Hi Everyone,
Here is a round-up of information and news which we hope you will find useful and of interest.
Get involved …
Adult Asperger Group (Zoom)
For autistic adults 18+ only – will meet online over Zoom on the following date from 7pm until 8.30pm: Wednesday 15 February everyone welcome – new members too!
Please contact Helen for more information at helen.purdie@hotmail.co.uk and she will send you the joining details if you wish to come along. See our group guidelines which set out what to expect at the meetings.
Free one-to-one support sessions for autistic adults
These online only sessions are facilitated by Helen Purdie for the Sheffield Autistic Society. They will be an opportunity for individuals to check-in with themselves and to talk about their lived autistic experience with another autistic adult who is experienced in offering individual and group support in this way. Through dialogue in a confidential space, individuals will be able to share concerns, gain a better understanding of their autistic selves and feel heard.
Sessions are free of charge and are for one hour – please see Helen sessions for further information.
Inclusive LGBTQ+ Café
A social meet up for neurodiverse/disabled members of the LGBTQ+ community, alternate Thursdays on Zoom, 3-4pm or at Spirit of Sheffield, 3-5pm. Email Kelly.scargill@disabilitysheffield.org.uk for more information.
The Peer Support Service for parents/carers
(from Sheffield Parent Carer Forum)
The Peer Support Service was created in response to feedback from parents of children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Sheffield. Feedback clearly showed that there is a lack of support both before and after a child receives a diagnosis. Although the funding for the project has a focus on autism and other neurodevelopmental needs, our service is available for ALL families, with or without a diagnosis. We will continue to work closely with families in Sheffield, listening to their ideas and concerns, using these to shape the service going forward.
If you would like a 1-1 appointment, please call our main number 0300 321 4721 and select option 1 for our Peer Support Service. Alternatively, please email peersupport@sheffieldparentcarerforum.org.uk
Coffee Morning at the Parent Carer Forum
Coffee mornings are run by our friendly volunteers. They are open to all parent carers, whatever their children’s needs, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, mild or severe. Pre-schoolers and home-educated children are welcome too. Pop in for a few minutes or stay for the whole session – no need to book. You can be sure of a warm welcome and plenty of tea, coffee and cake! 10:30am – 12:00pm Tuesday 7th Feb 2023at St Mary’s Church and Community Centre, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4QZ
SSENDIAS information sessions
Sheffield SENDIAS (Sheffield SEND Information and Advice Service) offer free online information sessions. These are for parents and carers of young people aged 0-25 with SEND. The sessions answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
There are 3 sessions available, which run in both the daytime and evenings:
– Book What is an EHC Needs Assessment
– Book SEN Support in Schools
– Book Checking a Draft EHC Plan
SEND Youth Clubs
Sheffield City Council Community Youth Services run the following youth clubs for young people aged 13 to 25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities:
Leo’s SEND club: Monday 6-8pm, Centre in the Park, Guildford Avenue, Norfolk Park, Sheffield S2 2PL
S Club 5 SEND club: Tuesday 6-8pm, Milan Youth Centre, Longley Lane, Sheffield S5 7JS
Just turn up to your chosen club and a Youth Worker will help you to complete the registration form. For further information contact Community Youth Services on 0114 2057450 or e-mail youth.services@sheffield.gov.uk
Percy Street Project
https://www.percystreetcic.com/
We started our sessions for neurodiverse young adults at our Percy Street workshop last year and we are continuing with a group working on some projects with other voluntary groups in Sheffield.
The attached document PSCIC Story so far Plans for 2023 describes what we do and our project for 2023. The 2023 Project will have spaces for around 20 young adults aged 18 to 25 or thereabouts.
New free course from Autism Plus
If you are aged 18 and over and are autistic or have an associated condition such as ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Tourette’s syndrome and live in Sheffield, you might be eligible for Positive Steps – a new six week course designed to help you overcome challenges and build confidence. Click here to find out more https://autismplus.co.uk/employment-support/positive-steps?mc_cid=a819915ad2&mc_eid=32403f1b16
Get Support and information
Autism Alert ID Card – South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police and the National Autistic Society have worked together to create a new Autism Alert Photo ID Card. The free, credit-card sized, Autism Alert cards are now in circulation to help police and other emergency services workers communicate with autistic residents more effectively, helping those on the autism spectrum feel more comfortable in what perhaps could potentially be an extremely stressful or frightening situation. In addition, we offer Learning Disability Alert photo ID cards to help our officers and other emergency service workers communicate effectively with individuals with learning disabilities. https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/sign-up/autism-alert-learning-disability-alert-or-mental-heath-alert-card
Free legal advice
Sheffield Carers Centre are working with Lawson Wills and Probate to provide carers with access to free 30-minute individual legal advice clinics on the last Friday of every month.
https://sheffieldcarers.org.uk/legal-advice-clinic/
Council webpage with links to lots of practical and helpful information on cost of living:
Everyone is affected by the cost-of-living crisis in some shape or form. Sheffield City Council has a special page on their website highlighting some of the local and national support available to help you manage the cost-of-living in Sheffield.
The webpage has sections for areas such as Money Support, Food Support, Help with Energy Costs plus information on community help.
Working in partnership in Sheffield to improve services for autistic people
· What is the Sheffield Autism Partnership Board?
Sheffield’s Autism Partnership Board (APB) currently meets each month to improve the provision of services and support for autistic children, adults, their families and carers in Sheffield, including young autistic persons in transition to adulthood. Members include representatives from Sheffield City Council and local NHS bodies, community and voluntary sector organisations and services; autistic adults, their parents, carers and family members, professionals and other relevant organisations and individuals.
You can read more about the work of the APB on our website here:
https://sheffieldautisticsociety.org.uk/partnership
· Sheffield Autism Partnership Network (SAPN)
The Sheffield Autism Partnership Network is a Sheffield based consortium focusing on improving the lives of Autistic people and their families in our city.
It is a network of organisations (voluntary, community, public, private and statutory), Autistic individuals and their support systems (parents, carers, friends, partners, etc) who work with Autistic people, their families and carers. For information about the network, its member organisations and how they can help you and your support system see the website: https://sapn.org.uk