Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 20th October 2023

Universal Credit and the new style Employment and Support Allowance. (UC/ESA)

Contact-for families of disabled children has some useful tips to the above.

They recommend that once your child reaches the age of 16, if you are their appointee, you make a claim for the above but there are some things to consider:

• If you are claiming child tax credits and child benefit you make a credit only claim. This means you don’t lose these benefits which are usually more than UC/ESA, but what it does is to ensure that a work capability assessment is carried out. This will enable them to move seamlessly to claiming this benefit when Child Tax credit and Child benefit cease (which they will do in all cases once they turn 20).
• If parental income is higher and you are not receiving Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit you should apply for the new style ESA on their behalf.

I say all of the above whilst issuing a word of caution. In the last 2 years, there have been changes, meaning some people aren’t eligible. So, before you start, make sure you have check what support is available in your area; Welfare Rights, Disability North, Contact’s helpline are possibilities.

I know this is likely to be a challenging process, but ultimately should (I hope) support you and your child going forward.

The link to Contact’s information is here:

Changing Places:

Many families who require a changing place may know this already, but still feel it is worth sharing.

“Did you know that our map allows you to plan a journey finding Changing Places toilets along the way?

You can even save it to your favourites if it’s a route you’ll take regularly:”

Positive Behaviour workshops: Online from Skills for People

“Positive Behaviour Support workshops from Family Advice and Support at Skills for People

The workshops are for family carers who have a child under 18 who is autistic and/or has a learning disability. The workshops are to help families understand and support their child’s behaviour, particularly if their behaviour can be challenging at times.

Our Positive Behaviour Support workshops are either face-to-face over 2 days or online over 3 sessions. They are run by family carers, and we aim to make them as friendly and accessible as we can.”

The Toby Henderson Trust

Sensory Worx have teamed up with Contact offering FREE workshops on “Understanding Sensory Processing”.

Register your place on the links below…

Contact-for families of disabled children Halloween SEND hack:

Here’s a great tip for parent carers of disabled children who find trick-or-treating too overwhelming: bring your Halloween indoors!

Your family members can get dressed up and hide in different rooms — this way, your child will have plenty of doors to knock on for treats.

And for a fun sensory-friendly costume idea they can still use after Halloween, you could turn a body sock into a spooky devil or dragon bit.ly/Body-Socks

See the image at the beginning of this section for more.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Join our ghost-hunting storytellers on a family-friendly walk through the shadows of Belsay Hall. With well-told tales full of strange and spooky goings-on, this Halloween walk is sure to get you into the spirit of the season.

This is an outdoor, early evening tour for children aged 5-12. Please wear suitable shoes and be sure to dress for the weather.

Walks take place at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm on 28, 29, 30 & 31 October.

Full details and prices here  https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/…/belsay-hall…/

Book online and save 10%.

Discovery Museum.

There are varied events taking place over half term including craft sessions, a silent disco and I have seen that some events are already sold out. Some incur charges although entry to the museum is free of charge. The current exhibition is titled “Powering the past” and looks at how we generated power over the years in the North East.

Northumberland Museums:

Woodhorn:

Birds of Prey Display – Wednesday 1st November, 11am – 3pm

We are delighted to welcome Ridgeside Falconry and Lurcher Racing back to Woodhorn Museum during the October half term holidays.

The event is included with your Annual Pass admission. Pay once and enjoy unlimited repeat visits for a whole year. Adults £7, Concessions £6 and kids go FREE!

You can buy your Annual Pass online before you visit and save time queuing to get in and more time enjoying your day!

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery

As this is an old building, access for wheelchairs is limited to the ground floor. There isn’t a “changing place” onsite but there is one at Tesco Extra 5 minutes away, or so it says on the site. Feedback would be useful.

Hexham Old Gaol.

This is rather small and, in my opinion quaint but it lacks facilities. However, a short walk down to the Wentworth Car Park and the leisure centre has plenty. There is a glass lift allowing access to all floors and they have a quiet hour for those who need it. Visit their website for more information. There are lots of nice cafes in Hexham, some are accessible.

Here is a link to the museums Northumberland website which includes information on annual passes.

Free bus:

Arriva North East

KIDS GO FREE THIS HALF TERM WITH ARRIVA

Between 21st October and the 5th of November (inclusive), up to three children aged eleven and under can travel for free on any Arriva Northeast service, all day every day, when accompanied on board by a fare-paying adult or adult with a valid travel pass*.

For more details, exclusions, and our comprehensive half term activity guide visit

,https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/…/kids-go-free-this-half-term

Plan your journey today on the Arriva UK Bus App or on arrivabus.co.uk

Kids Eat free or for £1 over half term:

Visit the link below to Money Saving Central for more information about reduced or free food for children over half term.

Relaxed visit to Santa: South Shields

Relaxed session to meet Santa at Jingle Bell Square at South Shields Museum

This session on Saturday 2nd December at 11.15am-11.50am is especially for children who may find a trip to see Santa a little overwhelming. Tickets are available to buy from Tuesday 3rd October!

More relaxed Christmas events

Exciting News!

Sunday 19th November 2023.

Santa Visits: Book your spot for a relaxed Santa meet-and-greet. We have a limited number of appointments available (from 12noon). Designed for families who may find traditional Santa’s Grotto’s too overwhelming. These are £10 per family (for up to 10 minutes). Additional gifts are £2.

Open Celebration from 2-3pm: Join us for festive fun and Christmas activities with our amazing clinical team. Trust.

Everyone welcome from 2pm!

We are so thankful to Speech Stuff – Speech and Language Therapy for creating another amazing opportunity and choosing to support The Toby Henderson along the way…

Book by emailing info@speechstuff.co.uk

Beamish Museum:

Grotto ticket announcement ! Grotto tickets will go on sale online on Thursday, 19th October at 10am.

Meet Father Christmas in his cosy Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard every day from 25th November to 24th December 2023. Grotto tickets must be pre-booked prior to your visit (subject to availability) and will not be available to buy at the museum. £8 per child (0-16 years), includes a small, traditional gift.

All visitors aged 5 and over will also need an Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership.

Come along for Christmas at Beamish daytimes from 25th November to 24th December and enjoy truly traditional celebrations at the museum! Visit our website for more information, including opening times.

Time to advertise our next meeting. It will be on Thursday 16^th November from 9.30-11.00. This will be hybrid and I would appreciate it greatly if some more parents/carers joined us. The link to join on TEAMS is here:

Our AGM will take place on Thursday 25^th January. Would you like more information about taking on an Officer role? It really isn’t as time consuming as it may look, and I would be happy to discuss with anyone, as would I am sure members of the current committee. We hold 1 meeting each half term, with interim decisions made by the committee via email. We hold most meeting hybrid, enabling people to join online as well as in person. There is more information on the FoPHS section of the school website. Have a look here:

FoPHS 100 Club

 With 52 numbers taken, it’s time to push this again. For £12, you are entered into 12 draws, 1 for each month of the year but done in 2 batches. Half the proceeds go to FoPHS to support our valuable work, the remainder is divided by 12 and a monetary prize goes to the winner. If, or should I say when we reach 100 this would be £600 for the FoPHS and £50 to each winner?  Better odds than the lottery.

The form is below:

Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.

There have been less photos shared of late. Please do use the page to share photos of achievements, excursions, holidays, activities, or anything of interest to other families. (I’m always interested in your photos)