Spring 2021 Introduction

This directory has been compiled by Colchester Parent Support working in collaboration with The MAZE Group CiC and parents of children with additional needs. The purpose of the directory is for parents to provide other parents with information about community based services and organisations available to them in North East Essex. Some services and therapies are available from Statutory Services, we would always recommend seeking access information from your health or education professional. The NHS provides children’s services which are free to access for all.

Therapeutic Support Parents Coffee Mornings SEND Supporting Local Offer Support Parents Family Support Online Support Coffee Evenings 2 Index ABA Horizons Extra Support for Families Ability Using Sport Families In Focus Ace Music Therapy Family Fund Action for Family Carers Find your Spark Aspire Therapy Harwich Parent Support Autism Anglia Homestart Bright Lives CiC Homestart Harwich Carers UK Interact Carolyn Rogers – OT IPSEA CEA Card Little Life Development Charmaine Champ – Continence Mid and North East Essex MIND Consultant and Trainer Mistley Kids Club Children’s Learning Disability Service Multi School Council Colchester Catalyst Charity Multi-Sensory Training Centre Colchester Children’s Charity Penny Hatton Colchester Parent Support SEN advice and support meet up Colchester Toy Library SENDIASS Complete Life Shorefields Coffee Mornings Diddi Dance Shortbreaks Disability 4 Sport SNAP Dr Siobhan Timmins Stepping Stones EQ Essex The Ark Centre Essex Child and Family Wellbeing The MAZE Group CiC Service The National Autistic Society Essex Family Forum Uniform 7 Essex Local Offer Young Mindz 3 ABA Horizons Ace Music We provide services to individuals up to the age of 11 with a diagnosis of ASD. We Therapy provide these at home or in the We provide music therapy both on an community, at a time that is convenient for individual and group basis working with you. We offer 1:1 sessions with your child, children and adults with a variety of needs supervision and parent training. All of these and abilities. Some of the core aims we services can be managed face to face or work with are: developing communication via computer technology. For further skills, providing an outlet for emotional details please visit www.abahorizons.co.uk expression, developing social interaction Covid-19 All services are being run on-line and developing self-confidence. You can through various methods on pc, phone, have a look at our website. iPads. Sessions are run in the same way, Covid - still operating and we are now involving the child and parent/guardian. offering virtual music therapy sessions Tel: 07789 414817 Tel: Amelia Clapham 07957225109 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.acemusictherapy.co.uk for more Ability Using information. Sport Action for A.U.S is a local and a non-profit sports club that specialises in disability sports, we Family Carers cater for many disabilities including An Essex charity which for 30 years has Learning Difficulties, Autism, SEND, physical provided support to unpaid Carers. We hold disabilities and mental health issues. the NCVO L3 PQASSO Quality Mark. We currently offer Multisports, We provide: Caring Friends: home visiting Football & Futsal clubs and adding more and counselling Essex Befriends: face-to- sessions all the time. face and telephone befriending (Carers, Tel: Kevin Smith 07963 602330 older people, mental health problems, Email: [email protected] learning disabilities) Feeling Good, Caring Well: wellbeing project ‘Way to Work’: Facebook: @AbilityusingSport support with education, training and employment options. Young Carers Club Night, Tiptree Day Centre, Young Carer Support in schools The day centre is chargeable, all other services are free. Tel: 0300 770 80 90 Website: www.affc.org.uk Email: [email protected] or [email protected] (for Young Carer services)

4 Aspire Therapy Bright Lives CiC Amy Carey (Occupational Therapist) Bright Lives CIC is a not for profit provides child centred assessment and enterprise that supports people with therapy for children and young people with various additional learning needs including additional needs. This includes children with mental health difficulties autism and conditions such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities. Under the guidelines of development delay, sensory processing the Care Act 2014 we offer day difficulties, cerebral palsy and those without opportunities and training to live a full life a formal diagnosis. We aim to work with which includes help and training to families to develop the child’s skills and transition into Independent Living or ability to engage in daily tasks at home and Supported Living. school. There is a fee for this service. Further details can be found by calling Re COVID - I am still offering some face to 01206 615165 or visiting face assessments and treatments where www.brightlives.org.uk there is an urgent need. I am also producing Email: [email protected] a series of video clips with strategies to support parents to meet their child’s sensory needs. I am also happy to provide Carers UK advice free of charge via email or over the phone for those who are struggling to cope As the UK’s only national membership – please email me in the first instance. charity for carers, Carers UK is both a supportive community and a movement for Contact details are: change. Every day 6,000 people become Tel: 07415 595585 carers, looking after family or friends who Email: [email protected] are older, disabled or seriously ill. For Website: www.aspireot.com information and support, contact the Carers UK Helpline by emailing Registered with the HCPC, a member of [email protected] or calling the Royal College of Occupational 0808 808 7777 (Monday– Friday, Therapists RCOT. 9am to 6pm). For information online, visit: www.carersuk.org. Autism Anglia Autism Anglia is an independent charity Carolyn Rogers which provides care and support to autistic children, adults and their families in East (OT) Anglia. Services offer personalised approaches that provide each individual Sensory processing difficulties (SPD) are with the necessary skills and strategies to often misunderstood or not recognised. enable them to realise their own strengths Full sensory assessments (including school and abilities. visit) with written report and recommendations (also available without The charity also seeks to promote greater a school assessment). knowledge and understanding of autism through training, education and supplying Please contact Carolyn Rogers: information to the public and professionals. Tel: 07908 176301 Tel: 01206 577 678 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.carolynrogers.uk Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. 5 CEA Card Children’s The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas that enables a Learning disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to Disability Service accompany them when visiting The CLDS offers specialist Behaviour, participating cinemas. Sensory and Sleep Assessments by Visit the website www.ceacard.co.uk Learning Disability Nurses and to apply. Occupational Therapists. Assessments are focused on understanding behaviour, developing Positive Behaviour Support Charmaine Plans and providing education for caregivers. Direct work includes Emotional Wellbeing and Relationships & Sex Champ Education. This NHS service is available to Continence Sleep and children with moderate to severe learning Behaviour Consultant disabilities, registered with an Essex GP. Tel: 01206 334026 Charmaine Champ is a Continence Sleep and Behaviour Consultant, specialising in Email: [email protected] Continence, Sleep and Behavioural needs for children, including children with Autism, Learning Disability, Complex needs. Colchester Support is available through: Catalyst Charity • FREE Introductory telephone call Colchester Catalyst Charity is a grant • Starter Packages making trust that offers financial • Solution Consultation Packages assistance for: • Training • Local charitable organisations supporting • Videos people with medical conditions. • Public Speaking • Special medical or mobility equipment for • Published book information individuals. For further information please contact, • Short-term breaks to allow respite for Charmaine: carers of people with medical needs or disabilities. Tel: 07711 337740 • Counselling Sessions with our Counselling Business Page: www.facebook.com/ Partners ContinenceConsultantTrainer • Short-term loan of disability equipment. Email: [email protected] • Healthcare communication aids and Information of fees available on request equipment. Tel: 01206 323420 Email: [email protected] Our office is now open 4 days a week Mondays – Thursdays. We are closed on Fridays.

6 Colchester Colchester Children’s Toy Library Colchester Toy Library, based in the Charity Prettgate Library, is a lending service of toys and play equipment for children 0-7 (Charity No. 800485) years including older children with special We are a local charity providing financial educational and additional needs. help for children in the Colchester and Membership fee of £15 a year is required to Tendring area with special needs to help use our services. buy equipment, counselling, sensory Further information including opening times assessments, respite etc. can be found on our website or Facebook. We have two charity shops in Old Heath Email: [email protected] Road. This is a non-profit organisation and Website: www.colchestertoylibrary. all the money raised goes to help children wordpress.com in “CO” postal area. Correspondence Address: 11 Churchill Way, Colchester, CO2 8ST Complete Life Tel: Charity Shop 01206 866283 for Complete Life is a person centred, values donations. Roy 01206 860384 for based social care organisation, delivering funding requests. truly person centred support to adults and children (from 8yrs) who have learning and/ or physical disabilities and/or autism, from 3 hour sessions up to 24/7. We work in total Colchester partnership with all individuals and their families. All staff are required to Parent Support demonstrate our 5 core values. Colchester Parent Support is a voluntary Tel: 01206 487059 community group formed by trained MAZE Email: [email protected] Parent Mentors. Our aim is to provide Website: www.complete-life.co.uk ongoing and free peer to peer support for parents and carers of children with additional needs, working in collaboration Diddi dance with The MAZE Group CIC. Ordinarily SEND sessions for children & young people Colchester Parent Support hold monthly up to 19 years of age in Colchester, Clacton coffee mornings. Currently these are & Hatfield Peverel. Places are partly funded fortnightly mornings and evenings via through Essex Shortbreaks from £2.00, plus; Zoom. We provide a welcoming wheelchair sensory movement sessions for environment for parents and carers to chat those with PMLD run by a qualified Para for friendship, information, support and Dance Instructor, afterschool sessions, school advice. We often host visiting professionals holiday sessions and festive parties. Children for expert guidance on a range of subjects. can be themselves and do not have to follow Date/time/joining information can be instruction. We use tactile props, are sensory found on our facebook page. aware with music volume, lighting and Contact details: overstimulation. Behavioural challenges are met with understanding and absolute support. Facebook: Colchester Parent Support Page Contact: Charlotte 07722 605 395 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Like and follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/diddicolchester 7 One to one sessions start from £15 for Disability4Sport 30 mins or £25 for an hour. Travel fees Disability4Sport is a Community may apply for locations outside of a Organisation solely focusing on 10-mile radius. opportunities and activities for disabled Contact email: [email protected] people of all ages and abilities within our Mobile: 07507 995281 local community. Tel: 07590 428838 Our core mission is to engage and encourage more disabled people into sport Facebook page: Teddy’s Inc Harwich by creating new opportunities, as well as expanding and enhancing current ones. Tel: 07922 885632 Essex Child and Email: [email protected] Family Wellbeing Dr Siobhan Service The Essex Child & Family Wellbeing Service Timmins (ECFWS) which is provided by Virgin Care in partnership with Barnardo’s, ensures that As a parent, published author and speaker, families aged 0-19 (25 years for young Dr Siobhan Timmins trains parents and people with special education needs) have professionals in Social Understanding in free and easy access to local health Autism, and delivers workshops nationally services. Please call for more information or and internationally on writing Social Stories. visit our website. Read her blog on addressing topical issues with Social Stories, book a place on her Tel: 0300 247 0015 training, or book her to deliver a workshop Website: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk or talk at: https://siobhantimmins.uk http://marketfieldschool.co.uk/train- ing-and-outreach/social-stories Essex Family Email: [email protected] Forum Essex Family Forum is a parent carer forum, EQ Essex which provides a voice for families of Teddy’s Inc aims to help children and adults children and young people, up to the age develop their Emotional Intelligence, which is of 25 with disabilities or additional needs. the ability to recognise different emotions We work with the local authority, and effectively manage them. It can help education, health and others to improve children become happier, more resilient and the services for SEND. Please share your empathic. For parents and carers it can help stories, good and bad, through Facebook create a calmer, happier household as they or on our virtual graffiti wall. learn how to manage their own and their Find us on facebook: @essexfamilyforum children’s overwhelming emotions. Email: [email protected] Our fees vary on which service is provided. Website: http://essexfamilyforum.org We can provide one to one support, group Link to graffiti wall: https:// sessions and training programmes for essexfamilyforum.org/parent-surveys- parents and educators. and-feedback/virtual-graffiti-wall/

8 Essex Local Offer Families In The Essex Local Offer is a website which provides children and young people (0-25) Focus (Essex) with special educational needs or We are a leading independent parent led disabilities and their families, information registered charity providing holistic support about what support services are available in to families of children with disabilities and the local area. This includes information special needs (aged 0 to 25) across Essex, about education, health, social care, who require advice, information and transport, employment and leisure activities. support, particularly at times of change, If you would like to suggest a service to be challenge and crisis. added, please contact: Our service is accessible to all families from Email: [email protected] Essex whatever their background, as long Website: www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk as at least one child or young person in the family between the age of 0 to 25 has a Facebook: www.facebook.com/ disability or special need. TheEssexLocalOffer We aim to give caring, practical and confidential support whilst empowering families, to consider the choices available Extra Support to them and make the best use of available services. for Families Tel: 01245 353575 EXTRA provides free parenting courses, Email: [email protected] workshops and parent peer support groups within the Tendring District. EXTRA’s courses and workshops are for Family Fund parents/carers of children from pre-birth to 19 (25 where there are additional needs). Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity They include those at a universal level providing grants for families on low (positive behaviour management courses) incomes raising disabled or seriously ill and targeted courses, including support for children and young people. Last year, we parents of children with additional needs; provided 89,101 grants and services worth improving emotional wellbeing and over £33 million to families across the UK. building confidence. The age range is 0 to 17 years old. There is Website: no fee for our service. www.extrasupportforfamilies.co.uk Contact Information: Email: 4 Alpha Court, Monks Cross Drive [email protected] YO32 9WN Facebook/Instagram: Tel: 01904 550055 @extrasupportforfamilies Email: [email protected] Website: www.familyfund.org.uk/

9 Find your Spark Homestart Find Your Spark offers four sessions of one to one parenting support using BRIEF Harwich Solution Focused Therapy. These sessions Home-Start Harwich is an independent are fully funded until March 2021 therefore charity covering Harwich and the surrounding no fee to parents. Please email the address villages. By providing bespoke support to below to receive a referral form. We also families, (with at least one child under the age offer anger management and coaching to of 11 years), through 1-1 home visiting, weekly children. These sessions cost £60 p/h. support groups, courses and innovative Please get in touch by email for further projects, families can grow in confidence, information or view our website below. remain independent, gain new skills, widen Tel: 07834 552514 their links with the community and give Email: [email protected] their children the best possible start in life. Home-Start Harwich is committed to Website: www.findyourspark.co.uk making a real difference to the lives of local children and families, everybody Harwich Parent welcome! Call us on 01255 556230 for more information Support Email [email protected] We run a Coffee Morning on the third Thursday of the month, for all parents and carers, with a focus on those with Interact additional needs and difficulties. InterAct is an Essex-based charity, which We invite professionals to attend, who are offers: able to advise and, along with the Parent • Short Breaks clubs and activities for Mentors, (who are also part of the MAZE children/young people with SEND (ages team) can signpost parents to help and 10-18), including weekday evening groups advice. Unfortunately these meetings are in Clacton/Tendring and Colchester, an not taking place during the Covid period. after-school club in Colchester (NEW: Please contact Harwich Parent Support via opening January 2021), and holiday-time our email address for information or support. activities/trips. Email: [email protected] • Training for parents/carers: Developing Self-Care, Resilience and Wellbeing workshops, and Youth MHFA training, Homestart specifically aimed at parenting/caring roles. Home-Start Colchester an independent During COVID-19: Both face-to-face & local charity committed to making a real online activities are available for young difference to the lives of local children and people, & some training is also delivered families. via Zoom. Home-Start Colchester is responsive to For details of programmes, training, and need, designing support to make a activity/training costs, registration forms & difference and help families remain online booking, please visit InterAct’s website. independent and intervention to support Website: www.interact.org.uk children to achieve their full potential. Tel: 01245 608201 (Direct: YP Team: Contact us: 01245 608206; Training: 01245 608307) Email: [email protected] (or Email: [email protected] [email protected]; Telephone: 01206 854625 [email protected]) 10 IPSEA Mid and North Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a charity East Essex Mind offering free and independent legally Mid and North East Essex Mind (Registered based information, advice and support to Charity Number 1064309) are a local, help get the right education for children independent charity connected to the and young people with all kinds of special national charity Mind. educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We believe no one should have to face a We also provide training on the SEND mental health problem alone. That’s why legal framework to parents and carers, we are here for you. Whether you’re professionals and other organisations. stressed, depressed or in crisis, we’ll listen, All services, including our free telephone give you support and advice. We work with helpline, can be accessed via our website: children from the age of 5 and adults of all www.ipsea.org.uk ages. Some people use our services for only a little while and others might need help for longer. Little Life You can contact us at our head office Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on Development 01206 764600 or email [email protected] Rebecca provides Occupational Therapy input for ages 0-16; children with a variety of conditions as well as no formal diagnosis. Initial Assessment includes up to 2 hours Mistley Kids Club assessment time, Programme of Mistley Kids Club is a non-profit Interventions and a full report covering all organisation, is completely inclusive and developmental areas. Reassessments, we cater for all children of all abilities. We Sensory-based assessments, blocks of have children from all around our area, therapy for handwriting and Interoceptive from a wide range of schools, ranging from Awareness can also be provided. Rebecca mainstream schools to special educational works with the family as a whole, and takes needs schools. Kids club is one of very few a holistic approach to overcoming barriers clubs that has children from both sets of to engagement, function and learning. schools therefore we have many children There is a fee for this service and financial on a daily basis. All of the children that assistance is available if required. attend the club interact with each other Tel: 07376 605207 and get along brilliantly, even though there is a wide range of communication methods Email: [email protected] that the children use. Website: www.littlelifedevelopment.co.uk Visit www.mistleykidsclub.co.uk for Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lit- more information or Tel: 07809 176252 tleLifeDevelopment Email: [email protected] Registered with RCOT & HCPC.

*Covid secure measures are in place for face-to-face assessments, and sessions can take place virtually where appropriate

11 Multi Schools SEN Advice and Council Support meet- The multi-schools council is all about breaking down perceptions towards children ups North Essex with SEND or mental health difficulties. We This group runs on the 2nd and 4th Fridays work in schools, empowering young people of the month in Colchester. This is a group to have a voice and to be heard! We also to compliment and further the outreach offer training on different areas of SEND from our Facebook group; SEN Advice and and mental health awareness. Support (Official). Email: Kierran Pearce – We offer education advice, benefits advice [email protected] and all aspects of SEN and disabilities. We also offer peer to peer support in a warm and friendly environment. Multi-Sensory We have use of a sensory room and children welcome. Training Centre For more details, please contact No Labels – Just support Kim Mayhead on 07368 542941 Dr Grounds is an Optometrist, with a PhD Email: [email protected] in Vision Research, an MSc in Developmental Neuro-Psychology and is a registered member of (BABO). SEND IASS Multi-Sensory training can be beneficial to any child who is having difficulties; with Essex SENDIASS is a confidential and literacy, maths, memory, auditory impartial information, advice and support processing, concentration, balance, service on issues related to special coordination, fine and gross motor skills. educational needs and disability (SEND). Due to the central government’s guidance 15 Kiltie Road, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex for COVID-19 the SENDIASS staff are CO5 0PX working remotely and have adapted our Tel: 07399 343657 ways of working to hold virtual meetings Email: [email protected] instead of face to face work. Facebook: @MultiSensoryTrainingCentre Tel: 0333 013 8913 Email: [email protected] Penny Hatton Text: 0786 000 3010 Psychodynamic Counsellor Sometimes you just need someone to talk to who can help make sense of often Shorefields powerful and muddled feelings. Someone who understands the complex dynamics Coffee Mornings around life with SEN. Shorefields School in Clacton hold monthly I have 11yrs experience working with young coffee mornings for local parents/carers of people with SEN. I can also work with children with addition needs parents and families. Some funding is Please see website: available if needed. www.shorefields.essex.sch.uk or Tel: 07795 363689 www.themazegroup.co.uk for dates and times. Email: [email protected] 12 ShortBreaks Stepping Stones Short Breaks gives families the chance to Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group is a take a break from their normal routines small charity based in Colchester. Our main and enjoy doing fun things together. service is an integrated nursery for children They also give children and young people with additional needs and mainstreamers the chance to do fun and different aged 2 to 5 to play, learn and develop activities. This can help build their alongside each other. We also run a weekly confidence and independence. Tots group for prenursery age children and babies with additional needs and their For more information: families. We run holiday respite for 2 to 11 Visit our website: shortbreaks.essex.gov.uk year olds with extremely complex needs or Email: [email protected] and a monthly Family Stay and Play session. Our COVID-19 Policy with our current SNAP restrictions is on our website. Email: [email protected] SNAP (Special Needs and Parents) is a Website: www.steppingstonesplayand local charity for families living within Essex learngroup.org with children and young people aged 0 to 25 who have any special need or disability. SNAP’s aims are to inform, encourage and support parents, allowing them to grow in The Ark Centre strength and knowledge so they are better The Ark Family Resource Centre provides equipped to give the best possible help to pre-school play and learning for the children their children. and families of Harwich and district, as well SNAP’s services include advice and as a range of support services. information, a specialist library, specialist We aim to offer a friendly, safe and talks and events, training courses, parent and stimulating environment for families to pre-school children groups, activities for benefit from; promoting the mental, children and young people, multi-sensory physical and emotional well-being of room, specialist IT suite, music therapy, sibling children and young people. support, family counselling, online information Visit www.thearkcentre.wordpress.com network and directory of useful contacts. for more information No formal diagnosis or professional referral is necessary to access SNAP services. Tel: 01277 211300 Website: www.snapcharity.org/ Email: [email protected]

13 The MAZE The National Group CiC Autistic Society The MAZE Group is a Community Interest Founded in 1962, we are the UK’s leading Company of parents who support other charity for autistic people and their parents/carers of children/young people families. Our goal is to help transform lives, with SEND. We offer a weekly specialist change attitudes and create a society that programme; a course about the SEND works for autistic people. system; online short videos; webinars; Our Autism Helpline provides confidential workshops; individual consultations; expert advice and support on autism for information and news online/via social autistic people, their families and friends. media and on our website. We have a You can call us on 0808 800 4104 team of trained, experienced Parent Mentors who attend the sessions to offer additional support. We work in collabora- Uniform7 tion with Colchester and Harwich Parent Support and colleagues and parents in Uniform 7 is local business that provides Clacton to provide free monthly drop-in school uniform across Essex. With a sessions and coffee mornings/evenings for personal interest in our SEN community, ongoing advice and support. we are developing a new collection to meet sensory and physical disabilities by using To learn more please visit our website: soft fabrics and making custom adjust- www.themazegroup.co.uk ments using magnetic buttons and Velcro. Sign up for our programmes is also via our If your child or young person has a website here: www.themazegroup.co.uk/ disability that affects the clothes they learning-materials/ wear, then please contact Rachael on Contact details: 07718 643676. Enquiries: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 07809900161 Sue Anderton (Executive Director): [email protected] Young Mindz Tel: 07708 873023 As an experienced child led Connected Kids™ Tutor, sharing meditation and Post to: PO Box 1035, Bentley, mindfulness skills to our children of all ages, Ipswich, IP9 2WL stages and abilities, we work together to Facebook: www.facebook.com/ design bespoke calm toolkits that adapt TheMAZEGroupCiC and grow alongside them Twitter: @MAZESays Meeting the child where they are at YouTube: MAZE Says embraces all learning challenges, and disabilities. I help develop ideas that work www.youtube.com/channel/ for the child as well as the adult. UCYPStdqZ727sZ5-vhF5OofA?view_ I also train adults the Connected Kids as=subscriber Foundation and Professional programme. To get in touch, contact me, Katie Duffy (Connected Kids Tutor™) on 07736842271 or [email protected] One to One Sessions from £35/session Family Sessions from £45/session Workshops from £15/session Foundation and Professional Courses poa 14

Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this directory, Colchester Parent Support do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors that have occurred. It is recommended that you always check with providers that their service or organisation meets with your requirements. We offer an impartial service and we cannot recommend or endorse any providers listed.

This directory has been funded by North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.