Easter bunny hunt for Allsorts!

From the 2nd to the 4th of April, children can join in the special Easter bunny hunt for Allsorts with prizes up for grabs. Entries will only cost £1 with all proceeds donated to us!

The team at Five Valleys shopping centre are getting ready for some Easter egg-citement with something on offer every day during the Easter holidays.

Other events during the week include a small farmyard, in the centre’s courtyard offering youngsters the chance to meet and pet donkeys, sheep, goats, bunnies and more and as well as Peter Rabbit hopping around the centre spreading Easter cheer!

Kelly Winkworth, Assistant Centre Manager at Five Valleys, who is proud to be supporting Allsorts, a local Stroud Charity said: “We are excited to kick start our centres 2024 events programme with the Easter Extravaganza.

“In recognition of the cost-of-living crisis, the majority of our events are free of charge and we hope it’ll be a great chance for families to enjoy their Easter break with plenty of activities to get involved in.”

For more information head to What’s On – Retail shopping at Five Valleys, Stroud (fivevalleysstroud.co.uk)

Stores and restaurants will be open normal trading hours on Saturday however these may reduce slightly on Good Friday and Easter Monday with the majority remaining closed on Easter Sunday.

For store opening times visit  www.fivevalleysstroud.co.uk.

Come along and join the fun at the Easter bunny hunt for Stroud Charity Allsorts!

Allsorts ‘Charity of the year’ nomination at SoGlos Lifestyle awards

We’re hugely delighted that Allsorts has been nominated for ‘Charity of the year’ category at the SoGlos Lifestyle awards and to be up against some brilliant charities in Gloucestershire. To get through to the final stage we need your help…

It takes 5 minutes on the So Glos website. It requires some personal information and the option to choose whether you sign up for email communication from them (there’s no obligation).

Thank you!

‘Celebrating small changes’ – Jane Jones, Allsorts’ Charity Chief Executive writes on our blog

Sometimes you just have to avoid the negative stuff, don’t you?

Recently there has been public outrage regarding comments made by councillors in Warwickshire regarding SEND educational provisional. I’ve been reminded of many similar incidents, over many years, of councillors saying ill-judged and ill-informed comments on this and other topics regarding disability in different councils across the country. Personally, I like the outrage, as the responses it provokes from the public affirms that most people in our country want decent provision for disabled children.

Today, I’m not going to add my comments to those already made but instead am going to concentrate on what is wonderful about working with disabled children and those with additional needs and avoid the negative stuff.

She had tears in her eyes at the thought that it might be possible for him to say ‘Mum’ in the future.

Our happiest times at Allsorts, in play sessions, is when parents share the progress their children make. The smallest piece of progress is celebrated by all the parents at the play session, as they know how important it is to the parents of the child. The last Saturday I worked, one Mum was so happy that her child was eating better, and it was no longer such a struggle. Everyone was so happy for her! Another Mum talked about her 4-year-old child starting to form words. Saying M M M whilst looking at her. She had tears in her eyes at the thought that it might be possible for him to say ‘Mum’ in the future. The kettle was put on and tea and biscuits were had in celebration.

I have had recent experience of progress with my son, Jacob. He is a huge Strictly Come Dancing fan, having watched it obsessively since he was about 10 years old. He is now 23 and for the last few years we have taken him to the live show at Birmingham. Jacob hates loud busy places but because he is so motivated to see the show, he somehow manages to cope, which is truly a-maz-ing!

Gaining life skills in children and young people with additional needs can be slow and sometimes it is not obvious to you when you see your child every day. By attending an annual event, it is possible to identify positive progress. This year, Jacob asked whether he should put his coat on, instead of waiting to be told to put his coat on! And he moved out of the way of people on the footpath instead of me having to direct him to move. I was so happy to see these small changes!

I told my friends who are also parenting young adults with additional needs. Messages of celebration were sent and gratefully received. I came back to work on the Monday morning and told the Allsorts team, many who know Jacob. They were happy to hear this and celebrated his success also.

This world of parenting is not easy, but I love the way that the community supports each other and celebrating the progress that children make, however small, is an important part of that.

Jane Jones has been the Chief Executive at Allsorts since 2020

Jane trained and qualified as an Occupational therapist and soon developed an interest in working with families who had children with additional needs, providing equipment and adaptations.

Jane is the proud mother of four sons, one of whom has many challenges in life and it was he who first brought Jane into contact with Allsorts when her family moved up from Cornwall to be closer to both family and the Bristol hospitals.

Jane has two basset hounds and her son, Jacob, has a shitzu cross and they enjoy walking them and generally spending time with them. Jane has been involved with Allsorts since 2018.

‘Listening to Parent Carers’ – Jane Jones, Allsorts’ Charity Chief Executive writes on our blog

Like so many others in this country, I watched the ITV documentary, Mr Bates versus the Post Office, with anger and sadness that so many people’s lives were unnecessarily ruined by the Post Office and their new software system.

The sub postmasters weren’t listened to, were wrongly blamed for what was not their fault, they were bullied, they lost their financial well-being and were drawn into legal battles which they had little chance of winning. It was a case of people using their power and privilege to silence the “skint little people”, to quote the drama.

Many people felt shocked that this could happen in modern day Britain, but whilst feeling angry and sad, I was not shocked at all because we hear stories of parents of disabled children having similar experiences to the sub postmasters.

It takes enormous courage to approach a person of power, be it a G.P., a teacher, a social worker, to talk about concerns you might have about the health and development of your child. Many parents talk about waiting for too long because they hope ‘the system’ will pick up what appears obvious to them. Many parents do have positive experiences and the child and family are listened to, supported and provided for, but this seems increasingly rare. So many parents are, instead, wrongly judged and blamed and their concerns are ignored or belittled. They are told that it is their parenting that is to blame, that they are trying to get special treatment for their child, that they have mental health difficulties, that they are fabricating illness. Their courage is deflated as they understand that in order to get the necessary care, adjustments and support their child requires, from broken systems, is a lengthy, brutal process.

At Allsorts, we hear every day outrageous stories of abuse of power. We have known an autistic child become so dehydrated at school on a hot day that they have needed to be taken to A&E. The reason? The child wouldn’t drink water and the school tipped out the squash in their drinking bottle, not listening to the parent.

Another child being educated in a corridor of a mainstream school, another parent blamed for seeking a break from their child’s intensive support needs, another parent having to give up work whilst waiting for the right school provision after being offered just 6 hours of education a week.

Those parents that can afford it often turn to legal help to ensure that their child receives the support they need, particularly in getting the right school provision for their child. It is with relief that I can tell you that parents do have the law mostly on their side, unlike the sub postmasters. However, if parents weren’t “skint little people” before this fight, they so often will be after a lengthy legal battle, especially as so many children aren’t in school during this time and the family lose a wage because of it.

Parents who didn’t experience mental health difficulties before fighting for provision for their child, often gain them along the way, causing yet more in need patients for the NHS. It can often take 2 years to get the assessment and education processes in place and that is often because parents are not listened to, or blamed, and in some cases bullied by the people in power.

I can only urge the people in power to listen and believe. Quick negative judgements are a societal failure born through lack of money for the everyday person. The parent who is seeking help has not come to you simply because they are demanding, they have come to you because they have true concerns about their child and they have found the courage to do so. They might require the smallest of adjustments for their child that you can easily make, which can make all the difference.

Like the sub postmasters, parents gain power when they come together and as a parent carer myself this is what made the battles easier for me when my disabled child was younger. Knowing that you are not alone and talking through your experiences with others is comforting and reassuring and you feel less isolated. At Allsorts, we believe that getting parents together is one of the most helpful things we can do, whilst offering fun healthy opportunities to their children.

Jane Jones has been the Chief Executive at Allsorts since 2020

Jane trained and qualified as an Occupational therapist and soon developed an interest in working with families who had children with additional needs, providing equipment and adaptations.

Jane is the proud mother of four sons, one of whom has many challenges in life and it was he who first brought Jane into contact with Allsorts when her family moved up from Cornwall to be closer to both family and the Bristol hospitals.

Jane has two basset hounds and her son, Jacob, has a shitzu cross and they enjoy walking them and generally spending time with them. Jane has been involved with Allsorts since 2018.

Cheltenham based Stay and Play Sessions

Stay and Play

Sessions for children aged 0 – 8 years with additional needs or a disability.
Thursday 22nd February, 2.30 – 5.15pm at Belmont School, Cheltenham, GL51 3AT

We’ve exciting activities for children:

  • Sensory toys to play with and borrow
  • Soft play
  • Our amazing interactive Magic Carpet!
  • Sports and games with one of our coaches
  • A chance to meet other local parents
  • Fully accessible with a spacious toilet

Come and join in!

Allsorts is hiring!

Are you interested in working in the charity sector, then look no further! Allsorts is hiring and currently have two exciting job vacancies:

1. Social Media and Digital Content Officer: This role focuses on supporting the Team with our online presence and creating compelling digital content to engage with our audience.

2. Community and Events Fundraiser: In this position, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our community, organizing events and fundraising initiatives to support our cause.

Why work for Allsorts?

Allsorts is a place full of happiness, positivity and potential. We’re always on the lookout for enthusiastic and energetic people to join our team and help support Gloucestershire families with disabled children. We are a friendly and flexible employer with plenty of benefits as we know that those who work for Allsorts go above and beyond for the charity.

We encourage people with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds to apply for our jobs. Our offices and interview space are wheelchair accessible, with a Changing Places toilet. There is also accessible parking and a lift close by. All job literature is available in alternative formats upon request. We welcome potential applicants to have a conversation with us about any interview adaptations they may need.

To learn more about the job vacancies and how to apply click here!

Leap into 2024 and fundraise for Allsorts!

This year we get a whole extra day on 29th February. Why not Leap into 2024 and fundraise for Allsorts on that day!

Raise £29 and help support disabled children and their families!

Here are some Leap into 2024, fundraising ideas..

  • You could plan a dress down day at work
  • Or maybe a fancy dress day at school!
  • What about a one day cake sale?
  • You could ask your employer about raffling off an extra days’ annual leave and turn an extra day into a bonus days’ holiday for one lucky colleague!
  • How about enjoying a peaceful afternoon with a sponsored silence? At work, in the classroom or at home.
  • Pick your favourite sport; choose any activity and get people to pay an entry fee to take part. From 5-a-side football to tennis to a running club.
  • Take on a virtual challenge. In a location that suits you, why not walk from London to Paris (the equivalent of 360 miles) between your colleagues or classmates?
  • Enjoy a games night with friends and family and charge a small entry fee
  • Quizzes are a classic and a lot of fun; choose your location, decide on the theme and charge an entry fee.
  • You can download all 29 fundraising for Allsorts ideas here.

Here’s what you need

Take advantage of this extra time on Leap Day to create a positive impact. If you have any questions about how to fundraise for Allsorts, feel free to contact our friendly team at 01453 750374.

Thank you for supporting Allsorts! Happy 2024!

Allsorts of Conversations – Podcast Launch

To kick-start January we’re launching our own podcast – Allsorts of Conversations.

Regular guests will be joining us to talk about family life. We aim to increase awareness of the highs and some of the challenges having children with additional needs brings.

In our first episode we chat to Christa Mahana, mum to two beautiful boys, Ezra and Jesse. Thank you so much Christa for agreeing to be our first guest and for speaking so openly with us.

A huge thank you also to member, Lewis Rooke who recorded the opening music for us with Lee Holder from the Music Works 

The link below will take you to Spotify to listen to the podcast. You don’t need an account for this unless you would like to leave a review. Reviews enable higher rankings within Spotify, therefore you gain more exposure, so they are very welcome!  

https://open.spotify.com/show/4uh6rEPw0YOHt5bVUJNgQB?si=eaf0921d145a4e91 

We hope you enjoy listening and look forward to sharing future episodes with you.  

Grab a cuppa and join us in the toy store… 

Westonbirt Arboretum 10K Challenge

The 10K challenge at Westonbirt Arboretum is set to make a comeback in 2024!

This brilliant event , which takes place in beautiful surroundings will be held on the evening of Thursday, May 23rd at 7pm.

Tickets for the event will be available for purchase starting from Wednesday, January 10th. https://buff.ly/3HcHS0Q

Why not fundraise for Allsorts at the same time and support disabled children and children with additional needs within your local community.

Take part in the 10K challenge 2024 and make a positive impact!