Cheshire East Information, Advice & Support
2016 Newsletter
A confidential, impartial service for families living with Special Educational Needs & Disability ------
Cheshire East Information Advice, and Support Service is the new name for the Parent Partnership Service.
This remains a free and confidential service which is available to all parents and carers of children aged 0 to 25 who have Special Educational Needs or Disability. The service will now be available directly to children and young people. All staff are trained and experienced in supporting parents and will work with parents to develop trusting relationships. The service is impartial and operates at arm’s length from the Local Authority and Clinical Commissioning Groups.
· The service will listen to concerns from parents, children and young people and ensure their views are taken in to account by professionals · The service can help parents, children and young people to prepare for meetings and to attend meetings with them as appropriate · The service will produce information that is accurate and relevant to the needs of the parents, carers, children and young people.
In addition, CEIAS can offer support to families, children and young people who are applying for an Education Health and Care assessment and will provide information and guidance around the offer of a Personal Budget. We have a small team of fully trained Independent Supporters who will be available to work with families and young people to guide them through the changes and to assist with the completion of the new documentation.
How to get in touch:
E-mail: [email protected]
Post: CEIAS, FREEPOST RSSU-KCZX-HXSC, Floor 4, Delamere House c/o Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ
Tel: 0300 123 5166
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CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 1 in this newsletter, please do contact us and we will print and send it out to you.
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Welcome to the 2016 edition of the CEIAS newsletter. We hope you find some helpful information in the articles.
We were so pleased to hear about the success of the Cheshire Academy at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. They all did so well and we decided we would honour them by making them our cover girls! You can read more about their success on page 4.
In September 2016 we will have been working with the new Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act for two years. Transfers from Statements to the new Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans are still underway The Local Authority has until 1st April 2018 to complete all transfers. Families can receive support by way of the Independent Support programme and more details are on page 3.
On page 5 there is information on the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) which every school must have and how this staff member will be able to support your child within their educational setting.
There have been some new Local Authority staff and you can find out more about the new introductions on page 6. ------
The Government have published the second release of their SEN Data and Analysis and a new blog from Edward Timpson MP and Jane Ellison MP on the SEND reforms.
The documents relating to the Statements of SEN and EHC plans can be found on https://goo.gl/BpzPSw.
SEN: analysis and summary of data sources can be viewed on https://goo.gl/jh26Sr.
The blog is hosted by the Special Needs Jungle and can be seen on http://goo.gl/1unz8x. ------
Parental Workshops
Since September 2015 CEIAS have run a series of 3 hour workshops aimed at parents and carers of children and young people with SEND. We have covered topics such as anxiety, autism and dyslexia so far. The sessions have been led by guest speakers that specialise in or are working in the area of the topic being covered. Sue Scarle and Janet Threader from Cheshire East Autism Team led two workshops which parents have found really helpful and were able to look at some resources that can be used to support youngsters with autism.
Cath Mckie and Jane Edwards from Crewe CAMHS came to talk parents through some helpful strategies for youngsters with anxiety difficulties. Kevin Lawton also shared some information CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 2 regarding accessing support from the Medical Needs Team. Parents were able to offer and share their own techniques and we even had a show and tell of useful items around the home that can be used for worry boxes, diaries, thinking pillows. Cath shared plenty of materials with parents and will be holding another session soon!
We also had Jude Nash speak to parents about dyslexia support available in schools and this was a really informative and practical session, with Jude sharing and getting parents to experience some strategies and difficulties dyslexics may come across.
If you would like to have a place on our next round of workshops, please email us on [email protected] or call 0300 123 5166 to be put onto the ‘interested’ list. We will contact all parents when the next sessions are ready to go. We also want to hear from parents the topics that you would like to have information on. ------
The Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust is a charity that supports all carers. A carer is someone whose caring role means that someone else is dependent on them for a large proportion of their daily tasks and for support. Traditionally we think of this being adults caring for older relations, however parents can also be considered to be carers in particular those parents that care for a disabled, sick child or a young person. Caring can be a tiring job and finding the time for a short break may seem like something that other people do. If you are a parent carer, this can sometimes seem a unrealistic option due to the demands of the family. Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust have a caravan that is available for families living in Cheshire East. It is based at Presthaven Sands in North Wales, right on the coast. It is a 6 berth caravan with a sofa bed. If you would like to find out more about how your family could access the ‘Carers Caravan’ please email : [email protected].
The Carers Centre also host several coffee mornings every month across Cheshire East. They take place in Crewe, Poynton, Macclesfield and Congleton. For more details about times, venues, activities, and other services and support offered please contact the Helpline on 0800 085 0307, e- mail [email protected] or visit their website www.carers.org/cheshire. ------
Independent Support in Cheshire East
If you are applying for a Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment for your son or daughter than you are able to access the Independent Support services for the Cheshire East area. You can also use these services if you currently have a Statement of Special Educational Needs and will be going through the transfer process to an Education, Health and Care Plan. The service is available directly to young people if they are applying for themselves. You can choose which service you would like to support you and contact them directly.
In Cheshire East Independent Support is delivered by Cheshire East Information, Advice and Support (contact details on page 2) or EDGE Inclusion Partners who can be contacted by telephone 07947 100727, by email [email protected] or visit their website for more details www.edgeinc.co.uk. ------
CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 3
Success at the Special Olympic World Games for the Academy
Meet Sophie, Phoebe, Felicity, Laura, Kirsty and Elizabeth the Great British Rhythmic Gymnastics Team who have all trained at the Broad Street Project. The girls from Crewe, competed at the 14th World Special Olympic Games in July 2015 in Los Angeles USA. These Olympic Games are held every four years, with over 7,000 disabled competitors from over 150 different countries in 20 different sports. It was a trip in a lifetime for the girls with Sophie, just 14 years old and the youngest of the whole GB team, to Kirsty being the oldest of the Rhythmic squad at 21 years of age. The girls were away from home for many weekends’ prior to the games to train and also to meet the rest of the GB team. When they finally travelled to LA in July they were away from their families for nearly 3 weeks, this being quite an achievement in itself! The girls are really inspirational peers to others at the club, training weekly at sessions since they were all tiny tots. It is brilliant to see the group working together as a squad and see the friendships that they have forged. It is all about what they can do in spite their difficulties, rather than what they can't do and celebrating their achievements.
At the Games the team received some strong competition, especially from the Canadians and Costa Ricans. We were all so proud when the team won Gold Medals in the ‘Group Routines’, ’ Ball’ and ‘Floor’ routines beating the Canadians! The girls came home with an impressive medal tally of 14 Gold, 7 Silver and 4 Bronze between them! The girls have been asked to appear on TV to talk about the games on BBC North West. While in LA, Laura and Elizabeth appeared on ‘Ouch’ and Sophie on ‘CBBC Newsround’.
To mark these outstanding achievements... Kirsty Robertson, Laura Taylor, Sophie Hughes, Phoebe Low, Elizabeth Cooper and Felicity Martin, received a Civic Honour from Crewe Town Council at a civic ceremony in January 2016 (pictured left).
The Special Olympics motto is: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Team GB Rhythmic Gymnasts certainly did that! ------
Cheshire Centre for Independent Living offers independent and impartial information and advice relating to all aspects of managing a Direct Payment.
Cheshire Centre for Independent Living can support you with: · Ongoing technical advice and information on all aspects of directing your own care. · Employing staff legally and acting as a good employer. · Managing the paperwork for their Direct Payments. · Assisting with the recruitment of a Personal Assistant or assisting with the arrangement of care via a Care Agency. · Carrying out Police Checks (Disclosure and Barring Service, DBS checks) on Personal Assistants · Working out how to spend a Personal Budget and helping a person allocate costs to ensure their needs are met. · Supporting with any employment law issues. · Signposting to other relevant services · Independent Support Planning (19 years +)
Telephone: 01606 331853 or 0845 340 2777 or Email: [email protected] See the website for more information on other services they can offer : http://www.cheshirecil.org. CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 4
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What or who is a SENCO?
When parents contact us here at CEIAS for advice and support with their child or young person with special educational needs in a school, we usually ask “have you spoken to the SENCO?”. A SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) is the person in school that is responsible for overseeing all of the pupils’ special educational needs and is a good point of contact if you need some additional advice on how best to support your child. The class teacher can seek advice from the SENCO on strategies or interventions that could help your child in class to progress better . The SENCO can offer advice and guidance to the teacher on any reasonable adjustments that should be made to support your child's special educational needs or disability, ensuring that work is differentiated appropriately or special equipment that your child may require is available where possible. Any additional support that your child receives should be recorded and reviewed regularly with staff and the SENCO should be available to meet with parents to discuss what’s working and if any changes are required.
The role of the SENCO in schools: An extract from the SEND Code of Practice January 2015 6.84 Governing bodies of maintained mainstream schools and the proprietors of mainstream academy schools (including free schools) must ensure that there is a qualified teacher designated as SENCO for the school. 6.85 The SENCO must be a qualified teacher working at the school. A newly appointed SENCO must be a qualified teacher and, where they have not previously been the SENCO at that or any other relevant school for a total period of more than twelve months, they must achieve a National Award in Special Educational Needs Co-ordination within three years of appointment. 6.87 The SENCO has an important role to play with the head teacher and governing body, in determining the strategic development of SEN policy and provision in the school. They will be most effective in that role if they are part of the school leadership team. 6.88 The SENCO has day-to-day responsibility for the operation of SEN policy and co-ordination of specific provision made to support individual pupils with SEN, including those who have EHC plans. 6.89 The SENCO provides professional guidance to colleagues and will work closely with staff, parents and other agencies. The SENCO should be aware of the provision in the Local Offer and be able to work with professionals providing a support role to families to ensure that pupils with SEN receive appropriate support and high quality teaching. 6.90 The key responsibilities of the SENCO may include: overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEN policy · co-ordinating provision for children with SEN · liaising with the relevant Designated Teacher where a looked after pupil has SEN · advising on the graduated approach to providing SEN support · advising on the deployment of the school’s delegated budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively · liaising with parents of pupils with SEN · liaising with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and independent or voluntary bodies · being a key point of contact with external agencies, especially the local authority and its support services · liaising with potential next providers of education to ensure a pupil and their parents are informed about options and a smooth transition is planned CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 5
· working with the head teacher and school governors to ensure that the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010) with regard to reasonable adjustments and access arrangements 6.94 Schools should review the effectiveness of such a shared SENCO role regularly and should not persist with it where there is evidence of a negative impact on the quality of SEN provision, or the progress of pupils with SEN.
You can read more about the role of the SENCO in the SEN code of practice, which is available to read and download for FREE - https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25. ------
Who’s who is Cheshire East….
There has been a lot of change over the last few months, not just around the new changes to the process of how children and young people receive their support in educational settings (now an Education, Health Care Needs Assessment rather than a Statement of Special Educational Needs and SEN Support rather than School Action/Action plus). There have also been some staffing changes within the Children and Families Service of Cheshire East. New members of staff include Ian Donegani, the Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Head of Service and Penny Hughes who is the Designated Clinical Officer involved with the Education, Health and Care needs assessment.
We hope to be able to introduce these new members of staff in future newsletters but we start by introducing Tracey Beardmore-Evans, the Integrated Assessment Manager. ------
Tracey Beardmore-Evans: Integrated Assessment Manager
Tracey started in the role of Integrated Assessment Manager (managing the service that administers the Statutory Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment) on 30.11.15. She came from Leicester City Council with nine years experience of front line work in a local authority statutory assessment service. Prior to her statutory assessment work Tracey has a background in youth work and she worked for the Youth Offending Service for six years.
Tracey has completed two years of a Social Work degree but suspended her studies to take up the post of Integrated Assessment Manager.
Tracey hopes to bring stability to a service that has had many changes of structure, processes and managers and a level of longevity to the team. She aspires to ensure that the child/young person is at the centre of the process and that the Local Authority work in partnership with parents. Tracey would like to see a greater focus on all services working together to enable children and young people to achieve the outcomes that are important to them.
The Integrated Assessment Team can be contacted by email [email protected], or phone 01625 378090. ------
CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 6
Families' can find out more about the Children and Families services that are available in Cheshire East by looking on the local offer https://ice.cheshireeast. gov.uk or the Cheshire East website http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk.
The Local Offer includes information on schools, child care, local service and things to do. ------
Employment Support for People with a Visual Impairment
The DIB are offering employment support to people with a visual impairment and can offer 1:1 tailored support . This can involve: · Looking at learning opportunities to improve skills and CVs · Looking at voluntary options to build confidence and skills · Helping identify barriers · Support with CVs and job applications · Working with Access to Work · Contacting and working with employers · Support when in work
If you are interested please contact Leanne Lake on 01625 501759 or email leanne.lake@dibservices. org.uk. ------
Healthwatch Cheshire East are undertaking a project on ’Children and young people (CYP)'s experiences of mental health illnesses and their transition from primary school to secondary school support’.
Healthwatch Cheshire East is a statutory body that is interested in working with local people to help shape health and social care services. Our job is to listen to and interpret the opinions of local communities, and use this information to influence the delivery and design of local services.
Additionally, we are involved in specific projects that explore areas of specific need within the locality. We feel that there is a fundamental need to understand CYP of Cheshire East's knowledge and understanding of mental health which may have an influence on how they access services. Another role is helping to improve services.
The aims of this project will be to find out: · What mental health means to CYP · CYP’s experiences of mental health illnesses/conditions · CYP’s experiences of support services · Provide recommendations to stakeholders in relation to service provision.
Please contact Loreen Chikwira at the Community Engagement department for more information and how to get involved. Tel 01625 838394. Mob:07964 463762, website www.healthwatchcheshire east.co.uk.
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CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 7
Children's Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) provides holiday and respite break activities for disabled, ill and disadvantaged children from all over the North West. Based in Millington, Cheshire, CAFT offers opportunities, fun and encouragement in a supportive environment. Promoting participation, team-work and sharing in children with limited social skills. The trust believes that all children, regardless of age, ability or social circumstance, have the right to play in a safe environment. For some children, this is not possible in their daily environment. A break at the Adventure Farm gives them a fantastic opportunity to escape and to improve the quality of their lives, recognise their potential and achieve their goals. CAFT offers to show the children and young people that there is a world outside of the world they live in, giving them something to aim for. Activities available are varied and constantly changing depending on the group but can include; messy play, theme days and treasure hunts, slip 'n' slide, adventure playground, free play, animal feeding, arts 'n' crafts, party games, video games (F1 simulator chairs, Wiis, PS3, Xbox etc...), sensory play, mini cinema, noisy play, junior assault course races, field based sports games... the list goes on!
Free Holiday Programme Free holidays offered to groups of up to 26 (including Care Staff). These take place throughout the 'holiday programme', approximately February through to October and consist of a five night holiday from Monday through to Friday
Respite Care Programme Bespoke respite breaks for children with complex and severe disabilities, suitable for groups of up to 8, or individual children with their families
Activity Days Day trips to The Children's Adventure Farm for groups of any size. Often on a Wednesday
Christmas Party Programme Magical Christmas Parties catering for over 500 children each year. These are daily run parties with groups arriving in the morning and leaving mid afternoon including a magical visit from the “Man in Red”!
How To Apply download an application form from the CAFT website www.caft.co.uk.
Please be aware that breaks book up very quickly but also there are the inevitable cancellations. Therefore if you are interested please look through the website, fill in the application form and get it back to CAFT as soon as you can. ------
Life Links Cheshire East is a brand new free service delivered by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust and Age UK Cheshire East, which is designed to help people of all ages to make the most out of services in their community. We want to help people ‘Live Life and Stay Well’.
Life Links Wellbeing Coordinators work with people on a one-to-one basis and give them advice and support specifically tailored to their needs.
We can: · Help people to meet others, by finding local groups and activities in their community that they might like to join · Provide guidance to help people use new technology to access services and maintain contact with friends and family · Build confidence in managing minor health conditions CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 8
· Provide advice and information on adaptations and equipment, helping people to continue to live independently in their homes.
If you or someone you know needs more support, why not get in touch with Life Links to see if we can help? Call: 0808 2811052 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.lifelinksce.org. ------
Plus Dane Housing has expanded their Telecare service to anyone who wants to live more independently for longer in their own home or just to feel safer. This service is available to anyone It is very competitively priced with prices starting from just 53p per day.
What is Telecare? This is a small alarm unit which plugs into your phone and when the red button is pressed it will alert the control centre letting them know that you need help. The control centre staff will then get you the help that you need. Additional products are available to use with the Telecare Alarm including medication dispenser, epilepsy sensor, smoke detector, door exit alarm, flood detector, fall detector and a panic button.
SOS Emergency Wristband Your Safety Out Side: The wristband is for people who want to feel safer whilst out and about. The wristband has an emergency telephone number embossed on it that can be called by you or a member of the public if you are taken ill whilst out and about. The operator will ask the caller for the unique ID number on the wristband. They can then identify you and alert your contacts that you need help or assist the emergency services to identify you and any known medical conditions. This is also helpful for vulnerable young adults that are starting to become more independent as they can also be registered for the scheme. Cost - £10.00 per year with the alarm service or £54.99 per year as an individual service.
To have a chat about any parts of their services that interests you please call 0800 169 2988 (free from most UK landline phones) or email [email protected]. ------
MindEd for Families provides materials for parents and carers of children and teens struggling with mental health issues. MindEd for Families was built by parents and the MindEd Consortium of professionals, funded by the Department of Education, in partnership with Health Education England. It is accredited by the NHS Information Standard. There is information on various topics which include what to do in a crisis, medication, building confidence and resilience, refusal to go to school and bullying and what to do as a parent.
The families website complements the existing MindEd for professionals and volunteers which offers e-learning to all adults working with children and young people to inform about the mental health and wellbeing, what goes wrong and what can be done to help.
Both website can be found at https://www.minded.org.uk. ------
Creative Action Team is made up of a team of innovative creative professionals working together to improve emotional well-being for children, young people and families. Working throughout Cheshire and North Staffordshire and with a base in Cheshire East, near Crewe for our larger animal work. The team is able to offer interventions with our own therapy dog team and CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 9 horses. We use AAT (animal assisted therapies) with dogs, small animals or ponies in either 1:1 therapy or coaching sessions, or as a group. Some of our AAI (animal assisted interventions) are based around dog agility to raise self-esteem and give children and young people and families an afternoon of fun and purpose using the therapeutic dog team. We also offer visits to people who are unable to have their own pets or would find it therapeutic to spend time with animals. This can include visits to nursing homes and people in assisted living accommodation. Animal-assisted therapy can be beneficial to the counselling process and the presence of the animal can facilitate a trust-building bond between the therapist and client. The animal relieves some tension and anxiety of therapy and interacting with the animal is entertaining and fun. Talking to the animal while the therapist listens is easier than talking to the therapist for the more difficult issues. Also, animals often help clients focus on an issue as they interact with the animal.
Solutions we use include: • Animal Assisted Therapies • Art and Creative Interventions • Coaching • Play Therapy • Talking Therapies • Training
For more information please contact us on [email protected] or visit the website www.creativeactionteam.com. ------
Educational Psychology Sessions
The Educational Psychologist (EP) Service offers free sessions to parents/carers and educational professionals in Children’s Centres across Cheshire East. This is an opportunity to ask any questions or raise concerns about the well-being, behaviour, learning or development of your child or a child that you work with. To find out future dates please ask at your local Children’s Centre or contact the Educational Psychology Team by e-mail [email protected] or telephone 01625 374794.
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Founded in 2001, Cerebra is a unique national charity that strives to improve the lives of children with neurological conditions, through research, information and direct, on-going support. Living with neurological conditions can make life very hard, not just for the child, but for their family too. At Cerebra, with the help of our supporters, we aim to make it easier.
We offer: · information and advice on a number of topics, over the phone or through our website · face to face support through our network of Regional Officers who can help with form filling and letters, completion of the Disability Living Allowance form, meetings, specific local information and activities · a sleep service to give advice and support to families on a wide range of sleep issues · grants of up to 80% of the cost of equipment and services to make life easier and more enjoyable · a free postal lending library for books and sensory equipment accessible to anyone in the UK · a free telephone counselling service · a holiday home · a Wills and Trusts scheme · ‘Personal Portfolios’ to help introduce children to new people they meet · an innovation centre who design bespoke equipment to meet family’s needs CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 10
· a monthly e-newsletter full of informative articles and stories please call 0800 328 1159 to request a paper copy · regional family support forums
For more information on the services and support that Cerebra can offer please see their website www.cerebra.org.uk, you can call 01267 244200 or email [email protected]. ======
In spite of challenges thrown at individuals, people always seem to manage to do the most amazing things, sometimes unexpected and even outstanding. The following articles follow that theme, read on and be inspired! ------
My name is Amy Shemilt and I have Osteo Genesis Imperfecta, which I was diagnosed with at birth. I have been asked to write a short piece on the day in the life of me! Well, I can't say a typical day is fun for others to read but what every day in my life makes me realise is how thankful I am for my wonderful, empowering family and friends, as they have made me become who I am. I am grateful to my family for supporting me to work full time in a role that is very demanding, yet enjoyable and also act as Vice Chair for the charity Cheshire Centre for Independent Living.
Daily my life begins at 5.45am when I get up for work and with the help of my family I get ready and prepare for the day. My PA's working day starts at 8am and finishes at 6pm, Monday to Friday. Their day involves supporting me getting to/from work, with physical tasks within my role and with personal care needs during the day. My job involves travelling between family and children centres to attend meetings, conduct training sessions and meet staff. So in effect, everyday is different and I love the variety of my role and what it brings.
As I drive from my wheelchair in my own Motability car, I have the opportunity not only get to places at work but also to have a good social life afterwards, which is fantastic. After work, I return home, meet friends for a meal/cinema/drink, go swimming with a PA or visit my sister and my cheeky nieces! I also manage my care package myself, which I believe gives me total choice and control. These tasks also play a key part within my daily life, as time is always needed to organise rota's, submit timesheets, pay care bills and complete the associated paperwork. However, I enjoy having this responsibility.
I do have a hectic life and people often comment on how busy I am but I don't think I would want it any other way! My motto is 'life is for living' and I intend to do it to the max! Pictured is Amy at the Skills for Care Accolades awards event. ------
Hi, I am Chris Glover. I am 42 years old and have been registered as Visually impaired since 2011 from Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma. I started with my eye problem in 2007. I had to have major laser surgery on both eyes and also several physical operations to save my central vision. I have been left with almost normal central vision but I have a lack in my peripheral and depth perception. Yes you can sneak up on me to the side as my wife Joanne loves to do!
Before I had Stokes (Chris’ guide dog) I was very afraid of going out. I felt extremely vulnerable going out with my cane and had lost all confidence. I was almost house bound. Then at Christmas time, I was out getting the present shopping done and I did not see a gentleman in my vision and CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 11 bumped into him. He thought as you can understand I was drunk. I explained that I could not see him properly, and the gent saw my cane.
He was the wake up that I needed. I got myself registered as Visually Impaired and contacted Guide Dogs. I eventually was offered a dog, ‘Stokes’ a Chocolate Labrador. He has totally changed mine and my wife’s life. I can now get to work, go out to the pub, meet friends and do the shopping. I can be back to my normal self. He is a great companion and friend.
Help is always available and so don’t suffer in silence ask and help can be provided no matter the issue. Thanks Chris and Stokes.
You can also find out more of the work that Guide Dogs for the Blind do or sponsor a puppy that could help to change a life like Stokes has done for Chris here on their website http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/.
Guide dogs are now available to children and young people, where appropriate. If you think that you, your son or daughter would benefit from this service please visit the Guide Dogs website, email [email protected] or call 0118 983 5555. ------
Hi, my name is Jake Lynch currently in my third year at Staffordshire University, Stoke-On-Trent Campus, studying Film, TV and Radio. I live part of the week in house in Stoke with two of my friends and the other part of the week at home with my family because they’d miss me if I was away for too long!
Before Uni, I gained A Levels and GCSE’s at Brine Leas High school , my favourite subjects were Drama, media and English my favourite teacher was Mr. Oakes...he was awesome! I have written a book called “The Zirisian Princess and the Shrine of the Serpent” (available at good book shops and Amazon!). I am known online as ‘CragmiteBlaster’ and you can follow my latest stories online at ‘deviant art’, even become one of my followers! I love what I’m doing and am excited about what I might do after graduating.
It wasn’t always so amazing for me. I have Autism, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, Dyspraxia and OCD which has made some aspects of my life quite challenging. I was bullied quite badly growing up and that was a really dark time for me; partly as my disabilities made it hard for me to understand why people would want to tease and torment me and partly I found fitting into social situations incredibly difficult. I always seemed to “get the wrong end of the stick” (I know that there isn’t a real stick now!) I was only being me! I became very upset, angry and depressed and I did think about jumping off a bridge to end the misery but I decided that would mean that the bullies would have won. Changing schools was a great move for me because people listened and I felt that I was beginning to be accepted for who I was, not who other people thought I should be.
I needed a lot of support to get through my schooling, mostly to keep me on track and learn to become more organised...I lost so many books and pens! I also needed support in a more pastoral way, having someone to talk to I realise now, benefited me and helped to support my mental health. Good mental health is really important and if a person is not happy on the inside then things can quickly begin to unravel in the rest of their life.
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These days I am so much happier, I am a third year student as I already mentioned, I have helped out at Comic Cons and have been on TV sets. I get to use radio equipment, make and write films. I have given talks about what life has been like growing up with disabilities and bullying at large Autism and anti bullying events, Autisms Got Talent , charity balls and on the radio too. I haven’t let my disabilities get me down I’m doing what I enjoy...going to uni and writing and just being me…living the dream!
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This Anti-Bullying Week the Anti-bullying Alliance are launching their first ever Power for Good award for teachers and school staff. Children and young people can nominate teachers and school staff in England that go above and beyond the call of duty to provide pastoral care to students for issues such as bullying, relationships, family life and mental health.
All nominated teachers and school staff will receive a Power for Good certificate. A panel of children and young people from YoungNCB will choose one nomination from Primary and one nomination from Secondary to win their 'Champion of the Year' award. All you have to do is visit the website http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and download the form, fill it in, ask your Headteacher/or Assistant Headteacher to sign the form and send back to them.
You can post the application form to ABA, NCB, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE or email [email protected]. The winners will be announced in Anti-Bullying Week 2016 and the deadline is 5pm on Friday 30th September 2016. ------
The Autism Show - 1-2 July 2016 at EventCity, Manchester
The Autism Show is packed with a programme of talks, features and exhibitors. This year don’t miss talks are from the world renowned micro-sculptor Willard Wigan MBE, who creates sculptures within the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin; Dr Glenys Jones from the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the University of Birmingham; Angela Stanton-Geenwood, TCI Consultant to Cornell University, USA and the new Willard Wigan Gallery and Movement Matters features; Plus much more.
You can book tickets online at www.autismshow.co.uk. Adult tickets cost £13 if purchased in advance and children under 16 enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult. ------
Disability Awareness Day “DAD” - Sunday 10th July 2016, 10.00 - 17.00 at Walton Hall Gardens in Warrington
Over 250 exhibitors plus a sports zone including scuba diving, arts marque and family entertainment. The event is free. To find out more visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk.
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CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 13
Kidz to Adults Up North - Thursday 17th November 2016, 9.30 - 16.30 at Event City, Barton Dock, Manchester, M17 8AS (next to The Trafford Centre)
One of the largest FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young people with disabilities and special needs, their families and the professionals who work with them. Over 170 exhibitors offering advice and information on funding, mobility, seating, beds, access, education, toys, sensory, communication and so much more. For free visitor tickets call 0161 607 8200 or email [email protected].
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Our next newsletter will be out in 2017.
Please send us your good news stories and items for the next edition by 9th December 2016. ------
Cheshire East Information, Advice & Support
Web: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ceias
E-mail: [email protected]
Post: CEIAS, FREEPOST RSSU-KCZX-HXSC, Floor 4, c/o Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ
Tel: 0300 123 5166
CEIAS Newsletter 2016 Page 14