aiming high for disabled children
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter / magazine for families of disabled children and young people in Sefton, a borough in Merseyside, United KingdomTRANSCRIPT
for Disabled ChildrenIssue 9, Autumn 2012
People Directorate
w w w. m o v e i t s e f t o n . c o . u k
Aiming HighAiming High
A fine mess for this Shipmate at a Pirate themed fun day this summer. Find out more on Page 9
Please take time to complete the evaluation questionnaire for this newsletter on Pages 11 and 12. You can also complete it online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XVKJ2BX
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Disabled Children’s Information and Database(0-18 years)
Please complete the following information and return it to the address (right) and theDatabase Coordinator will contact you.
Child’s Name:
Date of Birth:
Parent/Carer Name:
Relationship to child:
Family Address:
Telephone:
Primary diagnosis:
Signature: Date:
Sefton’s DisabledChildren’sInformation andDatabaseThe Good Shepherd Site Sterrix Lane, Litherland. L21 0DA.Tel: 0151 934 3853Email: [email protected]: www.sefton.gov.uk/dcr Database CoordinatorChristine BatesDatabase AdministratorGlenda Foley
Are you registered with the Disabled Children’sInformation and Database?The Disabled Children’s Informationand Database aims to provideparents with information both locallyand nationally for families andchildren who may require specialistas well as mainstream services.Alongside this is an opportunity toidentify services that could make adifference so they can be bestdeveloped for the future.The database can include childrenwith:• Developmental delay• Physical disability• Chronic illness / medical condition• Moderate to severe learningdisability
• Hearing impairment / visualimpairment
• Communication difficulties
What’s in it for my child and me?
A regular newsletter sent direct toyour home giving information aboutservices, events, benefits andsupport available locally andnationally.As the register is voluntary, you mayhave been given a copy of thisnewsletter by a third party whothought it would benefit you.There is a referral form below. Onceyou have returned the referral form(or you can call the DisabledChildren’s Information and Databaseon 0151 934 3853), you will becontacted to arrange a home visit tocomplete a data collection form.Christine BatesDatabase Coordinator
Welcome to the Autumn 2012 edition ofAiming High for Disabled Children.As you can see we've all been busyhaving fabulous short breaks over thesummer, through the Paralympics andgreat summer programme. We've hadsome lovely feedback from those whoattended the activities for children,teenagers and families through thesummer programme and the NationalCitizen Scheme. This edition is full of useful tips, activitiesand support for families, which we hopeyou find helpful. We're also reviewing the newsletter tomake sure it's providing the right type ofinformation and is being shared in theways that are best for you. Please try tocomplete the questionnaire on Pages 11and 12 of this newsletter to support us indoing this. We will be contacting parents re DCATCHsoon too, to review how we best supportthose wanting to get back to work. I hope you all enjoy this edition, please letus know if there is anything else youwould like to be included in future issues. Kind Regards, Jacqui Kerr, Manager, Early Intervention and Prevention (11+),Sefton Council
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The Disabled Persons RailcardIf you have a disability that makestravelling by train difficult youmight qualify for the DisabledPersons Railcard. The Railcardallows you - and one adulttravelling with you - to get 1/3 offmost rail fares throughout GreatBritain. For 5-15 year olds theyreceive the usual child fare whilethe adult travelling with themreceives the same discount as theDisabled Persons Railcard.
A one-year card is £20 while athree-year Railcard is also availablefor £54.You must provide proof that you areeligible for a Railcard. The DisabledPersons Railcard application formgives details of the evidence youmust send in and is available at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk You can use your Railcard at anytime of the day but please checkbefore you book as some tickets aresubject to availability and may havetime restrictions.
T.E.A.Mwork for Callum!Teamwork between a localfundraising charity and a bravemother and her son meant a shinysilver lining on a very big cloud. T.E.A.M (Together EveryoneAchieves More) fundraising trustpledged £600 to provide a muchneeded break for Joanne andCallum Peace, including a week of 5star luxury at a spar resort nearPreston over the summer. Joanne, who has epilepsy,
provides round the clock care forher son Callum, who was bornwith a heart defect and alsosuffers with epilepsy. Brave twoyear old Callum has enduredmuch in his short life, includingnumerous near-death experiencesand open heart surgery at AlderHey Children’s Hospital, where hespent 8 months as a patient. To find out more about T.E.A.M visitwww.teamfundraising.org.uk
People who stay in theirown wheelchair for a rail
journeyIf you need to stay in your ownwheel-chair during a journey andyou do not have a Railcard, you areeligible for the concessionarydiscounts. For more information visitwww.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk call 0845 605 0525or email [email protected] you can textphone /minicom 0845 601 0132.
DCATCH: Position Statement, September 2012Disabled Children’s Access toChildcare (DCATCH) supports parents/carers of disabled children (aged 0-19yrs) to access childcare to allowthem to work, attend training/education or undertake voluntary work.The DCATCH programme in Sefton isboth highly successful and valued byfamilies and, as a consequence,demand for its services has grownrapidly. However, this now presentsthe challenge of how to continue tomeet the expectations of familieswhilst operating on a reduced budget.As a result, it has been decided thatwhist we are reviewing the optionsopen to the DCATCH programme andseeking solutions to make it moresustainable in the future, we will notbe accepting new referrals for fundingat present.
All current recipients of DCATCHfunding will be unaffected by thisdecision.During this period, we will be consultingfamilies and childcare providers withregard to options for the future andwould ask all interested parties to sharetheir thoughts and take part. TheDCATCH webpage will be shortly beupdated with further information, or theteam can be contacted directly on thenumber below.We hope to be in a position tocommunicate the results of thisconsultation and future direction ofthe DCATCH programme byFebruary 2013.The DCATCH Team are still availablefor advice support and guidance tofamilies and childcare settings. If you
have any queries please do nothesitate to contact them on 01704 882036 or by email [email protected] useful contacts numbersinclude:Sefton Welfare Rights 0151 934 3660Sefton Carers Centre 0151 288 6060Sefton Family Information Service0800 0197 219More general information on childcaresupport can be found online at:www.direct.gov.ukOlive Carey, Head of EarlyIntervention and Prevention, Sefton Council
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Speech Therapy Services It has been noted that waiting lists forspeech and language therapy servicesin North Sefton are unusually long.Liverpool Community Health haverecently appointed 2 new full timespeech therapists to enable the
reduction of those times. It will still be 2months before all health checks and anotice period is given. For moreinformation, contact Christine on 0151 934 3853 or by email:[email protected]
Sefton Parent Partnership is animpartial service that supports parents/ carers of children with specialeducational needs and disabilities.Referrals are accepted via anybodyworking with the child / familyproviding that the family are happy tobe referred, for example, by schools,GPs and health visitors, socialworkers, LEA staff etc. Families canalso be self-referred.The Parent Partnership offers coursesfor parents who have children withADHD (attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder) and or an autistic spectrumdisorder (ASD) and can link parentswith other families who have childrenwith similar needs via the parentgroups that run on the second Fridayof the month.Please contact Sefton ParentPartnership for more details on 0151291 0551.
Sefton ParentPartnership
Tourettes Action is the UK’s leadingsupport and research charity forpeople with Tourettes syndrome (TS)and their families. They look to helpthose with TS lead full lives bygaining practical support and socialacceptance. Through Michelle Kelly, their GroupsSupport Officer, they will be looking toestablish a support group in the NorthWest and are keen to receive anyexpressions of interest. Also, Michellewants the gage the level of interest ina proposed drumming workshop inLiverpool for kids with TS.Tourettes Action has an online forumwhere parents of children with TS oradults with the condition can talk toprofessionals and each other. To find out more contact the TourettesAction help-line on 0300 777 8427 or visit:www.tourettes.action.org.uk
Springbrook Children's Home in Ainsdale recently receivedthis lovely letter from a young person in their care
Transitions Day9th November, Crosby Lakeside Adventure CentreSefton Transition Service alongsidethe Learning Disability PartnershipBoard are having a day aroundtransitions and have invited youngadults from Thornton College andArden College to participate on theday. Person centred planning toolswill be used to glean information
from the young adults as theirviews, wishes and feeling can helpinform services for the future.For more information on theLearning Disability PartnershipBoard and the work they do you canaccess their websitehttp://sefton.ldpb.info
TourettesAction
Zero-rate VAT on goods, services andvehicles for disabled people
If you have a long-term illness or you'redisabled, you might not have to pay VATon certain goods and services that youbuy or bring into the UK, as well asbuilding work that you have done. To findout if you qualify and what VAT savingyou qualify for, visit: http://bit.ly/i6x6Bp
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Creative Alternatives is Sefton’saward winning arts on prescriptionprogramme for adults experiencingmild to moderate stress, depressionand / or anxiety. The service isfunded by Sefton Arts (SeftonCouncil) and NHS Sefton and is freefor residents of Sefton. Participants on the programme joina weekly expressive arts workshopfor up to nine months and benefitfrom an additional schedule ofoutings and creative workshopsdesigned to improve well being,confidence, self-esteem and reduce
social isolation and stress levels. People of all artistic abilities arewelcome and you don’t need anyprevious experience. Theprogramme is more about gettinginvolved, exploring and having fun!
Creative Alternatives
The Netherton Support Group’s‘Special Place’ is a friendly groupwith lots of activities and events.The group is facilitated by MariaWilson and Caz Roberts fromSefton Carers Centre. Between nowand Christmas there’s nail art, acharity and grants information day, avisit from Stephanie Swain,Community Development Workerfrom The Bridge, a trip to Kidz upNorth at the Reebok Stadium and of
course the Christmas Meal! This group runs every Thursday9:30 – 11:30am, term time only andis held at Netherton Children’sCentre, Magdalen Square,Netherton, L30 5QH.To find out when events are takingplace or if you have any ideas forother events / guest speakers,please contact Maria or Caz on 288 6062 / 6064.
Special Place in Netherton SpecialTime inSouthportSouthport Support Group’s‘Special Time’ is a friendly groupwith lots of activities and eventstaking place. It is facilitated byKate Hurn and Caz Roberts fromSefton Carers Centre and HelenMorris from Parenting 2000. Between now and Christmasthere’s lots of cooking sessionsfor parents and children, as wellas therapy sessions, theChristmas Market shopping tripand of course, the Christmasmeal! The group runs every Friday9:30 – 11:30am, term time onlyand is held at: Parenting 2000Children’s Centre, MorningtonRoad, Southport, PR9 0TS. To find out when events aretaking place or if you have anyideas for other events / guestspeakers, please contact Kate orCaz on 288 6063 / 6064.
Action for M.E. has launched a newonline carers forum, specifically forthose caring for someone withMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). If you are supporting anyone who iscaring for a child, partner, parent orother relative or friend with M.E.,please pass this information ontothem. They can read or take part atwww.actionforme.org.uk/forumsand it only takes a few moments toregister.For more information about theforum, contact Wendy on 0117 930 7289 or by email:[email protected]
For anyone looking after a child withM.E./CFS, the revised and updatedversion of ‘Your child has M.E.’ isalso now available athttp://bit.ly/W71xS6 or can beordered by phone on 0117 927 9551. It was developedwith the Association of YoungPeople with M.E. with parents andhealthcare professionals to provideinformation and share ways ofcoping. For more information contact Clareat Action for M.E. on0117 930 1324 or by email:[email protected]
Welfare Rights Service
To many members of the publicthe welfare benefits system canappear daunting and complex. To ensure everyone claims theirfull entitlement Sefton Councilprovide a Welfare Rights teamwho are able to provide adviceand guidance for people who liveor work in Sefton.To make an appointment or to talkto someone about benefitentitlements 0151 934 3660or by email:[email protected]
Action for M.E.
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RNIBThe RNIB (Royal National Instituteof Blind People) help young peopleon all stages of transition fromschool, college, university and intoemployment. You can find it athttp://bit.ly/SIcSch
The Epilepsy SocietyThe Epilepsy Society has producedtwo fun filled Epilepsy SeizureDiaries aimed at helping youngpeople take control of their epilepsy.Find out more at: http://bit.ly/95jTu3
Parent to Parent‘Parent to Parent’ is part of thesupport offered by the NationalAutistic Society (NAS), where youcan talk to someone who reallyunderstands living with an autisticspectrum disorder (ASD) on 0808 800 4106.
ERIC(Education and Resources forImproving childhood Continence) isthe UK’s only childhood continencecharity. Find out more at:www.eric.org.uk
Money MattersThe guide 'Disabled ChildrenParents Guide to Money Matters'has been prepared by Cerebra forparents of disabled children whowant to know what financial helpmay be available for them and whatarrangements they may need to putin place to manage their children’sfinances from birth and as they getolder. To view the guide visit:http://bit.ly/NuBtO9 Call 01267 244 200 or email:[email protected]
Parent Place ‘Parent Place’ is an online forum forparents of deaf children to shareexperiences, worries and advice.Find out more atwww.ndcs.org.uk/applications/discussion
“My Brother is Autistic” by Jennifer Moore-MallinosISBN 9780764140440Having a brother with autism can behard other kids don’t know why hesuddenly freaks out.
CelebraCerebra have a postal lendinglibrary if you are looking for anybooks try them first, you can contactthem on 0800 328 1159 or by email:[email protected]
Magazines, Books and Websites
Look what I can do!Sefton’s Disabled Children’sInformation and Database provideshelp and support for disabledchildren, young people and theirfamilies across the borough. Thishelp can be anything from findinglocal or national resources toorganising activities for them.Thomas is one such young person:‘Hello, my name is Thomas and Ihave an ASD (autistic spectrumdisorder), sensory processingdisorder, hyper-mobility disorder,learning difficulties and asthmaamongst other things.I love my Xbox, computer games,army, ninja and karate – anything todo with combat! Christine Bates (Sefton’s DisabledChildren’s Information andDatabase Coordinator) was veryhelpful and found out where I couldgo to a karate class. My Mum andDad took me to watch a lesson andthey had a chat about all myproblems, my concerns and their
concerns too. After talking with theSensei I couldn’t wait to start aclass. I get very anxious when I’mgetting ready to go to class, butwhen I get there I go straight in andclass starts then I’m okay. Everyone is very nice and helpful.Most people in the group don’t knowI have problems, and that’s okay.I don’t remember as much trainingas the others in the class; somehave taken their grading already.But I didn’t want to and that’s okaytoo. Sensei said to my Dad I wasdoing really well and if I can do thegrading levels, then why shouldn’t Iif I wanted to? I’m not sure if I willyet it’s a bit scary to me to do that.I’m happy going to class and justdoing karate.’Thomas’s parents see the benefit ofThomas having a physical outletthat engages him and brings himpleasure:‘We see that karate is good physicalexercise and helps him let off
steam. He gains self-discipline whilesocialising and havingindependence. We recommend it toall parents.’For more information, pleasecontact Christine Bates, on 0151 934 3853 or by email:[email protected]
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If your child attends school / nursery please give details below
Telephone:
Email:
What’s the best way to contact you?
Telephone Email Post
Parent / Carer contact details
Name:
Child’s Name:
Address:
Please return to P.A.C.T.S (Parent and Carers Team Sefton), c/o 27-37 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool. L22 5RF. 0151 288 6060 Email: [email protected]
Application to join The Parent’s Forum
P.A.C.T.S - Parents ForumThe P.A.C.T.S Parents Forum is afriendly group of parents whomeet to discuss real issues thataffect disabled children andyoung people with additionalneeds in Sefton.The Forum was set up to make sureyour views and concerns are heardby those who plan and manage theservices for you and your child /
young person. As parents or carers,it is easy to feel your worries andconcerns are not being takenseriously.If you are a parent or carer of a childor young person 0-25 years withadditional needs you should goalong to a Parents Forum meetingand find out about the work it isdoing.
The nextmeeting iscurrently being arranged. It will be adaytime meeting sometime duringthe week commencing 12thNovember. For more informationplease visit www.pactsefton.org.ukor contact Joanne on 07864 913 630 or by email:[email protected]
The Citizen's Advice Bureau(CAB) provides free, confidentialadvice on a wide variety of issuesincluding welfare benefits, money,housing, jobs and more and isopen to everyone in thecommunity. For more information
Grants Schemefor ChildrenIf a child is 16 years or under and hasone condition covered by Cerebraand needs an item that wouldimprove their quality of life (other thanone that a statutory service should beproviding) you can apply for a grantfrom Cerebra. There are moredetails about Cerebra grants atwww.cerebra.org.ukAlternatively, you can contactCerebra on 0800 32 81 159 or byemail: [email protected]
Wills and TrustsCerebra’s Wills and Trusts Voucher scheme helps parents prepare fortheir child's long-term future. A voucher is worth £350 towards the cost ofhaving a solicitor prepare a will and discretionary trust to make provisionfor your child’s future.To qualify your child must:• Be 16 or under. • Have a neurological condition catered for by Cerebra – to find if yourchild is eligible visit http://bit.ly/QEpbEo
• Receive DLA (Disability Living Allowance) at the Middle or High Rate. To get an application form call Cerebra on 0800 328 1159 or visithttp://bit.ly/StSkz6
During the period April -June 2012 441 disabledchildren had a shortbreak in projects fundedby Aiming High fordisabled children. Totalof 11,771 hours!!!
contact Ann Wanless, CABAdvisor on 0151 282 5650 or byemail:[email protected] can also visit:www.seftoncab.org.uk
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As the Paralympic flame continues itsjourney to Rio, teams from SeftonCouncil have welcomed the torch on it’s
journey through the borough, which wasone of only two in the North West tohost it. Active Sefton continued its Olympiccelebrations as the Paralympic flamevisited each leisure centre and the teamworked with Sefton Libraries to hostfamily fun days at libraries and leisurecentres over the Paralympic openingweekend. The flame was welcomed at eachleisure centre by local ambassadors andParalympian athletes, finishing atCrosby Lakeside Adventure Centrewhere disabled children and youngpeople with the Aiming High team
enjoyed a celebration event, with theflame carried on a flotilla across thelake. John Doran, Development Officer for theAiming High team, commented “Theatmosphere today has been bothcompetitive and patriotic with all thoseattending agreeing it was indeed a dayfor the memory books!”For further information on disabledsports in Sefton, contact Active Seftondirect on 0151 288 6811 or by email:[email protected]
Paralympic Flame lights up Sefton
Despite the lack of summer sunshine,disabled children and young peopleenjoyed a plethora of sizzling summeractivities.Organised and managed by the SeftonAiming High team, the activities formedpart of Sefton’s ‘Aiming High for DisabledChildren, Transforming Short BreaksProgramme' which ran throughout thesummer break. Activities on offer included water sports,story telling, care for a pony, wheels for allbikes and arts and crafts activities. Thesummer also featured a range of family funactivities at Dunes Splash World inSouthport and a summer party for children,
young people and theirfamilies to attend.With more than 200 youngpeople in attendance theprogramme was one ofthe most successfulrecorded yet with 170volunteers helping makethe summer a memorableone.All activities chosen wereas a result of consultationwith parents and carerswho completed and
returned expression of interest forms sothat activities could be created to meet theneeds of those in attendance. Designedaround feedback from parents, carers andchildren and young people, this summersactivities were more inclusive than normalwith activities catering for more youngpeople with complex needs.Continuing to grow in popularity, thissummer the programme witnessed anumber of new members of the serviceattending, which is further testament to itsgrowing popularity.The following comments are fromparents/ carers, volunteers and youngpeople who have accessed the
programme this summer.“Callum has thoroughly enjoyed his timeat the summer play scheme, he lovedthe splashworld and is looking forwardto the activities at Crosby Lakeside.Thank you for making his time with youso much fun.”“I have really enjoyed volunteering thissummer, it is really fun, you get to meetlots of different people.” To find out more about activitiesprovided by the Aiming High team andhow you can be referred, contact theteam on 0151 288 6811 or viaFacebook at Aiming High / Murtle Turtle
This summer 387 disabled children and young people attended a summerscheme funded by Aiming High for Disabled children.
Dan Hardencarries theParalympicFlamethrough aguard ofhonour atCrosbyLakesideAdventureCentre
Aiming High for Summer 2012
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Liam’s Super Summer! My name is LiamBrady and I didmy workexperience fromSt Wilfrid’sCatholic HighSchool with SeftonPositive Futures in2011.
I have Cerebral Palsy and therefore wasable to give good advice to the youngerchildren with disabilities. I felt they weremore open to advice from me thansomeone without a disability. I reallyenjoyed taking part and helping others.After I finished my work experience I
continued at the sessions andvolunteered at the Sefton Ability CountsFootball training nights. I recentlybecame a coach with Liverpool AbilityCounts, a team I play for and now I amlooking forward to using my experienceto mentor the players.2012 has been a great year and thebiggest events were obviously theOlympics and Paralympics. My appetitefor this was built up when I was invited bySefton Aiming High Team to compete inthe Paralympic Flame Celebration Day atCrosby Lakeside Adventure Centre.I was very proud to be asked by TeamManager Hannah Silcock to Captain ourteam. There was a range of differentevents that we could take part in, all ofwhich were to feature in the Paralympics.
I really enjoyed trying new sports likeseated volleyball, boccia and sailing. While it is the taking part that counts, Iwas proud to win lots of medals, inparticular a hard earned Gold in the tabletennis as well as team medals in theseated volleyball and the boccia. I wasalso proud to lift a trophy as Captain ofthe winning team in the 8 x 100m relay.A moment that I will never forget wasjoining all of the other competitorsaccompanying the Paralympic Flame ona flotilla across Crosby LakesideAdventure Centre as a huge crowdlooked on. As if the summer couldn’t getany better, I had tickets to theParalympics themselves!
Bespoke activities for childrenand young people with ADHD Fun and focus were the buzzwordsfor young people ‘Aiming High’through an array of leisureactivities for children and youngpeople with ADHD (attention deficithyperactivity disorder). In what is hoped to be the first ofmany, the specialist programmewas developed in partnershipbetween Positive Futures andAiming High to reflect the needs ofthe participants and included watersports, mountain biking andclimbing to name a few. RichardPotts, Development Manager for
the Aiming High team commented:“It is apparent that young peoplewith ADHD do not wish to accessall activities with their peers whohave learning or physicaldisabilities but do wish to stillaccess leisure activities. To meetthis need we developed a tailoredprogramme with trained staff whounderstand the needs of thosetaking part.”Following the specialist activities,young people tried the ‘Be Active’programme, accessing a range offree sporting activities throughout
the summer holidays, which willcontinue during the October break.‘Be Active’ coaches receivedspecialist training to enable themto structure the sessions accordingto the needs of the children andyoung people. To date the programme has beenincredibly popular with 18 youngattendees.If you would like any furtherinformation contact the AimingHigh team via email [email protected]
Playtime for Rowan ParkPlaytime was the best time forpupils at Rowan Park this summer. Running for a successful secondyear, the Rowan Park SummerScheme ran for 2 weeks in July andAugust and opened a range ofactivities and possibilities tonineteen pupils who accessed it.Pupils enjoyed the activities and
received one-to-one support fromRowan Park staff. Activities on offerincluded swimming, cookery,sensory sessions, including walks tosensory gardens and two visits toJake’s Sensory World at NethertonActivity Centre, trips to local shops,wheelchair swings and wheelchairroundabouts.
The scheme ended with a partywhere everyone was served fishand chips at the school! For more information on RowanPark School, contact them on 0151 222 4894 or by email:[email protected]
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Jake’s Sensory WorldDesigned exclusively fordisabled children, youngpeople and adults, Jake’sSensory World houses both asensory facility and soft playarea for children, theirfamilies, carers, therapists andteachers to enjoy a supportiveand welcoming environment. The facility has proven very popularwith visitors with one visitorcommenting,“Always clean, staff very helpful, adelight to come to, no brokenequipment, never been to such arelaxing environment. Money wellspent, could stay all day.”New for the autumn, the team haverevamped the opening hours for the
facility and have added a range ofnew sessions to the timetable,including drop in sessions with noneed to book during weekendopening hours and family sessionsduring the week, which althoughthey need to be booked, provide theperfect after-school family time.
The Sensory RoomThis is a great place for children andadults to enjoy sensory inputincluding creative sound and lightingeffects to tailor your experience toyour needs. Have fun with bubbletubes, UV lighting, water beds, fibreoptics and projectors and a largeball pool!
The Soft Play RoomThis is a fun place for children andadults to express themselves andbe entertained while exploring
musical steps, interactive tunnels,tactile walls and hopscotch!Weekend Drop In: Saturday andSunday 10 – 11:30am (no need tobook).Stay and Play:Monday andWednesday 10 –11:30am (pleasebook).Stay and Play: Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday 1- 2:30pm (please book).Family Sessions:Monday – Friday4 - 8pm (please book).For more information about Jake’sSensory World, log on towww.moveitsefton.co.uk andfollow the ‘Adults’ tab. Alternatively,contact the team direct on 0151 288 6811, or log on to Facebook at Jake’s Sensory World.
Family Fun for Shipmates As the 2012 Olympics andParalympics sailed off into the sunset,Sefton looks back on a Paralympiccelebration with a difference.Taking place at Crosby LakesideAdventure Centre, Sefton’s AimingHigh team worked alongside leisurecentre staff to raise awareness ofdisabled sports in the borough duringthe Paralympic Games with a Piratethemed family fun day celebration.The day included an array ofactivities especially designed fordisabled children, young people and
their families to enjoy.While designed to raise awarenessof the disabled sports activitiesavailable at the facility, the family funday also sought to raise funds for‘Sailability’ – an element of the RoyalYachting Association whichorganises sailing for disabled sailors. For further information on activitiesat Crosby Lakeside AdventureCentre, log on towww.crosbylakeside.co.uk orcontact the centre direct on 0151 966 6868.
As the dark nights draw in, light upyour weekends with ‘BoogieWonderland’. These exclusivedance sessions are available to alldisabled children, young peopleand their families to attend andstrut your funky stuff.Taking place at Netherton ActivityCentre, the pilot scheme will runfor six weeks and if popular, will
from 2 –3pmand areFREE.To find outmore,contactthe AimingHigh team on 0151 2886811 or via Facebook at SeftonAiming High / Murtle Turtle.
continue to run in Seftondependent on demand.The new dance sessions aredesigned to help disabled childrenand young people expressthemselves with the support oftheir families alongside theirsiblings and parentsThe ‘Boogie Wonderland’ dancesessions start on Saturday 6thOctober and run to 10th November
Boogie Wonderland
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Aiming High for Disabled ChildrenNewsletter Evaluation Questionnaire
Please note, it may be easier for you to complete and return this questionnaire online at:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XVKJ2BX
Please note that questionnaires must be completed and returned by 30th November (details overleaf).
1) Are you a parent, carer, professional or someone interested in this area?
2) Are you currently registered on the Disabled Children’s Information Database? Yes / No
If not, why not and how do you access it?
If you would like to register your child's information please complete the details below and the Database
Co-ordinator will contact you direct to arrange a home visit to complete the registration form.
Tel: Email:
Address:
3) If you had a choice of how the newsletter was delivered, by what method would you prefer to receive it?
Paper Copy Email Online/website
Text Message Facebook Twitter
4) Is the newsletter delivered at appropriate times to you? Yes / No
(i.e. in time to access services / events advertised within it).
5) How often do you feel it would be beneficial to receive the magazine?
3 per year (current schedule) More Less
6) Which of the following things do you like about the newsletter?
Colour coded sections Local and National news
Good news stories and individual achievements Product information Local Services
Any other comments?
7) Is there anything missing / or needs adding to the newsletter?
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If posting your questionnaire, send to: FAO Christine Bates, Disabled Children’s Informationand Database Coordinator, Sefton Council, Sterrix Lane, Litherland. L21 0DA.
8) Do you find the newsletter format easy to read? Yes / No If no, why not and how could we improve it?
9) Has the newsletter been of direct benefit to you? Please explain how (We would like to share thesecomments at further planning meetings to enable us to understand the direct impact the newsletter has onfamilies locally - please state if you would prefer these comments not to be shared)
Thank-you for your time!
ARE YOU MOVING?Don't forget to let us know your new address for you to continue to receive Aiming High for Disabled Children
Please contact Christine Bates, Database Coordinator, Sefton's Disabled Children's Information and Database on 0151 934 3853 or by Email: [email protected]
Hydrotherapy PoolsColette Mahon,Development Officer forthe Aiming High team hasfound two pools whichdisabled children and theircarers can attend outsideof school visits. If you areaware of any additionalhydrotherapy pools, thatcan be accessed by thepublic, please contactColette Mahon direct on0151 288 6816 withfurther information.
Presfield School, SouthportWhen: 10th September – 16th December(Term dates).Cost: £9.50 per class (mention the AimingHigh team when booking to receive a 10%discount). * All classes must be paid for in advance,before the start of each term. If you join part-way through a term, you only pay for theclasses that have not yet taken place. For more information on these sessions,contact Tracey Hargraves on 01606 892 868 or by email:[email protected]
Vitalise (Sandpiper), SouthportAlternatively, Vitalise is are alsooffering adult hydrotherapy sessions,however visitors will need to becomea member in order to access thefacilities.Time: Mon – Thur 11am – 4pmCost: £12.50 per year (membership)Disabled users: £3 Support staff: £2 For more information on Vitalise youcan contact their Reception on 01704 538 388 or visit their website:www.vitalise.org.uk
Sefton’s Short Breaks StatementSefton’s Short Breaks Statement for families of disabled children and young people is nowavailable. It has been developed using e-consultation with parents and carers and workingalongside the P.A.C.T.S Parents Forum. Inside you will find information covering eligibility, specialist support services for disabledchildren aged 0-5yrs, 5-11yrs, disabled teenagers and parents, as well as a useful glossaryof terms.To read the Short Breaks Statement in full visit: http://bit.ly/MOWJN6