The booklet is based on the initial findings of a project called 'An Ordinary Life'.

We called it this because many children and young people with complex health needs and/or who are dependent on medical technology find it very difficult to do ordinary things like going to the local leisure centre or cinema, or visiting friends and family.

We interviewd the families of people who have complex health needs who are trying new ways of working or have ideas to make life better; their experiences have been written up in this booklet.

Click here for a free download

Together for Short Lives is the voice of children's palliative care in the UK, working with professionals and organisations to ensure that all children and young people who are unlikely to reach adulthood and their families get the care and support they need, whenever they need it. 

We are excited by the potential of our new strategy to make a real difference to the lives of children and families. We have set ourselves some bold and ambitious objectives and recognise that we can only achieve them by working together with our partners. We look forward to exploring with you ways in which we can further develop and strengthen our partnership with you. 

I hope that you will be encouraged by our plans. You can download a full and detailed copy of the plan at this link

If you would like to know more about Together for Short Lives and our work, or have any questions, please do let me know. 

Barbara Gelb, Chief Executive, Together for Short Lives 

Tel: 0117 989 7822

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk

Advance is a 3 Step Youth Opportunity Programme to jobs and new horizons for young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEETS).

The programme is managed by The BEST Network and has the support and backing of the Department for Work and Pensions. Aspire, part of Autism West Midlands, is delivering the programme to young people in Birmingham who have autism or Asperger syndrome and are aged 14-24.

The programme will provide opportunities to:

• Develop yourself
• Connect to opportunities
• Secure the job you want

How the programme works

You will be assigned a mentor and the work with this mentor could continue for up to three years. The support will be tailored to your individual needs and decided after initial meetings with you, where an action plan of support and an agreement will be created.

The programme of support offered is likely to be delivered initially on a 1:1 basis with the anticipation that in the longer term there will be group activities and workshops for you to attend.

The support is not designed to be additional teaching support - it will focus more on personal development support outside of the curriculum. However, some support for managing and organising work could be included if necessary.

Topics that could be covered

• Listed below are some topics that could be covered with you – this list is not exhaustive:
• Managing and coping with anxiety or anger
• Identifying future opportunities and planning for the future
• Viewing situations differently and learning how to take perspective
• Understanding personal relationships
• Understanding more about their autism
• Helping to develop a successful and productive routine
• Developing communication skills
• Building confidence and working as part of a team
• Drug and alcohol awareness
• Sexual health
• Travel support
• Providing support and focus during school holidays

More information

For more details including full information about the support offered and eligibility criteria please download the leaflet here

If you would like to know more about the programme, or are interested in taking part or making a referral please contact Lynn Marshall at Aspire on 0121 450 7582 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..