|
WINTER NEWS:
YOUTH CLUB—ROYALS
In September our Wednesday youth club, moved to new premises at the Royals in
Rainham. This move has been very successful with our young members now able to
access new opportunities including, pool, table tennis, play stations and computers.
The membership of this group has been on the rise and we would like to welcome all the
new families who have accessed this club.
LIFE PROJECT
Following many months of planning our LIFE (Local Intervention Fire Education) project
took place at Dagenham fire station in September. Eight PACT member’s were given the
opportunity to work with hoses, ladders and breathing equipment which led to a full display
of all the skills they had learnt from their week together. We hope to be able to repeat
this project in 2010 as the participants had the opportunity to improve their communication
skills, team work and interaction with others. The project was extremely enjoyable for everyone.
LIVING LIBRARIES
Also in September we took part in the Barking and Dagenham ‘Living Libraries’ event. This
event involved members of the public borrowing someone from the local community rather than a
book for 10 -15 minutes and then having the opportunity to ask them questions about their lives,
occupations and their organisation. As a result we had the opportunity to raise the awareness of
autism to the general public and discuss the barriers, people with autism face in their daily lives.
FOOTBALL
Our football sessions have proved to be as popular as ever and we would like to thank
Rob, Andrew and Chris for supporting this activity. We played a match against AbPhab youth club
on 3rd December in which we won 6 - 5.
MODEL RAILWAY NIGHT
At the junior youth clubs we ran two model railway nights. PACT members had the opportunity to make
and paint buildings, design a layout board and play with trains for the evening. This activity helped
the young people to work and communicate together as a team and within the space of two hours create
their own club layout from scratch. We would like to thank the members of East Ham and District model
railway club for their support on these evenings.
DCATCH
Our work with the DCATCH (Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare) project in Barking and
Dagenham is on going. If any parent or carer living in that borough has a child aged 5 to 19
with additional needs and is serious about returning to work or needs specific training to find
a job, or is finding it hard to find childcare, than this is the project to support you. Please
contact Chrissy Phillips at the local authority to find out more
about the project and what services can be provided. Chrissy’s number is 0208 227 5398 or email
Christine.phillips@lbbd.gov.uk please remember to mention PACT when
contacting the DCATCH project.
CONNEXIONS
During the autumn we have run a number of workshops with the local Connexions service,
looking at selecting options, further education and training and future employment
aspirations. These sessions were held at our senior youth clubs and our members had the opportunity
to look at the options available to them as they plan for their futures. This work is on going and
should any families want any support around working with Connexions, looking for colleges or
further education, please contact the PACT office.
TRAMPOLINING
This autumn on Saturday morning’s we have been running a trampolining club at Castle Green
in Dagenham. Over twenty PACT young members accessed the sessions which ran for a ten week period.
At the final session in October all participants gave a demonstration of what they had learnt and
were presented with a certificate of achievement. We hope to be in a position, subject to receiving funding of running a new Saturday club in the future.
TENNIS
In the October half term PACT members had the chance to experience lawn tennis at the
Cranston Park Club in Upminster. These sessions proved very successful and we hope that some members
may be encouraged to take up this sport as a result of attending the taster sessions at the club. We
hope to be looking at providing opportunities to access other new sports in the future.
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
In December we will run two activities, our family Christmas Disco and Jack Petchey awards night on
the 5th December at Marks Gate Community Hall and the 12 years of age and under Christmas Party at
Timbuk2 on the 13th December. These two activities give parents and
families the opportunity to come together, meet new friends and have fun in a safe environment. We hope
to see as many PACT families and friends as possible as we celebrate the achievements and successes of
our members in a very busy and exciting 2009.
PACT FORUM
PACT has started a Parent Forum. This site is a great way for parents to talk to each
other about matters related to Autism as well as having a general chat with each other.
It is also an opportunity to ask questions to the PACT team.
For younger members there is a separate section for them to chat to each other.(Under 18’s will need
parental permission to use this site. please contact the office for details on 020 8220 0090.)
This site is for the use of PACT members ONLY
You will need to register to fully use this site. For instructions on how to do this log onto
the website pactuk.freeforums.org and click on the Welcome topic.
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
DECEMBER:-
There will be NO support group in December.
27 JANUARY 2010:-
Phillipa Moss a Research Assistant at The Institute of Psychiatry in London
will be giving a presentation on:-
“IMPACT OF AUTISM IN ADULT LIFE”
24 FEBRUARY 2010:-
Piotr Waltos from Barking and Dagenham CAMHS
Will be giving a talk on:-
“SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENTS”
To book a place, want more information or if you would like to be kept informed of
future topics please contact the office.
This support group is aimed at the needs of our parents and we will try to get speakers regarding topics our members want to discuss. Come
along and share experiences and maybe in the process help another parent.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
The PACT office will be closed for the Christmas Holiday
from:
4.00pm on Wednesday 23rd December 2009
and will reopen in the New Year at:
9.00am on Monday 4th January 2010
CONFERENCE 2010
We are pleased to announce our forthcoming Conference
To be held on the 3rd MARCH 2010:-
9.30AM UNTIL 2.30PM
VENUE: ROMFORD YMCA, RUSH GREEN ROAD,
ROMFORD, ESSEX, RM7 0PH.
SPEAKERS
ROS BLACKBURN
Was diagnosed at an early age as severely autistic but with average intellectual ability. She is an
internationally renowned speaker who will give both helpful information into living with autism and a
unique insight into her own experiences of autism
&
ROD MORRIS
An adult with Asperger syndrome co-author of
Aspergers for Professionals and Aspergers for
Parents
Lunch provided
DELEGATES FEES
Parents: £15.00 Professionals: £40.00
Please contact the office for more information. Thank You.
THE GREETINGS CARD COMPANY
Charity Cards and more......
We have signed up to The Greetings Card Company website which will allow you to select from a wide range of cards and gifts for all occasions
and still be supporting PACT. We will receive 7.5% of the value of your order. The website address
is: www.charitycards.co.uk/charities/pact
EASYFUNDING
P.A.C.T. have signed up to the "Easyfunding" on-line scheme
This is a FREE service where you can shop with your favourite online stores and at no extra cost raise
funds for our charity. You still shop directly with each retailer as you would normally, simply by logging
onto the links below before you shop each retailer will make a cashback donation to PACT. There are a variety of famous
retailers who have joined this scheme so please support us by logging onto : easyfundraising.org.uk
|