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TRAINING AND EVENTS IN WALESPlease see our Training page for details of current events and training.
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Bercow Final ReportThe Bercow Review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs is published today (Tuesday 8 July). The report is England specific but it might be useful reading for our Wales website users. The independent cross government review, led by John Bercow, MP, himself the parent of a child with a speech and language impairment, highlights the significant numbers of children and young people with SLCN and how this radically affects their life chances. (Read more in our press release). Read the full review here (pdf - 1020kb) (posted July 2008) [top of page] Afasic Cymru Conference 2008The Afasic Cymru Conference launches Watch Your Language and will take place on Tuesday 11 November at the Marriott Hotel, Cardiff. This year’s Conference will be aimed at a whole new audience…Research suggests that young people with speech, language and communication impairments (SLCI) are some of the most socially excluded young people in society. Their communication impairments often go unrecognized or they may not be immediately obvious. They may have difficulties in social interaction & manifest odd behaviours. Some of these young people will suffer from mental health or addiction problems. Without appropriate support they may more easily be led into crime or suffer abuse. Therefore, in order to raise awareness of this “hidden disability” we have arranged a free training seminar for all organisations that work with young people in recreation and leisure settings, or support young people at risk. In particular the training will be relevant for national training officers, disability coordinators, strategic and regional managers and managers of youth provision or indeed anyone in contact with young people – Professor Amanda Kirby of The Dyscovery Centre, University of Wales. Newport, will launch the first training seminar. The training is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Further seminars will be rolled out across Wales next year. Each person attending will receive a free, clear and concise training package to use with staff and volunteers within their own organisation. All seminars will run from 1pm – 4pm, light refreshments will be provided. In order to book a place at the first of these training seminars, please complete and return the booking form together with a £10 REFUNDABLE deposit for each person booking. The deposits will be returned at registration. Booking form - Welsh (posted July 2008) [top of page] Afasic 40th Anniversary CelebrationsAs Afasic is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2008 - letters were sent to a selection of schools and local groups nationwide inviting them to join in the celebrations for this milestone and all that Afasic has achieved for those affected by speech and language impairments over the years. Afasic offered £100 towards the costs for the first ten schools/groups to contact us, with their plans for such an event. We asked that they take place in late June / early July if possible as the actual anniversary is the 4th July 2008. We are delighted that 3 parties will be held in Wales to celebrate the anniversary - details here. Even though Afasic has now allocated all the available money to the first schools/local groups to respond – we would be delighted if any other school would like to hold a party in celebration of Afasic’s anniversary. We do have posters and balloons that we could send to you to help the party go with a swing. We have requested that each school provide us with photo’s & a write up of their event and these will be published on our website and/or Newsletters in the near future. (posted June 2008) [top of page] Youth AwardAfasic Cymru is launching a Young Persons Achievement Award. This is a chance for a young person to tell us about a personal achievement that they are proud of. We would like to make this an annual event to present the award to a child or youth with a Speech, language and/or communication impairment. The nomination can be made by the person himself or they can be nominated by a parent, carer or teacher. The nomination can be written, illustrated or a short digital story - the winning entry will receive £100 in vouchers for their school plus a trophy and £50 voucher for themselves and of course we will feature the entries in future newsletters and on our website. Nomination forms can be downloaded here. Closing date is October 31st 2008 and the winner will be announced in November 2008. (posted June 2008) [top of page] SPONSORED SILENCEThis year Afasic is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and to mark the occasion we are holding a sponsored silence as one of the many events to help raise awareness of speech, language and communication impairments – the hidden disability. You can download our poster here - please display the poster to publicise the event. We are in the process of writing to all Schools in Wales and local businesses in the hope that many people will be willing to take part in a sponsored silence that our charity is holding during the week commencing Monday 20 October 2008. Even though we are sending the letters to schools and businesses ANYONE can take part. By holding a sponsored silence it will help those participating to better understand how much harder it can be to communicate with others, how frustrating this can be and how difficult it can make everyday life. You will also be helping us to raise much-needed funds. The silence can be for as long as you think appropriate, but we are suggesting an hour as a target to aim for. Afasic is also attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records for “the most people simultaneously performing sign language to a song at different venues”. We are hoping for a good response, and this can be incorporated as part of the sponsored silence. The record attempt will be on the 22 October at 9.30am. We are promoting this event across the UK, but any money raised in Wales will be used on projects here. As a relatively small charity dealing with a very widespread difficulty we will be very grateful for any support that you can give us during our very special year. If you would like further information about taking part in the sponsored silence and or the record attempt then please call us: We are happy to provide sponsor forms, stickers, posters, and leaflets and will support you as much as we can. After the event we will send a certificate confirming the amount raised by the school, business or individual.
Your support could help to make a real difference to those affected by this disability and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. (posted June 2008) [top of page] FORTHCOMING EVENTS4 training days have been arranged with Maggie Johnson, a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist. Two dates have been arranged in North Wales on 9th and 10th September 2008 and a further 2 dates in South Wales on 8th and 9th October 2008. Further details and booking forms in English and Welsh are available on our Training page. You may be aware that we now have a new North Wales Development Officer – Yvonne Brookes who is busy working for Afasic Cymru in North Wales. (posted May 2008) [top of page] AFASIC CYMRU 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCEAfasic Cymru held their 4th Annual Conference in Cardiff in November 2007. The conference explored a range of issues, concerns and opportunities experienced by children and young people attending secondary schools in Wales.Clare Moyle, Director of Afasic Cymru was delighted to invite speakers and workshop leaders from across the UK, and welcomed Afasic Chief Executive Linda Lascelles and Afasic Directors from other parts of the UK along with Afasic Trustee Board members. The day started with an excellent presentation from Professor Amanda Kirby, followed by workshop sessions, and the AGM (see below). There were more workshops after lunch and the day was rounded off by another interesting and thought provoking presentation from Dr Victoria Joffe.  Cliff Warwick, Principal of Trinity Fields Resource and Special School heroically chaired the day with his leg in plaster! Evaluations recorded ‘a successful day with lots of information’ which made all the hard work worthwhile and Afasic Cymru are looking forward to next years conference! (posted December 2007) [top of page] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGThe 2007 Annual General Meeting was held in Cardiff.The three honorary officers all stood for re-election, no other nominations were received and all were re-elected as follows: · Chair – Mike Clifford · Vice-Chair – Bryony Walker · Treasurer – John Larkin Trustees Jim McIntosh, Caron Atwood and Carolyn Arthurs were all re-elected for another three years and it was confirmed that Ann Rannard will be co-opted for a further year on the Board. A special resolution, approved by the Charity Commission, was passed by members to amend the wording of the constitution. This allows Afasic Scotland to register as a charity in Scotland. The audited accounts were accepted by the meeting and the auditors confirmed for another year. It was also agreed to keep membership fees at the same level for 2008. Copies of the minutes of the meeting together with the accounts are available from Afasic Central Office on 020 7490 9410 on request. (posted December 2007) [top of page] AFASIC CYMRU 3RD ANNUAL CONFERENCEAfasic Cymru were delighted to host their 3rd conference at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff in November. Linda Lascelles, Chief Executive and Clare Moyle, Director were pleased to welcome the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning who opened the event (read speaker notes).Parents, teachers and therapists were able to enjoy presentations from Dr. Courteney Norbury of Oxford University and Sally Rees North Wales Development Officer. The delegates also enjoyed a number of workshops covering a range of subjects. Huw Roberts of Bangor University kept everyone entertained throughout the day! A big thank you to all the speakers, Afasic Cymru staff and of course the parents, teaching staff and therapists that regularly support our events. (posted November 2006) [top of page] BIG LOTTERY FUND CHEQUEAs you can see this photo shows a very happy Afasic Cymru team accepting a cheque from the Big Lottery Fund for almost £132, 000. This grant will be directed towards children and young people of the 11+ age group, a previous successful grant from the Welsh Assembly should enable Afasic Cymru to continue its support to the younger age group for the next three years. Congratulations! (posted April 2006) [top of page]
Afasic Cymru, with funding assistance from the Wales Assembly Government
and the Big Lottery Fund has issued all 2000 primary schools in Wales with
a bilingual school information pack. In line with £3 million to be invested
into speech and language joint working services from the Wales Assembly
Government, this pack should be used to raise awareness, and help to identify
and support children who may have speech, language and communication difficulties.
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Careers
Wales have agreed to distribute this bilingual information booklet at 14+
Transition reviews, with support from SEN advisors. The pack consists of
local contacts and useful information for teenagers.