Latest News for Parents & Carers

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, and three health ministers have all taken part in the National Autistic Society’s ‘Understanding Autism’ sessions. The sessions are delivered by autistic colleagues and give MPs the opportunity to learn about autism and how they could better support their autistic constituents. The National Autistic Society’s aim is for every MP to take part in a session.

Actress and Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first celebrity to sign a CBeebies bedtime story. Ayling-Ellis, 27, who has been deaf since birth, tells the tale Can Bears Ski? in British Sign Language (BSL). The story of a young bear draws on the author’s own experience to show how it feels to be deaf in a hearing world. Ayling-Ellis said she hoped it would inspire children to learn to sign.

A little boy with autism was finally reunited with his pets. The family has been reunited with their dogs, nearly three months after they were stolen during a burglary. Melissa Stock started a social media campaign to find the dachshund puppies, which were taken from their home in Irchester, Northamptonshire, in February.

Local charity, Umbrella, has several opportunities to volunteer:

• parent carer group,
• parent and girls support group,
• parent and boys support group.

Umbrella’s volunteers are energetic, positive and fun-loving individuals with a naturally caring nature. If you are interested, please contact Paul Tideswell via email: paul.tideswell@umbrella.uk.net

The Forestry Commission has launched a ground-breaking apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector. The first-of-its-kind opportunity offers an exciting career pathway into the forestry sector for people from all backgrounds and abilities. The Development Woodland Officer programme offers a three-year, paid development opportunity for passionate individuals looking to kickstart their careers in forestry.