autism. west midlands Resource Centre and Services in Sandwell
We have established a range of services in the Sandwell area: Our Resource Centre is based at St Michael’s Court in West Bromwich but also services the surrounding areas, we provide information on a wide range of autism related topics in response to enquiries from families and professionals.
Please see information below ring or call in to: 0121 525 4529
St Michael’s Court
Resource Centre
Unit 7
Victoria Street
West Bromwich B70 8ET
Information Services
Most enquiries are dealt with initially via the Helpline, which is staffed from 9.00am until 3.00pm Monday to Friday. An answerphone is available for all other times. We aim to respond to any requests for written information within 2 working days. People can also contact us by email on.
Contact: Susan Brown susanb@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
0121 5254529
To download the St Michaels newsletters,
click the appropriate link below:
(These are in publisher format)
May Newsletter
Easter Newsletter
The following services may be able to offer information, guidance, signposting or support, please make contact as appropriate:
Autism Co-ordinator for Sandwell
We have established in partnership with Sandwell local authorities a post of Autism Co-ordinator who’s role is to network with statutory and voluntary services, professionals and autism.west midlands services to help provide co-ordination across the area concerning ASD.
Contact: Sara Wolczek saraw@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5254529 or 07980 678644
Family Support Services
Our staff are able to offer emotional support by acting as a sympathetic listener and helping parents and carers explore all the options to decide what they should do next in the best interests of their family members. In some areas of the region we have staff who can offer support by working with families in their locality and at a time and place to suit the family’s needs to discuss any problems offering guidance, advice, information, advocacy and support.
We can enable families to make contact with local support groups for vital ‘parent to parent’ support and signposting to agencies with expertise relevant to their situations:
Contact: Shelley Grigg ShelleyG@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5254529 or 07985 435186
Asperger Syndrome Support Services
If you are a person with Asperger Syndrome or you have a son or daughter with the condition, or you are a professional seeking guidance you may benefit from making contact with us for general advice or more specifically for:
ASSET:
Asperger Syndrome outreach support services for people with Asperger Syndrome who need support to help with developing independent lifestyles, perhaps moving into their own accommodation or organising and managing problems they face:
Contact: Alice Hirst aliceh@auismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5254529 or 07793 389532
ASpire:
Employment Support services for people with Asperger Syndrome which could include: Personal Development, Work Experience and support in the workplace:
Contact: Kerry Purnell kerryp@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5254529 or 07971 261328
Education & Training
We provide training days and workshops for families on a variety of topics such as: Communication, Behaviour Management, Dealing with Adolescence, Building Self Esteem, Physical Interventions, Access to Rights & Services and Anger Management. These workshops are delivered regularly across the region with the aim of empowering parents and providing the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with what can be very challenging situations. We also provide Managing Challenging Behaviour courses for small groups of parents over a 6 week period as funding allows:
Contact: training@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 4507576
Autism ‘Attention Card’
We have recently introduced an ‘Attention Card’ which people with an ASD can carry in case they become involved with emergency services or the Police for example. This card has been validated by both West Midlands Police and West Mercia Police. We are also working hard to raise awareness of preventative actions with these and other organisations:
Contact: Head Office Information Services
info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 4507575
Membership
One good way of keeping in touch is through becoming a member of our organisation, further information is available on our website or from Information Services. We produce a Sandwell Newsletter ‘Autism Matters’ bi-monthly which aims to keep families and professionals informed of our activities around the region. We also review relevant publications and research etc.
Contact: Head Office Information Services
info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 4507575
Residential and Autism Outreach Services
We have a Supported Living Scheme in St Paul’s in Sandwell for people with ASD and complex needs, which currently has no vacancies. We are also a registered Domiciliary Care Agency and can offer outreach support for people with ASD, perhaps for those who are living with parents and where the person with ASD and the family need support or someone to work with their son or daughter in local community activities:
Contact: Alan Heath
alanh@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5557863
Contact: Susan Brown
susanb@autismwestmidlands.org.uk 0121 5254572
If you would like to contact us about any other ASD is sue s that cannot be addressed through communication with the people above:
autism.west midlands - Head Office,
18 Highfield Road,
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3DU
Helpline: 0121 450 7575
Email: info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
Website: www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk
By post: To Information Services at the above address.