Impact On You West Berkshire Parent Carer Forum Newsletter
Welcome to the Summer Newsletter!
Schools Out For Summer! Yay. Well, that's what the children think at least. If you are looking for inspiration, and for lots of fun things for your SEN child to do this summer, our newsletter is packed full of fun events that will be happening over the break. We hope you all have a wonderul summer holidays, and be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook Page for regular updates.
Happy Holidays!
Who are We and What do We Do?
We are a friendly group of parent carers who have children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25 years.
We support and train parent carers to enable them to have input and be involved with shaping services alongside the professionals who provide health, education, adult and social services.
Our shared mission is to improve and enhance the experiences and opportunities of children and young people with additional needs
We do this by enabling parents and carers to be heard and be at the heart of decisions about development and delivery of services in West Berkshire
We represent the views of the collective community and not as an individual voice as the role of the forum is not to advocate for individual families but will signpost to specialist services.
The views of parents and carers in the local area are represented by ourr steering group members who are parents and carers who have children with a variety of disabilities and/ or special educational needs.
If you would like to be a Parent Representative for the Forum, or come along to one of our Steering Group Meetings to see what we do, please do call Fiona on 07860 942280, or email fionaworby@roseroad.org.uk and I will be more than happy to chat with you about the brilliant work we get involved in.
3D's Dyslexia Dypraxia & Dyscalculia Workshop
We recently had our 3D's workshop with Jacqui Flesher who gave us a very interesting talk about Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia. There was lots of lively discussions and we all went away a lot more informed about these complicated subjects.
We will be holding different workshops in the Autumn term, and we will keep Facebook updated, so please do 'Like' the Facebook Page. ;You can link to it by clicking HERE.
Friday 10th Aug – 10.15am to 1.15pm
We will be at The Five A Day Market, Englefield for a morning of
outside activities, pond dipping, planting, willow craft.
Wed 15th Aug – 10am to 4.30pm
Day trip to PGL Liddington, for abseiling, crate stacking and zip wiring.
Mon 20th Aug – 11am to 1.30pm
Ifly session at Basingstoke for indoor sky diving.
Thu 30th Aug – 10am to 4pm
Dinton Activity Centre for a day of pond dipping and climbing.
For more information on these activities, please contact Helen on
07887 871112 or helen@palsweb.org.uk
Due to the popularity of our Animal Ranger Club Days, these days will be now be running throughout the Schools Hols on the dates below.
Children will be able to come along and get hands on involved with all the animals on site.
Grooming, exercising, feeding, petting, cleaning and learning a little about each animal and its needs.
We have lots of animals big and small, Pigs, Llamas, Alpacas, Goats, Chickens, Ducks, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Gerbals, Rats, Snakes, Reptiles, Chinchillas, Stick Insects, Spider, Dog.
Fun educational days for young children who love animals. Make new friends, learn and have a great time.
Tuesday 31st July - Friday 31st August
Suitable for children age 7 years - 16 years
Cost £28.00 per child per day
Weekly - £99.00 a week Tuesday - Friday
Places are limited we work with very small groups per day.
Don't miss this Great Opportunity to be an Animal Ranger and work with our animals big and small and get to hold our stunning aray of reptiles and snakes.
Children need to bring a packed lunch,snacks and dress in layers. Wellies need to be worn with a change of clothes and footwear.
Please note we work with small groups of children and the dates get booked up very quickly, so don't be disappointed, book now.
(Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service)
What we do
The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service for West Berkshire provides:
free and confidential service, provided independently from education, health and care providers
Impartial information, advice and support relating to special educational needs and disability (SEND)
Advice and support from independently trained Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service staff
Support through the statutory processes relating to Statements of Special Educational Needs and the new Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment and planning
Information and practical support to find the answers to your questions in relation to education, social care and health services
Who we can help
We can provide information, advice and support to:
Parents or carers of a child or young person (aged 0-25) with a disability and/or special educational needs
Parents or carers who are worried that their child or young person may have a disability or special educational needs;
If your child has questions, we can help them too
Young people aged 16-25 who have a disability and/or special educational needs
Our service is for people who live in West Berkshire. If you don’t live in West Berkshire, but need support, we can put you in touch with your local IAS Service.
How we can help
We aim to provide you with help that is right for you. We can help by
Listening to your views and concerns
Helping you feel more confident to express your views
Explaining your options, rights and responsibilities
Help in preparing for meetings and/or attending meetings with you;
Answering your questions about Statements of Special Educational Needs and Educational Health and Care (EHC) Plans;
Supporting you through a needs assessment or review
Support to resolve disagreements
Developing networks and links locally to provide solutions to your individual queries
Advice for passengers or their carers with hidden disabilities travelling through Gatwick
Airport journeys can be stressful for many people, especially if you are unsure of what to expect on the day. Here you can find advice to help parents and carers who are travelling with children and vulnerable adults whose difficulties may not be immediately apparent to our staff.
Hidden disabilities
We are working with a number of charities to identify how we can improve the airport experience for our vulnerable passengers who may not want to share details of their hidden disabilities.
If this applies to you or someone you're travelling with, we can offer you a special lanyard to wear on your journey through our airport.
If you are wearing the lanyard, staff should recognise it and understand that you have a hidden disability and that you may need a little extra help or time. However, they will not know what your particular disability is, or what challenges and issues you may face. If you have specific requirements, please ask a member of staff for help.
To pick up a lanyard at Gatwick, please go to one of our Assistance Reception areas. We will be happy to give you a lanyard, even if you haven't requested or need special assistance.
Facilities for the hard of hearing and partially sighted
Induction loops are available where there are signs showing the 'sympathetic ear' symbol. The airport directional signs use black text on a yellow background, for maximum visibility. Guide and hearing dogs are the only dogs allowed in the terminal buildings.
Autism spectrum disorder
The National Autistic Society has some helpful advice on what to do if you're travelling with children or adults with autism. We also produce an autism friendly visual guide to travelling through Gatwick Airport which will help familiarise you with what to expect at the airport in advance of your holiday.
Young people with ADHD
Children and young people with ADHD are very susceptible to anxiety and find any change to their normal daily routine potentially stressful. We recommend that you take time to prepare your child for the journey in advance and bring lots of activities to keep them busy at the airport and on the plane.
Getting familiar with the airport
While we do not offer specific tours, sometimes visiting the airport in advance of your trip can help, especially with young children. You will be able to familiarise yourselves with the airport layout and check-in areas.
Happy Days / HD Gamers Den - Summer Days £5 per person
•HD Gamers Den Evening: Tuesday 31st July = Bowling 4-6pm
•Both Groups: Wednesday 1st August = Steam Train Museum 10-4pm
•HD Gamers Den Day: Tuesday 14th August = Games & Craft afternoon 2-6pm
•Both Groups: Wednesday 15th August = Gullivers Kingdom 9am-5pm
•Steam museum and Gullivers Kingdom are for both groups 5-18 years old you can bring siblings and other family members - prices are £5 per person this is a flat rate for adults and children and has been part funded by the fundraising over the last year.
Gullivers Kingdom includes a coach to and from Mary Hare to the venue in Milton Keynes. Gullivers kingdom is a theme park designed for children aged 2-13years it has smaller rides that will be fun for the little ones and enough for the older ones to explore again and again!
•Bowling and games afternoons are only for the HD Gamers Den group 11-18 years you can bring siblings and other family members - prices are £5 per person this is a flat rate for adults and children.
•You will need to buy one ticket per person attending the events.
Are you, or is someone you know, providing much-needed care for a loved one?
Get free access to a range of support and services – right when you need it most.
Call us: 0118 324 7333
Carers Trust provides timely, personalised information and support via the Reading & West Berkshire Carers Hub to make caring for a loved one easier.
The Carers Hub can offer:
Information, advice and guidance
Signposting to other organisations
Short break accommodation
Access to Carers support groups
Free health and well-being memberships
Access to Carers breaks
Free training and caring support
Carers Smart’ benefits and discounts
Carers grants
Peer support
Are you wondering if you are a Carer?
You may not see yourself as one, but if you are looking after someone – whether it be an adult or child – who fits one or more of the example descriptions below, then you are a Carer.
They:
are elderly and frail
are physically disabled
have a learning disability
have mental health problems
have a history of substance misuse
have a long term health condition
have a sensory impairment
There is a range of support available to you, which will help you look after yourself as well as the loved one you care for. Carers Trust provides a range of support and services which can be accessed via the Carers Hub – funded by: Reading Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, North & West Reading CCG
South Reading CCG, Newbury & District CCG.
Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub runs a friendly support group for carers in West Berkshire, which meets on the First Wednesday of each month. All carers welcome.
Please call 0118 3247333 if you would like any further information about the group.
WHERE: Pangbourne Small Village Hall, RG8 7DY
COST: Free
CONTACT: Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub 0118 324 7333
The Local offer sets out provision which is available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aged 0 to 25, including education, health and social care services.
Where you see the green West Berkshire Local Offer flag, on the top, right corner of a record in this directory, you will know that the service or provider has submitted information on what they can offer a child or young person who has SEND. This is known as their Local Offer. Please do take a look, there are providers of a range of services which may be useful to you.
