Top tips for a Successful Summer
Dear Parent Carer ,
After more than 3 months of lockdown, the summer holidays are nearly upon us! We know from speaking to many of you who have a child with Special Educational Needs/Disabilities, that this time might be your most challenging yet.
To help you through the weeks ahead, West Sussex Parent Carer Forum and West Sussex County Council have come together to bring you our Top Tips for planning a successful summer:
Tips for your Child/Young Person
- Use picture timetables to plan each week with your child. Twinkl have some great free resources
- Ensure that your child gets plenty of sleep. If you need help, The Sleep Game may help
- Get out into the fresh air
- Visit a (virtual) Museum
- Visit your West Sussex library; choose a book or join in one of their Wednesday Virtual Events.
- Keep Fit by working out to Joe Wicks
Tips for You
You’re important too. If you look after yourself first, looking after your child or young person with SEND will be much more manageable
- Try to build in a little ‘me time’ every day
- Form a support bubble with one other household – see the latest government guidelines
- Rest! Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night. If that’s impossible, try napping during the day
- Drink lots of water – at least 8 glasses a day, or more if it’s hot
- Keep active. Take your child for a roam in one of the county’s green spaces.
- If you’re in a bubble, arrange a few hours for yourself and return the favour another time
- Keep positive. The WSPCF Facebook page will inspire you to keep going!
- Open a free account with Pinterest and look for your own inspirational quotes
- Arrange a quiz night over Zoom with your friends or family
- Listen to some free ‘calming’ music at Amazon.
- Read or listen to a book. Your local library has a good selection of e:books, e:zines, comics and newspapers and audio books that you can borrow. There’s something for the whole family!
Top Resources for your Child/Young Person
| Open Spaces | https://wiki.rixwiki.org/west-sussex-mmm/home/short-breaks-6 |
| Picture Timetables | https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-c-081-visual-timetable-for-home |
| The Sleep Game | https://www.sleepgame.co.uk/ |
| Virtual Museums | https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en |
| Virtual Short Breaks | https://wiki.rixwiki.org/west-sussex-mmm/home/short-breaks-6 |
| West Sussex Library | https://arena.westsussex.gov.uk/web/arena/currentoffer/ |
| Workout with Joe Wicks | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyCLoPd4VxBvPHOpzoEk5onAEbq40g2-k |
Top Resources for You
| Amazon ‘free’ music | https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=free+calming+music&ref=nb_sb_noss |
| Compass Card WSx | https://www.compasscard.org.uk/ |
| Local Offer | https://westsussex.local-offer.org/ |
| Open spaces | https://wiki.rixwiki.org/west-sussex-mmm/home/short-breaks-6/about-128 |
| https://pinterest.com | |
| Quiz | https://kahoot.com/ |
| Reaching Families | https://www.reachingfamilies.org.uk/ |
| Short Breaks wiki | https://wiki.rixwiki.org/west-sussex-mmm/home/short-breaks-6 |
| Support bubbles | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-ease-guidance-for-over-2-million-shielding |
| West Sussex library | https://arena.westsussex.gov.uk/web/arena/currentoffer/ |
| WSPCF Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/West-Sussex-Parent-Carer-Forum-357548895577/ |
| Zoom | https://zoom.us |
Care Services
We have compiled a list of the following organisations who may be able to help you or your family if you are in crisis. These are in alphabetical order to make your search a little easier.
Adoption UK
For every adoptive family.
Phone: Helpline – 0300 666 0006 (Mon to Thur 10.00am – 2.30pm and Fri 10.00am – 12.30pm)
Aspens
Live Chat via our website available for Parents and Carers living with ASC, ADHD or associated traits or Characteristics. (Mon 9.30am -11.30am and Fri 12.00pm-2.00pm)
Or book a family support virtual clinic (30 min session) by emailing familysupport@aspens.org.uk
Carers Support West Sussex
For family and friend carers.
Phone: 0300 028 888 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (Wed extended till 7pm and Sat 10am-12pm)
Cerebra
Working wonders for children with brain conditions
Phone: 01267 244 200
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Offer information about challenging behaviour to anyone who provides unpaid support to a child, young person or adult with a severe learning disability.
Phone: 0300 666 0126 (Mon-Thur 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-3pm) or Email: support@thecbf.org.uk
Childline
Chat online: (7 days, 9am – midnight)
Phone: 0800 1111 (Free call – 7 days, 9am – midnight)
Citizens Advice West Sussex
Webchat and email help service
Phone: Adviceline – 0344 477 1171 (Mon to Fri 9am-4.30pm)
Contact
The charity for families with disabled children.
Phone: Helpline – 0808 808 3555
Including an extremely helpful common benefits questions section
Gingerbread
The Charity supporting single parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives.
For general support click here
For professional advice or immediate support,
Phone: 0808 802 0925 (free call – weekdays during office hours)
Mencap
The voice of learning disability.
Mencap’s online community
A safe and supportive place to meet others, ask questions about learning disability, share experiences and offer support
Phone: Learning Disability Helpline – 0808 808 1111 (Mon to Fri 9am – 3pm)
Mind Ed
A useful resource for families, this is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health
Mind UK
For better mental health
Phone: Infoline – 0300 123 3393 or Text: 86463
My Sister’s House Women’s Centre
We provide a range of support needs to women from all backgrounds facing all kinds of issues.
Phone: 01243 697800
National Autistic Society
Phone: Autism Helpline – 0808 800 4104 (Mon to Thur 10am-4pm and Fri 9am-3pm)
NOFAS UK
Dedicated to supporting people affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), their families and communities.
Phone: Helpline – 020 8458 5951.
If you are unable to get through and need an urgent response, please call 07920 747 560
email: help@nofas-uk.org
Reaching Families
We empower, inform and support parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex
Phone: 01903 366360
Refuge
Refuge supports women, children & men experiencing domestic violence with a range of services.
Their national domestic abuse helpline can be contacted here
Phone: National Domestic Abuse hotline – 0808 2000 247 (24 hours, 7 days)
Safe in Sussex
Providing help and support for people affected by domestic abuse in West Sussex
Phone: 0330 333 7416 (Mon to Fri 9.30am-4.30pm)
Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (Free call – 24 hours, 7 days a week)
The Trussell Trust
If you cannot afford food, please contact your local food bank by clicking on the above link. Alternatively, contact The Trussell Trust – 01722 580 180 (central number)
Together for Short Lives
Making a lifetime of difference for seriously ill children.
Phone: Helpline – 0808 8088 100
Unique Charity
Understanding Rare Chromosome and Gene disorders
Phone: Helpline – 01883 723356
West Sussex County Council Community Hub
For local support – especially for those classed as vulnerable (in relation to COVID-19)
West Sussex Community Support Helpline – Phone: 033 022 27980 (Lines are open 8.00am – 8.00pm)
West Sussex Local Offer
The West Sussex Local Offer helps you find information about local services, support and events for children and young people aged 0 – 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
West Sussex County Council
Find the latest information and advice about Coronavirus and the status of WSCC’s services in West Sussex.
West Sussex Local (District and Borough) Councils
Full list of contact details for West Sussex councils
Adur and Worthing
- Email: helppoint@adur-worthing.gov.uk
- Phone: 01273 263000
Arun
- Email: info@arun.gov.uk
- Phone: 01903 737500
Chichester
- Email: contact@chichester.gov.uk
- Phone: 01243 785166
Crawley
- Email: comments@crawley.gov.uk
- Phone: 01293 438000
Horsham
- Email: yoursay@horsham.gov.uk
- Phone: 01403 215100
Mid Sussex
- Email: enquiries@midsussex.gov.uk
- Phone: 01444 458166
West Sussex Mental Healthline
We provide a 24 hour telephone support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Phone: 0300 5000 101 (24hrs, 7 days)
WellChild
“Being part of the WellChild family tree helps immensely. Being able to talk to other parents any time of the day & for them to understand exactly what you are going through is priceless” – Victoria, Jack’s mum.
Join the WellChild family tree
Support from the ‘Wellchild’ organisation has increased greatly since the beginning of lock-down for families with specific needs.
Young Minds UK
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
Phone: Parents Helpline – 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
Are you a young person in crisis and need urgent help? Then text YM to 85258 (free 24/7 support)