Updates from other organisations this month (March 2023)
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February 24, 2023
- UPDATED March 2023 -
NEW INFORMATION ON LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL BE POSTED HERE. PLEASE ALSO SEE OUR PERMANENT INFORMATION SECTION HERE
PLEASE NOTE AMENDMENT
Session at OSO Barnes on 26th March will now be ONLINE due to the Boat Race causing traffic congestion in and out of Barnes.
Lucy, our fabulous art teacher will host an online session at 2pm, and Jake, our talented musician, will host online at 4pm. Please email us if you would like the link at activitystation@outlook.com.
Our next live session will take place on Sunday 30th April, when we will have a creative workshop with Susie, a cooking session with Andre and also a Music session with Paul.
If you would like to attend any sessions please email us at activitystation@outlook.com or call us on 07444 881962
RICHMOND PARENT CARER FORUM
Not a member yet? Membership of Richmond Parent Carer Forum is FREE and open to anyone whose child or young person is aged 0-25 years, has any type of Special Educational Need and/or Disability (S.E.N.D.) and lives or accesses services in Richmond. You can register here: https://www.richmondpcf.org.uk/membership/ If you have any queries please email us at information@richmondpcf.org.uk
Children with SEND moving to secondary school
Richmond Parent Carer Forum will be hosting two events to support parents preparing for their child with SEND’s move to secondary school. These events may be beneficial for parent carers of children who are currently in Year 4, 5 or 6. To book your place please email: information@richmondpcf.org.uk
Friday 10th March: 10.00am - 11.00am - ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION
The first event will take the form of a webinar. Jonathan Rourke from SENDIASS will be giving a presentation followed by a short Q&A. If you are interested but can’t be available on the day, please do still register and we’ll send a link to the recording after the session.
Tuesday 21st March: 10.30am - 12.00pm - COFFEE MORNING at The Park, Park Road, Teddington, TW11 0AB
This will be more of an informal session where parents will have the chance to ask Jonathan any in depth questions they have and to share their experiences with other parents. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and light snacks will be provided, so please come along and share your concerns or questions about this important transition.
Water ski and wakeboard Taster Sessions from The British Water Ski & Wakeboard Federation Ltd
Part funded taster sessions for those with a disability
Wetsuits, impact vests and equipment will be provided. You just need to bring yourself plus food/drink, a towel, swimwear and something warm to put on after if the weather is not on our side as the water can sometimes be a bit chilly. Whilst we do not require you to be able to swim, we would recommend at least that you are confident in the water if you wish to take part in our taster sessions.
Parents/guardians are welcome to come along and support/watch the sessions taking place. We cannot yet cater for siblings as we are trialling these sessions initially in terms of running times but if a sibling or any other friend/family member wishes to try the sport we can certainly direct them as to where.
If you would like to book on to any of these sessions please complete the online form:
Please read the attached to give you a feel for what to expect on the day. And if you would like to see a video you can watch here:
The address for either centre is listed below: Access Adventures, The Tony Edge National Centre, Heron Lake, Heron Lake Road, Staines upon Thames, Middlesex, TW19 6HW. OR CJM, Longside Lake Watersports, Longside Lake Lane, Egham, TW20 8PQ
Further info: Kylie Cooper, Operations Manager, British Water Ski & Wakeboard. T: 01932 579934. M: 07799 812106. E: kylie@bwsf.co.uk
National Sleep Helpline: new helpline hours
The Sleep Charity has a helpline is run by trained sleep practitioners who can provide advice on a wide range of sleep needs. There are often long waiting lists for sleep support, GP's are overwhelmed with requests and often lack specialist training in sleep. The Sleep Charity is here to help. The helpline is open 5 days a week, Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs, 7-9pm and Weds 9-11am. The number is 03303 530 541
RUILS: Family Matters Richmond and Hounslow
Puberty for autistic young people, 11 May, 10.30am (Peter and Paul Centre, Teddington)
Going into puberty can be scary for parents and children alike. This session offers information about puberty and how it might be different for autistic young people. The session will be delivered by Robyn Steward. Robyn is autistic and has been delivering fun, informative and practical training to professionals and parent / support groups for over 15 years. Book a free place on RUILS Family Matters website: https://www.ruils.co.uk/services/family-matters/
Wizzybugs (wheelchairs) Loan Scheme
FREE powered wheelchairs for young disabled children age 14 months until they outgrow it (usually around 5 yrs).
For further questions, application form, product spec and user requirements see following link:
https://designability.org.uk/meet-wizzybug/apply-free-wizzybug/
£170 Fuel Grant
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction and get you energy from British Gas, EDF, EON, EON Next, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power, Shell, So, SSE, Utilita or Utility Warehouse you can now apply for a £170 fuel grant issued by Richmond Council.
Applications need to be made by the 9th March 2023, either online here or by posting an application form. To be considered, you need to send proof of your benefit entitlement along with the application. We can help you apply – please don’t hesitate to get in touch: advice@richmondaid.org.uk
Free webinar from IPSEA, is the leading special educational needs advice charity.
Entitled: The SEND journey and your rights as a parent/carer.
The webinar will be delivered by a member of our legal team, and will explain:
* the range of support IPSEA has for parents and carers
* where you can find helpful guides and resources
* what support children and young people with SEND are legally entitled to
* what you can do if the law is not followed or you need to make a complaint
Date: Tue 14th March 2023, 12pm - 1pm. Virtual, via Zoom webinar
Click the button below to register - places are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Once registered, you'll receive email confirmation with a link and instructions on how to join.
If you have any questions about this webinar, or require any further information, please email training@ipsea.org.uk.
The Circle
Mental health café drop in& appointment-based specialist mental health support hub in Ealing, for ages 5-18 yrs, and is aimed at children/young people in Hounslow, Hammersmith, Fulham & Ealing. Designed to create a welcoming calm and safe space with café facilities for local children/young people. Staffed by clinical & non-clinical staff. Young people can self-refer or be referred to the Circle by school, social care, A and E or CAMHS crisis services between 3-11pm wkdays or 12-8pm wkends. https://www.hfehmind.org.uk/get-support/service-for-schools/support-for-children-young-people/circle/
NEST: Neurodivergent Education Support and Training (for families with autism)
Autism assessments, consultations and counselling for children and young people.
NEST Egg CIC. Limited NEST consultations for families on low income. Free, discounted or subsidised https://n-est.org/
Family Fund: Your Opportunity
New grant introduced for young people. Parent/carer must apply. If you are the main carer of a disabled young person aged 18-24, who lives at home, you could be eligible for a Your Opportunity grant. The grant is limited until the funding is fully allocated. Grant examples for the young person include: Laptop or tablet, club membership, day trip, musical instrument: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/help-for-18-24-year-olds
Action Attainment
Act-attain CIC and Brentford FC CST Celebrate Neurodiversity
Watch Us In Action Here!
See how our partnership empowers neurodiverse families with skills for life, learnt through sport and workshops. Action-attainment CIC and Brentford FC CST's partnership brings inclusion skills to schools and parents with a combination of experts by experience and professionals.
Find out more about fun, community building and partnership with our 2 minute, celebratory video and article that tells our story - and why not share the link so more people can be empowered:
ON THE BALL
On the Ball is a sports-based programme of fun and learning. Starting in the Spring & Summer terms it supports parents and their neurodiverse children, aged 5+, who may have hidden communication needs. On the Ball starts with an essential parent workshop followed by applying for our family activity sessions. On the Ball is run in partnership between Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and Action-attainment CIC.
On the Ball Drop-in session at Sheen Mount Primary, 10th March, 9am
Parents from any school are welcome to attend
On the Ball Online Evening Workshop for KS1 & KS2 Parents
Dates: 15th March, 7-9pm, £15.00
On the Ball Online Lunch Time Workshop for KS1 & KS2 Parents
Dates: 16th March, 12-2pm, £15.00
Evening Workshop
Lunch Time Workshop
email: tom@action-attainment.com
Fun in the Sun, 2023 - Holiday Programmes
Tennis skills: Easter Holidays, Summer Half Term & Holidays, Autumn Half Term
- On the Ball Tryouts: Easter Holidays, Summer Half Term & Holidays, Autumn Half TermBallsports East Sheen, SW14 8RE
- Watersports: Summer Holidays, Kayaking and Paddleboards, participants aged 8+Watersports at Brentford Lock
email: tom@action-attainment.com
Action Atttainment: Parent Detectives and Navigating Inclusion
UNDERSTANDING NEURO-DIVERSE CHILDREN WITH SENSORY & COMMUNICATION NEEDS
- Why Primary school years are critical to understanding a child's strengths and needs
- Who helps us identify a child's learning profile, provides evidence of need and meaningful strategies for use at school & home?
- How do we use a pupil passport to share inclusion strategies that support children to learn and achieve from school into work.
Explore the options at online workshops organised by Action-attainment CIC.
Action-attainment CIC provides families and teachers with practical, evidence based inclusion strategies. We work with neurodiverse experts by experience, therapists and coaches to deliver active learning through sport, in the community and in schools. We believe partnership working between families and schools supports best outcomes for neurodiverse young people.
- £16 guide price contribution to Action-attainment CIC's work
- Free places and concessions are available on request, tom@action-attainment.com.
- Contact Tom for links to recordings of previous workshops.
- The workshops are sponsored by Richmond Parish Lands.
Please contact Tom Silver on tom@action-attainment.com or 07517379158 for joining instructions, concessions or further information.
Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre,
Farnborough
Tuesday 16th May 2023 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
A one day event dedicated to you!
For more information: https://disabledliving.powerappsportals.com/event/sessions?id=Kidz_to_Adultz_South_Visitor_2023980270899#msdynttrid=WnLwUlkGasGyKVIRk9uRaJ2zsoyqb4u7ksrcx8W0H0Q
ULEZ expansion - Support for disabled people
The Mayor of London has launched a new vehicle scrappage scheme to help disabled Londoners, people on low income, businesses and charities in preparation for the ULEZ expansion.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) helps to clean London’s air. Vehicles that don’t meet ULEZ emission standards that travel within the ULEZ pay a £12.50 daily charge. You do not pay the ULEZ charge if you are parked inside the zone but don’t drive. Most petrol vehicles under 16 years old or diesel vehicles under six years old already meet the ULEZ emissions standards. ULEZ is expanding across all London boroughs, including the Royal Borough of Kingston, from 29 August 2023.
Londoners receiving certain means-tested benefits and non-means-tested disability benefits can apply for cash grants of up to £2,000 to scrap their non ULEZ-compliant cars or motorcycles, as well as bus and tram passes.
Disabled people who want to scrap or retrofit a non-compliant wheelchair-accessible vehicle can apply for grants of £5,000 to reflect the higher cost of these vehicles. Disabled people can also apply for a nominated driver who lives at a different address if they do not drive themselves.
The Mayor is also providing further support for disabled people through new and extended grace periods. The two new grace periods provide exemptions until October 2027 for recipients of certain disability benefits (or their nominated driver) and for all wheelchair-accessible vehicles and some vehicles with other adaptations.
CAN YOUR SCHOOL HELP WITH SOME RESEARCH?
One of our young adult volunteers would like headteachers or other school leaders to respond to a survey
This survey is designed to gather data for the Resources for the Autism GLA research young Londoners funded project.
The research is led by two young researchers with lived experience and is trying to understand how youth services can help to improve accessibility within mainstream education and prevent exclusions and social isolation from occurring.
They hope that the findings can be key in building bridges and improving the inclusion of autistic young adults in mainstream education and mainstream social opportunities such as clubs.
Please answer the following questions as best you can:
Question 1: Can you give us a percentage of the age range that accesses mainstream education without support in your setting versus those that do?
Question 2: To your best estimation, what is the average length of time that an autistic young person who has no EHCP stays in your school?
Question 3: To your best estimation what is the average length of time that an autistic young person who has an ECHP stays in your school?
Question 4: In what ways would you like to see current support for autistic young adults improve within mainstream education? What do you feel could make a difference for your school in terms for support for autistic young adults?
Question 5: In what ways would you like to see specialised youth services/autism charity sector, such as Resources for Autism provide support to mainstream education provisions to ensure a lesser rate of exclusion and accessibility struggles?
Question 6: Do you have funding currently in place for specialist support, if not, are you aware of any funding provisions that you would want to apply for if RFA could offer this support scheme?
Question 7: To the best of your knowledge, what mainstream and SEN schools do you know of that have the best reputation for working with autistic people, and in your experience do you think that autistic students thrive better with one to one support, or in groups?
Please send your answers to: fraserlittler@gmail.com
Thank you taking the time to answer these questions, if you would like to discuss the use of the data provided by your answers and/or would like a copy of the final research report once finished please contact dbendelman@resourcesforautism.org.uk