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Information for People with Learning Disabilities

 

This page contains links to support for your health and wellbeing.

 

Click the links below to find out more. 


The  Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership

An independent partnership of self-advocates, family carers, health and social care commissioners, police, Healthwatch, voluntary organisations and housing providers. The partnership works with people to achieve the vision of people with learning disabilities living good ordinary lives as part of their community, with the right support, at the right time, from the right people.

 

Gov.uk

Government guidance on wellbeing and coronavirus: includes advice on autism, dementia, learning disabilities, older people and mental health conditions

MENCAP

Easy Read Guidance is available on the MENCAP website 

 

Action for Happiness Calendar

 

The Action For Happiness Calendar is downloadable, in 18 different languages from the Action for Happiness website.

Active Coping Calendar April

 

Realise Futures: Enhancing people's lives

Guidance to improve and promote the economic and social wellbeing of those who are disadvantaged and/or disabled.

Advice for parents during Coronavirus 

Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured.

Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help.

 

Suffolk SENDIASS

Suffolk SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) is a confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).


We recognise these are difficult and unprecedented times. As the situation is moving rapidly the Government and Suffolk County Council will provide further updates and guidance. On this webpage, we will try to answer your questions about COVID-19 and what it means for your child's education.

 

Suffolk Parent and Carer Network

The Network has created a new Family Support Pack which contains useful links to local and national support, as well as an Information Pack for Families relating to Covid-19.  These can be found here.

SPCN now also have the following items available:

  • Colouring/puzzle books for children and young people
  • Colouring books for adults
  • Stress balls
  • Pots of bubbles
  • Sensory bags/baskets

The above items are available to children/young people of anyone with an SPCN parent carer membership.  If you feel any of the above would help your child/young person then please email admin@spcn.org.uk giving the first name and age of your child (children) or young person (people) you would like them for.  If you know of any friends / family members who have children/young people aged 0-25 with any additional need and/or disability, (diagnosed or not), who would benefit from the above then please pass this on to them. 

There are details of how to sign up as an SPCN member below and they can then email admin@spcn.org.uk with their request for items.

To join SPCN’s Parent Carer Membership for any parent carer, foster parent or guardian, visit spcn.org.uk

 

SENsational Families

SENsational Families are open to referrals online at www.sensationalfamilies.org.uk and the parent/carer will be offered a pre book appointment via telephone/video call for a duration of up to 30 minutes. This will be available Monday to Friday from 9.30-2.30.

The Facebook group is full of amazing parents with a wealth of knowledge and experience so we will keep this running and update it daily and respond to queries as they arise. 

 

Suffolk Family Carers

  • Information Hub – Running as normal and can be reached via email (hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org), phone (01473 835477) or live chat. If calling please note we are experiencing a higher volume of calls than normal. The information Hub will be available by Live Chat and Email only between 5pm & 8pm on Tuesdays
  • Carers Assessments  – In line with the new government legislation, the Coronavirus Act, we are not undertaking statutory carer’s assessments at the current time.  We are still able to have  full conversation about your caring role and look at ways to help you cope or ideas for your wellbeing.
  • 1:1’s – Appointments will be carried out as as telephone or video conversations.
  • GP Drop-in Sessions – Drop-in sessions at all GP Surgeries are cancelled until further notice
  • Community Connecter Motorhome: Cancelled until further notice
  • Programmes and Workshops – Cancelled until further notice
  • Moving & Handling – Cancelled until further notice
  • Talk & Support  – Running as normal.
  • The View Drop in Centre – Closed to visitors until further notice
  • Reception Unit 9 – Closed to visitors until further notice
  • Family Carer Groups – Future groups cancelled until further notice. Alternative Virtual groups are being established where possible

Although we unable to provide face to face sessions our friendly staff are available to provide information, advice and guidance or just offer a reassuring voice through this difficult time. 

Please contact our Information Hub on 01473 835477, email us on hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org or use our live chat facility found at the bottom of our website

 

Suffolk Family Focus

Suffolk Family Focus, covering East Suffolk, are available for referrals and we will manage these where possible via telephone or Skype.

 

Download the PDF from the NHS for Mental Health Resources for children under 10

 

Advice for parents during Coronavirus 

Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured.

Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help.

School Nursing Service

The School Nursing team can be contacted

  • Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm to provide advice and support for any concerns that you may have about your child’s/children’s health and wellbeing. 

  • You can contact them on 03456 078866 

  • ChatHealth texting service is available for young people aged 11 to 19 years old. 

  • Texts are responded to by a member of the school nursing team between 9am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday. (excluding bank holidays).  You can text them on 07507 333356.

 

For more information, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/childrens-health/school-nursing/

 

Information and support available for parents who are carers from the Suffolk Parent Carer Network (SPCN)

Click here for a printable version of the SPCN information

 

SPCN are supporting parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs and/or disabilities in Suffolk in a number of ways during the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Covid-19 / Coronavirus information pack for families

Families have told SPCN that the Covid-19 outbreak is a really worrying time for them and they have asked for resources to help them talk to their children and young people about it as well as needing strategies to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing. 

Working with SENsational families in Norfolk and education, health and care services, SPCN have produced an information and resource pack for families that is available to download or be posted out in a printed format.  

 

Online resources

SPCN have put together a mix of free online resources 

COVID -19 Information for families

5 tips for families to help to reduce stress and anxiety for children

5 tips to help reduce stress and anxiety for young people

5 tips to help to help reduce stress and anxiety for children with autism

5 tips tp help reduce stress and anxiety for young people with autism

 

Peer-to-peer support

SPCN are providing peer-to-peer support if parents and carers need someone to talk to, or if they or their child/young person are struggling or if they have specific questions about where/how to access other support. They are signposting any health-related issues regarding Coronavirus to official sources. 

Parent and carers can contact SPCN by emailing admin@spcn.org.uk, private messaging on their social media @suffolkpcn or calling them on 07341 126455.

 

Family Support boxes

The SPCN team are sending out family support boxes for children/young people with any additional need and/or disability, (diagnosed or not) and their siblings and also contain information for parents and carers about how to support children and young people and other support organisations that are available. 

These boxes are personalised to each family and can contain a range of items. 

They are available free to any parent / carer / guardian / foster carers who are members of SPCN and they simply have to email admin@spcn.org.uk with the request.  SPCN are accepting new members who will then be able to ask for the free family support box.

• Colouring/puzzle books for children and young people

• Colouring books for adults

• Stress balls

• Pots of bubbles

• Sensory bags

 

To be eligible for membership you must live in Suffolk or receive services from Suffolk and be a parent carer/foster carer/guardian of a child/young person aged 0-25 with any additional need and/or disability (diagnosed or not) and you can sign up for membership here. 

 

Family support page and pack

SPCN have also created a page on their website dedicated to parent carer support and this includes a regularly updated SPCN support pack containing local and national support organisations and online resources for parents and carers is available to download or be posted out in a printed format.

SPCN - Parent Carer Support

 

Suffolk Family Carers have made updates to their services and a selection of information during COVID-19

Community Action Suffolk

Community Action Suffolk has developed guidance to ensure any newly formed neighbourhood initiatives will be resilient throughout this unprecedented period.

The guides cover such issues as safeguarding, volunteer recruitment and management, DBS checks, insurance, publicity and constitutional structure.

The new material is of use both to community schemes and networks who have ‘repurposed’ to develop a new offering in response to coronavirus, and equally for those who have created ‘pop up’ or ‘first time’ community projects to help in their local area.

The webpage will be updated regularly with helpful resources.

What is Corona virus (COVID-19)?

It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed and scared right now but we will get through it. The first step is to get informed. This is a great place to start with a hand washing Tik Tok, easy to understand description about the virus, how to stay safe and more.

Kids Health

Your kids are hearing about coronavirus (COVID 19). You want to make sure they get reliable information — and you want them to hear it from you. Here's how to talk about it.

Wellbeing plan


This Personalised Wellbeing Plan template from the National Academy of Social Prescribing has been developed to support people through COVID-19, particularly those who are self-isolating or shielding. It can be used by anyone who is self-isolating, family, friends, healthcare professionals and carers to summarise a person’s personal circumstances, and the things that matter most to them at this time.

 

Suffolk County Council 

The central county council repository for information and updates about coronavirus COVID-19

 

National Autistic Society

Information and resources for autistic people and families. 

 

Alzheimer's Society

Living with dementia at any time brings challenges. Coronavirus is making daily life much harder. But you’re not alone. If you need support and advice, we’re here for you.

 

World Health Organisation 

The international health organisations advice and guidance on looking after your mental health.

 

Every Mind Matters

A range of practical tips, apps and resources to help you look after your mental health including:

  • Expert advice on how to spot the signs of common mental health concerns.
  • Connections to services and activities to improve your wellbeing
  • Information about helplines and charities if you need more support

 

Living Life to the Full

Effective self-help for anxiety and depression, with life skills support available for everyone. Modules, and e-books are available on sleep, anger, relationships, smoking, drinking, panic, and more. Courses are also tailored for the perinatal period, diabetes, long term conditions, chronic pain, farming communities, parents of children with severe illness, those who have left prison, or have unsettled housing. 
 

OneLife Suffolk

The healthy lifestyle service for Suffolk, supporting healthy eating, weight management, support to quit smoking and a range of other services.

Call 01473718193 or visit www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk

 

Suffolk Wellbeing Service

The Suffolk Wellbeing Service (SWS) provides support if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, bereavement, OCD, and PTSD. 
 

Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG Coronavirus Information 

NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG) is a group of 39 GP practices in Ipswich and the eastern part of Suffolk.

 

NHS

National Advice on Anxiety, depression and stress

 

One You

Digital advice for physical and mental wellbeing with resources and apps to help you reduce drinking, stop smoking, exercise, eat better, sleep better, and control stress 

 

Looking after yourself while social distancing

A practical advice pack, full of practical advice on how to look after your psyche in self isolation.

 

NHS Mental Health Apps Library

A range of free and subscription apps to support you if you are struggling with anxiety, depression and other common mental health problems.

 

Suffolk Mind

Resources for adults and families about meeting your emotional needs. for adults and families.

 

Keep Moving Suffolk

Advice for adults, young people, families and older people to stay active at home during the Coronavirus outbreak.

 

Healthwatch Suffolk

Healthwatch Suffolk have compiled a list of resources which could help improve mental wellbeing during this time, including support for NHS staff from Church of England Churches in Suffolk and Total Voice Suffolk, a partnership of organisations working together to provide advocacy in Suffolk.

Domestic Abuse Outreach Service (ACT)

Open as normal for referrals although staff are working from home so telephone and video messaging support being offered

Call: 0800 977 5690

 

Lighthouse Outreach Centre

 
Telephone support being provided.

Call: 01473 228270
 

 

Survivors in Transition

Open for referrals, telephone support being provided.

Call: 01473 232499 / 07765 052282

 

Suffolk Rape Crisis 

Open for referrals, telephone support and online counselling being provided.

Call: 0800 085 0520

Click on the image below for a full screen copy of the information

 

Fresh Start New Beginnings 

Open for referrals, telephone support being provided.

Call: 01473 353355

 

Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care 

Open as normal for referrals and providing telephone support.

Call: 0300 303 3706

 

Sexual Assault Referral Centre 

Call: 0300 123 5058

 

COVID-19: Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities

Guides for families and professionals supporting autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Advice for parents during Coronavirus 

Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured. Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help.

 

Are you worried about contraception during Covid-19?

Support is available on the iCash website

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information translated into other languages

FOR CHILDREN

A link to a book about Coronavirus (COVIBOOK) for children under 7 yrs old in 18 languages

FOR ADULTS

Doctors of the World videos and translated advice and information into 44 languages on coronavirus (COVID-19) Languages available:

English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Bulgarian, Czech, Dari, Estonian, Farsi, French, German. Greek, Gujarati, Hausa, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kiswahili, Krio, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Oromo, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Sindhi, Slovak, Spanish, Somali, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Wolof, Yiddish.

More videos in other languages below:

Stay Home Save Lives posters

These can be shared and printed. Click on the links below for the following languages:

BENGALI Stay Home Save Lives poster

GUJARATI Stay Home Save Lives poster

PUNJABI Stay Home Save Lives poster

URDU Stay Home Save Lives poster

ROMANI Stay Homes Save Lives poster

ROMANIAN Stay Home Save Lives poster

POLISH Stay Home Save Lives poster

RUSSIAN Stay Home Save Lives poster

Videos of the information can be found here in English, Arabic, Gujarati, Kurdish Sorani, Punjabi, Spanish & Turkish.

Look out on the link for more languages to be uploaded.