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Useful Links for Support
Here is a list of support available for parents, carers, and family of children with learning disabilities as we would like to take some time to focus on you and your wellbeing. It is so important that your voices are heard, supported, and understood. It can be tricky finding the right support available in your local area, but hopefully some of these signposts can help!
Navigate: Emotional Support for Parents - Scope UK
Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs.
Eligibility
Navigate is open to any parent or carer who:
- lives in England or Wales
- has parental responsibility for a child under 18
- this child is on a pathway to diagnosis or has received one in the last year
Accessing the Service
You can apply online or get a referral from the helpline.
About the Service
Navigate is a programme of up to 6 sessions with a personal adviser, who will help you to talk about your feelings and concerns.
The service will help you with:
- organising your thoughts and feelings
- practical advice and suggestions
- coping strategies and insights
- taking positive actions and helping you with emotional wellbeing
Your personal adviser
You will get weekly catch ups with your adviser online and by phone. Your adviser will work with you on a one-to-one basis, helping you to:
- explore your needs and personal goals
- agree your action plan, and
- provide you with support if you need it
Helpline number: 0808 801 0510 Email: navigate@scope.org.uk
Click here for the Navigate: Emotional Support for Parents website
Family Action
Our free FamilyLine helpline is here to provide a listening ear; answer those parenting questions you have or help with guidance around more complex issues. All via telephone, text message or email for free.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm
Telephone: 0808 802 6666
Text message: 07537 404 282
Email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
Click here for the Family Action website
Specialised Autism Family Support Service - The Toby Henderson Trust
Currently provide tailored pre diagnostic, throughout diagnosis and post diagnosis family support sessions by way of zoom calls, emailed correspondence, telephone calls and some face-to-face appointments.
They send follow up emails for all sessions which include an overview of the conversation held and we attach resources and links, strategies, advice, and recommendations and if necessary, we print and post relevant resources to families.
Toby House have an ongoing programme of webinars for parents via Zoom. Subjects covered can include Social Stories, Toileting, Sleep and Managing Meltdowns, to name but a few. They also arrange and host support groups (currently via zoom) these include our Grandparents Family Support Group and Parents of Autistic Girls Support Group.
They research and create new resources and stay up to date with local offers and services available to signpost and inform our families.
Their zoom calls are always carried out by two members of the team ensuring a broad spectrum of experience available at each session. If you would like to take advantage of any of these services, please email support@ttht.co.uk or contact us on 0300 3653055.
Click here for The Toby Henderson Trust website
Family Support - Pathways 4 All
Offer lots of support to hundreds of disabled children and their families in Newcastle Tyne and Wear, with a large focus to support families. Some of their support is listed below, please visit the website for more information.
Sibling Support
Just 4 Us Sibling Group is especially for the siblings of disabled children/ young people. This group provides the perfect opportunity for the brothers and sisters of our members, to come together for fun and friendship. The sessions are fully staffed, and the youngsters can participate in a range of activities both within the Tim Lamb Centre and out in the wider community.
Our sibling group outings have included Click n Climb, Ice Skating, Tynemouth Adventure Golf and even a residential weekend away at Robin Wood.
For more information about our sibling group please contact our Activities Coordinator Rebecca or call the office on 0191 266 5233
Parent Carer Coffee Mornings
For parent- carers: they host a weekly Coffee Morning every Thursday between 9.30 – 11.30am, (term-time only). Their coffee mornings provide an opportunity for parents to chat to other families and mutually support each other. They always make new families feel welcome!
Coffee Morning refreshments are provided free of charge.
Families with pre-school or home educated children are welcome to bring your child(ren) with you.
We know not everyone can make our coffee mornings, so we also organise occasional pamper days and evenings out too. These will be advertised via our member’s email and on our Facebook page.
Family Breaks
Pathways 4 All have two luxury holiday caravans to enable our member families to enjoy a short break together; one situated at Haggerston Castle, Nr Berwick, Northumberland and the other is at Wild Rose, Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbria.
If you would like to be considered for a holiday stay, applications are to be completed in the Tim Lamb Centre on a Wednesday evening between 4 – 6.30pm or Friday daytime between 10am – 1.30pm. Priority will be given to families who have not had a holiday stay in the caravan in the past. Please visit the Website for more information.
Click here for the Pathways 4 All website
North East Autism Society
Workshops and one to one appointments for parents of autistic children aged 7 and under, and aged 7+ in Newcastle and North Tyneside.
In these sessions, they will cover; worries and action planning, common misconceptions, differences in autistic children and practical strategies to use in everyday life.
Workshops for parents/carers of under 7s will run between 10am and 12pm.
Workshops for parents/carers of over 7s will run between 1pm and 3pm.
These sessions must be pre-booked. You can secure a place by contacting Kerrie Highcock on: 0191 410 9974 or kerrie.highcock@ne-as.org.uk.
26th April
One-to-one Sessions
These appointments are for families that have questions or would like to discuss any issues in confidence.
One-to-one appointments for parents/carers of under 7s are available between 9am and 10am.
One-to-one appointments for parents/carers of over 7s are available between 3pm and 4pm.
These sessions must be pre-booked. You can secure a place by contacting Kerrie Highcock on: 0191 410 9974 or kerrie.highcock@ne-as.org.uk.
North East Autism Society also offer:
- Virtual Autism support hub
- Family Networking
- Family support groups
- Toddler groups
- Information and guidance
Please email kerrie.highcock@ne-as.org.uk to find out more information.
Click here for the North East Autism Society website
Down’s Syndrome Association
For people with Downs syndrome, their parents, and carers.
Phone: 0333 121 3300
Email: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Click here for the Down's Syndrome Association website
Mencap
For people with learning disabilities and their families.
Phone: 0191 487 0444
Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk
Click here for the Mencap website
Contact
To support and bring together families with disabled children.
0808 808 3555 info@contact.org.uk
Learning Disability Local Support Services - Information Now
Their website provides a variety of information and links to various offers of support in Newcastle for families with children with learning disabilities.
Click here for the Information Now website
Newcastle Carers
Join them on the first Wednesday of every month to connect with other carers over a cuppa! Carers connect from 10:30am to 12pm at Newcastle Carers Centre in Byker to take time out from your caring role and meet other carers and enjoy a friendly chat.
Carers information line is here to answer any questions about caring, and to provide help and support.
Phone: 0191 275 5060 Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
