The batphone, 8th december & the big life fix

The Batphone, 8th December & the Big Life Fix 6th December 2016 Dear All A shorter, extra newsletter…

The Batphone The Batphone is how we name the SEND Family Voices phone and number (it’s quicker to say “Batphone”, than the preceding sentence; and perhaps this name explains the kind of support we would like as families?)

Like everyone, we’re trying to be sensible with money and we’ve changed provider.

However, somehow this has involved a new SIM, unlocking and all sorts of technical stuff!

The good news is that we keep the same number. The bad news is that we haven’t been able to receive calls for the last week. This should all be fixed by 9 th December.

In the meantime, please use e-mail and ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.

Normal service will be resumed shortly!!

Funding links on the Local Offer The funding links in our last ‘Dear All’ can now be found on the Local Offer. Please note, this page will be updated as other sources come in (most likely, after Christmas). https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/leisure-activities-and-short-breaks/otherfunding-and-grant-sources

Puberty and Sexuality – 8th December A reminder… These are popular events, but we’ve got big rooms and so there are still spaces!

The workshop will explore the issues faced by children/teenagers with special needs and the people around them when the child/teenager is going through puberty. This includes:  identifying some of the characteristics of puberty that have a massive impact upon children/teenagers with special needs;  provide some understanding in relation to anger management as a teenager;  look at practical approaches towards inappropriate sexualised behaviour.

Please contact sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com to book a place.

Thursday 8th December - 10am to 12noon The Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon ParK, Teddington, TW11 9PS Thursday 8th December - 7pm to 9pm King Charles Centre, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL Note: there is a Varsity rugby match in Twickenham that day, so best avoid central Twickenham in the afternoon!

The Big Life Fix This looks kind of interesting… we wonder how we can make this work for SEND…?

Part 1 - Wednesday 7th December – 9pm BBC2 “This BBC2 programme brings together some of the brightest brains in Britain to try and solve problems that are affecting the lives of individuals and communities across the country.

Episode 1 1/3 The team attempt to help a terminally ill photographer who can no longer use his hands to operate a camera. They try to bring cutting-edge communication to a remote Welsh village which has no internet access and an unreliable telephone connection. And they work to give some control back to a young designer who has Parkinson's disease and who has been unable to use a pen since developing tremors in her hands two years ago.

Episode 2 2/3 The team attempt to tackle one of the biggest rural crimes in the UK and work to find a way to build a BMX bicycle for a young boy who was born with no hands or feet.

Meanwhile, in Peterborough, 57-year-old Graham is suffering from locked-in syndrome, meaning he is almost completely paralysed and unable to speak. Can the team come up with a way for him to have conversations with the medical team around him and, most importantly, his family and friends?

Episode 3 3/3 Mum of two Shamreen suffers from a degenerative condition which has left her with very limited vision, and she is struggling to get around in public with her two young sons.

Seven-year-old Rosie had brain surgery as a baby and now wears a cumbersome medical helmet. She desperately wants the team to invent her a new helmet that will be less visible and help her fit in with her friends. And the team are challenged with coming up with a solution to help two teenage brothers with cystic fibrosis - a debilitating disease that severely affects their breathing.

Take Part The second series is underway and we’d like to hear from anyone who wants help from the fix team. It might be that you have a regular task or job that could be made much easier, or a hobby that is proving difficult because the equipment doesn’t fit your needs.

We’re also keen to hear from anyone who thinks they can help the fixers to improve more lives.

T: 020 3040 6908 E: biglifefix@studiolambert.com P: The Big Life Fix. Studio Lambert, 1 Denmark Street, London. WC2H 8LP Closing date: Tuesday 31st January “ As ever, if you have any queries at all, please ask and we'll always do our best to find an answer.

With best wishes, Caroline North (for Kingston) and Romany (for Richmond) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org