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Finding the right support for parents with learning difficultiesDo you work with parents with learning difficulties? If so, please help us develop a better understanding of what support is available to parents with learning difficulties throughout the UK. We would like to know how support is provided to parents with learning difficulties in your area, what issues and barriers you face when trying to provide support and about positive practice.The Baring Foundation is working with the Norah Fry Research Centre, University of Bristol to map the agencies and services working with parents with learning difficulties in the UK.The findings from the project will be used to promote better practice, through sharing examples of positive practice, and to establish priorities for future research and policy development. Everyone who responds will receive a summary of the findings. Please complete the questionnaire on line at www.rightsupport.org Contact right-support@bris.ac.uk or Beth on 0117 3310976 or Joyce on 0117 3310973 for a paper copy of the questionnaire. 
Deaf Parenting UKDeaf Parenting UK (DPUK), known for the last four years as the Deaf Parenting Project, has now become a registered charity, providing a forum and support for Deaf parents/parents-to-be (those using British Sign Language as their first language) and professionals working with them on Deaf parenting issues. DPUK objectives are to relieve all the needs of Deaf parents/parents-to-be. Current projects include training and direct support services in partnership with several organisations across the UK, and expanding pilot Deaf parenting skills courses like the successful scheme in south London run by DPUK with local social services and Deaf Plus. To learn more about DPUK
contact Sabina Iqbal, Chair of DPUK, at deafparents@yahoo.com
Free e-group for Deaf parents and professionals working with them: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Deafparenting/
Free computer supportThe ITCH Network is a nationwide network of volunteers providing free computer support to disabled people, usually in their own homes, but also at other locations such as day centres. Volunteers can offer impartial advice on computer hardware and software, installation, internet and e-mailing, solve technical problems, and give general help and advice. Contact Neville Bramhall on 01253 855268 or visit www.itcanhelp.org.uk The transition to parenthoodThe National Childbirth Trust (NCT) recently hosted an ‘Open Space’ event to discuss the transition to parenthood, bringing together NCT workers, parents, including disabled parents, professionals, and other interested parties to share knowledge, experience and expertise. Key issues surrounding the first stages of parenthood were identified to ensure that NCT and other organisations move forward, identifying solutions to problems and working to support new parents. NCT stated that the “findings will underpin our campaigns, services and information for new parents” and it will use the views of all parents, including disabled parents, to determine its early parenthood policy. Children of Deaf Parents UKCoDPuk (Children of Deaf Parents UK) was launched on 29 January by Theresa May, who was Shadow Secretary of State for the Family. CoDPuk aims to inform, mentor and work with deaf parents in the UK, in broadening the horizons of and nurturing their children‘s self-esteem. It will provide support for deaf parents and their children via social events, as well as a quarterly newsletter. There will be a summer event on Saturday 16 July 2005, which will use a Harry Potter theme, focusing on making reading with your child fun. There will also be a music workshop showing how deaf parents can support children with music development. The event will be supported by organisations such as DPPi and Deaf Parenting UK. For more information contact: CoDPuk, PO Box 3272, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4WW. E-mail: info@codpuk.org.uk Website: www.codpuk.org.uk Supporting parents with learning difficultiesThe Elfrida Society in Islington, north London, UK, recently began a new project for parents with learning difficulties. The Bridge House Trust has funded the project for two and a half years. The project will involve direct work with parents, in addition to working strategically with local service providers to improve services and information provided to parents with learning difficulties across north London. One of the main areas of direct work will be peer support groups for parents. The project‘s part-time worker, Mahmuda Murshed, who is a mother with learning difficulties, will lead these groups. Mahmuda has organised two drop-in sessions for parents to come and share their experiences and ideas for the groups. The project welcomes all parents with learning difficulties, including parents who have no contact with their children. For more information contact Susan Moore, Parenting Project Development Manager, The Elfrida Society, 34 Islington Park Street, London N1 1PX. Tel: 020 7354 6349 E-mail: parenting@elfrida.com How do children adjust to parental spinal cord injury?There is little research examining how children cope when a parent has a spinal cord injury. A study, supervised by the Clinical Psychology Department, National Spinal Injuries Centre, UK, is being conducted in an attempt to address this important gap. To take part your child must be aged 4–18 years and must have been born before their parent‘s injury. The study involves parent(s) completing questionnaires – one about their child and a second short one about their own health. For parents of children under seven years involvement would end here. However, if your child is aged 7–18 years, they will also be sent some short questionnaires, looking at things such as self-esteem and coping. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Once you return your questionnaires, you will not be contacted again. Your details will not be passed onto any other parties. For more information please contact Karen Wright, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, on 01869 324423 or at spinalcordinjury@hotmail.com
Pregnancy diaryLINK quarterly magazine, from the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), has recently run a pregnancy diary of Siobhan Corr, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Siobhan was introduced in issue 210, opening the diary of her first pregnancy. In issue 211, she shared the entries for weeks 14–18 of her pregnancy. She has since given birth to a baby boy and both are doing well. LINK is available by annual subscription. Price: £4.80 (UK) £ 7.50 (Europe) £15 (airmail). Also available is a new
publication Spina bifida and
pregnancy, edited by ASBAH, in
association with Disabled Parents Network and Jackie Rotheram of
Liverpool Women‘s Hospital. Price: £1 (UK),
£2
(overseas) Magazine and publications can be ordered via: Tel: 01733 555988 |
Finding
the
right support for parents with learning difficulties