Peter Limbrick writes -

In last year's December Bulletin a parent asked:  

'I wonder if you can help, my son is a wheelchair user, he is 8 years old, physio have advised that he cannot functionally self-propel his wheelchair and that it will have a detrimental effect on his long term posture and health.  I have long term health problems and as his primary carer have been trying to get a dual control power wheel chair for some considerable time now for my son.

We have been recently advised by our NHS Wheelchair provider that they will supply a dual control power wheelchair, fit it and maintain it for 3 years for a minimum cost of £2,200.

I realise I'm grasping at straws, but, we are not in a position to finance this ourselves.'

On the same day the Bulletin was mailed out, someone contacted the family and offered the necessary funds!  Thomas has already taken delivery.

What a wonderful piece of good news at this time of deep anxiety about cuts in provision!

1Voice - a small charity set up to support children and adults who use Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), from symbols to electronic devices

1Voice takes a family and social perspective on communication and recognises the great need for adult role models to inspire children and families alike.

1Voice promotes families supporting each other to overcome the isolation that being unable to speak can bring.

We receive fantastic feedback following our winter and summer residential family events, which have been taking place for 10 years. During the events children and young people of all ages take part in activities and their parents glean information from our workshops and each other. 

Our next event is June 18th and 19th, at the Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire 

1Voice welcomes volunteers who would like to learn more about AAC or use their existing skills to support our younger children and their parents.

For more details and application forms visit our website www.1voice.info

Funded by the Big Lottery there is a new Short Breaks Network developed to support short break carers, PA.s, inclusive play workers and volunteers providing short breaks for disabled children whether in a carer's home, the community or inclusive play setting

The Network is FREE to join and growing rapidly. Benefits include: 

• Free places on training and conferences.
• Free postal library of relevant, peer reviewed books and DVDs
• Membership of Children's Scrap Store
• Reduced cost resources
• Sharing good practice through peer networking,
• Share quarterly magazine-current edition's theme "Communication"
• Informative web pages on new site – launching soon.
• Interactive Blog

To find out more check the carers' pages on the website at www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk

Short break carers and play workers can sign up to the Network online at http://www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk/title/Short_break_carers

by email attachment from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about the National Short Breaks Network contact :

Lee Cox on 0117 9415361

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.