The Engage programme has run for four years and is exclusively funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire. The programme is designed to support young adults who have struggled with the transition into adulthood and find daily existence difficult. The majority of  participants have needed additional support throughout their lives and have found education difficult.

The programme runs twice weekly and is open to anyone who feels like they need a hand to make the steps successfully into work, education or establishing their role within the community. Working in small groups the participants take active roles in their development and growth.

Please call 01788 576041 to find out more.

ILEAP

ILEAP is a Stratford-upon-Avon based charity who provide community-based leisure activities for anyone with additional needs aged 4 years and over. The inclusive leisure activities are chosen by the ILEAP members and take place in the heart of the local community throughout Warwickshire. Activities include things such as day trips, weekends away, cookery clubs, youth clubs, music and dance sessions, arts and crafts clubs, social nights, pamper clubs, bowling, sports, African drumming, swimming, cinema visits, parties and country walks. Taking part helps to build confidence, raise self-esteem, reduces isolation and promotes independence.

Together with Autism Conference

Act for Autism is hosting two Together with Autism conferences, taking place place in Nuneaton and Coventry.

The conference is free for parents/carers, professionals, and anyone with an interest in autism. These will include keynote speakers, workshops, information stands, and networking opportunities.

A previous conference took place in April 2022 with the following video from the day available: Together with Autism Conference – Warwick 2022 – YouTube.

Conference Dates:

•    10th September 2022 – Whitley Academy in Coventry
•    19th November 2022 – Nuneaton Campus of NWSLC (North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College)

Registration for the Coventry conference is available now and registration for the Nuneaton conference will be available on Eventbrite later on in September.

Award winning school caterer partners with ‘Love British Food’

As a new school year starts, Warwickshire school caterer,  Educaterers, is delighted to announce they are now one of a small number of partners of ‘Love British Food’.

‘Love British Food’ is a national organisation dedicated to encouraging people to seek out British food when they are shopping or eating out.

Educaterers serve up over 120,000 nutritious tasty meals a week in over 200 schools and colleges across Warwickshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire.

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership to hold free road safety event for Warwickshire residents this autumn

Warwickshire County Council along with its Warwickshire Road Safety partners will come together to deliver an engagement event around driver safety, to help raise awareness of project EDWARD.

Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) is using the theme Changing Minds, Changing Behaviour for 2022 as an opportunity to showcase best practice in road safety.

The event, which will take place at Dobbies Garden Centre, Rugby on Tuesday 20th September, 10am – 3pm will bring together partners from across Warwickshire, which include Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service which will be in attendance to offer free vehicle maintenance safety checks. Warwickshire Police will offer information about community speed watch and Warwickshire County Council will offer information and resources to support safe and active travel.

Make the most of your spare room and make a difference to a young person

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has worked in partnership with Barnardo’s for several years to provide support lodgings for Warwickshire young people leaving care aged 16-21. Barnardo’s are seeking new hosts!
Supported lodgings provide a young person with a room of their own in a private home where they are a member of the household but are not expected to become a member of the family. The householder, or host, provides a safe and supportive environment, working alongside professional services to help and support the young person in gaining skills for independent adult life.

Once your application has been accepted, Barnardo’s will provide induction and training and on-going support for both you and the young person staying with you. You will receive a weekly payment in respect of costs once a young person is with you.

To apply or hear more about this opportunity:

Call 02476 372596 or email BSLmidlands@barnardos.org.uk

Warwickshire Year 6 children are invited to apply for their secondary school place

Parents and carers of children starting in Year 6 this week are being asked to apply for their child’s secondary school place by the deadline of 31 October 2022.

Last year, there were 6,671 children who applied by the deadline for a Warwickshire secondary school place, with 82% being offered their first-choice school and a further 12% being offered a place at another of their school choices.

However, each year there are familes who are disappointed on National Offer Day (1 March), when they are offered a school that doesn’t reflect their preferences at all. This is often because they only apply to one school, instead of using more of the six possible choices on their application form. Families that miss the 31 October deadline are also much less likely to get offered a place at a preferred school.