News and Events |
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WINTER NEWS:
LEISURE IN GENERAL
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest update on our activities here at PACT. It is with great pleasure that I can finally announce the completion of our merger with B&D Mencap. Over the next couple of months we will be updating our IT systems and whilst we hope it will run smoothly we would be grateful if you could bear with us should there be any disruption to our phones and e-mails. PACT OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES The PACT office will be closed for the Christmas Holidays from: Friday 23rd December 2011 at 4.00pmand will reopen in the New Year Tuesday 3rd January 2012 at 9.00amTRUSTEES WANTED! We are currently looking to expand our board of trustees and would particularly welcome people with a background in business, finance, governance in charities and/or those with knowledge of Autism. A minimum commitment of 1 meeting per month (usually) evening is essential although further support is always welcome. For further information please contact the office. YOUTH CLUBS Our youth clubs have continued to offer a varied activity programme which has included partnerships with the Police, who visited our junior youth clubs and allowed the members to try on uniforms, handcuffs and play with the controls inside a Police car. Our older youth groups have been exploring the possibility of running their own allotments as part of our healthy eating and exercise programme. The members of the clubs have visited the allotments in Marks Gate, measured up the plot and are starting planning how they would like the project to develop. SATURDAY MULTI SPORTS AND FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES Our weekly sessions have continued to prove popular with PACT members who have had the opportunity to try many new sports. If you would like to take part and are aged between 8 - 18 years old, the weekly sessions take place: Saturday Multi Sports 10.00am to 11.30am Thursday Football 5.00pm to 6.00pm Both these activities take place at Robert Clack Sports Centre, Gosfield Road, Dagenham, RM8 1JU. If you would like to attend please contact the office or send an email to keith.smith@pact-uk.org.uk SHORT BREAKS IN BARKING AND DAGENHAM
We have now completed our Summer Short Breaks programme which supported over 100 PACT members to join us on our family trip to Southend-on-Sea where everyone was given a wristband to enjoy the attractions at Adventure Island theme park. Over 20 people joined us on our trip to the London Transport Museum in Convert Garden and over 80 people were involved in our week's activities at the Stubbers Outdoor Centre in Upminster, Essex. At the end of August our final summer event was the paintballing and go-karting which was a fantastic day out for all the young people who were able to access the same. During the October half term 28 people had the chance to join us on our re-arranged trip to the London Palladium to see the hit musical the 'Wizard of Oz' and our new group for over 17's had a chance to return to Southend and enjoy a day at the theme park on the seafront. We would again like to thank the ‘Autism Ambassadors’ who were instrumental in putting together our short break applications to Barking and Dagenham council and as a result of their involvement, we have been able to provide a full Summer programme for young people and families affected by autism. AUTISM AMBASSADORS The PACT Autism Ambassadors continued their fantastic work in the community delivering autism awareness sessions to professionals and volunteers at Havering Council, Eastbury Manor House, Argos, Queens Hospital and the Events Teams in Barking and Dagenham. The sessions were again very successful and each presentation was followed by a question and answer session with the young people. We would like to thank those members of the Autism Ambassadors who have continued to support the project and make a difference through engagement and consultation with others. We look forward to the next sessions when the ‘Autism Ambassadors’ support their community and provide essential training, support and advice to Professionals and organisations to help remove the barriers which prevent people with autism accessing mainstream and universal local services.
TONY FULLER AWARD Former Vice Chair Tony Fuller served on PACT's comittee for over five years and brought to the organisation a great deal of experience and knowlwdge. Tony who died in 2008 after battling for months with Cancer was held in high regard by all. PACT wanted to recognise Tony for his dedication in improving services so in 2010 the Tony Fuller Award was set up in his memory. The award is given to young people who are considered to have achieved the most whilst at Stubbers. This year the Tony Fuller Award was presented to two members for the way they tried new activites and supported others in their groups. Congratulations to you both. BEFRIENDING PROJECT
Update It has been eighteen months now since the Befriending Project started, in that time we have completed many successful matches. The Young People involved in the Project have made improvements in their life and social skills. They have gained in confidence and made steps to being more independent. They have been given an opportunity to try new activities and experiences. As the matches are in place for a year some have now come to an end, but the results have been fantastic. Due to this Befrienders have now left us, I am extremely grateful for all the help they have given to the Young People and families they have worked with. Their hard work and commitment has helped the Young People work toward reaching targets and giving them more potential for the future. In November 'The Dagenham Post' published an article on the Befriending Project. A reporter met up with Claire Bond, her son Amara and his Befriender. They talked about how the Befriender has made a significant difference to the family. Claire was introduced to the Befriending service in March this year. Claire told the 'Post' that she cannot praise the programme and Befriender enough. "It's such a fantastic idea and the Befriender has been absolutelty amazing". All volunteers are given training before they are matched with a young person. If you would like to become a Befriender or would like a Befriender for your Young Person please contact: Amanda Heary on: 0208 220 0090 or amanda.heary@pact-uk.org.uk YOUNG MEMBERS
Has your Young Person/Child wrote a great story or designed a piece of art? Have they passed an exam or made a journey on the bus for the first time? Please share any achievements and work with us no matter how big or small, so we can give our Young Members recognition for their achievements. contact: Amanda Heary on: 0208 220 0090 or amanda.heary@pact-uk.org.uk Please see the newsletter to read the full article PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Our Parents Support Groups are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Yew Tree Resource Centre in Romford. The next couple of dates to put in your diary are:-December 2011 25th January 2012 22nd February 2012 If you would like to attend the Parents Support Group you will need to book your place by ringing Maggs at the office on 020 8220 0090 or emailing :- maggs.donovan@pact-uk.org.uk FAMILY CHRISTMAS DISCO With the Jack Petchey Awards Buffet - Disco - Bar - Raffle Date: Friday 9th December 2011 Time: 7.00pm - 11.00pm Venue: Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, Marks Gate, Chadwell Heath, Essex Price: Age 16 & over £7.00 per person Under 16's £3.00 per person For further information or to book tickets please contact the office FORTHCOMING ANNUAL CONFERENCE To be held on 15 March 2012 Time: 9.30AM UNTIL 2.30PM VENUE: Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club GUEST SPEAKERS Dr. Paul Holland -
(Chartered Psychologist, consultant/coach & trainer
specialising in ASD)
Speaking on ‘Dealing with Challenging Behaviour’ Robyn Steward -
(Young Adult diagnosed with Aspergers)
Speaking about her life experiences
Lunch is provided DELEGATES FEES: Parents £15.00 - Voluntary Sector £25.00 - Public Sector £40.00 For further information or to book a place please contact the office. CINEMA EXHIBITORS ASSOCIATION CARD It is possible you may be able to get a Cinema Exhibitors Association Card. This is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is entitled to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. To apply for the card you will need to submit proof to show that you meet one or more of the following criteria: DONATIONS We would like to thank Alison Kerr for the donation of £500 (In memory of Laura Martin) and Prudential for their donation of £1,000. EASYFUNDING The Easy Way To Raise Money for PACT Do you ever use the internet for shopping? or booking tickets? or even for your insurance needs? Would you do this through easyfundraising.org.uk if it were to raise money for PACT? Its free and easy to sign up and use, and once signed up you have the chance to raise funds through retailers and service providers just by logging onto your account before you make any online purchase with any of the participating organisations. There are literally hundreds of companies listed, including, The AA, Debenhams, JD sports, New Look and even the Premier Inn, the list is almost endless! Even though the individual donations may seem insignificant to the companies involved, when added together they could make a real difference to PACT. So next time you need to order a book, or buy a new mobile phone, or even send someone a bouquet of flowers please consider registering with easyfundraising.org.uk JUST GIVING FOR CHARITIES Since 2001 Just Giving have helped over 9000 charities raise £700 million. Every penny of every pound that a person donates
through Just Giving goes straight to their chosen charity (if it's eligible for Gift Aid). Thank you everyone that has donated
over the past 3 months.
PACT is happy to announce we too have joined the Just Giving community as a charity member with our own dedicated website:
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