Latest News for Parents & Carers

Refuge run the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which provides free, confidential support and information for any women experiencing abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member.  They have recently launched a British Sign Language interpretation service, to allow Deaf women to communicate with our expert Helpline Advisers through qualified BSL interpreters.

The British Sign Language service is open Monday – Friday from 10.00am – 6.00pm. Here you will find a BSL video about the service and how to use it safely. Users can click on the button to connect with an interpreter via a video call, who will then connect her with the Helpline.

Refuge was delighted to work in partnership with SignHealth’s specialist domestic abuse team in shaping this service; they helped develop resources and delivered training for Refuge’s Helpline advisors, to support them in understanding the unique needs of callers who may come through on the BSL service.

After 60 years, scientists are still trying to crack a mysterious serotonin-autism link. The high levels of serotonin seen in the blood of some autistic people have confounded scientists for more than half a century. Despite so little progress, some researchers refuse to give up.

12 D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled artists based across the UK have been commissioned to produce new film and audio works for BBC platforms this summer, which is part of BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative. The 12 new commissions will champion the work of disabled artists by helping them produce work whilst some may have been self-isolating, and provide a platform to explore their experiences of living through Covid-19. In addition, from the 14th to 18th June, BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting a series of radio essays titled My Deaf World, written by a range of deaf individuals and people who work with the deaf community.

Do you know a young person who would like to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives? The group works together to help the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) research team as well as other research centres from around the country to come up with ideas for surveys and test out interview questions, understand research findings, organise events and present at conferences and spread the word about the research findings through films and animations. Research advisors can come from anywhere in England and don’t need to have done this sort of thing before, it’s easy to learn and everyone is welcome to take part! The NCB will cover the cost of all travel and expenses so it won’t cost a penny!

Affinity Hub is a website that signposts emotional support for parent carers and provides a professional network for those with an interest in parent carer emotional wellbeing. They have published  ‘Supporting Parents and Carers emotional wellbeing’ – guidance for Health, Education and Social Care Professionals.