The August/September Issue of Surrey News Emma

Issue 82 August/September 2014

Welcome to the August/September issue of Surrey News

th • NAS workshop on Careless campaign: Please act by Aug 15 behaviour and autism in Oxted – page 3 The NAS has been running a campaign called ‘Careless’, about the regulations and guidance for the Care Act – the new

framework in England under which councils will decide which Dads’ Group skittles • adults with autism or other health/disability/care needs will evening – page 3 receive support. The regulations and guidance set out in detail how councils should make these decisions. The NAS launched • New sibs group in their Careless campaign because they are concerned the new Kingston – page 4 system as it stands could leave many adults with autism at risk of abuse, neglect and social isolation as the proposals fail to • Please vote for us in adequately recognise needs such as staying safe, building the Lloyds Community relationships or being verbally prompted to carry out tasks. Fund 2014 – page 4 There is now a new campaign action which the NAS is asking th • 2013/14 report to people to take, which must be done BEFORE AUGUST 15 . All members – page 9 you have to do is answer four key questions which the Government want your views on (you can give your answers to NAS Surrey Branch talks all four, or just some of them if you prefer). Your answers will – page 6 show the importance of making sure the new rules take autism into account. You'll find advice on things to consider so don't Guildford Weds 17th • worry if you've never written a response before. You can September – Dr Raja contribute via this link Mukherjee on diagnosis https://act.autism.org.uk/ea- and mental health action/action?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=29706&ea.trackin problems in adults. g.id=NASWebsite • Redhill Weds 8th October – Anna Emma Nicholson from NAS on Emma Whitfield updates to the SEN Code Branch Officer (volunteer) of Practice. NAS Surrey Branch Tel: 07423 435 413 News and information Email: emma@mugsy.org for adults with ASDs - Web site:www.mugsy.org page 8 Twitter: @NASSurreyBranch Donations: www.justgiving.com/nassurreybranch

NAS Surrey Branch Contacts Other Useful Contacts Branch officer: Unless stated, organisations not endorsed by the Emma Whitfield 07423 435413 NAS Surrey Branch or the NAS [email protected] NAS web site: www.autism.org.uk. For personalised information go to Treasurer: www.autism.org.uk/signpost.aspx Haywood Drake 01483 457646 NAS Helpline: Tel: 0808 800 4104 (10am – [email protected] 4pm), or email [email protected] (replies within14 working days) Information officer/web site: NAS national membership: 020 7903 3563. Email [email protected] John Muggleton 01483 872683 [email protected] Education Support NAS Education Rights: 0808 800 4102 Branch Membership: Surrey Parent Partnership: 01737 737300 Nancy Rowell 01252 514708 http://www.surreyparentpartnership.org.uk/ [email protected] SOS!SEN charity to support statementing, tel: 020 8538 3731, Web: www.sossen.org.uk Events: Sarah Mead 01483 454245 Family Support & Representation [email protected] NAS Family Support worker - for families Emma Searle 07816 127630. with at least one child in mainstream education [email protected] [email protected], tel: 07436 261163. NAS Parent-to-Parent line 0808 800 4106 Deputy Branch Officer / Adults: Portage – support for children with additional Sara Truman 01483 822630 needs under 3.5 years 0300 200 1004 [email protected] Family Voice Surrey www.familyvoicesurrey.org Branch libraries: West: Haywood Drake 01483 457646 Activities for children and young people NAS Resource Centre, Godalming Tel: [email protected] 01483 521743 East: Jenny Lawson 01342 314801 [email protected] [email protected] interAKtive, Epsom-based charity for children with ASDs and other communication difficulties West Surrey: 07876 762178, www.interaktive.org.uk Natalie Pattinson 01483 850142 SID (Social Information on Disability) [email protected] useful information site www.asksid.org.uk/fab

North Surrey Local parent support / classes Eileen Bruce 01932 225379 Redhill CAMHS group for parents of children [email protected] with ASDs, tel: 01737-287002 Early Bird (under 5) / Early Bird plus (5- South East Surrey: 8yrs) developed by NAS, delivered by trained Helen Trenaman 01737 360069 staff from Surrey CC. Tel: 0300 200 1004 [email protected] Adult Services Parents of Girls' Group Surrey Adult social svcs: 0300 200 1005 Rachel Pearson 01483 727378 NAS Surrey Service Tel: 01483 861600, [email protected] email: [email protected] Employment Support

Employability for people with learning Fathers' Group: disabilities/ASDs tel: 01483-519690, email: Martin Trenaman 01737 360069 [email protected] [email protected] Benefits advice Parents of Adults’ Group Carers Support http://www.carers.org/carers- Hilary Dyce 01276 66032 services/find-your-local-service [email protected] NAS Tips page – via autism.org.uk Cerebra DLA guide: 0800 328 1159

About the NAS Surrey Branch NAS workshop on Autism and The Surrey Branch of the NAS is a Behaviour in Oxted volunteer-run parent-to-parent support NAS Family Support worker Tessa group for families in Surrey affected by Emery (formerly Phillips) is running a Autism Spectrum Disorders. It’s FREE to workshop in Oxted for parents / carers of join (although a small donation is children and young people with ASDs appreciated) and we have around 1,400 designed to help them understand members. difficult or challenging behaviours and The branch holds regular meetings to which develop strategies to help to manage non-members are also welcome. It also these. The session is ideal for parents organises social events, local coffee and carers who would like to meet other mornings and special interest groups, and local families and share experiences. represents parents in meetings with health, education and social services. We host an The 'Autism and Behaviour' workshop active Yahoo! online forum, and produce will be on Thursday, 11th September this newsletter every two months. from 10am - 2.00pm (NB please bring To join, email [email protected] for a your own lunch). membership form or go to www.mugsy.org/membership. Booking Essential – places limited. Please contact parent volunteer If you are a member of the NAS at national Simon Abrams by email at level, you can nominate us as your branch [email protected]. by emailing [email protected], which means we receive a percentage of your annual subscription. Dad’s Group Skittles evening

We’re part of The National Autistic in Ewhurst The Dad’s Group is a friendly group of Society, a national charity founded by fathers of children and young people on parents in 1962 which runs a wide range of the spectrum who meet socially a few services such as schools, clubs and adult times year. It is an opportunity to meet centres. It has over 20,000 members, 100 other Dads to support each other, build branches and works in partnership with friendships, find out what works and more than 50 local autism societies. The what doesn’t and to have a fun evening. NAS exists to champion the rights and Any Dads are welcome to join the interests of all people with autistic skittles evening in Ewhurst on Friday 19 spectrum disorders and to ensure that they September at 8.00pm. For further and their families receive quality services details, contact Martin Trenaman, 01737 appropriate to their needs. 360069. [email protected]

National Autistic Society, 393 City Rd, We’re Charity of the Year for London EC1V 1NG www.autism.org.uk. The National Sainsbury’s in Dorking Autistic Society is a registered We have been chosen by the ‘Great charity, number 269425. Company Place to Work” team from Sainsbury’s in limited by guarantee number Dorking as their charity of the year. 1205298. Thanks go to Sarah Mason for nominating us. Sarah and Louise Mullen have already The views expressed in Surrey News are not raised a spectacular £612 at the necessarily those of the National Autistic supermarket’s summer fair, and there are Society, and reference to specific services or many more opportunities to come. approaches to autism does not imply If you live in or around Dorking, please do endorsement. All material is copyright support Sainsbury’s and let us know if you Surrey NAS and cannot be reproduced are able to get involved in any of the fund- without permission. raising events planned for the coming year.

Lloyds Community Funding – Challenging Behaviour please vote in September Foundation forum The NAS Surrey Branch has been short- People who are caring for a relative with listed for public voting in the Lloyds Bank severe learning disabilities whose Community Fund 2014 – many thanks to behaviour is described as challenging Mandy Elton for nominating us. There can now get more specialised help and were over 4,500 applications and, advice from The Challenging Behaviour according to a letter we had from Lloyds, Foundation, which now has its own “The standard was very high this year Family Carers' Email Network. The and it's a great achievement for your network is open to parents, siblings, nominated community group to have grandparents or even an aunt or uncle of made the short-list”. someone with severe learning disabilities. The public vote will take place from nd th 2 September to 10 October 2014 All the messages are anonymous and in participating Lloyds branches, online you can ask for advice on any issue and by SMS. The community group with you'd like. Topics typically include the most votes in a community will get challenging behaviour, iPad apps, strong £3,000, the next £2,000, the third £1,000, furniture, how to become a deputy or with fourth place getting £500 in each of renovating your house. To join the 350 community areas. network, email Jessica at [email protected]. Or read about Please pop into your local branch of it on the website Lloyds or go online to www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk. http://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk to ****************** vote for us! Thank you If you are looking for advice about issues connected with autism, you New Sibs group in Kingston can connect with over 700 people The Kingston autism charity Express in and around Surrey by joining CIC has set up a group called Sibs @ the NAS Surrey Branch forum at Express for children who have a brother http://www.mugsy.org/contact.htm or sister with autism. #Form. Or visit the NAS’ national online community The group provides an opportunity for http://community.autism.org.uk/ children to come together, make new friends and have a space to share their Reigate half marathon feelings. To find out more, email Express Please support Branch member Helen CIC at [email protected] Reynolds who is running the Reigate half marathon to raise money for the For those in the Sutton area, there is also NAS Surrey Branch. You can cheer an established siblings group along on the day on Sunday, 21st called Rainbow Sibs @ Green Wrythe September or contact her to donate at Primary School. Contact is Lilian Cooper, [email protected]. tel : 020 8648 4989, email [email protected] . Infographic to help ************** understand SEN reforms If you’re looking for ideas of how Special Needs Jungle has helpfully to fill the summer holidays, or published an infographic, designed with want useful phrases to talk about the DfE that gives a snapshot of the your child’s needs when you go SEN reforms that come into effect in abroad, have a look at this useful September. page on the NAS web site http://www.specialneedsjungle.com/new- http://www.autism.org.uk/autismsu send-code-of-practice-approved-by- mmer parliament-send-reform-infographic/

National Autism Board – new Parents’ chance to have their members needed say on mental health services The National Adult Autism Programme The mental health charity YoungMinds is Board for England oversees the working with NHS England to support programme of activity across government the participation of parents and carers in to support implementation of the Adult improving mental health services for Autism Strategy for England. Board children and young people. members include people with autism and their families. YoungMinds will be working with the national Children and Young People’s The Board is seeking four new members: Improving Access to Psychological two adults on the autistic spectrum who Therapies programme (CYP IAPT) and can self-advocate (with or without the five regional hubs that currently work assistance from a supporter) and two with 67 CAMHS partnerships, voluntary people who are family carers of adults organisations and local authorities to with autism. Remuneration and travel develop excellent practice involving expenses for preparation and attendance parents to improve: at meetings are offered. ! joint decision making around the type of treatment received by the child or For further information about the roles and young person how to apply please see the Department ! availability and accessibility of of Health recruitment page services here: https://www.gov.uk/government/org ! overall experience and opportunities anisations/department-of- to feedback and comment on services health/about/recruitment (you will need to scroll down to see the item) or contact YoungMinds are looking for parents Anita Wadhawan, Adult Autism Policy to be involved in this work to help Team on 0207 210 5391 or shape and inform what they do. [email protected]. The deadline for applications is 5th September Over the next 12 months, YoungMinds will 2014. support and work with a group of 20 parents or carers to make sure they are properly and accurately reflecting families' War Horse Relaxed needs and challenges through facilitated Performance workshops, led by an experienced The National Theatre, in association with YoungMinds facilitator. Out of pocket the National Autistic Society, is putting expenses will be paid for attendance at on a relaxed performance of War Horse workshops, and dates and times will be on Saturday 20th September at 2pm. set according to the availability of the This specially adapted relaxed parents attending performance will provide: ! An environment suitable for people There will also be a closed Facebook with autism / learning disabilities group and a chance to be involved on a ! Relaxed quiet areas in the foyer more informal basis through a wider ! A visual story to help prepare visitors interest group that will receive only email ! Trained and welcoming staff on hand updates and be asked to feedback on recommendations via email. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, the show includes amazing life-sized If you are a parent or carer interested in puppets. helping shape how parents can participate to improve the delivery of care in You can find out more about the CAMHS please register by going to performance or book via the National http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents Theatre web site: www.bit.ly/Vg8yUE /parents_improving_services

Forthcoming Talks & meetings

NAS Surrey Branch Meetings WEDS 8TH OCTOBER- REDHILL start with coffee at 7.45pm St Joseph’s Church, 122 Ladbroke and the talks begin at 8.00pm, Road, Redhill RH1 1JX lasting around one and a half For map, see page 11 or go to http://tinyurl.com/o4st4nx hours including questions and answers. There is no charge Anna Nicholson, Policy and to attend, but we do welcome Participation Officer for London a small donation on the door. and the South East from NAS Meetings are open to non- head office will give an update members. on the new SEN code of practice.

Please contact Emma She will explain families’ rights under Whitfield, [email protected] the new legislation and debunk some of if you wish to attend to give the current myths around the new Education Health & Care plans. us an idea of numbers. Please note, she will not be able to

answer questions about Surrey’s WEDS 17th SEPT - GUILDFORD specific application of the CoP. St Saviours Church, Woodbridge

Road, Guildford GU1 4QD. ************** For map, see page 11 or go to http://tinyurl.com/o4st4nx Josh Muggleton’s Report Many members greatly enjoyed the talk Dr. Raja Mukherjee – Adult in May by Joshua Muggleton about his diagnosis and mental health trip to Australia to work with Tony issues for adults with ASDs Attwood, particularly the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Dr Mukherjee is a consultant for people on the spectrum. Josh has psychiatrist with a specialist interest in now published his report on the neurodevelopmental disorders, and he findings, which includes the topics leads the Surrey service for diagnosing covered in the talk in more depth, plus autism, Aspergers, ADHD and other more tips and strategies for parents, complex neurodevelopmental teachers and psychologists. The report, conditions in adults - the AAA Improving Outcomes for People Diagnostic Service in Epsom, which with Autism Accessing was opened last year. Psychological Support, is available to download for free here: He will talk about the work of the http://goo.gl/Z8rMLm. Josh says, “If diagnostic service and also answer you find it useful, please feel free to questions about the mental health spread it as widely as possible - the issues which can sometimes develop more the better! If you do want to share in people with ASDs, and what help is it, it would be brilliant if you could send available for them. people the link above for them to download their own copy, rather than Dr Mukherjee leads the clinical teams send them the report as an attachment. at Surrey and Borders Partnership This is just so that the charity which NHS Foundation Trust for adult autism funded this project, The Winston and is a representative on the Churchill Memorial Trust, can keep Specialist Mental Health Clinical track of how many people the report Reference Group to NHS England has reached”. helping to guide specialist service If you have any questions, you can development. email Josh at [email protected].

Meeting Report Woking Branch 8th July 2014 He has learned to deal with sensory Daniel Jeffrey on growing up issues such as being in crowds, which with an ASD for him is ‘being crushed like in a nutcracker’, by distracting himself – Daniel Jeffery is a young man who has earphones help, as does a stress ball. Asperger syndrome and volunteers as All this can still be very tiring, and he an NAS Autism Champion. In answer said that sometimes his ‘filter plays up’ to Emma’s questions, and some from and he can be inappropriate. Dan the audience, Dan gave an insightful added that his work at Sainsbury’s has account into his life and how he has also helped him, and he is able to help learned to cope with his diagnosis. He others in the store who may be having told us that his family moved to difficulties. Camberley so that he could attend Carwarden House School, where for In answer to parents’ questions, Dan the first time he felt that his teachers highlighted the need to help children understood him. understand that is OK to be different and books such as Asperger Syndrome Although he first began to feel for Dummies can help. He said that ‘different’ when he was 8 or 9, he was people with ASD can learn from their not diagnosed until he was 18. At first mistakes, although it is often a matter he denied it, but now believes it is the of trial and error. ‘coolest thing’ to have Aspergers. Dan said that college was not a Dan sees a brighter future for children success, and he spent 10 ‘wilderness on the spectrum; he gave an example years’ when he didn’t fit in socially from the Autism Show, where he saw a anywhere. His ‘Big Bang moment’ was child having a meltdown and everybody in 2007 when he was referred by a helped without judging. He ended by counsellor to the NAS Aspire service in giving a warm tribute to the recently Godalming. This experience, he told deceased Lorna Wing: ‘People on the us, was a revelation and ‘turned on the spectrum owe her so much, we now lights’ in his head. He met others on the have the torch – don’t let the flame die!’ autistic spectrum and began to want to ************** volunteer, starting with the youth group. Ombudsman report on From then, it has ‘avalanched’ and he Surrey CC and SABP Trust feels he is on a ‘wonderful journey’ Surrey County Council and Surrey and working with the NAS Campaigns team Borders Partnership (SABP) NHS around the country. Foundation Trust, the providers of

CAMHS services, have been criticised Dan’s message to parents of children in a recent report by the Local on the spectrum is to let them be Government Ombudsman and the themselves as much as possible, rather Health Service Ombudsman, following than try to make them fit in. However, a complaint by the mother of a young he said it is important to encourage man with Aspergers. young people and help them to meet others. He added that ‘dark spaces’ The complaint was that the services can be a comfort. provided by the council and SABP were

inadequate, uncoordinated and failed to Dan told us that what has helped him meet their needs. You can see the most has been social skills training; decision summary here: now he understands about personal http://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/children space, making eye contact and waiting -s-care-services/disabled- for pauses in conversation. However he children/surrey-county-council-09-007- is still sometimes unsure whether 810-joint-phso/ something said is a joke or not.

News for Adults Surrey CC Local Authority Trading Company TV series about gardening On 18th August some adult social care and ASD services for people with disabilities Betty, an independent television currently provided by Surrey County production company, is making a new Council will be put under the series for a major channel exploring the management of a new organisation benefits of gardening for people with called Surrey Choices. This is a autism. This series will feature award- company which is wholly owned by winning landscape designer, Alan Surrey County Council, but trading as a Gardner, who has Asperger syndrome. type of business known as a Local Using his own knowledge and Authority Trading Company (LATC). experience, Alan will train up a small team of gardening enthusiasts who Many local authorities have set up have ASD who will transform unloved, LATCs in recent years, because it unruly and unkempt gardens under enables them to have more flexibility. Alan’s continued mentorship. For instance, someone who wants to use a Council funded drama group for The betty team wants to find people people with learning disabilities, but is who would be interested in becoming not eligible to have services provided gardening apprentices and would be by the Council, would currently not be available for filming intermittently from able to go. Under the new system, he September until early October 2014 would have the chance to pay to attend (the schedule is still being decided). the group. Those who currently receive The gardens will be in different parts of social care services from Surrey south east England so some travel and County Council will still get their service overnight stays in hotels will be paid for by the Council. required. The production team will pay for these. They are looking for men or In the immediate future, current service women, aged 18 and above, who have users should not notice much change been diagnosed with autism or other than the name Surrey Choices Asperger syndrome and are interested being seen where it used to say Surrey or experienced in gardening. County Council. In future it is hoped that new services will be introduced in If you would like to take part and be response to the wishes of current and filmed for national television or you potential service user customers. would like further information, please For more information go to contact Louisa Mullan in the NAS press http://surreychoices.com/ team [email protected] tel: 020 7903 3588. New group in Reigate A new group for adults with Aspergers ASPire forthcoming dates is meeting in Reigate twice a month on The NAS Aspire social group for over- Mondays from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. The 18s meets throughout the summer in group is being run by the Advocacy Godalming on alternate Thursdays organisation Surrey Disabled People’s from 18.00 to 21.00. Next dates are Partnership. For more details email: August 21st, September 4th and 18th, [email protected] or tel: 07885 October 2nd, 16thand 30th. Discussion 705133. topics are chosen and led by members There is also a group in Camberley of the group which meets on Wednesdays. Email Contact Howard Childs Tel: 078 999 [email protected] or tel: 07885 355 18, email: 705132. [email protected].

For those who were not able to make it to our AGM in Woking in July, here is a copy of the Branch Officer’s Report to members.

National Autistic Society Surrey Branch Annual Report to members – July 2014

We now have over 1400 people in and around Surrey who receive our newsletter and almost 800 people who belong to our moderated online forum.

Local Support Groups ! Local meetings continue to evolve and grow, with new meetings this year in Frensham, Haslemere, Cranleigh and Chertsey, in addition to our established groups in Guildford, Camberley, Walton-on-Thames, Bookham, Redhill and Woking. ! The parents of girls group, run by Rachel Pearson, now has over 80 members and continues to meet in Woking and Guildford. ! The parents of adults group, run by Hilary Dyce and Sara Truman, meets monthly in Farnham, Guildford, Camberley and Weybridge and once a quarter in Reigate. ! The Dads’ group, run by Martin Trenaman, continues to meet about once a quarter in members’ homes or local pubs, as well as offering a dedicated email forum.

Events With most cinema groups now offering ASD-friendly screenings, we have stopped hosting our dedicated cinema event, but plan to replace it with a bowling event in November. Indoor climbing – as the Redhill venue has sadly closed, we returned to Walton-on Thames in February, with a good turnout of children with ASDs and their siblings. As ever, the staff at High Sports were fantastic with all the children. Ice skating in Guildford: this event, held jointly with interAKtive, is consistently well attended, attracting old and new members every year. Christmas party was again at Woking Leisure Centre where we had dedicated use of the soft-play area and sensory room for under-9s. Thanks again go to Santa, Ben Whitfield.

Talks Over the past year we have attracted up to 50 people to our talks, with speakers including Catherine Manning from the Centre for Research into Autism & Education; Josh Muggleton on working with Tony Attwood and CBT. Alaster Calder from Surrey CC on benefits; Simon Lowe, a young man with ASD; Hugh Constant, Head of transition for Surrey CC; Clare Truman on growing up as a sibling of someone with an ASD and Christina Earl of EmployAbility on supporting people into work.

Branch volunteers also talk regularly at parents’ groups and workshops run by health and CAMHS.

Branch Conference Our 2013 event, “Autism, what really helps” was a huge success and Sara Truman has kindly offered to run another one in autumn 2015. The topic will be announced shortly.

Parent workshops We hosted three full-day NAS Family Autism Seminars in Leatherhead and Guildford for up to 25 parents each, covering the topics of Managing Behaviour; Understanding Behaviour and Supporting Siblings. Thanks to generous donors, we were able to offer these free to parents.

Lobbying We have continued our meetings with CAMHS and now have three clinical ‘autism champions’ for each region, plus support from LD nursing and the ASD primary mental health worker. Sara Truman and John Muggleton represent families with ASDs on the Autism Partnership Board and various committees and I have been an active member of the parent representation forum Family Voice until stepping down from the steering committee last month, although I remain an associate member of the group.

Donations and fundraising We have continued to benefit from kind donations from individuals, companies and groups who are too numerous to mention. Special thanks go to Squires garden centre in Cobham, who made us their charity of the year for 2013/14, and for the team of members who collected money in Santa’s Grotto there over Christmas. Thanks too to ATG Theatres who allowed a team of volunteers to collect at the live screening of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ in May and the Epworth Choir who held a concert in Woking to raise funds. The branch has used donations to fund parent workshops and events.

Branch Committee Thanks as ever go our very hard-working and knowledgeable committee. We have recruited two new committee members this year – Emma Searle and Eileen Bruce. Emma Whitfield Branch Officer Haywood Drake Treasurer / W Surrey Librarian Sara Truman Deputy Branch Officer / Adult Issues John Muggleton Information Officer Sarah Mead Event bookings Natalie Pattinson NW Surrey rep Rachel Pearson Parents of girls / employment issues Eileen Bruce NE Surrey rep Emma Searle Events

Sarah Davis, Anna Tuckman and Adrian Good have stepped down this year, but Anna is still helping with event bookings and Adrian continues to act as key link with the CAMHS group for parents of children with ASDs in Redhill. Thanks go to all of them for their help.

Our thanks also go to our other key volunteers: ! Nancy Rowell, membership secretary ! Stella Drake for providing teas and coffees at Guildford and Woking ! The Redhill meetings team – Marion Simpson, Helen Trenaman and E Surrey librarian, Jenny Lawson ! Other coffee morning hosts, Tessa Patel (Walton), Christine Malik and Bonnie Noyce (Frensham), Donna Pigden-Bennet (Camberley), Jeni Cronin (Bookham), Fiona Ringwood (Haslemere), Lucy Tosh (Cranleigh) and Sara Mason (Dorking) ! Hilary Dyce for organising the parents of adults group with Sara Truman, and acting as reporter on some of our meetings. ! Martin Trenaman for organising the dads’ group.

Thanks also go to Alessia Mitchell, Jamie Mitchell and Charlotte Bignell our key branch support contacts at NAS head office.

Emma Whitfield Branch Officer, NAS Surrey Branch 8th July 2014

Maps to Branch Meetings

GUILDFORD Wednesday 17th September. St Saviours Church, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4QD.

REDHILL Wednesday 8th October. St Joseph’s, 122 Ladbroke Road, Redhill RH1 1JX

NAS Surrey Branch Calendar September - October 2014 Our local support group meetings and talks are a great place to meet other people who may be dealing with similar issues to yours. Please always phone/email the host for details and to make sure it’s still on before you go. September September /cont’d Thurs 4th Sept 7.30pm Farnham Monday 29th 9.30am Frensham PARENTS OF ADULTS GROUP LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Hilary Dyce Christine Malik 01276 66032 [email protected] 07941 121395 [email protected] or Bonnie Thurs 11th10.00am Haslemere Noyce 07712 187083 LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP [email protected] Fiona Bowring 01428 641087 [email protected] October st Friday 12th 10.00am Guildford Weds 1 Oct 7.30pm Camberley – LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP PARENTS OF ADULTS GROUP Sara Truman Hilary Dyce 01483 822630 [email protected] 01276 66032 [email protected]

st Wed 17th 10.00am Walton-on-Thames Weds 1 10.00am Chertsey LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Tessa Patel 01932 886578 Emma Whitfield 07423 435413 [email protected] th Wednesday 17 10.00am Redhill nd LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Thurs 2 (TBC) 7.30pm Reigate Helen Ruffhead 01737 212043 PARENTS OF ADULTS GROUP [email protected] Sara Truman 01483 822630 [email protected]

Weds 17th 7.45 for 8.00pm Guildford th Talk by Dr. Raja Mukherjee on adult Weds 8 7.45 for 8.00pm Redhill diagnosis & mental health for adults Talk by Anna Nicholson, Policy & with ASDs Participation, NAS, on the new SEN Emma Whitfield code of practice [email protected] 07423 435413 Emma Whitfield [email protected] 07423 435413 th Thursday 18 10.00am Guildford th PARENTS OF GIRLS GROUP Friday 10 10.00am Guildford Rachel Pearson 01483 727378 LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP [email protected] Sara Truman 01483 822630 [email protected]

Friday 19th 8.00pm Ewhurst th Dads’ Group Skittles evening Mon 13 10.00am Woking Martin Trenaman 01737 360069 PARENTS OF GIRLS GROUP [email protected] Rachel Pearson 01483 727378 [email protected] rd Tuesday 23 10.00am Camberley th LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Wed 15 10.00am Walton-on-Thames Donna Pigden-Bennett 01276 670347 LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP [email protected] Tessa Patel 01932 886578

th Wednesday 24th 10.30am Bookham Monday 20 9.30am Frensham LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Jeni Cronin Bonnie Noyce 07712 187083 [email protected] 01372 458661 [email protected]

th Friday 26th 10.00am Cranleigh Friday 24 10.00am Cranleigh LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP Lucy Tosh Lucy Tosh 07968 948513 [email protected] 07968 948513 [email protected]