NEWS AND EVENTS
Afasic Coastline Challenge
This is a year long challenge to all our members, supporters and friends to cycle/walk/run around the coastline of the mainland UK, which I am told is about 5,000 miles, over the coming 12 months.
The aims of the event are to raise much needed funds for the work of Afasic; raise awareness of the hidden disability of speech, language and communication impairments; and raise awareness of Afasic and how we can help. If you decide to take part you should therefore look to get sponsored and publicise your participation in the challenge.
You can do this on your own, in groups, just once, or have as many trips as you want. It could be for a few hours, a day, a weekend, a week or a number of different trips, it is entirely up to you. The only stipulation is that there is a minimum distance of 1 mile, other than that you can do as much or as little as you want.
All we ask is that you let us know what you plan to do / have done towards it; let us know where you start and finish so that we can map it all, and send us your photos and stories. It would be especially great to hear from anyone with a special story about their trip, anyone doing a long distance, raising large amounts of sponsorship, doing a distance in the most unusual way (e.g. backwards, on a unicycle, in fancy dress etc), children or young people taking part etc!
We will hold a central master map and can advise people what bits of the coastline have been done already to avoid duplication of effort. Please encourage others to join in and so help us to raise as much money and publicity as possible.
To enter, and for more information, help and resources for this challenge please contact Mark Thompson at Afasic central office.
posted 2 March 2010 [top of page]
Afasic Golf Day 2010 - Friday 17 September
The amazing success of last year’s Afasic Golf Day has inspired us to continue this popular event in 2010 and we are happy to announce that we will host the competition again at the Shire London Golf Club in Barnet. This year we are looking to recruit 20 teams of 4! Whether you are a corporate team competing with another, or looking to entertain your clients or an individual simply wanting to enjoy a beautiful game of golf – the event is perfect for you. If you are interested in registering a team of 4 or you know anybody who might like to participate in this event, please get in touch now to reserve your place. We are also looking for auction items to be donated to us and are happy to provide sponsorship opportunities at this event. Please send a message to Anja for further information. Thank you.
posted 2 March 2010 [top of page]
Donation from the Waterloo Foundation
We are delighted to report that we have recently received notification from the Waterloo Foundation that they will donate some money for us to use to train parents and carers and provide them with information so that they are better equipped to support their children. Training events will be arranged for 2010 and advertised on this website and our forthcoming newsletter but in the meantime if you are a parent/carer and you have a specific training need please contact Jeannette.
posted 23 February 2010 [top of page]
Afasic Cymru Youth Awards 2009 - Winners
We are delighted to announce this years winners of the Afasic Cymru Youth Awards 2009. The winners were split into 2 categories – junior and senior with an overall 2nd place.
The junior winner is Oliver Ainsworth who has worked very hard in school to overcome and manage his specific language impairment. A great example of this is having the courage and confidence to stand up in front of the whole school and give a voluntary speech to put himself forward for the position of class representative for the school council. He has also been attending Tae Kwando for 9 months and has now achieved a purple belt in his grading which required him to understand and execute an 8-move pattern and other exercises in response to verbal instructions. He was able to participate without 1:1 support, which he requires in all other activities and at school.
The senior winner is Sam Fitzgerald who was statemented with S&L at the age of 4 – he attended a S&L Unit at Primary School and left the unit to attend mainstream secondary school with some support. He has worked incredibly hard and has achieved 3 A’s, 2B’s and 3C’s. The best results ever achieved by a child in Resource centre. Sam is now in 6th form studying - throughout his time at Sec school Sam has taken part in a wide range of hobbies and activities, he was elected to form captain and undertook a strenuous expedition in South America.
Second place was given to Rachel Bacon who is 17 and has SLI difficulties that have only recently been diagnosed so she has been without support throughout school. Through determination Rachel has achieved a Lifeguard Qualification and employment as a lifeguard at a local pool.
It is always a very difficult decision but the winners were the ones with the majority of votes from our Advisory group of 16 members. ALL nominations have received certificates of congratulations and the winners have been presented with a trophy, certificate and vouchers. We thank everyone who submitted a nomination and we are hopeful that this can continue as an annual event.
posted December 2009 [top of page]
Driving Theory Test and Young People With SLI
In response to numerous enquiries Afasic Cymru have contacted the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) regarding the Driving Theory Test and how young people with SLI should advise of their language impairment. The DSA have provided the following information.
DSA information and contact details
posted November 2009 [top of page]