Annual Report 2010-2011
2010/2011 has been another good year in raising awareness of DCD/dyspraxia and the co-occurring conditions, not just locally but across Wales.
The Young People
Our young people have been incredibly active. In September 2010, Simon wrote another letter to Caroline Rees, Head of Additional Needs at the LEA and asked to present (what later became our DVD “Living with Dyspraxia”) to her and her colleagues. At our October meeting, Simon, Tom, Rhys, Lawrance, Sam and Laura made the presentation live at Barry Hospital. They went on that month to make the presentation at the LEA to a sizeable audience.
The DVD
The production of the DVD was the major achievement of the year. This was made possible by the gift of funds from the now disbanded Dyspraxia Group in Rhondda Cynon Taff. Filming took place in October at Barry Hospital in both English and Welsh and the DVD was finalised in January after a lot of hard work by the young people involved with Simon and Ffion selecting images and the soundtrack, translating the text as well as taking part. The DVD has been widely distributed to politicians, LEA personnel, and through Caroline Rees of the LEA to all schools in the Vale, as well as to a wide range of partner organisations. Feedback has been uniformly positive.
Awareness raising and liaison
The Group had a stall at Barry College in the autumn, at the Dickensian Fayre in December and at the launch of the Vale Children and Young People Strategy in March. Simon met the principal of Atlantic College (who have recently announced support activities for young people with specific learning difficulties). Representatives of the Group have attended a presentation on multiagency family support, a lecture by Professor Kirby and social media course for voluntary organisations, as well as a presentation by Sue Palmer entitled “Toxic Childhood”.
Social activities
Young people enjoyed ten pin bowling and a cinema trips in the summer, at Christmas and at other times. We also had an enjoyable BBQ in Porthkerry Park during the summer.
On-going activities
Speakers at our regular meetings have included; Jane Hutt AM; Tony Hampton, Vale Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning; Alun Cairns MP; Jane Harries, Welsh Assembly Government; a representative from Air Cadets and to round off the year, Professor Kirby of the Dyscovery Centre.
Our lending library, including resources from the Health Promotion Library, has operated throughout the year. The laptop project has been ongoing with many young people benefiting. The helpline and the website have maintained the Group’s public profile and led to a number of new contacts and partnerships with bodies such as Llamau, Afasic Cymru, Beechwood College.
Fundraising
Although we spent rather more than we received during the year because the DVD was funded entirely from our resources, the group has received a modest grant from the Vale. The quiz and our stall at the Dickensian Fayre also raised additional funds for the Group in addition to the voluntary donations at the monthly meetings.
Volunteering
Two of our young people have volunteered to date with VVB and have gained “Star Volunteer” and “Millennium Volunteer” awards. Three have completed D.of.E Scheme at Bronze and Silver levels. These opportunities are of course available to all our young people.
Ellen Woodward
Group Leader