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Disabled children who have parents on a low income are likely to be eligible for a scheme which gives out free computers and assistive technology.

The best thing is to phone up to apply: 0333 200 1004

Or phone for more information: 0800 877 8777 | 024 7641 6994
To find out more online see this link.

Please could volunteers pass this information onto families who don’t have a computer (as they probably won’t be online to read this!)?

I’ve just heard that there’s a new website for Bristol parents.

You may be interested to visit: www.bristolparentinghub.co.uk/

I think this is also a useful resource for Bristol Befrienders as it contains links for activity ideas and advice about supporting children of different ages.

Another useful website I’ve found recently is this page: www.venue.co.uk/dayso/dayso_events.html on the Venue website. It is a list of all the summer events in and around Bristol. Perhaps you could arrange a special summer outing for your befriendee?

The Mill Youth Centre, on Lower Ashley Road in Easton has a session for 13-19 year olds who have learning difficulties (including young people on the Autistic Spectrum who also have learning difficulties):

Tuesdays, 7pm – 9:30pm

This is for people who live in central Bristol (post codes BS5, BS2 and BS7) but there are similar groups in Hartcliffe and Southmead for people in other areas of Bristol.

If you’re interested phone 0117 951 0188 to find out more. If transport is a problem, it would be worth discussing this with workers at the Mill Youth

New youth theatre group for young carers aged 10-13 years

I’ve just received an email with this message:

“Up to 4 people can bowl for £1 each at Hollywood Bowl

Everyone enjoyed our January Sale so much that we have decided to repeat the fantastic Bowl for £1 deal. The offer is available at every Hollywood Bowl for up to 4 people where they can get a game of bowling for only £1 each.

Download Your Voucher
It couldn’t be easier to claim this great offer – simply;

• Visit our website and download and print your voucher
• Then visit your nearest Hollywood Bowl Monday to Friday until Friday 27 March 2009
• Present your voucher when you pay so up to 4 people will get their first game for just £1 each
• Please note that a few terms and conditions do apply

You are welcome to just turn up at the bowl with your voucher, but we’d strongly recommend booking online to avoid disappointment.”

Although Time2Share doesn’t have any religious affiliations, we thought you might be interested to hear about this inclusive Sunday School (for those of you who would like your children to access a Sunday School).

“The Incredibles” is a Sunday School for special needs children, their siblings and friends. Their website is www.theincredibles.org.uk and it is run by Tim and Terina who are parents of two sons with disabilities. It meets at Hop Skip and Jump on Sundays 10:30 to 12:30 and the parents stay and chat over coffee whilst The Incredibles is going on. This Sunday they are launching The Incredibles Support Group which will enable parents to share their own experiences and hear how other parents have overcome similar life issues. Some of the parents as well as having their own children with special needs, work at Warmley Park School so therefore have a vast experience of working with many different special needs. 

The age of the children ranges from babies to 16yr, however the upper age is flexible for children with special needs. There is no fee or waiting list. Families are welcome to come and join. They are also planning to have a youth group for children 10-16 in place by the time our next newsletter goes out. This will be fortnightly basis on  Saturdays at Hop Skip and Jump running from 5:30 – 7.00pm.

Taken from Venue magazine.  http://www.venue.co.uk/dayso/dayso_free.html  

 CREATE’s location next to the river and the floating harbour also make it a great starting point for short walks.  Pick up a leaflet of routes in reception.  

Every Tuesday, weather permitting, a 30-minute led Health Walk (www.whi.org.uk) leaves CREATE reception at 12.30. All welcome.

Sport Unlimited is a nationwide initiative to get more children and young people taking part in sports. It offers young people 10-week taster sessions in sports to try and encourage them to participate and try something different.
Inclusive Disability Multi Sports Club
Time: Tuesdays 4.30pm-6pm (term time only)
Venue: Horfield Leisure Centre
Start date: Tuesday 7th October
Age: 7+
Cost: £2.50
Kodachi Inclusive Judo Club
Time: Mondays 7.40pm-8.40pm (term time only)
Venue: St Paul’s Community Sports Academy
Start date: Monday 6th October
Age: 9+
Cost: £2.50
Disability Athletics
Time: Mondays 6.15pm-7.30pm
Venue: Filton College WISE Campus
Start date: Monday 6th October
Age: 7-15 and 16+
Cost: £2
Football
Time: Thursdays 7pm-8pm
Venue: Almondsbury FA Office
Start date: Thursday 9th October
Age: 11-15
Cost: £2.50
www.bristol.gov.uk/sportunlimited
For more information please contact Jay Lee
Tel: 07795 315 265
Email: jay.lee@bristol.gov.uk

There was good news for Bristol cyclists last week, as a total of £22.8-million (half from government, half raised locally) will be invested in cycling initiatives over the next three years. Part of this investment will go towards the Hourbike scheme. This will be a Pay-as-you-go cycle hire scheme with pick up and drop off locations around Bristol. The first 1/2 hour will be free and then it will cost £1 an hour. See http://www.hourbike.com/hourbike/home.do to register for more information and to find out the details. This new scheme will start in September, and could provide an excellent befriending activity.

You can also keep up to date with Bristol cycling news via the LifeCycle website: http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/events.php

To find out about organised sports for disabled young people in Bristol, go to this link.

We are delighted to announce that yesterday the government responded to EDCM’s calls for a right to short breaks, by creating a new legal duty on local authorities to provide short breaks to support families with disabled children.The duty has been described as a ‘historic moment’ in improving services for disabled children and their families – and we would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all our supporters that have backed our calls for a clearer right to short breaks. Read our news story for more detail:
http://www.edcm.org.uk/shortbreaksduty

While this is a huge step forward, the new duty is not likely to go as far as creating a new legal right to short breaks for individual families. EDCM will continue to campaign – with your support – for further changes to the law.We would also like to say thank you to all those that have taken part in our winter fuel action by emailing their MP. Although the extension of winter fuel payments to families with young disabled children was not announced as part of the budget statement last week, EDCM is meeting with the Director of the government’s Child Poverty Unit this week to take this forward. We will keep you posted…
You can find out more at: http://www.edcm.org.uk/winterfuel

News story: EDCM welcomes child poverty measures in Budget
http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_8517nb_90592704720430z48g_20083124852g

News story: EDCM supports calls for independent advocacy
http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_7366pc_77925109350434f87e_20083114358k

To find out if your Local Authority have signed up to our charter please go to
http://www.edcm.org.uk/lacharterlist

The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre – www.carers-bs.org.uk 0117 965 2200Parents and siblings of a disabled child can get extra support from the Carers Centre. For example, on 19^th March they are holding a relaxation day for parents at Emmaus House (phone to book). You can also get Spa Day vouchers and grants to help with a short holiday.