Newsletter May 2023

Joanne Southall • June 19, 2023

On Friday 28th April at Down Syndrome Cheshire the PCF held their first informal coffee morning where parents and carers were able to catch up with other parents and speak to local organisations.

Thank you to Little Lungs, Cheshire Buddies, Mathew Southall (Children's Therapies-Health, OT, Physio, SALT), Disability Positive and Carers Trust.
 

At each of our events through the year we will have people from education, health and charities.

Pop along so you can ask them any questions about accessing their services.


We also attended SPACE coffee morning on Friday 19th May, with Kola North West, IASS, Live Cheshire and Steamtistic. It was great to meet new families. 


PCF Wednesday 24th May Forum

At our 'Mediation Services & Transition to Adulthood' forum we had presentations from a range of professionals. We had Suzie Franklin talking about mediation and how to access their services, we also had presentations from Annual Health Checks with Gill Tyler and Sean Donnelly, Paul Arista about Transition and Teresa King talking to us all about the Care Act. There was also time for the parents and carers who attended to speak to them during the coffee and lunch breaks and there was a lot of great sharing of experiences and information. Throughout the day, everyone got to attend the Market Place, which was a great opportunity for parents/carers to find out what they could access locally. We had Live! Cheshire, Livewell, Vivo, Derwen college, Pettypool college, Rooted & Booted, Danielle Ashley Activities Ltd IASS, CarersTrust. 

As always, the forum was a great opportunity for parent and carers to meet and share experiences and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone who came along.

Thank you to everyone who attended for all your feedback.


Click Here to View Slides from the May Forum

PCF reps continue to organise forums and focus groups to share your views and opinions. This month we had two successful online Transport Focus group were feedback was gathered from parents and carers about the issues they have had with transport over the past academic year. We would like to thank everyone who attended and for your feedback and we would like to invite you all to our online AGM meeting on Wednesday 5th July 10:30-12pm, where you can come along and discuss what you would like us to focus on for the next academic year.


Go to our EVENTS PAGE to book on our upcoming PCF events. 

Monthly Meetings
Our reps continued to attend our monthly meetings, these range from meeting with Information, Advice and Support Services to attending Special School heads meetings.

If there is anything you would like to raise with us about any issues or concerns, then please get in touch: 

contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com


For an update on Short breaks with Angela Lewis - Please CLICK HERE. 



After a successful Forum in May the PCF and School representatives will be meeting in person to discuss future planning and events for the next academic year. 

Our next upcoming event is our AGM. See What's On page.


Dates For Your Diary
All our Forum events are listed on the What's On page, with lots of information about each event.

You can book online.

WHAT'S ON PAGE

Register for our AGM


As we are now approaching the end of the academic year, schools and colleges are preparing for their 2024 intake. Here is a list of some of the planned college open days.

College Open Days

Endorphins - Activity Clubs


View the May 2023 Newsletter

SEND & Sensory workshops

For further information and to book a place, please contact
Yvonne Johnson 01606 606694/0777322617  
or email Cheshirewestcarersupport@makingspace.co.uk



Watch the Video


USEFUL CONTACTS....


Live Well Cheshire West - www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) - Tel 0300 123 7001 

www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Services/1279 

SEN Team - Tel 0151 337 6505

senteam@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Starting Well - 
www.startingwell.org.uk/

West Cheshire 0-16 CAMHS Tel - 01244 393200
www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/west-cheshire-0-16-camhs/


IPSEA- Call-in Helpline Tel- 0300 22 5899
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview

CONTACT Advice Line -Tel-0808 808 3555
https://contact.org.uk/ 


Click here for more...


Get Involved with the PCF.... 

 

We are always looking for new parents and carers to join us. You can attend meetings, give feedback to influence the services your child or young person uses or help us to identify the gaps in services. Also, a chance to meet other parents and learn about what's on offer in Cheshire West & Chester. 
 
email 
contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
or join us for one of our meetings. We hope to see you soon!


Copyright © 2023 CWAC PCF, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: 
contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com

CONTACT US
October 2026 PCF Newsletter
By Sara Mak • October 20, 2026
October 2026 PCF Newsletter HALF TERM EVENTS : SEND SUMMIT 2026 : PCF EVENTS & TRAINING
SEND Summit CWaC 2026 highlights
By Sara Mak • October 19, 2026
Cheshire West and Chester Council hosted the 2026 SEND Summit at Chester Racecourse. Highlights from the day.
Social Care, Family Support and Early Help PCF Forum  CWaC
By Joanne Southall • October 10, 2026
The Social Care, Family Support and Early Help Forum - Families First and Family Hubs, what services are available and how to access them plus Neighbourhood Hubs
Virtual Forum: Technology and Digital Resources
By Joanne Southall • October 8, 2026
information and support on technology, online safety and ways digital tools can enhance outcomes for children with SEND. PCF Cheshire West & Chester Event, Jan 2027
Planning for adulthood? Preparation for Adulthood Marketplace Event
By Joanne Southall • October 7, 2026
Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port Children and young people with SEND in Cheshire West and Chester. Planning for adulthood? Preparation for Adulthood Marketplace Event
By Sara Mak • September 29, 2026
LIVEWELL UPDATE : SEND SUMMIT 2026 : PCF EVENTS & TRAINING Parent Carer Forum CWaC newsletter September 2026
By Joanne Southall • September 22, 2026
Parent Carer Forum CWaC: Support Me As A Carer 10th May 2027 at Northwich Memorial Court - help unpaid carers access the support, information, and services available
Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)
By Lucy Kennerley • September 21, 2026
Government consulting on major changes to Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) and Alternative Provision. Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West and Chester
By Joanne Southall • September 1, 2026
14th June 2027 Short Breaks & Wrap Around Care Looking for activities or support services? open to parent carers of children/young people with SEND aged 0–25 in CWAC.
PCF Virtual Forum: Who We Are and What We Do.
By Joanne Southall • August 30, 2026
Role of the PCF - get involved, updates on education, social care and health priorities (from the new Designated Clinical Officer for SEND) for the year ahead.