- A child with a disability is a child with a special ability -

National Support Groups

Adders
ADD/ADHD Support Group

A self-help support group for sufferers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and their families. They run a telephone support line for Thanet and surrounding areas.

The group is run by the parents of a child of 18 years, who was diagnosed as having A.D.H.D at 12 years old. We have had all the usual remarks said to us, such as, "can't you control your child", "it's your fault, do something" etc.

For further information contact Caroline & Simon
45 Vincent Close
Broad stairs
CT10 2ND
Telephone 01843 851145
Email support@adders.org
Web Site www.adders.org

A.S.K (Activities for Special Kids).

A.S.K is a support group set up by parents of disabled children living in Saltash and S.E. Cornwall. The aim of the group is to provide activities, support and information to families with a disabled child and it is open to everyone no matter what the age or disability of the child.

The group helps families to access fun activities, such as swimming and bowling, along with trips to local attractions.
The group is for the whole family- disabled child, siblings and parents/carers and is a great way for families to get together for a chat or to exchange ideas and experiences.

For further information please contact ASK
Telephone 01752 851612
Email Theresa.burt@ntlworld.com

A Place To Call Our Own

Community based one stop resource facility providing equal inclusive opportunities for play and development for children of all abilities, and also support and information to families. Disabled children/young people (0-19 years) and their families living in North Nottinghamshire. Children pre-diagnosis are welcome.

The Centre operates an open system of referral Telephone help line, advice and information service. Carers support group, sibling support programme, bereavement counselling, sensory room and mobile sensory unit. Holiday programme of leisure activities/events.

For more information A place to call our own
Unit 18
Botany Park
Botany Avenue
Mansfield
Nottingham
NG18 5NF
Telephone 01623 629902
Email aptcoo@proweb.co.uk
Web Site www.proweb.co.uk/~aptcoo

ADHD north west

Provides information and support to people affected by adhd and there families and to promote awareness of attention defect disorder throughout the north west for further information please contact
ADHD northwest

For further information please contact ADHD northwest
1 church court
Bolton le sands
Carmforth
Lancashire
LA5 8EB
Telephone 01524 822887
E-mail worrall@ecosse.net

Autism Bedfordshire

Autism Bedfordshire offers member’s comprehensive details and support on autism and aspergen, and where to get help.

Members are offered a New Members Information Pack, information from Autism Bedfordshire's comprehensive library, a monthly newsletter, training, a summer activity play scheme, and a Saturday morning family drop in activity session, a telephone helpline and the opportunity to join a Link Group (where parents support parents)

For further information please contact Autism Bedfordshire
St. Mark's Church Community Centre
Calder Rise/Avon Drive
Bedford
MK41 7UY
Telephone 01234 350704 216056
Email autismbeds@btconnect.com
Web Site www.midbedscvs.care4free.net/autismbeds.htm

BWS Support Group

Was started in 1990 by a group of parents with BWS children to share problems and information to act as a self-help group.

It aims to promote both public and professional awareness of BWS and to support and exchange research, the group as links with the BWS groups in Holland and America it publishes an occasional newsletter.

For further information please contact BWS Support group
The Drum and Monkey
Hazelbury Bryan
Dorset
DT10 2EE
Telephone 01258 817573
Email rbaker5165@aol.com

Childhood Cancer Support for the Family

Families with a child/young person (0-18 years) with cancer and/or leukaemia. The majority of families live in the London Borough of Bromley and attend Farnborough Hospital, however, these are not strict criteria.
Families refer themselves to the group coffee mornings and informal get together. Family leisure activities and outings.
For further information please contact Childhood Cancer Support for the Family
116 Newstead Avenue
Orpington
Kent
BR6 9R
Email contact@ccsupport.fsnet.co.uk

First Step Opportunity Group
First Step services – children (0-5) with special needs, irrespective of severity
Counselling – any family member with a disabled child under 18 years, who is a Havering resident.
Wide range of services: play groups, parent and toddler sessions, family support groups, music and drama therapy, and multi-sensory room and toy library. Counselling sessions. Sibling Group – information and activities.
For further information please contact First Step
Dunningford School
Rainham Road
Hornchurch
Essex
RM12 5JP
Telephone 01708 620492
Web Site www.firststep.org.uk

Familial Spastic Paraplegia Support Group

The Familial Spastic Paraplegia is a 'self-help' group that aims to provide assistance to those suffering from Familial Spastic Paraplegia.

For further information please contact Familial Spastic Paraplegia Support group.
37 Alexandra road
Great Wakering
Nar southend
Essex
Telephone 01702 218184
Email FSPgroup@aol.com
Web Site www.fspgroup.org
Koalas– Swindon Opportunity Group
Families with a child with special needs (0-5 years) living in the Swindon area. The child does not need to have a formal diagnosis. The Group operates an open system of referral

Support groups, pre-school services and play activities, opportunities to borrow equipment. Information and advice and informal counselling. Occasional whole family leisure activities/outings.

For further information please contact KOALAS – Swindon Opportunity Group
Recreation Room
Victoria Hospital
Okus Road
Old Town
Swindon
Telephone 01793 615351

Lash Play Scheme SHIP

Provides support, help and integration for disabled children in Perthshire.
For children/young people (from 5 years upwards) with physical and/or learning disabilities living in the Perth and Kinross area.

SHIP operates an open system of referral, and provides a holiday play schemes
At Elmside House, activities include a soft play area, multi-sensory room and day
Trips out. SHIP also runs a parents group, parents and pre-school group and a
Youth group (12-18 years).

For further information please contact SHIP
Elmside House
Hay Street
Perth
PH1 5HS
Telephone 01738 441077

Leeds Asperger Network

The purpose of Leeds Asperger Network is to raise awareness of Asperger Syndrome in Leeds, and as a result to provide help and support for those in need by way of telephone, web site and email, they hold regular group meeting and provide a newsletter.

For further information please contact Leeds Asperger Network
92 Victoria Park Avenue
Leeds Ls13 2HP
Telephone 0113 2754389
Web Site leedsaspergernetwork.co.uk

Merryfields Family Support Unit
Children/young people (5-8 years) with severe learning disabilities, including children with associated physical care needs and their families, living in Buckinghamshire.

Merryfields operates an open referral system, however, each child must be known to social services before they can be accommodated. And arranges
A range of short breaks, including day care, after school, residential overnight stays, emergency carers and care in the child’s own home. Merryfields also offers information/advice and a parents support group.

For further information please contact
Cressex Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4PR
Telephone 01494 444138

MK AD/HD Family Support Group

MK AD/HD Family Support Group in Milton Keynes has now established in the area for many years. The group assists the families of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and their co-morbid attachments.

They also run an online website and groups to also help those parents who maybe for one reason or another cannot get the help they so need. Should anyone like to learn more about this disorder or of the group or who maybe would like to give their support in anyway please?

For further information please contact MK AD/HD
25 Gurnards Avenue
Fishermead
Milton Keynes
MK6 2BW
Telephone 01908 676 779, 01908 675110
Email m1757@yahoo.com
Web Site www.mk-adhd.org.uk

Parents of Autistic Children Together (P.A.C.T.)

Supports families with a child/young person (no set age limitations) diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder living in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (however, membership may sometimes be extended to neighbouring boroughs). Open system of referral
Provides information and advice, including an advocacy service for families especially at educational and health meetings
For further information please contact P.A.C.T
482 Gale Street
Dagenham
Essex
RM9 4NU
Telephone 020 8220 0090
Email: info-pact-uk@btconnect.com
Web Site www.pact.uk.co.uk

Pinderfields Respiratory support group

This is a group of people who offer help and support to anyone who suffers from any illness witch causes breathing difficulties be it Asthma, Emphysema C.O.P.D OR Lung Cancer.

They have a guest speaker followed by tea and biscuits and finish the evening of with a quiz or some other entertainment. They go on theatre trips and go on other interesting visits throughout the year; they also arrange concerts and coffee mornings to raise funds

For further information please contact Pinderfields Respiratory support group
Medical clinic
Pinderfields general hospital
Wakefield
West Yorkshire

Telephone 01924 365115

Patient Advice and Liaison Service PALS?

Pals is an accessible, confidential and a free service for people who would like information about the different services provided by Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust and services in primary care.

Services in primary care are services in doctor’s surgeries, dentists, opticians and pharmacists PALS can be used by anyone who wants more information about health issues, services and support groups.

For further information please contact PALS
Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Castleford, Normanton and District Hospital
Lumley Street
Castleford
WF10 5BR
Telephone 0845 602 4832

Sacar

SACAR is a registered charity dedicated to support people with autism, Asperger's syndrome and disabilities. There is no fee to join the group. However, members are required to make a nominal contribution towards volunteer support, refreshments, and hire of venue and administration costs.

Please talk to your carer or social worker regarding payment to join the activities, as you may be eligible to receive such payments.
Transport People wishing to join various activities are expected to make their own travel arrangements. If you are unable to travel independently, please speak to your carer.

For further information please contact Sacar
140-148 Manningham Lane
Manningham
Bradford
BD8 7JL
Telephone and fax: 01274 778888
Email info@sacar-trust.org

Signing, Hearing Impaired Parents Support Group (SHIPS)

Opportunities for families of deaf signing children to share information and support one another. Open to any family living in the area with a deaf signing child. Families refer themselves to the group. Parents share ideas and solutions with one another, thus providing and gaining emotional support

For further information please contact SHIPS
SEN Resource Base
Priory School
Neville Avenue
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 2EH
Telephone 01775 761324

Sundowns

Sundown was begun in 2000 by a group of parents with children with downs syndrome who wished to offer a support group for families who had a member with Downs Syndrome.

Since then they have achieved charity status, they now run regular monthly meetings provide a bi-monthly newsletter a bi-siblings newsletter and offer support to siblings of people with downs syndrome, plus much more.

For further information please contact Sundown’s.
46 Hamilton Square
Birkenhead
Merseyside
CH41 5AR
Telephone 0151 647 8888
Email LISASUNDOWNS@aol.com

Stockton Parent Support

They are a group of parents with disabled children, they aim to promote and develop parent ideas for improving the services and opportunities for children with disabilities in Stockton on Tees. They provide Information, Support and Activities for disabled children and their families.

They are an umbrella group for the parent led support groups throughout Stockton. They have information days, professional forums, training for parents, volunteering opportunities and have developed inclusive activities

For further information please contact Stockton Parent Support
Stockton Parent Support Brierthorpe
Email stocktonps@yahoo.co.uk

Sheffield Autistic Society

Sheffield Autistic Society promotes the welfare and education of children with autism resident within the City of Sheffield in the U.K
Advance the education of families and cares of children with autism and the general public concerning autism, its effects and treatment.

They do not provide services but are involved with Sheffield Hallam University and the Jigsaw Befriending Scheme, which currently offers support to 22 families affected by Autism. The scheme has a volunteer Manager employed by the NAS based in Nottingham

For further information please contact Sheffield Autistic Society
78 well green road
Stanningham
Sheffield
S6 6DF
Telephone 0114 285 4770
Web Siteshef.ac.uk/uni/projects/autistic/index.html

Support Group for Parents/Carers of Children with Autism
The group supports parents and carers of children with Autism through information sharing, exchanging ideas and discussion. The group meets every second Sunday of each month at 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm.
The meetings are held at Fantasy Island which is based at Willow Green Children’s Centre. Berwyn grove parr st Helens

For more information contact connect star children’s centre
College Street
St Helens
WA10 1UH
Telephone 01744 731113
Website www.connectparents.org.uk

Thames & Chiltern Trust LTD (TACT)

This is an Opportunities Service that is an all year round seven day a week service, which is needs led and offers adults with a disability the opportunity to access community facilities.

They support Service Users to access their needs and determine their aspiration, together they then plan, implement and support the individual in their chosen field. At present the sessions fall under four categories Education Leisure Therapeutic Supported Employment

For further information please contact Tact
8 Springwell Court Holbeck
Leeds
LS 12 1AL
Telephone 0113-2421388

The Parent to Parent scheme

The Parent-to-Parent scheme is a confidential telephone support service offered to parents of an adult or child with an autistic spectrum disorder provided by other volunteer parents

For further information please contact Parent to parent line
Telephone 0800 9 520 520
Or you can contact the he National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London
EC1ephone 44 020 7833 2299
Email nas@nas.org.uk
Web Site www.02-0211.web.dircon.net/help/partopar.html

The Play Centre for Children with Disabilities and their Families

Equality and opportunity towards positive play for children of all abilities
Disabled children/young people (0-19 years) including those with emotional difficulties and those without a diagnosis. Any local family unable to access ‘normal’ services. The Centre operates an open system of referral.
The Centre organises a range of play options, including weekday play for the under 5’s, Saturday youth club, after-school clubs, holiday play schemes and inclusive community work. There is also a parents support group and individual help available. Advice and training for service providers.
For more information please contact The play Centre
Mansfield Road
Sherwood
Nottingham
NG5 3FN
Telephone 0115 9693432
Email playcentre@btclick.com

The Birthmark Support Group

The Birthmark Support Group is a registered charity - Number 1090952.
Parents of children set it up with birthmarks in December 1998 at the suggestion of Drs Harper and Syed from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Its objective is to provide a UK based support group for anyone with a birthmark.

The word Birthmark is a common term used to describe the various birthmark types of which port wine stain, haemangioma and congenital melanocytic naevus are all examples

For further information please contact The Birthmark support group
P.O Box 3932
Weymouth
DT4 9YG
Telephone 01202 257703
Email in@birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk
Web Site btinternet.com/~birthmarksupportgroup/home.htm

WASPS
Warrington Aspergers Society

They are a group of parents whose charitable aims are to offer support for individuals and families, and information and education on Aspergers Syndrome (AS) and associated difficulties.

Currently meetings for parents and carers take place on the third Monday of each month at the Padgate Youth and Community Centre (next to Padgate Station), at 7:30 PM. The meetings start promptly and usually last for 2 hours. A nominal charge of £1 per family is made to cover administrative costs.

For further information contact Warrington Aspergers Society
C/o padgate youth and community centre
Station road
Padgate
Warrington
WA2 0QS
Telephone 01925 822282
West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group
Attention Deficit Disorder can be with or without Hyperactivity. It is a neurological condition of a normal brain resulting in short attention span impassivity, insatiability, disorganisation, poor short-term memory, poor co-ordanation; hyperactivity can have low self-esteem sometimes aggressive.
ADHD children and adult are intelligent, but are often under achievers. The support group offers advice to parent’s suffers and professional, wanting to know more about the condition. They have a number of books, videos and audiotapes in our library for your information
For further information please contact West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group
Telephone 01924 863212

The XP Support Group

The XP Support Group is a UK charitable Trust founded in 1999 by parents of a child with XP.
It aims to relieve the needs of persons with Xeroderma Pigmentosum and other related conditions and their families.

The Group raises funds for research, gives grants for UV protective equipment and products, and assists families to attend Camp Sundown or respite in a protective environment.

For further information please contact the XP support group
2 Strawberry Close
Prestwood
Great Missenden
Bucks
HP16 0SG UK
Telephone 01494 890981
Email info@xpsupportgroup.org.uk
Web Site www.xpsupportgroup.org.uk

Young at Heart

A Family Support Group that provides advice and information, a telephone helpline, home and ward visits, and organises group outings and activities.
Currently has around 600 members.

YAH also runs a Hearty Kids Club for all children with heart problems and their brothers & sisters (over 4 years old) and a Teenage Club for teenagers with heart problems, with discos, weekend trips away, etc.

For further information please contact Young At Heart
The Heart Unit
Birmingham Children's Hospital
SteelhouseLane
Birmingham
B4 6NH
Telephone 0121 523 7840
Email youngatheart54@hotmail.com

19/08/2004 19:03

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