Advice needed for magazine..please read!!!

[Archersmum]

Hello everyone, I work at a special school and I am interested in helping put together a magazine with local info for all different parents and families. I would like to put lot`s of info inc websites,activities,support group info and days out etc for parents with special needs children. It would be great if some parents could also write some daily accounts for other parents to read. I thought I would put the feelers out so to speak to see what everyone thought about the idea. Could any body suggest anything they would like to see in a local family magazine?
Any idea or thought would be most appreciated
Many many thanks

[2tartanshoes]

contact these people they produce a wonderful local book and would probally be able to advise you.

[alfiemama]

Hey wheres the Saint gone.

[Archersmum]

Thanks 2tartanshoes I ll contact them to see how they put together their mag, had a quick look at their website its looks great.

[Archersmum]

I would like it if you could all tell me if you recieved a local family magazine; what would like there to be in it? I would be really grateful.

[moondog]

Fab idea!

-Stuff like 'A day in the life' profiling different families.
-Hints and tips on different topics every issue (eg eating/sleeping.trips out
-Reviews of 'gadgets' such asTimetimers
-Different professionals describing thier jobs
-Interview with headteacher/SENCO describing how parents can become involved in the school (eg resource making days/afternoons)
-All useful addresses in one place
-Info. on playgroups and support groups
-Info. on SN friendly cafes/attractions
-Inhouse 'Freecycle
-Houseswaps

[Phoenix4725]

Holiday recommendations is one i can think of to add to mooondogs list

[TotalChaos]

Your idea sounds great to me. Moondog has it pretty much covered.

Other suggestions - if you have any Surestart or Children's Centres near you, get an interview with them, and them to say what they offer for kids with SN/parents of kids with SN.

[Archersmum]

Thanks everyone keep those ideas coming.
I approached a professional about my idea and they seemed to think it would be a hard task indeed finding local places and info,also parents were already recieving support through the school and support network covering the area.. Can it all be so doom and gloom! Also they said some parents would feel too emotional to do `A day in the life' so to speak! I do not want to feel despair, as I would like the magazine to be helpful and informative for all parents of different children. It would be included in a local magazine for parents and families from different walks of life. Maybe it is the area I live in!

[moondog]

Archer,it's a fab idea.Ignore the doom and gloom agents!

[TotalChaos]

agree with moondog. the professionals should bear in mind that what with inclusion there are parents of SN children in m/s school who are rather isolated and would benefit from the support and info.

[Seuss]

I would like to get a magazine like that. I would have thought the fact that it would be 'a hard task' to find local places and info would indicate that there is a real need to gather this knowledge and get it out there. I like moondogs idea of professionals describing their jobs as it can be quite confusing when you have to start seeing ed.psych, senco, salt etc etc.

Good luck - hope you can get something off the ground!

[Archersmum]

Wow, great thanks for the support,much appreciated. If anyone would like to contribute `A day in the life' then please let me know,spread the word!...

[coppertop]

It sounds like a great idea.

One thing that comes up in support groups is that parents often only find out about what's out there when another parent tells them about it. I don't agree with the professionals who told you that the parents wouldn't need a magazine like the one you are proposing.