contact -
Gill McDonald - 01892 834577
Debbie Salt - 01959 533292Newsletter - February 2008
Coffee Mornings
Post-Xmas meal
Unit and Designation Review
Afasic Young Person’s Day
Afasic’s 40th Birthday
Kent Disability Swimming Squad
And Finally …
And the Very Final Words
Firstly, I would like to thank Caroline for hosting the last coffee morning. The talk by Ailsa McMahon from Carers First was very informative.
Ailsa briefly explained that Carers First support carers in the South West Kent area (Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells), and that they supported carers who cared for someone in a voluntary capacity whether it be a child, parent, spouse, sibling, neighbour etc rather than supporting paid careers i.e. someone who is paid to look after someone. A carer is usually thought of as someone who is looking after an elderly relative, but a parent of a young child is also a carer if the child’s needs are such that they need more looking after than the average child of that age.
Ailsa described the services provided by Carers First – The Young Carers Project (for children aged 7 – 18 who care for a parent, sibling etc, the support group for carers of people with autism (alternate Monday evenings in Tonbridge, the Respite Care which has a separate budget for adults and children, and also the yoga and meditation classes for carers. Eligibility for The Young Carers Project and Respite Care are assessed and allocated in 6 or 12 month blocks after which the carer has to re apply – as expected the service is restrained by budget.
I collected several leaflets so if you would like more details please contact me or phone Carers First on 01732 357555
The next coffee morning will be from 10am to 12 midday on Tuesday 1st April 2008 at Bernadette’s house in Matfield. The phone number for Bernadette is 01892 723878.
Just a last minute reminder about the Post-Xmas/New-Year meal at Ask (pizza, pasta and salads) in Tonbridge at 8pm on Tuesday 26th February 2008. Email or phone me if you would like to join us so that I can book a table.
Unit and Designation Review back to top
As I write I have no news to report on the Unit and Designation Review. The Consultation Documents for Phase 2 ‘go to cabinet’ in February. I will keep you informed!
Afasic Young Person’s Day back to top
You may remember last April that an Afasic Young Person’s Day was held in Kent at Mascalls Youth and Community Centre in Paddock Wood. Kent has been able to ‘obtain’ funds to hold a Young Person’s Day again this year.
This year the Afasic Young Person’s Day (for Young People aged 11-16) will be held on Saturday 10th May 2008 (again) at Mascalls Youth and Community Centre in Paddock Wood. Invitations will be sent out to Afasic members in Kent with children aged 11-16 during March, if you do not receive an invite or think you may not be on the official Afasic mailing list please contact me.
As well as Young People we need volunteers to help at the Day. It is preferred that parents of Young People attending do not volunteer. So any parents of younger/older children who would like to volunteer please contact me for further details. Also it is a good opportunity for trainee Speech and Language Therapists or Learning Support Assistants or even teachers to gain experience of working with Young People with Speech and Language Difficulties. Again, please email me or phone for further details.
Afasic’s 40th Birthday back to top
This year Afasic is 40!
Central Office are arranging various ‘events’ around the country and local groups have been asked to join in the fun!
Here in West Kent we are going to have a family party for Afasic – further details in the next newsletter
Kent Disability Swimming Squad back to top
The KCC Kent Sports Development Unit has set up monthly coaching sessions for a Kent Disability Swimming Squad. This is for disabled swimmers who want to develop their swimming further, maybe onto competition level. Swimmers will need to be able to swim for between 15 or 30 minutes at a time, this is for their own safety and the safety and enjoyment of other swimmers participating. This regional training session is open to swimmers with physical and/or sensory disabilities and/or learning disabilities. Swimmers must be 9 years or over and be competent swimmers.
The monthly sessions planned for 2008 will be as follows –
Saturday 26th January, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Sevenoaks Independent School, Sevenoaks
Sunday 24th February, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley
Saturday 8th March, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Mote Park Leisure Centre, Maidstone
Saturday 19th April, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Kings School, Canterbury
Sunday 25th May, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Sevenoaks Independent School, Sevenoaks
Sunday 15th June, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at White Oak Leisure Centre, SwanleyTo book and for more information please contact - Mike Bishop, Kent Sports Development Unit, 17 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent. ME19 4UL
A little snippet from Bernadette …
I thought you might appreciate this "joke" for the next newsletter.
I spend many mornings on the 'phone chasing up Nathan's taxi. I was unaware just how close our relationship had become until I got my 'phone bill today. I found that the taxi firm has now made it into my friends and family list.
Seriously, though, if you have transport issues and you think it is something that West Kent Afasic should be addressing then please let me know.
And the Very Final Words back to top
Any articles for newsletter gratefully received
Any speaker gratefully accepted
Any new coffee morning hostesses (even more) gratefully received.
And don’t forget any email addresses even more gratefully received!
Gill McDonald
01892 834577
Gill-2008@west-kent-afasic.fsnet.co.uk
