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e -News August 2016
News and information across Dorset (and beyond) for children who are disabled and their
families and carers
New Survey on activities for 15-18 year olds Is your young person aged between 15-18 years old or might be soon? As young people move into later teens they need different activities. Ones more suited to their own age group. They usually want to mix with their own age group and friends – young people who share the same interests and experiences. Dorset County Council are working with People First Dorset and the Dorset Parent Carer Council to find out more about youngsters in this age group who need support to access or enjoy social activities. Feedback shows there’s a need for this older age group to have opportunities for suitable things to do – particularly as they move toward adulthood and need to develop new skills, confidence and independence. The new survey is in two parts: one for the young person themselves and the other for their parent/carer. It looks at the type of activities that young people enjoy, when they’d like to do them and what sort of barriers they can encounter and make it hard to take part. The parent/carers section asks questions about best times, locations, transport and support.
Take part online NOW Some readers will have received the survey through their young person’s school just before school holidays started. If you haven’t though, you can still take part using the online version you can find here
http://bit.ly/2aCKvKu Please do take part The survey results will be used to help shape future opportunities for this older age group. The County Council has already set up a group of providers who are testing several initiatives but your feedback will be so important in planning provision for next year and beyond. Paper form instead: If you’d like a paper copy of the form to complete, rather than do it online, just email us at [email protected] with your details and we’ll ask for one to be posted to you. Survey closing date: The survey will close 12th September so please do try to complete it as soon as possible.
LinkMeUp Dorset is live from 1st August 2016!! The new Personal Assistant (PA) register and support service for Dorset is now online. Funded by Dorset County Council and the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, the register can help you find a Personal Assistant (PA) searching by location, availability,
experience and support provided. You can also see personal profiles with details of skills and interests and even advertise your own specific care and support needs. Employing a PA, maybe using Direct Payments or your own funds, can give you and your young person essential support but might seem complicated. Run by local organisations, Dorset Advocacy and Ansbury Guidance, the LinkMeUp Dorset Register has a team of co-ordinators to personally help you through the whole recruitment process, from shortlisting candidates, to interviewing and making sure you understand all of your legal responsibilities.
For peace of mind, all PAs listed on the register will be personally interviewed too and have undertaken a DBS (formerly CRB) and Right To Work checks as well as having references and qualifications which have been suitably verified. Of course, it will take time for the register to build. It needs people to register themselves as P.A.’s and for parents and carers to join up. This is going to take place over the next few months so please don’t be disappointed if you look at the site now and think there’s not much there. There will be plenty of promotion work to come as well as an official launch. We’ll keep you posted on all of this! If you need a Personal Assistant you can register yourself nice and early and if you know anyone who is already a PA, or might like to be one, why not encourage them to register too – it can be very a rewarding and flexible career for all ages – and the register can be the ideal way for them to find work with families that need support the most.
Visit the new website and sign up at: www.dorset.linkmeup.org.uk
New Dorset Personal Assistant Register goes live
Aspire Day Service for Young Adults
age 16+.
Aspire is a day service for young
adults with learning disabilities.
Aspire runs a small group of no more
than 12 people so they can offer a
person centred approach.
Aspire group leaders believe there is
a need for this type of group as not all people with
disabilities can handle loud noisy day services.
Offering sessions in Lifemusic with a Lifemusic
practitioner, art and craft, dance/exercise, and
games. All activities are lead by the clients and go
with the flow of the day.
Aspire provide all the materials and drinks. Clients
need to provide there own lunch, and a carer if
personal care is required.
Aspire are based in a small hall that has
disabled access, and a disabled toilet
(there is no changing table).
There is parking on the road outside, there
is a bus stop close to the hall and group
leaders are happy to meet clients for the
first few times at the bus stop and make
sure they get the right bus home until they
are confident to do this on there own.
Group leaders Jane and Sharon have worked in
social care for over twenty years, working at Forest
View, Mustard Seed Cafe, Darracott day centre,
Choices Community Team and Boscombe Connect.
Aspire is run every Thursday at Hope House, 117
Jumpers Road, Christchurch, 9.30am-2.30pm,
and costs £35 for the day.
Sharon and Jane can be contacted on
07981032619.
The Independent Support Programme was commissioned by the government to provide additional support to help families and young people with SEND following the new Chil-dren and Families Act in 2014. Earlier this year the Government announced that the sup-port was to continue until 2018 by which time all statements of special Educational Needs should have been transferred to the new Education and Health Care Plans.
An Independent Supporter gives impartial support and guidance to families with children or young people who are being assessed for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or those ‘transferring’ from a statement of Special Edu-cational Needs (SEN) to an EHCP under the new system. In Dorset, Independent Support is available from SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Ad-vice and Support Service) and The Rose Road Association.
The team from Rose Road has recently changed slightly with a new supporter taking over in West Dorset with the rest of the team continuing to offer support in the remainder of Dorset and also Poole and Bournemouth. Having worked with a large amount of families and young people since 2014 the Rose Road team have found that their sup-port has been particularly useful in the following ways: Explaining how the new EHCP system works and providing factsheets to support with this.
Supporting at meetings relating to new EHCPs or transfers from statements.
The Local Authority now asks for parental and the young person’s contribution towards plans and they can
help with this.
They can come to you at home or meet at the school or somewhere you feel comfortable to talk about what
you would like to put in your contribution.
They can talk through the outcomes that you would like to see in the plan.
They can also act as a named contact and help you to understand how to access services and put you in con-
tact with other organisations that can help.
If you would like to know more about this support you can either contact Rose Road Association direct on: Tel: 0300 303 8604 or email: [email protected].
Please note: Activity information in this newsletter is supplied by the organisations themselves. You should satisfy yourself with the quality and suitability of an organisation before participation. Dorset County Council cannot be held liable for any mistakes or omissions, nor any claim, loss, injury or damage resulting from the use or accuracy of this publication or participation in advertised activities. Parents of children who are disabled or with additional or special educational needs are advised to contact the relevant provider for advice before attending any activity.
Katie Barron’s column Contact A Family South West
We’re well into the summer holidays and if you are wondering how to keep your children entertained for the remainder, rest assured you're not the only one! We have put together some advice and handy hints in our webpage finding the right activities and childcare for your family this summer. As well as looking at top tips for planning activities during the summer break from one of our SENDirect bloggers, you might also like to take a look at our holidays, play and leisure guide. It's packed with ideas on what to do, such as indoor play, disability sport and walks. Many children find the change in routine of returning to school challenging. One of our Parent Advisors Shona suggests making a scrapbook with your child to help this transition. Maybe your child or young person can take some photographs of themselves in their school uniform, some pictures of the school building, class teachers or school friends. She also advises preparing for the return to school a week before the big day: - Keep bedtime routines the same as you would in term times. - Begin to get up a little earlier and quickly revert to the routine of a school morning. - Use Symbols and Signs to support your child if they benefit from these communication aids. - Mention school friends in daily conversations. - Arrange to meet the Bus Driver or escort, (if your child has one), and check what time to expect them each day; swap mobile numbers so you have direct contact with them. - Two days beforehand look through the scrapbook and mention the ‘school/ college’ word.
The day before term starts we get the school bag
ready. This includes the
Home/School diary, juice bottle, cash in a wallet
(dinner money cheque etc.)
Put school clothes ready, (having tried new ones on
beforehand so that there are no big sensory
surprises) and PECS visuals are prepared and
ready if needed.
Set the alarm for 30 minutes before the routine is to
start; try not to rush and keep calm and carry
on!
Navigating the school system can be a challenge for most parents. Who to approach if your child needs support, exclusion from school because of challenging behaviour, how to access home school transport….. Information and advice can be found online in our range of factsheets A series of special educational needs factsheets - England or by contacting our Education experts on 0808 808 3555, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm. Connected is our free magazine for families with disabled children and all who work with them. It’s available free to parents who call our helpline or email [email protected] and free to download. You can also sign up to receive an alert when the latest edition is online (May 2016). Look out for our next edition, all about ‘family linking,’ focussing on how important it is for families with disabled children to get together and ‘contact a family’ like theirs. If you know someone who might find this free monthly e-newsletter useful they can sign up to receive regular copies straight to their inbox. And remember, if you care for a disabled child and need advice, support or information, please call Contact a Family’s free helpline on 0808 808 3555 to talk to one of our expert advisers. EDITORS NOTE;
We’re sorry to say that this is the last of Katie’s columns. She’s been promoted to the post of ‘Interim Head of Regions’ at Contact A
Family with a London base, moving on from her South West Regional Development Manager role. We’d like to thank her for all her many columns (which she fitted in alongside the day job), for all her support for The Xchange and its members and to wish her all success and enjoyment in the new job. Thanks Katie and good luck!
“The Chatterboxes”, part of the YMCA Bournemouth have issued their Summer 2016 Magazine. Check out www.xchangeonline.co.uk to view the full copy of the magazine.
A great Art Opportunity with Outside In. Outside In is partnering with Arts & Health South West (AHSW), Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Falmouth Art Gallery, Borough of Poole Museum and Arts Service and The Wilson in Cheltenham to organise 'Alternative Visions: Undiscovered Art in the South West' a touring exhibition of work by artists in the South West who feel excluded from the mainstream art world. They want to hear from organisations, individuals and groups who work with people who are interested in making their own visual artwork, but who face barriers to accessing the art world for reasons including health, disability, social circumstance or isolation. Artists who fit the Outside In criteria can create an online gallery, showcasing their artwork.
Is your young person moving from a statement to an EHC Plan?
Changes to the way things work can seem quite daunting and confusing and many families are naturally confused about ‘statements’ and ‘education, health and care plans’. The government have provided funding though for free impartial advice and help to be available for families with children who are being assessed for an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or “transferring” from a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) to a EHCP under the new system.
If you’d like some free help and support you can contact Rose Road .
Tel: 0300 303 8604 or email [email protected]
CEA Card
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA), formerly the Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA). The
scheme was introduced in 2004 and is one of the ways for participating cinemas to ensure they make reasonable adjustments for disabled guests when they go to the cinema; in particular it ensures a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them.
You don’t need to have a CEA Card for a reasonable adjustment to be made and cinemas still have to make reasonable adjustments. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, the UKCA’s policy is cinema staff should make them for you.
For more details go to https://ceacard.co.uk/
Home-Start West Dorset announce Snowflake Ball at Athelhampton House Local children’s charity Home-Start West Dorset is busy organising its third charity ball to be held on
November 12th 2016 – the Snowflake Ball. Helen Horsley, Senior Organiser at HSWD, explained: “Our Snowflake Ball is part of the annual national Snowflake campaign championed by Home-Start ambassador and TV presenter Kirsty Allsop. It is so called because snowflakes are as unique and fragile as the children Home-Start supports. It’s a fabulous opportunity to dress up and put on your dancing shoes after a delicious four course dinner. Athelhampton has come up with a really superb menu.” “Please join me (Kirsty Allsopp) raising money for
The Snowflake Appeal, so Home-Start can keep supporting unique and fragile children. Home-Start is in there, making a difference each and every day. It is changing all our communities for the future. It prevents parents’ difficulties from becoming their children’s problems.” Kirstie Allsopp, tv presenter, mum, stepmum, Home-Start ambassador
Tickets for the Snowflake Ball are now on sale at £49.50 per person and are available from Home-Start West Dorset, Paceycombe House (Suite B), Paceycombe Way, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1
3WB, 01305 265072 or [email protected], or contact co-organisers Camilla Thornton on 07713 823212 or Nicola Stickland on 07785 247430. Home-Start West Dorset is a local independent charity which has been set up to give friendship, advice and practical support to families who live in the West Dorset area, including Weymouth and Portland, who have at least one child under the age of 5.
As part of the Spirit of Portland
festival, Portland Museum are
running a Children’s Dinosaur
Themed Day on Wednesday 3rd
August from 10:30am. The cost of the event is £3 per
child.
There will be lots of fun activities – make a dinosaur out
of vegetables, decorate a dinosaur biscuit, help to make a
huge dinosaur model, decorate and wear your own
dinosaur feet, make a baby dinosaur hatching from it’s
egg and make a beautiful ammonite picture.
There will also be a fossil table packed with real Jurassic
fossils to handle, a dinosaur egg hunt to do, dinosaur dig
box, dressing up in dino costumes,
Face-painting and dino scratch magnets (£1 each).
You will also be able to meet Rusty the giant dinosaur
kindly lent to us by Jurassica!
There will be a range of home baking, snacks and drinks
available to enjoy, so plan on having lunch or treat
yourself to cake .
Portland Museum are part of the Max card scheme (see
below for offer), the price of the Dinosaur Day is £3 per
child in addition to the max card offer.
“ Dorset Max Card Offer” Portland Museum are part of the Max
Card Scheme and offer “Free entry for children aged 6 and under. Children from 6-16 £1. (Discount/benefit – up to date terms).
We will automatically offer free admission to any adult carer, for visitors of any age “
Swindon Actionnaires
Timetable Autumn 2016
Sat 17 September – Canoeing and Rifle Shooting at Oxenwood, 10:00 – 15:00 We are returning to the lovely Oxenwood Outdoor Centre for the day which will include canoeing on the canal at Froxfield and rifle shooting. We will be traveling to Froxfield by minibus and so places for this session will be limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring swimming things, towels and a change of clothes and shoes. Lunch is not provided so please also bring packed lunches and drinks. Venue: Oxenwood Outdoor Edu-cation Centre, Oxenwood, Marlborough, Wiltshire. SN8 3NQ
Sat 8 October – VI Football Taster Session, 11:00 – 12:00 Swindon Town’s Football in the Community Trust will be supporting this VI Football Taster session. Any budding Gareth Bale’s out there can come along and improve their ball skills. Absolute beginners welcome too! Venue: Oasis Leisure Centre, North Star Ave, Swindon SN2 1EP.
Sat 22 October – Wizard of Oz at the Wyvern, 2:00 – 4:00 (running time tbc) Come and sing your heart out to classics like Over The Rainbow and We’re off to see the Wizard! This production of the Wizard of Oz is being performed by local Swindon company SALOS. We are hoping to offer a touch tour of the theatre before the performance and will confirm a time for this nearer the date. Places for this session are limited and so we will be offering them to VI children and young people in the first instance. Venue: Wyvern Theatre, Thea-tre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN
Sat 12 November – VI Boccia, 14:00 – 16:00 Boccia is a tactical, target Paralympic sport that tests muscle control and accuracy. Players propel balls to land close to a target ball. VI Boccia is adapted for visually impaired players and uses a grid to help identify where the balls are placed. Why not come and have a go at this fascinating sport with our coach, Mark Beeby? Venue: Highworth Rec, The Elms, Highworth, Swindon SN6 7DD
Sat 26 November – Festive Craft and Photography Session, 14:00 – 16:00 We will be having fun and getting creative with festive craft activities and a photography session. Venue: Shaw Ridge School, Ridge Green, Swindon SN5 5PU
Sat 26 November – Parent Peer Support Group, 14:00 – 16:00 A chance to get together with other parents of children with a visual impairment, to share information and support each other. We have invited the Action for Blind People Employment Co-ordinator to attend this session to discuss any concerns you may have about your child’s future career path or options. All parents are welcome. Venue: Shaw Ridge School, Ridge Green, Swindon SN5 5PU
Sat 10 December – Indoor Golf and Christmas Party, 14:00 – 16:00 Our last session of 2016 and we’ll be taking on the 16 hole indoor adventure golf course at The Golfing Hole. With conveyor belts, corkscrews and all manner of machines for your golf ball to explore, each hole requires you to use different skills to gain your hole in one. This should be a fun filled session with party food at the venue to celebrate Christmas too! Venue: The Golfing Hole, Spectrum Building, Mead Way, Swindon, SN5 7UT
Contact numbers: Paula Palmer, Swindon Club Co-ordinator: 07872 197 315 Viv Mills, Swindon Club Co-ordinator: 07872 197 314 Jo Phillip, Children,Young People and Family Co-ordinator South West : 0117 934 1723 / 07715 801838
“DON’T FORGET YOUR
MAX CARD!”
Now that the warm and sunny weather has arrived, there’s more incentive than ever to get out and about in the evenings and on the weekends. So, it’s a great time to make more use of your Max Card to get discounts like reduced entry fees and lower parking charges. Families tell us that the Max Card is a real money saver and when you have the opportunity for reductions on family days out at places like Monkey World, The Sea Life Centre, Moors Valley, plus Durlston and Avon Heath Country Parks..and many more venues ... why not enjoy the benefits. It’s also important that you use the card when you can, so that venues realise just how important it is that they stay signed up to the scheme. Remember you can find a full list of venues on the Dorset For You website or by clicking here: www.dorsetforyou.com/maxcard
07981 032619 / 07519 991034
What’s Happening in August
SUMMER ACTIVITES SUPPLEMENT
There is a mass of short break activities taking place over the summer holidays. Far too many to put into this issue of your favourite newsletter so we are preparing
a separate Xchange Summer Activities supplement . This will be emailed to Xchange members or you can access a copy on the Xchange website as
soon as it is available www.xchangeonline.co.uk
Sports/Activities FUZE— Sherborne Community Centre Thursdays—5:30pm—7:00pm
Sports for Young People with Disabilities age 7+ Dorchester Sports Centre Sunday 14th and 28th August Disability Football—Everyone Active Rossmore Tuesdays 5:00pm—6:00pm
Buddies– Stay and Play for under 5’s– MountJoy School every Thursday 1:15pm—3:00pm(Term time only) Sherborne Children's Centre 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 1:30pm—3:00pm
Ability Counts Football with Dexter Thursdays 6:30—7:30pm
Hipp! Bones—Gillingham Youth Centre 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 10:00am—12:00pm
Disability Cricket Coaching Sessions at Ferndown Leisure Centre. Fridays—4:30pm—5:30pm
Project Hangout—Diverse Abilities. Club meet twice a month, contact [email protected]
Wimborne Town Football Club at Cuthbury Fridays—6:00pm—7:00pm
Support and Support
Groups
Powerchair Football at Victoria Education Centre Between 2:00pm—4:00pm first Saturday of the month
Listening Matters Afasic Support Group—Tesco Community Centre Bournemouth Thursdays (term time only) 10:00am—12:30pm
Free Golf Lessons—Crane Valley Golf Club, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 7LH Fridays 4:00pm—5:00pm Life’s an Adventure Initiative Weymouth and Portland Outdoor Adventure. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays
The Umbrella Group—Portifield School, Hurn No meeting in August.
Wimborne Wagtails Swimming Club—QE Leisure Centre Saturdays– 11:30am—12:30pm
Bournemouth Parents Carer Forum. Castle Lane Thursdays 10:00—12:00pm
Wheelchair Basketball Sessions at Ferndown Leisure Centre. 11—15 year olds Fridays—6:30pm—7:30pm Age 16+ Fridays—7:30 pm—9:30pm
A Stars—Budmouth College Weymouth Saturdays 10:30am—12:30pm
Clubs & Play Sessions
Caterpillar Club—Langside School, Poole Monday Mornings—10:00am —11:30am
Coffee Mornings at Linwood School Bournemouth First Wednesday of each month. Contact Tina Mcgovern on 01202 636804
Busy Buddies Saturday Clubs every fortnight. 10:30—1:30 at The Viridor Bay Room, Weymouth Community Fire Station, Weymouth 1:30pm– 4:40pm at Portifield School, Parley Lane, Christchurch
SENDIASS Parent Carer Drop In’s Christchurch & North and East Dorset– Fridays 10—12pm Weymouth—Last Thursday of the month 1:00—3:00pm (term time only)
Contact [email protected] or call 01202 853000 for more details.
The Mix in Poole—The Church of the Good Shepherd, Herbert Avenue Poole. Every second Monday of the month 11:00—1:00pm
What’s Happening in August
Training and Courses
Dorset HealthCare Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have joined up with Action for Children to run workshops dedicated to understanding the causes of challenging behaviours. These 3 hour workshops are held throughout Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. For more details please contact: Michelle:[email protected]) for ASD and ADHD workshops in East Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole,
Rose ([email protected]) for ASD and ADHD workshops in West Dorset Kim ([email protected]) for causes of challenging behaviours workshop. Your child does not need a diagnosis in order for you to come along. You are welcome to invite someone from your child’s school to come along too. Professionals are also very welcome to attend even without a specific child in mind.
CAMHS Workshops For Parents
MANAGE YOUR HEALTH COURSE
These courses are designed to tackle the areas of your
health that are getting in the way of your life
such as:-
Frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
Appropriate exercise
Appropriate use of medication
Communicating effectively with family, friends
and health professionals
Nutrition
Courses take place once a week for 6 weeks, and
each session lasts for 2 and a half hours.
We also have an online course, or if you would prefer
to meet with one of our coaches call us on: 0303 303 0153
[email protected] www.myhealthdorset.org.uk
CONTACT A FAMILY
Contact A Family provide a huge range of free resources and advice for families from downloads to telephone support lines. Whether you need benefits advice or medical information about a condition they may be able to help.
Call their FREE helpline 0808 808 3555
Or visit their website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Contact a Family Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – get our updated guide for parents DLA is the main benefit for children and adults with a condition or disability and helps to meet the extra costs that you might have as a result of your child's disability. You don't need a diagnosis to claim DLA, and your child's needs don't have to be severe. Our updated guide, Claiming Disability Living Allowance for children, is full of hints and tips on claiming DLA for the first time or getting more help if your child’s needs have changed. The guide can be ordered free through our helpline - 0808 808 3555.
Financial Support
PENDERELS TRUST support for managing your direct payments
A direct payment gives more choice and control over your child’s care. You can employ a Personal Assistant, giving flexibility and freedom to take family trips, let your child do things with friends and for you to enjoy some respite.
We offer a direct payment support service. Chat with us before deciding whether to take a direct
payment. You can contact us on
01202 862570 or [email protected]
Disability Grants and Loans website There are all sorts of grants and loans available from the government and from charitable organisations. The problem is finding them. The Disability Grants website contains a good selection of these covering a variety of funds. It gives information and appropriate links. Visit www.disability-grants.org/
Uemploy A new way to control and manage your own support. Have you thought about employing your own personal assistant (PA)? We can support you and your family throughout the process of employing a PA and give advice and guidance after you have employed someone. Please contact 0300 303 8163 for more details. Or email—[email protected] www.uemploy.org.uk
Dorset Parent-Carer Council
At home or on the go, it’s easy to keep up to date with Dorset Parent Carer
Council, what we are up to and issues affecting you!
Check us out on
Www.dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk Send us a tweet ar @dpcnews or join
us on Facebook at Dorset Parent Carer council.
Email us with any queries or
suggestions at [email protected]
or call 07827 793244
Information Services Autism Wessex is a charity offering education, advice, information and support services to anyone affected by autism and associated difficulties. We produce a free monthly newsletter packed with information and news. To sign up for the newsletter or for any information contact us: Tel: 01305 213135 or email: [email protected] Web: www.autismwessex.org.uk
Information Services How can your local Family Information
Service help you? Your local Family Information Service is free and available to all family members of 0-19 year old children, 24 years if your child has additional needs. We can help you make informed choices about: Services for children, young people, families and
carers. Types of childcare and financial support Activities for children and families Children’s Centres Education and training opportunities Welfare support for you and your family …..and much, much more! Dorset: 01305 221066 or [email protected] Bourrnemouth: 01202 456222 or cis.bournemouth.gov.uk Poole: 01202 261999 or [email protected]
Dorset SENDIASS
Free, Confidential and Impartial Information, Advice and Support for children and young people with Special Educational needs or a disability and their parents or carers.
Christchurch, North and East Dorset Jane Schmidt Tel : 07748 624609 Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and Sherborne School Pyramids Catherine Breakwell Tel : 07771 978404 Anne Barker Tel : 01300 341978 POPPS Poole SENDIASS
Telephone: 01202 261933 Email: [email protected]
Short Break Buddy Scheme Community Wessex
The Buddy Scheme offers Dorset families a short break carer for just £5 for an hour.
Young people who have health needs, a mental health illness, physical or learning disabilities or sensory impairments can access the scheme.
To access the scheme call Community Wessex 01202 853000
Moving from a statement to an EHC Plan?
Free impartial advice and help available for families
with children who are being assessed for an Educational
Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or “transferring”
from a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) to
a EHCP under the new system.
Contact us to discuss any support you might need.
Tel: 0300 303 8604 independentsupport@roseroad.
org.uk
Do you ever feel like this? Isolated with no family
nearby and struggling to make friends.
Having a hard time coping with your child’s illness.
Struggling to cope with a disability Tired, unhappy, exhausted or
relationship problems. Home start West Dorset may be able to help and it’s free and confidential We support parent through our home start volunteers, it’s all free and confidential. Contact is for an informal chat on: 01305 265072 or email [email protected]
Dorset Carers Hub Local support and services for
carers in Dorset. Whether you care for someone for a few hours a week or 24 hours a day, find local support and services to help you care.
Keep up-to-date with latest news and national developments, find out about carers rights and benefits and search for local events and activities.
Visit the website for more information www.dorsetforyou.com/
carers
Support & Support Groups
Listening Matters/Afasic Support Group
Open to all parents, carers with children and young adults with all kinds of disabilities. We have full use
of computers and free tea and coffee.
Meetings at Tesco, Tesco community Centre, Riverside
Avenue, Bournemouth
Thursdays (Term Time Only) 10:00am—12:30pm
For next meeting date check website or call Marion
07585 404335
www.parentcarerforum.co.uk (
Bournemouth Parent Carer Forum are extremely pleased to invite you to our new information hub, which is open to all parents, carers with children and young adults with all kinds of disabilities. We offer free refreshments, there is also free wifi so come and meet us.
EVERY THURSDAY, (Term Time only) 10.00 – 12.00, COMMUNITY ROOM, TESCO SUPERMARKET, CASTLE
LANE, BH7 7AY
BOURNEMOUTH PARENT CARER FORUM
Downright Perfect Supporting families whose lives
have been touched by Downs Syndrome
Monthly meetings in Christchurch
and Corfe Mullen plus drop in sessions, speech and language
therapy, music therapy and physiotherapy for 0-5 years
Contact Joanne on 07595 421148 see their Facebook page or email [email protected]
A-Stars is a support group for children aged 5 and over with an
Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their families. Activities are provided at a pace and level to suit the needs of the members. Meetings are Saturday mornings 10:30am—12:30pm at Budmouth College, Weymouth. For more information visit www.a-starts.org.uk or contact 01305 250496 / 01305 778032 [email protected]
THE HUB Lyme Regis www.hublyme.co.uk
Support group for families and children who have disabilities,
mental health issues, ASD, tourettes or any learning
difficulties.
For more information on meetings or sessions contact Di Earle on
01297 445021 or email [email protected]
The Mix in Poole Run by parents for parents and carers of
children with autism, behavioural and developmental problems
Sessions are informal and offer a friendly space and refreshments, information on services we know about and we have the occasional guest
speaker.
We meet at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 3HR
every second Monday of the month 11am-1pm
For more information contact:
Sara 07966 971983 or Julie 07540 332435
Email: [email protected]
The Umbrella Group Parent-led support group, for
parents of children and young adults covering a wide spectrum of behaviours under the
umbrella of autism. Meeting once a month. Often with Guest Speakers.
Please contact us to check if the meeting is going
ahead. Venue: The Pool room at
Portfield School, Parley Lane, Hurn, Christchurch BH23 6BP
On 4th Saturday of the month: 10am -12pm
For more information please contact:- Debbie Muldoon-Hall 07900 693131 Natalie Chambers 07783 579735
Support & Support Groups
FUZE Sherborne Area Youth Centre
is running an ASD evening every Thursday
We welcome young people who have ASD and are between the ages of 11 and 16. Sessions run from 5:30—7:00pm
For further details please contact Sherborne Youth Centre on 01935 814202 or visit the Youth Centre at Tinney’s Lane, Sherborne.
PARENT/CARER DROP IN SESSIONS IN DORSET
Come and meet the people who work in your area for a tea/coffee in an informal setting. We can support with: Budgeting, Parenting Support, Special Educational Needs, Benefits, Housing, Challenging Behaviours, Education, health and Care Plans, providing a listening ear. Where : Verwood Youth Club ( Emmanuel Middle School site) Howe Lane, Verwood. BH31 6JF When : EVERY FRIDAY (Term Time) .— 10.00am to 12:00pm Contact Jane Schmidt (Dorset SENDIASS) for more information on 07748 624609 or Melissa Mondon(Locality Team) on 07827 313917 . Join us on Facebook: Christchurch, East & North Dorset Parent & Carer Support Group Where : Mulberry Children’s Centre Weymouth in Newstead Road When : LAST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH .— 1:00pm—3:00pm (Term time only). Contact Catherine Breakwell (Dorset SENDIASS) for more information on 07771 978404.
WHIZZ KIDZ Ambassador Youth Club in Poole Everyone Active Leisure Centre, Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4HR The Ambassador Clubs are about having fun, making friends and learning new skills. We have qualified healthcare staff at the club, so you can come without your parents. Check out www.whizz-kidz.org.uk. Our FREE to access services are for young wheelchair users so call us on 0800 151 3350 or email [email protected]
The Caterpillar Club The Caterpillar Club runs every Monday morning at
Langside School (Langside Avenue, Poole) from
10am – 11.30am and gives the opportunity for
parents and pre-school children to attend a free, fun
and friendly session each week.
To enquire regarding the Caterpillar Club sessions
please contact Joan Skinner at Langside School on
01202 518635 or email
For more information regarding Diverse Abilities and
Langside School please visit
www.diverseabilities.org.uk
Sherborne Museum Earlybird scheme—Autism friendly private museum
tours. 8:15am—10:15am
Sherborne museum offer free private museum tours outside of
the normal opening hours for families with children on the
autistic spectrum. You can visit on your own terms
by prior arrangement. www.sherbornemuseum.co.uk
for more details or contact Elizabeth Bletsoe on 01935
812 252 to book.
Clubs & Play Sessions
‘Buddies’ sessions for children under 5 years with additional needs. Meet other parents/carers to have fun with your child and to get support and advice. Where: Sherborne Children's Centre Tinneys Lane DT9 3DY We run on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 1.30 until 3.00. Contact Rachel Butters on [email protected] for more information. Where: Mountjoy School, Tunnel Road, Beaminster. The group is held every Thursday
1:15pm—3:00pm Term time only. Please ring 01308 861155 for more information.
Sports/Activities Disability Football
at Everyone Active Leisure Centre, Poole.
Fun Football sessions run by a qualified coach for disabled people—enjoy a fun activity with friends and try
out new football skills! Tuesdays 5pm—6pm
Age 16+ All experiences and standards welcome. £2.50
per session
Contact 01202 738787 for more details. Everyone Active Leisure Centrre—Rossmore, Herbert
Avenue, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4HR
www.everyoneactive.com
Sports for Young People with Disabilities
Team Dorset Athletics Network, has regular sports training for young people with disabilities. Sessions cost £1.50 per person. For age 7+ Come and join in at Dorchester Sports Centre between 10am—12noon on the following Sundays: 14th & 28th August, 11th & 18th September, 23rd October, 13th & 27th November, 4th & 18th December. For more information please contact Lindsay on Tel: 07887 782005 or email [email protected]
TENNIS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES We welcomes people of all ages and abilities. Learn to play Tennis is a safe and fun learning
environment. Improve your fitness and confidence. Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Qualified coach-
ing staff. Experienced in teaching children and adults
who are disabled. Wheelchair tennis available. 1 to 1 or small groups. Max Tennis School is located inside East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Poole, BH14 8BL. Contact us for a FREE taster session. Phone Bri-an on 07930 454764 or find us on Face-
Ability Counts Football
Dexter Sports are currently delivering football sessions for young disabled people (aged 12—16). All experiences and standards are encouraged and
welcome to attend the sessions.
Dexter Sports Training Thursday evenings 6:30– 7:30pm at Learoyd Road, Road, Poole,
Dorset, BH17 8PJ. Contact Paul Kybert:
Wimborne Town Football Club
Adult football coaching and matches for those aged 14+. All
abilities welcome.
Training Fridays 6:00pm—7:00pm At Cuthbury– Wimborne Town FC
For further information please contact Ken Fergus on 07923
473511 or via email at [email protected] or visit our
website www.wimbornetownfc.co.uk
Disability Cricket Coaching At Ferndown Leisure Centre all
disabilities welcome
Sessions cost £3.00 and run every Friday 4:30pm– 5:30pm at
Ferndown Leisure Centre Cherry |Grove, Ferndown, BH22 9EZ
For more information contact Abbie
Taylor on 01202 877468.
Working in partnership with Ferndown Wayfarers and Ferndown
Leisure Centre
Free Golf Lessons Dorset County Golf Partnership are offering a further series of lessons for children who are
disabled or have special needs.
The sessions take place at: CRANE VALLEY GOLF CLUB Verwood, Dorset, BH31 7LH
Fridays 4pm – 5pm
If you would like further information please contact:
Darrel Ransom at email: [email protected]
Or Tel: 01202 814088
Xchange Enews. Missed previous issues? Want to check back on
some news or details of an organisation? You can find back copies of The Xchange E-newsletters online. Simply go to the Xchange
website and see the ‘More News’ section on the home page or search for “enews” in the main
search box.
Sports/Activities Wimborne Wagtails Swimming Club
Wimborne Wagtails are a swimming group for people of all ages with disabilities.
Meet at the QE Leisure Centre, Wimborne, each
Saturday from 11.30am-12.30pm.
Members have varying needs some requiring intensive support for physical and mental health
issues and learning disabilities
The group are also looking for volunteers to help with sessions.
Call: David: 01202 659787 or
Rosie: 01202 880933 Email -
[email protected] www.wimbornewagtails.org.uk
Do you run or organise a support
group for families or carers?
PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY You might be able to advertise your
support group here and reach over 900 families across Dorset as well as a
growing number of professionals.
There’s no cost Just contact us
Wheelchair Basketball at Ferndown Leisure Centre
Wheelchair Basketball session have restarted at the Ferndown Leisure Centre.
Classes take place every Friday evening. Junior sessions for 11-15 years olds take place from
6:30 – 7:30 pm
16+ young people and adults, classes are from 7:30 – 9:30 pm.
Sessions are £5 each. Although ‘drop in’, it’s advisable to book in advance to secure a place since demand is likely to be high.
For more details and booking contact Tel 01202 877468 or email [email protected]
Powerchair Football
Do you want to play Football?
The Wessex Warriors are the first Powerchair football club to be set up in Dorset, and are welcoming aspiring
Powerchair players to join their team!
Wessex Warriors PFC are always welcoming new mem-bers and volunteers.
Training sessions take place between 2pm and 4pm at Victoria Education Centre on the first Saturday of the
month.
For more information contact us on: Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01202 688273
Going out this week? Remember to take your Max Card!
There’s a full list of venues at:
dorsetforyou.com/maxcard
Youth Club (6-16yrs— 9:30—12:30 - Saturdays & Sundays Families Club - 1:30—4:30pm -Saturdays & Sundays Adventure Ability—5:30—7:30pm -Wednesdays Adult Adventure -1:30—4:30 Saturday/ 5:30—7:30pm Tuesdays
Just £10 for
5 weeks
Sports/Activities
Holiday/Weekend Activities Sportfit Shortbreak Care Ltd
All day Saturday Club
The first Saturday of each month 9:00am—17:00pm
Tonnes of fun sports and activities of all kinds!
Designed to be enjoyed by people of all needs.
Making use of Osprey Leisure Centre, the Sailing
Academy and the surrounding Jurrasic Landscape!
Meet at 9:00am at Oceam Views Leisure Complex
Cost—£45 inclusive of excellent staffing, sports
venues and insurance.
Email [email protected] or call 07702082794 /
02381785191
Website: www.sportfitsbc.co.uk
Hipp!! Bones Club For Youngsters with Special Needs For young people with
additional needs and disabilities aged 11 to 25 years.
Runs from Gillingham Youth & Community Centre on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month (10am—12
noon), w ith longer sessions in theschool holidays and costs £2 per session.
The Club is Wheelchair accessible throughout and
has mobile hoisting facilities available. Sessions are varied, interesting and fun and include different arts & crafts, cooking, sensory and sports
activities.
Gillingham Y&C Centre, Cementry Road, Gillinngham, Dorset, SP8 4AZ. Phone 01747
822267 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Holiday/Weekend Activities
The REMIX An inclusive youth performance company for young
people 11– 19 years who are disabled and non-disabled.
Weekend and school holiday workshops at Wyvern Academy, Dorchester Road, Weymouth
Places are limited and booking is essential. Care and
support available. Contact [email protected] or
telephone 01305 260954 for more information.
Every fortnight 1:30pm—4:30pm at Portfield School Entrance fee from £4.00 per child
Remember to look at our
Summer Supplement which has details of lots of
activities running over the summer holidays.
www.xchangeonline.co.uk
Project ‘hang out’ Hanging out with your mates on a Saturday doing things you like
A Saturday club that allows young people aged 8 – 18 years old who have disabilities to enjoy age appropriate activities with their peers and to have fun! The club meets twice a month! Come along meet new friends and hang out! A limited number of funded Dorset spaces are available (cost of activity is not included). Plus there is an option for Direct Payments to be used to purchase staff support (£8 – £13.50 per hour dependant on needs).
How to book? Call Project Hang Out on 01202 718 266 or email [email protected]
Information Boxes Activity information in this newsletter is supplied by the organisations themselves. You should satisfy yourself with the quality and suitability of an organisation before participation. Dorset County Council cannot be held liable for any mistakes or omissions, nor any claim, loss, injury or damage resulting from the use or accuracy of this publication or participation in advertised activities. Parents of children who are disabled or with additional or special educational needs are advised to contact the relevant provider for advice before attending any activity.
Holiday/Weekend Activities
VICTORIA EDUCATION CENTRE
Victoria Adventure Days offers a wide variety of sporting, creative and outdoor activities for young people with physical disabilities during the school holidays. Activities include trampolining, cooking, drama, swimming, art, and football to name a few, all making use of the specialist facilities at Victoria. Who Can Access Adventure Days? Adventure Days operates for young people with physical disabilities aged 5-19. The days are split into ‘Mini Treks’ (5-12) and ‘Grand Treks’ (12-19). If your child is new to Adventure Days please get in touch to discuss how we can meet their needs. When Does Adventure Days Run? The service operates for 32 days per year during the February, Easter, May, Summer, and October holidays, from 10 am until 3pm. Cost of Adventure Days The cost of each Adventure Day varies according to where you live and your child’s needs. The current full cost of a place is £90 for 1:2 support or £125 if you require 1:1 support. Many parents receive direct payments funding to pay for their place. If you would be interested in registering to attend Adventure Days, or would like more information, please contact Julie Davies: [email protected]/ 01202 763697/ Victoria Education Centre, 12 Lindsay Road, Poole, BH13 6AS
