Community Information, Activities and Advice
This page offers lots of useful information and links to community groups and organisations.
Please also visit the Useful Links page in the Parents & Carers section of our website.
'Little Portesberries'
'Little Portesberries' runs every Friday from 10.00am - 12.00pm (term time only), at The Mytchett Centre' (located at 140 Mytchett Road, GU16 6AA).
We would appreciate donations (of approximately £2.00) towards drinks and snacks.
We would also like to say a huge 'Thank you' to The Knights Foundation for their continued support, including covering the cost of the hall and other additional resources.
Further details of our Little Portesberries sessions are below:
What do we do?
We are a stay and play for families who have a child they may think is not developing in the way they would expect.
We have lots of activities set up; from play-doh, puzzles, cars, farms, climbing, bouncing, messy play and all sorts. Once we get to know your child we can tailor it to suit what they like.
We play from 10-11am, then drinks and snacks, tidy up and an attention autism session and some singing. We celebrate achievements and birthdays.
We finish at 12 noon.
What support is there?
Little Portesberries is run by Clare Walker (Deputy Head Teacher at Portesbery School) and Alison Morris (Early Years Support Service). They are supported by an experienced teaching assistant from Portesbery School.
We can help with advice from helping your child to eat, sleep, toilet training, behaviour, sensory need and communication.
If we can’t help, we can sign post you to services that can help you. We have regular visits from BRAAIN and other professionals.
Other parents are a great support and a fountain of knowledge and advice. Lots of ex parents come back to support on a regular basis- we never like to say goodbye and their support as they walk further down the road of SEN is invaluable.
Who can come?
Your child does not need a diagnosis to come. If you believe they are delayed in their development, come along. Siblings under 5 are welcome. Grandparents welcome! We really do not mind where you live!
We generally have approx. 6-8 families come so it is a small, quiet group unlike a busy playgroup. All the parents that come have a shared understanding about the needs of all the youngsters so no judgements!
How Much?
We ask for a contribution of £2 per family (Happy to accept more or less- depends entirely on you). We are not funded and we all give our time in addition to our jobs.
The Knights Foundation kindly help us with costs of hall. We ask for help with drinks and resources so we can keep the activities fun and replenish the sand, play-doh and coffee for parents
Do I Need to Book?
No - you can just turn up! If it is at the start or end of a term please check Portesbery School website or Facebook page to check we are running. Otherwise every Friday Term Time. No commitment necessary.
Where?
The Mytchett Centre, 140 Mytchett Road, GU16 6AA.
Fridays (term time) from 10am-12pm
Parent Workshops
We hope to continue our Parent Workshops at Portesbery in 2022-23.
All workshops are free to attend. We will keep you updated via Parentmail.
External Organisations
LinkAble
People with learning disabilities face exclusion from many aspects of mainstream life. They have fewer friends, poor employment prospects and are more likely to be affected by poverty, ill-health and loneliness.
LinkAble works hard to overcome these issues for adults and children with learning disabilities in Surrey. We support people to learn new skills, form lasting friendships and lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Through a combination of support from local and county councils, charitable trusts and foundations, local community groups and businesses we can make life better for even more people who need us.
'BRAAIN' - Be Ready ADHD ASD Information Network
Wherever you are in the diagnosis process, BRAAIN is here to help. Parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and / or other special needs is amazing, tough and sometimes isolating.
When you are not sure where to turn, BRAAIN will give you the information you need. From details on specialist schools in the area, to accessing professional help, to finding out about clubs for your children and support groups for you. We are here to help make life a little easier on this journey.
More details on their website: http://www.braain.co.uk/
The-Zone!
'The-Zone!' help to support families with children on the autism spectrum or with any related conditions in Hart, Rushmoor and the surrounding areas, through activities and meet ups!
They run sessions each month giving our ASD/additional needs children and their siblings a chance to play together or alongside one another without judgement.
Elysian - Animal Assisted Therapy
Elysian Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning C.I.C is an organisation that focuses on the therapeutic relationship and impact that animals can bring into our lives. We have one main site at Westland Farm in Guildford and currently planning the opening of two more sites in Surrey. Westland Farm is a 100 acre farm set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. One of our important values on the farm is fostering a positive atmosphere as well as being honest and open. Our passion is animal therapy and learning; we all believe in the amazing positive impact equines and other animals can have on the way we experience and understand our world, our personal development and our relationships.
More details available at https://elysianuk.org/
Surrey Heath Family Centre (Barnardo's)
A family support service commissioned by Surrey County Council. The Surrey Heath Family Centre is based at Surrey Heath Young People and Family Centre and shares a building with the Targeted Youth Support Service. Family Support Workers work with targeted families with children aged 0-11 years. The Family Support team holds 1.1 caseload work and facilitates group work for families in Surrey Heath.
More details available here.
Hampshire Parent Carer Network
Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN) is an independent charity working throughout Hampshire. We support and train our parent carers to work alongside professionals in order to influence decisions and make a difference to outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.
Action for Carers (Surrey)
Action for Carers Surrey is led by carers, run by an executive committee of carers and supported by professionals from Health, Social Services and the voluntary sector.
Our main aim is to raise awareness of carers’ needs and concerns throughout the county and to work in partnership with statutory services such as health care and social care teams to promote how best they can serve carers within Surrey. This includes GPs and Primary Care professionals.
Action for Carers Surrey also works closely with national carers’ organisations including Carers Trust and Carers UK, ensuring Carers get better access to services and support throughout the UK.
In addition we also provide a number of specialist services: information, advice and activities for young carers, moving and handling information and advice and support on issues relating to learning and work.
https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk/
Surrey Young Carers
If you're a young carer (under 18) looking after someone in the family, the Action for Carers Surrey (Young Carers) team is here to support you.
https://www.surrey-youngcarers.org.uk
SOS!SEN
SOS!SEN offer a free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
We concentrate on helping people to find their way through the legal and procedural maze which is so daunting to so many who try to obtain satisfactory provision for a child’s special needs.
More information and contact details can be found on the SOS!SEN website: https://sossen.org.uk/
Surrey and Hampshire Local Offers
See below for the links to Surrey and Hampshire's Local Offers, with information about SEND in Surrey and Hampshire and services available in and around the area suitable for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
https://www.surreylocaloffer.org.uk/
Home-Start Surrey Heath
Home-Start (Surrey Heath) are running two parent groups which are run by their friendly staff and volunteers:
- Best Start In Life Group – running Tuesday mornings at High Cross Church in Camberley 10-11.30 am.
- Pram Walk & Talk – running Thursday mornings at Frimley Lodge Park in Frimley 10.30-11.30am.
Both groups have really positive feedback from parents.
For more information visit the Home-Start Surrey Heath website or contact them by phone or email:
Tel: 01276 681121
Email: office@home-startsurreyheath.org.uk