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Competition to Design Art for Accessible Playground & Lots More...

Calling all Future Artists! Developer Launches Competition to Design Art for Accessible Playground

A national housing developer has launched a competition for young people in Telford, letting them have the chance to design the art that will be showcased on its accessible play area at Hadley Gate, its development in the town.

As part of the planning permission for the development, Persimmon Homes will be creating a new accessible play area and is inviting young people in Telford to have the opportunity to have their artwork permanently displayed there. Working with PODS Parent and Carer forum, the developer has chosen nature as the theme.

Young people aged between 3 and 15 are invited to share their designs, with the team offering the winner the prize of a £100 gift card to Smyths or Amazon.  

The winning design will be used as inspiration for the artist who will re-create the art, for it to be displayed permanently.

Entrants should email their design to taylor.robinson@persimmonhomes.com with the subject line ‘Hadley Arts’, leaving their name, age, school and contact information.

The deadline for entries is Friday 31st January 2025, with a winner chosen on Monday 17th February 2025.

PODS Team Up with Connected Mobiles Ltd 

We are delighted to have teamed up with Connected Mobiles Ltd who collect and recycle old mobile phones. They have provided us with a mobile phone collection point and for every phone collected they will donate to PODS.

So have a look in the back of drawers and cupboards and drop off your old phones next time you are at the hub and help us save the environment whilst raising funds. Any phone can be donated, regardless of age and whether it works or not.

Young Minds Mental Health Support - Parent Helpline Info Session

Tuesday 14th January 2025 from 6pm-7pm - Online

We are very pleased to host the following information session for families: YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for young people’s mental health.

YoungMinds offers a free, national Helpline service for any parent or carer concerned about a young person's wellbeing or mental health, aged 0-25. They can provide translation services in over 200 languages and have comprehensive resources on the Parent and Carer section of their website. You can visit the website here: wwwyoungminds.org.uk

Jill Walsh is a Parent Engagement Officer at YoungMinds and will be hosting an information session where you can find out more about the Parents Helpline and the support it offers.  

A link will be sent to you join us online, a few days before the event.

To book, please click here: Young Minds Mental Health Support - Parent Helpline Info Session

PODS Sensory Sessions

PODS Sensory Sessions are held at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU.

Siblings are also welcome. Parent/carer supervision required at all times.

We have availability on the 0-6 years and 7-11 years sessions. Please click on the following links to book:

Wednesday 15th January 2025 from 3.45pm-4.45pm - PODS Sensory Sessions Age 7-11

Monday 20th January 2025 from 3.45pm-4.45pm - PODS Sensory Sessions for Ages 0-6

PODS Lego Club

Wednesday 15th January 2025 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

PODS January Activities

Join PODS in January for a variety of activity sessions! Parents and carers must attend and tickets are required for all children and young people. Open to children and young people, including siblings.

To book, please click the links below:

Craft Session 

Ice Skating - SOLD OUT

Games & Tech 

PODS Inclusive 80s Party Night Fundraiser - **Important Update**

Thursday 23rd January 2025 from 6pm-10pm at Casey's, Cordingley Hall, Wellington Rd, Donnington, Telford TF2 8JS

Update from Joanne Smith-Martin, our Events and Fundaising Lead..."I've spoken with Casey’s Venue, and I’m excited to share that, as this is a charity event, children are welcome to join us! Everyone will need a ticket (£12, which includes a basket meal), and parents/carers will be fully responsible for their children. To make it even more enjoyable, Casey’s will provide a free squash station for the kids.

I hope this news inspires more people to attend PODS' very first charity event of 2025. Let’s kick off the year with a strong commitment to support a wonderful charity that uplifts many families.

You can purchase tickets in two ways:

1. **Cash:** Please put cash in an envelope with the names of everyone purchasing a ticket clearly written on the front. I’ll ensure your names are forwarded to Casey's venue.
2. **Online:** Click the link below to buy your ticket directly from Casey’s

To reach our minimum target, we need to sell at least 80 tickets. For every ticket sold, PODS will receive £2.50. Thank you for your support!"

To book, please click here: PODS Inclusive 80s Party Night Fundraiser

PODS Lego Club

PODS Lego Club is on every Wednesday from 4.30pm-5.30pm (Term Time Only) 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

PODS Stop Motion Video Club

Monday 20th January from 4.30pm-5.30pm at PODS Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TU

The children/young people will be provided with Lego and Ipads to help make the stop motion videos.

Costs: £3 per child/young person (Non refundable)

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

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

PODS Minecraft Club

PODS Minecraft Club is on every Tuesday from 4pm-5pm (Term Time Only) 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 Social Support Group at Blists Hill

Wednesday 29th January 2025 from 12pm-2pm 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 per person. Tickets are non-refundable.

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 Social Support Group at Admaston House

Monday 3rd February 2025 from 10am-11.30am at Admaston House Community Centre, Telford, TF5 0BN

Join us at our friendly family group, a chance to catch up on updates, discuss services and access non-judgemental peer support with fellow parent carers.

Any family members welcome to join us and we'll supply the refreshments and treats too (donations welcome).

To book, please click here: PODS Social Support Group at Admaston House

Family Hubs Eatwell Session at The Silver Threads Hall

The Silver Threads Hall in partnership with Family Hubs is able to offer the following sessions for free details and running time below.

To book on any of the four session below please email them to book your place this is so they can take some additional information from you. Please email alan.watkins@thesilverthreadshall.org.uk

Eatwell guide= In this we use the Eatwell mat talk about the six sections that make up our diet and how much we should be consuming, what each section does for our bodies. We also make us of the fake food to see if they understand which section they belong under and why.
This session will be running on Wednesday 26th February 10am to 11am.

Sugar awareness= We talk about how much is recommended where our sugar comes from, I share the NHS food scan app and how it is used to aid finding out what’s hidden in everyday products. Tooth health brushing and the use of bottles, dummies.
This session will be running on Tuesday 25th April 1pm to 2pm

Weaning stage 1= First introduction to food for your baby from age 6mth and why it’s not recommended before this time.
This session will be running on Tuesday 28th January from 1pm to 2pm.

Weaning stage 2- Finger foods menu ideas recipes. Any problems open discussion from everyone with tips .
This session will run on Monday 28th April 1pm to 2pm

Each session is one hour and fifteen mins this gives time for Q&A .

Nurture & Grow

Care in the Community by the Community

Nurture and Grow provides specialist PA support for children and young people aged 0-25 with disabilities and additional needs.

We are now accepting applications for support from individuals who are self funding or using direct payments.

Please follow the QR code in the poster or click below to apply:

Nurture & Grow Personal Support Application

Fully trained support workers providing 1:1 and 2:1 care.

Blossom & Bloom Stay and Play Session

Blossom & Bloom is a stay and play session for infants and pre-schoolers aged 0-5. There will be fun activities every week, come for a coffee, meet other parents in our welcome and inclusive environment. 

This will be open to all children prior and post diagnosis, this group every Tuesday term-time only it will run 10-11.30 at PODS hub for any extra information contact Louise@podstelford.org 

Down Syndrome in Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Fathers’ and Non-Birth Parents’ Experiences of Testing and Diagnosis

Do you have a child with Down syndrome who was born in 2019 or later, and who is at least 2 months old? Were you living in England, Scotland, or Wales during the pregnancy period? If so, please consider taking part in this study: https://buff.ly/4hFJ0v3

SASA Community Afternoon Tea Event - For Bratton, Admaston, North Wellington, Leegomery and Apley Areas.

SASA Community are hosting an Afternoon Tea event on Wednesday 22nd January 2025 from 2pm-4pm at Admaston House, Wellington Road, Admaston with the support of the Welcoming Spaces Grant.

The event is for those living in Shawbirch and the surrounding areas (Bratton, Admaston, North Wellington, Leegomery and Apley Areas).

Please see the poster below for further details.

SEND Family Newsletter - January 2025

The January edition of the SEND Family Newsletter, includes articles on the following:

• Welcome from Laura Goodfellow
• SEND Local Offer            
• SEND Updates
• Educational Psychology – refresh

To read the Newsletter in full, please click here: SEND Family Newsletter - January 2025

Chance to Dance

Please see the poster below for details on Chance to Dance sessions, they are held on Saturdays from 2.30pm-3pm at Randlay Community Centre. 

Action for Happiness Calendar - Happier January 2025

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.