These sites support Parents and Children with SEND – updated 27th April 2020

Me2 Club support young people aged 5-19 with additional needs and disabilities to take part in mainstream after school activities. They now support in; Abbey, Battle, Church, Katesgrove, Minster, Norcot, Park, Redlands, Southcote and Whitley wards. They would like to let everyone know that although they are not currently able to get young people started at activities with volunteers, their waiting list is still very much open and they are still accepting applications, ready to get going again as soon as it is safe to do so. For full details visit: https://me2club.org.uk/about-us/

Parenting Special Children have developed three 90 minute online linked workshops to support families of children with SEND during the Covid-19 lockdown. They have two series running, one starting in April and one starting in May (each series contains the same information). Series One: Mondays: 20th and 27th April, 4 May: 7:30pm - 9pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-supporting-childrens-behaviour-during-the-covid-19- lockdown-registration-102796182148 Series Two: Mondays: 11th, 18th and 25th May: 7:30pm - 9pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-supporting-childrens-behaviour-during-the-covid-19- lockdown-registration-102883619676 Cost: Free for families with children living, or attending a school, in Berkshire (£5 refundable booking deposit). The local Charity Stepping Forward can help with Benefits Advice - including DLA, PIP, Carers Allowance and Universal Credit applications. If you are a disabled person, or you are supporting someone with a disability, we can help with Benefits Advice - including DLA, PIP, Carers Allowance and Universal Credit applications. Contact them to make an appointment with our experienced Advisor. Email: [email protected] www.stepping-forward.org.uk Mr Higgins is a PE Teacher with 16 years’ experience who has created videos of inclusive PE games to play at home. They help children with special needs to develop their motor skills and to enjoy staying active indoors. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query =mr+higgins+inclusive Steph Johnson from Reading Rockets has created 'FUNdamental Workout' - a workout designed for young people to help develop their fundamental movements. The workout is designed for all the amazing SEND children and helps children to practice their fundamental movements and multi skills. https://youtu.be/qBpoR53v1Gc Reading Mencap are helping children & adults with a learning disability and their families by keeping in touch on the phone, making sure you’ve got essential supplies of food & medicine, help & advice from our Family Support Service, activity packs and ideas for things to do. If you, or someone you know, needs support, please call: 0118 966 2518 Email: [email protected] or visit www.readingmencap.org.uk The government has brought forward a package of measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). This is to ensure that no-one in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home. Landlords will also be protected by a 3 month mortgage payment holiday where they have buy to let mortgages. check what to do if you can't pay your rent because of coronavirus. or call: 03444 111 306 or 03444 111 444 Remember, if you, or someone you know is in need of extra support, with shopping or medication call the Reading Borough Council helpline (freephone) 0808 189432 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. The national organisation, Contact, have got some good advice about coping at home as a parent of a child with additional needs. https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/coping-at-home/

Changes to CAMHS can be found on the Berkshire Health Foundation Website. Changes to and the way prescriptions are issued, can be hard to find so I have added the specific link: https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/covid-19-coronavirus/information-for-our-patients/camhs- prescriptions-during-covid-19-coronavirus/

Autism Berkshire’s benefits advisors are still available to help families of children and young people with autism. To contact: Call: 01189 594 594 Email: [email protected]

Dingley’s Promise has launched a new section on their website where their whole COVID-19 response can be accessed and those who want to find out more can access materials, apply for the training and access one to one family support too. https://www.dingley.org.uk/covid-19-response/

Reading Rep company have put together some drama ideas https://www.readingrep.com/education- pack/

The government website has a list of SEND education tips and games for home: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education- resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#special- educational-needs-and-disabilities-send

Reading Local Offer

There is a good communication chart for helping young people communicate possible symptoms of Coronavirus, which can be downloaded for free: https://www.widgit.com/products/health/covid19-communication-chart.htm