We will post here anything that we feel can help you:
FREE workshops and 1:1 support for families with disabled children
As many of you are aware, in light of the CV-19 pandemic, Contact have been adapting our support offer for families. We’ve adapted our workshops to online options so that families can continue to connect with each other and gain useful information and advice at the same time. We’ve also set up new, “Listening Ear” 1-1 confidential phone appointments with our family support advisers for parents who would like to talk to someone for reassurance and practical and emotional support at this time.
These are all FREE for families and we are listing the Workshop dates and “Listening Ear” appointments on our website so if you know a family who may benefit from either of these options please do tell them where to book on. It would also be really helpful if you can share this information and the links to our website with any colleagues, friends or networks that can help us tell families about the support that we have for them. The more families we can reach and support the better!
Workshops
https://www.contact.org.uk/about-us/family-workshops/
Listening Ear
https://www.contact.org.uk/news-and-blogs/introducing-our-new-1-1-listening-ear-service-(1)/
COVID -19 Information Pages
https://www.contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/
The NDCS are inviting all parents and families of deaf children to an online coffee morning on 16th June:
Click here to see
Minister Ford’s open letter to SEND sector schools opening
COVID update for families – NDCS
https://www.batod.org.uk/coronavirus-information-for-parents-from-ndcs/
Face coverings and hearing communicating with the hearing impaired:
https://www.batod.org.uk/ndcs-infographic-video-on-face-coverings-tips-for-the-general-public/
Here is a joint ministerial letter from Minister Ford, Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, and Minister Whately, Minister of State for Care, to children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers.
SEND Parent’s toolkit which is available on BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zh9v382
National Deaf Children’s Society has updated it’s blog regarding support for deaf children and their families.
Link is :
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-and-support-for-deaf-children-information-for-families/
The World Health Organisation have created a story book for children aged 6-11 years about COVID 19 that is also available in different languages.
Public Health England have produced guidance to families on promoting children’s mental health and wellbeing at this time.
Living Paintings Audio App
Living Paintings’ daily Soundcloud channel. Each day they are offering a fantastic track from their Living Paintings’ audio library. Whether you’re self-isolating, home-schooling during social distancing or simply need to unwind from a day at work, they’ve got something for everyone – of all ages. Tune into their selection of tracks for mindfulness and story time, nature trails and celebrity chat every day! You can also access the channel through their Facebook page.
Think Ninja App
As a direct response to the current crisis, Healios have updated ThinkNinja with specific COVID-19 support scripts. The new content brings self-help skills and knowledge to young people (10-18 years old) who maybe experiencing increased anxiety and stress during this time.
Healios have also made ThinkNinja open to all young people during the crisis, so it is freely available to everyone across the UK.
The new COVID-19 content provides an opportunity for young people to understand the following aspects:
* Fears relating to the virus
* Isolation struggles and how to stay connected to family and friends
* Worries about personal health and health of family members
* Coping techniques to use during the crisis
* Other helpful tips
If you want to know more about ThinkNinja please go to the following website:
https://www.healios.org.uk/services/thinkninja1
Resources for parents for children with SEND can be found below
RNIB advice and support for parents re COVID-19
https://www.rnib.org.uk/advice/children-young-people-education
Support for Deaf Children 0-5 Years
Charity to offer free resources to support deaf children (0-5 years) to learn to listen and talk. The Elizabeth Foundation has waived all fees for their online learning programme called ‘Let’s Listen and Talk’ so that all families who need it can benefit from the advice, guidance and information from the programme. Along with information, the programme provides hundreds of useful games and activities that support listening and talking.
Go to www.letslistenandtalk.org and sign up today.”
Learning British Sign Language
If you are interested in learning British Sign Language during this uncertain time, the Deaf Trust have launched a free online British Sign Language training course.
Doncaster Deaf trust has set up free online BSL training Level 1, this can be accessed at : https://www.deaf-trust.co.uk/british-sign-language.
Andy Ritchie
Service Manager: Access and Inclusion