Dear All,
WPCC's latest newsletter is below...
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In This Week's Issue...
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| BREAKING NEWS |
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HAVE YOUR SAY
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ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
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EVENTS AND INFORMATION
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BREAKING NEWS
Preparing for Rising Temperatures
Weather forecasts are expecting temperatures to possibly reach highs of 36°C on Monday in Wiltshire.
We hope the following list of links is helpful in preparing for this heatwave and provides some guidance if affected by extreme heat: -
Reminder: New Staff at the WPCC
Following the recent WPCC vacancies advertised and subsequent interviews, we are delighted to be able to announce our newest additions to the WPCC team.
Mia will be joining Elaine in our Telephone Triage Team, Claire will be joining Gill and Ali in our Outreach Team, and Rosie will be our new Volunteer Coordinator. With the summer holidays fast approaching, all new members of staff will take up their roles at the beginning of September.
We offer our sincerest congratulations to Mia, Claire and Rosie on their successful appointment and we very much look forward to them joining the WPCC team. The latest opportunities with the WPCC generated a significant amount of interest and we were overwhelmed by the number of applications we received. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who applied.
The clinical commissioning group (CCG) for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) became an Integrated Care Board (ICB) on 1st July 2022.
The BSW ICB will be a new statutory organisation that will develop a plan for meeting the health needs of our local population, manage the NHS budget allocated to the ICB and arrange for the provision of health services in the BSW area.
It will work collaboratively to improve outcomes in population health, provide better joined-up care, reduce health inequalities and enhance productivity and value for money, while also helping the NHS support broader social and economic development.
The BSW ICB sits within the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care System (ICS), which will now be known as BSW Together. BSW Together ICS is a wider network of local health and care organisations that will plan and organise how health and care services can be delivered across the region, while also committing to give local people and communities a louder voice in how services are provided locally.
The organisations that make up the ICS in BSW include the region’s three NHS foundation trusts, 88 GP practices and three local councils, as well as the ambulance service, community caregivers, mental health providers and hundreds of local voluntary, community and social enterprise groups.
This short video explains a little more about Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
You can find out more information about the BSW ICB and BSW Together by visiting their website at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk or www.bswtogether.org.uk.
Have Your Say
The BSW ICB is looking to improve outcomes in population health, provide better joined-up care, reduce health inequalities; enhance productivity and value for money and help the NHS support broader social and economic development. They won’t be able to do any of this without the involvement of local people, telling them their thoughts on how they would like to see health and care services develop and getting involved in our local decision making process. As the new ICB moves forward, they will have a number of ways you can get involved and join their journey to better integrate health and care. Click HERE to find out more about ways and opportunities to get involved.
Have Your Say
Last Chance: Safer Evenings and Nights in Wiltshire and Swindon
We invite you to complete this Safer Nights Survey that has been developed to make evenings and night-time in Swindon and Wiltshire safer for us all. The initial survey will help gain an understanding on how safe or unsafe people feel and what can be done to change that.
Please encourage anyone who goes out of an evening in Wiltshire & Swindon to fill in the survey, found here.
The survey will close on Tuesday 19th July 2022.
Last Chance: Have Your Say on Childcare Provision in Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council is asking parents and carers for their views on childcare in the county and if there are enough places on offer to enable them to work or access training.
The Childcare Act 2006 and the Early Education and Childcare guidance for local authorities requires local authorities to assess the sufficiency of childcare at least every three years.
Wiltshire Council has published a survey that is open to all parents and carers who have children aged between 0 to 19 years. Results of the survey will evaluate the amount and types of childcare in Wiltshire, and whether there is enough available to enable parents to work or train.
Childcare is defined as anyone else (other than the parent or carer) who looks after a child while a parent or carer is at work, training or studying. This would also include supervised after school activities and school holiday activities.
Views on provision from early years such as preschools and playgroups, to afterschool clubs and holiday schemes and including specialist centres for disabled children and young adults is included in this survey.
The survey runs until 22nd July 2022 and can be found HERE.
For more information about childcare in Wiltshire, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/child-care.
Reminder: General Feedback (see attached form)
If you have any general feedback you would like to share, please telephone us on: 01225 764647 or send an email to: admin@wiltspcc.co.uk. Please be assured that when we share feedback with services, we never identify the person who gave the feedback, unless we have their consent to do so.
When sharing your feedback, it is often helpful to know:-
- Which part of Wiltshire you live in? (North, South etc.)
- How old your child/young person is?
- Consent to share your contact details? (optional) This is so we can work with service providers to address issues with you individually.
You may prefer to complete the attached feedback form, send us an email or call us to give your feedback.
Activities for Children and Young People
What’s On Children/Young People’s Calendar July 2022
For a full list of activities for July for children and young people with disabilities, including music, social, sport, drama, trampolining clubs and much more, please go to our What’s On Calendar for more details: What's On Calendar
Braeside’s First Family Open Day – Devizes – 6th August 2022
Braeside Education Centre in Devizes is inviting all family’s to join them for their first ever Braeside Family Open Day on Saturday 6th August from 11am to 6pm.
They hope to showcase their venue and will be raising money for their partner charity, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, who have their Wiltshire hospice next door to them. Entry to the open day is FREE.
Some of the things going on include: -
- Climbing activities on their 40ft outdoor wall
- Licenced bar and multiple food stalls
- Charity raffle with great prizes
- Live music
- Fun activities for the kids (face painting, treasure trail and shield painting).
See the attached flyer (Braeside Open Day Summer 2022) or visit their WEBSITE for more details.
Please note - there is no onsite parking so Braeside kindly asks that people either arrive on foot or use the public carpark on Station Road (SN10 1DA).
Nova Sports & Coaching Summer Activities!
Nova Sports & Coaching are running a number of inclusive activities including Skiing, Bouldering, Hydrotherapy, Surfing, Paddleboarding, Power Chair Football, Wheelchair Basketball, Adventure Day and much more!
Please CLICK HERE to see the poster for the Holiday Activities Programme from Nova Sports Coaching!
Calne Rugby Juniors
Open to all
Free of charge
Fully qualified and DBS coaches
Ages 5 - 12 currently can extend dependant in age group numbers.
Date and timings:
Every Sunday during the Rugby season starting Sunday 4th September 2022 at 10am
at The Recreation Ground Calne, Anchor Road, SN11 8DX
Refreshments provided for children free of charge at end of the session Parents can purchase a warm drink at cost of 50p
Facebook: Calne RFC Juniors
Email: calnerugbyjuniors@hotmail.com
Reminder: WPCC's Summer 2022 Short Breaks Bulletin is Now Available
See the latest WPCC Short Breaks Bulletin for information about accessible activities, leisure and social opportunities for children and young people with SEND, and their siblings and families in the Summer school holiday. You can download a copy (see attachment WPCC Summer Bulletin 2022) or view it as an online interactive booklet HERE. Don’t forget to look at our section that has information about funding and passes you may not be aware of.
Reminder: Soundabout - The Sounds Wild Project
The Sounds Wild project is part of a larger piece of Soundabout work that links into the Green Health agenda, creating musical outdoor experiences for people with SLD/PMLD to explore the multi-sensory opportunities in spaces that support health and well-being. They keep the groups very limited in number so that they can make sure that the participants coming have as much interaction and individualised input as possible.
They are trialling out the Westonbirt site for the first time this summer so it would be great to get the sessions booked up and have as much feedback on interest for the future projects as possible. They're thinking with the arboretum was that not only was it a beautiful space, but it has the Changing Places toilets on site which is a key factor for many of the families we work with.
The ticket cost is £10.00 per participant which includes up to two adults and two siblings/friends, but they also have bursary spaces available to anyone that would find the cost a barrier.
More information and booking here: https://www.soundabout.org.uk/westonbirt/
Events and Information
What’s On Parent Carer Calendar July 2022
For a full list of training/events/support groups for July for parent carers, please see our What’s On Calendar for more details: What's On Calendar
Please Note: There is still an ONLINE option available on our parent carer calendar during this period of “limited face-to-face” sessions.
Government Cost of Living Payments
If you claim some benefits, you ,might be eligible for an additional £650 from the Government. See this poster for more details.
Cost of living payments fraud
You may have seen in the media that there has been a significant increase in scammers attempting to obtain personal information from customers by sending out texts suggesting that customers are eligible for cost of living payments.
Please remember that you do not have to do anything. If you are eligible: -
- you will not need to apply for the payment
- you will will not need to call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- the payment to you is automatic
- DWP will never ask for personal details by SMS or email.
If you are unsure about a text, you should report it on GOV.UK
Deals to Feed Children for £1 or Less this Summer
Following on from our article last week, promoting Asda’s offer to feed children for £1 this summer, the WPCC has produced an information sheet of other places offering cheap deals (sometimes even free). Please see our attachment: Kids Eat Free Final for a list of places we have found that are offering deals this summer.
Carers Support Wiltshire (CSW) Parent Carer Group
CSW Carer Cafes are a great way of connecting with other carers over a cuppa. CSW hosts a monthly carer cafe for parent carers at The Bear Hotel in Devizes. Each session will feature a guest speaker.
Parent Carer Group - July 2022
When: Wednesday 20th July 2022 at 10:30am to 12:00pm
Guest Speaker: Sally Roberts talking about 'Shared Days' and 'Shared Lives'.
For more details, please visit the What's On section of the CSW website.
South Wilts Mencap Newsletter
South Wilts Mencap supports people with learning disabilities in South Wiltshire; inspring them to achieve their full potential and enabling them and their families to lead fuller lives. They support families in the South and Salisbury region of Wiltshire. They support with clubs, activities, fun days, short breaks and more.
CLICK HERE to have a look at their recent newsletter.
Reminder: Information about Emergency Food for People in Crisis, Living in South Wiltshire
With the cost-of-living crisis affecting the most vulnerable in society, many residents are feeling an added pressure to ensure enough food is available for themselves and for their families.
Read this short guide to find details of organisations in and around Salisbury who can help. You can either download and print a copy (see attachment Foodie Network July 2022) or click BROCHURE to see a virtual brochure with all the information.
Reminder: Children can Eat for Just £1 at Asda Cafés across England and Wales this Summer
Asda has announced its next move in bids to help feed children this summer, meaning children across England and Wales can eat for just £1 at any time of day in Asda Cafés, seven days a week, with no minimum adult spend required. To help tackle holiday hunger at a time when the cost-of-living is higher than ever, children aged 16 and under can access a hot or cold meal for just £1.
The Kids Eat for £1 initiative is available all day, every day from 25th July until 4th September in England and Wales, as long as the Café is open. Dependent on the store, a hot meal or cold meal, or both, will be on offer.
Baby food is also available as part of the initiative, with little ones able to enjoy a free pouch of Ella’s Kitchen baby food (70g pouch) in their local Asda Café.
If you know of other great schemes this summer, let the WPCC know and we will help spread the word!
Reminder: Stopping the Over-Medication of People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People
Health Education England, NHS England and NHS Improvement, experts by experience and MindEd have launched a collection of new co-produced online
learning sessions to stop the over medication of people with learning disabilities and autistic people (STOMP).
The sessions, available for health and care professionals, carer and family members, explain the meaning of STOMP, discuss opportunities to speak up if
they feel someone in their care is receiving inappropriate medication and highlight how they can access reliable information about medicines.
Each of the six sessions can be completed at the learner's own pace and takes approximately 30 minutes. For more information and to access the sessions, visit
Reminder: Disability Grants
The Disability Grants website has information about grants that may be helpful. In the current website issue, there is information about: -
- Grants of between £100 and £5,000 to help reduce isolation and loneliness, promote group activities and generally improve people's independence, mobility and quality of life
- A wish charity for adults over 40 years who are suffering from a life threatening or terminal illness
Call Find Your Grant, there is also a section on the website that tries to help you to find the right grant for you.
Reminder: NHS Staff Autism Training becomes Law
Measures to ensure all NHS staff receive training in learning disabilities and autism now have the full force of the law behind them. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism programme has received royal assent.
You can find out more HERE.
Reminder: Preparing Children for the Move to Secondary School in September: Tips, Resources and Suggestions for Parent Carers
The WPCC appreciates that moving from primary school to secondary school can be a particularly anxious time for children (and their parent carers). In an effort to provide some information and support, the WPCC has produced a simple list of resources and suggestions in an effort to help parent carers of children with ASC who can find change particularly difficult; hopefully parent carers of other children will also find some of the information helpful too.
The resources and suggestions we have pulled together for our guide are not exhaustive. If you know of other great free or low-cost resources, tips and ideas to share with other parent carers, please let us know so that we can add them to our guide.
Please see the attachment: WPCC’s Transition to Secondary School – resources, tips and suggestions – Summer 2022.
Reminder: Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Wiltshire Public Health has organised three pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
The clinic is open to anyone over the age of 5 and are offering all vaccinations from 1st dose to 2nd booster for immunosuppressed over 12s and over 75s.
Anyone who is currently due or eligible for a vaccine can come to this clinic, with the exception of those with complex allergies that need to be vaccinated in a hospital setting. No appointment is necessary, you can just turn up.
The final clinic will be as follows: -
- Vaccination Bus will be at the Warminster Garrison Health Fair on 27th July from 11am to 4pm
See attachments (Warminster Garrison Health Fair 27th July) for more information.
Reminder: Monthly Parent Support Group - Westbury
Started: Friday 13th May - Will be held monthly for parents/carers of children with SEND
Where: Leigh Park Community Centre, Leigh Park Way, Westbury Wiltshire, BA13 3FN
When: 2nd Friday of every month starting Friday 13th May
Time: 6pm until 7.20pm
Come and chat, gain advice, and learn new strategies. Share your experiences with others. Free Monthly meetings
And More…...
Reminder: Contact's Brighter Beginnings Workshops - FREE
Contact is offering a number of free online/virtual workshops for parent carers of children and young people aged 0-16 with additional needs. The workshops, called Brighter Beginnings Workshops, are available thanks to funding from a range of funding sources. The workshops are free virtual one-off sessions and it is hoped that Contact may be able to offer in-person workshops again in the future, once it is appropriate to do so.
‘Regional workshops’ are for families who live in those areas only, due to funding arrangements.
Click on the workshop links on the website to book onto your chosen workshop/s. Not all workshops have dates yet, but new dates are continually being added, so if there is not a workshop available suitable for you, please revisit the website.
The workshops are very popular so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Reminder: Family and Community Learning (FaCL) FREE Courses June
FaCL Courses are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Courses are FREE if you are 19+, have been a resident in UK/EU for 3+years, have less than 5 GCSEs grades A-C, in receipt of benefits, a service family or you may have other issues that joining a course could help you. You might be stuck in a rut or going through a difficult time? FaCL want to hear from people who are unsure about if they can join and they are always happy to talk things through.
The FaCL team can be contacted by calling: 01225 770478 or email: familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk
FaCL Online courses for June
- FaCL Budgettting Courses June 2002 - see attached flyer
There are several different courses in each of the following categories:
- Helping My Child
- Confidence and Wellbeing
- Enhance Your English
For more information and course dates, please click HERE.
To book a place on these courses, please contact the FaCL Team on: 01225 770478 or email: familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk
Reminder: Contact’s Free Parent Carer Listening Ear Service
You might be struggling emotionally and looking for strategies to help you cope. Maybe you just need to talk to someone who understands the extra challenges you face and who can point you in the right direction to get the support you need for your family.
To help, Contact offer 1-1 telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for a listening ear, reassurance and practical and emotional support (see attached flyer).
Contact have released a video and podcast that explains the listening Ear Service in more detail.
Making an appointment for the listening ear service is simple: choose the day (morning, afternoon or evening), and when you register choose the time slot you want. Appointments are regularly updated and are subject to availability.
Reminder: Parent Carer Group - Melksham
This group for anyone who cares for a child or young adult with SEN (with or without diagnosis).
When: Mondays 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Queensway Family Centre - Pembroke Road - Melksham (Opposite the Chapel)
For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact Terrie-Anne Coe – 07944 153 992
Contacting the WPCC
WPCC Phone Line 2022.
Our phone lines continue to be open as normal (10.00am – 5.00pm) and the number to access the WPCC SENDIS team remains as: 01225 764647.
When you call, it is likely that your call will be answered by one of our telephone triage workers who will take basic details of your enquiry and pass it on to a member of the team. If you cannot get through, please leave a message with your name and contact number, or email and we will call you back as soon as possible; please be mindful there are times when our phone lines can be extremely busy.
If you cannot get through on the phone, you can email us: admin@wiltspcc.co.uk
You can find previous WPCC newsletters here: Previous Newsletters
Keep safe and well,
The WPCC Team
