Tag Archive for: Neurodivergent

Nala- Therapy Dog

Please Welcome to the MAIN Family- Nala- The Therapy Dog

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Nala the Therapy Dog’s First Week at MAIN

We are delighted to introduce Nala, our new therapy dog volunteer, who has had an exciting first week at MAIN! Nala went for her assessment with Pets at Therapy last month and passed on her first try. She is now an officially registered therapy dog.

Nala will be working in the prisons around Teesside and will also be joining us for clubs and fun days at MAIN. She is a 1-year-old female cocker spaniel who loves to play with everyone and also enjoys relaxing and getting cuddles. We believe she will be a perfect fit for some of the children and adults at MAIN.

Nala is one of MAIN’s own, Sophie’s dog. Sophie is one of our dedicated facilitators at MAIN.

During Nala’s first visit to the centre, she introduced herself to some of our groups and PAs. Her friendly and loving nature has already made a positive impact, and we are excited to see the joy and comfort she will bring to everyone at MAIN.

Welcome to the team, Nala!

 

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Group photo in centre

Exciting News: The Pathway to Independence Centre is Open!

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Exciting News: The Pathway to Independence Centre is Open!

We are thrilled to announce that our Pathway to Independence Centre is now open! Over the first two weeks, the centre has already become a vibrant hub of activity and community.Our Adult Group has been enjoying the space, relaxing and socialising in a welcoming environment. It’s wonderful to see everyone coming together and making the most of the new facilities.

On Saturdays, our Teens & Tweens group has been busy in the Pathway to Independence area. They made some delicious old-school tray-bake for the first time, and it was a huge success! The teens and tweens took on the responsibility of washing, drying, and putting away the pots, as well as measuring their own ingredients. Their teamwork and enthusiasm were truly commendable.

Well done to everyone involved!

For more information about our clubs and services please look here or look under Activities 

Group posing at bottom of Roseberry Topping

Cheering on Our Volunteers: Training for the 40-Mile Lyke Wake Walk

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Cheering on Our Volunteers: Training for the 40-Mile Lyke Wake Walk

We are incredibly proud of our dedicated group of volunteers who are fundraising for MAIN.
As they prepare for the gruelling 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk in August, some of the volunteers managed to put some time aside, Neil, Adam, Liam, Joshua, Aidan, and Tom have been putting in the hard work to ensure they’re ready for the challenge.
This past Saturday, the team met up for a training session that took them up Roseberry Topping and to Captain Cook’s Monument and back. It was a tough trek, but the group showed incredible determination and spirit as they tested out their boots and logged some practice miles.
Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument provided the perfect backdrop for their training, offering both beautiful scenery and challenging terrain. The team’s commitment to their training is truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see them conquer the Lyke Wake Walk in August.
Let’s all cheer on Neil, Adam, Liam, Joshua, Aidan, and Tom as they continue their preparations. Your support means the world to them and helps drive them forward. Keep up the amazing work, Team!
Photos of our team on their practice walk   

Please help fundraise or sponsor our team of walkers by going to our JustGiving Page 

Unregistered Alternative Education explaining we are launching

New Service: Unregistered Alternative Education Provision – Middlesbrough, Darlington & Redcar

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MAIN’s New Provision

MAIN are now launching our Unregistered Alternative Education Provision for Middlesbrough, Redcar and Darlington residents.

For individuals who are Autistic. neurodivergent, awaiting a diagnosis, have a learning disability and/ or complete need and not accessing education.

Sessions take place at our centre and in the community. We aim to support young individuals engage in education using a creative and person-centred approach.

What is Unregistered Alternative Education? 

Unregistered Alternative Education for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), who are not attending school refers to educational settings or programs that are not formally registered or regulated by the government.

These environments offer flexible and often individualised learning opportunities tailored to the uniqueness of the child, young person. Families may choose unregistered alternative education for a variety of reasons, including dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, difficulties in meeting the child’s specific needs, or sensory and emotional challenges that make formal school environments overwhelming.

What are the benefits?

Unregistered Alternative Education offers a flexible, individualised approach that prioritises the child’s specific needs, interests, and emotional well-being. With a focus on personalised learning, therapeutic support, and practical life skills, these settings offer a valuable alternative for families who find traditional schooling insufficient or unsuitable for their neurodiverse children.

 

Please contact us if you would like more information

thumbnail inclusion week 2024

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