Welcome to the e-bulletin of Real Issues brought to you by Sunderland Carers’ Centre and Children’s Services.

Each month we will bring you the latest news and information about support groups and activities that you might be interested in.

If you no longer wish to receive an e-mail alert about Real Issues, please contact Services for Disabled Children on 0191 566 2190.

Parent Carers’ Group

The Parent Carers’ Group is for parents and carers of disabled children (aged 18 or under). It usually meets on the second Thursday of each month at Sunderland Carers’ Centre, 12 Toward Road, Sunderland, 10.30am – 12 noon.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 10th January. Topics for discussion at this meeting will include:

• parent carer consultation on children/young people’s (under 18 years of age) mental health/learning disability services in the north east for Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust
• postural care
• parents for inclusion
• Special Olympics for disabled people
• parent carers’ issues currently of concern to you

New members are welcome. If you have not attended the group before and would like more information, please contact Sunderland Carers’ Centre on 0191 567 3232.

New Year’s Nails – Learn to care for and pamper your nails

Within the next few weeks Sunderland Carers’ Centre will be putting on a course for carers on Nail Care and Nail Art, where you can learn how to care for and pamper your nails. It will be run by the Adult, Family and Community Learning Service and held at the Carers’ Centre, 12 Toward Road, Sunderland, for 10 weeks, mid-morning to midday – days to be arranged. The course and all materials/products will be supplied free. We need at least 8 carers to attend for all 10 weeks for the course to be successful, and there are a maximum number of places. If you are interested please contact the Carers’ Centre on 0191 567 3232 as soon as possible and we will supply you with more details.

Information, Activities and Events

For more details on any of the information, activities or events mentioned below please contact the organisations directly or Sunderland Carers’ Centre on 0191 567 3232.

PlP National Conference – Aiming Higher for Inclusive Play

The 2008 Playwork Inclusion Project (PIP) national conference is on Tuesday 26th February in Birmingham. It will focus on the impact of ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ and look at how PIP can support the sector to achieve the inclusion of disabled children in universal play and childcare services.

Key areas will include:

• short breaks for disabled children – how can we ensure opportunities for play?
• sharing good practice – presentations from play and leisure settings and projects around the country
• launch of new publication – Inclusion by design: creating accessible play and childcare environments

For further details and booking forms please contact Anna Route at the Playwork Inclusion Project on 020 7359 3073 or email pip@kids.org.uk

Note: If you are a parent interested in attending the conference but need help with costs please contact Sunderland Carers’ Centre on 0191 567 3232 who will try to help you.

Half-Term Crafts

Take part in a free family art and craft activity during the February half-term holiday. Join in the fun at your local library from 18 – 22 February. Contact your nearest library for details.

Early Years – Create a Storysack course

Does your child enjoy books? Would you like to make reading with your child or grandchild fun and make new friends at the same time? Then why not go along to the free six week Create a Storysack course and learn to create your own story sack. Storysacks are brightly coloured bags filled with items which develop a child’s interest in books. The course will be held on Thursdays from 1pm – 3pm in the City Library and Arts Centre in Fawcett Street, Sunderland. The first meeting is on 17th January which will be an open session where you can have a coffee and find out more about the sacks. For more information please contact Janet Simm, Assistant Librarian – Early Years on 0191 219 3512.

Adult Learning Extravaganza

Want to learn a new skill, keep fit or take up a new interest? Visit the ‘Adult Learning Extravaganza’ at City Library, Fawcett Street, Sunderland on Friday 11th January between 10am and 3pm. Adult learning providers across Sunderland will be offering information and free taster activities in nail art, jewellery-making, computers, computer maintenance, literacy, numeracy, driving theory tests, first aid, scrapbooking, textiles, cake decorating, construction awareness and more. For more details call Family, Adult and Community Learning on 0191 553 2620 or visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries

Sunderland Libraries’ Course Programme

Sunderland Libraries’ Course Programme for the spring term will be available from all of the City Public Libraries in the New Year. Call in and collect your copy. The majority of courses are free, last for 10 weeks and begin in the week beginning 14th January. There is a wide variety of courses – computers for beginners, family history on the internet, painting and drawing, jewellery making, card craft, improve your English and maths, sing and sign for families, family crafts and many more. For further information ask at your local library or telephone 0191 514 1235.

Adult Learning at the Bunnyhill Centre (January – March 2008)

The following free courses for adults will be offered at the Bunny Hill Centre, Hylton Lane, Town End Farm, Sunderland commencing the week of 14th January for 10 weeks.

To enrol on any of the courses and to talk to staff to find out more about the courses, go along to the Bunny Hill Centre on either:

Tuesday 8th January 10am – 12 noon
Wednesday 9th January 3pm – 6pm
Thursday 10th January 10am – 12 noon & 1pm – 3pm

For more information please contact the Family, Adult and Community Learning Service on 0191 520 5230.

Changes to the Max Card Scheme

Max Card holders are offered a reduction of £1.50 on admission prices at the Centre for Life. The new prices are £5.45 for adults and £3 for children, under 4s are free.

Whizz-Kidz

Whizz-Kidz is all about giving disabled children and young people the independence to enjoy an active childhood – at home, at school and at play. Newcastle Children's Mobility Centre are holding the following events in February:

• Wheelchair Training Scheme
  A four day programme designed to ensure that disabled children and young people get the most out of their mobility equipment. It's suitable for both manual and powered wheelchair users and teaches vital skills using a combination of games, sports and group activities.

Venue: Durham TBC

Date and time: 18 to 21 February, 1.30pm to 4pm

• Manual and Power Chair Product Day

An exhibition day for families and professionals to view different types of manual and powered wheelchairs and gain impartial advice from Whizz-Kidz therapists and equipment dealers.

Venue: Oxclose Community School, Dilston Close, Oxclose Village, Washington, Sunderland NE38 0LN

Date and time: Friday 22 February, 1pm to 4pm

Please feel free to distribute to your friends, family and colleagues with their permission.