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Drop In with BeeU Assistant Psychologist, Send Specialist Family Hub & Lots More...

Drop In with BeeU Assistant Psychologist

Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 1pm-2.30pm at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

We are hosting a drop-in opportunity with one of the new BeeU Assistant Psychologists.

As you are aware there have been some changes within the BeeU team and one of these is the recruitment of Assistant Psychologists who are offering 'waiting well' support to families, to signpost to other services and to give an update on waiting times and review your assessment journey.   ​She will also provide information on what support ​she is providing to schools, ​and ​to ​let us know more about the new ​referral processes.

We will be holding future dates and offering more opportunities for these discussions to take place.

To book, please click here: Drop In with BeeU Assistant Psychologist

PODS and Telford and Wrekin Council Unite to Launch Send Specialist Family Hub

Parents Opening Doors (PODS) and Telford and Wrekin Council, are thrilled to announce their collaboration in establishing a Send Specialist Family Hub. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support for families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), offering a centralised resource hub.

The Send Specialist Family Hub will serve as a one-stop destination, offering a wide array of services, resources, and guidance for families navigating the SEND landscape.

As part of the launch festivities, PODS and Telford and Wrekin are inviting the public to participate in a poll to name the new Hub. The winning entry will receive a £20 gift card as a token of appreciation for their contribution. The poll will be accessible through PODs' websites and social media platforms.

The official unveiling of the Send Specialist Family Hub is scheduled to coincide with PODS' annual open day, on June 29th at 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU. This event will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn more about the Send Specialist Family Hub, connect with representatives from both organisations, and partners whilst engaging  in various family fun activities.

"We are excited to join forces with Family Hubs to introduce the Send Specialist Family Hub" said Elaine Pearce, Project Manager at PODS. "Through this collaboration, we aim to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment for all individuals, ensuring that no family feels alone in their journey."

"We are proud to partner with PODS to establish the Send Specialist Family Hub, a significant step forward in our mission to provide comprehensive support for SEND families," said Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Young People at Telford & Wrekin Council commented: "Together, we are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve, and we look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will bring."

The Send Specialist Hub represents a milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance support systems for SEND families, offering a beacon of hope and assistance in navigating the complexities of the SEND landscape.

For more information about the Send Specialist Family Hub and to participate in the naming poll, please visit Home - PODS (podstelford.org). Stay tuned for further updates and announcements leading up to the launch event. 

About Family Hubs:

Family Hubs are one-stop centres where families can get free information, guidance and support on infant feeding, mental health, healthy lifestyles and many other services.

Bringing all this support together in one place is a huge advantage for families, as they can go for face-to-face advice and extra help right in their own community, when they need it.

For more information, please contact: Elaine Pearce: elaine@podstelford.org / 07540 049759

For media inquires please contact: Sam Morley: sam.morley@telford.gov.uk

To participate in the naming poll on Facebook, you will find it on our closed PODS Forum 'Chat Space' Group please click here to cast your vote: Naming Poll

Challenges at Home Sessions

"Challenges at home" sessions for families who have a child on NeuroDiversity (Autism, ADHD, etc) assessment pathway or undergoing diagnosis. Open to 0-18 years from mainstream and special schools.

For families to discuss home/life concerns and seek information and advice from Educational Psychologist team around emotional, behaviour, social, anxieties, routines, etc. We use these sessions to support families to find solutions together and share experiences and offer mutual support in a safe and supportive place.

If you are attending with another family member, you only need to book one place.

Next dates are 11th April and 9th May.

Please click on the links below to book:

Daytime Sessions

Evening Sessions

Puberty Workshop

Tuesday 7th May 2024 from 10.30am-12.30pm at PODS Hub or 6-8pm (online via Teams)

(Please note this has been funded by Autism in Schools Project so has an 'Autism' bias)

• A refresher about the autism spectrum
• About puberty and adolescence
• Teenage brain changes
• How growing up and autism interact
• How to support your child or young person
• What next?

To book, please click here: Puberty Workshop

Next Tourettes Action Group: Friday 19th April

Tourettes Action Group welcomes all families who have a child or young person that may be affected by Tourettes (or tics) in Telford.  

We welcome anyone to attend to find out more about this condition and to receive support and share experiences. Our group leader is trained and supported the national 'Tourettes Action' organisation.

PODS Charity is hosting these sessions at their hub: 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford. TF2 ​9TU

Free carparking and refreshments.

To book, please click here: Tourettes Action Group: Friday 19th April

PODS Social Support Group - Tile Decoration Workshop

Thursday 18th April 2024 from 10am-12pm at Jackfield Tile Museum, Telford, TF8 7LJ

Join us for a Tile Decoration Workshop in the Jackfield Tile Museum. The workshop is heavily subsidised by PODS. 

Places are limited and need to be booked. Cost is £6 per person, we will meet at the Car Park for 10am.

To book your place, please click here: PODS Social Support Group - Tile Decoration Workshop

PODS Social Support Group at Blists Hill

Wednesday 24th April 2024 from 10am-12pm at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Telford, TF7 5UD

Come and join us at PODS Family Group in Blists Hill Victorian Town for a chat, relax and meet with friendly faces. Ask us for some advice or just enjoy a walk around the village.

Tickets are available at a subsidised cost of £3.00 per person. PODS will provide 1 tea/coffee/soft drink to each person booked, however you will have to purchase your own other refreshments if required.

Places are limited and booking is essential, open to all PODS members living in Telford and Wrekin. Please note that the tickets are non-refundable. Children, of any age, are welcome however if they are under 2 years old, no ticket is required. We will be meeting at the entrance at 10am, please let us know if you will be late or can no longer make it so as the group can enter on time.

To book, please click here: PODS Social Support Group at Blists Hill

PODS Stop Motion Video Club

Monday 8th April 2024 at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

PODS Stop Motion Video Club resumes from Jan 2024. The children/young people will be provided with Lego and Ipads to help make the stop motion videos. Cost is £3 per child/young person.

Please contact Uma at uma@podstelford.org for any details.

To book, please click here: PODS Stop Motion Video Club

PODS Minecraft Club

Tuesday 9th April from 4pm-5pm at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

A chance to come together and enjoy a session of Minecraft. Please note Minecraft will be accessed via PODS iPads which are linked to one another to allow multiplayer options. Children will not be able to access their own Minecraft accounts for safety reasons. Sessions open to children and young people of all ages who are members of PODS including their siblings.

Drinks and biscuits provided. 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, please click here: PODS Minecraft Club

PODS Lego Club

Wednesday 10th April 2024 from 4.30pm-5.30pm at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

PODS Lego Club is running sessions for children from 5-14 years old during Term Time. The children will be building as well as be able to improve their  to social and communication skills. 

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.

To book, please click here: PODS Lego Club

Bethphage Families and Professionals Day Invite - April 12th 

Shared from Bethphage...

"We would like to invite you to Bethphage Head Office on Friday 12th April for our “Families and Professionals Day”, a drop-in hosted by our Shared Lives team in collaboration with our day opportunities (Innage Lane in Bridgnorth, Our Space in Ellesmere and Oak Farm in Ditton Priors) and our Supported Living team. Our teams will be on hand between 10am to 2pm to discuss the range of supported opportunities we have. Whether you are considering next steps, are curious about what opportunities are available or just want to learn more about Bethphage, we’d love for you to drop by."

Please Note: This is for families with young people aged 18+  

Toni's Fundraiser for Parents Opening Doors (PODS) Telford

Extract from Toni's Fundraising Page...

"Hi all, I have decided to challenge myself into getting fit & taking part in a charity boxing match. The charity I will be fundraising for is called ‘Parents Opening Doors’(PODS) based here in Telford and is a great place for parents of children with disabilities and additional needs to become involved, get support & take part in fun days that are inclusive to all. I have chosen this charity as I have started taking my son to some of the sessions they run and he absolutely loves it and I think they do amazing work within the community for young people with disabilities.

This is an exciting challenge for me as I’m going to be dedicating myself to training and becoming fit. This is not about winning for me but taking part, having fun and proving to myself that anything you put your mind to is possible. This is also a opportunity for me to raise money on behalf of my son and get him to embark on the fitness journey with me so we will be doing this together and ultimately the money will be raised in his name for this charity.

It's not about winning or losing a competition, it's about beating the doubt from within yourself and knowing at the end of each day you are one step closer to your goals.”

To donate, please click here: Toni's Fundraiser for Parents Opening Doors (PODS) Telford

Chance to Dance

Please see the poster below for details on Chance to Dance classes.

SEN Magazine - March/April 2024

In the March/April issue of SEN Magazine, you will find articles on:

• Fizziness, and what to do with it
• The new NPQ
• AI in the classroom
• Transition: a route map
• SEN in the Middle East
• Labelling autism

To read those articles and the magazine in full, please click here: SEN Magazine - March/April 2024

Action for Happiness Calendar - Active April 2024

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.