Volume 2 Issue 5
Better Reading Programme
Many children have benefited from the excellent 'Better Reading Programme' (BRP) developed by Literacy Consultant Anne Foster. The programme is aimed at improving children's reading and has produced superb results across the board. The Parent Partnership Service offered the course to parents/carers of children with special educational needs in 2001. Following the two and a half day training programme parents worked at home or in school supporting children over a 10 week period, including regular tests to check on progress. Every child involved made massive progress in their reading age.Because of the continued interest from parents, we have agreed to run the Better Reading Programme once again and names are being taken on a 'first come first served' basis. It will be held in the Durham Clayport Library between on Friday 23, Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 April 2004 and the facilitator will be Anne Foster. The course, which is heavily subsidised by the Parent Partnership Service, is again being offered to parents of children with special educational needs. The cost to participants is £10.00.
To book a place, please contact the Parent Partnership Office on 0191 5873541.
Web Alerts!
After 16 - What’s New? - This unique resource of choices and challenges for young disabled people is now live - check it out on www.after16.org.uk. Useful website for carers: www.carersonline.org.ukDyslexia Support Group
County Hall, Durham
7.00pm - 9.00pm on 3rd Wednesday of the month (term time only)
21 January - Linda Bainbridge & Jean Carter - Useful ICT programs
17 March - Dyslexia Institute - Extra support available for adults and children
21 April - Judith Underwood - Shaw Trust - who can provide work placements and ongoing tuition for young people
Telephone Elaine Chandler or Joan Temple on 0191 5873541 for further information
Durham & Chester le Street Carers Support
Do you care for an adult or teenager who has one of the following:- ADHD
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Aspergers
- Dyspraxia
A meeting is therefore planned for parents and carers on Wednesday 28 January at 10.30am at Bullion Hall, Chester le Street, followed by a buffet lunch. The aim will be to begin gathering evidence about the lack of appropriate services and opportunities for this group of people. This information can then be presented to social and health services. If you would like to attend please ring Stephen or Jenni on 0191 3871991.
Did you know?
The carers support office is staffed till 7.30 on Tuesday evenings. It’s an ideal opportunity for any carers/parents who usually work through the day to contact a member of staff.Jack and Jill Gateway Club
Wednesdays 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Meeting at the Mencap building, Waldridge Road in Chester le StreetA youth club offering activities for children with special needs.
- Games
- Crafts
- Dancing
- Music
Subscriptions £1.00 per session
Transport is provided to and from home but only in Chester le Street, Lumley, Ouston and Edmondsley areas. Contact: Pam Crossling on 0191 3881843.
County Durham Autistic Support Group
7th Birthday Conference
Saturday March 13 - Wendy Lawson
Wendy is an adult with an autistic spectrum disorder. Wendy has 3 children and her youngest son, now 18 years old, also has Asperger’s syndrome. Becoming a professional and sharing her knowledge, understanding and experience of ASD has been Wendy’s occupation over the past 6 years. Ring Helen Geldard on 01388 819 880 for details.SureStart
Making life better for children, parents and communities by bringing together:- Early education - childcare
- Health and family support
The Young Ones Youth Club
is looking for members (aged 8 - 24) for the Boccia Club on Friday nights, once a fortnight 7.00pm - 9.00pm at the Abbey Day Centre, Pity Me, Durham.
Boccia is played indoors and is like carpet bowls. It is played for fun or as a game. It is also a paralympic sport that can be played by anyone.
For more details ring Erika on 0798 9662376 or David on 0776 3175809 or email jennyboccia@aol.com
For your information and free publications on the key issues you face as a lone parent.
- Benefits
- Money
- Legal rights
- Childcare
- Holidays
- Work
- Education
- Maintenance
Website: www.loneparenthelpline.info.
Information on other helpful organisations and groups throughout the UK is also available.
Gingerbread
is the leading support organisation for lone parent families. It is a national registered charity which has been successfully supporting families for 30 years. Gingerbread aims to provide lone parents with opportunities for personal development, friendships, confidence, help and advice and social activities through a network of local self help groups and an individual membership scheme.
Services of Gingerbread include:
Free confidential advice line for all lone parent issues. For membership information, free advice or benefits calculations call 0800 0184318.
- Training and events through regional networks
- A lone parent handbook
- Discount scheme
- Local support groups supported by Regional Development Workers
- Holidays
- Help and support
- Referral information
Children’s Warehouse
A creative Resource for Education, Play and Youth Work
Located close to Newcastle City Centre (Carliol Square off Pilgrim Street) the Children’s Warehouse has often been described as ‘the Aladdins Cave’ of creative resources. The main part of the project is a large ‘Scrap Store’ of clean, safe, creative waste materials donated by local businesses. Membership of the project is open to anyone (including parents/carers) providing creative opportunities for children and young people (0-25 years). There is also an ‘Artstore’ arts and craft shop full of low cost materials which complements the scrap resources.A new resource is ‘Playful ICT’ which has a focus on developing the creative use of computers for all members. There is a trainer on hand in the ‘drop in’ facility as well as a programme of courses. In addition, there is an outreach service where the trainer can come to you and deliver training customised to your requirements. So if you are a parent/carer looking for something different to do with your children or are part of a group where children and young people meet call 0191 2321606 or email them at info@childrens-warehouse.org.uk
Homework Clubs
Durham County Council is offering assistance to children to get as much from the information in their local libraries as possible and help them to improve their school work. The libraries bring together children of all ages and help them to research their chosen subjects to a greater depth using all the resources available.Peter Burns, Youth Services Manager for Cultural Services, said ‘We can help school children to research topics and allow them to give more in-depth answers to questions they have been set at school than would be otherwise possible. Children can use the many books and computer facilities including internet and email to help them in their work. The free IT and internet services at the libraries are especially useful as children may not have access to computers at home.
Library staff are trained to offer more effective support to children and to take into account the different ways children learn. For more information on the homework help available in your area, contact Peter Burns on 0191 3834459.
The Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund
This fund helps provide specialist equipment for children with disabilities throughout the Northeast.Donations from the Sunshine Fund will only be made to purchase equipment, resources and learning aids for children with disabilities or special needs.
Examples have included special seating for children with a learning and physical disability, a wheelchair for a young girl with a severe spinal condition and lighting equipment to assist a visually impaired child.
Groups of disabled children up to the age of 16 in special schools, learning units, hospitals or individual families living in the Evening Chronicle circulation area can apply. A registered organisation or Health Authority must support all application forms.
Application forms and guidelines are available from Barbara Gubbins:
Community Foundation
Cale Cross House
156 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle
NE1 6SU
Tel: 0191 2220945
For information about how you can get involved in fundraising for the Sunshine Fund call Jo Harris on 0191 2016289.
Children‘s Network
Special Needs Exhibition and Information DayThursday 22 April 2004
The Children’s Network Forum has decided it would be a good idea to have another information day. The theme of the day will be access to leisure for disabled children and young people.
If you know of an interesting speaker, discussion topic, demonstration or stand involving an organisation or company that would be appropriate contact the Project Worker
Children’s Network
Social Services Dept
Room 111
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UG
Tel: 0191 3834182
Email: ssis@durham.gov.uk
Cactus Clinic
ADHD Research, Information and Treatment Centre
The centre looks at the alternatives to treating children diagnosed with ADHD other than the medication route. This includes diet, nutrition and behaviour programmes. If you want information about ADHD, or if you would like yourself, family and/or your child to have some therapy for ADHD problems give them a call. Therapy can help with many issues surrounding ADHD, such as concentration, social skills, family problems, self esteem, understanding ADHD, anger management, self awareness and any other worries or issues that may arise during therapy. Children and adolescents who have diagnosis of ADHD can be referred to the service by their GP or any other health professional. After a referral has been made and funding has been agreed upon the family are sent a letter with an appointment date.
The clinic is based at the University of Teesside and is totally confidential. For further information about the clinic and ADHD in general contact: Dr D Woodhouse on 01642 342336 or email d.woodhouse@tees.ac.uk.
