Northeast Special Needs Network Network Update Volume 7, Issue 7 January 2014

Diary Dates 2014 Are your Contact Details Correct?

It is the start of a new year and time for a update of our Membership database. Please let us know if there are any changes to your contact details:

March • Have you moved house and have a new address or email?

Leisure & Activities Planning - • Have we made an error in your name or current address? date to be confirmed • Would you like to get our newsletter by email instead of by post?

Update on SEN(D) reforms - • Would you like to be removed from our mailing list? date to be confirmed If anything needs to be changed/updated please contact us on 0191 281 2485 or email [email protected]

Northeast Special Needs Network (NSNN) - Big Lottery Grant

NSNN has been offering individual Family Advice Work for the past 10 years and we are delighted to have been awarded a 3 year grant from the Big Lottery to help us to “Support families through change” over the next few years.

We will have a number of new initiatives starting:

Drop in surgeries – we plan to go along to existing places where parents already meet to share information about services in Newcastle, that are suitable for your child/young person with a disability or special need, and to offer one-to-one support to access these services where necessary.

Workshops to support families through the changes that are happening nationally and in Newcastle including Benefits changes, the new Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and the Local Offer. We hope to hold a workshop for parents who are new to the system to guide them “Through the Maze” of services available.

Activities Planning – working with you to help you plan suitable leisure and social opportunities for your child/young person and help you to access them in your local community. This would include looking for additional funding sources (where appropriate), concessions available and subsidised holidays.

We will continue to offer telephone information, advice and support and personalised one to one support as we have done over the past 10 years. Please contact us if you would like more information on any of our new initiatives on 0191 281 2485 or email: [email protected]

Helping families make the best choices New Year’s Challenge

Are you looking for a challenge for 2014 and a reason to get fit? We have the perfect opportunity, so why not buy one of our places for the 2014 Great North Run?

Each place is £50 and we ask that you raise funds for Northeast Special Needs Network. To reserve a place please contact Christabel James at NSNN on 0191 281 2485 or email [email protected] dYstinctive Youth Programme

YMCA ’s youth programme is open to young people aged 13-19 with any type of disability. They run 3 sessions a week offering a range of youth activities including pool, games consoles, board games, tuck shop, computers/ iPads, art and crafts, music or just space to chat and relax. Each session has experienced staff so parents don't need to stay, carers/personal assistants are welcome to bring young people too. Cost to attend is £2.50 per session.

• Mondays (NEW GROUP starting Monday 13th January 2014) 5.00pm - 7.00pm at YMCA North Tyneside, • Wednesdays (starts back Wednesday 8th January 2014) 6.00pm - 8.00pm at TyneMet College, Coast Road, Battle Hill • Fridays (starts back Friday 10th January 2014) 5.00pm - 7.00pm at Tim Lamb Centre, Rising Sun Country Park, Benton

Sessions are open to all young people from across the North East. Please contact Vicky for more details or a registration form on 0191 257 5434 or email: [email protected] Project Choice Newcastle

Project Choice is designed to give young people with learning disabilities/ difficulties or Autism the opportunity to gain work experience over 1 academic year.

The learner undertakes 4 days in placements and one day at college taking an academic qualification. The project helps young people gain the skills they need to become work ready. The interns are supported by mentors and a co-ordinator in the workplace. The project allows young people to test different work placements in a supportive environment and identify key work skills and employment strengths.

Information events for young people aged 16-24 and their families, who are interested in finding out more about the level 2 offer of internship with Project Choice, will be held on the following dates:

• Wednesday 22nd January 2014 from 12 noon - 2.00pm at the RVI Medicinema (enter from the Great North Children’s hospital entrance) • Wednesday 22nd January 2014 from 6.00pm - 8.00pm at the RVI Medicinema • Saturday 25th January 2014 from 10.00am - 12 noon at College (Baltic site) • Wednesday 5th February 2014 from 6.00pm - 8.00 pm at the RVI Medicinema

For more information on Project choice please contact Paul Connolly on 0191 277 4700 or email [email protected]

Helping families make the best choices Newcastle City Council Budget Cuts 2

Newcastle Council want to know if they can save money for example, by sharing their support (less 1:1 support, - more group activities), joining up children and adult services, and/or moving people back to Newcastle. Tell the Council what you think on Tuesday 14th January 2014 at Skills for People, Tankerville Place, , NE2 3AT:

• 1.00pm - 4.00pm for people with Learning Disabilities • 6.00pm - 8.00pm for carers, staff, other professionals

For more information please call Gary or Alex on 0191 478 6472 or email [email protected]

Family Fun Day with Technology

Nexus, Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle City Council and Go Digital Newcastle are holding a family fun day on Saturday 18th January from 12 noon - 3.00pm. It will be held at the Walker Activity Dome, Wharrier Street, Walker. Go along to a technology based fun day for all the family! There will be: • Hands on activities • Learn about IT and how to get

• Public transport surgery the most out of your computer • Free giveaways • Learn more about Pop cards and • Children’s and adult activities smart ticketing • Stalls For more information about this event please call 0191 277 4115. Bus Services: 12, 15, 15A, 18, 39, 40 stop nearby. Asda bus A2 can be used free of charge to and from the event. For more information on buses call 0191 20 20 747.

New Northumberland ASD Parent Support Group

A new support group organised by the Locality Inclusion Support Team (WEST) in Northumberland is open to all parents of pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (diagnosed and undiagnosed) and/or Social Communication Difficulties.

The next group meeting is being held on Wednesday 29th January 2014 from 12.30pm – 3.30pm at The Council Chamber, Prospect House, Hexham, NE46 3NH. (Parking is available at Wentworth Car Park). If you are interested and would like further information or plan to attend, please contact: Kim Graham on 01670 620199 or by email: [email protected]

HemiHelp - Try It Fun Day

The charity HemiHelp, for children and young people with hemiplegia, are holding a “Try it” fun day on Saturday 1st February 2014 at Kenton Park Sports Centre, Anfield Road, North Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LL. A great day out for families living with hemiplegia and their siblings. Children get the chance to try a range of sporting and social activities that they might not usually have the opportunity or the confidence to try, including: a soft play area, a Roller Disco Party, karate, badminton, trampolining, dodgeball, an arts & crafts room, magic tricks with Breathe Magic and a Bouncy Castle!

For more details contact Samantha Lee on 0845 120 3713 or email [email protected] More information is also available on their website: www.hemihelp.org.uk Helping families make the best choices Useful Vision January Activities

Useful Vision helps families with blind or sight impaired children get the most out of life. They run fun activities for children from 0 - 19 across the region, which are free to families registered with them. They welcome children whatever their level of ability or additional needs. Forthcoming activities are:

Tuesday 14th January 2014 - Bounce baby and toddler group. Drop in and enjoy the music and movement session with Piccolo Music or communication through touch and music session. Siblings are welcome too. From 10.30am - 12.30pm at Silksworth Tennis and Wellness Centre, .

Focus on Food - 4 Week Cookery Course, Newcastle. These courses will help visually impaired (VI) children learn new techniques and feel more confident in the kitchen and improve their skills for independent living. Every Monday evening from 4.00pm - 5.30pm.

Saturday 18th January 2014 - Swimming Time! From 3.00pm – 5.00pm at East End Pool Newcastle. Come and join the Useful Vision team for an exclusive pool party with full use of wave machine and flumes. Buffet for families after swim.

Sunday 19th January 2014 - Animation Workshop, from 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.00pm - 3.00pm in Gateshead. Have a go at creating your own cartoons. For VI children aged 7 and over. Expert tuition provided by Animate2Educate.

Saturday 25th January 2014 - Messy Creative Play with Squiggles and Giggles, from 10:30am – 11.30am at .

To register, book a place for an event or for more information please contact Useful Vision on 0845 6048491 or email [email protected] or visit their website: www.usefulvision.org.uk Dimensions January Autism Friendly Screening

Dimensions have organised an autism friendly screening of “Walking with Dinosaurs” (2D, U) at ODEON cinemas on Sunday 12th January 2014 at 11.30am.

Participating cinemas nearby are Metrocentre Gateshead and Silverlink, North Tyneside. Further information is available on their website: www.dimensions-uk.org/what-we-do/autism-care/autism-friendly-screenings/ Disclaimer Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is correct. NSNN cannot accept liability for errors or omissions within it, are not responsible for the quality of services or products referred to, and do not necessarily endorse the views or opinions expressed by other organisations or contributors. Information may become out of date over time. Northeast Special Needs Network Northeast Special Needs Network, • Provides information and support to families Northern Counties Site, with disabled children, from birth to 25 years Tankerville Terrace, • Employs Family Advice Workers who help Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE2 3BB families by giving them practical, targeted support, working across all agencies - Email: [email protected] education, social care, health, leisure, housing Website: www.nsnn.org.uk and services in the voluntary sector Tel: 0191 281 2485 (Main office) Tel: 0191 281 2255 (Advice Line) • Provides training and courses for parents/ carers and professionals Company No: 5944190 Charity No: 1117163

This newsletter was printed, packed and posted by Hextol Greenbox — a Hextol Foundation company aiming to improve the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people through jobs and training. For more information, go to www.hextol.org.uk, call 01434 605253 or email [email protected]