SWINDON SEND FAMILIES VOICE

Swindon SEND Families Voice are an independent not for profit company formed by parent and carers in January 2018. The forum feels passionately about ensuring the services in our area meet the needs of Swindon’s disabled children and their families.

W: https://swindonsendfamiliesvoice.org.uk/

The SEND Newsletter keeps all stakeholders up to date with information and developments around SEND in Swindon.

SEND News Splash Issue 186 - 23rd October 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 185 - 16th October 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 184 - 9th October 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 183 - 2nd October 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 182 - 25th September 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 181 - 18th September 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 180 - 11th September 2023
SEND News Splash Issue 179 - 4th September 2023

NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
A comprehensive site with excellent explanations, ideas for support and links to local organisations. Founded in 1962, NAS are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. The goal of NAS is to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.

W: https://www.autism.org.uk/

MENCAP
MENCAP aim to improve the lives of people with a learning disability and their families now, and fight alongside them for a better future. They team up with a network of over 400 local groups to reach people across England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The services they provide range from round-the-clock care to helping someone join in with local leisure activities, providing advice and information on things like employment and education, helping someone to live independently for the first time, and even things like reporting a crime to the police.

W: https://www.mencap.org.uk/

DASH SWINDON
DASH is an independent local charity whose mission is to improve the quality of life of adults of working age with Aspergers and other high functioning Autistic Spectrum Conditions living in Swindon.

W: https://www.dashswindon.com/

THE OPEN DOOR
The Open Door Centre exists to make a positive difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities, enabling our members to achieve their highest potential.  We do this by providing a range of activities within a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, and members are involved in every level of decision making about the running of the Centre.

W: http://www.theopendoorcentre.co.uk/

STRATTON ADVICE POINT
Stratton Advice Point is a voluntary organisation set up to provide free confidential advice on Welfare Benefits, staffed by trained volunteers from the local community. We are members of AdviceUKand work in partnership with other organisations in Swindon such as Wiltshire Law Center, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Harbour Project.

W: http://www.strattonadvicepoint.co.uk/

SWINDON CARERS
Swindon Carers Centre is a charitable organisation, which is part of the Carers Trust Network, and we were established to provide help and support to the 21,000 carers in Swindon.

The main benefit which the organisation delivers is support to carers carrying out a caring role for persons with a physical or mental health condition, a learning disability or a drug or alcohol dependency and to promote the development of self-help. 

W: www.swindoncarers.org.uk

THE CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR FOUNDATION
Our vision is for anyone with severe learning disabilities who displays challenging behaviour to have the same life opportunities as everyone else.

We work to improve understanding of challenging behaviour, empower families with information and support, and help others to provide better services and more opportunities.

W: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/

CONTACT
Contact are a charity for families with disabled children. Contact support families with the best possible guidance and information. They bring families together to support each other. And they help families to campaign, volunteer and fundraise to improve life for themselves and others.

W: https://www.contact.org.uk/

HELP KIDZ LEARN
HelpKidzLearn is a collection of free software for young children and those with learning difficulties to play online. You will get the most out of these activities if you play them together with your child. Use them as a focus for chatting. Speaking and listening is very important for young children's educational development, particularly reading and writing.

W: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/

SKIGGLE
Skiggle is a self-funded, non-profit on-line community that was launched in 2016 by a mother whose young son, with Cerebral Palsy is the inspiration behind the idea. Our aim is to help people, of all ages, who are involved with disabilities either in a personal or professional capacity. Our primary goal is to create a mutual support network for users to provide each other with practical help.

W: https://skiggle.co.uk/

INTERNET SAFETY - THINKUKNOW
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.

Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.

W: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

CARERS UK
Looking after someone can be tough, but you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and advice that’s tailored to your situation, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.

W: https://www.carersuk.org/

WELLCHILD
WellChild is the national UK children's charity making it possible for children and young people with exceptional health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.

W: https://www.wellchild.org.uk/

WILTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

There is now a new telephone number for parents/carers to contact Wiltshire County Council, for information regarding funding, referrals and lead worker enquires for their child. (Please note this is for Wiltshire County Council only and not Swindon Borough Council)

The SPOC (single point of contact) number is 01225 757985 and is available Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 4.30 pm for all Wiltshire students.

W: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

BIG BLUE SURF SCHOOL, CORNWALL
A Surf School which has been recommended to us by one of our autistic students who had a wonderful time and learnt to surf. The Surf School has specially qualified instructors who are experienced in teaching children with Autism and other special needs.

W: https://www.bigbluesurfschool.com/