AIMING HIGH Activity programme for disabled children in Stoke on Trent July – September 2017 By welcoming you to our summer activity programme We have arranged some exciting and fun activities for this summer working alongside some amazing organisations in Stoke on Trent. Throughout the summer we have activities to suit all abilities from trips out including Blists Hill, Conkers and Warrington Sensory Centre plus our popular Trampolining, drama and dance sessions and so much more. You can find out more about what’s in store from page 15. We aim to help children live their life, their way. For disabled children, that means doing whatever it takes to make life better – from celebrating the small steps to making a long-term plan for adulthood. We provide short breaks for children and their carers – a chance for everyone to take time out and enjoy new experiences. Through our national campaigning and advocacy work, we listen to what children want, act on their behalf and make their voice louder. We know summer can be a stressful time which is why you’ll notice we have more activities in this period than in winter. To make it fair for everyone we are limiting the number of additional activities you can book initially to six. If you want more we can call you later in the month. If you have any questions, as always please get in touch. We look forward to seeing you very soon. With our best wishes, The Aiming High Team at Action for Children How to book: 1. If you haven’t already, register your child with Aiming High by emailing us on [email protected]. 2. To book your core offer activities all you need to do is call us on 01782 683129 (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm) or email the address above between 1st and 10th of the month. You need to call us each month to book activities for the following month. As part of your core offer you need to tell us what you’d like your child to take part in. We’ll let you know we have your choices and we’ll confirm whether your child has a place. If you’d like to book further activities, please get in touch after the 10th of the month and we will tell you about the contributions you need to pay for or see page 4 for contribution rates. By answering your questions How many free activities can I book? I can’t get through on the booking You can book one activity for July line, how else can I book? school term time, three activities for Email web.stokeontrent@ the summer holidays and one activity actionforchildren.org.uk and don’t for September school term time. forget to give as many preferences as you would like, please email your core How many additional can I book? offer choices between 1st and 10th of Initially families can pay for six activities month and additional activities between in the summer holiday and we will let you 11th and 15th of month. A confirmation know if there are any more available later letter will be sent to you. Please note we in July. If you’d like to book your child on are only able to process emails during more activities, there will be a contribution 9am-5pm, after this time, your email will By informing you of the to pay - £5 for up to three hours, £6.50 for be looked at the next working day. up to five hours and £7.50 for five hours with transport from a central meeting I forgot to call or email important information point, £7 for a family activity. within the booking period, can we still take part? Are the activities booked on a and our policies Don’t worry, give us a call and we’ll see first come first served basis? what we can do. Please be aware your We don’t allocate activities like this. All preference might have gone but we’ll tell you need to do is give a few choices and you what’s available. we’ll look at your child’s activity history so that activities can be allocated fairly, and Is the activity suitable for my child? Non-attendance Zero tolerance all children can access the opportunities. Next to each activity we have symbols You must give us 24 hour’s notice (we We take a zero tolerance approach to give you more information. The age often have people on waiting lists, so to bullying, harassment and abuse – How do I pay for activities given tends to be a guide only, apart we will be able to offer the place to physical or verbal. Anyone who abuses and transport? from the team at Children and Families another child). Action for Children staff or volunteers You can pay by: Staffordshire who can only accept may put at risk access to the service for children under 12 years-old. If you’d If you fail to attend three sessions, them and their family members. ɮ Send a cheque to our office – like clarification do give us a call. without informing us beforehand, in three made payable to Action for Children months, the offer of future places may Comments or complaints be withheld. We understand that there My child lives in Staffordshire, We take comments and complaints ɮ Pay with cash or card at the office are exceptional times when you are not can we attend? seriously at Action for Children, they help able to attend without giving notice, (we are open 9am-5pm, us do what’s right, what’s needed and Yes. Stoke and Staffordshire children for example emergency appointments Monday – Friday). Suite 31 Dudson what works for children. The member of are eligible to book onto activities, and your child being ill. Please inform us Centre, Hope Street, Hanley ST15DD. staff you are speaking with will follow however Stoke children have priority. within 48 hours of the activity before a procedure. You can always contact ɮ Send a postal order to Please call to book in the usual way if your child’s non-attendance is recorded. you live in Staffordshire. our customer service team by calling the office address. Non payment 0800 328 7822 or email complaints@ Will you provide transport? actionforchildren.org.uk. ɮ Call us on 01782 683129 and pay Above and beyond your core offer over the phone by credit or debit card. If you feel transport is a barrier to your entitlements, there’s the opportunity child accessing an activity, please give to book further activities at a cost. When should I pay by? us a call to discuss this. Following the Transport is also an extra cost and is Either at the time of booking or by the discussion if transport is required a not provided free of charge. All extra end of the month the charges relate to. £7.00 charge may be implemented. activities and transport must be paid for by the end of each month, we will confirm I have a concern or a the full cost at the time of booking. If you suggestion, what do I do? need to discuss any concerns regarding We’d love to hear from you, give us a call payment call the service coordinator on or send an email and we’ll get back to you. 01782 683129. 4 5 By filling you in with our news and updates By listening to what you say Thank you to everyone that has taken part in our survey, Action for Children is always interested to hear we very much value your comments to try and develop a programme that meets your needs and your enjoyment. your views and we aim to include as many new We will publish the survey results in the next brochure. activities into the programme as possible. We know summer can be a stressful time which is why you’ll notice we have more activities in this period than in winter. Please let us know your thoughts about the programme by calling us on To make it fair for everyone we are limiting the number of 01782 683129 or email us on [email protected]. additional activities you can book initially to six. If you want more we can call you later in the month. We always want to get the views of children and young people. We hold young people’s forum meetings – if your children would like to attend these please Keep an eye out for our monthly newsletter email that tells keep an eye out for the updates we send by post and our emails. you which activity has spaces and any important information. Stoke City Community Trust The club isn’t able to put on any stadium tours during the summer due to work taking place in the stadium. We hope to be able to offer tours in September, watch out for email/ newsletters. The work they are having done will make a huge difference to disabled supporters as wheelchair areas are going to be increased with a much improved view of the game. They also putting in a full changing area including a toilet with shower and hoist. The club also plans to deliver food orders to these areas. Reminder Action for Children may have the opportunity to take part Please make on Stoke City Community Trust soccer camps as part of the sure that programme. At present this is just for physically able young children bring a people who don’t need much support but we are working with drink with them the team at the Trust to see how we can offer this opportunity to the activities.