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Charity helps
children achieve a happier life
SOUTHPORT parents and care
professionals are being offered free advice on how to help children
with conditions affecting their social, communication and learning
abilities achieve a happier more fulfilled life.
The national children's charity BIBIC is offering people the chance
to book its experts for a free talk about how it can assist
youngsters aged from 6 months to 18 years old.
Jon Shoesmith, Family Services Manager at BIBIC, explained:-
"We work with children to address difficulties affecting their
behaviour, social, physical, communication and learning abilities.
Even if a family is not sure of what the issues may be, BIBIC
therapists can address concerns and provide practical solutions,
working closely with each family to create a therapy programme,
which empowers them with the skills and strategies to support their
child."
Provided the organisation can identify a developmental difficulty,
children don't need a diagnosis to receive help from BIBIC.
Jon added:- "Our therapy helps children with developmental
difficulties, which include conditions such as autism, cerebral
palsy, Down's syndrome and brain injury, and their families, to
design coping strategies to make things easier at home and at
school.
We visit groups to talk to them about the therapy service we offer.
Whether you're a group of professionals, parents, both or just
interested in what we do, let us know and we'll see if we can come
out and see you. We deliver free general talks about BIBIC therapy,
or specific paid for training days on particular subjects, and can
adapt what we've got to what you need."
The charity welcomes enquiries made by parents, carers or
professionals. An enquiry form can be found
online
or alternatively you can contact the organisation's Family Services
Team on:- 01458 253344.
Jon concluded:- "The process is very simple and all we need to
begin with is brief details of your situation and we'll take it from
there. We're based in the South West, but we're a national charity
that makes its services accessible to families all over the country.
There are various ways in which we can help families access the
service who might struggle to do so, so if you need some additional
help, please get in touch to discuss that with us too."
BIBIC is a registered charity, which receives no government funding
and relies on support and donations to provide the life changing
help needed by many children and their families.
The charity has a national assessment centre in Somerset. Its
therapists work closely with families nationwide to create a therapy
programme, which provides them with the skills and strategies to
support their child or children.
For more information, please call
BIBIC on:- 01458 253344, or you can visit bibic's
website. If you would like to support
BIBIC's work and wish to make a £5
donation to the charity, please text:- 'KIDS02 £5' to:- 70070 or for a £10
donation text:- 'KIDS02 £10' to 70070.
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Southport
visually impaired resident is national charity calendar star for
June
A visually impaired
resident from Southport has become a national charity's calendar
star for this month (June 2014). Stephen Ball, who is 23, appears in Action for Blind
People's (Action) calendar for the month of June, as one of 27,000
people with sight loss to have benefitted from the charity over its
last 12 months' reporting period (2012/2013).
The calendar is an adapted version of the charity's Annual Review,
packed full of statistics about its services and successes.
Stephen features on the June page, alongside the theme of Action for
Blind People's Transitions Service, designed to help young people
with sight loss gain skills and confidence in early adulthood.
In the calendar, Stephen's transition adventure aboard the
'James Cook' yacht is profiled. This once-in-a-lifetime experience
involved him joining a crew of seven other visually impaired people,
taking to the seas for the London to Dorset Small Yacht Race.
Despite the odd spot of choppy weather, the crew successfully
navigated the North Sea, gaining invaluable team building
experience; a real confidence boost for Stephen and his fellow crew.
Quoted in the calendar, talking about preparations before the
adventure, Stephen said:- "This is a once in a lifetime
opportunity. I'm really excited about the challenge, learning new
skills and teaming up with the crew, hopefully sailing to a famous
victory!"
Although the 'James Cook' didn't win the race, the experience
was still a major triumph for its visually impaired crew.
Stephen has virtually no sight, being only able to see the outline
of objects. Action for Blind People is also helping him to find the
right assistive technology to allow him to live more independently.
Other statistics and success stories in Action for Blind People's
Annual Review and calendar include:-
►
123 blind and partially sighted
job seekers found employment, with help from the charity's
coordinators. This dedicated team also supported a further 244 in
keeping their jobs.
► Some 425 social activities were organised for blind and partially
sighted youngsters, aged 4 to 16, who are members of the charity's Actionnaires clubs. These clubs are designed to boost young people's
confidence through a range of sporting and social activities, such
as blind tennis, woodland survival skills, film making and horse
riding.
► Over 9,000 patients, newly diagnosed with sight loss, were given
crucial advice by Action for Blind People's Eye Clinic Liaison
Officers (ECLOs). Based in hospital eye clinics, they provide much
needed emotional and practical support and are a valuable source of
information and guidance.
The Annual Review details the introduction of Living with Sight Loss
modular courses, designed to help in developing confidence and life
skills amongst blind and partially sighted people.
To read Stephen's story and to find out more about Action for Blind
People's services in its Annual Review visit:-
actionforblindpeople.org.uk/annualreview2013.
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