Volume 2, Issue 4
Web Alerts
The new website for the British Dyslexia Association is now up and running and they are eager to know what people think about it. Visit them at www.bda-dyslexia.org.Medical Engineering Resource Unit -
Is a charity that supports disabled children by designing and making one off pieces of equipment for individual children. They aim to improve quality of life and help people to achieve their full potential. They can be contacted on: www.meru.org.uk.Afasic Northeast
The local contact for the northeast region is Caron Atwood from Cleveland. Caron can take local parents views forward to the Afasic Parents Forum. This meets in London and is attended by the management committee of Afasic and parent representatives from other regions. Caron is keen to hear your ideas about the work of Afasic. Ring her on 01642 507321 and take this opportunity to have your views represented.Dyspraxia Foundation County Durham
DFCD is a member led group. What you say is important to them. Tell them what you want - speakers - trips - equipment etc. and they will try to sort it out. Dreamwriters - DFCD have 3 dreamwriters available for loan. See Tina at the support group or Saturday Kidz club if you want to borrow one for a very small hire charge. For more information contact:Local Co-ordinator - Tina Wilson
P.O.Box 315
Durham
DH1 2GP
Tel: 0191 3848283
Email tinwil@thorndale83.freeserve.co.uk
Contact a Family
For families with disabled children. Contact a family is a UK wide charity advising and supporting families who care for children with any disability. They aim to link families together and encourage mutual support between parents.To contact a parent adviser, phone the free helpline on: 0808 8083555
Local contacts:
Kathy Rist and Sarah Lewis
Contact a Family North East
The Dene Centre
Castle Farm Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 1PH
Tel / Fax: 0191 2136300
Email: northeast@cafamily.org.uk
Derwentside ADHD Group
Every Monday morning at St Andrews Centre, Stanley between 10.00 am - 12 noon (term time only)To provide mutual support and information sharing with other parents and carers.
Tel: 01207 233 338
ADHD Support Group with Durham & Chester le Street Carers
3rd Wednesday of the month at Bullion Hall, Chester le Street from 10am till 12 noonSupport for parents - carers and families of children with ADHD, ADD and or other emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Ring Jenni Wood on 0191 3871991
County Durham Autistic Support Group
A parent - run charity that provides advice, information and support for families and professionals. The group has an advice line and monthly newsletter. For further information about monthly meetings in Darlington and Stanley. Ring Helen Geldard on 01388 819880.Carers Support Groups in Durham County - Young Carers Project
DISC Young carers will in the near future see some positive changes and developments. Recently the project has been awarded funding from the Healthy Living Centre. This has enabled new project workers to be appointed in several areas of the County. Members have been taking part in a wide variety of activities during the summer.If you are or know of a young person between the ages of 5 - 18 years, who lives in the localities of Durham and Chester le Street, Teesdale, Wear Valley or Sedgefield who may be caring for someone at home please pass on the information about these services or contact Julie Dempsey, Margaret Hall or Sandra Hutchinson for all enquiries.
Ring 01325 313 888 or free phone 0800 393721
DISC Young Carers Services
Phoenix House
Central Avenue
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 5QH
Durham & Chester le Street Carers
Printer Cartridge and Mobile Phone recycling
This group is asking for used printer cartridges or old mobile phones which are no longer used. For each item that is recycled, Carers Support receives a small payment into their account of anything from 25p to £1.50 per cartridge and slightly more for old mobiles. All proceeds will be used to help pay for transport or future events for parents and carers. Carers Support could benefit enormously from these cartridges and or unwanted mobiles. The environment would benefit too, because dumped materials cause landfill pollution, and recycling saves raw materials and energy.If you can help Carers Support with this scheme please contact the office on 0191 387 1991. Bulk cartridges or phones can be collected. Please note that unfortunately EPSON cartridges cannot be recycled.
Wear Valley Parent Carers Support Group
Crook
All meetings are held at Kidzone Nursery, Church St. Crook from 9.30 to 11.30Ring Chris Beard on 01388 764 572 or Pauline on 01388 451400
Stanhope
Ring Pauline at Wear Valley Carers on 01388 451400 for venue details.An initiative from Chester-le-Street Youth Centre - All Inclusive
A chance for young people (aged 14-25) with special educational needs to access youth provision and mix with other young people. Come along to the Youth Centre every Sunday 3 - 5pmActivities on offer include: Sports - arts and crafts - issue based subjects - activities - Accreditation YAA and much more. Parents, carers and anyone working with young people with special educational needs are welcome to contact Beth or Angela for more information on 0191 3884770
Connexions County Durham
Connexions County Durham is the name for the local careers guidance service for young people. Connexions advisers work in every school to help young people to plan their future regarding training, placements or work. Connexions works with all clients and their parents and carers between 13 and 19 years. However, for young people with statements of special educational needs, support is provided until they are 25 years old. Freephone contact numbers for connexions are as follows:Chester le Street 0800 783 3482
Durham 0800328 1197
Email: info@connexions-durham.org
Website: ConneXions
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
PALS is aimed at improving services to NHS patients in County Durham. It offers confidential help, advice and support to patients, relatives and carers, and helps to guide them through the different services available from the NHS. PALS can:- Provide advice and support
- Provide information on NHS services
- Listen to concerns, suggestions or queries
- And help sort out problems quickly acting on behalf of the parient, carer or relative.
Derwentside PCT - 01207 214244
Durham and Chester le Street - 0191 3011310
Durham Dales - 01388 458835 ext. 136
Easington PCT - 0191 5545723
Sedgefield PCT - 01388 824006 ext.3844
Contacting Social Services
The Social Services Department contact number is 0845 8505010. Social Care Direct, as it is now called, can help with:- Children, young people and families
- People with a physical disability and or sensory impairment
- People with a learning disability
- People with mental health needs
- People with drug and alcohol problems
- People with HIV
- Carers
