Volume 3, Issue 5

Positive Strategies to Survive the Stresses and Strains of being a Parent

A Share Plus training course specially adapted for parents of children with learning and/or behaviour difficulties. The course is a series of 4 x 2 hour sessions to run weekly from Wednesday 13 June until Wednesday 4 July 10.00am – 12noon at Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, Burn Lane. Topics to include:

• Supporting your child’s learning
• Managing behaviour at home
• Looking after yourself

To book a place ring Parent Partnership on 0191 5873541. This course is to be offered in other parts of County Durham later in the year. Details to be included in the next issue of What’s Going On?

‘Building Blocks for Developing Learners’

Specific Learning Difficulties Conference (highlighting dyslexia and dyspraxia).

Friday 29 June 2007, Ushaw College Durham

Aims:

• To help participants identify and target crucial developmental stages for learning
• To have knowledge of a range of everyday and practical strategies for effective intervention

10 subsidised places are available to parents.

Ring Parent Partnership on 0191 5873541 for further details.

The Family Fund

The Family Fund champions an inclusive society where families with disabled children have choices and the opportunity to enjoy family life. It is a registered charity covering the whole of the UK and is funded by the national governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It provides timely grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children, based on families’ views and needs. The fund will consider any request on its merits and within the following grant- making criteria:

• The Fund is open to families with children and young people aged 15 and under who have a severe disability or serious illness.
• The family must be resident in the UK.
• Families whose income is entirely from benefits are eligible for consideration.
• The Fund can consider applications from families whose gross earned income is less than £23,000 (£25,000 for families in Wales) excluding overtime and bonuses.
• Where savings are less than £1800.
• The family Fund cannot help on behalf of children and young people in local authority care, including those living with relatives or foster carers.

These criteria are set out and regularly reviewed by the board of trustees. The grants awarded must relate to the disabled child’s needs. The Fund works with an annual fixed budget so all grant awards are discretionary and subject to funds being available. Please note that the Fund cannot help where there is a responsibility on a statutory agency to help with the requested item.

The application process is simple and straightforward:

Request a form:

Family Fund
Unit 4
Alpha Court
Monks Cross Drive
Huntingdon
York
YO32 9WN

Tel: 0845 1304542

Email: applications@familyfund.org.uk

If you have applied before and have a Family Fund number you can apply using the website application form. Click the apply-online link to access this form.

It is important to provide as much information as possible, so that they do not have to get back to you unnecessarily. Please make sure you complete the data protection statement as the fund must have signed consent to proceed with your application in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Check out the Family Fund Website on Family Fund

The Hylton House Fund

This fund is administered by County Durham Foundation and was set up to offer financial assistance to individuals with cerebral palsy, their families and carers.

Who can apply?

Any one with cerebral palsy, their Carers or family who live in one of the following areas: County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland or Cleveland.

How much?

Grants of up to £250 per person

What can be funded?

To support the purchase of domestic and specialist equipment and the provision of respite care, training, therapy and travel.

What can't be funded

Retrospective grants - do not apply if you have already started your activity and do not spend any money until you have received written confirmation that you have received a grant. Please note any activities that are the responsibility of the Local Authority or Health Authority cannot be funded.

How to apply

For further information please contact:

Brenda Dye
Grants Officer
County Durham Foundation
Jordan House
Forster Business Centre
Finchale Road
Durham
DH1 5HL

Tel: 0191 3830055

Fax: 0191 3832969

Email: Brenda@countydurhamfoundation.co.uk

Website: County Durham Foundation

Every Disabled Child Matters

This is a campaign by a group of charities who believe that disabled children, young people and their families have been left out for too long. They are challenging the politicians and policy makers to make good on the government’s commitment that ‘Every Child Matters’. They have a website at which includes full details of the 7 campaign commitments and asks parents and children to sign up to support the cause. For written information about the campaign write to:

Every Disabled Child Matters
C/o Council for Disabled Children
National Children’s Bureau
8 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7QE

Lessons for Life

A new campaign to help improve quality of life and offer support to children and families affected by ADHD has been launched. To request a copy of the Lessons 4 Life booklet, which provides practical tips to help parents boost their child’s self confidence and appropriate ways to manage the condition, please send your name and postal address to info@adhdlessons4life.co.uk.

Out ‘N’ About

Out ‘N’ About is an easy to use electronic directory including information on accessible breaks for people with disabilities and their families.

You will find information on: Holidays and Breaks, Days out, Short Term Breaks, Money Matters, Getting There, Hints and Tips.

You can access Out 'N' About online, by calling 0800 393726 or by visiting your nearest library or local carers support.

County Durham Autistic Support Group

Group meeting dates:

Darlington 10.00am Tuesdays 1 May and 3 July

For Stanley and Bishop Auckland dates ring Helen for details

If you want to attend any of the CDASG meetings and need directions please ring Helen Geldard on 01388 819880 or email her at helen.geldard@cdasg.org.uk.

Mr Twisters Evening – Monday 14 May 2007

CDASG has exclusive use of Mr Twisters for the evening. The cost for attending will be £4.00 per child. Please contact Helen for a booking form.

Pool Parties Saturday 6.15pm to 9.15pm on 28 April, 23 June and 29 September

Again the group has exclusive use of the pool at Spennymoor Leisure Centre. Refreshments are provided and served at the side of the pool towards the end of each evening. The cost is £3.00 per person and free for special needs. Please contact Helen for a booking form and return it by 21 April (for catering purposes) Application forms can also be downloaded from the website cdasg.org.uk

Murton Parent Support Group

The group was originally set up in 1998 to meet the needs of parent/carers who have children with special needs or chronic illness. It aims to provide mutual support, sharing of information and to help reduce the social isolation felt by some parents. Meetings take place every Wednesday in the Glebe Centre, Murton from 9.30am – 11.30am.

The group has forged strong links with other organisations such as Contact-a-Family, Easington Carers, The Children’s Network and Parent Partnership. They have guest speakers who attend the group when parents need more information on certain topics.

Members are all invited to various Carers Events and Conferences organised by other agencies and they frequently put on their own events to publicise the group and what they have to offer. Parents are able to share their experiences and support one another with the problems they encounter. New members from the Easington area are always welcome.

For more information contact Chris Shield, Secretary on 0778 7517873.