Waterlooville Leisure Centre
Taking place every Monday morning 10am -11am. This is an open swimming session for adults with a qualified swimming teacher available for advice if needed. The price of this session is just £1.50 per swimmer (carers free).
Horizon Play Centre – Additional Needs Session – Havant Leisure Centre
Monday evenings 6pm – 7.30pm, exclusive use of the play centre. £3.00 per person (carers free)
Additional Needs Badminton – Havant Leisure Centre
Taking place every Thursday afternoon 1.30pm – 2.30pm. The price of this session is just £1.50 per week (carers are required but go free.)
NEW Specialist Dance Lessons – Havant Leisure Centre
A specialist dance/sensory movement class for 4 to 12 year olds with additional needs on Monday afternoons 4pm – 5pm. £3.00 per session
NEW Fun Swim Sessions – Havant and Waterlooville Leisure Centres
A fun swim session in our splash pools. Fully supervised for children and their carers. £2 per child (carers are required but go free).
For up to date information, please check website for details
37
active soccer
Active Tots (2-4 year olds)
Saturday Mornings – Milton Village Hall 9.30am – 10.30am
Crookhorn Community Centre 11am – 12pm
Tuesday evenings St Vincent College 4.30pm 5.30pm Skills Schools (5-7 year olds)
Tuesday Evenings – Portsmouth Academy for Girls 6pm to 7pm Thursday Evenings – Park Community School 6pm – 7pm Monday Evenings – St Vincent College 6pm – 7pm
Skills Schools (8-11 year olds)
Monday Evenings – City of Portsmouth Boys School 6pm – 7pm Thursday Evenings – St Vincent College 6pm – 7pm
For more details or to book your child on to one of the above courses contact Andy on 07585 586317
Email: [email protected]
38
REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
EVERY MONDAY
Special Needs Play Sessions at Horizon Leisure Centres in Waterlooville and Havant 6pm - 7.30pm
£3 per session
Contact the Leisure Centre for more details or check out their website
http://www.horizonlc.com/activities/play-centre/ Tel: 023 9247 6026
EVERY FRIDAY
Enableability multi-sports club (trampolining, swimming and other sports) Under 12's - 5pm - 6.45pm
Over 12's - 6pm - 7.45pm £4.00 per session
For more details contact: [email protected] Tel: 02392 671 846 At: Charter Community Sports Centre, Greetham Street, Portsmouth PO5 4LH
FIRST SATURDAY DAY OF EVERY MONTH
Aiming High Crafty Workshops
Aspex Gallery, Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. PO1 3BF Creative workshops especially designed for children with SEN and Autism.
FREE! and includes tea & cake!
39
Please see our website for links to other
organisations that may be of interest
www.portsmouthparentvoice.org
If you would like to join our Facebook page, search for Portsmouth Parent Voice and click “like”.
Portsmouth Parent Voice also has a Twitter Account. Why not follow us at:
@PparentVoice