Children with Additional Needs (CAN Newsletter – Berkshire

Please see details below and attachments for this week’s news from the CAN Network. Please encourage any families who you think would benefit from receiving the information to join the CAN Network by directing them to http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/can-network. (Any organisations and professionals who want to receive the information do not need to join but will need to give their email address to the CAN Network). If you would like to share something with the CAN Network please do get in touch. Flyer / Poster attachments need to be under 5MB however, or many recipients will not receive it. Thanks for continuing to send your items to share.

Children’s / Young People’s / Events and Activities

Spaces still available for Go! Horse Riding This half hour taster session of horse riding is for young people with additional needs aged 5-18 years and their siblings, at Bearwood Riding Stables this Saturday 25th August from 3pm. Regrettably, there are no hoisting facilities at Bearwood Stables and children need to be able to sit unaided on horseback. However, the CAN Network is working with Go! to look at more accessible horse riding sessions through the Riding for the Disabled Association. Please see the Leisure section of the CAN Guide for details of RDA stables at http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/can-network.

A for Film This Sunday, 26th August, the Vue Reading are showing ‘The Adventures of Tin Tin’ at 09.00am as part of this film club for young people with special needs and their siblings. Doors of the Cinema will open at 08.40am. Tickets cost £1.50 each. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wargrave Rocks! On Saturday 15th September, 12noon to 6pm, a special charity event to raise funds for Camp Mohawk is taking place at the Piggott School in Wargrave. There will be live bands, a bar and lots to eat! Tickets: £10 each in advance. £12 on the door. Children under 17 half price. Children under 12 free. To book tickets, visit http://www.campmohawk.org.uk
The Engine Shed in Reading This is a monthly ‘train club’ running at Katesgrove Children’s Centre in Reading, for children and young people on the autistic spectrum (and those who are not!) and their families. Model railways and train sets for all abilities will be set up and a range of train-related resources will be available for children to play with. The clubs was set up by mothers of children on the autistic spectrum who have attended Model Railway Society group meetings with their children to find that they were not really suitable. They instead decided that what was needed was a regular session where children on the autistic spectrum with an interest in trains (of which there are a very large number) can come together with their peers to watch, observe, play, talk and enjoy their hobby in a welcoming, safe and relaxing environment – and where parents too can have a chance to relax, and talk in a supportive atmosphere. For further details: Tel: 0118 901 5664 Website http://www.theengineshed.org.uk/ or follow the facebook page for the club. The next sessions, will be held on 29th September and 27th October.

Gowrings Mobility Events – Free tickets for wheelchair /buggy users and those with mobility problems. Gowrings Mobility are a leading supplier of both new and used wheelchair accessible vehicles, mobility cars, motability cars and WAVs. Gowrings Mobility also arrange a number of nationwide events for people with disabilities where those with disabilities go FREE. See attachment for the schedule of events including the number to call for tickets. The CAN Network have recently been informed there are lots of tickets still available.

Carers Events / Support Groups

Reminder! REACH Wokingham AGM and Re-Launch Event REACH Wokingham is the Parents’ Forum for disabled children in Wokingham. On Sunday 9th September, 11.45am to 2.30pm there is going to be a re-launch in combination with AGM, taking place at Highwood School, Fairwater Drive, Woodley, RG5 3JE. If you are not yet familiar with the work of REACH Wokingham, this event will provide a perfect opportunity to see how the group can support families with disabled children. During the event, the following will take place: election of officers and committee members, (Nominations for committee members must be emailed to info@reachwokingham.com) by Wednesday 5th September) adoption of the new constitution, terms of reference and strategic plan, shaping of REACH’s plans for the coming year and an open discussion from families as to what they want the forum to achieve. Also on the day there will be a free lunch, free creche* and children’s entertainment In order for REACH Wokingham to cater for the correct numbers (children and adults) please call the group on 07917 142748 or email info@reachwokingham.com to confirm attendance. If getting to the event, or paying for child care, is a problem please contact us. *The crèche is not yet confirmed. Children will remain the responsibility of the parents even when signed into the crèche.

Autism Awareness Week – Free talks, workshops and training As part of Autism Awareness Week (running from 17th – 23rd September), Berkshire Autistic Society in association with Bracknell Forest Council, are providing a week of free sessions for autistic individuals, their families / carers and any professionals, predominantly in Bracknell. See attached leaflet for what is occurring and when. Booking is essential, see attached booking form. Berkshire Autistic Society are appealing to any offers of help during this week, especially for the tin shake which is occurring at Sainsbury’s, Bagshot Road, Bracknell on Friday 14th September 2012. If you are able to offer any help, please get in touch with Emma – projects@autismberkshire.org.uk

Royal Berkshire Hospital Training Events, Tours and Seminars As a foundation trust, the RBH have a membership community made up of a public constituency of local people and a staff constituency for all permanent members of staff. Becoming a public member is free and gives you the opportunity to support the Trust by sharing your views and influencing the way the hospital is run. Members receive several benefits including, regular information about training events and will be consulted, for example, on how the provision of services could be improved. To become a member, visit http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/members/application_form.aspx. The CAN Network have been in touch with the RBH to suggest some training events for families with additional needs around transition from children’s to adult’s health services and on specific conditions. Make your own suggestions by emailing foundation.trust@royalberkshire.nhs.uk.
Other

Helen and Douglas House 30th Anniversary In celebration of their 30th Anniversary, this charity hospice for children and young adults have put together a ‘We are Thirty’ travelling photo exhibition. It features 30 families who use the hospice houses as well as families who have used the hospice in the past. The exhibition can be viewed at several venues including the Old Fire Station in Henley (25 to 30th October 2012) and the River and Rowing Museum in Henley (9th February to 14th April 2013). On 15th September 2012, there is an Open Day at Helen and Douglas House too. There are no tickets needed for these events but if you would like to find out more, see http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/30/ or email fundraising@helenanddouglas.org.uk or call 01865 799150.01865

Addington Special School Job Vacancy Playworkers – After School Club, Salary: Grade 3, Scale 3, Point 14 £5,373.00 to Point 17 £5,571.00 per annum, plus Special Schools Allowance, One Year Contracts, Hours of work: 15 hours per week (3 hours per day) 3.20pm to 6.20pm, Term-time Only plus planning and 3 training days, Part-time considered Application packs are available on website: http://www.addington.wokingham.sch.uk
Please call to discuss the position week commencing 3rd September 2012. Closing date for applications: 10th September 2012. Tel: 0118 966
9073.

Me2 Club Inclusion Training Attached is the latest training guide for Me2 Club Inclusion training. This is aimed at Wokingham based, mainstream activity groups, (providing activities to children and young people aged 5-19 years) to increase their understanding/confidence in including children and young people with additional needs. The training is available to any mainstream activity provider within Wokingham that provides activities to children and young people of this age range, so please do forward on to any activity leaders whom you feel would benefit from receiving the training.
Me2 Club What a Difference a Cake Makes! Why not Join Me2 Club for a month of cakes! The charity are asking volunteers, families and activity leaders along with local schools, businesses and community groups to hold a cake sale, tea party or coffee morning for Me2 Club during the month of October. Me2 Club aim to get as many people involved as possible so everyone can play a small role and together can make hundreds and thousands!If you’d like to hold a cake sale, tea party or coffee morning you can download or request a fundraising pack now to get all the information you need for a successful event. Do you work in an office? As part of ‘What a Difference a Cake Makes’ Me2 Club can provide Krispy Kreme original glaze doughnuts for tea breaks in local offices with a suggested donation of £1 per donut. If you’d be interested in having donuts in your office then please get in touch. For a fundraising pack, poster or recipe ideas or if you have any questions or queries please contact Amy on: cake@me2club.org.uk or 0118 969 6369 or see http://www.me2club.org.uk/Cake.htm
Alexandra Holiday House Alexandra House provides unrivalled, wheelchair accessible, holiday accommodation for families or friends with an adult or child having profound disabilities. This lovingly refurbished and extremely well-equipped 3-bedroom bungalow lies on the edge of the North Devon village of Braunton, a few minutes drive to the beach and wheelchair friendly riverside trails. For further details: Tel: 0845 680 5431 Email: hello@starfishbreaksnorthdevon.co.uk Website: http://www.starfishbreaksnorthdevon.co.uk

That’s all for this week.

Thanks,

Children with Additional Needs (CAN) Network

Web:www.wokingham.gov.uk/can-network

Children with Additional Needs (CAN) Newsletter Berkshire

Please see details below and attachments for this week’s news from the CAN Network.

Please encourage any families who you think would benefit from receiving the information to join the CAN Network by directing them to http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/can-network. (Any organisations and professionals who want to receive the information do not need to join but will need to give their email address to the CAN Network). Thanks for continuing to send your items to share with the CAN Network.

This Week’s News:

Children’s / Young People’s / Events and Activities
Rivermead Leisure Club Friday Club The next event the Friday Club for young people with special needs and their families are holding is a Football and Softplay evening on Friday 10 August, 6.30pm – 8pm. Rivermead Leisure Complex is based at Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ. Cost: £2 donation. Gym Sessions also available during Friday Club, with gym instructors on hand, throughout the session. For more details, contact Rivermead Leisure Complex events on 0118 901 5014 or email: andy.welch@gll.org or j.rumble626@btinternet.com

‘Get Going Live’ Adapted driving event There is a free event that is taking place at the TRL buildings in Crowthorne this Saturday 11th August from 10am – 5pm. The event is called ‘Get Going Live’ which is a one day driving experience for disabled people wishing to learn to drive from the age of 14 for their first experience of adapted driving.There will be a fleet of adapted vehicles including a drive-from-wheelchair & WAV’s to test drive in a safe environment on the TRL track accompanied by experience professional drivers, plus a team of professional people with information about learning to drive. You may register your interest at http://www.getgoingnow.org or there will also be on-day registration.

Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP) Summer Fun Day After the success of last year’s Fun Day, TVAP are planning to do another one, this Saturday 11th August. There will be a mobile farm, barbecue, games and challenges.Open from 11-3 to accompanied children under 16, with and without a special need, and their families.The Cutting of the 30th Birthday Cake by Playground President, Mr. Tim Brooke-Taylor, around noon. Entry £2 per person. Book place by calling 01628 628599.

Thames Valley Adventure Playground ‘Tapfest’ Enjoy the Playground, dance to the music of local bands and musicians, enjoy food from the barbecue, a karaoke, soft drinks, facepainting and ‘hippy’ crafts in the festival tents! Saturday 15th September 2012, 12-6 p.m
Other

National Autistic society’s bid for Free School has been approved The Department for Education has approved The National Autistic Society’s bid to run a specialist free school in Reading for young people and their families across Berkshire and neighbouring counties. The autism-specific school will open its doors in September 2013 and fill the gap in current educational provision identified by Reading Borough Council. Further information can be found here http://www.autism.org.uk/news/freeschool

Cerebra Guide to Money Matters This guide has been prepared by Cerebra for parents / carers of disabled children who want to know what financial help may be available for them and what arrangements they may need to put in place to manage their children’s finances from birth and as they get older.

Raising awareness about online risks Carlisle Mencap have produced a DVD to raise awareness of the online risks facing young people with learning disabilities. Copies of the DVD are available from Carlisle Mencap (01228 543790)

Job Vacancies at Berkshire Autistic Society
Financial Controller – up to 6 hours per week £13.35 per hour (1 year fixed term contract) Experienced financial controller required to work in the charitable sector. Responsible for applying accounting principles and procedures to analyse financial information, prepare accurate and timely financial reports and statements. To ensure appropriate accounting control procedures are compliant with Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies. Suitable accountancy qualifications and experience of SAGE desirable.Closing date Friday 31st August, 2012Interviews on Wednesday 12th September 2012. For more information and to request a recruitment pack please call: 0118 959 4594or email: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk

Cleaner – 2 hours per week Minimum wage For a recruitment pack please call: 0118 959 4594 or email: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk Closing date Friday 31st August, 2012
All appointments subject to a clear enhanced level CRB check

Scope Accessing Services Survey The aim of this survey is to provide Scope with information on the impact that not being able to access necessary services including schools, health and leisure locally has on families. This will then be used to underpin a campaign we’re launching to influence the Children and Families Bill in September. Scope need as many parents and carers as possible to take part in the survey, which should only take around 10 – 15 minutes to complete, to ensure a strong voice. If you require paper copies of the survey form please get in touch with Nigel Marsh – nigel.marsh@scope.org.uk

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/scopefamilysurvey

Thanks,

Susie Rees
Children with Additional Needs(CAN) Network