Notice Board

Local Sporting Clubs for   Children with Disabilities

If your child is interested in sport or would like to try something new, there are a number of sporting clubs for  children with disabilities in our area. You are welcome to go along and join in at:  

Sportability:  held at  Spennymoor Leisure Centre every Monday evening from 5.30-6.30pm

Gymnastics: held at Newton  Aycliffe Leisure Centre each Sunday from  9.30-10.30am

Swim 75: held at Newton  Aycliffe Leisure Centre each Sunday from 3-4pm (coach present)

Swimming for families: held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre each Monday from  5-6pm

Parent Carer Group

The parent carer group continues to meet at the Oaks School in Spennymoor each month. Over the last few months we have had speakers from      Connexions, the DASH scheme and leisure      services, DISC young carers project and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.   Parents have been able to gain information and share  experiences of their caring roles. The group will not meet over the summer holidays as the school is closed  however it will begin again in the new term. If you would like  information on a specific topic, or would like to hear a particular speaker please do not hesitate to contact Joanne at the centre (01325 313123) as we would love to know your ideas.

Parent Carer Meeting dates for your diary

Thursday 23^rd October 10-12noon
Thursday 27^th November 10-12noon

Thursday 29th January 10-12noon (Melanie Littlefair Occupational Therapist attending)

Making Changes Together 2!

This was the second conference organised by parents for parents with disabled children. Held at Beamish Hall Hotel and very well attended by   parents and professionals who manage and commission services for disabled children in County Durham, the conference updated those present on the progress made since the last conference held earlier this year. Parents were able to discuss key issues including transport, early years, information and the role of the lead professional, this enabled parents to raise issues and difficulties that they have experienced. The focus of ‘making changes’ is to give parents of disabled children the opportunity to inform and influence service provision to their children and families. There will be ongoing work completed within small groups addressing specific issues before the third conference in early 2009. If you would like to know more please ring Joanne at the centre on 01325 313123

Parent Carer Support Group

Do you ever feel that you are on your own, struggling to look after a child with disabilities? The  support group offers parents the chance to get together and share experiences,   knowing you are not alone can be just what you need to help you face another day more   positively than the last.

The group is very relaxed and you do not have to stay for the full two hours. We have speakers from various services who are a great source of information and there are chocolate biscuits too!!

The group meet at the Oaks School, Rock Road, Spennymoor on the last Thursday of the month from 10-12noon. (Your child does not have to be a pupil at the school for you to attend).

Elaine Chandler from Parent Partnership will  be coming along to the meeting on Thursday 27th Nov.  She is interested in your views and experiences of your child’s school annual review.  Elaine and some others are keen to work to improve the reviews to ensure that they fully consider the child’s needs and parents views.  Please come along as the more parents views Elaine has, the more evidence she can present and this will hopefully result in positive changes.  Elaine is interested in views from parents that have children both in special & mainstream schools

If you would like to know more just ring Joanne on 01325 313123 who will be happy to help.

A2Z - Special Sessions for Special Children

Have you got a child with special needs who likes stories, crafts, fun and games? If so, Bishop Auckland Town Hall library is the place to be. Why not go along on the first Saturday of each month (excluding January) from 10.30-11.30am.  Cost £1 per child, brothers and  sisters welcome.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Telephone the town hall 01388 602610 for more details or just go along.