Bedford Cat Cafe

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A couple of weeks ago I dragged my best friend off to the Cat Cafe in Bedford to see what it was like and how accessible it is for the children I support.

I can’t lie; there were a LOT of rules and I mean a LOT. The rules were to ensure the animals were kept safe and everyone conducted themselves in line with the animal’s needs. However they were emailed to me, then re-emailed and then, once you arrive at your pre-arranged time, you are kept in the reception space (between two door ways which are both locked) and they are gone through again………. However once inside the cafe is amazingly clean. I can’t lie; I thought it was going to be a cat hair hell. But it was nothing of the sort. It was immaculate and lots of the cats were long-haired. With hindsight, I should have asked for top tips as I struggle with Saffy’s short hair in my little house ;-)

One of the (many) rules was that you can buy food from the cafe but it cannot be offered to the cats and if you move away form your table you need to use the food covers (which they provide). I decided to not eat and instead opted for my favourite; the cappucino. The chocolate dusting on the top was in paw print shapes. Well that was it for me; I loved it at the cat cafe. Ha ha ha. My friend ordered a tea and the little dish for the tea bag had a cat in it. It was adorable.

Cats have been proven to support people’s wellbeing and reduce the risk of stroke. This is why lots of older people’s homes and supported facilities have cats. With this in mind I wanted to explore what the cafe felt like for the children I support. The cats were very calming and some of the children there appeared to enjoy playing with the toys, which the cats enjoyed. There was a strange busy and calmness to the cafe. With this in mind, I’ve decided to take one of the children there in September. The child has profound and multiple learning/physical disabilities with a sensory impairment to see what she thinks of the cafe - so watch this space!

How adorable id this cappuccino with paw print chocolate dusting

The tea bag dish - how cute!

I’m famous! Oh. Hang on. The cats are famous……I’m just in the way

I'm still moaning about the heat (but I'll stop soon - promise)

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Wow! What a scorcher of a week it has been. So hot and sticky. My creativity was zapped and my ability to keep going was greatly challenged by the heat. However, it’s cooler this week so I should be back to firing on all cylinders…..that’s the plan anyway ;-)

Last week was hot so it was all about finding air-conditioned venues and keeping very vulnerable children cool and calm. At one point I found myself sheltering in McDonald’s as the plumber was in my house and had the heating on FULL - awful! But the children have been amazing - lots of ice-cream, fans, drinks and water play. Plus the compulsory car-selfie - goes without saying really doesn't it.

I have completed my Communication & Interaction workshops with Luton now. I think they have been taken well by those that attended. Lots of practitioners did not attend which was a shame but those who did were great and so involved and motivated. I think the opportunity to meet face-to-face and do activities which were practical rather than IT based where a breath of fresh air to practitioners……everything is becoming too ‘meet on teams’ or ‘meet on zoom’ so being away from this was really positive.

Apart from this - my week has been tiring and I’m focusing on work/life balance (something I really struggle with). This week I intend to have more ‘life’ :-)

Stay cool!

The classic car-selfie! But on my goodness, look at my roots - scary!

The last venue for my Communication & Interaction workshops - the pink trolley had to make a feature - obviously.

S, with her slinky, having an aromatherapy massage - the smell was amazing!

The only reason we had a McFlurry at 10am was to combat the heat - honestly……… ;-)

A busy week and it's getting hotter (again)

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Last week I supported an amazing young person and her family to go to Grove Farm PYO (Pick Your Own). We had plans to pick strawberries and then, me being me, had visions of exploring the fruit with our hands and feet, making smoothies, printing with them and many many more ideas. However. There were no strawberries!! So we settled for blackberries instead.

The PYO is an amazing sensory experience although the wheelchair took a beating over the very uneven ground. Luckily A was wedged into her moulded chair so the shaking was kept to a minimum. We also ensured she looked very trendy in her sunglasses. Being outside in the fresh air is so incredible and beneficial to everyone - especially people who have to spend a lot of time inside due to their complex health needs.

So, in a nut shell, the PYO is a great activity; cheap and accessible. We loved not and will be back!

I had a great time in the Council Chambers this week. I facilitated my Communication and Interaction Workshops to staff at Luton Council. One workshop had 4 staff plus me in the huge council chambers - it was definitely the best place I’ve ever lead a training session that’s for sure. The staff I have met have been amazing; full of passion, dedication and humour. As you know, I can be inappropriate but only for a laugh as I am actually very square and really dedicated to the voice of the disabled child being heard and actioned.

I’ve developed a 2 hour Communication & Interaction session for staff supporting children with SEND/trauma which incorporates a practical approach to objects, symbols and signs. I’m hoping to develop this further and then offer it out to providers as part of their CPD.

I’ve managed to get a good copy of the book “Peace at Last'“ by Jill Murphy. As a child I loved this book and my original copy is held together with love and luck so I’ve been looking for a copy to make into a social story for work. I managed to bag this copy for £1.00 at the seaside. It was outside a house and money was going to charity so I was thrilled to get a decent copy. I’m now busy planning the objects that are needed. I love making social stories……perhaps I should film them for my YouTube channel? Anyway……..that’s for another time.

Have a great week! It’s going to be a hot one so remember the stay hydrated, apply sun-lotion and ice-cream counts as fruit when the temperature is over 25 degrees…….honestly

Look at that amazing view at Grove Farm PYO - but no strawberries

Luton’s version of Trafagular Square with plenty of pigeons bathing and children being shouted at to ‘stop!’.

The poshest venue I’ve ever facilitated my Communication & Interaction Workshop

Yay! I’ve found a new copy for my sessions

Transition into adulthood - why is it so complicated?

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I’m not really sure where I am going with this blog post, if I’m being totally honest. For those of you who know me, you know that in a previous life I worked in the transition process across education, health and social care for a local authority. I cared so much about this work and the voice of the young person with SEND to prepare for adulthood - both aspirationally and legally. I attended every ‘transition’ event and gave the same message for consistency and facts.

Yet……..

The topic of transitions still seems to cause confusion, a blank stare and panic. I’m guessing that for professionals it is because their work load is so great that they are simply trying to survive the day job……learning a new skill or yet another process (on the computer) is just pouring into an overflowing jug. Perhaps this is why families feel they do not know where to turn…….So much to think of. Are all local authority websites up to date and relevant…?

I’ve got so many questions and I’m not sure whether the answers are relevant or not…….at the end of the day, young people need to be heard, families need to feel supported and adult services need to stop being seen as bad…..they are different because the law is different for adults.

I’m heading out the door now so I’ll finish now but I feel that I could have written loads! I’ll do another normal blog soon - promise.

Take care

Sensory Play - beach at home

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I am always looking for budget-friendly and accessible activities to stimulate the children with complex needs I support. Yesterday the sun was shining so it was an ideal time to ‘go to the beach’. You can use whatever you have laying around at home to create your beach. I used:

  • A washing up bowl with some children’s play sand in it.

  • A small paddling pool (I think it was £3.00 from The Works)

  • Some balls from a ball-pool (I think these were from Poundland - a large bag for a couple of pounds - perfect!)

  • A spray bottle with cold water.

  • The sounds of the sea and seagulls (YouTube on my phone)

  • A towel

  • A bubble machine

The children had such a lovely and relaxing afternoon. It also meant I had time to grab a coffee and a sandwich as they were happy exploring the different textures. Always a bonus!

You can make the sand edible by using crackers (or similar) blended to a powder. You can add a bucket and spade or you could eat ice-cream or wear different sunglasses and hats……the list is endless. I like making a sensory beach as the options are endless.

Have a lovely summer!

C enjoying her feet being in the sand - we covered her feet and then added water. So many different textures to explore.

C put the towel on her lap and we played ‘peek-a-boo’. She loved the bubbles popping on her skin. Lots of giggles!

E loved sitting in the little paddling pool and playing with his toys - a great way to stay safe.

Changing Places Toilet Awareness Day 2022

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I could write about this topic for hours - but I’ll save you that. I think my message is: equality and inclusion should include the toilet.

For those of you who have never heard of a Changing Places Toilet they are a toilet (goes without saying) but in a large room which also includes a changing bed and tracking hoist (hoist attached to the ceiling). These spaces are much bigger than a traditional disabled toilet and they support the needs of people who need hoisting or perhaps a bed to have their personal care needs met. There is enough space for the person needing the toilet, their mobility equipment and carers. They are a great resource but sadly there are still too few around. I suspect cost plays a part in this due to the equipment and its maintenance so you’d expect large organisations to lead the way. However I live near Whispnade Zoo and they sadly do not have one :-(

As I said, I could talk forever about the importance of being able to access the toilet but I’ll leave it there for now. Please support Changing Places Toilets by sharing information about them and highlighting their importance.

You see, I did well……..I didn’t go on for long at all (I think the fact it’s the hottest day in the UK every recorded is helping me be concise).

Next time you go to the toilet just stop and think about people who need support……..their opportunities are restricted because of an unmet basic need.

Take care

Hydration, hydration, hydration!

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After severely abandoning my blog and website, I thought the summer would be a great time to re-start it and focus my energies. I dutifully put a diary reminder in my phone for every Monday to update the blog and write inspiring and informative pieces about the world of PMLD children and adults as well as those with SEND. Today is my first diary entry called ‘BLOG’. I wanted to write about creative and budget friendly activities you can do with your children and the adults you support to be engaged over the summer. I wanted to mention that tomorrow is CHANGING PLACES TOILET AWARENESS DAY. This is something I am so passionate about and will definitely come back to. I wanted to talk about my plans going forwards with my business as there are lots of changes afoot and I think 2023 is going to be interesting.

However

Its been nearly 40 degrees today. I’ve had 3 showers and contemplating a 4th. I’m bloated and uncomfortable from drinking so much water and I’ve only had 2 small wees. With all this in mind, my blog today is to stay hydrated and to remember that ice lollies are an amazing form of fluid.

Remember to look after each other and be kind to yourself - this heat is tough and self care is important, especially if you are caring for a vulnerable child or adult.

Take care x

Frozen fluid - enjoy!

January 2022

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Well 2022 has arrived with a bang and has flown by and it is now the 2nd February. Where on earth has this month gone? With this in mind I thought I would provide an update on what I am up to and what I am working on at the moment…….

MAKATON

I am so happy to report that I’m really pushing my makaton skills this year. I am facilitating training sessions for a great bunch of staff at a local special needs school. Their enthusiasm is endless but they are not yet ready for formal workshops and have instead opted for bespoke sessions with a focus on their specific classes. We have been learning to read and sign '“Dear Zoo” together and “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from Toy Story. I am looking to support staff to identify the key words to sign as well as signing fewer signs well is better than signing more words weakly. We are having lots of interesting discussions and doing all this over zoom……anyone else struggle with the zoom culture? I ask a question a lots of faces in boxes on my screen stare back, on mute. It is quite unnerving. Ha ha ha.

I am keen for all my local special schools and day providers to use makaton well. I am re-introducing it, accurately, into one school and starting with signing to music as a hook. We are having lots of conversations about translating songs versus interpreting songs. Makaton will interpret to support the individual to understand what is being communicated rather than a simple translation. This makes some songs very tricky and I have to say, I have failed, at signing. I am thinking specifically of “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice.

SENSORY SESSIONS

I have come across an amazing little sensory space in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, called SENSORY MAGIC. It is owned and run by Ally who is an amazing lady with so much passion and knowledge for children and adults with learning disabilities. She has converted a room in her house as a sensory space which is inclusive and interactive. I have taken C there already and she loved it. She was relaxed and happy and loved exploring the different textures. This lead to her make some independent choices which was great to see.

I am taking S there soon to see if she likes it - watch this space!

WELLBEING

January has seen my wellbeing sessions focus on personal hygiene for some groups, consent and appropriateness for others. All this is linking to the peer-on-peer abuse work highlighted by ofsted in the summer of last year. I totally believe in meaningful sessions that support an individual to progress rather than tokenistic efforts which do not value the individual. This is proving a bit of a challenge but I am doing my best to make my sessions relevant.

ETSY SHOP

Watch this space…….

Makaton - SLEEP - Christmas Advent Calendar

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We've arrived!

Todays Makaton Christmas sign is SLEEP.

I am so incredibly appreciative of everyone who has watched my videos on any of my social media platforms. I am the queen of blagging. I have great blagability skills (yes I have invented this word). I pretend to be confident and yet find this so anxiety inducing and exposing. However I know how amazing Makaton is in giving a voice to children and adults and it is for this reason I put on my big girl pants and sit on my kitchen floor and sign for you.

A huge thank you to everyone who has followed the daily signs this month. It really means so much to me. Thank you.

From the bottom of my heart - ENJOY THE FESTIVE BREAK - do you and do what's best for you. It is YOUR Christmas so make sure you enjoy it.

Take care x

Makaton - ROBIN - Christmas Advent Calendar

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Good morning!

Todays Makaton Christmas sign is ROBIN. Robins evoke such positive feelings within me, especially at Christmas, as I remember the people that are no longer at our table. So I hope you like this sign as much as I do.

The sign for robin beautifully shows how Makaton builds on its core concepts to make new concepts. The sign for robin is made up of three signs: RED CHEST BIRD. When these three individual signs are linked together they make a new word. I hope this makes sense…..

Stay safe and warm today.

Happy signing!