June 2009 NAS NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER
SOUTH KENT BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY

July 2009
The Fun Club (and coffee group!) are changing!
As you will have read from last month’s newsletter we have been looking at making changes
to our monthly Family Fun Club and Coffee group/speaker meetings. The Harvey Grammar
School, Folkestone, has very kindly offered South Kent NAS Branch, the free use of their
meeting room.

From September we will be holding the monthly Coffee/Speaker morning to

Folkestone, on the second Friday of each month starting at the earlier time of 9.30am,
with a break at 10.40am for our own refreshments ,(coinciding with the school
morning break,) resuming our meeting at 11am, finishing between 11.30am-12 noon.

Our first session at the new venue will be on Friday 11th September and every second Friday
of the month thereafter, ie Friday 9th Oct, 13th Nov and so on.

There is ample parking, both on the main road near the entrance, and in the next door
Stripes football club car park, which we can use. There is also a bus stop nearby and the
train station is within walking distance. There is full access for people needing to avoid the
use of stairs.

As our young people continue to grow and need more stimulating activities, we are required
to meet the demands of an older age group and will be moving our Family Fun Club from
The Salvation Army Hall in Folkestone, to Hythe Youth Centre, at Hythe Bay School, Cinque
Ports Avenue Hythe. This offers sole use of the building, storage, and computer access for
the children, table tennis, and craft room, This will be from Saturday September 12th ,
continuing on the second Saturday of each month thereafter, at the usual time of 10.30am-
12.30pm.

There is parking available by the school and in the public car park, a two minute walk across
Hythe Green. A bus stop is nearby, on the main road at Red Lion Square.

We hope that all those members who presently attend will continue to come along, together
with any new carers and children. Older children are welcome as we will have more space. If
these new arrangements cause problems concerning transport or issues around the change
of venue, please telephone myself, Julia Burt or Liz Power to discuss what help you would
need.

Julia Burt - 01303 261242. Liz Power - 01303 210736

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE NAS YOU WILL HAVE RECEIVED

VOTING PAPERS RECENTLY FOR THE ELECTION OF NATIONAL
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NAS NEWSLETTER June 2009

COUNCILLORS. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU VOTE SO

THE NAS GETS THE BEST PEOPLE TO REPRESENT NAS
MEMBERS NATIONALLY.

Campaign to save the KAT Family Support Officers

We will keep you posted re the ongoing campaign to save the posts of Jo Blamires,
Family Support Officers at the Kent Autistic Trust. We have no news to report at
present. Watch this space.

FREE TICKETS TO HEVER CASTLE!

Our group has been lucky enough to be offered 15 free family tickets to Hever Castle, Hever,
Kent. These will be available on a “first out of the hat” basis. If you are interested please
email me with your details (name, address, telephone number) on lizm.power@ntlworld,com
or post your details to Liz Power, 13 Turketel Road, Folkestone CT20 2PA, by Monday 27th
July. Applications will be drawn after that date and your family ticket will be sent to you by
post. The ticket must be used before the end of the year. Check any restrictions before you
set off! This is very much a ‘one off’ offer. Thank you to the Aiming High for Disabled
Children Team at KCC.

Leeds Castle Trip

We are offering this trip at very subsidised rates for families in our group. The date we have in mind is Saturday 19th
September , which is a Family Fun Weekend with Jousting on that weekend! For older children we are offering the Go Ape
experience (a high wire forest adventure). This is suitable for those aged 10 and over. For those who would prefer to make
their own way round Leeds Castle, we are offering cut price tickets for yourselves and your families. We are proposing two
sessions (if enough people are interested), one starting at 10am and one at 10.30am. More sessions if more people are
interested.

For the Go Ape option, two adults would need to accompany each young autistic person on the experience. Other
restrictions are:

Minimum age - 10yrs

Minimum height - 1.4m (4ft7")
Maximum weight - 20.5 stones (130kg)

Go Ape is a giant obstacle courses up in the trees using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and
super-strong wire, and zip lines (including the longest at 426 metres ) Have a look on the website where you can see a video
clip and full details. www.GoApe.co.uk

Prices to you for the Go Ape experience are: 1 Adult at £25; 1 adult FREE; 1 child at £5, so £30 in total for one child
accompanied by the requisite two adults – a saving of £40 on the full price.

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 June 2009 NAS NEWSLETTER

For the entry to Leeds Castle and grounds (there is a Jousting Tournament on that weekend included in the price!):

1 child with autism FREE; 1 carer FREE; £10 for an additional adult; £5 for an additional child, so for a family of four with one
autistic child the cost would be £15 - a saving of £20.50 for a family of four .Please note that all tickets for entry to Leeds
Castle will be retained by the NAS for use at future events!

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT PROVIDING TRANSPORT TO LEEDS CASTLE FOR THIS EVENT, SO YOU WILL NEED
TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAY THERE FOR A PRE-ARRANGED TIME.

Contact Liz on 01303 210736 to book your places by Saturday 1st August. Please leave a phone number so I can contact
you and arrange what payment will be required. You will need to pay in advance and your place will not be secure until you do
so.

l
Diary Dates for July
Sat 11th July Family Fun Club from 10.30am at the Salvation Army
Hall,Canterbury Road, Folkestone. As June.

Monday 20th July– Father’s Club – 7.30 pm at St Luke’s Church Hall,

Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, CT18 7BP – telephone 01634 405168 for
further information.

Kent's launch of the Vision Statement and Strategy for Disabled Children's
Services

Saturday 25 July 2009 - Rare Breeds Centre - Woodchurch, Ashford , Kent TN26
3RJ

Partnership with Parents is co-ordinating this FREE Family Fun Day to celebrate the
launch of the Every Disabled child Matters charters and multi-agency strategy for
disabled children between 10:30 and 3pm. There will be fun activities for the
children, lunch and a chance to meet with other families. The event is also
celebrating the formal sign up to the ECDM Charters by the NHS Primary Caret
Trusts and KCC. Book online by emailing the following address:
Partnershipwithparents@kent.gov.uk

or call 01622 350640 for booking forms.

KENT AUTISTIC TRUST SUPPORT GROUPS

Please see below for details of support groups run by/with KAT in JULY. All welcome, just go along. If you
need more info please contact Jo Blamires or Des Walker .

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NAS NEWSLETTER June 2009

For Parents/Carers of Children and Young people

Ashford Group
Wednesday 15th July 9.30-11.30 Manor House (KAT Resource Centre), Bentley Road,
Willesborough, ASHFORD

Canterbury Group
Monday 20th July 10.00-12.00)
Georges Turle House, 54 London Road, CANTERBURY

For Adults with ASD

(please contact Des Walker dwalker@kentautistic.com for details of the adult groups)

Diary Dates for August

Kidz Planet on Tuesday 4th August from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Private hire for our group.
£1 per child. Please book on form on page 4. Phone Liz on 01303 210736 for more
details.

For details of horse riding sessions in the summer holidays please contact Hilary
Walker on 01303 779786.

Saturday 8th August from 10.30am-12.30pm Family Fun Club at The Salvation Army
Hall, Canterbury Hall, Folkestone. £1 per child. Toys, games, refreshments etc. Last
one in Folkestone! See page 1.

Saturday 15th August, Summer Diversity Festival at the Julie Rose Stadium,
Ashford. See page for details.

Des Walker is running a Social Skills Group for adults with Asperger Syndrome or
high functioning autism. The group will run for which will run for 6 two hour sessions
on a Friday afternoon starting in August. Please contact him by email or phone
01634-405168 if you require any further information

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 June 2009 NAS NEWSLETTER

Defcon
Workshops Blade
Entertainment

nds
e Ba
Ba ttle o
f th SUMMER DIVERSITY FESTIVAL Guest
Appearances
Ashley McKenzie
Rainbow Fest “All Different All Equal” X Factor Finalist
2007
Tracks by Natty &
nce
A f r ican Da Aina from Defcon
o
Kank Drumming Hot Property Up &
Coming MC Artists
& Advance ticket booking required to gain entry Surprise special
appearances on
Saturday 15th August ’09 the day
Entrance, by ticket only, from 11.00.
Go4iT Performances run from 12.00 – 18.00. Event closes 19.00
t
Fes
Julie Rose Stadium, Willesborough Road, Kennington, Ashford, TN249QP
e r
S umm Come & take part as a participant or member of the audience, age range 11 – 19. there is plenty to do;
climbing wall, wheelchair basketball, aero ball, outdoor puzzle zone, Nintendo wii, drumming, laser quest,
face painting, accessible bikes, human buzz wires, circus skills, dance workshops, mc workshops, sports, chill out zone
For further info and tickets contact caroline.corry@kent.gov.uk or gary.forde@kent.gov.uk

ONLINE RESOURCES
A reminder about this scheme which provides a card for carers to carry to alert people (in the event of
illness or accident to the Carer) to the fact that someone is dependent on them.

Below is a link to 'Kent Carers Emergency Card' application.

Click on the link and select 'apply' then chose the region where you live.

http://www.kentcarersemergencycard.org.uk/

here is a new website which forms part of the Healthy Weight strategy, including pools with free swimming for kids.

www.activekent.co.uk

Google have set up a download for Autistic kids to use a free 3D sketch program.

http://sketchup.google.com/download/gsuwenthankyou.html

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NAS NEWSLETTER June 2009

National Autistic Society (Surrey Branch)

2009 Conference
Growing up with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder
How the needs of people with autism or Asperger Syndrome, and of their
parents/carers, change as the person grows up.

SATURDAY 3rd October 2009

University of Surrey, Guildford</B
10.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Speakers:
Prof. DIGBY TANTAM
ROS BLACKBURN
JOSHUA MUGGLETON

Parents/carers/people with autistic disorders: £30

Professionals/care workers: £60
(suggested minimum donations)

About the NAS Surrey Branch Conference

This conference is for parents/carers, people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs), professionals
and others interested in autism and Asperger Syndrome. It will look at how the needs of people with
ASDs may change as they grow and develop, and what parents/carers need to be aware of to
prepare for these changes.
In the morning our speakers are Prof Digby Tantam and Ros Blackburn.
Prof Digby Tantam is a psychotherapist, counsellor, psychologist, and psychiatrist. He has worked in
the NHS for over thirty years, and as a University Professor for nearly twenty. He has provided a
regular clinic for adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome since 1980, and has been the author
or editor of 11 books, the latest of which is “Can the world afford autistic spectrum disorder?”
Ros Blackburn was diagnosed at one year old as severely autistic but with average intellectual
ability. She is now a highly respected international speaker on autism. Although she feels that many
areas of her autistic condition have remained very severe, others, such as her severe language delay,
have disappeared almost completely.
After lunch there will be a choice of talks looking at the issues for specific age groups in more depth.
Each talk will run at the same time, so each person can attend only one talk. Space is limited for some
talks and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Our final speaker will be Joshua Muggleton, a young man with Aspergers Syndrome. He is currently
studying for a degree in Psychology at the University of St Andrews, and has given many talks about
Aspergers and his life, including workshops for professionals and speeches to MPs at party
conferences. He spoke at the House of Commons launch of the NAS “Make School Make Sense”
campaign.
To reserve your place, send back the completed booking form below with a cheque, to the address
given, by September 7th. For further information contact Sara Truman, NAS Surrey Branch Officer:
email: nas@mugsy.org Tel: 01483-822630.

IMPORTANT CROSS-CUTTING SEMINAR WITH GOVERNMENT, NATIONAL AUDIT

OFFICE, ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, ACADEME, EDUCATION, NHS,
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, POLICE AND THE THIRD SECTOR ON
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 June 2009 NAS NEWSLETTER

HOW DO WE BEST ENABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM TO LEAD FULL
LIVES?

ADDRESSING ISOLATION AND IGNORANCE

Wednesday 23 September, 2009

Royal Armouries, Leeds

Contributors include

* Patience Wilson, Programme Head - Independent Living, Social Care

Directorate, DOH
* Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, National Audit
Office
* Prof Angus Skinner, Former Chief Inspector of Social Work for
Scotland
* Benet Middleton, Director of Communications, National Autism
Society.
* Martin Hanbury, Headteacher, Chatsworth High School, Salford
* Chris Austin, Leader, Liverpool Asperger Team, Mersey Care NHS
Trust
* Michael Brown, Mental Health Team, Association of Chief Police
Officers
* Dr Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer in Autism, Sheffield Hallam
University
* Polly Tommey, Editor in Chief, The Autism File
* Oliver Jones, Chairman The Autism Trust
* Leading Academics
Issues covered include:
*
How should we address discrimination and disadvantage suffered by people
with autism?

* How should we improve educational support for all children with autism?

* How should we ensure that people with autism don't fall through the cracks
of service provision?

* How should we best tackle postcode lottery of provision?

* How should the law and Government policy be strengthened?

* How should the NHS, police, education and other agencies perform more
effectively?

How to Book

To see the full programme, speaker biographies, venue information and booking
details Click on the link below:
<http://www.cppseminars.org.uk/site/dpb.cfm?do=ref&fldCPPSref=ACA/263&varDetProgBio
g=det>

Any problems, please contact Louise Rushworth on 01422 845004 or email

louise@cppseminars.org.uk

EAST KENT FUN DAY

Friday 24 July 2009
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 NAS NEWSLETTER June 2009

10am – 4pm

A FREE day for adults and children with learning disabilities and their families to have a
go at sports and leisure activities.

Riverside Youth Centre, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7PH (next to
Sainsburys)

Factory, Cycling, Archery, Dance, Circus Skills, Golf, Music, Rowing, Crafts, Go Karts for
children and much more! Try out a new activity and then visit our information point to
find out about clubs and centres in your area.

Refreshments available and picnic area provided.

Under cover activities in case of bad weather.

For further details contact:

East Kent Mencap on: 01843 224482
Or visit our website at: www.eastkentmencap.co.uk

JUNIOR SPECIAL NEEDS/DISABILITY FOOTBALL CLUB

FOOTBALL TRAINING AND MATCHES FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGES 6-16 YEARS OLD
CHANCES TO PLAY IN THE KENT FA LEAGUE, TOURNAMENTS, CUP COMPETITIONS, FRIENDLY MATCHES AND CLUB
FUN DAYS.
WE ARE FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS,
DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIP
TRAINING SUNDAY MORNINGS IN ASHFORD

 Contact David Ramzan 07860 713619 or Pat Penfold 07979 373094
Club coaches
David Ramzan, Pat Penfold, Brian Cumming, Simon Boulding, 
Peter Selling (Child Welfare Officer), Ian Palmer, Leigh Haymen, Jason McKenna, 
Peter James, Michael Gibbons.
Secretary Daisy Cumming. Treasurer Grainne Byrne. Administration Sarah Smelt
e-mail info@invicta-valiants.co.uk www.invicta-valiants.co.uk

BRANCH CONTACTS

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 June 2009 NAS NEWSLETTER

Branch Officer: Liz Power 01303 210736 / Newsletter: Martin Wheeler: 07804 496820 /
Horse riding: Hilary Walker 01303 779786

Other useful Contacts

NAS Helpline 0845 070 4004 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm)

or email autismhelpline@nas.org.uk

Kent Autistic Trust:-

Head Office
14 High St, Brompton, Gillingham, ME7 5AA
01634 405168
www.kentautistic.com
How to get in Touch
Please phone 01634 405168 and ask for a Family Support Officer
~~~ If you are an adult with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or you want to get
information for an adult please ask for Des on the phone number above or
email at dwalker@kentautistic.com
~~~If you you want information and support for a younger person please ask
for Jo on the phone number above or email at jo@kentautistic.com

Partnership with Parents

01622 755515

Independent Panel for Special Education Advice

IPSEA
6 Carlow Mews, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1EA
www.ipsea.org.uk
Advice line: 0800 0184016
Contact IPSEA: 01394 446575
Fathers Club
John Franklin john_e_franklin@hotmail.co
01474 832083

Come along and have fun

at….
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NAS NEWSLETTER June 2009

Kidz
Planet
(Centurion Park, Tile Kiln Lane, Folkestone)

In the School holidays

Tuesday 4th August 2009
6.30pm—8.30pm.

We are asking for a contribution of £1 per child to help us run this event. We
will have the venue for just ourselves and our children. Refreshments will be
available for purchase. Mums and Dads and carers can relax! Book now on a first
come, first served basis.
Just complete the form below and send with payment to Liz Power, 13 Turketel
Road, Folkestone CT20 2PA (Please make cheques payable to NAS South Kent
Branch).
or please phone Liz on 01303 210736.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like ——— places at Kidz Planet on Tuesday 4th August 2009
I enclose £———–
Name ———————————————————
Address——————————————————–
————————————————————
Tel No——————————–

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