News, comedy & the other vote
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Welcome to our November Newsletter!
express News in Brief
We are really looking forward to our Comedy Night at the CornerHouse on 25th November. If you haven't yet (and even if you have) seen 'My Son's Not Rainman' do book now for a fantastic evening. We look forward to seeing you there!
We really need your help! We have the opportunity to win up tp £10,000 of funding. We can't do it without you. We need you to vote now. You have 10 votes. Please use them all as every vote counts. Thank you to everyone who has already voted. We currently have 1500 votes. We need nearer 4000 but we know you can do it :)
Our new Girls Group (for girls on the autism spectrum aged 8-11) has started on Tuesdays. There are still some spaces available. Email info@expresscic.org.uk for more information.
A couple of big thank yous - firstly to M&S Tolworth who raised £990.93 from their bag charge and also to Halsa Surbiton who raised £500. We rely on fundraising and donations to keep our office and services running so the support of the local community and businesses is vital. Thank you again!
Express is run by parent/carer volunteers. We have an excellent dedicated small team of volunteers but we really do need more support with fundraising 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
With the Christmas Present 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 set up a regular donation via direct debit on our local giving page.
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 visit www.expresscic.org.uk & for other events locally www.afclocaloffer.org.uk
best wishes,
Annette & Tracey
WE'VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN AVIVA COMMUNITY AWARD
We are proud of our autism community. The spectrum is wide and each young person is unique with their own abilities. Express works to nurture those abilities and recognise the variety of skills within our community. We want to provide the opportunity for people with autism to explore their potential.
All we need is 1 minute of your time.
Your VOTE can help us secure this funding to continue to run our office, provide groups and support to families.
My Son's Not Rainman - a show by John Williams.
Directed by ITV British Comedy Award nominee Anna Crilly.
cornerHOUSE, Friday 25th November, 7:30pm
TICKETS
Since premiering at The Edinburgh Festival in 2013, My Son's Not Rainman has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe. A BBC Radio 4 recording of My Son's Not Rainman was selected as one of the BBC's Magic Moments of Radio 2015 and featured on Radio 4’s Pick of the Year.
In another exclusive event for express CIC, John will also share stories from the recently published book based on their lives together.
Signed copies with proceeds to express CIC will also be available on the night.
"An incredibly funny man... well crafted, funny & full of heart. Go and see it!" - The Skinny
"A sincere and moving hour" - Three Weeks
"A must-see for all parents of children with autism,
and a rewarding heartwarmer for everyone else" - Chortle
For more information and to read the blog that accompanies this incredible show visit:www.mysonsnotrainman.com
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: TBC
..........................
NEW Mum's Group 1st Thursday of the month (term time) at the Waggon & Horses 7:30-9:30pm
NEXT: NOV 3rd
..........................
NEW 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Express Offices 9:00-11:00am
NEXT: NOV 8th
..........................
Dad's Group 2nd Wednesday of the month at Waggon & Horses 7:30-9:30pm
NEXT: NOV 9th
..........................
TYA 3rd Monday of the month at the Express Offices 7:30-9:00pm
NEXT: NOV 21st
..........................
Last Tuesday of the month (term time) at Moor Lane Centre 1:00-2:30pm
NEXT: NOV 29th
..........................
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 Mum's Group
A new group for Mums.The group will run from the Waggon and Horses in Surbiton 7.30-9.30pm on the first Thursday of the month (next group 3rd Nov). 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 9th Nov). Come along, say hello and meet some other Dads. To register your interest, please email info@expresscic.org.uk
Express Girls Group
Tuesdays 5:15pm-6:15pm
Girls Group is a new weekly meet up opportunity for girls on the autism spectrum aged 8-11. The group will be run by Dramatherapist, Louisa Webster, who will use her creative skills and experience of working with young people to create fun, creative and inclusive sessions for the girls who join. The sessions will 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.
For more information and to book please contact: info@expresscic.org.uk
SUPPORT EXPRESS CIC HERE
Matching one-time donations by up to £10 and monthly donations up to £10 a month for the first 3 months.
Thanks to the Office for Civil Society, the total match fund for this year's Grow Your Tenner is £345,000! This means each charity will have the chance to benefit from up to £2,500 of match funding: £1,000 from one-time donations and £1,500 from Direct Debits.
Letter from Heather Anderson the new interim head of service
- Integrated Service for Children with Disabilities
ISCD Letter to Parents - November 2016
Personal Independence Payment and other benefits at 16 Information for parents of disabled children in England, Scotland and Wales
You can change how education works for children & young people with autism.
We need your experiences to help with Ambitious about Autism's upcoming campaign looking at the impact of the school system when it fails children and young people with autism. A big focus will be on exclusions but they have also been doing some new research on appeals and tribunals.
They will be launching soon but the campaign itself will run for 3 years as part of a wider campaign called Every Child which will be a partnership between Ambitious about Autism and the National Autistic Society. What Ambitious are looking for at present are some good case studies and they have approached Express so we would like to invite you to a specific parent group at our offices to share your experiences in a secure environment. We will have Justin Cooke coming along from Ambitious about Autism who will be able to talk more about the campaign and how your experiences can help shape the findings.
From Ambitious about Autism:
You can change how education works for children & young people with autism.
At Ambitious about Autism we are passionate about making a difference to the children and young people with autism that attend our schools and colleges. We also want to improve things for every child and young person with autism in England.
That’s why we do policy work. Policy work and campaigning allows us to make a difference to all children and young people with autism by influencing national policy, organisation’s practice and individual’s attitudes and behaviours.
We will shortly be launching a campaign looking at the impact of the school system when it fails children and young people with autism. This will form part of a wider joint Every Child campaign, a partnership between Ambitious about Autism and National Autistic Society.
And you can make a difference by telling us your families story:
Real stories have more impact that any statistics we can offer decision makers, and they shape the way we work as an organisation. If you are happy to talk to our team about particular circumstances that made your life better, that challenged you or caused you stress – we’ll be grateful. We care about your family so we’ll treat your story with respect, and we’ll only use it in ways you feel comfortable with.
Thank you for your support,
Please register your interest by emailing us at info@expresscic.org.uk and we will be in contact to arrange a date. We really hope as many of you as possible will come along and share your experiences.
Makaton Courses
We are delighted to host Makaton courses run by Makaton Trainer Fouad Abbad - see details
Parent Carer Needs Assessments
Parent carers of children under 18 years of age have a stand-alone right to assessments and services under the Children’s and Families Act 2014. This is called a Parent Carer Needs Assessment (PCNA).
Parent Carer Needs Assessment forms are now available on AFC Local Offer website.
Take a look at our new video - An Introduction to Express CIC
Thank you to John Williams who made this lovely video for us.
Interesting Articles :
Anatomy of a Panic Attack
Every Child Has The Right To An Education
An Open Letter To The Parents of a Newly Diagnosed High Functioning Autistic Child
When I Heard My Son on the Spectrum Was Ready to Graduate From His IEP
Schoolgirls with autism share experiences in young adult novel
Survey Reveals Chronic School Anxiety
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.
SEND FAMILY VOICES
Schedule of events now updated including upcoming open meetings.
easyfundraising
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?
The 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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