At Contact a Family North East we are aware of the following events taking place in the region. If your group or organisation is arranging an event, please let us know on Tel: 0191 213 6300 or e-mail: northeast.office@cafamily.org.uk
Events from February 2012
Middlesbrough Children with Disabilities Team Fun Club, Play Scheme
Date: Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th February 2012
Time: 10.00am-3.00pm
Location: North Ormesby Youth and Community Centre
Description: Places are available for children with disabilities and special needs aged 4 to 19
Cost: £1.00 per person per session
Booking Information: Places are limited and must be booked through the Children With Disabilities Team by Wednesday 1st February 2012
Tel: 01642 579176
Newcastle Connect: Arts Fun Day
Date: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Time: 10.00am-4.00pm
Location: Live Theatre, Newcastle
Description: For disabled young people and their siblings aged 11–18 years living in Newcastle. A chance to get creative and get connected! Tasters include: Drama (Live Theatre); Photography (Digital Voice); Clowning (Paddy O’Conner) and Visual Art (BALTIC). Siblings and support workers can take part in the taster sessions too while parents are invited to settle down with a drink and some relaxation therapy. Lunch will be provided for everyone
Cost: Free
Booking Information: To book a place please contact Emily Wilson,Arts Development Officer
Tel: 0191 278 2961
e-mail: emily.wilson@newcastle.gov.uk
North Tyneside Disability Holiday Sports Activity Day
Date: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
Location: Burradon Recreation Centre, North Tyneside
Description: Sport North Tyneside and Sport Works Ltd are providing this activity day open to any child from age 5 – 19 with a disability from North Tyneside; siblings are welcome to attend too. No child will be excluded if they require extra communication; toileting or eating support however coaches are unable to administer any medication and so parental/career support will be required for this
Cost: Places for half a day cost £3.00 and for a full day £6.00
Booking Information: Bookings required so please contact Karen Lewis-Archer to book your place
Tel: 0191 643 7465 or 07974 770225
e-mail: karen.lewis-archer@northtyneside.gov.uk
Middlesbrough Children with Disabilities Team Free Family Fun Day
Date: Thursday 16th February 2012
Time: 10.00am-4.00pm
Location: Rainbow Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough
Description: A special day for children with disabilities to enjoy soft play, trampoline, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and music
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Bookings are not necessary but contact the Children with Disabilities Team for more information
Tel: 01642 579176
Tyneside Cinema Access Cinema – Free Film Screening & Focus Groups
Date: Saturday 18th February 2012
Time: 11.00am and 1.00pm
Location: Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
Description: Access Cinema is an exciting new film programme for families with children who have a learning disability. Press Ahead, an independent agency, will facilitate the groups and are looking to invite parents/carers/support workers, alongside children and their siblings to the sessions. Whilst one parent/carer or a support worker is giving their views in the focus group, the rest of the family can enjoy a free exclusive film screenings (or siblings can be part of the focus groups if they would prefer this). At the end of the screening, everyone will be brought together to share their views on the experience and help develop the Access Cinema programme which will be going live later this year. There will be 2 screenings and focus groups, the first starting at 11.00am and the second at 1.00pm
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places need to be booked in advance through Aiden Regan from Press Ahead
Tel: 0191 516 6235
e-mail: takepart@pressahead.info
Let’s Talk About Leisure Day
Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Time: 10.15am-2.30pm
Location: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Description: For all parent/carers of children or young people with disabilities and/or special or additional needs living in Sunderland. This day has been organised by Sunderland Washington and Coalfields Parent Carer Council (SWCPCC) who would like you to join them for the day and find out what’s available, what activities are missing, and how best to share that information. The Families Information Service will be in attendance, along with various providers of activities and services
Cost: Free and lunch and refreshments are included
Booking Information: Places need to be booked in advance
by emailing SWCPCC
e-mail: swcpcc@googlemail.com
Making Changes Together – Makaton Training
Dates: Wednesday 22nd February 2012 at Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Thursday 23rd February 2012 at Stanley Community Centre
Tuesday 28th February 2012 at County Hall, Durham
Time: 12.30-2.30pm (Bishop Auckland and Stanley) and 10.30am-12.30pm (Durham)
Description: Makaton is a language programme designed to provide a means of communication to individuals who cannot communicate efficiently by speaking. In these two-hour taster sessions Makaton trainer Shona Chambers will give parents and carers an overview of Makaton signs and symbols and how to use the programme most effectively with children with communication difficulties.
For those who attend the above and feel that their child would benefit from Makaton; a two-day Beginner’s Course for up to 12 parents/carers is available on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th March 2012 from 9.30am – 3.00pm at the Three Tuns Hotel, Durham City
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places must be booked in advance through Ann Connor
Tel: 0191 5873541
e-mail: ann.connor@durham.gov.uk
Web: http://tinyurl.com/7g7zl25
Mencap Big Cuts Event
Date: Thursday 23rd February 2012
Time: 10.00am-2.30pm
Location: Durham Indoor Bowing Club, Pity Me, Durham
Description: Mencap are holding a series of Big Cuts events which will highlight a range of services being cut across the country and show how these cuts are affecting people with a learning disability and their families. Mencap are worried about how the cuts could change the help, support and benefits people receive. A local solicitor will speak about people's rights under Community Care Law as well as providing people with information. They hope it will be of interest to family carers and those who support people with a learning disability
Cost: Free. Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits will be available; however, they are unable to provide lunch. Please feel free to bring your own, or there are food outlets close by
Booking Information: If you would like to attend or would like any further information, please contact Barbara Taylor
Tel: 07930399283 or 0191 4870444
e-mail: barbara.taylor@mencap.org.uk
County Durham CAN Family Fun Day Launch Event
Date: Saturday 25th February 2012
Time: 12.00-4.00pm
Location: Villa Real School, Consett
Description: County Durham CAN (families with Children who have Additional Needs) was founded in November 2011 by a group of parents/carers of children with varying additional needs to support and provide non biased information and advice to other families. This Family Fun Day Launch event will include activities for both children and parents/carers including bouncy castle and ball pit, arts and crafts, face painting, buffet, raffles and therapies for adults. There will also be the opportunity to get information from County Durham CAN and other charities
Cost: Free
Booking Information: If you need any further information, please email the group
e-mail: countydurhamcan@hotmail.com
Mencap Planning for the Future Seminar
Date: Monday 27th February 2012
Time: 12.30-2.30pm
Location: Newcastle City Library, Charles Avison Building
Description: Seminar where parent/carers can found out more information about setting up Wills and Trusts for the benefit of someone with a learning disability. The seminar will be delivered by a qualified local legal professional
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places are limited and should be booked in advance
Tel: 020 76966925
e-mail: gina.collins@mencap.org.uk
Mencap Planning for the Future Seminar
Date: Tuesday 28th February 2012
Time: 12.30-2.30pm
Location: Burbank Community Centre, Hartlepool
Description: Seminar where parent/carers can found out more information about setting up Wills and Trusts for the benefit of someone with a learning disability. The seminar will be delivered by a qualified local legal professional
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places are limited and should be booked in advance
Tel: 020 76966925
e-mail: gina.collins@mencap.org.uk
Making Changes Together County Durham Stepping Stones from Children’s to Adult services Information day
Date: Thursday 1st March 2012
Time: 10.30am-3.00pm
Location: Durham Town Hall
Description: This event is being organised jointly by Making Changes Together and Adult’s, Wellbeing & Health Commissioning Service and is for parents to help you to explore what services are available for young people with disabilities as they move into adulthood. Provider organisations will be here to answer your questions and provide information on services to meet young people’s needs. You will also be able to share your views on what you would like to see more of and what you think really works. In the afternoon there will also be a performance by some young people involved with ‘TinArts’ dance and performance organisation
Cost: Free
Booking Information: No need to book as it’s a drop in information day but if you need any more information, please contact Sinead Walker
Tel: 0191 383 3956
e-mail: sinead.walker@durham.gov.uk
International Wheelchair Day Celebration
Date: Thursday 1st March 2012
Time: 4.00-9.00pm
Location: Percy Hedley Sports Academy, Killingworth
Description: Come along and celebrate International Wheelchair Day with lots of activities including a wheelchair basketball match, product demonstrations, art displays, treasure trails, cake stalls and charity grunging
Cost: Free
Booking Information: No need to book but see the website for full information and details of the whole schedule for the evening
Web: http://www.iwd2012.moonfruit.com/
1 Hart 1 Mind 1 Future – Hartlepool’s Sixth Parent-Led Conference
Date: Wednesday 7th March 2012
Time: 9.30am-2.30pm
Location: Hartlepool Maritime Experience, Marina Way
Description: The conference is for parent/carers who have children with disabilities and additional needs living in Hartlepool and is your opportunity to join in celebrating the successes of the last three years in improving access to short break services for families. There will be the chance to check out what’s available in Hartlepool by visiting their market place of services, input into the Special Educational Needs Pathfinder project and to be part of the official opening of one of their new accessible changing places
Cost: Free (lunch and refreshments are included)
Booking Information: Places should be booked in advance through Tracy Liveras, Short Breaks Lead
Tel: 01429 284876
e-mail: tracy.liveras@hartlepool.gov.uk
In It Together Northumberland Annual Conference
Date: Wednesday 14th March 2012
Time: 9.30.am (Registration) 10.30am-2.30pm
Location: Alnwick Gardens
Description: Organised by the In It Together parent participation network, this conference is for parent/carers of children and young people up to 25 years of age with a disability or additional need who live in Northumberland. The aim of the event is to bring together parent/carers in the beautiful surroundings of the gardens and to exchange information, make contacts and have fun!
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places must be booked in advance through Elizabeth Richardson
Tel: 07739830110
e-mail: elizi_elizi@hotmail.com
Making Changes Together – Managing a Child with ADHD Training Sessions
Dates: Wednesday 14th March 2012 from 10am–12.00pm at Shotton Hall Banqueting Suite, Peterlee
Wednesday 21st March 2012 from 6.30pm–8.30pm at Durham Town Hall, Durham
Wednesday 28th March 2012 from 12.30pm–2.30pm at Stanley Community Centre, Stanley
Wednesday 4th April 2012 from 6.30pm–8.30pm at Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Description: These sessions will help parents/carers to understand, clarify, support and manage issues relating to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These repeated sessions are free to all County Durham parents/carers
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places must be booked in advance through Ann Connor
Tel: 0191 5873541
e-mail: ann.connor@durham.gov.uk
Web: http://tinyurl.com/7g7zl25
Parents 4 Change Next Steps Conference
Date: Friday 16th March 2012
Time: Daytime from 9.30am-2.30pm Evening from 5.00-8.00pm
Location: Riverside Suite, Middlesbrough Football Club
Description: A friendly conference organised by parents for parents of children with disabilities and additional needs. Join together to influence changes in services for children with any disability or special need in Middlesbrough and share your views
Cost: Free. Refreshments, lunch/or tea included
Booking Information: Places need to be booked in advance through Parents 4 Change
Tel: 07848909350
e-mail: parents4change@hotmail.co.uk
BRAINBOX Counselling and Listening Service Launch
Date: Tuesday 20th March 2012
Time: 10.00am-4.00pm
Location: Disability North, Dene Centre, Newcastle
Description: Appointments can now be made for the new confidential service provided by BRAINBOX at Disability North. These 50 minute sessions are free and with a trained listener or counsellor who has experience of Acquired Brain Injury issues
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Appointments should be made in advance through Julie Cordon at BRAINBOX
Tel: 07903046290
e-mail: juliemcordon@gmail.com
Afasic Voice for Life Event
Date: Thursday 22nd March 2012
Time: 10.15am-2.30pm
Location: Queen's Campus (Durham University) Stockton-on-Tees
Description: ‘Voice for Life’ is a day of exciting information and learning opportunities free to parents/carers and professionals. Afasic, the UK charity representing children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments, is bringing together professionals, parents/carers, and school groups from across the region for this special event. You can choose up to 4 presentations/workshops from a programme of 28, covering a wide variety of topics related to speech, language and communication needs: Latest Research, Makaton, Early Years, Stammering, Challenging Behaviour, AAC, Communication Friendly Schools, Effective Inclusion, Young People at Risk, Developing Vocabulary, Signalong, Total Communication, Life Skills, Young People and Labels, Advocacy, Language Resource Provision, Transition to Secondary School, and much more.
There will also be clinic appointments available with the Afasic Helpline, an exhibition, a museum of communication created by children, and a performance by a signing choir
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Contact Janine Curd at Afasic to book places or you can download the booking forms from the Afasic website
Tel: 01287 209882
e-mail: janinec@afasicengland.org.uk
Web: http://www.afasicengland.org.uk/parents/courses-and-conferences/
Disability North Direct Payments Employer’s Training
Date: Tuesday 27th March 2012
Time: 10.00am-2.30pm
Location: Dene Centre, Newcastle
Description: An informal workshop for parent/carers to meet other Direct Payment users and share information. The workshop will look at Employment Law; Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay; Advertising and recruiting Personal Assistants; Supervising and managing staff and Giving good feedback. Priority for the workshops will be given to Newcastle parent/carers but if there are spaces available, they will be offered to parent/carers from other areas
Cost: Free. Lunch is also provided
Booking Information: Places need to be booked in advance through Disability North’s Direct Payments Team
Tel: 0191 2840480
e-mail: directpayments@disabilitynorth.org.uk
Making Changes Together – Strategies that Work with ADHD training Sessions
Dates: Wednesday 18th April 2012 from 10am–12.00pm at Shotton Hall Banqueting Suite, Peterlee
Wednesday 25th April 2012 from 6.30pm–8.30pm at Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Wednesday 2nd May 2012 from 12.30pm–2.30pm at Stanley Community Centre
Wednesday 9th May 2012 from 6.30pm–8.30pm at County Hall, Durham
Description: These sessions will look closely at the way our beliefs, expectations and attitudes as a parent/carer are shaped. It will help parent/carers to better understand ADHD in relation to the child's emotional health and well being
Cost: Free
Booking Information: Places must be booked in advance through Ann Connor
Tel: 0191 5873541
e-mail: ann.connor@durham.gov.uk
Web: http://tinyurl.com/7g7zl25
ESPA Training – Person Centred Planning for ASD
Date: Tuesday 24th April 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland
Description: This training supports the planning towards a better personal future for adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Person Centred Planning discovers and acts on what is important to a person but this can be difficult to unravel for a person with an ASD. This course looks at the difficulties and potential strategies to achieve success
Cost: £95.00 including lunch, refreshments and all course materials
Booking information: Please contact Gill Linfoot at ESPA to book your place
Tel: 0191 516 5080
Email: gill.linfoot@espa.org.uk
Website: http://www.espa-training.org
Parents Autism Workshop and Support (PAWS)
Date: Workshop 1: Thursday 31st May; Workshop 2: Thursday 28th June and Workshop 3: Thursday 26th July 2012
Time: 10.00am-3.00pm (approx)
Location: Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Hill House Farm, Sadberge, County Durham
Description: Dogs for the Disabled, a dynamic charity specialising in the training of assistance dogs to help a range of people including those on the spectrum, recognise the huge value that a dog can bring to children and their families. The PAWS project is open to parents of children aged between 3-16 years, with a clinical diagnosis on autism spectrum. Workshops are open to those with and without pet dogs currently in the home. Workshops are designed to provide parents with the information and long-term support for sourcing, choosing, handling and training a pet dog specifically to benefit a child with an autism spectrum condition and the family as a whole. Parents will need to be able to attend all three, one day workshops. These workshops cover a variety of topics, from gaining ideas as to how the dog can help your family, to selecting the right dog, the most effective training methods, and so much more, through practical demonstrations as well as discussion
Cost: £30 (taken upon booking) is required. All workshops, refreshments, lunch, resources and PAWS membership aftercare support is included in this fee
Booking Information: Places must be booked in advance
Tel: 01295 759836
e-mail: PAWS@dogsforthedisabled.org
Web: http://paws.dogsforthedisabled.org
Disability North Direct Payments Employer’s Training
Date: Wednesday 30th May 2012
Time: 10.00am-2.30pm
Location: Dene Centre, Newcastle
Description: An informal workshop for parent/carers to meet other Direct Payment users and share information. The workshop will look at Employment Law; Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay; Advertising and recruiting Personal Assistants; Supervising and managing staff and Giving good feedback. Priority for the workshops will be given to Newcastle parent/carers but if there are spaces available, they will be offered to parent/carers from other areas
Cost: Free. Lunch is also provided
Booking Information: Places need to be booked in advance through Disability North’s Direct Payments Team
Tel: 0191 2840480
e-mail: directpayments@disabilitynorth.org.uk
ESPA Training – Autism, Sexuality and Relationships – Advanced Level
Date: Wednesday 20th June 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland
Description: This training builds on the Intermediate Level course to enable teachers, tutors and support staff to develop individual programmes to provide individual, personal relationship and sex education programmes to young people within the autism spectrum. Participants must have completed the Intermediate Level or equivalent to gain a place on this course
Cost: £95.00 including lunch, refreshments and all course materials
Booking information: Please contact Gill Linfoot at ESPA to book your place
Tel: 0191 516 5080
Email: gill.linfoot@espa.org.uk
Website: http://www.espa-training.org
ESPA Training – Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Date: Wednesday 4th July 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland
Description: Every day, people with autism are expected to cope with the complexity of a world which can often appear to them as bewildering and irrational. This course will help you recognise the differences between ASD and mental health problems so that early and appropriate interventions can be planned
Cost: £95.00 including lunch, refreshments and all course materials
Booking information: Please contact Gill Linfoot at ESPA to book your place
Tel: 0191 516 5080
Email: gill.linfoot@espa.org.uk
Website: http://www.espa-training.org
ESPA Training – Autism in Education
Date: Wednesday 4th July 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland
Description: This training aims to help teachers, tutors and support staff to understand and develop approaches in teaching and learning for people on the autism spectrum
Cost: £95.00 including lunch, refreshments and all course materials
Booking information: Please contact Gill Linfoot at ESPA to book your place
Tel: 0191 516 5080
Email: gill.linfoot@espa.org.uk
Website: http://www.espa-training.org
ESPA Training – Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Best Interests and Safeguarding
Date: Wednesday 11th July 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland
Description: This training examines the requirements of all front line staff who are working with people with autism, to take account of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice. This Act has implications for everyone but has particular relevance to care assistants, home support workers, residential care workers and all staff with decision making responsibilities. This course will help them to take autism into account when faced with decisions
Cost: £95.00 including lunch, refreshments and all course materials
Booking information: Please contact Gill Linfoot at ESPA to book your place
Tel: 0191 516 5080
Email: gill.linfoot@espa.org.uk
Website: http://www.espa-training.org
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