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Specialist Playscheme Statement, PODS Buddy Scheme & Lots More...

Specialist Playscheme Statement May 2023

Sharing extract from Telford & Wrekin Council…

“Telford and Wrekin Council offer a number of playschemes over the summer holidays and will share the details of these when they are available. One of these playschemes is the specialist playscheme specifically for children with high and complex levels of disabilities.
A partnership of people are working hard to deliver this summer’s specialist playscheme including: The Children with Disabilities Team, My Options, Bridge School Head and Willow Tree Head.

Statement from PODS Parent Carer Forum: It has been identified that the summer playscheme will need a new location due to significant maintenance work at its current site. We completely understand that this may be concerning for some families and we have asked for communication to be shared with families at the earliest possible time, hence this notice. We welcome any comments or feedback and assure you that these will be taken into consideration as part of the process of setting up the playscheme. Please contact jayne@podstelford.org or 0777 534 2092.”

To read the statement in full, please click here: Specialist Playscheme Arrangements Summer 2023

PODS Buddy Scheme

We are pleased to annouce we have a new PODS Buddy Scheme.

A PODS Buddy offers support to parent carers that may find it difficult to make that first step to attend a family group.

Our friendly PODS Buddy would meet you at the door, walk in with you, and stay with you at the family group, to make sure you are comfortable and not alone.

All our Buddies are parent carers, and have all had to make that first step, so they know how you’re feeling and are there to support you.

For more information or to enquire about having a PODS Buddy, please contact kerrie@podstelford.org or call: 07309 753044.

PODS Open Day

Come and join us for our 1st open day. A great opportunity to meet the team and discover our new sensory room, whilst your here find out more about the fantastic services and upcoming activities we have on offer.

There will be other partner organisations ready to meet you and discuss how they can help, such as Foden's Solicitors, the Autism Hub, IASS and Be Happy support.

A free bouncy castle and face painting for all, Hot dogs £1.50, Drinks £1 and a selection of cakes available. For more information, please email events@podstelford.org

PODS Social Group (for 12-25 year olds)

PODS is hosting a Board Games evening for young people aged 12 years to 25 years and their siblings.

Tickets: £3 per young person attending
Time:     6pm-7.30pm
Venue:   PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford TF2 9TU

The young people are free to “Bring their Own Board games” to play too. Parents/carers to stay on the site during the session.

To book, please click here: PODS Social Group (for 12-25 year olds)

PODS Forum and Befriending Scheme Cake Decoration Family Group

Wednesday 17th May 2023 from 10am-11.30am at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

Come and join us at PODS Family Group at the PODS Hub for a chat, relax and meet with friendly faces. Some of our Befrienders will be available on the day to offer a listening ear and emotional support too should you need it.

In this session we will be learning some tips and tricks on Cake Decoration. All the items/ingredients needed will be provided by PODS. In case of any allergies, please let us know in advance as this will help us to provide the correct ingredients for you on the day. Booking is essential.

To book your place, please click here: PODS Forum and Befriending Scheme Cake Decoration Family Group

PODS Code Club

PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

PODS Code Club is running sessions for children from 7-13 years old during Term Time. The children will be learning to code in SCRATCH. Along with learning how to code, the children will also be building upon their skills like problem solving, collaboration and communication. 

Session costs are non-refundable, parent/carer/PA must remain on site for the duration of the session. Please ensure every child/young person attending has a ticket, those attending without a ticket will be turned away. Adult tickets are NOT required.

To book your place, please click here: PODS Code Club

PODS May Activity Sessions

Join PODS this May for a variety of activities! Bookings via Ticketsource. Parent/carer attendance required. To book, please click on the links below:

Inflata Nation - SOLD OUT

Enginuity 

Wolf Yoga - SOLD OUT

Active Session 

Open Farm

Open Farm Sunday is on 11th June and there are some local farms available to visit.

More information via the following link: Open Farm Sunday

Update from Jayne, Strategic Co-ordinator

What a great week we've had this week, with the starting point of the Kings Coronation Party on Monday at the wonderful Ironbridge Gorge museum. We saw so many of our lovely families and a couple of dignitaries too with a visit from the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and also our Mayor Raj Mehta who presented us with a 'Building Bridges' Award - another one to add to the growing collection!

The parent carer forum, led by Jayne Stevens and her team of reps, has been as busy as ever with representing families over the last couple of weeks at meetings and discussions these last couple of weeks that have focussed on:

• Short Breaks and Activities including Overnight provisions
• An innovation bid looking at wider offers and 'outside the box'
• Keyworker (Barnardos) Project for families who are at risk of placement breakdown or at risk of going into hospital.
• Local Offer - reviewing information about personal budgets, activities and linking to Healthier Together health website
• Equality and Diversity training (offered as part of our partnership with Contact charity).
• Autism in Schools workshops (for schools and for families) focussing on "Autism and Girls" and "Masking".
• Communication meetings - with LA/Health and SENDIASS.
• Family Hubs (Strengthening Families). New government directive supporting early years families.
• Working Together meeting update - supported by parent reps
• Learning Disbability and Autism Board Meeting - meeting the new Director and sharing experiences around LD&A, annual health checks, diagnostic pathways, transition to adult services, accommodation placements.
• Mental Health Forum and understanding the offers available to adults 18+ - so that's our young people and parent carers.
• Ops meeting for staff to regroup and make plans including our Open Day (24 June), our AGM (18 July) and Picnic in Park (7 Aug). We're also working on updates for website and new leaflets - yay!
• Presentation from Fostering Agency and a visit from T&W Fostering team.
• Meeting with Service Delivery Manager for Education and discussions around Post 16 transport and Independent Travel -Training, Early Years placements, School sufficiency, Case study development and the working together charter, update on SEND inspection (draft report awaited), new attendance data system, plans for workshops around graduated approach (SEN Support) - 28th June and Transition workshop to be arranged.

Each of these meetings will have an agenda, or it will have an action plan out the back of it - if you are interested in finding out more about this work, or getting more involved as a Parent Rep, or a Champion then please get in touch (training is available).

Best Regards
Jayne

Information from Telford & Wrekin Community Champions

Mental Health Awareness Week - 15th May-21st May

15th -21st May marks Mental Health Awareness Week 2023. The official theme this year is Anxiety. Mental Health UK have shared the below information and facts about Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders. Find out more on their website.

Action for Happiness Calendar - Meaningful May 2023

Please note the above material is subject to copyright, please contact PODS before sharing any of the information in this PODS Ebulletin.

Thank you for reading our latest Ebulletin, please stay safe & well. 

Kerrie Seagrave, Member Support Co-ordinator

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.