Contact a Family Cymru December 2013 E-Bulletin
Welcome to the Contact a Family Cymru e-bulletin. We hope the following news and resources will be of
interest to you. If you have details of any up and coming events or new information which may benefit
other families in your area please drop me a line – I would be happy to hear from you.
Andrew.kirby@cafamily.org.uk
This month's bulletin includes information :
 Contact a Family News
 News and information on projects that support families of disabled children throughout Wales
Contact a Family News
New information guide for parents on developmental delay
Monday 25th November 2013
This much needed guide is for parents and carers who think their child is not developing as they ought to
be, or who have been told that their child has developmental delay or global developmental delay.
It contains information on:
 How children progress in the early years
 What developmental delay is
 Why a child might be slower in development and how they can help their child
 Top tips from parents who have gone through similar.
It also contains a pull out poster with important milestones in a child's development - which would also be
useful to display in clinics.
In the guide, the main message for parents is that support should be put in place early on to help a child
with developmental delay develop skills. This should not be dependant on the child being diagnosed with
a named medical condition.
Our workshops and events so far...
Contact a Family Cymru have rebranded our events service and are now running bigger and
better events all across Wales. We have run our ‘Lights, Camera, Connected / Goleuadau,
Camera, Cysylltiedig’ events in Galeri in Caernarfon as well as Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff.
Both events were very successful with over 150 attending at each. Our new format for events is
to pack more activities into the course of the day with adapted film showings and children’s
workshops in both the morning and the afternoon as well as advice sessions and stalls for
parents and carers, and a free play area open all day.
The creative workshops have been particularly fun, with children making music for the festive
season in Cardiff in December with Liz from Upbeat Music Specialist. The session was very
informal and everyone was participating to help make some noise! In Caernarfon children learnt
new skills in our drama session led by Simon from Pigtown Theatre Company which was a hit!
We think there may be some stars in the making... In Caernarfon we were also visited by Sali
Mali who met with families and stall holders.
We also ran a free play area throughout both days which had both an active play space and a
craft area. Some children played in the tunnels, tent and inflatables provided while others were
comfortable making their own planes and monsters out of reclaimed materials. Many of our
families came away with valuable pieces of advice and information as well as a happy memory of
the day. One parent said ‘‘The kids enjoy the opportunity to watch a movie together. Having the
workshops at the same time as the film was a good idea so that if the kids got bored we had
options’.
Contact a Family Cymru will be running more events across Wales through 2014 and beyond
and if you wish to find out more or volunteer at any of our events local to you, please email
wales.events@cafamily.org.uk
News and General Information
Tape
Post 16 ASD Provision - The focus for the sessions is to provide opportunities for people over 16
who are diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to work with music,photography
and film/animation on a variety of loosely structured, user-led projects in a relaxed and friendly
environment. Based in TAPE Community arts centre, Old Colwyn. Running every Monday 10-4
during term time.
Backstage youth group - Run in partnership with Afasic, this is a youth club for young people with
speech language and communication difficulties. Primarily run as a youth club, this group meets
every Thursday during term time from 6pm to 8pm. 50p subs each week.
TAPE ASD cafe - runs every Saturday from 1pm till 5pm, friends and family are welcome to join in
the fun! We have computers with internet access, games, films. Enjoy being in a relaxed
environment on a rainy (or sunny!) Saturday afternoon
TAPE ASD cinema club - Held in an ASD friendly environment, this club screen family film for
children with ASD and their families. The screenings are held on the last Saturday of each month
from 2pm. Free entry.
Snap Happy - Calling all 11-16 and 17-25 year olds with speech and language needs! If you want
to learn photography skills or just want to improve your photography then this is the place to come!
It is held every first (11-16) and third Saturday (17-25) of the month from 1pm till 5pm. To book
your place please e-mail yvonne@afasiccymru.org.uk
Sounds Like Fun - This is a Saturday morning music group run in partnership with the Conwy
Children with Disabilities Team. This group meets from 11am to 1pm during term time. This is a
free event.
All of these clubs are held at TAPE music and film community arts charity centre on Berthes Road,
Old Colwyn, LL29 9SD. If you have any inquiries please e-mail office@tapemusicandfilm.co.uk
Bangor university is doing some research with Welsh Speaking families with
disabled children
Are you a Welsh speaking parent with a child with a learning disability between 5 and 15 years old?
Would you like to take part in some research?
What would you have to do?
Complete 10 short questionnaires and return them in the enclosed envelope.
If you would like to take part in the research or if you would like more information, contact them:
Ela Cernyw
Telephone: 07780936591
Twitter: @YmchwilEla
Email: pspefc@bangor.ac.uk
Facebook: Ymchwil Ela Cernyw
Families First
Families first a Welsh Government scheme is funding some new and interesting projects to help support
families with disabled children. Attached to this newsletter is some information in English and Welsh on
some projects being run in Cardiff by SNAP Cymru
You contact them at:
National Helpline: 0845 1203730 (National rate from landline –please ask to call back from mobiles).
Helpline open 09.30 – 16.30 every weekday
E-mail: cardiff@snapcymru.org
Website: www.snapcymru.org
Crossroads Carers Contact Centre
The Crossroads Carers Centre is an information and support centre for the unpaid carers in Newport
City. An unpaid carer is someone who looks after a loved one, a friend or a neighbour which enables
that person to live in their own home. Many of these have never had to look after someone else, their
life may change overnight when a loved one has a stroke or diagnosed with cancer.
Many struggles, not realising that there is help out there and many end up feeling isolated and
depressed. Let's be honest, no one chooses to become a carer. At the centre we offer support to these
carers, many of whom can’t change their situation but need someone to listen so that they can unload
some of their burdens.
We provide an outreach service by visiting GP surgeries across Newport and in the Royal Gwent
Hospital and Serennu Children’s; Hospital. Then there is the information side of the project. We give
out leaflets and information on a wide range of subjects such as benefits, residential homes, support
groups, health, housing and many more.
Should you be a carer and need some information to assist you with your caring role then please
contact:
Crossroads Carers Contact Centre
Newport Market, High Street, Newport, NP20 1DD
Telephone: 01633 258376
Email : carers.contact@crossroads-se-wales.org.uk
Upbeat Music Specialist
Upbeat Music Specialist is a Cardiff based organisation that provides specialist, structured music sessions
for people with learning disabilities of all ages. It was founded by Liz Upham, a qualified teacher with
nearly 6 years of previous experience working in specialist education people on the autistic spectrum with
a variety of challenging behaviours.
The sessions offer anyone with a learning disability the opportunity to enjoy music at their own level.
Along with developing musical skills, the sessions also include opportunities to work individually and as
part of a group, develop social skills and communication, gain confidence and self-esteem, perform at
organised concerts/events and work with qualified/experienced staff. We are currently looking forward to
our Christmas concert, which is being held on Friday 13th December 2013 at Sbectrwm in Cardiff, 6.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to come along and join in with the festivities!
For further information:
Phone No: 07583 639 281
Email: upbeatmusicspecialist@gmail.com
Website: www.upbeatmusicspecialist.co.uk
Social Media: www.facebook.com/upbeatmusicspecialist
Local Activities and Support Group
Are you a member of a voluntary sector group working with children, young people
and families in Newport?
If so, you might be interested to hear that GAVO Newport will shortly be establishing a voluntary sector
forum specifically for groups and organisations working with children, young people or families in Newport.
At this forum, you will be able to find out what services there are for children, young people and families in
Newport, have a voice in the planning and delivery of services, exchange information and share good
practice. You will be able to find out about training opportunities, funding and much more! Join us for a
cup of coffee and a chance to network.
If interested, please contact: Jane Shatford
E-mail: jane.shatford@gavowales.org.uk
Tel: 01633 241574
A new ASD group in Caerphilly
They are A.S.D Family Group. We are a support group run by parents for parents with autistic children in
the Caerphilly area.
We are based at Plas Mawr community centre
Coed Bach
Highfields
Blackwood
NP12 1FN
 And we meet every Friday 6: 30 - 8 : 30pm
 All the family is welcome
 £2.50 per family
Contact Lisa Neale for information by email at theasdfamilygroup@yahoo.co.uk
The Swansea Carers centre is offering Free Training & Holistic Therapies!
Look out for Swansea Carers Centre’s Project Cariad – Carers Matter new training programme in
January! Courses include IT for the Terrified, Digital Photography, Body Confidence, Stretchii and
Emergency First Aid. We know it can be challenging for carers to get time out, so we can also help by
paying for an existing service you use, or by reimbursing the time of a friend, neighbour or relative.
Fancy a relaxing holistic therapy session? Our trained therapy volunteers offer Reflexology, Massage
& Reiki in various locations around Swansea. All training & holistic therapies are FREE to any carers or
former carers aged 16+ who live in the Swansea area thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
To book a place or find out more call Ali or Marta on (01792) 653344
Or email ali@swanseacarerscentre.org.uk
Fun family groups in the Vale of Glamorgan
Rainbow pop in and play is for pre-school children with special and additional needs who live in the Vale
of Glamorgan to attend with their parents (and siblings of pre-school age). The group meets every
Wednesday during term time from 1:15-2:45 pm at the Flying Start Family Centre on Gladstone Road in
Barry.
Adventure Rangers is for 4-11 year olds with special and additional needs who live in the Vale of
Glamorgan to attend with their parents (and siblings). The group meets every Monday during term time
from 4.00 pm – 5.15 pm at Ty Robin on Robins Lane in Barry.
At both groups age and stage appropriate toys and activities are provided to suit the child’s individual
needs. Specialist play equipment is provided that is often very expensive for families to purchase and
parents can also access the toy library from the groups. Parents have an opportunity to meet other
parents who have had similar experiences. Advice and support for parents is also available from the
professionals who run the group.
Contact Ginny Bourne on 01446 731628 for more information.
Elfed United Football Club
Elfed United Football Club is a new community pan-disability football club based in Carmarthen
 The club caters for all ambulant disabled
 Young people who enjoy football and want to develop their skills
 Their aim is to give everyone the opportunity to play organised football, and we know that having a
disability is no barrier to enjoying the game!
Training Sessions – (Term Time) Thursday 4.00pm-5.00pm at Carmarthen Leisure Centre,
Johnstown Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen SA31 3NQ
Volunteers and Coaches also welcome
Please contact Alun on 07854517764 or Sylvia on 07976521692
The National Autistic Society is running an Understanding Autism family seminar
in Bangor on 28th January 2014.
Understanding Autism is one of the Autism Seminars for Families which provides information and advice
to parents and carers of children aged up to 11 who have received a recent diagnosis of autism.
The seminar will support families to:
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Develop an understanding of autism
Discuss experiences of getting a diagnosis
Identify how autism can affect families
Explore practical ideas for developing communication strategies
Clarify support that families may be entitled to and ways to access this
Families can book a place (up to two people per family) on this seminar for £30.
Autism Seminars for Families are delivered by experienced and trained professionals of The National
Autistic Society (NAS).
If you are interested in attending the seminar, please contact:
Autism Seminars for Families
07425 624592
www.autism.org.uk/familyseminars