Local Support

Alafia

Alafia is a support project for disabled children and their families who are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

See entry in Access section.

ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus)

42 Park Road
Peterborough
PE1 2UQ

ASBAH provides a support service to children and families through a network of advisors.  Contact the above address for details of your local advisor.

Berkshire ADHD Support

Information and guidance for parents of children with ADHD with resources and advice on where next.

Berkshire Autistic Society (now merged with East Berkshire Autistic Support Group)

A support, advice and resource centre for children, their carers and adults with autism.  The Maidenhead branch has a drop-in centre which is open for advice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 12noon and members may also borrow books on autism from their library.  Members also benefit from organised social and leisure activities such as exclusive family swimming sessions, trampolining and dance lessons.  Please phone for times and venues.  Any messages left on the answer phone will receive a response within 2 to 3 days during term time.

Autism Speaks

North Lea House
66 Northfield End
Henley on Thames
RG9 2BE

South Berkshire Volunteer Group

Autism Speaks is committed to raising awareness about autism and autism research, and to finding the causes of autism.

Berkshire Allergy Helpline - Bracknell

Miriam runs a helpline for children and adults who are suffering from allergies or other sensitivities.

Berkshire County Blind Society

Midleton House
5 Erleigh Road
Reading
RG1 5LR

The Berkshire County Blind Society is a charity which supports blind and visually impaired people living in Berkshire.  They currently have 2000 people on their register.  Their Families’ Support Co-ordinator runs the Children’s Department which has 120 members under the age of 18 and offers advice on products and services available to their younger members, as well as offering emotional support.  One of the most popular aspects of the Children’s Department is their annual programme of exciting outings and activities, which offer their members and immediate families the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of stimulating social and sporting activities.  Most of the activities organised are free of charge for the members and carer or are heavily subsidised.

The Society has an audio-described video library and large print reading book library, both of which are free of charge.

An activities Newsletter is published every quarter which gives details about products and services relating to this disability as well as information on local leisure activities.

The Society has a resource centre at their head office in Reading which stocks many aids to assist daily living such as talking watches and clocks etc.

The Families’ Support Co-ordinator can be contacted on the above number on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9.30am and 2.00pm.

Berkshire Disability Information Network (bdin)

Please see the information for The Dis:Course Information Database   

Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action (BFVA)

Ground Floor
Amber House, Market Street
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 1JB

Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action is a local Council for Voluntary Service providing guidance and practical support for a wide range of voluntary and community groups in the borough.  It also helps to develop new groups and keeps up to date information on groups. BFVA works to support carers in the borough and convenes the Carers' Grant Panel to provide a break for adults caring for adults.

There is a carers Development Officer and a young carers support worker who can be contacted as above.

Carers Bracknell

Bracknell branch of Carers UK

Carers Bracknell is a voluntary organisation, working on behalf of carers of adults and children with the full range of disabilities.  It is manned by volunteers, all of whom have been, or are, carers, and they provide support to other carers, and work on behalf of carers to keep the needs of carers high on the agenda of the various local health and social services.

Four carers’ lunches are held each year, to which representatives of the statutory agencies are invited.  The committee meets monthly to discuss significant issues and look at ways of liaising with the various agencies.  In addition, a support group for carers is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Coopers Hill, Old Crowthorne Road, Bracknell, from 2 - 4pm.

For further details contact Barbara Briggs.

Carers’ Forum

This forum was set up in 1989 as a joint venture between carers and Social Services.  It is intended to provide an opportunity for carers to have direct contact with Social Services and Health departments to raise issues of concern and ensure that carers’ needs are kept high on the agenda of the various statutory agencies.  Meetings are held bi-monthly and the administration and minutes are organised by Social Services.  The meeting is attended by Social Services and Health staff, local councillors and representatives of local disability support groups.

The organisers will try to arrange any activity requested, preferably for a small group.  If the referral is for an individual carer they will try to involve other carers from the area in the activity, or else support the carer to access the appropriate resource.  They will also arrange and fund transport and a sitting service if required.

Children’s Information Centre

See entry in Early Years section.

Citizens Advice Bureau

See entry in Advocacy section.

Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) - Reading branch

This organisation provides support to all those involved with children who have cleft lip and palates, from birth to adulthood.  They organise support groups for parents, provide information for families and friends, work to raise awareness of the issues involved and run training courses for parent contacts.  They also run summer camps for children which aim to build their self esteem.

For details of local support groups please ring Carolyn on the above telephone number.  For details of the national organisation, see entry in the National Organisations section.

Coffee and Chat

Contact: Margaret
St John’s Church Hall
Waterloo Road
Crowthorne

This is held on the first Monday of the month from 1.30pm to 3pm and is a support group for parents of children of any age and disability.  The group is for parents but children can come along.  It is intended to provide support, friendship and the opportunity to share experiences and discuss issues of mutual concern.  Extra social events are arranged from time to time.  It is worth calling Margaret before coming to check they are meeting.

Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support Group (CICS)

This is the south of England branch of a national organisation which provides contact, support and information for families of children who either have, or are being assessed for, cochlear implants.  They can put families with similar difficulties in touch with each other.  They issue frequent newsletters and organise social events, information days and weekends away.

Easthampstead Cemetery and Crematorium

South Road
Nine Mile Ride
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 3DW

There is a special memorial garden for children at Easthampstead Crematorium.  It is beautifully maintained and offers peace, privacy and tranquillity to bereaved parents, friends and relatives.

Further details about this garden and other aspects of bereavement can be obtained from the staff at Easthampstead Crematorium.

Cruse – Bracknell

See entry in Counselling section.

National Deaf Children's Society - Reading branch

This is a parent support organisation dedicated to supporting all deaf children and their families.  It is affiliated to NDCS.  Play schemes are organised in the school holidays, and the group arranges events which create opportunities for parents to support each other by sharing their experiences.

National Deaf Children’s Society - East Berkshire branch

This branch covers Bracknell, Ascot, Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough, though there is communication with the Reading branch.  This branch provides advice, specialist equipment and activities for the children.  Meetings are held monthly at Thames Valley Adventure Playground.  For times and dates, please telephone Fiona Barker.

Children with Diabetes

There are plans to set up a support group for families of children with diabetes in the Bracknell Forest area.  Information can be obtained from one of the following:

Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action (see entry above)
Helen Timms, Children’s Diabetic Nurse at Wexham Park Hospital

Dialogue Group

See entry in Social Services and Housing section.

Dis:Course

The Ark
Ravenswood Village
Nine Mile Ride
Crowthorne
Berkshire
RG45 6BQ

Dis:course is an organisation that seeks to unite voluntary and community groups for the disabled.  This includes acting as a go-between where groups share ideas, experience and skills.  It seeks to be a powerful voice in the community about the concerns of local disabled people.  It also seeks to become a supplier of disability awareness training.

Berkshire Disability Information Network (bdin) has unfortunately been forced to close.  The Ark Trust Ltd has now taken over the running of the Information Database.  All the services offered by bdin will now be provided through Dis:Course which is a new project supported by The Ark.  Over the next few months the database will be improved, and we will be offering many exciting services through the website www.bdin.org.uk/.

East Berkshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group

This support group produces a regular newsletter and arranges social activities for families that have a child with Down’s Syndrome.  This includes parents’ evenings and monthly activities at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground.  For dates and times, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Alan.

West Berkshire Down’s Syndrome Group

This branch runs a fortnightly support group for parents or carers in Woodley, Reading.  For dates, time and place:

The group has a dedicated new parent contact, Nicci Wise, who is willing to travel to see any new parent or a mother who is identified as carrying a baby with Down’s syndrome.  Nicci will either visit at the family home or in the hospital, and covers Wexham Park, Frimley Park, Heatherwood and Royal Berkshire hospitals.

A Saturday Sports Club is also run for young people with Down’s syndrome aged 12 years and over.

Berkshire Dyslexia Association

See entry in Education - non-statutory section.

Bracknell Epilepsy Support Group

A support group for adults and children with epilepsy, including the parents and carers.  Meetings are held monthly.  For details please contact the chair or secretary.

Headway Support Group - Thames Valley

Lindsay Barnett Centre
Townlands Hospital
York Road
Henley
RG9 2EB

A support and information group for people with acquired brain damage resulting from head injury.

Konnections

Bracknell Family Church
The Kerith Centre
Church Road
Bracknell
RG12 1EH

Kerith Konnections is a project sponsored by Kerith Community Church, supporting families in the community who have children with special needs and have a range of resources to facilitate this.  All projects detailed below meet in K2 at The Kerith Centre.  This is a new building with good facilities for a variety of activities and includes a sensory room.  Kerith Konnections is open to anyone in the community.

Mums’ Group An open group meeting on Friday mornings from 10am to noon, in term time and occasionally during the school holidays.  A crèche is available.  Programme includes outside speakers and the opportunity to meet and chat with other parents/carers.  For further details contact Sandy Carter.

Men’s Group An open group meeting once a month on Tuesday evenings.  For more details please contact Derek Jones on 01344 412091 or via The Kerith Centre.

Youth Disability Group This project is for young people between the ages of 11 and 17 years who have special needs.  Meetings are held on Monday evenings from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.  It is open to all young people with a disability and their friends.  Details from Chris Barber on 01344 641767 or Sandy Carter.

Respite Club This club meets twice monthly on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, for up to 15 children with special needs aged between 3 and 11 years.  Usually places will be offered once a month.  For further details and an appointment to view the project please contact Sandy Carter on 01344 862699.

Holiday Respite Club Konnections runs this for 4 weeks during school summer holidays, for children with special needs aged 5 to 12 years.  For further details please contact Sandy Carter.

In addition to the resources listed above, all families are welcome at the Sunday morning service at the church.  In order to facilitate parents' inclusion in the service, young people with special needs are allocated a "buddy" so that they can be included in the children's and youth work while their parents attend the service.  Prior notice is required to ensure that a buddy is available for a new family so please contact Sandy Carter if you are interested.

Mencap - Bracknell Forest

Mencap Centre
48 Broadway
Bracknell
RG12 1AG

Bracknell Mencap is a branch of Wokingham, Bracknell & Districts Mencap Ltd, a self funded, local charity that works to improve the lives and opportunities of those with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We also support the families and carers of people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

There is a drop in service for family members, friends and unpaid carers looking for information and support on Mondays 1pm - 3pm and on Thursdays 10am - 12 midday. A Coffee Morning for family members and unpaid carers is held on the 3rd Thursday in each month 10am - 12 midday. This association supports and advises families of, and people with, learning disabilities.

East Berkshire Mind

New Horizons
Coopers Hill
Bagshot Road
Bracknell
RG12 7QS

East Berkshire Mind runs a Benefit Advice and Mental Health Information Service for people with mental health needs and their carers living in the Bracknell Forest area.  The service is available between 10.00am and 4.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Appointments are usually necessary, so it is advisable to ring to arrange an appointment.  The service is free and confidential.

Parents Together

This is a support group for parents of children with special needs, of any age or disability.  For details of meetings please contact Mandy.

Peapods

This is a support group for parents of children with physical disabilities.  It was set up by parents themselves, feeling that there was a specific need for a group focussing on the needs of children with physical disabilities.  It has now expanded considerably, and this group concentrates on issues relevant to families living in Wokingham and the surrounding areas.  It has members in Wokingham, Bracknell, Binfield, Reading, Lower Earley, Earley, Crowthorne, Ascot and beyond.
Peapods meets several times a month at parents' meetings, coffee mornings, mums' and dads' nights out, and at a Saturday Club for children, plus there are many seasonal outings such as trips to the beach, a visit to the pantomime and the Thames Valley Adventure Playground.  Peapods has a thriving online chatgroup where parents offer each other advice, share expertise and give each other friendship and support.

Relate

See entry in Counselling section.

Samaritans

See entry in Counselling section.

Scope

Scope is a disability organisation with a focus on adults and children with Cerebral Palsy.  They publish newsletters, initiate campaigns on behalf of disabled people, undertake research and offer support and advice.  The helpline can provide information about local support groups and events.

Thrive

Thrive is a local charity that organises gardening activities, as well as teaching techniques and practical applications so that anyone with a disability can take part. Thrive also provide Vocational training in horticulture for young disabled people.

Young Carers’ Group

See entry in Social Services and Housing section.

Youthline

See entry in Counselling section.

Contents of the guide:

Introduction
1. Access
2. Advocacy
3. Counselling
4. Early Years
5. Education
6. Equipment, Mobility and Transport
7. Financial Matters
8. Health
9. Holidays
10. Information Technology
11. Leisure
12. Local Support
13. National Organisations
14. Publications
15. Short Breaks
16. Social Services and Housing
17. Transition
18. Working Parents/Carers

Index