Impact On You

West Berkshire Parent Voice Newsletter

Welcome to West Berkshire Parent Voice's Newsletter! We hope you find it informative, and would love to hear what you think of it. Let us know Here

Hi, Welcome to the last Newsletter of the year. We have a new website, www.westberksparentvoice.org.uk, and would love to hear your opinions about it, does it work on your phones laptops and computers ok? Do you like the layout, does the font read well?, or is there anything you think should look different or say differently on it? We welcome any comments you have, as it important it is a co-produced site., So please do let me know at fiona.worby@westberksparentvoice.org.uk

I hope you all have a wonderful and not too stressful time over the festive period, and look forward to 2016.! Have a Happy Christmas and fantastic New Year. See you in January!

You have received this email because you kindly gave us your email address, and so automatically became part of West Berks Parent Voice. Please share this email with anybody you know with a child or young person who has Special Needs, everybody is welcome, and every Special Need is important. The bigger we are, the stronger we become!

Contact me by Phone on 07860 942280 or via email at: fiona.worby@westberksparentvoice.org.uk

I look forward to hearing from you, and hope you find the newsletter useful.

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Dad's and Male Carers Meet Up's

Come and have a drink and a chat at the Hatchet Pub in Newbury. It will be great to see you, and for you all to be able to meet other guy's in a similar position.

No need to book, just turn up. The dates for for 2016 are

January 13th 7.00 - 9.00pm
February 17th 7.00 - 9.00pm
March 16th 7.00 - 9.00pm

If you have any queries, just call Fiona on 07860 942280

See you there!

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New Coffee Morning Dates For Your Diaries!

Come along to one of our coffee mornings, meet other parents, and have a chat about the services in West Berkshire, and what we can do to improve them, and enjoy a cuppa.It will be great to get together!

Wednesday13th January - The Cafe, Northcroft Leisure Centre 9.30 - 11.30am
Wednesday 20th January - Sainsburys Cafe, Calcot, 9.30 - 11.30am
Wednesday 10th February - Costa's Thatcham High Street 9.30 -11.30am
Wednesday 16th March - The Cafe, Northcroft Leisure Centre 9.30-11.30am

If you have any queries, or would like me to hold a coffee morning near you, please do contact me (Fiona) on 07860 942280.

See you there!

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* Time out for Autism (ASD) (in Calcot)

Current programme:	A 5 week course starting Monday 22nd February 2016
Next programme:
Time:	10am - 12pm
Cost:	Course is Free (£10 for course handbook)
Venue:	Calcot Children’s Centre, Curtis Road, Calcot. RG31 4XG

Course details

A five week course for parents of children on the Autistic Spectrum. A parent to parent approach.

Key themes:

Understanding ASD
Communication
Social interaction
How to handle repetitive activities
Special skills and interest
Sensory sensitivities
ASD behaviour & management
Principles of behaviour management
Anxiety and how to manage it
Understanding and managing behaviour

This course is for parent/carers who live in the West Berkshire Council area.
Please click here for more information.

or via: http://bit.ly/PSCTOASD-WestBerks-Feb2015

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Happy Days Club

Happy Days runs on the second Monday of each month during term time, and during some holidays for special events. It is for children aged 5 – 10 years on the Autistic Spectrum, along with their siblings and parents. Costs per session are £2.50 per child. Parents free.
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Contact Kiri-Lynn Gardner for more details on 07940 100654 or email K.gardner@maryhare.org.uk

Happy Days Gamers Den

Does your young person love gaming, then get them along to the Happy Days Gamers Den, specifically for young people aged 11 -18 years, and is a gaming club for young people with autism, deafness or additional needs
Contact Kiri-Lynn Gardner for more details on 07940 100654 or email K.gardner@maryhare.org.uk

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Family Fund - Their Mission

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children, helping 72,043 families last year with over £33 million of grants and services.

They believe that all families raising disabled and seriously ill children should have the same opportunities as others. Beginning with the most vulnerable, those on low incomes, and considering all conditions against our disability criteria, they aim to make a difference to outcomes for children with disabilities or serious illnesses and the lives of the families raising them across the UK.

They provide grants for a wide range of items, such as washing machines, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment, clothing and computers. It can be a struggle financially, emotionally and physically for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, and these grants help break down many of the barriers families face, improving their quality of life and easing the additional daily pressures.

To find out more, please click on the following link - Family Fund

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Welcome to Camp Mohawk

A place for children and young people with special needs.

Camp Mohawk is a multi-functional day centre for children with special needs and their families, set in 5 acres of beautiful countryside, just outside Wargrave, Berkshire. Throughout the year the centre provides a range of activities, facilities and natural space to encourage children with a variety of special needs to play, socialise and learn in a secure and caring environment.

If you are interested in registering with us to use our facilities, either as a family or as a group, please click HERE to visit our registration page and follow the instructions within.

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Events Coming Up:

Lego Club - Woolhampton
Saturday 19th December 2015 9.30 - 11.30am
The Village Hall, Bath Road, Woolhampton, RG7 5RE,
BAS Member £2.50
Non-Member £3.50

An Introduction to Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Tuesday 5th January 2016
10.00 - 13.30
BAS Office, Unit 7, Richfield Place RG1 8EQ
Parent Member £20.00 pp
Professional Member £25.00 pp

Non Parent Member £30.00pp
Non Professional Member £45.00pp

For more information about these and other events, please visit the BAS website HERE

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Swings and Smiles

Events that are coming up for 2015/2016

Siblings Party - Friday 18th December Free Entry

Christmas Party - Saturday 19th December 10 -12pm. £7.50 per family

Extra Holiday Opening Times -
Monday 21st December 9.30 - 11.30am
Tuesday 22nd and Tuesday 29th December 1.30 - 3.30pm Den and Soft Play Only £5.00 per family.

Sensory Sundays - Sunday 3rd and Sunday 17th January 10 -12.pm £5.00 per family

Barista - Tuesday 12th and Thursday 28th January 9.30 -
11.00am - Donations welcome

Hartbeeps - Second Monday of the month and Saturday 16th January, Sunday 20th March, Sunday 15th May - within the usual session, usual session charge applies.

Interakt (Drama, music movement and craft) - Taster Session 24th January
6 Week Course Starts 6th February - 12th March.
Under 8's 10.30 - 11.15 - Over 8's 11.30 -12.15 £50.00 per child

NEW LEGO CLUB!

Last Thursday of the month. First one 28th January. 4.30pm - 6.00pm Over 8's.

Our standard opening times are Monday mornings, 9.30-11.30am; Wednesdays and Fridays 3-7pm; Saturday 10-4pm; 1st and 3rd Sunday 10-12pm.

For more information also see our website www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk

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Parent Participation

Parent Participation is when parents and carers get involved in service planning and decision making so that services meet the needs of families with children & young people with disabilities and additional needs so resources are not wasted on services which parents and families do not take up.

Effective parent participation happens when parents have conversations with and work alongside professionals, in order to design, develop and improve services.

Working with parents and carers helps professionals to understand what needs to happen to develop services that meet families’ needs and also helps parents and carers understand the complexity involved and the challenges faced by the professionals who have to bring about that change. Working together and sharing knowledge enables parents and professionals to find solutions that work.

West Berkshire Parent Voice want to encourage Parent Participation, and would like to hear from any Parent/Carer who has interest in improving local services. If you want to have a say in improving things, please click on the link below.

Tell me more about Parent Participation

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Our mailing address is:
West Berkshire Parent Voice, Frank Sorrel Centre, Prince Albert Road, Southsea, Hampshire. PO4 9HR

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