We received the following information from Autism Suffolk:
Dear Parents and Carers
Are you struggling with toileting, early morning routines, bedtimes, and so on? Visual supports likes timetables, social stories and schedules can really help.
Come along to our free Autism Resource Session
What’s that?
You can make timetables, social stories, schedules etc. for your child with the help of our Family Support Workers. We provide the materials. You take home what you’ve made. No skill needed!
Where is it?
Autism Suffolk office,3 Grange Business Centre, Tommy Flowers Drive, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 2BY
When?
Thursday 3 November 2011, 10—2 (no need to stay for the whole session)
Who can come?
Parents and carers of children with an ASD
Places will be allocated to the first 12 people to book
To book or to find out more, contact Autism Suffolk on 01473 632700 or E-mail: autism.suffolk@nas.org.uk
Sunday, 9 October 2011
World Mental Health Day
In order to do our bit to raise awareness of the difficulties encountered and endured by those with ASDs in reference to World Mental Health Awareness day, the following letter by our Branch Officer has been sent to our local papers:
With World Mental Health Day fast approaching (10th October), I thought it necessary to highlight how many people with autism are needlessly developing mental health problems through a lack of support. Research by the National Autistic Society (NAS) found that 63% of adults with autism do not have enough support to meet their needs. Two thirds of these (67%) say they have experienced anxiety due to a lack of support and one third (33%) say they have experienced serious mental health problems.
The Government cannot afford to ignore the dramatic cost benefits of investing in autism services in the long-term. Not only would the right support at the right time prevent thousands of people with autism from developing mental health problems, it could also save the Government millions, if not billions, each year.
Jayne Page
Branch Officer, NAS Lowestoft and North Suffolk
With World Mental Health Day fast approaching (10th October), I thought it necessary to highlight how many people with autism are needlessly developing mental health problems through a lack of support. Research by the National Autistic Society (NAS) found that 63% of adults with autism do not have enough support to meet their needs. Two thirds of these (67%) say they have experienced anxiety due to a lack of support and one third (33%) say they have experienced serious mental health problems.
The Government cannot afford to ignore the dramatic cost benefits of investing in autism services in the long-term. Not only would the right support at the right time prevent thousands of people with autism from developing mental health problems, it could also save the Government millions, if not billions, each year.
Jayne Page
Branch Officer, NAS Lowestoft and North Suffolk
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Stay And Play is BACK!
We are very pleased to announce that starting in October, we will be holding monthly play sessions at Lowestoft's own Mayhem Adventure Play for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and for their siblings!
You may remember that earlier this year, we had some sessions at Adventure Island soft play area, which were very much enjoyed by all who attended; but from October, we will be able to offer places at a monthly play session at Mayhem Adventure Play on Lowestoft sea front!
It's a much more central location, with good bus links (car parking is available in the pay and display car park next to the building), and we will be able to hold our sessions on a Friday afternoon, rather than a Monday evening, which will kick off the weekend in fine style!
So for a suggested donation of just £2 per child, we will be able to welcome children aged 12 years and under, with a maximum height of 1.45 metres, for what will surely be a very fun play session!
The sessions will run from 4 pm to 5 pm, and will be held between October and March. During the Summer months, there are lots of outdoor activities going on, and so indoor soft play is less likely to be needed; and also during the Summer, Mayhem are sometimes required to shut at short notice due to high temperatures within the building. So, in order to avoid having the sessions cancelled with little time to notify those who would like to attend, we have decided to run the sessions between October and March, when the weather is cooler.
And so our first play session at Mayhem will take place on 21st October, between 4 pm and 5 pm!
We hope to see you there for an hour of fun and frolics!
You may remember that earlier this year, we had some sessions at Adventure Island soft play area, which were very much enjoyed by all who attended; but from October, we will be able to offer places at a monthly play session at Mayhem Adventure Play on Lowestoft sea front!
It's a much more central location, with good bus links (car parking is available in the pay and display car park next to the building), and we will be able to hold our sessions on a Friday afternoon, rather than a Monday evening, which will kick off the weekend in fine style!
So for a suggested donation of just £2 per child, we will be able to welcome children aged 12 years and under, with a maximum height of 1.45 metres, for what will surely be a very fun play session!
The sessions will run from 4 pm to 5 pm, and will be held between October and March. During the Summer months, there are lots of outdoor activities going on, and so indoor soft play is less likely to be needed; and also during the Summer, Mayhem are sometimes required to shut at short notice due to high temperatures within the building. So, in order to avoid having the sessions cancelled with little time to notify those who would like to attend, we have decided to run the sessions between October and March, when the weather is cooler.
And so our first play session at Mayhem will take place on 21st October, between 4 pm and 5 pm!
We hope to see you there for an hour of fun and frolics!
Our First South-Side Drop-In Group!
Tuesday 20th September found our Treasurer Amber, our PR Officer Rachel, and our Media Secretary Rebecca at this lovely place for the afternoon ...
We were there at the Whitton Life Cafe, on Whitton Green, from midday to 2:00 pm, talking to local parents and carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, making new friends and lending a listening ear. We talked about education, behaviour, parenting, and swapped experiences and tips with each other.
As you can see, we were lovely and comfy, curled up on our sofas, in the lovely, bright, airy room, chatting away the hours, sipping hot drinks and munching on biscuits.
The drop in dates are listed on the side of the page, for both our North and South Lowestoft drop in support group sessions, as well as being in each edition of our branch newsletter, and on our Facebook page; so, next time, if you're in the area and you care for someone with an ASD, why don't you drop in and join us!
We'd love to see you there!
We were there at the Whitton Life Cafe, on Whitton Green, from midday to 2:00 pm, talking to local parents and carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, making new friends and lending a listening ear. We talked about education, behaviour, parenting, and swapped experiences and tips with each other.
As you can see, we were lovely and comfy, curled up on our sofas, in the lovely, bright, airy room, chatting away the hours, sipping hot drinks and munching on biscuits.
The drop in dates are listed on the side of the page, for both our North and South Lowestoft drop in support group sessions, as well as being in each edition of our branch newsletter, and on our Facebook page; so, next time, if you're in the area and you care for someone with an ASD, why don't you drop in and join us!
We'd love to see you there!
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Our Picnic In The Park (aka Our August Drop In Support Group)
For the first time ever, we decided this year to have a drop in support group session in August! Parents need support during the holidays too!
But as we'd all have our children with us, we decided to meet up at Sparrows Nest Park, where the kids could make friends and play, while we parents curled up on our picnic rugs and chatted.
The weather was beautiful, and we all had a great time together ...
Louise from Activities Unlimited joined us for the afternoon
We shared a lovely afternoon together at the park in the sun!
Next month, we'll be back to our standard drop in location in North Lowestoft, The Ark Childrens Centre, on 13th September; and we'll be opening up our new support group in South Lowestoft at the Whitton Life Centre on 20th September. Hope to see you there!
But as we'd all have our children with us, we decided to meet up at Sparrows Nest Park, where the kids could make friends and play, while we parents curled up on our picnic rugs and chatted.
The weather was beautiful, and we all had a great time together ...
Louise from Activities Unlimited joined us for the afternoon
We shared a lovely afternoon together at the park in the sun!
Next month, we'll be back to our standard drop in location in North Lowestoft, The Ark Childrens Centre, on 13th September; and we'll be opening up our new support group in South Lowestoft at the Whitton Life Centre on 20th September. Hope to see you there!
Train Walk 2011
On 6th July, we gathered at the Little Stars Pre-School, at Kirkley & Pakefield Football Club Social Club, for our annual Train Walk.
Except this year, it was a train walk with a twist!
No, we didn't all boogie around the course doing the twist (or any other form of dance!); the twist was that this time, our Train Walk was held in partnership with a pre-school! In previous years, we have had sponsored walks in the park, and at local fun days, but this year, we decided to do things a little differently, and it went great!
Here's our Train Walk Team: Juliet, Rebecca, Rachel, Amber, Jayne and Bev, with the lovely ladies of the Little Stars Pre-School
While the Train Walkers had a picnic lunch, we got busy setting up the lucky dips ...
The tombola ...
The 'Guess the Name of the Bear' competition ...
... and the raffle and Autism awareness tables.
And then, once the picknicking was done, it was time for the Train Walkers to get walking! ...
Our first Train Walkers getting their instructions for the walk
En route to the first stop, walkers got to try their hands at some Thomas jigsaw puzzles, and got a lollipop for completing their puzzle ...
Then they had a chance to practise their football skills ...
Before making it to the first stop, where our Librarian, Juliet, stamped their tickets ...
Before the willing walkers carried on ...
To play more games ...
Before reaching Stop Number Two, where a member of staff from Little Stars gave the walkers their second stamp ...
Once stamped, they carried on to work on their football skills again ...
Before reaching their third stop, and getting their third stamp ...
On the home stretch, the walkers got to be train drivers ...
Before finally making their way to the finish, and getting their final stamp from Jayne, our Branch Officer, and collecting their prize!
This was our first finalist!
Once the Train Walkers had completed their walk, it was time to head inside for more fun!
Our PR Officer, Rachel and Media Secretary, Rebecca worked the tombola and lucky dip tables
A customer who was feeling lucky!
A beautiful lucky dipper with her prize!
Lots of tired walkers working on their entries for our colouring competition!
And then it was time to draw the raffle ...
Our Treasurer, Amber, with one of the lucky winners
A couple of weeks later, it was time to go back and give out the certificates to our Train Walk participants ...
Jayne & Amber giving out the prize for raising the most sponsorship money!
A happy Train Walker with his certificate
Lots of happy Train Walkers!
And what a great team effort it was! These pre-schoolers really were Little Stars, because between them, they managed to raise a whopping £955.15!!!
Dividing it equally between the pre-school and our branch, meant that we both received a fantastic £477.58!!! Needless to say, it's our most successful Train Walk ever!
Except this year, it was a train walk with a twist!
No, we didn't all boogie around the course doing the twist (or any other form of dance!); the twist was that this time, our Train Walk was held in partnership with a pre-school! In previous years, we have had sponsored walks in the park, and at local fun days, but this year, we decided to do things a little differently, and it went great!
Here's our Train Walk Team: Juliet, Rebecca, Rachel, Amber, Jayne and Bev, with the lovely ladies of the Little Stars Pre-School
While the Train Walkers had a picnic lunch, we got busy setting up the lucky dips ...
The tombola ...
The 'Guess the Name of the Bear' competition ...
... and the raffle and Autism awareness tables.
And then, once the picknicking was done, it was time for the Train Walkers to get walking! ...
Our first Train Walkers getting their instructions for the walk
En route to the first stop, walkers got to try their hands at some Thomas jigsaw puzzles, and got a lollipop for completing their puzzle ...
Then they had a chance to practise their football skills ...
Before making it to the first stop, where our Librarian, Juliet, stamped their tickets ...
Before the willing walkers carried on ...
To play more games ...
Before reaching Stop Number Two, where a member of staff from Little Stars gave the walkers their second stamp ...
Once stamped, they carried on to work on their football skills again ...
Before reaching their third stop, and getting their third stamp ...
On the home stretch, the walkers got to be train drivers ...
Before finally making their way to the finish, and getting their final stamp from Jayne, our Branch Officer, and collecting their prize!
This was our first finalist!
Once the Train Walkers had completed their walk, it was time to head inside for more fun!
Our PR Officer, Rachel and Media Secretary, Rebecca worked the tombola and lucky dip tables
A customer who was feeling lucky!
A beautiful lucky dipper with her prize!
Lots of tired walkers working on their entries for our colouring competition!
And then it was time to draw the raffle ...
Our Treasurer, Amber, with one of the lucky winners
A couple of weeks later, it was time to go back and give out the certificates to our Train Walk participants ...
Jayne & Amber giving out the prize for raising the most sponsorship money!
A happy Train Walker with his certificate
Lots of happy Train Walkers!
And what a great team effort it was! These pre-schoolers really were Little Stars, because between them, they managed to raise a whopping £955.15!!!
Dividing it equally between the pre-school and our branch, meant that we both received a fantastic £477.58!!! Needless to say, it's our most successful Train Walk ever!
Thursday, 4 August 2011
A Brand New Support Group is Opening Up!
The Lowestoft & North Suffolk Branch is delighted to announce that we will be opening up a brand new drop in support group next month, in South Lowestoft!
The group will be held at the Whitton Life Cafe, and will be held on the third Tuesday of the month, starting on 20th September. The drop in session will run from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, and is open to everyone who is caring for someone with an ASD.
We hope that this group will complement our exisiting group at The Ark Childrens Centre in North Lowestoft, providing a more convenient location for those parents living on the other side of the bridge, and enabling us to both reach and support more local families affected by ASDs.
So, if you need someone to talk to, or want to make new friends who are going through similar experiences, come along to our brand new support group!
Where? Whitton Life Cafe, Whitton Estate, Lowestoft
When? 3rd Tuesday of every month, starting on 20th September
What time? 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
We hope to see you there!
Whitton Life Centre
4 The Green
Lowestoft
NR33 9AZ
01502 562444
The group will be held at the Whitton Life Cafe, and will be held on the third Tuesday of the month, starting on 20th September. The drop in session will run from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, and is open to everyone who is caring for someone with an ASD.
We hope that this group will complement our exisiting group at The Ark Childrens Centre in North Lowestoft, providing a more convenient location for those parents living on the other side of the bridge, and enabling us to both reach and support more local families affected by ASDs.
So, if you need someone to talk to, or want to make new friends who are going through similar experiences, come along to our brand new support group!
Where? Whitton Life Cafe, Whitton Estate, Lowestoft
When? 3rd Tuesday of every month, starting on 20th September
What time? 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
We hope to see you there!
Whitton Life Centre
4 The Green
Lowestoft
NR33 9AZ
01502 562444
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