Sharing the

Issue 25 Nov 2008

News
A Multi-Agency Newsletter for children with special needs,
parents, carers and professionals

Young Carers from Blackpool Carers Centre enjoying rafting!

Just one of the trips and activities they’ve enjoyed this year, see page 2.

WELCOME TO SHARING THE NEWS ISSUE 25!

THIS ISSUE INCLUDES ARTICLES FROM:

BLACKPOOL BEARS BLENHEIM HOUSE

FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE
DEAF CHILDRENS SOCIETY YOUNG CARERS
 Issue 24 featured an article about Cerebra. 
After reading this information, two Blackpool parents contacted Cerebra and have been successful in
applying for a Wills and Trusts Voucher.  Just a reminder if you are interested in attending a seminar in
Blackpool about Wills and Trusts please contact Nicola Unsworth, Planning Record Co-ordinator. 
After a successful pilot scheme in 2007, Cerebra have continued the Wills and Trust Voucher Scheme
into 2008. The voucher is worth up to £350 towards the cost of a solicitor preparing a will and
discretionary trust to make provision for your child’s future. Your child must have a brain-related
condition, be aged 16 or under and be receiving the Middle or High Rate of the Care Component of
Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

If you are interested in an application or more information, please email alex@cerebra.org.uk or

telephone 0800 328 1159.

During the summer holidays the Blackpool Carers Centre, in partnership with Blackpool
Advocacy, ran a range of trips and activities to give young people a break from their
caring responsibilities. This included trips to the Sandcastle, Camelot, Winmarleigh
Hall, Blackpool Tower, Megazone, Grizedale Forest, the Odeon and Blackpool Zoo. We
also held a three day residential at Lakeside YMCA, where the young people took
part in climbing, canoeing, abseiling, rafting and a variety of team-building exercises.
Through the generous support of the Hilton Hotel, we have also been able to support
a young carer to undertake a diving course as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award. We
also supported another young
carer to take part in a football
tournament in Sheffield with
Blackpool Football Club, where
he received a medal for finishing
top scorer in the tournament.
If you know someone under
18 who is helping to look after
someone at home and you think
that they would benefit from the
project, contact Caroline or Nigel
at
Blackpool Carers Centre
on 01253 393748

 UPDATES
PIP NEWS
On a weekly basis PIP aims to promote the inclusion of children and young people with special needs
into mainstream playgroups, pre-schools and social, afterschool activities. Volunteers assist in a chosen
group and promote inclusion by giving support when needed by working with all the children and
staff. The volunteer is an extra pair of hands. They are not responsible for the child that needs support.
The service is for children and young people aged 2 – 19 years. Volunteering with PIP can make a
difference to their life and yours. PIP offers opportunities and challenges, access to training, a chance
to learn new skills and make new friends. For volunteering opportunities of 1 – 2 hours per week or to
discuss the needs of your child, please call 01253 899883 and ask for Charity Manager Francoise Piell.

Here is an example:
Jacob is a 12 year old young man who has additional needs. He has been on the Blackpool Link Project
at PIP since 2002. He has been attending a local football training session and he has been part of the
football team since 2006. Through attending this group he has developed many new skills. He has
made new friends and he is a good team player, follows instructions and most of all he is having fun
and keeping fit.
As the Project Worker for PIP Link, I feel this is a combination of his dedication and the continuous
support from his PIP volunteer. She has supported Jacob for over 2 years, is committed to volunteering
and has encouraged him to take part. Without PIP involvement this young person may not have had
this opportunity.

Blackpool Bears Multi-Disability Sports Club

+ Lytham FunPod

Annual Fun Sports Day

Saturday 13
September 2008

Blackpool Sports Centre, West

Park Drive was once again
the venue for the annual
sports day, for members of
Blackpool Bears and Lytham
Funpod. Together with carers
and helpers there were over
100 young and not so young
people, with all types of additional needs, competing in a wide variety of “fun” sporting activities and games.

This year Helen, Dave & coaches from Funpod ran the event, assisted by Anthony, Belinda and coaches from
the Blackpool Bears. The “Bears” narrowly won the overall competition retaining the “Cup” for another year, but
everyone present had such a good time that the result didn’t seem to matter.
All taking part were awarded certificates and medals were presented by Councillor John Singleton representing
the Mayor of Fylde, and everyone agreed to do it all again next September!

Blackpool Bears meet Saturdays at Blackpool Sports Centre, West Park Drive between 11.30 & 14.30hrs and
is open to persons with all types of additional needs including siblings & friends, further information contact
“blackpoolbears@aol.com” or Blackpool Sports Centre on 01253 478470

The Blackpool Bears Multi-Disability Sports Club is

a parent/carer led voluntary organisation supported by Blackpool Council Community Sports & Leisure.

UPDATES 
 Marvellous Murals Brighten Blenheim!
Blenheim House Child
Development and Family
Support Centre has been
benefitting from generous
community support that has
transformed the entrance and
enabled important equipment
to be updated.

Art Tiles!
Talented artists from ‘Paint&
Glaze’ ceramic painting
studio in Lytham worked with
our own budding artists at
Blenheim to create fantastic
colourful tiles that have
brightened the rather drab
entrance with a cheerful
welcome sign. ‘Paint & Glaze’
offer the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have a go at producing their own ceramic
masterpiece. So if you fancy trying something different visit the studio in Lytham or check out their
website at http://www.paintandglaze.co.uk/index.php

Finding Nemo!
The transformation doesn’t end there. Mike Gibbie a local children’s book illustrator and painter of
children’s bedroom murals enthusiastically used his talent and imagination to create a captivating
underwater scene that will draw you up the stairs and to the ‘surface’ of the first floor. Make sure you
try and find Nemo if you visit! If you think your child’s bedroom could do with a similar facelift visit
Mike’s website for inspiration http://www.mikeys-murals.co.uk/index.htm and he would be happy to
create a unique design for you.

Road race!
Finally, important video recording equipment that enables us to record some of our assessments allow
more people to be involved in assessments at the one time without overwhelming the child. It gives
parents the opportunity to see what is happening at times when they are not in the room. It needed
updating at the cost of around £10,000. The Blackpool Hilton have helped us well on the way to that
target by raising money with the Illuminations 10k Road Race on the 6th September 2008. We have
already received £750 and hope that when all the money has been collected in to perhaps receive as
much as £1,500. Thank you to all the people who ran on a wet and windy day and to all the staff of the
Blackpool Hilton who put on such a great event.

PARENT’S WEEK!
Blenheim is involved in this year’s annual Parent’s’ Week which will take place from Monday 20 October
to Sunday 26 October 2008. The theme this year is ‘Getting it Right for Families’. We would really value
your feedback if you have ever been involved with Blenheim House Child Development and Family
Support Centre - what things you think we did well and which things we could do better. You can send
us a letter, put a suggestion in our suggestions box, put a post-it note on our ideas wall or just chat
to one of the Team. So come and see the bright new look Blenheim House and let us know what you
think.

 UPDATES
 Fylde Deaf Children’s Society
NEW! Deaf Children/Young People’s Youth Group for Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre

What is FDCS?
Fylde Deaf Children’s Society is a local support group affiliated to the National Deaf Children’s Society
(NDCS). We are mums, dads, grandparents & carers, all of whom have or care for deaf/hearing
impaired children. We don’t just live in the Fylde but Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Over Wyre.
Our children use English, or British Sign Language or both! Some have cochlear implants, some glue
ear, some have grommets. Some parents are hearing and some deaf. Everyone is welcome.
We used to meet once a month and send out minutes but have decided to try something new.
We would like a place where children & young people can meet regularly after school to get to know
each other better and try new activities. Also, as parents/carers we would like to meet over a coffee to
have a chat. So, we have put the two together and following Highfield School’s offer to use its facilities,
we are developing the idea of a drop-in for parents/carers with a children/young people’s activity/
youth group. It is all at the ‘ideas’ stage but we have planned 3 sessions for families to come, meet &
decide what we would all like in the future.

Dates:
Tuesday - 11th November
Tuesday - 9th December
Highfield Community College, Highfield Road, Blackpool, 6-8pm
All deaf children & young people, brothers & sisters, parents, grandparents & carers are welcome, please
do come.
For more information contact:
Jane Russell
0780 800 1134 OR
Jude Conway
07734 658 191
www.ndcs.org.uk

UP NORTH

Past issues of Sharing the News have featured Cerebra Registered

Charity for Brain Injured Children and Young People. Cerebra will
be exhibiting at Kidz Up North on Thursday 20th November 2008 at the
Reebok Stadium, Bolton 9.30am – 5pm. Just off Junction 6 of the
M61. www.kidzupnorth.co.uk/kidzupnorth.shtml
Tel: 0161 214 5962
The Kidz events are free, with exhibitions of equipment, products and
services, a programme of seminars and discussions for parents
and carers.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

 FiS
BLACKPOOL

0800 092 2332

Blackpool Family Information Service
The Families’ Information Service (FIS) is operated by Blackpool Council Early Years and Childcare Team.
The service offers advice and support to parents; carers; and employers on a wide range of childcare
options and early years education. As a result of The Childcare Act 2006, we now have a statutory duty
to provide information about other services; facilities or publications which may be of benefit to parents,
prospective parents, children or young people.

We can help with all family-related matters from 0-20 years.

The team is:

Bob Kay: FIS Project Coordinator
Louise Miles: FIS & Childminder Support
David Lever: Free Entitlement Administrator
Melanie Fish: Administration Coordinator
Nicola Unsworth: Multi-Agency Planning Record Coordinator

For disabled children the age range goes up to their 25th birthday. The Childcare Act also
stipulates that authorities must provide information on:

“the availability of specialist medical services, therapy services, support services, including “Early Support”
approaches and materials, as set out in the “National Services Framework for Disabled Children and Young
People and Those With Complex Health Needs”, specialist help groups, tax benefits, financial advice, relevant
voluntary organisations, and details of available short term breaks.”

We are delighted to welcome Nicola to the team, who has assisted us enormously in this duty.

One of our main purposes has always been to assist parents and carers in making an informed choice
about the childcare or early education they choose to access; providing information about the type,
range and availability of childcare and early education.

The FIS also provides advice and information on the help you can receive when paying for childcare,
including the Child Tax Credit, the Working Tax Credit, Free Entitlement to Nursery Education Places for 3
and 4 year old children, Childcare Grants for 2 year old Children and the help available from an employer,
including Employer Childcare Voucher Schemes.

The service can offer advice about career options in childcare and training opportunities including
working in out-of-school care clubs, day nurseries or on becoming a Childminder. Debbie Durdu is
the Early Years & Childcare Team’s Training & Recruitment Coordinator: Tel 01253 478000.

The FIS is linked to a national website that holds information on childcare and children’s services in each
local authority area. www.childcarelink.gov.uk

 INFORMATION
What we offer:

- A free telephone helpline open Monday to Friday 9:00pm to 5:00pm, with a 24 hour answering service
- Comprehensive details on all types of childcare provision
- Helpful guidance booklets and leaflets
- Advice on help with paying for childcare
- A sign-posting service to other agencies that parents may wish to contact
- Information, Advice and Guidance on all family related matters 0-20 years

We hold information on:

- Registered Childminders
- Day Nurseries & Pre-School Playgroups
- Before & After School Clubs
- School (maintained) Nurseries
- Holiday Playschemes
- Local Parent & Toddler Groups
- Free Entitlement to Nursery Education Grants
- Childcare Grants
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
- Training and careers in Childcare.
- Parent Support Groups
- Toy Libraries

We can help with:

- Educational Services
- Physical and Mental Health
- Health; Nutrition; Exercise; and Healthy Choices
- Child Safety
- Sporting Play and Recreational Activities
- Parenting and Relationships
- Support Services
for Young People/Careers Advice
- Youth Offending
- Financial and Legal Issues
- Care, Advice, and Support for Disabled Children

The Families’ Information Service has a free phone help

line: 0800 09 22332
Website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
Email: early.years@blackpool.gov.uk
Contact:
Blackpool Families’ Information
Service, Children and Young People’s
Department, Blackpool Council,
Progress House, Clifton Road,
Blackpool, FY4 4US.

INFORMATION 
 Patient friendly identity for
local healthcare services
Blackpool Primary Care Trust is adopting a more user-friendly identity.

In line with national guidance, it has joined healthcare organisations across the country in adopting a
new, simpler name. It will now be known as NHS Blackpool.

Chairman of NHS Blackpool, Roy Fisher explained: “The new identity will help us to position the Trust
as the local leader of the NHS, and support our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of every
person living in Blackpool.

“They want to know that healthcare services are there if and when they, their family or friends need
them. NHS Blackpool is responsible for ensuring those services are in place and meet those individual
needs.

“We want our local community to gain a better understanding of what we do. As NHS Blackpool,
we will continue to drive and shape local health services, now and for the future. Our healthcare
professionals are all working extremely hard to provide healthcare where and when it is needed, in
high quality facilities.

“The NHS is not just about treating illness. It is about adding years to life and life to years and this is
what we want to achieve for our patients and public. We believe the new identity will play a crucial role
in helping the community to identify with our objectives.

“Within Blackpool, we know we cannot achieve our goals in isolation. We will continue to work with
our partners to improve the health and health services for local people in the future and I would like to
take this opportunity to thank them all for their invaluable support to date.”

The Trust’s new identity includes the logo first introduced across the town three years ago for the
‘Blackpool Life: Rise to the Challenge’ campaign, aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles.

The campaign and logo was adopted by The Gazette, which gave its backing to the campaign
throughout its lifespan, urging readers to ‘Rise to the Challenge’.
Added Roy: “The logo symbolises family, across the generations. The message, ‘Health … at the heart of
life in Blackpool’ says it all. “

 INFORMATION
 ReMap
ReMap is a registered charity (no. 1000456) and our volunteers
design and manufacture, or adapt, special equipment for people
with disabilities. This service is delivered entirely by volunteers and
is provided free of charge to our clients. However, donations are
always welcome to help with the purchase of materials. Remap will
only make a piece of equipment if there is nothing suitable currently
available. Sometimes we may decline to make a piece of equipment
for other reasons: for example, there may be serious safety issues
involved. If you have any questions or would like to speak with
someone about Remap equipment or have any comments you may
contact either your local panel, Regional Organiser or Remap Head
Office.

Your local Remap Panel:

Lancashire NW Panel
Chairman – Harry Davis
Tel: 01253 731958
Email: harrydavis6080@talktalk.net

Remap Regional Organiser:

Terry Long
Tel: 01423 323054
Email: terrylong@waitrose.com

Remap Head Office:

D9 Chaucer Business Park
Kemsing
TN15 6YU
Tel: 0845 1300456
Email: info@remap.org.uk

www.remap.org.uk

CHARITY NEWS 
The complete guide to Asperger’s Syndrome is the definitive handbook for anyone
affected by Asperger’s syndrome (AS) by Tony Attwood. It brings together a wealth
of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults. Chapters
examine:
Causes and indications of the syndrome
The Diagnosis and its effect on the individual
Theory of mind
The Perception of emotions in self and others
Social Interaction, including friendships
Long-term relationships
Teasing, bullying and mental health issues
The effect of AS on language and cognitive abilities, sensory sensitivity, movement and
co-ordination skills
Career Development

This book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who needs to know or is interested in
this complex condition.
Paperback ISBN 9781843106692
Find out more: http://www.jkp.com/new/9781843106692

ACCESSIBLE PLACES OF INTEREST

A parent has asked me to share this
useful information. If you are in London,
British Airways London Eye, situated
on the South Bank by County Hall has
disabled access via Southwark Bridge
from the Strand. You can use the
accessible booking desk in the main
hall. Essential carers “fly” free and all
guests with a disability get priority
access.
DickensWorld, situated in the
Chatham Maritime Park, Chatham,
Kent is adjacent to a fully covered and
accessble shopping mall with multi-
screen cinemas.
Further information is available online.

10 GENERAL NEWS
Are you 16-25? Do you live in Blackpool? Would you like to
volunteer?

You can get involved in all types of activities…

coaching football designing websites, conservation, DJ’ing......

The possibilities are endless!

Vinvolved will…

• Help you find out about volunteering in your area

• Put you in touch with local projects
• Work with you to establish your own project
• Let you know about volunteering opportunities
• Help you get the v50 Award!

We want you to tell us:

WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
and HOW
you want to become a volunteer

If you want to find out more information just get in touch:

Pat 07961 797781 or Karen 07961 796781

Email: vinvolvedblackpool@lebp.co.uk

We can help you fill out the form

VOLUNTEERING 11
SHARING THE NEWS ARTICLE REQUEST
Sharing the News is published three times a year.
March June and November.

Sharing the News reaches families of children/young people who

have a disability who live in Blackpool. Copies are also circulated to:
Doctors Surgeries
Dentists
Clinics
Schools
Children’s Centre’s
Libraries
Targeted Services
Blackpool NHS Trust

Would you like the opportunity to promote your service in the next
issue? Or are you a parent/child/young person who has benefited
from the information or would like to share an experience?

Please can you use the following format when forwarding

information by email:
For text please use Microsoft Word – do not paste pictures into the
document
For pictures send separately as a JPG or GIF

Deadline dates for articles:

March Issue 26 02/02/2009
June Issue 27 04/05/2009
November Issue 28 05/10/2009

The Editorial Team look forward to hearing from you!

If you would like a copy of this newsletter in Braille, audio tape, large print or ethnic minority languages,
please contact Nicola Unsworth 01253 477437
If you have any comments, compliments or complaints regarding this Newsletter, please contact Nicola Unsworth, Planning
Record, Co-ordinator, Children and Young peoples Department, Progress House, Blackpool, FY4 4US. Telephone: 01253 477437
email: nicola.unsworth@blackpool.gov.uk