Fund Raising

Fund Raising helps to finance our activity weeks as well as providing entertainment.

The group holds regular jumble sales and a tombola stall at local fetes. Family events such as quiz nights are also held. You are very welcome to come along and join in.

We also make applications for funding to grant making organisations, which may be other charities or companies. Sometimes employers give preference to applications made via a member of staff. The text below can be used for such applications.

AFASIC - NORTH SURREY

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

Summary

AFASIC - North Surrey is seeking funding to support its Activity Week programme for speech and language impaired children in Summer 2009.

What is AFASIC?

AFASIC - North Surrey is a parent lead, local self-funding branch of the national charity AFASIC, formerly known as the Association For Speech Impaired Children (registered charity no. 1045617). We have been in existence for over 20 years, supporting about 80 – 90 children and young adults annually, through volunteers.

Our area of operation covers Ashtead and Leatherhead in the Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Banstead, Elmbridge and other areas of North Surrey.

What work do we do?

We support speech and language impaired children and young adults. We work with the speech therapy services and with specialist language units at local schools. We guide and counsel parents in learning to handle their children’s problems, helping them to obtain Statements of Special Educational Need, and other appropriate support. We run periodic conferences with professionals to improve understanding of the causes and treatment of these disabilities.

For the children we run a fortnightly ‘Friday Club’ – separate sections for the under and over 11’s – so the children can enjoy group activities in a supportive environment. .

What are ‘Speech and Language Impaired’ children?

Speech and language disordered children have a sensory handicap, lacking the ability to properly process language – speaking and/or listening/understanding, which obviously has a knock-on impact on reading and writing, and often other complex learning difficulties. They often have physical or co-ordination problems, as well as behavioural or other personal difficulties, and social skills problems.

What is the Summer Activity Weeks Programme?

We plan to run four Summer Activity Weeks for 50 speech and language disordered children, aged between 5 and 17 years.

The youngest (5-7 year olds) group’s activities will include ‘Acrobats’ gymnastics, swimming, creative work/craft, cooking, music and drama and one or two outings. For the older children we will provide more challenging activities – for example, the 8-11 year olds will spend two nights at Surrey County Council’s Henley Fort site, often the first time these children are apart from their parents. The 12-17 year olds will be based at the Bowles Outdoor Centre at Tunbridge Wells, with initiative tests, canoeing, climbing and orienteering; there will be team activities and they will also devise and put on a ‘show’ at the end of the week.

Our leaders will be experienced youth workers and other specialists, with a Speech and Language Therapist attached to the youngest group. We will have a high ratio of student helpers (we have contacts at universities to attract trainee speech therapists), often one-to-one, attached to each group. Their role is to help share experiences and develop language and social skills in a friendly environment.

The programme will be covered by insurance, will follow our formal child protection policy, and will comply with National AFASIC Guidelines. We will undertake criminal record (CRB) checks on leaders and helpers. We will conduct a full risk assessment at all venues.

What is the primary aim of the programme?

The positive difference and primary aim of the programme is to help improve the children’s speech and language skills, help them develop strategies for dealing with their problems, and assist their self-confidence/ self-esteem. The activities will give the children a basis to communicate with each other, and with the leaders and helpers. The children are often not naturally independent and the activities help in this regard, and building a sense of achievement. Group activities, social and team skills are important, particularly for the older children.

In summary, although there are other summer activity weeks, ours uniquely addresses speech and language problems.

The programme is also a valuable practical learning experience for the trainee speech therapists.

How will we tell if the Activity Weeks are successful?

Because of the ongoing Friday Club programme – before and after the Activity Weeks - we can determine the ongoing improvements in the children. During Activity Weeks themselves, we will have periodic feedback sessions and a questionnaire with the leaders and helpers, documenting achievements and problems. This input will help us in planning and updating the programme. We know from schools and parents that the Activity Weeks are effective and well received.

How much will the Activity Weeks cost?

The cost of the programme is about £14,000 – of which £7,000 will be met by parental contributions. We are looking for contributions of any amount to meet the balance, and we also have a tombola at a local fete, two jumble sales, and a quiz night planned. We would be grateful for your help!

Need more information?

We would be happy to provide – please contact

Chair: Malcolm Stuart ‘Dunsandle’, 4 Meadow Road, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 1QR

Tel: 01372 – 278718 Email: malcolm@afasicnorthsurrey.org.uk

Treasurer: Nick Harrison 105 Tattenham Crescent, Epsom Downs, Surrey KT18 5NY

Tel: 01737 – 215405 Email: nickdharrison@ntlworld.com