LOCAL NEWS

Young People's Health Check Parent Focus Group 
27^th February 10.00 to 12.00, The Lovell Room, United Reform Church, Widmore Road, Bromley, BR1 1RY
Email info@bromleyparentvoice.org.uk to secure your place

Do you have a young person aged 14 or over who:

1. Has a learning disability or physical disability
2. Has difficulty with social interaction or communication
3. These have been present since birth

Research shows that people with learning and physical disabilities face health inequalities with many suffering treatable conditions. NHS England are trying to change this with a programme of annual health checks. People with a learning or physical disability can register with their GP for these annual checks.

Bromley Parent Voice need your help to look at ways to promote this initiative with families across the UK. We are supporting the charity Contact to develop materials to help inform families and GPs about the health checks.

Even if your child or young person is in regular contact with medical teams/consultants they are eligible to access an annual health check.

We are hosting a focus group with the theme of Learning Disabled Health Checks and need your help.  BPV have invited some GPs, health commissioners and other health partners to join us.

Please come along and help us co-design the materials, learn more about the health checks and use the opportunity to meet with health partners.  Do get in contact if you are uncertain about the eligibility.

Friends of Phoenix Centre Vacancies
The Friends of the Phoenix is a long-established, registered charity who support pre-school children with disabilities and additional needs within the Pre-School Specialist Support and Disability Service. The charity has always been parent-led, supported by colleagues and staff from services across the Phoenix Centre.
  
Positions available:  Chair, vice-chair, secretary, trustees, treasurer, committee members.

Please click on the LINK for further information about the Friends of Phoenix vacancies.

NATIONAL NEWS

Right from the Start project
Ambitious about Autism is starting an exciting new project called Right from the Start, exploring access to support in the early years, including early intervention, for families with young autistic children. 
 
Please find below the parent and carer survey in conjunction with the University of Warwick on the experiences of families of children aged 0-6 years old with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of autism.

• 1st Wednesday – Sanctuary Café, Orpington Baptist Church, Station Road, Orpington, BR6 0RZ
• 2nd Wednesday, Costa Coffee, 1a Colman House High Street Penge London SE20 7EX  
• 3rd Wednesday – CORZA, 111 – 113 High Street West Wickham BR4 0L
• 4th Wednesday – The Chancery, 90 Bromley Road, Beckenham, BR3 5NP

Please see attached leaflet or click here to register Any queries please email Alex Johnson at info@advocacyandsupport.co.uk

UCL (University College London) Research Project 'Social Skills in Autistic Teenagers'
University College London are studying how teenagers with autism can sometimes mask their behaviours which can lead to a later diagnosis and prevent them and their families from getting the support they need.

The Researches are interested in interviewing young people & their families. All those who take part, will be entered into a prize draw for an Amazon voucher. The research study has been approved by Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Please contact Aaron Wiener-Blotner ucjuwie@ucl.ac.uk or Laura Hull laura.hull.14@ucl.ac.uk for further information. 

Easter Arctic Circle Expedition to raise funds for National Autistic Society
A 2nd year University of Loughborough International Business student, Jack Furbank, will be participating in a dog sledding Arctic Circle Expedition to raise funds for the National Autistic Society.
Please donate generously to this wonderful cause by clicking HERE