About PACT

PACT
Who Are We?

Parents of Autistic Children Together, or PACT as we are otherwise known, is a voluntary organisation that aims to support the needs of families, carers and friends of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders living in Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.

PACT was formed in response to a lack of specialist service provision in this part of North East London/Essex.

Since our formation in 1995, we have provided a fully integrated activity programme for families of Autistic children, offering activities which are generally inaccessible due to lack of suitability, inadequate support and absence of specialised facilities.

In addition, we offer advice and information on the many issues which affect Autistic individuals - ranging from welfare benefits and education advice to dietary information and behaviour management.

Mission Statement.

"To empower young people on the Autistic Continuum by the provision of advice, support, information, training and educational activities, aiding them towards equal opportunities & social integration: and by the provision of the same services to their carers, families and friends, enable them to assist the young people to achieve that end"

Our Services.

We provide:-


• A structured range of activities for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders including weekly youth clubs and football workshops.
  
• Summer leisure programme.
  
• Regular integrated activities for the families.
  
• Information and advice on ASD and related issues.
  
• Assistance with welfare benefit forms.
  
• Support/Advocacy at meetings.
  
• Parent Support Groups.
  
• Workshops and Conferences.
  
• Specialised Library.
  
• Quarterly Newsletter.
  
• One to one support for individuals/families experiencing particular difficulties.
  
• Practical support with speech and communication difficulties
  
• Coordination of the Way2Say group which supports families living in Barking & Dagenham
  

What Is Way2Say?

The Way2Say group supports families living in Barking & Dagenham and the aim of the group is to deliver Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to children (aged 2-4) and their families through a multi-agency team. Way2Say supports the implementation of PECS through parent groups and home visits. The group meets fortnightly for 12 weeks to discuss principles, share ideas and problem solve. On alternate weeks two co-workers visit the child and family at home to practice PECS, discuss strategies and leave resources. Way2Say Co-workers are recruited for a range of services including health, education, social services and the voluntary sector. They are a multi-disciplinary group which includes health visitors, community nursery nurses, portage workers, speech & language therapists, parents and inclusion staff, all co-workers have attended the two day PECS training run by Pyramid Educational Consultants. See the following website PECS for further information.

The Way2Say group provides support for children with communication difficulties through:

• Practical guidance on the use of PECS with young children for parent/carers and practitioners
  
• Visits to support the use of PECS in the home and /or pre-school setting
  
• Access to practical resources e.g. pictures/symbols, specialised resources for loan
  
• Opportunities for parent/carers and professionals to meet together and support each other
  

Who We Are.

Trustees

Chair - Joy Palmer
Vice Chair - Delia Rowley
Treasurer - John McKernan
Secretary - Fatima Arghandawi
Member - Doreen Stevens
Member - Mick Hitchin
Member - Marcella Cooper
Member - Steve Withers

Chris Gillbanks - Director

Maggs Donovan - Family Services Manager

The role of the family services manager is to support families to access the best provision for their children with ASD.

Lynn Chapman - Administrator/Way2Say Coordinator

The role of the administrator is to promote the services that we provide and maintain the efficient running of the office.

and

The role of the Way2Say Coordinator is to support families in Barking & Dagenham with young children who have complex Speech & Communication difficulties.

Keith Smith - Children Services Manager

The role of the Children Services Manager is to arrange activities to empower young people to flourish as individuals and be valued members of society.

Amanda Heary – Volunteer Co-ordinator

The role of the volunteer co-ordinator is to recruit, train and support volunteers who are working with us on our various projects. She also co-ordinates the Befriending Project which aims to offer support to young people on the autistic spectrum to enable them to participate in social situations.

Support Staff & Volunteers

We have a number of staff & volunteers who support us within our various projects whose roles are to support the young people in gaining confidence and assisting them in social activities aiming for their independence.