Express CIC
express is a 'not for profit' community organisation
supporting autistic people and their families
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February 2017

1/2/2017

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News, Events Dates for Diaries

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Welcome to our February Newsletter!
 

express News in Brief

The start of the year has been extremely busy meeting new families and planning our events for the year ahead. We have also had some interesting proposals to consider and we are working on our priorities going forward.

We are looking forward to our film night (by invitation - if you have not received this please contact us for further details) and our event at The Rose for World Autism Awareness Week, details below. Hope to see lots of you there!

Unfortunately we were not successful with the Aviva funding so please keep looking out for any funding opportunities for us to continue our work. In the current financial climate grant applications are becoming even more competitive. We spend much of our time fundraising to cover our increasing costs so if you have some expertise and time to spare we would love to hear from you!

Please do share our newsletter with anyone else who may be interested.

With the Holiday Booking Season fast approaching, please could we ask as many people as possible to sign up to easyfundraising. It doesn't cost you anything and you can raise money for express when you shop online. You can also donate to express on our local giving page.

Express is run by parent/carer volunteers. We have an excellent dedicated small team of volunteers but we really do need more support. We do not receive funding. We rely on fundraising and donations to help cover our increasing costs. Please do consider fundraising for us, however big or small it all helps! 
Some ideas ... Coffee mornings, cake sales, quiz night in your local, good as new sale or pamper evening. Please also nominate us in your local supermarket schemes or look out for community funds we can apply for. We really need your help!


We are still working on providing even more evidence that there is a need for services! We really do need all parent/carers to take a few minutes to complete our survey 

 
Your comments are always welcome - please click here to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. For further information on our upcoming events you can visitwww.expresscic.org.uk www.facebook.com/expresscic & for other events locally www.afclocaloffer.org.uk

 
Annette & Tracey



express Support Groups
If you haven't yet been to one of our parent/carer support groups, please do come along. We are all very friendly and these groups are run by and for you. These groups are for whether you are currently going through diagnosis, have just received a diagnosis or have valuable experience to share. We run both daytime and evening groups. 
Bi monthly (dates via newsletter) at the Rose Theatre
NEXT: MAR 27th
..........................
Mum's Group 1st Thursday of the month (term time) at the Waggon & Horses 7:30-9:30pm
NEXT: FEB 2nd
..........................
2nd Tuesday of the month at the Express Offices 9:00-11:00am  
NEXT: MAR 14th
..........................
Dad's Group 2nd Wednesday of the month at Waggon & Horses 7:30-9:30pm
NEXT: FEB 8th
..........................
TYA 3rd Monday of the month at the Express Offices 7:30-9:00pm   
NEXT: FEB 20th 
..........................
Last Tuesday of the month (term time) at Moor Lane Centre 1:00-2:30pm  
NEXT: FEB 28th
..........................
Every Tuesday EHCP 1:1 Support by Appt. - Express Offices 9:00-12:00pm  Contact anna@expresscic.org.uk or shirley@expresscic.org.uk (to arrange appt.)




Express for World Autism Awareness Week 

27th March at The Rose Theatre
 
Over the last few years Express has put on many events to raise autism awareness and understanding in the community. This year we have many events planned.

On 27th March 2017 we have organised an event to mark World Autism Awareness Week at The Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames. This will include talks, information stalls, coffee & cake! This year we have a series of talks including Dean Beadle, The Curly Hair Project, Fintan O'Regan and young autistic people from Kingston/Richmond talking about their experience.


For further information and to book  PLEASE CLICK HERE




Express
 Mum's Group


The group runs from the Waggon and Horses in Surbiton 7.30-9.30pm on the first Thursday of the month (next group 2nd Feb). Come along, say hello and meet some other Mums. To register your interest, please email info@expresscic.org.uk



Express 
Dad's Group

 The group runs from the Waggon and Horses in Surbiton 7.30-9.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month (next group 8th Feb). Come along, say hello and meet some other Dads. To register your interest, please email info@expresscic.org.uk



Express Yourself
 Arts Groups

Thursdays 4:15pm-5:00pm & 5:15pm-6:00pm


Express Yourself provides a space for children on the autism spectrum to interact and connect with others in a fun, supportive environment. The group aims to meet the specific and unique social and emotional needs of children with autism using creative tools such as drama, puppetry, art, music and storytelling.
To sign up fill out a referral form and email to info@expresscic.org.uk



SIBS@Express 

Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm


Sibs@Express is a group for children who have a brother or sister with autism to come together, make new friends and have a space to share their feelings. 
To sign up fill out a referral form and email to info@expresscic.org.uk



Express 
Girls Group

Tuesdays 5:15pm-6:15pm


Girls Group is a weekly meet up opportunity for girls on the autism spectrum aged 8-11. The group is run by Dramatherapist, Louisa Webster, who uses her creative skills and experience of working with young people to create fun, creative and inclusive sessions for the girls who join. The sessions run on a Tuesday, term time only, from 5.15pm-6.15pm at Express CIC in Tolworth (just off A3). We ask for group members to commit to at least a term of attendance.
To sign up fill out a referral form and email to info@expresscic.org.uk



Did you know that you can set up a direct debit from as little as £2 per month and make a HUGE difference to Express? Please take a look atLOCALGIVING and see how you can help. Thank you.


 
Latest autism friendly films
Click for details
 


An Open Letter to the Friend I Lost Along the Way
I no longer fit into your world. I would like to think that it evolved slowly over time. But that is not true. It happened all at once. I was an autism mom.


Our Children, "Managed" out of Mainstream and Denied Support

​

What Does "Fine" Mean?
By Rosie and Jo’s mum.
“When she’s in school, she’s fine…..”
“Once you’ve dropped her off, she’s fine.”
“She’s been fine all day.”
I’ve probably heard these phrases and other variations of them hundreds of times over the years.
Personal Independence Payment and other benefits at 16 Information for parents of disabled children in England, Scotland and Wales
Interesting Articles :
 

The Criminal Justice System and Autism 
What It's Like To Have a Sibling with Autism 
I Saw Being Autistic as an Employment Opportunity Not a Weakness 
Nearly Half Speech Therapists Lack Time and Resources Support
'To be inclusive, we need to put all students in the shoes of a child with SEND'
Short Breaks For Disabled Children - A Legal Guide for LA's 

Please Visit our Facebook Page for lots More Articles!

If you come across any interesting articles you'd like us to share in our newsletter next month please do email them to us. Also feel free to share on our facebook page.

Take a look at our new video - An Introduction to Express CIC
Thank you to John Williams who made this lovely video for us.
Makaton Courses
 
We are delighted to host Makaton courses run by Makaton Trainer Fouad Abbad - see details below

 
SEND FAMILY VOICES

Schedule of events now updated including upcoming open meetings.

 
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online - from your weekly shop to your annual holiday - you could be raising a free donation for Express?

                        There are nearly 3,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation, including the holiday companies above as well as Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, thetrainline and Sainsbury's – it doesn't cost you a penny extra!
It's really simple, all you have to do is:
1. Join.
Head to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/expresssurbitoncic/ and sign up for free.
2. Shop.
Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first, pick the retailer you want and start shopping.
3. Raise.
After you’ve checked out, that retailer will make a donation to your good cause for no extra cost whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and Express will be really grateful for your donations.
Thank you for your support.


Express CIC - 'creating a hub in the heart of the community, supporting young people with autism and their families, a place for everyone'
 
Reg. no. 8202424
 
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