Torfaen
Summer 2011
DisabledTorfaen
Children’s
Disabled Children’s
Newsletter
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
Your Life, Your
Choices Page 8
Life After Diagnosis
Page 12
Crownbridge School
Page 15
00
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
Welcome...
Contents
Cwmbran Centre for Young People
to the third issue of Torfaen Disabled
Children’s Newsletter.
Cwmbran Centre for Young People
3
Snap Cymru
5
Torfaen’s 2nd Autism Fayre
6
Your Life, Your Choices
8
Holiday information
10
Touch Trust
11
Real lives - There is Life After Diagnosis
12
Going for Gold
14
3rd sector round up
14
Torfaen People First Parents Together Project
15
Crownbridge School - Update
15
The drop in centre is open:
Firstly, my apologies for the delay in
getting this newsletter to you. As you may
already be aware Tracy Burton has left
Torfaen Council for pastures new. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank
Tracy for all her hard work in establishing
this newsletter, which has been very well
received across Torfaen.
Monday to Friday
12pm – 4.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Saturday
2pm - 5pm
CCYP offers a wide range of activities including
bands, music, singers, art sessions, pool and lots, lots
more!
There has been lots going on since the last
newsletter, , including the development of
the new Crownbridge school, new activities
at the Serennu centre in Newport and the
annual Autism Fayre.
The Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP) opened
in the late 1980s and is a drop-in centre for young
people aged between 16 and 25.
CCYP offers a wide range of activities including bands,
music, singers, art sessions, pool and lots, lots more!
I hope you enjoy this newsletter. If you
have any comments, ideas or stories you
would like included in the next edition , or
you would like additional copies, please
contact me on 01633 648357 or gareth.
[email protected]. This newsletter is
also available on www.torfaen.gov.uk.
The centre offers a range of training and educational
opportunities including courses such as: Skills Build
course (Learnabout), domestic abuse awareness
training and Genesis work (mainly with young single
parents).
There are plenty of training opportunities for disabled
young people. The lower floor of the building is
completely wheelchair accessible and there is a
disabled toilet.
Gareth Cooke
Editor
Torfaen Council is committed to consulting and engaging with the public, its service users, partners and other
interested groups as part of providing effective services. Log on to www.torfaen.gov.uk for further information.
2
© 2011 Copyright Communications Design
Hope you all have a good summer.
CCYP also regularly organise events such as the sellout concert Torfaen’s Got Talent in 2010 (funded by
Unlimited) – the compére was a young lady who’d
dropped out of school and is now training to become a
classroom assistant.
Other facilities include:
• Information shop (also open on Saturday
mornings from 10am-1pm)
• Crèche (open from 9am and 4pm but each child
can only stay for 4 hours a day).
• Counselling (including school-based counselling)
• IT room (free internet access with a special
mouse for disabled children)
• Mother and toddler group
• Cookery classes
• Tuck shop
• Music sessions -drums and guitars! (CCYP also
planning to create a recording studio)
• After school club – 4pm - 6pm (two days a week)
• Gym with running machines, cross-trainers,
rowing machines, etc
• Joint activities with PhAB, e.g. concerts,
Christmas lunch, day-trips and holidays
3
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Cwmbran Centre for Young People
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
Some disabled young people who have been
supported at CCYP:
but it was surprising. Everyone was friendly and said
‘hello’ to me.”
Mark
25, is a volunteer at CCYP who used to attend
Crownbridge school. He began volunteering
in the evening but, finding he was bored in
the daytime, began to go along during the
days too.
“Since I’ve been coming here my life has been going
forward positively. I’m told that I’m a different
person now – I wouldn’t say ‘boo’ to a goose when I
first came here.”
“When I was younger I really enjoyed coming here. I
wanted something to do in the day so I came back as
a volunteer. I like the staff and I just like working with
young people. Sometimes, I serve behind the tuck
shop, I sweep the floor, empty the bins, pick up litter
outside – I like it all”.
Mark helps the youth workers to supervise and he
learns youth work skills.
“CCYP is a good place for young people to come. I
think I’ll be coming here for a long time now. If more
young people came here, they would definitely enjoy
it. Volunteering here gives me something to do in
the day. I work in Croesyceiliog youth club in the
evenings for the youth service three nights a week
and I’m here two days. Even when I’m not working
here, I often pop in and say ‘hi’”
Katie
is a young mother with epilepsy who suffered
from domestic abuse.
As a result her young children went to live with their
paternal grand-parents – she is currently fighting to
regain custody.
“I started coming here at the end of 2007. I was
referred here by Women’s Aid for the parenting
course. I was very nervous the first time I came here
4
The parenting course emphasised that good
parenting came naturally when someone felt good
about themselves – ‘it has worked’ said Katie.
‘I came here because I wanted to build up my
skills. At CCYP I have made friends, gained more
confidence, I speak up for myself now and I want to
help others. My ambition is to work for Women’s Aid
and be a support worker.”
Katie has gained her NVQ Level I in Business
Administration and is currently looking into other
courses at CCYP. She has met other young mothers
and has done voluntary work herself. Katie now sees
her children regularly and the family have gone on
trips with CCYP.
“The staff here have helped me loads. I’d advise
anyone to come here regardless of their background.
CCYP is for anyone – including people with disabilities
and people in wheelchairs. We’ve had a volunteer in
a wheelchair and all the young people loved her.”
David Schofield has been CCYP manager for
12 years:
“We don’t push the young people but simply
encourage them to complete the qualifications in
their own time. We try to make the young people feel
comfortable and then we work with them. We don’t
have lots of rules here. We work with very disengaged
young people and yet we have no problem with them
at all.”
SNAP Cymru is an all-Wales children’s charity working
with families, young people and professionals on
issues regarding additional learning needs and
disabilities.
SNAP Cymru independent parent partnership service,
is free to families and offers impartial, accurate
information, advice and support through our
independent parental support scheme.
Teams of trained staff and volunteers help:
• Confidential, accurate information, advice and
support.
• A listening ear, an opportunity for families to talk
things through.
• Help to gain access to a range of support services
and expert advice.
• Practical help in dealing with letters, filling in forms
and understanding professional reports.
• Families make informed decisions about school and • Teams of trained staff and volunteers provide:
other educational placements as well as provision
• Information, advice and support about concerns
from health, education, social services and other
that may affect children and young people’s
agencies.
education and development including:
• Families work in partnership and maintain good
• Advice on rights and responsibilities
working relationships with relevant professionals
• Additional needs for children, including those of
• Schools in continuing to develop good working
preschool age.
practice with Parents/carers.
• Understanding a child’s Individual Education Plan
• Families play an active and valued role in their
Childs education and development – giving
• School Action & School Action Plus
families a choice.
• The Statementing Process
• Teams of trained staff and volunteers offer:
• Annual Reviews
• Transition Planning
• Bullying
• Non-attendance or truanting
• Exclusions, appeals and tribunals
Your local SNAP Cymru team is here to help you:
Telephone: 01633 246897
Email: [email protected]
Helpline: 0845 120 3730
5
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Torfaen’s 2nd Autism Fayre
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
On the 14th April 2011representatives from
voluntary and statutory organisations came
together in support of Torfaen’s 2nd Autism
Awareness Raising Event at Pontypool Active
Living Centre . This was another opportunity for
individuals and families affected by an Autistic
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to get information on the
range of services available throughout Torfaen.
Ruth Derrick (Autism Lead for Torfaen) gave an
overview of the developments of Torfaen’s Autism
Strategic Action Plan since the launch of the All Wales
Autism Strategy back in 2008.
The local stakeholder group will continue to support
developments in local and national policies. The group
is chaired by Sarah Robinson from HopeGB, which is
a local parent-led charity. The group is made up of
parents, carers and professionals who are either living
with autism or work with those affected by autism.
The group’s aim is to raise awareness of autism and
support parents and carers through the Local Action
Plan.
Since they met two years ago, the group have
achieved:
Continued joint working across education, social care
and housing and the voluntary sector
Helped families to put practical strategies in place
at home by sustaining the family support service in
partnership with Action for Children
Added to the resource library for children and adult
services
Raised awareness of autism on a local level with the
Torfaen Autism Fayre in 2011.
6
This year the group remain committed to keep working
together, building on the solid foundations that have
already been started to ensure that autism remains
firmly embedded in the planning processes across all
services as well as working towards a pathway that
supports the key transitions in a child or adults life.
Other guest speakers on the day included researchers
from Wales Autism Research Centre based at Cardiff
University. Their projects have had a positive impact
in changing the lives of people with autism by
informing practise, whilst scientific understanding has
lead to advances in new discoveries and knowledge
in the field of autism. Some of their projects included
areas of identification, diagnosis, psychological
development and intervention in collaboration with
practitioners, charities and the Welsh Assembly
Government. A school project was of particular
interest to the audience focusing on repetitive
behaviours in children and anxiety and sensory issues.
The second project involving adults with autism is
neuroimaging to investigate the structure of the brain
and how the interaction between different brain areas
might be affected by autism. For information on Wales
Autism research Centre projects search http://www.
cardiff.ac.uk/psych/home2/warc/
Johanna Manikiza, ASD National Strategic Coordinator
Social Services Improvement Agency gave an overview
of the Wales Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic
Action Plan launched in 2008 with updates on local,
regional and national projects. These included the
launch of raising awareness materials on family
and family support, employment, advocacy, Primary
Healthcare, education, criminal justice system, dentists
and opticians, residential day care, older people,
religious faiths, housing and homelessness. There will
also be an e-resource for professionals, a directory of
local services for each region, phone apps for adults
and a direct on line advice service. You can find out
more information about local, regional and national
projects at www.ASDinfoWales.co.uk
Aneurin Bevan Health Board Learning Disability
Directorate has developed an autism strategy to mirror
the National Strategy to identify the number of adults
with autism and a learning disability in each borough.
The aim is to develop an assessment care pathway for
staff on autism specific management and to roll out
the training programme to local authority colleagues as
part of the integration agenda with adult services.
Dr Ahuja, clinical psychiatrist with the Child and
Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) gave an
overview of a project on post diagnostic support for
families. Feedback has highlighted the need for direct
work with families following the diagnosis which can
have a significant impact upon the whole family.
Torfaen is unique in that we have a designated Autism
Support Service to work with the individual, their family
and school.
This year’s mug to celebrate the autism fayre was
designed by a 6th form pupil with Asperger Syndrome
who has an exceptional talent in art. An illustration
of one of his cartoon characters with the comment
“When you understand me …everything is better”
encapsulates everything we as practitioners strive
to share in raising awareness for autism and the
importance
of working
collaboratively with
those affected by
an autism spectrum
disorder.
Over 200 parents and professionals attended the event
and feedback was very positive:
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If you would like more information about this article
or have suggestions for next years event please
contact
Cheryl Deneen, ASD Support Officer on 01633
647630 or email [email protected]
7
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Your Life Your Choices
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
The ‘Your Life Your Choices Transition
Project‘ has been given funding for
another 2 years to improve transition
planning in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent
and Caerphilly.
The team helps young people
between the ages of 14 and 19 to
make plans for their Transition into
Adulthood, which is often a difficult
time for young people and their
families.
The project is working with secondary
schools, social services, the health
board and Careers Wales to make
sure that everyone works together to
provide good transition support for
young people who need it.
As part of identifying the needs of
young people in transition, an event
for young people was held on 30
March 2011 in County Hall, Cwmbran.
Young people from Torfaen and
Blaenau Gwent met to talk about
Transition Planning and how young
people could get more involved in
planning for their future.
8
The young people made some short
videos about their experiences of
transition planning and their hopes
for the future. The young people
came up with some great ideas on
how review meetings and transition
plans could be improved.
They wrote down their ideas and
put these on the ‘Tree of Ideas’, and
the ‘Transition Washing Line’ which
included ‘T-Shirt Slogans’ and ‘Smelly
Socks’ to avoid.
The young people also voted for their
favourite design for the front cover of
the Transition Information Pack which
the Transition Project is producing.
For more information about the
Transition Project, please contact
Mike Logan:
Telephone: 01873 857893
Email: mikelogan@monmouthshire.
gov.uk
The ‘Your Life Your Choices Transition
Project’ is hosted by Torfaen County
Borough Council, and is funded by
the European Social Fund as part of
the Welsh Assembly Government led
‘Reach the Heights’ project.
9
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Useful Holiday Information
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
If you are planning a holiday this year, take a
look at our new Holiday information pack, which
is full of useful tips and information on holidays
for people with learning disabilities, both in the
UK and abroad: http://www.netbuddy.org.uk/infopacks/holidays/
The pack includes links to many different types of
holiday accommodation, to suit varying budgets,
tastes and requirements. As always, we would really
love to hear your recommendations, so if there is
anything we haven’t listed, please let us know.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Victoria
Moses of the Disability Holidays Guide for helping us
put the info pack together. Also to Oakleigh School
in the London Borough of Barnet, who have kindly
allowed us to include their fantastic holiday booklet.
Happy holidays from Emma and the Netbuddy team!
http://www.netbuddy.org.uk
http://facebook.com/netbuddytips
http://twitter.com/netbuddytoptips
Disabled and Reduced Mobility
Airport Guide
The guide has been created to help relieve some of
the stress and worry which is very common among
disabled persons when travelling through unfamiliar
environments such as an Airport. Included in the
guide is information such as Travelling with Visual
Impairments, Breathing Problems, Flying with Guide
Dogs, Travelling with Autism, Wheelchair access, Help
at the car park and much more.
The guide: http://www.parkat.co.uk/disabled/
To order the Open Britain directory of accessible
accommodation and travel, go to
www.openbritain.net
To buy a copy of The Rough Guide to Accessible
Britain, go to www.accessibleguide.co.uk or call 0800
953 7070
To browse the Netbuddy interactive holiday info pack,
go to www.netbuddy.org.uk
To read reviews of accessible facilities, go to www.
accessibleplaces.net To find out more about
legislation surrounding holidays, go to www.
equalityhumanrights.com Call Mencap’s Learning
Disability Helpline on 0808 808 111 (Text Relay
18001 0808 808 111) or email [email protected].
ukFor general information and advice on accessible
holidays, go to
www.tourismforall.org.uk
www.disabledtraveladvice.co.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/en/
disabledpeopletravelholidaysandbreaks
To download Hft’s Holiday Information Guide 2011,
go to www.hft.org.uk or to order a hard copy, call
0117 906 1751.
10
Touch Trust
Touch Trust is a charity that provides holistic and
sensory programmes that change the lives of
individuals and families, that are so often isolated
and unhappy in society.
Based within a purpose-built centre in Cardiff, the
charity delivers creative, touch-based movement and
dance programmes tailored for individuals affected by
profound and multiple disabilities, Autism Spectrum
Disorders and behaviour that challenges.
Sessions are led by specially trained and experienced
staff and are available to all - babies and families,
children, adults, young people and other vulnerable
groups or individuals. The intensive interaction
benefits participants both in physical and mental
health, involving sensory integration and praise which
enhance the quality of life and enjoyment for their
guests, their carers and families.
Along with daily sessions, workshops and training
are held for parents and professionals who work
with vulnerable people. These range from half day
workshops providing introduction to Touch Trust
techniques, to OCN accredited programmes for
session leaders.
The Trust also provides (and are keen to grow)
outreach services across Wales within educational
and community settings as well as group sessions
for schools, community houses and day centres.
‘Touch Trust rooms’ with trained staff exist in several
locations across Wales.
Leo and Johanna’s story.
“The Touch Trust has made such a
t
difference to Leo’s progress over the pas
aged
year. Leo was diagnosed with autism
ch
2 and a half and we discovered The Tou
Trust on the National Autistic Society
website.
thinks
Leo looks forward to his sessions and
e
[th
the Wales Millennium Centre is Dave’s
social
session leader’s] house! He has learnt
to
behaviour such as turn taking, listening
d
rove
imp
others, waiting and sharing. He has
trying
his eye contact and concentration and is
He
to be more patient and tolerant of others.
rly
is able to ‘relax’ for a moment and is clea
been
aware of mood. But most of all, he has
.
able to have fun and enjoy himself
was
Before coming to the Touch Trust, Leo
little
a sad, distressed, angry and frustrated
and
boy. He was difficult to reach out to
f
rejected others. The Touch Trust staf
n
bega
y
accepted this without question. The
his
to work with Leo knowing little about
on
background, just accepting him as a pers
of
ls
leve
and working to improve his low
a
confidence and self esteem. It has been
lop.
pleasure to watch Leo unwind and deve
st,
Sincere thanks to all at the Touch Tru
Joanna.”
It is becoming increasingly recognised, that there is a holistic as well as medical component to wellbeing; a need for
personal affirmation in expressive, creative and sensory areas for self esteem, stress release and social happiness. This
we provide for the most vulnerable and their families. We aim to help create more inclusive communities, advocating for
disability equality work and the break down social and physical barriers that exist within communities.
I invite you to find out more about the Touch Trust and its services through our website: www.touchtrust.co.uk or
alternatively you can contact us by emailing: [email protected]
11
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
Real lives
Newsletter
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
There is life after diagnosis
Sarah and Jim Baker have a fifteen
year old son, Joe, and a daughter,
Julie Ann. Joe has the genetic
disorder, Angelman Syndrome.
When Joe was diagnosed with
Angelman Syndrome we were told he
would have severe delays in his mental
and physical development and it would
therefore be likely that he would be
unable to achieve much. We wondered
what life had in store for Joseph and
whether he would enjoy life.
After having had such a bleak picture
painted for us about his future we are
always pleasantly surprised at how
much he does enjoy life and what he
has achieved in life so far. We always
try to ensure that Joe does as much as
possible even though it is often quite
difficult for us to do this.
Sadly, when you have a child with
disabilities spontaneity goes out the
window and trips, days out or holidays
have to be planned with military
precision as we always need to ensure
that we have sufficient clothing,
nappies, bottles for juice, medication
and sometimes food. But it is worth it
in the long run especially when you see
the smile on Joe’s face and know how
much he’s enjoying himself no matter
what the activity. It makes all the
effort worthwhile.
Joe has always loved water, even
as a small baby. So we have to be
particularly careful where that is
concerned otherwise he would just dive
straight in regardless.
very familiar with the rules of snooker,
nine ball pool, American pool, indoor
bowls etc.
Recently at a friend’s garden party
he spent most of the time up to his
armpits in the fish pond and I think he
would have happily climbed in with the
fish if I had given him the chance. At
least he was happy and smiling all the
time playing with the fish although I’m
not so sure that the fish enjoyed it as
much!
He also loves to watch Dads Army,
the Crystal Maze, the Simpsons and
he has just discovered the delights of
Gavin and Stacey. It is great to see
that as he has grown older and into a
teenager that his viewing tastes have
also become more adult although he
still loves most of the Disney films and
childrens TV, as do I!
One night at home after I had run
his bath for him, he came into the
bathroom and before I had a chance
to undress him he’d climbed into the
bath fully dressed. I’m sure he’s seen
that advert about “shrink to fit” jeans.
Joseph often manages to climb into
the bath part or fully clothed. He is
extremely quick and determined to get
in when he wants too and very strong
and often I am not strong enough or
quick enough to stop him. As you can
imagine Joseph finds it highly amusing.
He has also become very adept at
the use of the TV and video and can
manage to switch channels over by
himself. Admittedly this was initially
just by pressing as many buttons as
possible and waiting for a reaction, but
once he gets to know a telly he can
often find the right buttons. While
watching a video he will often rewind
the tape to watch a specific clip over
and over again especially if he finds it
particularly funny. If he cannot find
the right channel whilst watching Sky,
he will hand you the remote control
for us to help him. He then holds your
hand while you change the channels
and if it’s not the right programme he
will squeeze your hand to make you
change it again. This continues until
the right channel is selected and then
he will let go of your hand. He will
also hand you a different videotape
if he’s not happy with whatever is
playing. Often this can be annoying
especially after the tenth video, but
yet again it reminds us how far
Joe has progressed when initially
we were given very little hope
of him achieving anything.
We are constantly amazed
and gladdened by his levels of
understanding and abilities.
One of Joseph’s favourite pastimes
is watching TV, and his favourite
occupation is pinching the remote off
us in order to change the TV over to a
programme that he wants to watch.
We have tried hiding the remote control
behind the cushions, but Joe will come
up to you, to give you a hug but really
he’s sneaking his arm around your
back to retrieve the remote
control. In the end we
often give in and
allow him to watch
sport as a result I
have become
He will also become hooked on
one film at a time and then
watch it over and over
12
again. So now we know the script of
Monsters Inc, Shrek and Mary Poppins
word perfectly, to name but a few, and
he loves Winnie the Pooh he gets so
excited that he was bouncing his chair
across the floor towards the screen.
I’m sure he was trying to audition for
the part of Tigger to see who could be
the bounciest of them all. In fact he
loves going to the cinema to see the
latest films and laughs so loud at all the
action and adventure that he actually
laughs louder that the soundtrack
which takes some doing.
He also loves going to the pantomime
or theatre to see a live show. Joe hasn’t
quite got the concept of the baddie
in the pantomime, whereas everyone
else will be booing the bad guy Joe
just thinks he is hilarious and laughs
so much at them that he will be crying
and forgetting to breath!
Another of Joe’s favourite hobbies
is going to Playscheme during the
school holidays. I never thought or
wanted Joe to attend a mainstream
Playscheme. But for several years Joe
has been attending an integrated
Playscheme run by Torfaen Play. I felt
it would be too much for him and that
he wouldn’t be able to participate
and that he would be stuck in his
wheelchair on the sidelines watching
the other able bodied children have
fun. I was persuaded to let him
attend and I’m glad I did. He has a
fabulous time making new friends,
playing, swimming or just chilling
and watching the world go by. It is
great to see him interacting with all
the other children and they with him.
This is all due to the wonderful staff
and volunteers without who this could
not work, their professionalism and
dedication continues to amaze me and
I am extremely grateful. Without the
Playscheme Joe would not socialise or
play with any of his school friends or
other children during the holidays and
I know that this is also true for many
other children with disabilities.
Joe also loves going to the park and
spending time climbing on the climbing
frames etc, this is okay for Joe but
I must admit it does look a bit daft
to have a grown woman on a child’s
climbing frame as well! But we believe
in giving Joe a chance to try new things
so he’s been jet skiing, horse riding, on
powerboats, rollercoaster’s and he’s
also been on the skateboarding ramps
in his wheelchair at the Boating Lake in
Cwmbran.
Joe also loves looking at books and
catalogues and loves spending time
looking at all our photos. You just
know that he is remembering all the
things we have done when you see him
smiling whilst watching the pictures
change on his digital photo frame. The
screensaver on my computer is all our
photos and I would often find Joe sat
at the desk watching the pictures.
sofa and watch a film together. I
never thought Joe would be able to do
anything with Julie-Anne as I thought
he would be too strong for her but he
absolutely adores her and to watch
them together is lovely. She has helped
encourage him in many areas and as a
result he has progressed much further
than we thought he would.
As you can see Joe lives life to the full
and has enormous enjoyment out of
it as well. So although it was initially
all doom and gloom at the point
of diagnosis there are many, many
occasions that we are so thankful
for Joes life. It isn’t easy on occasion
especially as Joe does not need a lot
of sleep (still) and is getting harder to
handle as he is getting bigger and more
stubborn. But it makes it all worthwhile
when Joe laughs and smiles because
he is having so much fun. Also when he
sees us if we have been out or at work,
his face just lights up with the biggest
of smiles followed by the biggest of
hugs. Then we know that we are doing
something right.
But by far Joe’s favourite thing is to
play with his little sister Julie-Anne who
is now 7 yrs. They love nothing better
than to play tease with each other,
or rough and tumble, trampolining in
the garden or on the swings (Joe has a
special swing seat). But their favourite
game is to play with the hosepipe in
the paddling pool and to soak one
another. They also love to sit on the
13
Torfaen
Summer 2011
Disabled Children’s
News round up
Newsletter
Hello
!
Going for Gold
3rd sector round up
June 15th marked 440 days to go until the start
of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and the
Welsh conveyor belt is still churning out possible
Paralympian’s.
This year is the National Year of Communication
and The Communications Trust is running ‘Hello’, a
campaign to increase understanding of the importance
of good communication skills for children and young
people. .
18 year old Kyron Duke from Pontnewydd in Cwmbran
won bronze in the F40 javelin event at the IPC World
Junior World Championships. His recent success now
ranks him third in the world and has seen him elevated
onto the World Class Performance Programme with UK
Athletics and he is working hard to become a full time
athlete.
Kyron has a bit of a hectic life, balancing training
five times a week in Cwmbran and Cardiff, while
also juggling a carpentry course at Coleg Gwent’s
Pontypool Campus and a job as a carpenter with
Cwmbran-based Dave Hawkesford – he rarely gets
the opportunity to relax but when he does he likes to
go fishing, but javelin is what he loves to do so it’s all
worth it.
For all Kyron’s hard work and dedication he knows
education is just as important. Kyron has travelled
the world as a sportsman, as far as New Zealand,
India, Germany, France, Portugal, the Czech Republic,
Switzerland and Dubai.
Success runs in the Duke family – his cousin swimmer
Gareth Duke, who like Kyron, has a condition known
as Acondroplasia – a form of dwarfism, won gold and
bronze medals at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens and
silver four years later in Beijing. Kyron is determined to
carry on the family tradition.
If you would like information on how to follow in
Kyron’s footsteps or on any other sports please contact
Holly Hinchey, Disability Sport Wales Development
Officer, T: 01633 628965
E: [email protected]
In April, the focus was on non-verbal communication.
Go to www.hello.org.uk An online self-assessment tool
has been launched to help support local authorities
and NHS organisations to implement the Adult Autism
Strategy. Go to www.dh.gov.uk/en/DH_125703
New guidance on challenging behaviour for families:
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation and the Social
Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) have together
produced new guidance for family carers of those with
challenging behaviour. There are three separate guides
– for adults, teenagers and children – to help family
carers get the right support.
The guides can help family carers to understand
what good support and services look like, work in
partnership with staff and find out what to do if their
needs are not being met.. David Walden, Director of
Adult Services at SCIE said “Challenging behaviour can
put families under great pressure so services should
support parents and other family carers in their caring
role.” Problems are often caused as much by the way
a young person is supported – or not supported – as by
their disabilities. People often behave in a ‘challenging’
way if they have problems understanding what’s
happening around them or communicating what they
want or need.”
Go to www.scie.org.uk/publications or
www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk
The newsletter for families and carers of children
with disabilities living in Torfaen
Torfaen People First
Parents Together Project
Crownbridge School at
Croesyceilog update
What is the Parents Together Project?
Work is well underway on a new phase of Crownbridge
School which is being built in Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran by
Kier Western.
The Parents Together project offers support to people
with learning disabilities both in peer support groups
and on a one to one basis.
The project aims to:
• bring together parents with learning disabilities in
the Torfaen area
• help people with learning disabilities to make
informed choices about becoming a parent by
discussing sexual health issues
• make information more accessible to those with
learning disabilities
Who can come to the Parents Together
Project?
The project welcomes parents with learning
disabilities as well as those who want to explore
parenting and sexual health issues.
What does the project do?
The Project allows people with learning disabilities
to share their experiences and views on parenting
in a confidential and safe environment. The Project
also offers one to one sessions in a client centred
and empathic manner, using the motivational
interviewing model.
The £8.5millon development which is jointly funded by Torfaen
County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government
will provide 21st Century facilities for pupils aged 3 – 19 with a
range of learning and physical abilities.
The new building will have the flexibility in order to respond to
future demands and will contain the following key areas:
•10 main teaching areas linked with quiet rooms, support space
and external teaching areas.
•A hall for multi purpose use including assembly, dining,
community access and public performances.
•Hydrotherapy Pool.
•Life skills apartment
•Staff and administration facilities
These key areas will function within an ICT rich learning
environment.
The new
building is due
for completion
in February
2012 and will
accommodate
up to 80 pupils.
For further information or if you know of anyone
who maybe interested in the Project, please contact
Sharmila at 54 Victoria Street, Old Cwmbran, Torfaen,
NP44 3JN or 01633 838672.
Construction of the steel canopy at
the front
entrance to the building
14
15
The following organisations are holding Information and Advice Sessions at Serennu.
Pop into the Information area for an informal chat
Summer 2011
(SERENNU is a Family and Disabled Children’s Centre based in Newport which
Torfaen families and children can access)
Carers Contact - An information resource for unpaid carers in Newport. Support and
information is on offer as well as newsletters, support groups, emergency card, referrals
to other organisations, help and advice around benefits, local services, employment and
education.
Friday 19th August, 10am to 12pm
Friday 28th October, 10am to 12pm
Direct Payments Team - A Direct Payment is a payment that can be made to people who
are eligible to receive community care services from the Local Authority and who are
willing and able to arrange their own services.
Thursday 4th August, 10am to 12pm
Wednesday 7th September, 1pm to 3pm
Thursday 6th October, 10am to 12pm
Family Answers - Family Group Conferencing. Enabling Families to resolve any family
difficulties. FGC could be used to discuss issues within families which could include;
education, illness, wider family support, contact, CP, working in partnership with other
agencies, behavioural difficulties etc.
Friday 12th August, 10am to 12noon
Thursday 15th September, 1pm to 3pm
Wednesday 19th October, 1pm to 3pm
Family Information Service - Provide quality, accessible and free information to parents
and carers of children aged 0-19 years.
Monday 22nd August, 10am to 12pm
Monday 26th September, 10am to 12pm
Monday 24th October, 10am to 12pm
Home-Start is a family support charity offering support and friendship to families who
are experiencing difficulties. Our volunteer befrienders visit families in their own homes
and offer non-judgemental practical and emotional support and help build the family’s
confidence and ability to cope. Volunteers are recruited, trained and supported by paid
staff
Helping Young People Excel - supporting voluntary groups who work with children and
young people.
Wednesday 3rd August, 10am to 12pm
Wednesday 5th October, 10am to 12pm
Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about valuing and
supporting people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
Wednesday 10th August, 1pm to 3pm
The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) offer support to families with children
with different types and degrees of deafness from glue ear to profound sensori-neural
deafness
Wednesday 24th August, 1pm to 3pm
Wednesday 28th September, 1pm to 3pm
Wednesday 26th October, 1pm to 3pm
Parent Particpation Officers, help engage and involve parents and carers with children of
all ages in. It aims to encourage them to participate in decision making at all levels, and
encourages them to have their say on parenting issues, locally and nationally.
Monday 15th August, 10am to 12pm
Monday 12th September, 10am to 12pm
Monday 17th October, 10am – 12pm
SNAP Cymru will help empower families (parents, carers, children & young people) to
have their voices heard within the area of special educational needs & support them to
influence policy and practice in the planning and delivery of services at both national
and local level.
Social Services Duty Officer available for Information and Advice
Monday 8th August, 3pm to 5pm
Monday 12th September, 3pm to 5pm
Monday 10th October, 3pm to 5pm
Transitional Planning Officer, Transition starts when a young person reaches fourteen
years of age. Receive information and advice on education, employment, adult services
and provisions.
Monday 15th August, 1pm to 3pm
Monday 19th September, 1pm to 3pm
Monday 17th October, 1pm to 3pm
Social Services – Duty Officer available for Information and Advice at Serennu, Tel:
748042, ext 58042
Monday – Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm,
Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Information Officer – (part time – days vary), Tel: 748034, ext 58034. If Information Officer is unavailable, please leave a message
and you will be contacted asap.
Visit www.newport.gov.uk/disabledchildren to check for updates on the drop in sessions and for other up to date
events and activities. For further information contact Information Officer:
Tel: 748034 or email [email protected]
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