Lancaster House, 140 Mildmay Road, , , CM2 0EB FAMILIES INFOCUS NEWS

Tel: 01245 353575 E m a i l : Winter 2012/2013 [email protected] Supporting families of children with disabilities & W e b s i t e : www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk special needs across Essex Inside this issue: Brett’s Inspired ‘Thomas and Friends Party’

Kidzspace News 2 Brett Shanahan, who is 16 and Activity Club News 2 has Autism, attends the Thriftwood School in Galleywood. Can You Help/Volunteer? 2 He has come up with a fantastic idea for a themed Families Other Club News 2 InFocus party. As a child Brett News from Family Advisers 3 adored Thomas the Tank Engine, Drop-in Sessions 3 spending hours playing with his trains and collecting every game, Working in Partnership 3 DVD, book and memorabilia he Warm Home Discount 3 could find. Here Brett tells us Scheme the inspiration behind his ideas Family Fund Travel 3 for a Thomas and Friends party. Insurance “It all started one night when I was doing my homework and Other News Locally 3 was talking about Families InFocus, that an idea came into my

Personal Independence 4 head. I still enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine and it is very Payment popular with many autistic teenagers and little kids. So I Wipe Away Those Tears 4 thought of a Thomas and Friends themed party. An Charity Support entertainer could be dressed as The Fat Controller and there

Update Draft SEN 4 could be drawing competitions to see who could draw the Provisions best steam train, a conga dance/train and sing along, British themed food, a slide show about the author The Rev W Awdry Forthcoming Events/Talks 5 along with a few episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine (old Helping to Make a 6 and new). So as you can see I don’t care that Thomas is for Difference young kids, I still enjoy it and I am sure that many teenagers Diary Dates Booking Slip 7 & 8 who have autism might still enjoy the series and the books”.

‘Thomas and Friends Themed Party’ PARENTS’ INDULGENCE DAY IN CHELMSFORD Alternative therapists providing a range of Saturday 16th March 2013 treatments for parents of children and young from 3.30 to 5.30pm people with disabilities/special needs at Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, Thursday 14th February 2013 Salerno Way, Chelmsford CM1 2EH Great Baddow Millennium Community Centre, Children will be entertained £2.50 per child Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 9RL All family members welcome Between 10am and 2pm Buffet lunch provided. A crèche will be NEW WAYS TO CONTACT US IN 2013 available but you must book in advance. OUT OF OFFICE HOURS HELPLINE TEL: 01245 353575 This is a very popular event, so book early by Call Monday 5.30 to 8pm to speak to one of our Family filling in the return slip on page 8. Support Advisers. ALSO, CONTACT US FOR SUPPORT VIA E-MAIL Address: Donation discretional. [email protected] Other Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm KIDZSPACE Activities for brothers and sisters (age 8+) of a child with a disability P a g e 2 NEWS or special needs. To join please contact Jo on 01245 353575.

Hi Kids Happy New Year! Kidzspace will start 2013 with lots of fun, so if you haven’t joined already below are the forthcoming events to tempt you. As always last year was very eventful with exciting trips out including ski-ing and tubing at Brentwood Ski Centre; archery and high ropes at Danbury Outdoors; pond dipping and bug hunting at Hanningfield Reservoir; plus meals out to Chiquitos and Izumi, bowling and Chill Out Jo Sapstead, Kidzspace evenings. Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year, but please book early. Jo organiser Friday 25th January Pottery Modelling and Painting 5.30pm to 7.30pm £6.50 The Glazed Look, Chelmsford Thursday 21st February James and the Giant Peach 1.45pm to 4.00pm £6.50 Chelmsford Civic Theatre

Friday 22nd March Roller-skating 6.00pm to 8.00pm £5.00 Madison Heights, Maldon Thursday 11th April (provisional) Surprise! Easter Outing All Day £6.00 Details to be confirmed

You are advised to book early as we only have a limited number of places on most events. To confirm your booking, we require an updated consent form, completion of reply slip returned with payment (postal orders acceptable if no bank account held). Cancellations are non refundable. If you do not have a consent form or details need updating, please contact the office on 01245 353575. We do not wish children to be excluded due to financial difficulty. Please contact us in confidence as there may be a means of providing help.

CAN YOU HELP? VOLUNTEER? Volunteers are needed to help run our successful weekly Saturday activity club and monthly Siblings Support Group. If you are aged 18 or over and have a few hours to spare please contact us to find out more about these exciting opportunities. Contact Karen on 01245 353575 or email [email protected]

Dance classes on Sunday mornings for children/young adults with learning disabilities in Chelmsford (term time)

Hannah Lustig is a qualified dance teacher who is extremely passionate about the class and the pupils she teaches. The class is designed to promote co-ordination, mobility and confidence, and is also good for social interaction and to make new friends. Made up of natural dance movement, rhythmic fun with instruments and some tap dancing, it would suit someone who has danced before or a complete beginner. Anyone is welcome to come along and try the class free of charge, or even come and watch. Please call Hannah on 07952 297859 or email [email protected] to find out more. P a g e Family Support Advisers Working Across Essex 3

We can offer advice, information or receiving enough notice) support on any issues of concern about Help with disability related benefits for the your child including benefits and child/young person and family support educational matters. including: Julie Pat Kent, Neilson, Our support is free and we are able to Disability Living Allowance (child/ adviser adviser for offer help via telephone, face to face, young person) for Braintree Chelmsford & Colchester outreach basis through home visits, New Personal Independence Payment (part) accompanying to meetings and at our (young person 16+) from June 2013 regular drop-ins. Carer’s Allowance Help with educational issues including: Family Fund Support with Statutory Assessment, Other financial support including tax Statementing and Exclusions credits Talking through the issues with you Hilary Popiolek Preparing for and attending appeals and Amanda adviser for Helping complete forms/letters tribunals (both education and benefits Whitehead, Colchester Offering advice on the processes related) adviser for (part) & Basildon, Tendring involved Please contact us in confidence on Brentwood, Being available to accompany you to 01245 353575 or email: Castlepoint, meetings, reviews etc (subject to us Rochford & [email protected] Maldon Come along to our Lancaster House, Every Wednesday in term time 10am to 12 noon drop ins, have a 140 Mildmay Road, Therapist available every 1st Wednesday of the month pamper, a coffee, Chelmsford offering reflexology & massage. tea and a chat. Baptist Church, Coggeshall Every first Thursday of the month 10am to 12 noon. Denise Poole, Pre-school children adviser for welcome Road, Braintree Therapist available offering reflexology & massage. Chelmsford (part) , Epping Please note we will also be holding drop-in sessions during the school holidays on & Tuesday 19th February and Tuesday 2nd and 9th April 2013 10am to 11.30am at Galleywood Heritage Centre in partnership with the Children’s Centre. All welcome WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WARM HOME DISCOUNT SCHEME Is a programme run by the Government and Energy suppliers to provide rebates on gas and electricity bills for people who meet certain criteria and in receipt of either Income Support, Income re- lated Employment Support Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance and if you have a child in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. Check with your energy provider to see if you are eligible.

SCARF (Supporting Carers and Congratulations to InterAct; Reaching Families) Group the Aspire Centre is now For families of children with officially open providing extra disabilities (must have 1 child under facilities and space for young 5 unless parent has a disability). people with disabilities (aged They meet every other Tuesday 13+) to develop their social 12noon to 2pm starting 8th January skills and self-confidence and 2013 at Sydney House Langham Drive, Clacton-on-Sea. Lunch ‘chill-out’ in an easily available for 50p and crèche for accessible, community based under 5’s. Telephone 01255 479386 safe environment. Family Fund Travel Insurance Family Fund have launched a travel insurance product as they know that many families struggle to get appropriate cover for their disabled or seriously ill child when going way on holiday. They have negotiated an insurance package which is reasonably priced and which automatically covers all immediate family, including grandparents and carers, who are part of the travel booking. For more information please go to www.familyfund.org.uk/travelinsurance Personal Independence Payment to replace Disability Living Allowance 16+ P a g e 4

From April 2013, the government will replace those getting the enhanced rate of the mobility Disability Living Allowance for persons aged 16 to 64 component of the PIP will be able to make use of with a new benefit called the Personal Independence the Motability scheme; Payment (PIP). DLA will continue to apply to an award of the daily living component will open children, so long as they are aged under 16. the way for a carer to claim carer’s allowance. When will PIP be introduced? How is the new PIP likely to differ from DLA? April 2013: New claims for people living in the North Each component of PIP will be paid at one of two West and parts of North East of England. rates known as a standard and enhanced rate - June 2013: New claims for the remaining parts of however, DLA care component currently has three Great Britain. There will be no new claims to DLA for rates. people aged 16 to 64. DLA rules allow for people with certain specified October 2013: any renewals or reviews of DLA claims conditions, for example, those who are deaf-blind, to will be reassessed under PIP - this will include where automatically qualify for certain DLA components at a young person has been getting DLA as a child specific rates. Under PIP no-one (other than the and their award is due to be renewed because they terminally ill) will have an automatic entitlement to turn 16. Between 2014 and 2016 all existing DLA DLA. claimants aged 16 or above will be reassessed under All awards will be periodically reviewed - which PIP. means no more indefinite awards. The frequency and How similar is the PIP to DLA? format of reviews will vary depending on a person's The new PIP seems similar to DLA in many ways. It individual needs. will not be means tested, nor based on national Entitlement to the PIP will be based on an insurance contributions and can be paid both in and assessment of the individual’s needs by a health out of work. In addition: professional. Most people will have a face to face it will have two separate components - a mobility consultation as part of their claim. component based on a person's ability to get Where to get more information? around, and a daily living component based on There is a range of information about PIP online, their ability to carry out key activities necessary to www.dwp.gov.uk/pip and www.gov.uk/pip participate in daily life; Please contact us on 01245 353575, if you have any there will be special rules for the terminally ill; concerns and/or would like any help.

Wipe Away Those Tears is an Essex based charity. They raise money from fundraising events during the year to give to families in need of specialist equipment, a much-needed family holiday etc. The criteria is that the disabled child must be between 0-19 and live in Essex. They mainly support families with children with life limiting/life threatening conditions, but will consider any situation. Families which meet the criteria just need to e-mail their story to Gail O’Shea at [email protected] for their consideration. For more information/stories of the families they have supported, see their website www.wipeawaythosetears.org Welcome News:Latest Report of Draft SEN Provisions of the Children & Families Bill

The Select Committee has released its report on the Closer working with post-16 education providers Government’s proposed reform of SEN provision. in the SEN pathfinder projects; It welcomes the overall direction of the proposed Inclusion of independent special schools and legislation, but states the lack of statutory duties on colleges in the list of schools for which parents health services is a significant weakness and that can express a preference in an Education, Health, strengthening these duties is critical to its success. Care Plan; The Committee also calls for: Amendments to ensure existing parents All disabled children and young people, not just entitlements are not eroded; those with SEN, to have access to an integrated The creation of a national framework to inform the education, health and care system; development of each Local Offer and stronger Regulations to stipulate the provision of a key accountability measures for evaluating them; and worker/lead professional to co-ordinate the Parents and young people to play a stronger role assessment process; in the design of Local Offers. Forthcoming events- to book please fill in tear off slip on page 7 & 8 P a g e 5

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opens in the West End “Don’t forget the “Don’t forget (suitable for ages 13 years +). Indulgence Day ‘Thomas and Friends At the Apollo Theatre, London W1 from on Thursday 14th Themed Party’ February 1st March to 25th May 2013. The detective Details on front in Chelmsford and narrator, is 15 year old Christopher page” on Saturday Boone, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. 16th March For more details contact The National Details on front page” Theatre Box Office Tel: 020 7452 3000 or go to www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or www.curiousincidentlondon.com

Back by popular demand, we are delighted to ‘Present’ the following Talks:-

‘Addressing the Strengths and ‘My Life in Education: Challenges of Dyslexia’ an overview of my educational a talk by Ruth Gravelle of Dyslexia Rooms experiences with Aspergers’ at The Pavilion, Essex County Cricket Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford CM2 0PG on th Tuesday 26 February 2013 10.00am to 12.00 noon This talk includes an overview of dyslexia, a talk by Dean Beadle consideration of perception and the identification of at the strengths and challenges, which children and young people with dyslexia face. Ruth offers support Coppins Hall Community Centre, and guidance to parent/carers and discusses a variety Maldon Way, of strategies which can be used to help children with Clacton on sea, CO16 7PA dyslexia. on th ****************************** Thursday 14 March 2013 ‘Understanding Epilepsy’ 10.00am to 12.00 noon a talk by Lisbeth Hardy of Epilepsy Action Dean Beadle is in his early twenties and speaks at about his experiences with Aspergers Syndrome; The Oak Tree Centre, discussing how he developed from a child (Rear of Ormiston Children’s Centre) considered a “monster” to an A-Grade student. 252 Harwich Road, Colchester, CO4 3DH Dean encourages his audiences to see the on condition in a much more positive light, through his humorous and poignant anecdotes. Monday 18th March 2013 10.00am to 12.00 noon

FREE for parents/carers £5 per head for Professionals Contact Karen at Families InFocus (Essex) for more information or to reserve your place phone: 01245 353575 or e-mail [email protected] or complete reply slip on Page 8. Helping to make a difference P a g e 6

Thank you to all our supporters Welcome to Sultana Begum who has A SPECIAL THANK YOU & CONGRATULAIONS TO: recently joined our team of Trustees.

Phil Chambers We are delighted to have you on board. . for not only taking part in the Blackwater Want to influence the way we are run? Charity Triathlon but for nominating us to be The Board of Trustees, which is made up of volunteers, is responsible for overall joint beneficiaries of the management and running of Families InFocus, event, which raised over working closely with Rachel Ellis the CEO. £2,500 for Families Phil still looking fresh! We always welcome new trustees, in particular InFocus (Essex) parents whose families use the services of the Fellow participants: charity, and currently anyone with experience Tamara White - completing in her first ever Sprint of IT, human resources, or social care. If you’re Triathlon and raising £340 interested in becoming a trustee and would like to know more, please contact Rachel Ellis at

Families InFocus on 01245 353575 or email: Leslie Parden - [email protected] completing in his first Would you like to receive future newsletters Triathlon and raising £276 by email and help save us money?

We currently have a print run of over 4,000 VERY WELL DONE and copies a term to parents, schools and THANK YOU ALL professionals. Whilst we are happy to continue Leslie’s smooth pool action to post a hard copy, if preferred, please help us to save money, by opting to receive future Virgin London Marathon copies by email. This will reduce our printing Sunday 21st April 2013 and postage costs and will also reduce the amount of time spent stuffing envelopes! Please pledge your support for Simply send an email to Julie Neilson, Family Support [email protected] or phone Jo Adviser at Families InFocus and Sapstead on 01245 353575. Thank you. Sarah Knowles of InterAct who will If you are taking part in any fundraising be both be running in the London events, please do consider supporting Marathon 2013; raising funds Families InFocus (Essex). jointly for Families InFocus It is easy to make your own free online (Essex) and InterAct, Chelmsford. fundraising page via www.justgiving.com/ FamiliesInFocusEssex Sarah Knowles Family and friends can donate securely via To make a donation, via Julie’s justgiving.com, facebook or text message. justgiving page please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/Julie- New Sponsor of Newsletter Required Neilson2 We are looking for a new sponsor of our termly newsletters. If you can help or know Thank you for your generous of anyone who we can approach please Julie Neilson support contact Rachel on 01245 353575. Thank you

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Families InFocus (Essex). Families InFocus (Essex) is a registered charity no. 1062311 and a limited company registered in England and Wales no. 3287829.

P a g e 7 DIARY DATES - January to April 2013 DATE ACTIVITIES VENUE TIME KIDZSPACE EVENTS (See Page 2) Friday 25th January Pottery Modelling The Glazed Look 5.30pm - and Painting Chelmsford 7.30pm

Thursday 21st February James and the Giant Chelmsford Civic 1.45pm to Peach Theatre 4.00pm Friday 22nd March Roller-skating Madison Heights, 6pm - 8pm Maldon Thursday 11th April (provisional) Surprise Easter To be confirmed All day outing OTHER EVENTS (See Page 3)

Every Wednesday in term time Drop-in sessions. Lancaster House, 10am to 12 Therapist available 1st Coffee, tea and a Chelmsford noon Wednesday chat During School Holidays on Drop-in session. Galleywood Heritage 10am to Tuesday 19th February Activities for Centre 11.30am Tuesday 2nd and 9th April children. Siblings welcome

Every first Thursday of the month Drop-in sessions. Baptist Church, 10am to 12 Therapist available Coffee, tea and a Coggeshall Road, noon chat Braintree Every first Tuesday of the month As above Millhouse Junior 10am to 12 in term time School, Tavistock noon Refreshments available Road, Laindon

PLEASE INDICATE WHICH EVENTS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN: (PLEASE SEE OVERLEAF FOR OTHER EVENTS)

KIDZSPACE (SIBLINGS) EVENTS

I will be coming to Pottery Modelling on Friday 25th January and I enclose ...... (£6.50 per child) I will be coming to James & Giant Peach on Thursday 21st February and I enclose ...... (£6.50 per child) I will be coming to Roller-skating on Friday 22nd March and I enclose £...... (£5 per child) I will be coming to Easter Outing on Thursday 11th April (TBC) and I enclose £...... (£6 per child)

TOTAL PAYMENT FOR KIDZSPACE EVENTS £…………..(include in total overleaf)

Name (s) of child(ren)……………………………………….. Age(s)……………………. …………………...…………...…………......

Please send consent form to ………………………………………………………………………..

Tel No………………………………... DIARY DATES - January to April 2013 P a g e 8

DATE ACTIVITIES VENUE TIME

FAMILY EVENTS

Every Saturday Saturday Activity Club Chelmsford Sport & 3.30pm to (unless advertised) Athletics Centre, Chelmsford 5.30 pm

Saturday 16th March Thomas and Friends Family Chelmsford Sport & 3.30pm to (see front page) Party Athletics Centre, Chelmsford 5.30 pm

PARENTS/CARERS

Thursday 14th February Indulgence Day Great Baddow Millennium 10.00am (see front page) Community Centre, Baddow to 2pm Road, Chelmsford CM2 9RL

Tuesday 26th February Talk ‘Addressing the The Pavillion, Essex County 10.00am (see page 5) Strengths and Challenges Cricket Ground, New Writtle To 12 noon of Dyslexia’ Street, Chelmsford CM2 0PG

Thursday 14th March Talk ‘My Life in Education: Coppins Hall Community 10.00am (see page 5) an overview of Dean’s Centre, Maldon Way, Clacton- to 12 noon educational experiences on-Sea CO16 7PA with Aspergers’

Monday 18th March Talk ‘Understanding The Oak Tree Centre, 10.00am (see page 5) Epilepsy’ (Rear of Ormiston Children’s to 12 noon Centre), 252 Harwich Road, Colchester CO4 3DH

PLEASE INDICATE WHICH EVENTS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN: (PLEASE SEE OVERLEAF FOR OTHER EVENTS)

Name (s)…………………………….... Email:………………………….....…………………… Tel No………......

FAMILY EVENTS

Thomas & Friends Party on Saturday 16th March. No of Adults...... No of Children...... (ages ...... ) Payment enclosed £...... (£2.50 per child) Indulgence Day on Thursday 14th February

I wish to secure …. ...place(s) (any donation at your discretion) £……… enclosed (if applicable)

I would like to book ...... Crèche place(s) Name of child(ren)...... Age(s)......

TALKS ‘Strengths & Challenges of Dyslexia’ on Tuesday 26th February. I wish to secure ……… place(s) ‘My Life in Education: experiences with Aspergers’ on Thursday 14th March. I wish to secure ……… place(s)

‘Understanding Epilepsy’ on Monday 18th March. I wish to secure ……… place(s)

TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED (KIDZSPACE/FAMILY/PARENT EVENTS/OTHER) £......