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Updated 20th August 2010 Education Link are in the process of being reorganised under the Devon Partnership NHS Trust. In the interim period, assessment, advice and guidance will be offered. However those that require additional support will be linked in with appropriate providers that can accommodate this. Current Staff Team: Asperger’s Contacts: The North Devon Forum for Autism and Related Behaviours gives families with members suffering from autistic spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s) a chance to meet and talk over situations with others in a similar boat as well as get up to date information on local activities (Bideford and Barnstaple) and facilities which are specifically geared to helping families. Membership is open to all families, regardless of the age of the autistic member. For more information or a newsletter phone Lin Harding (01237 431 844) or Gabby on 079 2348 1332 or email Mel – northdevonforum@btinternet.com Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge, www.face2facenetwork.org.uk Support is offered to parents of children with any type of disability or special need. Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge offers: befriender training, support groups for befrienders, informal support groups at a local children centre, 1-1 parent support, social events for parent befrienders and their families, online befriending, newsletter and resource links. Contact: Theresa Hemmens, 07730 672228, North Devon & Torridge Co-ordinator, Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge, Barnstaple, Devon. The Devon Autism Centre, www.devonautismcentre.com 67 High Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2AN, 0844 500 3699 The Devon Autism Centre is owned and operated by Simon and Silvia Haywood. Silvia is a qualified psychologist with a speciality in working with children with autism. Silvia has worked for Berkshire and Devon LEA within school settings. Silvia has an MA in autism from Sheffield Hallam; additionally Silvia is one of the few specialist undertaking the RDI Consultancy programme. Silvia is also an Earlybird and Earlybird Plus instructor. Simon is an ex-teacher who for the last 15 years has managed care homes for adults with autism and special needs. He has an MA in autism from Sheffield Hallam and is qualified and accredited to provide ABA interventions. The Devon Autism Centre is a sister company to Lycette Care, providers of high quality residential care and supported accommodation, details can be found at: www.caringchoice.co.uk. Phil Roberts of the Tarka Trust, runs a social skills group - philip@tarkahome.demon.co.uk They would be happy to meet up with clients (with or without parents) and may be able to offer attendance at their adult social club which is based in Barnstaple. They 'vet' newcomers to make sure they are suited and can fit in with existing members. Tarka is a small ASD charity run entirely by volunteers and so support is limited. Community Arts Network is an independent provider of children’s services in North Devon. They run the CAN SAY Youth Club for disabled young people, (ages 10 to 25), including those with Asperger’s and Autism, fortnightly on a Saturday (February 6th and 20th 2010) from 2 to 5 pm at Pynes Infant School, Coronation Road, Bideford. Visit the website for the club dates and prices. The organisation is also seeking volunteers and is CACHE approved so they are looking into offering qualifications in the future. Tel: 01237 471972 / 07778 683 769 http://www.canplay.co.uk Devon Carers Link (West Bank Friends): www.devoncarerslink.org The Castle Centre, 25 Castle Street, Barnstaple EX31 1DR Tel: 01271 372811 / 08456 435 072 / 08456 431 341 Carers Link is free to join and offers support, information & advice to those that are helping to care for someone else. Visit the above website and complete the form to join. North Devon Carers Link and the Bideford Carers Support Group, for carers of people with all disabilities, including Asperger’s. Call first (08456 431 341) or just drop in on 18th January or 15th February, 7 – 9 pm at the Communal Hall, Marlborough Court, Park Lane, Bideford. It’s open to any carers.Devon Carers Link advised that the Take a Break Sitting Service is only for elderly people or for those with physical disabilities (those with learning disabilities, Autism, Asperger’s, etc are not eligible). There are cost implications – please contact Devon Carers Link for up-to-date charges. Taw & Torridge Caring - 01237 459337 - Caroline Moore. The organisation runs a sitting service for adults with physical disabilities. They used to have one volunteer who sat with people with Autism or Down’s Syndrome but they have since left the organisation and do not have anyone else who could help at present. They offer to visit and assess the person involved, and help if they have the appropriate volunteer in future. Please contact Taw & Torridge Caring for costs. Torridge Voluntary Service - 01237 421580 - contact them for details of their befriending scheme. Opening Times Monday to Thursday: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Website: www.torridgecvs.org.uk National Autistic Society - www.nas.org.uk Jenny Freeman is the National Autistic Society worker who covers Exeter and East Devon. Undertakes consultancy work in Bath and London. No provision in North Devon. Prospects Employment Service provide student support, work preparation programmes, job-finding support and employment support for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We also help employers with the recruitment, training and retention of staff with an ASD. Transitions service offers advice, training and support for young people with autism who are about to leave school and move into adult life. Student Support services - Supports students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are in further and higher education. The National
Autistic Society, registered office: 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG,
United Kingdom. Asperger United Magazine – 0207 903 3541 – is available from the National Autistic Society website: National Autistic Society Directory of Local Services: www.autismdirectory.org.uk Asteroids Tel: 07794 629135 Asteroids is an independent consultancy offering training and support to parents, schools and other groups and individuals working with people on the autism spectrum. Dimensions for Living Serves: Plymouth, Torbay but may be able to offer telephone support if out of area. Support and outreach services for people with autism. Support to parents with statementing process and transition. Training and support to prospective employees for people with Aspergers Syndrome. Support groups in Exeter and Newton Abbot, meeting twice a month. 1:1 support/life skills training for people with Aspergers Syndrome, parent/carer/professional support. Training to professionals/residential homes by arrangement. Pressure group for better services for people with ASD. Contact: Barbara
Wilson (Counsellor & Trainer/Tutor ASD) Aspergers and ME Group – 01392 410 266 – Exeter based, run by Tina Norman. AUCHID (Autistic Children In Devon) Main Website: www.auchid.co.uk A group focussed on the needs of children with autism, their siblings and families. Accepts any child on the autistic spectrum. AUCHID offers a range of services, mainly organised outings to activities all over Devon, including day trips during school holidays. Age: from 3 to 16. Contact Jayne
Margaret Redwood, Exeter, Devon, EX2 Telephone number: 01392 434984 SOCOPS SOCOPS (Social Opportunities for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and their families) is for children and young people on the autistic spectrum between the ages of 8-16 who attend mainstream school and their families. This includes siblings who are encouraged to be part of the group as they often act as role models for children with ASD. SOCOPS offers a safe, supported environment for children in which to develop their confidence and social skills through fun activities. For adults, SOCOPS provide an opportunity to mix with others with similar experiences in order to network, share ideas and generally chat and offload to people who understand. The groups runs weekly during term time on Friday nights from 6.30-8.30pm at the Knight Club, Exeter. During school holidays some additional social events are held. Please contact SOCOPS for details of costs. The Knight Club, Beacon Lane, Beacon Heath, Exeter, Devon, EX4 Contact: Sean Murphy, Chairman, EX4, Tel: 07790 649802Email: socops@blueyonder.co.uk Helen Murphy, Secretary, EX4, Tel: 07790 649802Email: socops@blueyonder.co.uk Disability Helpline – 0845 155 1005 – suggested: Aspergers Advocate – 01752 298 451 – Kay Woodward acts as an unfunded, independent advocate and family support worker in the Plymouth area through the Benefits Angels charity. South Devon Asperger Group www.asperations.btik.com There are two groups, one for children aged 5-11 years and the other for children aged 11-16 years. The groups meet once a week in term time. The parents have a chance to sit and chat to other parents about their experiences and help each other. The children have a group to help develop their social and communication skills, while their siblings have a play group and do crafts. Kingsteignton Youth Centre, Broadway Road, Kingsteignton, Devon, TQ12 3EH Contact: Kate Jenkins, Chair, South Devon Asperger Group, TQ14, Tel: 01626 770143 Email: dagger5@tiscali.co.uk FREE BENEFITS
ADVICE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Riding for the Disabled, various locations - Tel: 0845 241 6301 – nearest centre is at Dulverton. They have suggested contacting the Calvert Trust regarding riding for the disabled – 01598 763 221. Connect is a newly-formed support and self-help group for adults (post 16) with Asperger’s Syndrome in the Wirral area, run by Gill Kenwright (0151 512 2200 ext 109, support@wirralmind.org.uk). Thousands of people in the area have been diagnosed with the condition and she noticed that whilst there was a lot of help for students (up to 16 years old) with Asperger’s, when leaving education, there was no provision. Connect is a mental health organisation and charity, which offers training to people with mental health problems. Gill gave the following numbers for other organisations: Liverpool (Hannah Lacey) – 0151 737 4805, and Nottingham – 01623 436 636. Walk and Talk Schemes Sam Ismael is a Walk Leader and can offer assistance, information and advice on all the Walk and Talk Schemes. North
Devon's Walk & Talk Initiative is aimed at helping you to enjoy the benefits
of walking and enable you to become fitter for life. Walking is the best form of
exercise available to everyone, young and old and for all abilities. It has the
benefit of being safe, free and low impact. It is also a great way to meet
people, make new friends and enjoy space and fresh air. Walk
Levels North Devon Walk & Talk is offering an exciting range of walks in and around your local area. All walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders and are graded from level 1 to level 3. Our aim is to cater for all ages and abilities and we hope that you will discover a walk suited to you. Level I - Approximately 15-30 minutes up to 1 mile suitable for those that do little or no physical activity at present and people restricted by mobility problems who may walk slowly The walk uses flat, level, hard surfaced paths and pavements with no steep hills or steps and is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies' Level 2 - Approximately 30-60 minutes up to 2 miles suitable for those that do a small amount of physical activity but need to increase their activity level and those people with minor mobility problems but are able to walk at a moderate pace. The walk uses footpaths and pavements with some gradients; steps and uneven pathways. Level 3 - Approximately 60-90 minutes up to 3 miles suitable for those that do a certain amount of physical activity but wish to improve their general fitness and heart health. The walk uses a variety of footpaths, roads, tracks and pathways; some may be uneven, muddy and slippery when wet. These walks may include steps, inclines, stiles and narrow pathways. If you would like to explore the possibility of volunteering or want more information it can be found at www.whi.org.uk |
