Kerry Leeson-Beevers writes: Following the success of Alström Syndrome UK 's Asian Mentoring Scheme, The Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust would now like to invest additional funds to  develop this work further.

A new project called Breaking down Barriers is aimed at facilitating patient organisations and support groups to join together

- to share examples of best practice

- to develop new guidelines to support families at increased risk of having children with a genetic condition - but who are unlikely or unable to access mainstream services.

Please get in touch if you are in a patient organisations or support group supporting families with a genetic condition. I will send you more information so that you can join the project if it is relevant to you.

Please circulate this information to any groups who you think may be interested in this project

Many thanks

Kerry Leeson-Beevers

National Development Manager Alstrom Syndrome UK

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

Amy Rowland writes: Redbank House is a modern venue based in central Manchester offering spacious and vibrant facilities. We have 4 flexible rooms that can accommodate a range of events such as training courses, conferences, seminars, mini exhibitions and much more.

As well as these facilities we have various competitively priced offices available, primarily for voluntary organisations and those who are within or support the development of the health and social care sector.

Redbank House also have two excellent multisensory rooms, the rooms are available for private hire for group and individual bookings. The sensory rooms are an excellent way to support the development of the senses for both adults and children with disabilities.

We are proudly part of Disabled Living, a charity that provides impartial information about assistive technology for older people and disabled adults, children and the professionals who support them. Visit our Health & Social Care Hub to see what we can provide for your events with our tailored service.

Whatever your needs our professional and dedicated team will ensure your event will run smoothly by providing excellent customer service and a flexible approach to meet your needs.

Visit: http://www.redbankhouse.com/

Professor Richard Hastings writes: I’m part of a project called SAY-Families (also with Glasgow and Bangor Universities). The aim of the SAY-Families project is to find out about how the parents of young people with High Functioning Autism or Asperger syndrome talk to their children about relationships and sex education.

The developing sexuality of young people with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers syndrome and how this private matter is dealt with by young people and their families is a topic that has received little research attention. However, it is recognised that support with such matters is often sought after by families.

It is hoped that the information collected during this study will be able to inform the development of materials to support families and young people around this sensitive topic

We are currently at the stage of making contact with parents who might like to take part in the project and wondered if TAC Bulletin might be able help. For parents, the study would involve either taking part in a face to face interview, or an online survey.

For the face to face interviews, we are particularly looking for the parents of young people aged between 16 and 30 years old, who also have a sibling that is the same gender as them. The researcher working on the project is called Stacey Hunter and it will be Stacey carrying out the interviews with parents.

One parent of a young person can take part in an interview, or, parents can take part in an interview as a couple, if they wish. Stacey would visit the family home whenever is best for them.

For the online survey we are looking for parents of young people aged 16 and 30 to take part. The survey can also be completed by one or both parents of the young person.

Richard P. Hastings PhD CPsychol FBPsS FIASSIDD FAcSS

Contact Stacey Hunter: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.