we are hiring pa and outreach workers

Join our team- We are hiring!

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We are Hiring !

We are looking for caring and enthusiastic people to join our PA & Outreach team.
If you wish to learn more come join us at our upcoming Recruitment event on 4th November, 10am-11:30am
This event will be at MAIN, The Finlay Cooper Centre, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6EN

Send us your CV today

Mayor, Chris Cooke with CEO Heather Whyman in soft play setting
Visit from Chris Cooke- Middlesbrough Mayor
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MAIN had the pleasure of inviting Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, to our centre

‘Last week I had the pleasure of visiting MAIN’s centre in North Ormesby, which is undergoing an exciting renovation to expand the services they provide for individuals with Autism. It was inspiring to meet CEO Heather Whyman, the dedicated staff, trustee Debbie Sullivan, and one of their valued members, Kieran.

Their motto, ‘Together Raising Smiles’, couldn’t be a better description of the support on offer

MAIN’s mission is all about empowering individuals and families living with Autism, and this renovation will help them do even more. This centre will be a safe, supportive space where young people can continue to develop life skills, rather than falling through the gaps in support provision as they transition to adulthood.

Heather Whyman, CEO said ‘It was so lovely to welcome Chris and Ben to MAIN last week and to spend some time discussing our current and future plans; MAIN are in the process of seeing our new ‘Pathways to Independence Centre’ opened by the end of this year, which will offer practical and educational support in a safe and secure environment for our young people to develop additional life-skills.’

It was clear from talking to Heather and the team that their passion and experience make a real difference in the lives of those they support. They know first hand the challenges that come with Autism, but they also know how to empower others to overcome them, always offering advice, workshops, and community connections. A huge thank you to MAIN for all the incredible work they do in Middlesbrough, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact of their new centre once it opens later this year!’

 

This is a post from Chris Cooke

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Volunteering at MAIN- Thank You Verity

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Verity volunteered her time to support MAIN whilst visiting the UK

Verity is the daughter of one of MAIN’s staff and offered to volunteer some time at MAIN. Verity is studying in her home country, Nigeria, and whilst visiting her Mum in the UK wanted to give back to the local community.

Verity was a great help and supported our team with administrative tasks and gained experience of a UK work environment

Thank you Verity

 

If you are interested in volunteering at MAIN please get in touch by emailing us or calling on 01642 608012

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Disability Pride Month: Thank You to our MAIN Family

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Individuals accessing MAIN’s Adult Group, Inbetweeners and Wednesday Tween and Teens raised money for MAIN

Back in July, MAIN promoted awareness of Disability Pride month. Disability Pride is celebrating what makes everyone different and to recognise the achievements and identities of people with disabilities. Our groups went for sponsored walks in aid of MAIN and raised a total of £971.40

Each group celebrated by attending Level X in club, the majority of the money went to sensory equipment and will go towards our Big Build for the second activity room.

 

Thank you again everyone 

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Fundraising Night: Reggae Night 30th November 2024

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Jovial Monk are hosting a Reggae Night to help raise money for MAIN

Jovial Monk has nominated MAIN as their charity of the year and are holding a new event for everyone to join in. Please come down to the Jovial Monk on 30th November for a Reggae Night to help support MAIN.

@ Jovial Monk , Kings Road, North Ormesby, TS3 6NQ

6pm 

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World Alzheimer’s Month 

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World Alzheimer’s Month

World Alzheimer’s Month takes place every September and is a global opportunity to raise awareness of dementia and to support people affected by it.
Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK.
This year MAIN have focused on becoming dementia friends with staff working towards being more aware of dementia and creating actions to carry through in both their work and everyday life.
‘Make a greater effort to contact elderly relatives’
‘Supporting a friend with dementia to apply for pension credits’
‘I am the service Manager for both Teesside and Durham offices. I will be offering staff Dementia Awareness Training ‘
‘Raising awareness by posting on social media’

 You can become a dementia friend too 

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Stockton CAMHS & Crisis Team

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Stockton CAMHS & Crisis Team

Who are the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) crisis and liaison team?

The crisis and liaison team provide mental health support to young people (up to the age of 18) who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health.

What can the crisis team do for me?

The team respond to the immediate mental health needs of young people, offering short term help, either at home or in the community, and will stay involved until there is a resolution of the immediate crisis.

Who can call us?

Anyone who is concerned about a young person experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the service. You can request a referral from your GP.

When to call us?

  • If a young person is suicidal or has self-harmed.
  • If a young person is experiencing extreme emotional distress that won’t stop.
  • If a young person is experiencing sudden or severe anxiety which is preventing them getting on with their normal life.
  • If a young person is in extreme emotional distress and would like to speak to someone.
  • If anyone needs urgent advice about a young person’s mental health.

What we can and can’t do

We can:

  • Complete urgent mental health and risk assessments.
  • Offer advice and support about how to cope in a crisis.
  • Help the young person and carers make plans to keep a young person safe.
  • Develop plans to offer ongoing support as and when required.

We cannot:

  • Provide medication.
  • Physically restrain a young person.
  • Provide accommodation.

Crisis Team Number 08000516171 24 hours a day seven days a week

 Find more information here 

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SEND Parent/Carer Survey- Middlesbrough

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Reminder to complete the SEND Parent/Carer Survey

Please remember to complete Middlesbrough’s SEND Parent/Carer survey

This is a great opportunity to give Parent/Carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities in Middlesbrough, a chance to give some feedback and have a voice.

Inclusion and Specialist Support Services- Middlesbrough

 

Click here to complete

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Inclusion Week 2024

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It’s National Inclusion week and this years theme is ‘impact matters’ which is looking to ‘reignite and energise the positive impact of inclusion’

National inclusion week was established in 2011 by Inclusive employers looking to build inclusive workplaces.
The Buckland Review of Autism employment was released earlier this year and found that just 3 in 10 autistic adults are in employment compared to just 5 in 10 for all disabled people and 8 in 10 for non-disabled people.
Our team in Durham can offer support around reasonable adjustments for the workplace and can aid communication with employers to work to make workplaces, education settings and volunteering placements more inclusive for autistic individuals.
We can also refer and signpost to Hiyed, Durham works and Durham enable who support people who are looking to get into work, we are working on building closer working relationships to enable us to better support our clients who are in work or looking to get into work, whether by applying for jobs, furthering education or volunteering.

 

Please email us  or call 0191 3008556 for more information

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MAIN attended a Veteran Open Day

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Pippa and Katherine, our Durham coordinators attended the Veterans Open Day that was held at Op Courage in Washington.
We spoke with Northumbria police about the Digital Information Bank – this is a resource for anyone that has a vulnerable relative with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, where they can record information about them in case they go missing.
There is also the Forcer Protocol recently set up that aims to reduce the risk or harm to service veterans, reservists and those currently serving in the forces if they go missing as this will enable the swift access to key information.
We also spoke with Walking with the Wounded who will work with anyone that has served in the forces, Op Courage works very closely with Combat Stress, there is a full assessment that takes place and when trauma is experienced will depend on what part of the service the person will be signposted.
Liaised with East Durham Veterans Trust who are keen to refer anyone that comes through their service that lives in Durham and has a diagnosis, as they are experiencing those who are struggling with late diagnosis.