Somerset Parent Carer Forum

Magdalen Farm still have spaces avalible on there Just Act Natural: be in nature, be yourself. Events on 👇
2 Night Sleepover - 21st August limited space
2 Night Growing Independence - 26th August limited space

Please book with them directly if you would like to attend: https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=60d5a1f5-0546-43d2-a686-b8f92a0b9f20&mode=ag&uniqueid=6&fbclid=IwY2xjawEtYQ5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbMcu2Y_-0j9n5R_M88QZhVzqWaxgoMSaUtAZ1ctsuwaBKGmlgVw18KODQ_aem_nNWzaYNpDs_xp2ZiRNLfjA

SENDshine Support have their Family Fun Day tomorrow. This is to raise funds for their group. If you would like to attend please see the eventbrite link below 🙂
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/senshine-support-family-fun-day-tickets-939824780217?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Creative Play Days are free local events for families. You can expect professional workshops, world-class performances, creative crafts and fabulous face painting. Take part in a range of free creative activities, from arts and crafts, to music-making, to practicing circus skills, along with face painting and a free public performance by an exciting theatre company.

This may be of interest to some of our families.

If you have specific questions around Social Care Assessments, we’re running a Facebook group Q&A with our specialist helpline advisers, this Thursday 15 August, 10 -11.30am.

Join our private Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/contactfamiliesgroup
Find out more here: https://ow.ly/6GSv50STOqQ

On Tuesday 20th August Awe & Wonder are running a relaxed session for families with children with additional needs.

If you think your child/children would love to experience what they do at Awe & Wonder, but would benefit from a quieter session, send us a message and reserve your spot now.

FREE of charge for all and siblings are very welcome. All children need to be supervised at all times. Please be aware spaces are limited - all spots must be booked in advance, please conbtact them directly.

Chard Leisure Centre have added a SEND family fun session to there Summer Holidays timetable. This will run on Tuesday's @ 12:20-13:20 in both there main pool and learner pool 🏊
To book please call - 01460 315007

We thought that some of our families may find this of use.

Nova Sports still have spaces on some of their August activities please contact them directly to book your place.

⚽️🏐 The CIA Team still have spaces available on their sports day with Join them for fun playing inclusive sports: wheelchair basketball, boccia and football!
Just £5 per family. See flyer for more details and email [email protected] by Friday 9th to book your place!

Join SS&L for their family workshops where you can explore stories, get crafty, and create digital storybooks and posters! Let your creativity shine while making new local friends.
The fun kicks off at 10 am with a Taster session, followed by two Starter sessions at 11.30 am (you must attend the Taster session, but can choose to book one, or both Starter sessions!) Stay until 3 pm and don’t forget to bring a packed lunch! 🥪
📅 14 Aug & 28 Aug
📍 Stogursey Village Hall
Book now: https://sslcourses.uk/CourseKeySearch.asp?KEY=Wacky

Spaces still available on Magdalen Farms Just act Natural Days. Book now! 🐖🐏
Day visit - 6th August
2 night stay - 21st August
Growing Independence 2 night stay - 26th August
Please contact them directly for more information and to book: https://bit.ly/3Wh7WRr

This time of year we hear from families who have no placement for their child. IPSEA have published information to help if you are in this situation.

Children who do not have a school place At the start of a new school year, far too many children with SEND are without a school to attend.

This research may be of interest to families

System-Generated Trauma Research "Many identify their most traumatising experiences as their treatment by public bodies they'd approached for support," Cerebra and the University of Leeds are researching how parents of disabled children experience trauma from the various social welfare and education systems they have to engage with. Parent carer survey to 13 Sept. https://bit.ly/4cbb31o

Closing today

Please take 5 minutes to share your views on Mental Health support for children and Young people in Somerset.
The survey results will be fed into the design of future services in Somerset.
The survey link provides access to the versions for
Children and Young people
Parent Carers
Practitioners

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cypmentalhealth

Chard Leisure Centre have added a SEND family fun session to there Summer Holidays timetable. This will run on Tuesday's @ 12:20-13:20 starting week commencing Monday 29th July in both there main pool and learner pool 🏊
To book please call - 01460 315007

Public health have asked for the following information to be shared along with place to go for support.

The summer break gives children and young people a substantial respite before the new academic year. Unfortunately for some, the summer break also provides an opportunity to experiment with alcohol and drugs.

Somerset Council, Public Health have developed the information pack providing guidance and support for parents, carers and families to start talking about substance use; helping children and young people understand the risks and support them to make safe and healthy choices.

You can access the information on our website

Talking with children & young people about substance use The summer break marks the end of the academic year in the UK and gives children and young people a substantial respite before the new academic year. Unfortunately for some, the summer break also p…

📣 We are pleased to share a free summer activity for families. We will be meeting at Ham Hill for a moring with the Ranger followed by a picnic. Numbers for the ranger activites are limmited so booking is needed., however everyone is welcome to join us for the picnic afterwards.
To book a place on the ranger activites please see our website below. 👇
https://somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk/home/events/family-events/

Please contact us via Facebook if you have any questions or trouble booking.

We thought this may be of interest to some of our military families 🙂
Please contact them directly.

📣 We are pleased to let parent know that we have secured funding from the councils Community Inclusion and Activities Team to run our youth Club for another year.
This group is open to all children with additional needs ( with or without a diagnosis) 12 to 18yrs. It is a safe place for our young people to come together and build friendships whilst having fun. 🎨🎲🎮🍬🥤

Spaces are limited and booking if required. all dates are now available to book via our events page 👇

https://somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk/home/events/

Please contact YOG directly if interested. Kim’s team are excellent and welcoming and we always get positive feedback about Yeovil Opportunity Group

Bookings for our Summer Play & Stay sessions for Children with SEND are now open.

Friday 2nd and 23rd August 2024, 10am - 12noon

YOU MUST PRE BOOK or we cannot guarantee a space - details below:-)

The team is really looking forward to welcoming everyone

The office is now closed for the summer holidays and we will be back on the 4 September. We hope all our families have a good summer and get to have a break.

Remember you can still get peer to peer support via our Finding your Way support group on Facebook which is open to all parent carers in Somerset.

Discover Frome have a website with lots of events for children to take part in over the summer holidays. take a look below and see what is happening in Frome 👇

Kids' Summer Holiday Activities 2024 - Discover Frome There's a fantastic selection of camps and workshops on offer as well as some activities you can do with the little ones this summer.

Did you know... The National Deaf Children's Society have lots of tips for navigating feelings when you've just found out your child has hearing loss?
Learning that your child has hearing loss or is deaf may come as a shock. You may be feeling lots of different emotions, and that's OK. Navigating your child's hearing loss will be a unique experience for you and your family.
Read reassuring and helpful tips from other parents who have been in a similar situation at https://www.ndcs.org.uk/.../navigating-your-childs.../

Tomorrow ITV will be running a feature on SEND focused on EHCP and the appeals process.

This will start on Good Morning Britain and then will continue on the news items throughout the day.

The 6pm news will included Ben McGrail ITV interview with local families.

We want to join Ben in thanking all of the families who shared their stories. We also want to thank Ben for shining a light on this important issue.