Page 13 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2003 13
Special needs group celebrates 16 years BLAYLOCKS
with call for funding support SWINDON'S FAMILY
Swindon Opportunity Group, Koalas, one of Swindon's most important support groups for children with SHOE SHOP
special needs and their families continues to battle for survival, despite being recognised as an essential Est. 1920
voluntary group. Group coordinator Stephanie Hathaway describes their work. Black, tan
The present government advo- the staff which may in- ®R or red.
Sizes 3 - 8
cates early intervention as the fu- volve physiotherapy £40
ture for children's services, but this or occupational
Black or brown
is nothing new to Koalas. therapy. Some chil-
Sizes 4-8
From providing a shoulder to dren require support
cry on, support at numerous ap- with speech and com- J.
pointments, to assisting with the munication develop- ^ t
rieker
completion of the Disability Liv- ment and so liaison
ing Allowance forms and appeals, with the relevant BLAYLOCKS
Koalas gives this level of support therapists is essential 1 Bath Road Corner, Old Town
to families on a daily basis. This is to help them reach Tel: 534271
in addition to the work with the their full potential.
children who have special needs Some children also
and their siblings in our play cen- receive the home
tre next to Victoria Hospital in Old teaching service Por- Children's Information
Town. tage. We work closely Service Swindon
As with all pre-schools Koalas with the family and
has to meet all legislation and the teachers to ensure Drop in and see what we have to offer
guidelines. We have been inspected consistency of ap- Monday to Friday. 1 Oam to 3pm
by Ofsted twice with positive re- proach. Further liaison with rel- penditure increases and is cur- 13 Market Street, Swindon
sults and meet the new national evant bodies is needed if a child rently £47,000 which means we Tel: 01793 541786: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Standards in Daycare provision. attends mainstream pre-school need to raise £25,000 to break even. (with ansaphone)
The majority of our children who and when they progress to school. If anyone is interested in joining We provide FREE information on anything
attend have additional needs and Our firm belief at Koalas is that the Koalas committee as either a to do with children aged 0-14 years.
require a higher level of input from parents know their child better main member or a fundraising e.g. childcare, social activities,
than anyone else; so it friend, please do contact us. funding and working with children
is essential to work We would also like to hear from CIS is supported by the 51NFORMq TjO
closely with them to businesses in the town willing to Early Years Development . ° NSF
f
understand the needs support us. & Childcare Partnership = p} ^^
of the child within the Please call me at Koalas on Reg. charity: 1081621 O SWINDON
family to further their 615351. You can also find out more
development. about us at www.koalas. org.uk
Koalas is run by a
management commit-
tee of parents who
have a child with spe-
cial needs and four
other interested peo-
ple. We also have rep-
resentatives from
Health and Social The highest
Services who provide
part of our funding. quality childcare
It has become in-
creasingl difficult to and education.
y
get a full complement
of parents on the com-
mittee due to their hec- VYy We offer a safe,
tic lives. This results 10th stimulating '
Koalas mum Stella Alston with Bethany and ha -^
in the same few carry- pp y
Freya Jamison in the sound corner ing out many tasks, the Birthday environment
most arduous being Party for chitdrer
fundraising. 2lstlune aged 1 18
Grants from Health months
and Social Services 10am - 4pm to 5 years.
covers less than half Lets of fantastic .
of Koala's running Secure, caring environment
attractions
costs. The rest needs • Education through play
to be found through All invited . Flexible schedules
donations and grant • Qualified and experienced staff
applications. • OFSTED regulated
We have been ex-
tremely fortunate to OPEN
gain the support of 8am - 6pm
companies like the
DeVere Hotel, Kaisha throughout the year s ^, a
T e c h n o l o g y, Tel: 01793 845572 < ^^M and^^ c^
Motorola, Zurich, and
man more. Web: www.asquithc ourt.co.uk
y
y
Each ear our ex-