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Respite and taking a break
Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and carers struggle to find the time to look after themselves. You may feel unable to leave the person you care for but taking a break can help you provide better care and avoid burning out. Find out who can help you organise a break, and how to make sure your friend or family member gets the right care while you’re away from them.
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Ways to Wellness is a service for people in the west of Newcastle whose daily lives are affected by certain long-term health conditions. GPs and their primary care teams use social prescribing to refer patients to the service. Ways to Wellness adds to and complements the medical support that people receive, to help them feel more confident to manage their long-term conditions and make positive lifestyle choices.
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Designability is a national charity that enables disabled people to live with greater independence.
Introducing Wizzybug!
Wizzybug is a fun, innovative powered wheelchair provided FREE of charge to young children in the UK by Designability, a charity based in Bath.
Who is Wizzybug designed for?
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Newcastle Vision Support, formerly Newcastle Society for Blind People, was first established in 1867 and has been supporting visually impaired and blind people in Newcastle for 150 years.
We work closely with other organisations to ensure that the people of Newcastle with sight loss benefit from our combined skills and knowledge.
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Moving On Asthma has been developed by the Respiratory Research Team at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
As a team, we are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with asthma and this resource is designed to both support clinicians in adolescent health and equip young people with self-management skills as they prepare for the move to adult care.
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The Tree House Early Years Centre provides a range of Educational, Social, Therapeutic and Health activities / services for children aged 0-5 with SEND, and their families.
The centre was officially opened by councillor Lesley Storey in September 2023. The following video showcases the opening of the Centre and highlights some of facilities and activities available for children and their families.
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For over 35 years we've led the way in providing specialist care, education and services for children, young people and adults with autism, across the North-east of England.
Recognised for our innovation and excellence, everything we do stems from an unswerving belief in providing bespoke person-centered support. It’s at the heart of who we are to recognise the uniqueness of every human being, and to understand that as a spectrum condition no two people with autism will have the same needs or wants.
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Autism North East is a Social Enterprise, non-profit-making organisation providing assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children, young people and adults where this is a concern related to an Autism Spectrum Condition.
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Based in Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle, the College provides day and residential education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Students come from across the country to access this specialist provision that enables them to achieve their personal ambitions.
The majority of our students have additional and complex needs including learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health conditions, behaviours that challenge and sensory issues.
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Education and Services for People with Autism Limited is a Registered Charity with over 24 years’ experience of supporting people on the autism spectrum.
ESPA’s services include:
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The Newcastle Community Team for Learning Disabilities is based at Benton House in Newcastle.
The Adult team provides specialist assessment and treatment to people aged 18 years and over with a learning disability and additional health needs, where the person’s needs are complex and require an integrated approach to care and treatment that cannot be met through mainstream services.
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The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) is a specialist second opinion Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) service for children and young people. We provide diagnostic assessments where there is uncertainty around diagnosis. In addition we also provide consultation and management advice to local services concerning children and young people who already have an existing ASD diagnosis.
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Outreach clinic to provide people with a learning disability who have offended or show offending type behaviour(s), and those involved in caring for them the opportunity to seek advice and support on managing day to day forensic issues.
Areas covered: Cumbria, Sunderland and Newcastle
How to get referred:
Referrals must be made through local community nursing teams for each locality.
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We provide a range of specialist services for both adults and children with autism and or learning disabilities or both. We work closely with other Trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary sector organisations.
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Lennox is a seven bed unit providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for young people aged 12-18 with complex mild to moderate learning disability and a requirement of a high level of supervision in a medium secure environment.
Referrals are accepted from specialist mental health teams regionally, nationally and internationally. Informal enquiries are welcomed and advice can be given by telephone prior to referrals.
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The team will work with children/young people between the ages of 4-18 with a learning disability and or Autism Spectrum Disorder where their behaviour that challenges occurs as a result of the young person having limited abilities to communicate distress, and get their needs met in other more adaptive ways.
How to refer:
All referrals must come from a Community CYPS team; it is essential that a care co-ordinator is identified. Consultation clinics are held monthly in each locality where potential referrals can be taken to be discussed.
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The Secure Outreach Transition Team (SOTT), provides assessment, intervention, treatment, management and supervision for service users with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder who are:
• Currently in secure care
• In the community following discharge from a period of secure care
• In the community having been referred due to offences or offending behaviour that represents a risk to the general public and who potentially may require admission to secure care.
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Ambitious about Autism has a rapidly growing online Ambitious Youth Network to enable more autistic young people to have their voices heard. Through the network, autistic young people between the ages of 16 to 25 can share experiences, connect with others, have their say on Ambitious about Autism’s projects as well as access a range of opportunities to advocate and improve services for autistic young people.
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What is Makaton?
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.
It supports the development of essential communication skills such as:
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For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism.
Children must be living in Newcastle.
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For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism.
Children must be living in Newcastle.
Supporting your autistic child workshop
These sessions will cover:
- worries and action planning
- common misconceptions
- differences in autistic children
- practical strategies to use in everyday life
These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.
We have the following dates available:
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For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism.
Children must be living in Newcastle.
Supporting your autistic child workshop
These sessions will cover:
- worries and action planning
- common misconceptions
- differences in autistic children
- practical strategies to use in everyday life
These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.
We have the following dates available:
![Part of our local offer Part of our local offer](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/Solo%20Penguin%20logo%20small.png)
For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism.
Children must be living in Newcastle.
Supporting your autistic child workshop
These sessions will cover:
- worries and action planning
- common misconceptions
- differences in autistic children
- practical strategies to use in everyday life
These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.
We have the following dates available:
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Love Life Sexual Health Drop in with Learning Disability Sexual Health Nurse.
We promote safe sex and interactions but also support for screening.
Come see us for:
- Condoms
- Contraception
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing
- Pregnancy testing
- Cervical smears
- Relationship advice
- Any sexual health worries
No need to book a place. Just drop in.
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Love Life Sexual Health Drop in with Learning Disability Sexual Health Nurse.
We promote safe sex and interactions but also support for screening.
Come see us for:
- Condoms
- Contraception
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing
- Pregnancy testing
- Cervical smears
- Relationship advice
- Any sexual health worries
No need to book a place. Just drop in by the Community Cafe.
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