SANDWELL ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE

One of our young men, Mohammed* who has mild-moderate learning difficulties stated in his support plan that he wanted to be more active in the community, to take part in more physical activities and wanted to learn to ride a bike. Our Adults Co-ordinator, Arathi and Mohammed’s worker Steven*, have been working with Mohammed to develop opportunities to make this happen and to meet his support plan.

Mohammed and Steven have recently joined the healthy walks programme, Sandwell Strides, as Mohammed enjoys walking and they also regularly play basketball. Linking in with the Cycling Programme at Sandwell PCT Mohammed has had his first cycling lesson and will now be cycling and having lessons regularly. His aim is to ride around the cycle routes in Sandwell with Steven.

Mohammed has also started attending a gardening club once a week and wants to start travelling around on the bus and metro.

SAFSS services for adults with disabilities are based on individual need and the individuals support plans. We can tailor our culturally-sensitive services to create opportunities for adults which can include care on an individual basis or in a group setting.

If you would like to know more about our services for adults please contact Arathi on 0121 558 2198 adults.safss@btconnect.com

*names have been changed for confidentiality reasons

At our AGM on the 10th December 2009 the Board of Directors presented our new Annual Review for 2008-09. We are pleased to now offer this as a pdf on our website.

Alternatively, if you would like a copy of our latest annual review sent to you in the post please contact Claire on devmgt.safss@btconnect.com

SAFSS Annual Review 2008-09

All SAFSS staff are to sign up to The Department of Health’s Dignity Challenge. The initiative, led by Manager Neelam Pallen, will see all SAFSS staff and Board Members signed up by the end of the financial year.

The DOH initiative aims to stimulate a national debate around dignity in care and create a care system where there is zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect. Individuals sign up to become a Dignity Champion and make a statement about how they individually will challenge dignity in care.

To become a Dignity Champion sign up on www.dignityincare.org.uk or for more information please see

http://www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/dignityincare/

We look forward to reporting back to you on our progress with our Dignity Challenge. For more information on how SAFSS is participating in this challenge please cotact Neelam Pallen safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198

Congratulations to our Childrens Care Service Co-ordinator Hardeep Sandhu who is the first member of staff at SAFSS to complete the Artemis Training!

Artemis is a quality e-learning package, developed by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to embrace the ‘One Children’s Workforce’ philosophy.

The package acts as an introduction to the Every Child Matters (ECM) five outcomes and outlines seven induction standards to which all people working with children must meet. The ‘One Children’s Workforce’ includes the statutory, private, voluntary and independent sector and includes the unpaid workforce such as volunteers running a football club.

Hardeep will now work with all her care staff to complete the training.

For further information www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Our Chief Executive Parpinder K Dhatt has been announced as the new Chair of the Board at Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). For further information please see: http://www.scvo.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/SCVO.pdf

If you have seen SAFSS on the BBC this week and would like to find out more about our services and how we could help your family please do contact us. All calls are in confidence and without obligation.

If you would like to find out more about our Children in Need sponsored After School Club for South Asian children aged 3-18 years who have a disability or life limiting condition (as featured on the BBC piece) please contact Sayma or Neelam on (0121) 558 2198 or asc.safss@btconnect.com.

If you would like to find out more about all our services for children with disabilities or life limiting and life threatening conditions please contact Neelam or Hardeep on (0121) 558 2198 or safss@btconnect.com.

We currently have a couple of places in our After School Club so please do get in touch if you think we could support you and your child.

SAFSS offer a range of quality care and support services to South Asian children, young people and adults who have a disability and we are here to help.

For general enquires about any aspect of our work please contact Neelam Pallen, Manager on (0121) 558 2198

For media enquires please contact Claire Bradshaw, Development Manager on devmgt.safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198

Look out for SAFSS on television over the next week. We will be appearing on the Children in Need programme on Friday 20th November at 8.50p.m and our Chief Executive, Parpinder K Dhatt will be in the studio being interviewed by Joanne Malin.

SAFSS will also be on the Children in Need programme on Sunday 16th November at 5.30pm and on Midlands Today one night during the week!

SAFSS are delighted to support Children in Need and to showcase the excellent work of the Trust. SAFSS Monday After School Club for children with more complex care needs is supported by BBC Children in Need and we hope that by showing what a difference their money has made to us it will encourage others to support the general Children in Need cause.

For further information about our Children in Need After School Club please contact Sayma on asc.safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198