August 2015

Save the Date!

Stockport Carers of Adults on the Autistic Spectrum

REMIT of SCAAS The remit of SCAAS is to: • Share useful

information and knowledge

• Support each other and provide a place for parents to find support from others in a similar situation

• To act as a pressure

group to improve services for people of all ages on the Autistic Spectrum

• Provide social

activities for carers of Adults on the Autistic Spectrum

Welcome to the new SCAAS Chair

We are really pleased to welcome David Phillips who has agreed to step in as the interim Chair for SCAAS. Many of you will know David from both his pervious role as Chair of Carers Voice, or from his background in autism teaching at several ASD schools as well as being a governor at Inscape house School.

For a list of all the future SCAAS meetings have a look at the calendar at the end of the newsletter.

August Tuesday 25th

September Tuesday 22nd SCAAS meeting at

Artism Gallery

October Tuesday 27th SCAAS Business meeting at 48

Middle Hillgate

SCAAS Social meeting at the Red Bull

SCAAS

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The Artism Gallery

Brin Morris has been doing lots of inspiring and creative work with adults on the autistic spectrum and much of the artwork is on show at the Artism Gallery.

Based on feedback from the questionnaires and discussions on Tuesday 28th July the group agreed that:

• SCAAS business meetings will be held bimonthly on the last Tuesday in the month

• Business meeting will be held at 48 Middle Hill gate also known as the ‘Land of Cakes’

• Business meetings will be a mix of sharing quick and useful information and exploring key topics in more depth with a guest speaker

• SCAAS social meetings will take place bi-montly in between the business meetings at one of the local pubs offering relaxed surroundings.

To kick off the social meetings please come and join us on Tuesday 25th August at the Red Bull, 14 Middle Hillgate, Stockport.

Everyone is welcome.

How the SCAAS meetings will work

At the last meeting we discussed the lack of activities for young adults with

autism and for young women in particular

Brin is happy to talk to the SCAAS group about hosting a range of different workshops for young adults on the autistic spectrum. Ideas include art workshops, poetry and creative writing, jewellery making, playing music and recording. Workshops could be run as taster sessions over a few months with small groups. We would need to develop this as a project idea and be in a position to cover the costs through local funding.

To find out more SCAAS will be meeting at the Artism Gallery on Tuesday 22nd September.

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Autism Strategy update

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for services under the new criteria. So for these people in Stockport services will be offered through the new Wellbeing and Independence Network (WIN) Service starting in October 2015. The WIN service aims to provide a range of leisure activities, supported volunteering and employment schemes, housing choices and independent living skills. We will bring you more information as it emerges. Just reminders if you want to read the Stockport Autism Strategy follow the link: http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2996/41151/autismstrategy201416

CALD CALD will be holding its next meeting at 12.00pm on

Thursday 24th September at 48 Middle Hillgate.

Meetings will be held bi monthly on the last Thursday in the month. Please contact Marilyn for any further

information.

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FACS no more Under the new Care Act - FACS (or Fair Access to Care Services) has been replaced by new national eligibility criteria. For more information about changes to eligibility here is a link to the government Factsheets for individuals and carers: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/366089/Factsheet_8_-_Carers.pdf

However many people on the autism spectrum will not meet national eligibility

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Date Calendar of Meeting/speaker

August 25th Social meeting at the Red Bull, 14 Middle Hillgate Start time: 7.00pm

September 22nd

Artism Gallery at 8 Market Place – come along and meet Brin Morris and have a look at the Gallery Start time: 7.00pm

October 27th Business meeting at 48 Middle Hillgate Ø Hannah Woods and Rachel Jones – Developing Social Skills Ø Clive Walker – PURE Employment Officer

Start time 7.00pm

November 24th Autism Conference at Stepping Hill for more information follow the link: https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/stockport/fsd/files/conference_flyer_-_final_version_2015.pdf Evening social meeting at the Red Bull Start time: 7.00pm

December 15th Business meeting at 48 Middle Hillgate Ø Gina Evans CCG (TBC) and Terry Dafter – update on the Local

Diagnostic pathway and autism strategy Ø Debbie Gale – Positive and Productive meetings

Start time 7.00pm

January 26th Social meeting at the Red Bull Start time: 7.00pm

February 23rd

Business meeting at 48 Middle Hillgate Ø Deb Gale - Introduction to managing challenging behaviour Ø Mindfulness techniques

Start time: 7.00pm

March 29th Social meeting at the Red Bull

Start time: 7.00pm

April 26th Business meeting at 48 Middle Hillgate Ø Louise Parrot Bates and Clare Mullins – services provided by the

Wellbeing and Independence Network Ø Mapping autism services

Start time: 7.00pm

Contact us by e-mail: Rayonette Jude rjude99@hotmail.co.uk or Julie Farley at joolsfarley33@gmail.com