Issue 25 March 2018

The newsletter for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs in and ALN Update p5 the Vale of Glamorgan Easter Events and Activities p8 & 9 Rubicon Dance p13 Spring has sprung!

Welcome back to all of our lovely If you know of any events that you think readers, and welcome to the 25th issue your local Family Information Service should of The Index! attend or promote, please get in touch. This issue is packed full of information about As always if you know of any families who services and activities taking place in Cardiff would benefit from signing up to The Index, and the Vale. they can do so via our online registration form or through contacting us directly. Since the last edition of The Index, we have been planning and delivering events for Happy Reading! families of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. Julia Sky Inclusive February Family Fun Day Index Officer Success Over 100 people attended our event at Ysgol Y Deri in February. Those who attended were able to access: • Activities and information on services and support from Vale Play Development Team; Disability Sport; Pedal Emporium; Vale Libraries; Learn Welsh; Families First Your Local Family Advice Line; FACT; Oshi’s World; Parents’ Information Service Federation Your Local Family Information Service is • Music and movement workshops from a one-stop shop for families who need KeyCreate and Motion Control Dance information on childcare, activities for • Touch therapy sensory sessions from children and young people and family Touch Trust support services. You can contact us directly, visit our website where you can • Consultation Café search our online directory, and visit our with Children social media pages: in and Contact Vale Family Information Services 01446 704704 www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/fis @ValeFIS Cardiff Family Information Services 029 2035 1700 www.cardiff-fis.info @CardiffFIS

The Index is funded by ’s Families First Grant

2 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 What’s On: Mondays Saturdays Early Years Play Session at Let’s Play Coffee Morning with Lakeside Primary Oshi’s World (see page 10) Mondays in term time, 1.15pm – 2.30pm Every Saturday, 10.00am – 1.00pm For more information please contact Early Cwtch Together (see page 10) Years Inclusion Team: 029 2067 1466 Every Saturday, 10am – 4pm Tuesdays Sundays Autism Friendly Cinema Screenings Free Family Playgroup with KeyCreate at Cineworld, Showcase, Odeon and (see page 15) Vue Cinemas (see page 6) Tuesdays, 10.00am – 12.00pm Early Years Play Session at Ely and Easter Caerau Children’s Centre Oshi's World Easter Session Tuesdays in term time, 9.30am – 10.30am Saturday 31 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm For more information please contact Early Almost Always Muddy at Years Inclusion Team: 029 2067 1466 Wales Millenium Centre (see page 7) Sunday 1 – Sunday 8 April Wednesdays Easter Fundraiser for Vale Youth Early Years Play Session at Grangetown Speak Up (see page 11) Nursery School Tuesday 3 April, 10.00am – 2.00pm Wednesdays in term time, 1.15pm – 2.30pm For more information please contact Early Free Creative School Holiday Club by Years Inclusion Team: 029 2067 1466 Vision 21 (see page 9) Weekdays Tuesday 3 – Friday 13 April 2018, Rubicon Dance Sessions (see page 13) 9.30am – 3.00pm Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.15pm Families First Holiday Club Thursdays Playscheme (see page 9) Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 4 - 13 April Early Years Play Session at Ysgol Melin 10.05am – 12.00pm Gruffydd Thursdays in term time, 9.30am – 10.30am Easter under the Eastern Shelter For more information please contact Early (see page 8) Years Inclusion Team: 029 2067 1466 Friday 6 April 2018, 11.00am – 3.00pm Girl with Incredibly Long Hair at Wales Breaking Through at Whitchurch Rugby Millenium Centre (see page 7) Club (see page 13) Tuesday 10 – Sunday 15 April Thursdays, 5.00pm – 6.30pm Family Dance Weekend at Wales Transition Event at Ysgol Y Deri Millenium Centre (see page 7) (see page 11) Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 April Thursday 26 April, 1.30pm – 3.30pm Teenscheme Meet and Fridays Greet Drop In (see page 11) Thursday 12 April, 11.00am - 3.00pm Early Years Play Session at Nursery Fridays in term time, 10.00am – 11.00am For more information please contact Early Years Inclusion Team: 029 2067 1466 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 3 Cardiff Families First Services are Changing

We have developed a new contact point We are also working with Education, Health to provide information, advice and and Children’s Services to develop a new assistance. relationship so that we can try to make sure You can contact Support4Families on that children and their families receive the right 0808 800 0038 and they will be able to tell you kind of support as early as possible. We have about the services that can support you and joined with the Disability Futures programme to your family – Families First services and other develop the ‘Better Than a Booklet’ service at services. If you would like to talk to someone in Paediatric Clinics so that families can be better more detail, someone will be able to visit you at informed as soon as they have a diagnosis. home. Families First are also committed to working All Families First services are available to with Education and schools as Cardiff begins all families who need them in Cardiff. We to prepare for the introduction of the new also have services that have been designed Additional Learning Needs and Education specifically to help families with disabled Tribunal Act. We want to help to make sure that children, who do not need a care and support we can provide support for the wider family package from the Child Health and Disability where this is needed, and reduce duplication in Team. Families First are working with the making sure that young people have a person Disability Futures programme to review services centred plan that will meet their needs. to make sure that they are services that families Our challenge is to consider how best to have identified as being most helpful to them. use the limited allocated Welsh Government Families First now funds The Index and this funding, and changes in guidance mean that newsletter because we have listened to families we will need to use the funding available and heard how important it is to be better slightly differently. This means that we won’t informed. We think The Index has really helped be funding as many different organisations to keep families up to date with what is going and multiple services. Instead we will aim on. We are working with colleagues in the Vale to focus resources on services identified as of Glamorgan to do this, working together to most beneficial. We will also be trying to make share good practice and ideas and providing sure that the services that remain continue to information across Cardiff and the Vale. provide the support needed.

What next? We know that change brings exciting These changes mean that we will be able to opportunities to work together in ensuring the put new funding into things that parents have right services are in place for those in need told us are important to them. One of the and lead to improvements in the way we main priorities identified to us by parents is the deliver services. need for out of school activities, and options/ This next year will be a time when things choices for activities during the school holiday begin to change and we know that some of periods. the changes might make people worry about Therefore, Cardiff Families First will be working what this means for them. with the Disability Futures programme to We have been listening to what families ensure that we continue to engage families have been telling us in the changes we have in the design of new services. This may made so far, but there are more discussions include developing pilot services over the next needed to help us continue to shape future financial year, which help to understand what services. If you would like to be involved in future service provision needs to be. this process, please contact us on [email protected]

4 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 Cardiff Families First Services are Changing Families First Programme from 1st April 2018

ALN Update

The system for The current supporting children Special and young people with Educational additional learning Needs system needs (ALN) in Wales will be entirely is changing. On 12 phased out by December 2017 the Additional Learning Summer 2023. Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill was unanimously passed by the National To help Assembly for Wales and went on to practitioners become an Act after gaining Royal Assent implement the new system we are currently on 24 January 2018. developing a detailed implementation guide to be published in Spring 2018. This guide will The Act will be supported by regulations and a explain the timescales for roll-out of individual new ALN Code, both of which will be revised development plans to each cohort of learners and then consulted on in Autumn 2018. It is in the phased approach. anticipated that both will be in place by the end of 2019 following Assembly scrutiny. For more information please visit www.gov.wales/ALN There will be a three year implementation [email protected] period from September 2020, using a #AdditionalLearningNeeds mandatory phased approach. Learners with #AnghenionDysguYchwanegol existing statements will transfer to the new system within two years, and all other learners with non-statutory plans within three years.

the index / y mynegai - issue 25 5 Dimensions Autism Friendly Screenings

Autism friendly adjustments are designed • Freedom to move around and sit where to make the cinema more inclusive you like and accessible for people with sensory sensitivities, and others who can benefit • Bring your own food and drink from this environment. • Free entry for carers with a valid CEA Card These adjustments are guidelines we share • Free social story template with our partner cinemas. We encourage local cinemas to personalise their screenings to help Cineworld host an autism friendly cinema guests feel more comfortable and support them screening on the first Sunday of every month to maintain high standards. at 11am. Adjustments include Showcase host an autism friendly cinema screening on the second Sunday of the month • A relaxed environment where people at 10am. understand the needs of children and families with autism ODEON host an autism friendly cinema screening on the third Sunday of every month • Lights left on low at 10.15am. • Sound turned down At a select number of cinemas, ODEON are trialling screenings for older audiences. • No trailers or advertisements (unless they are embedded in the film) Vue host an autism friendly cinema screening on the last Sunday of every month at 10.15am • Staff trained in autism awareness For more information and details of specific • Disabled access film screenings please visit the Dimensions • Chill out zone, where available webpage: www.dimesions-uk.org

CEA Card

The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The Card enables a cinema guest with additional needs to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema. For more information including eligibility criteria please visit www.ceacard.co.uk

6 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 Wales Millennium Centre

This Easter we’re thrilled to Girl with Incredibly have several family friendly Long Hair; and young people focused Tuesday 10 – Sunday activities and performances 15 April that we’d love to share Join Rapunzel, her with you. You’ll find details Mam, and her new of our free activities and our assisted friend Daf in the forest performances below, which we hope will as they set off on an adventure, for which they’ll help you have the best possible experience need your help. with us. Relaxed performances: Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 April, 11.00am Relaxed Performances are open to everyone, BSL performance: Friday 13 April, but the environment has been specifically 11.00am & 3.00pm adapted for families with children with an Touch Tour: Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 April, Autistic Spectrum Condition, individuals with 10.15am sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and anyone who would Family Dance benefit from a more relaxed environment. Weekend, Wednesday 11 – Almost Always Saturday 14 April Muddy, A jam-packed hour of Sunday 1 – Sunday pop-up dance from 8 April some of Wales’ most You are the Story animated, mesmerising and lively companies, Builders. We invite and a chance to dance! you to use all the Audio description and Touch Tour: materials to build the setting for Saturday 14 April, 12. 30pm the day’s story. Relaxed performances: Sunday 8 April The regular fun continues with our weekly 11.00am & 3.00pm with BSL interpretation Family Saturdays and monthly Toddler Time. We’ll be bringing Almost Always Muddy to the Vale Family Information Service’s Easter Under the Eastern Shelter Event, so come and say hello! (see page 8)

Easter Family Activity, Monday 2 – Sunday 14 April Bringing the family to see Almost Always Muddy or The Girl with Incredibly Long Hair? Make more of your visit by joining us for some crafty fun before or after the show. We’ll be in More information can be found on our website the foyer with glitter at the ready! www.wmc.org.uk/families/

the index / y mynegai - issue 25 7 Easter Events and Activities Easter Under the Eastern Shelter After the roaring success An interactive, improvised of our Fully Inclusive Family family show exploring Fun Day at Ysgol Y Deri in imagination, the joy of February, we are delivering play, being bold, and another exciting event for discovering that you are families. braver than you ever Easter under the thought possible! Eastern Shelter will be Welcome to The Story Yard – inside is a another fully inclusive treasure trove of pallets, tubes, nets, buckets, event in an accessible junk and possibility. venue. The event will You are the Story Builders. We invite you to use include: all the materials to build the setting for the day’s • Family Fun from Pedal story. Emporium; Families First The Story Yard Keepers will then weave your Advice Line suggestions and creations into an epic tale. • Workshops from The story is improvised and led by the world the Motion Control Dance young people have built and the suggestions • Interactive they give. The show is unique to each audience Performances from and the risks they are willing to take with their Almost Always Muddy building and imaginations. • Arts and Crafts from Flying Start; Vale Morning Performance: 11.30am – 12.30pm Libraries; Bullies Out; PACE Afternoon Performance: 2.00pm – 3.00pm • Fitness Sessions from Leisure Centres Age Guidance: 7+ • Music from Bro Radio Please note: if your child is sensitive to loud noises, we recommend bringing ear defenders, • Entertainment from but don’t worry we’ll bring some too! Vale Youth Service’s VPOD Almost Always Muddy is fully inclusive and Families who attend will receive the team are able to offer a Touch Tour, Audio 10% off selected local cafes Description and BSL interpreter to support and shops on the day. children if required. Friday 6 April, 11am – 3pm Contact Vale Family Information Service Eastern Shelter, Barry Island to book your place! Your local Family Information Services have 01446 704704 / teamed up with Wales Millennium Centre and [email protected] the Almost Always Muddy Team to deliver two free performances at our Easter under the Eastern Shelter Event.

8 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 Easter Events and Activities Free Creative Choices Holiday Club Free School The group will be taking Holiday part in photography, Club funded by drama, ceramics, Children in Need, printmaking, batik and for young people bookbinding which will with additional all be focused on the learning needs theme community. aged 14 to 18 years old. For more information or to sign up today The Club focuses on exploring creativity contact Sarah Glazier and making friends, building social skills and on 029 20575828 or interaction through working with others in a fun [email protected] and creative environment. Tuesday 3 April – Friday 6 April, 9.30am – 3.00pm Monday 9 April – Friday 13 April, 9.30am – 3.00pm Various locations in Cardiff including: Spectrwm, Printhaus and Chapter Arts. Vale Families First Holiday Club Playscheme for 4 – 11 years Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 April living in the Vale Wednesday 11 - Friday 13 April Things to remember: 10.05am - 12pm Ysgol Y Deri, Sully Road, • Playscheme can offer 1:1 Penarth, CF64 2TP support where required For more information or to book a place • Medical support and personal care needs please contact Joanne Jones, Play must be discussed when booking a place Development Officer on as this support can be arranged but is not 01446 704809 playdevelopment@ always available valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

the index / y mynegai - issue 25 9 Saturday Sessions Oshi’s World Let’s Play Coffee Mornings For families with sensory den. Please book into children with this session, additional needs, £3 suggested donation a disability or life limiting condition. Next Hairdresser Session: Saturday 14 April, 10.00am – Oshi’s World is a family 1.00pm run charity aimed at providing an inclusive Book in for a haircut with play venue suitable our hairdresser Mel, in her for all children, where unique and calming sensory parents and carers can salon. Mel has volunteered relax and have a cuppa her time for over a year and too. comes highly recommended by her clients. Please When: Every Saturday, book into this session, £3 10.00am - 1.00pm suggested donation. Where: Byrd Crescent For more information about Community Centre, Penarth, Vale of weekly groups, sensory play Glamorgan, CF64 3QU sessions and haircuts visit: Upcoming sessions include: Oshi’s World www.oshisworld.org Easter Session: Saturday 31 March, [email protected] 10.00am – 1.00pm @oshis_world We’ll have themed crafts and activities while Oshis World Cheryl runs her Gong Bath session in the Cwtch Together Cwtch Together is a warm and welcoming Where: Grangetown inclusive play project, offering children Nursery Community Centre, with disabilities, their carers, and families Ferry Road, CF11 0XR a place to play, make new friends and have When: Every Saturday lots of fun! 10am-4pm Cwtch Together aims to be a scheme which Cost: Free. caters to your children as individuals, celebrating For more their personal interests and enjoyments. information Cwtch Together is developed by Cardiff Council's please contact Children’s Play Services, Cardiff based parents Sophie from and the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers. All Wales We are constantly growing and value everyone’s Forum on input. Our hope is that we constantly expand 029 2081 1120 and welcome new faces to the Cwtch Together community.

10 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 Ysgol Y Deri – Transition Event 2018 Following on from last years’ success, There will be a range of we will be holding our annual Transition organisations and support Event for parents of pupils from Year 9 up groups exhibiting on the day for to Year 14. both transition & out of school opportunities. The purpose of the day is for parents to have the opportunity to share information, consider When: Thursday 26th April the transition process beyond school, receive 2018, 1.30pm – 3.30pm practical advice, and gather information. Where: Ysgol Y Deri, Sully Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2TP For more information please contact Stacey Long, Post 16 Transition Officer: [email protected] / 029 2035 2280

Teenscheme – New Providers, New Venue, New Times!

Vale Families First Vale Families First Teenscheme will re- Teenscheme commence in May 2018 Teenscheme will run for the first under the new provider time under Vale People First - Vale People First, and during May Half Term. at the new venue – Byrd Crescent Community Centre in Penarth. Thursday 31st May & Friday 1st June, 10.00am – 3.00pm We are very excited and are really looking Byrd Crescent Community Centre, Penarth, forward to meeting lots of young people - Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 3QU familiar faces and new faces are all welcome! If you would like any further information Teenscheme Meet and Greet Drop In please contact: Vale People First on 01446 We will be hosting this event for young people 732926 or email [email protected] and parents/carers to come and meet the Vale People First Team and talk to us about Teenscheme. Easter Fundraiser for Vale Youth Speak Up Thursday 12 April, 11.00 am - 3.00pm Easter Bonnet Competition, Vale People First Offices, Hamilton House, Activities and more! 123 Broad Street, Barry, CF62 7AL Tuesday 3 April, 10am – 2pm Salem Church, Beryl Road, Barry, CF62 8DN £2 Entry

the index / y mynegai - issue 25 11 Disability Sports Wales

Disability is a joint initiative between Sport Wales, the Federation of Disability Sport Wales and local authorities. Our aim is to develop quality community- based sporting opportunities for disabled people in Wales.

Disability Sport in the Vale Disability New Disability Within Cardiff there is a wide range of Sport Directory for sporting provision for disabled people of the Vale all ages including boccia, , football, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, The Disability Sport karate, cycling, swimming, plus many more. Directory lists some of the Vale of Glamorgan Whether you are looking for a healthy based clubs that lifestyle, to socialise and make new friends, offer opportunities keep fit, or strive to be a future participant for people of all in the Paralympics, Deaflympics or Special ages with a range Olympics there should be something there of different abilities. I for you. would urge you to contact the clubs directly to discuss suitability. If you need any further If you would like further information on advice please get in touch. disability sport in Cardiff as a participant, club, coach, or volunteer, then get in touch. I can also assist you with information on our Disability Sports Forum, finding more Joanna Coates-McGrath clubs across South East Wales, ‘come and Disability Sports Co-ordinator try’ sessions, accessing funding and much Tel: 029 2020 5284 more! Email: jcoates-mcgrath@ cardiffmet.ac.uk Simon Jones, Disability Sport Wales Development Officer. Tel: 01446 704728 Email: sljones@ valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

12 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 Breaking Through Breaking Through is a community interest importantly we’ve found company that provides performing arts Breaking Through offers workshops for children with additional an environment that young needs. people feel comfortable in, so we’ve seen multiple We provide a weekly session every Thursday friendships form! evening at Whitchurch Rugby Club, where we work through a variety of exercises and games The workshops take place in the medium of dance, drama and music. in a positive environment, where everyone gets to know each other. Parents remain in These activities focus on essential life skills from the room throughout sessions and from small communication to team work, while developing performances to weekly “show and tells”. We confidence and self-esteem – and having fun! find ourselves forming our own community We currently have a variety of students with a that the students feel comfortable to express range of needs. themselves in! We are open to a variety of ages but typically When: Every Thursday, 5.00pm – 6.30pm students attend from 7 – 13 years. Where: Whitchurch Rugby Club, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TH Over the last 2 years, we have found that sessions have been hugely beneficial, increasing [email protected] children’s confidence during the transition Breaking Through CIC from primary to secondary school. Most @BreakingThruCIC Rubicon Dance Rubicon has a long and well respected history of providing dance Fusion (Aged 12+) Open session for activities young people with learning disabilities for young Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.15pm people with £3.00 per session disabilities and learning difficulties, in Rubicon Dance, Nora St, Cardiff, school settings and at dance facilities CF24 1ND across . Currently Rubicon runs classes for young people with We run these sessions from our fully learning disabilities / additional needs at accessible studios. Sessions are fun and Rubicon on a Wednesday evening: energetic, and we offer performance opportunities whenever we can. Sessions conFUSION (Aged 13+) Performance are led by our highly experienced dance group for young people with learning leader Esther KilBride who has over 5 years disabilities Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.15pm experience of working with dancers with £3.00 per session learning disabilities. 02920 491477 / [email protected] the index / y mynegai - issue 25 13 Inspired Learners Inspired advice and support Learners are around ADHD, ASD, experienced DCD and Irlene specialist Syndrome. teachers of special We are now providing a new initiative, Lego educational Based Therapy to support learner’s behaviour needs who needs. are qualified Lego Based Therapy supports learner’s: - to provide assessment, advice, direct teaching • Social communication and monitoring of pupils with specific • ADHD needs learning difficulties and additional learning needs across all key stages and adult • Expressive language learners. We are experienced in training school’s teachers and teaching assistants • Confidence in a range of certified and accredited • Attention and listening skills interventions and approaches. Schools can contact us to find out the range of INSET We would like to take this opportunity to wish courses we can provide. you all a happy Easter and we look forward to supporting you in 2018. At The Inspired Learners Centre we are able to offer an initial consultation to families where www.inspired-learners.co.uk we look to establish the causes for concern Inspired Learners Ltd regarding your child’s development and learning 07706 415 651 difference. Further to this we are able to offer [email protected] a range of in depth assessments and reports in the specific developmental areas of speech The Inspired Learners Centre, and language, dyslexia, literacy, numeracy and 161 Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4HP general learning difficulties. We can also offer Barnardo’s ADHD Parent Programme

Is your child affected by • Medication • Education • Parenting Styles ADHD? Do you want to know more about the condition? • Self Esteem • Praise The parent factor in ADHD can • Visits from Guest Speakers help you to understand a little For more information contact bit more and help you to meet other parents Fay Bowring, Family Practitioner, going through similar things to what you and on 029 2057 7074 your child are going through. This is an 8 week programme which includes: • What is ADHD? • Communication

14 the index / y mynegai - issue 25 KeyCreate KeyCreate run enjoyable and creative workshops for all ages and abilities in South Wales. Free Family Playgroup An inclusive, drop in playgroup for pre-school and home-schooled children with disabilities or additional needs. Every Tuesday 10am – 12pm Byrd Crescent Community Hall, Penarth, CF64 3QU

Sessions include: • Live music sing-alongs • Soft play • Sensory stories • Toys and books • Messy play • Sensory room

Children's Birthday Party Inclusive Entertainment We can provide tailor- Unlock made and high-quality your child's music and story-based creative workshops for your child’s potential Birthday Party that is and allow sure to be a hit with the us to children, their siblings and provide a parents alike! memorable party for EVERYONE to enjoy... Most importantly our workshops are totally accessible for all abilities! www.keycreatewales.co.uk [email protected] Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about 07810 018 165 us and are looking for something other than KeyCreate Wales clowns or magicians.

the index / y mynegai - issue 25 15 Heads Above The Waves Heads Above The Waves is a not-for-profit Our Values organisation that raises awareness of We want to make it easier depression and self-harm in young people. for people to talk honestly We promote positive, creative ways of and openly about self- dealing with the bad days. harm, without fear of stigma or ignorance. But Self-harm affects around 1 in 12 young more than that, we want to people, yet it remains an issue people struggle make it easier for people to handle, talk about, and understand. to talk about anything Sometimes, helping can be as simple as having that’s bothering them, and to realise that if it’s a conversation, but a study by YoungMinds bothering you, then it’s an important issue, and found that 71% of young people, 70% of it’s worth talking about, and doing something parents, and 60% of teachers say they don’t about. feel able to actually talk about self-harm. Visit the Heads Above The Waves website In the last 10 years, hospital admissions as a result of self-harm in the UK have risen by 68%, Heads Above The Waves is an awesome and this figure is predicted to keep rising. By resource which includes: getting people to talk more openly about self- harm (in the same way that we do drug use or • Things to try - Positive Coping Techniques unprotected sex) and making people aware of • You’re Not Alone – The Blog the help that exists, Heads Above The Waves hopes to reduce hospital admissions as a result • Straight-Up Advice – Helpful Information of self-harm. @HATW_uk Who we are Heads Above The Waves Heads Above The Waves is run by two www.hatw.co.uk 20-somethings looking to make a difference. We’ve all experienced self-harm first hand, in one form or another. Because we’ve been through it, we want to share our experiences and let others know: you’re not alone. We want to meet people on their level, without being childish and condescending, or cold and clinical. We’re not medical professionals; we’re just being ourselves, and connecting with people who feel the same way we have. Our Mission Self-harm affects around 1 in 12 young people, yet it remains an issue people struggle to handle, talk about, and understand. We aim to change this.

Disclaimer The majority of organisations included in this newsletter are not managed or run by the City of Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council. The newsletter has been complied in an effort to assist you in contacting services. The City of Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council cannot be held liable for the services provided by any external organisation named in this newsletter and cannot be held liable for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy in this newsletter, nor for the actions of any of the external organisations listed. The listing of an organisation in this newsletter does not imply that the City of Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council endorse that organisation, nor does the absence of any organisation imply that we do not support it.

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