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Asperger’s Contacts:

• The North Devon Forum for Autism and Related Behaviours gives families with members suffering from autistic spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s) a chance to meet and talk over situations with others in a similar boat as well as get up to date information on local activities (Bideford and Barnstaple) and facilities which are specifically geared to helping families. Membership is open to all families, regardless of the age of the autistic member. For more information or a newsletter phone Lin Harding (01237 431 844) or Gabby on 079 2348 1332 or email Mel – northdevonforum@

• Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge



Support is offered to parents of children with any type of disability or special need. Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge offers: befriender training, support groups for befrienders, informal support groups at a local children centre, 1-1 parent support, social events for parent befrienders and their families, online befriending, newsletter and resource links. Contact: Theresa Hemmens, 07730 672228North Devon & Torridge Co-ordinator, Face 2 Face North Devon & Torridge, Barnstaple, Devon.

• The Devon Autism Centre,

67 High Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2AN, 0844 500 3699

The Devon Autism Centre is owned and operated by Simon and Silvia Haywood. Silvia is a qualified psychologist with a speciality in working with children with autism. Silvia has worked for Berkshire and Devon LEA within school settings. Silvia has an MA in autism from Sheffield Hallam; additionally Silvia is one of the few specialist undertaking the RDI Consultancy programme. Silvia is also an Earlybird and Earlybird Plus instructor. Simon is an ex-teacher who for the last 15 years has managed care homes for adults with autism and special needs. He has an MA in autism from Sheffield Hallam and is qualified and accredited to provide ABA interventions. The Devon Autism Centre is a sister company to Lycette Care, providers of high quality residential care and supported accommodation, details can be found at: caringchoice.co.uk.

• Phil Roberts of the Tarka Trust, runs a social skills group - philip@tarkahome.demon.co.uk

We would be happy to meet up with your client (with or without his parents) and may be able to offer attendance at our adult social club which is based in Barnstaple. We do 'vet' newcomers to make sure they are suited and can fit in with exisiting members. Tarka is a small ASD charity run entirely by volunteers and so our support is limited. Phil Roberts & Ros flack (trustee). Call Philip or Ros on (01598 710692 PERSONAL NUMBER).

• Community Arts Network is an independent provider of children’s services in North Devon. They run the CAN SAY Youth Club for disabled young people, (ages 10 to 25), including those with Asperger’s and Autism, fortnightly on a Saturday (February 6th and 20th 2010) from 2 – 5 pm at Pynes Infant School, Coronation Road, Bideford. Visit the website for the club dates. They charge £5.00 for the three hour session (price quoted 11/02/10 by Mary). The organisation is also seeking volunteers and is CACHE approved so they are looking into offering qualifications in the future.

Tel: 01237 471972 / 07778 683 769

• Devon Carers Link (West Bank Friends):

The Castle Centre, 25 Castle Street, Barnstaple EX31 1DR

Tel: 01271 372811 / 08456 435 072 / 08456 431 341

Carers Link is free to join and offers support, information & advice to those that are helping to care for someone else. Visit the above website and complete the form to join.

North Devon Carers Link and the Bideford Carers Support Group, for carers of people with all disabilities, including aspergers (already has one 18 year old male and his carer(s) in this group. Call first (08456 431 341) or just drop in on 18th January or 15th February, 7 – 9 pm at the Communal Hall, Marlborough Court, Park Lane, Bideford. It’s open to any carers.

Devon Carers Link advised that the Take a Break Sitting Service is only for elderly people or for those with physical disabilities (those with learning disabilities, Autism, Asperger’s etc are not eligible). There are cost implications – please contact Devon Carers Link for up-to-date charges. If eligible the cost per hour for sitting is £2.50 – price quoted on 10/02/10 by Sharon Star.

• Taw & Torridge Caring - 01237 459337 - Caroline Moore. The organisation runs a sitting service for adults with physical disabilities. They used to have one volunteer who sat with people with Autism or Down’s Syndrome but they have since left the organisation and do not have anyone else who could help at present. They offer to visit and assess the person involved, and help if they have the appropriate volunteer in future. They charge a sitting cost of £7.50 per hour plus 40p per mile for people who are not already accessing the ‘Take a Break’ sitting service (price quoted on 10/02/10).

Caroline advised that, in her experience, Direct Payments can be used to hire an appropriately qualified and experienced sitter from a local care agency.

• Torridge Voluntary Service - 01237 421580  - contact them for details of their befriending scheme.

Opening Times Monday to Thursday: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Website:

• National Autistic Society - .uk

Jenny Freeman is the National Autistic Society worker who covers Exeter and East Devon.



Undertake consultancy work in Bath and London. No provision in North Devon.

Prospects Employment Service We provide student support, work preparation programmes, job-finding support and employment support for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We also help employers with the recruitment, training and retention of staff with an ASD.

Transitions service Our transitions service offers advice, training and support for young people with autism who are about to leave school and move into adult life.

Student Support services - We support students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are in further and higher education.

The National Autistic Society, registered office: 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, United Kingdom.

Tel: +44(0)20 7833 2299, Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9666, Email: nas@.uk

• Asperger United magazine – 0207 903 3541 – is available from the National Autistic Society website:



• National Autistic Society Directory of local services:

• Asteroids



Tel: 07794 629135

Asteroids is an independent consultancy offering training and support to parents, schools and other groups and individuals working with people on the autism spectrum.

• Dimensions for Living Serves: Plymouth, Torbay but may be able to offer telephone support if out of area. Support and outreach services for people with autism. Support to parents with statementing process and transition. Training and support to prospective employees for people with Aspergers Syndrome. Support groups in Exeter and Newton Abbot, meeting twice a month. 1:1 support/life skills training for people with Aspergers Syndrome, parent/carer/professional support. Training to professionals/residential homes by arrangement. Pressure group for better services for people with ASD.

Contact: Barbara  Wilson (Counsellor & Trainer/Tutor ASD)

Telephone: 01404 813021, Mobile: 07887 656789, Fax: 01404 813021, email: barbara.wilson42@

• Aspergers and ME Group – 01392 410 266 – run by Tina Norman (SEN teacher who is also Chair of Devon Care Training and does Expert Patient training). Tina will email me North Devon contacts;

she suggested the North Devon Parenting Network, which meets at Torrington Children’s Centre



Julie.ford@.uk is one contact listed here; Tina is shown as attending.

• AUCHID (Autistic Children In Devon)

Main Website: (new window)

A group focussed on the needs of children with autism, their siblings and families. Accepts any child on the autistic spectrum. AUCHID offers a range of services, mainly organised outings to activities all over Devon, including day trips during school holidays. Age: from 3 to 16.

Contact Jayne Margaret Redwood, Exeter, Devon, EX2 Telephone number: 01392 434984

Email: administrator@auchid.co.uk

• SOCOPS

SOCOPS (Social Opportunities for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and their families) is for children and young people on the autistic spectrum between the ages of 8-16 who attend mainstream school and their families. This includes siblings who are encouraged to be part of the group as they often act as role models for children with ASD. SOCOPS offers a safe, supported environment for children in which to develop their confidence and social skills through fun activities. For adults, SOCOPS provide an opportunity to mix with others with similar experiences in order to network, share ideas and generally chat and offload to people who understand. The groups runs weekly during term time on Friday nights from 6.30-8.30pm at the Knight Club, Exeter. During school holidays some additional social events are held. A £1 charge per person per session, covers equipment and refreshment costs. The Knight Club, Beacon Lane, Beacon Heath, Exeter, Devon, EX4

Contact: Sean Murphy, Chairman, EX4, Tel: 07790 649802Email: socops@blueyonder.co.uk

Helen Murphy, Secretary, EX4, Tel: 07790 649802Email: socops@blueyonder.co.uk

• Disability Helpline – 0845 155 1005 – suggested:

• Aspergers Advocate – 01752 298 451 – Kay Woodward is the mother of son with Asperger’s, and acts as an unfunded, independent advocate and family support worker in the Plymouth area through the Benefits Angels charity.

• South Devon Asperger Group

There are two groups, one for children aged 5-11 years and the other for children aged 11-16 years. The groups meet once a week in term time. The parents have a chance to sit and chat to other parents about their experiences and help each other. The children have a group to help develop their social and communication skills, while their siblings have a play group and do crafts.

Kingsteignton Youth Centre, Broadway Road, Kingsteignton, Devon, TQ12 3EH Contact: Kate Jenkins, Chair, South Devon Asperger Group, TQ14, Tel: 01626 770143 Email: dagger5@tiscali.co.uk

• FREE BENEFITS ADVICE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Devon Welfare Rights Unit Telephone Advice Service: 01392 274869 dwru@.uk

• Riding for the Disabled, various locations - Tel: 0845 241 6301 – nearest centre is at Dulverton. They have suggested contacting the Calvert Trust regarding riding for the disabled – 01598 763 221.

• Connect is a newly-formed support and self-help group for adults (post 16) with Asperger’s Syndrome in the Wirral area, run by Gill Kenwright (0151 512 2200 ext 109, support@.uk). Thousands of people in the area have been diagnosed with the condition and she noticed that whilst there was a lot of help for students (up to 16 years old) with Asperger’s, when leaving education, there was no provision. Connect is a mental health organisation and charity, which offers training to people with mental health problems. Gill gave the following numbers for other organisations: Liverpool (Hannah Lacey) – 0151 737 4805, and Nottingham – 01623 436 636.[pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]

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