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Wear Odd Socks for World Down's Syndrome Day & Lots More...

Wear Odd Socks for World Down's Syndrome Day - 21st March 2019

Wear Odd Socks for World Down's Syndrome Day (WDSD) on 21.03.19. 

PODS Forum 'Dads' Group

We have recently set up a PODS Forum 'Dads' Group on Facebook, a chance for all our Dads to talk and maybe even arrange a get together. Please feel free to join and add other Dads in too: PODS Forum 'Dads' Group

Information Shared To You From APPGA (All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism)

As you may know, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Autism Act, as well as the next milestone for reviewing the autism strategy. To mark this significant moment, the APPGA is holding an inquiry that will consider progress made in the last 10 years, as well as exploring how services and support can be further improved for autistic people and their families. In order to build our understanding of what has and has not changed since the Act came into force, we are consulting with autistic people and their families, as well as holding evidence sessions in Parliament and organising focus groups with professionals and commissioners.

Public survey

As part of our inquiry, we are running a survey on our website, which seeks to find out more about autistic adults’, children’s and families’ views and experiences of support and services. This survey will also shed light on people's awareness of the Autism Act and the legal duties in place. The results from this survey will be part of the evidence going into a report, which will be published in September of this year and will set out recommendations to Government about what improvements need to be made for both autistic adults and children.

The survey will be open until Sunday 7 April, and we would like as many autistic people and their families to share their views so we can build a reflective understanding of peoples’ experiences across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. While the Autism Act only covers England, we do also want to capture views from across the nations as this will help us in our broader campaigning work.

MyFAM Social for ages 16-21

FOR ALL ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES... MyFAM has a new venture for young people aged 16 to 21 of ALL abilities. They are looking at a 'MyFAM SOCIAL' Club! The cost will be the usual £3 and a meal will be provided/prepared by those attending and will be included in the cost. MyFAM will provide a safe place for young people to learn life skills such as cooking, CV Writing and work experience, as well as a place to have some fun with social activities. If you or anyone you know would be interested in attending, or in volunteering for this session on a Monday evening, please email them at: info@themyfamproject.co.uk

LD & Autism Training for Health and Care Staff Survey

You may be aware that the Department of Health and Social Care has published a consultation about training for health and care staff - that covers Learning Disability and Autism.
This work is been led by Caroline Dinenage - The Minister of State for Care.
We wish to gather views from local families to make a submission to the consultation on behalf of PODS Parent Carer Forum and we shared the key proposals and questions into the survey. 

Please complete whatever questions you can - none of them are compulsory and we have kept the survey anonymous but if anyone wants to contact Jayne individually you are more than welcome to do so at jayne@podstelford.org. Thank you for taking the time to respond and know that your input will Make A Difference. We are asking for responses by the end of March to give us time to collate the response for the consultation close date of 12th April 2019. To take part in the survey, please click the following link: LD & Autism Training for Health and Care Staff Survey​

Transition to Employment Conference

Book on to our employment conference to find out all about the opportunities within Training, Volunteer Roles, supported Internships and much more available in Telford and Wrekin. We have many speakers and inspirational case studies highlighting positive outcomes. Aimed at parents with young people secondary school age up to 25, whether that be mainstream or specialist provision. Tickets are available for a donation of just a £1. Lunch and refreshments included, if you have any dietary requirements please email elaine@podstelford.org no later than the 25th March.

To book your place, please CLICK HERE

PODS Forum Family Group - Wednesday 20th March 2019

There is still chance to join us for our PODS Forum + SALT Awareness Session Family Group on Wednesday 20th March at Hollinswood Community Centre.

This Family Group will focus on an awareness of Down's Syndrome, with a local parent joining us. There will also be information relating to 'Iris Speaks' a Speech and Language Support Programme, for more information on the Programme, please click the link: Iris Speaks To book your place on this Family Group, please click here

Come and join us at our New Look Family Groups throughout 2019!...

Wednesday 20th March 2019: PODS Family Group from 9.30am-11.30am at Hollinswood Community Centre, 7 Downemead, Telford, TF3 2EW. To book your place, please see details above.

Friday 29th March 2019: Face 2 Face Family Group from 9.30am-11.30am
Dawley Town Hall (opposite Langley School/CAMHS) New Street, Dawley, Telford, TF4 3JR. ***SOLD OUT***

Sunday 31st March 2019: PODS Family Group from from 9.30am-11.00am at the Wacky Warehouse, Bridge Builder Pub, Wrekin Retail Park, Arleston, Telford, TF1 2DE. To book your place, please click here

Monday 1st April 2019: PODS Family Group from 10am-12pm at Admaston House, Admaston, Telford, TF5 0BN. To book your place, please click here

Thank you for reading our latest bulletin.

Kerrie Seagrave

Project Administrator on behalf of PODS Parent Carer Forum.

We hope you enjoyed reading our latest e-bulletin - we hope you continue to find it useful. If you have any suggestions to make it better feel free to let me know.