World Autism Acceptance Event (WAAD) at Bradford City 

Tuesday 16 April from 10am-2pm

AWARE charity have organised a free World Autism Acceptance event at the University of Bradford Stadium, Bradford City Football Club for families with children or young people who have Autism, no diagnosis needed.

You will need to get a free ticket here.

There will be services from across the Bradford district, see which organisations will be there come and say hello on the day! 

You can attend the event any time that suits you between 10am and 1.30pm (the event closes at 2pm). The organisers are planning a sensory/chillout room children can access if needed.

There will be Urdu and Bengali speakers available. There is free parking available on site and the surrounding roads.

Project SEARCH are now recruiting for their 2024 intake of interns!

Project Search is an internship programme for young people living with a learning disability and/or Autism, aged between 18 and 24.

The programme follows the school year and runs from September to July, offering meaningful work experience. The internships are designed to provide competitive and transferable skills preparing young adults with learning disabilities for full-time paid work.

The project is now recruiting for September 2024, contact Saika Bi, Project SEARCH Facilitator (Bradford College) email: S.bi@bradfordcollege.ac.uk or phone 07850 974230

Apply or read more about Project SEARCH here.

Open day to mark World Down Syndrome Day 2024 - Thursday 21 March

Everyone is warmly invited to an open day on Thursday 21 March at the Down Syndrome Training and Support Service at the Pamela Sunter Centre in Bingley (10am until 2pm).

There will be refreshments of tea, coffee, cakes, buns and scones served by the ‘I can work’ trainees. There will also be gift stalls, a tombola and raffle tickets on sale.

Read more about the open day here.

Parent and carer support group

Tuesday 19 March 2024, 10.30am or 7.30pm

This month's topic: Supporting your child: Anxiety

The parent support group is an online group, facilitated by NHS mental health practitioners. The group is a safe space for parents to get-together, share experiences and build positive relationships. 

If you would like to join the session, email: mhstparentsupport@bdct.onmicrosoft.com 

Join Bradford, Keighley and Craven mental health support group (called Raising Yorkshire Puddings) on Facebook.  

'Your Story' film in partnership with Barnardo's and All Star

Filmed and edited over a three month period (late 2023), ‘Your Story’ is a unique storytelling experience documenting the life, times, experiences and journey of parents, carers and young people with lived experience of SEN, Autism and Neurodiversity living in the Bradford district and surrounding areas; covering the following topics: Life at Home, Early Years, Three Young Women, Parent Journey and Life at Work.

The team involved want to say thank you to all those who took-part, without their bravery this documentary would not have been possible.

Watch 'Your Story' on YouTube now.  

Events for all with the friends and family project 

The friends and family project is run by the charity 'Thinking Big' and was set up to give opportunities for families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities the chance to create support networks and to connect people together. 

You are invited to the upcoming events:

Mental Wellness – March 2024
14 March (10am–2pm) Nadia Abdo from Kooth & Qwell will deliver a presentation about mental health.

Walk & Talk – April school holidays 2024
Friday 29 March (11am–12pm) Ilkley Riverside - Come along and join the group for a catch up and gentle stroll along the riverside.

SENDIASS - May 2024
Bradford Barnardo’s SENDIASS service will join (10am-2pm) on 7, 8 and 9 May for informal sessions with time to seek advice, and share information and resources. 

The team at Thinking Big invite new and existing members to book a space at any of the upcoming events, email: friendsandfamily@thinkingbiguk.org

SEND Newsletter and Local Offer survey

We would really appreciate your thoughts on this SEND Newsletter and our Local Offer website - could you spare a few minutes to tell us what you think in our quick survey? 

It would really help us to improve and make sure the information we give you is as helpful as possible. 

Share you thoughts here. 

Holiday, Activities and Food - holiday clubs with a free meal 

There is a huge range of fun activities for children to take part in during the upcoming Easter school holidays.

Children with SEND qualify for a free place on this scheme and a meal whether or not they are on benefits-related free school meals.

If your child gets benefits-related free school meals you can book here.

For families who do not receive benefits-related free school meals, please contact the providers directly to check if they have places left. See the list of groups taking part here. 

World Oral Health Day on 20 March raises awareness about oral hygiene!

Top tips for children’s oral health

It’s important to develop good oral health routines right from the start with young children. Here are some top tips to care for your children’s teeth.

Toothbrushing advice:

• As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, brush your baby’s teeth and gums at least twice daily.
• Children under 3 yrs should brush twice daily, with a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.
• Children 3-6 yrs should brush at least twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.
• Help your child to spit after toothbrushing. Rinsing washes away the fluoride toothpaste that helps protect teeth
• Help your child brush their teeth until they are at least 7 years old.

For urgent or emergency dental care, please contact NHS 111. Get more advice and information from the Living Well website.