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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Family Fund Aaahh!

22 replies

jjones · 16/04/2009 13:46

I sent off an application form to the family fund at the end of Feb and have still not heard anything.
I have just sat on the phone for 10 minutes, which is not easy with my 2 during the holidays, got to 'queue position 1' and got cut off. aaaahhh . This is my first application, are they really as bad I am getting the feeling they are.

OP posts:

Report

beldaran · 16/04/2009 13:52

you know the same thing has just happened to me. I am sitting on hold as i type for the second time in an hour.
I got through the first time after 30 mins, asked to see if my application had arrived (sent at end of feb like yours) nothing on system, was told she would ask to see how long it was tkaing to put them on the system then cut me off.

I share your

beldaran · 16/04/2009 14:03

Just to let you know i finally got through again after anouther 15mins on hold to be told that application forms are taking up to 6 weeks to enter onto their computer system so i have got to phone back end of april/beginning may.

Hope you have better luck than me.

5inthebed · 16/04/2009 17:53

I sent my application off in January, and only just had a home visit. Try not to stress about it, I don't think they have many people manning the phones.

cherrymonster · 16/04/2009 19:29

similar to 5inthebed- i sent my application off just after christmas, and only had a home visit a fortnight ago. still waiting to hear from them now

Widemouthfrog · 16/04/2009 20:13

Our application was sent january, and I got no correspondance until 2 weeks ago, and a home visit 2 days later. They do say 1st application to allow up to 4 months.

HecatesTwopenceworth · 16/04/2009 20:19

They've been fantastic to me. Have approached them twice. First time for bunk beds and safety improvements at old house (and they gave us some holiday money too!) 1st time took ages and they came out and went through everything with me and needed proof of income (or lack thereof!) and disabilities etc. But once you are on their 'books' as it were, it's much more straightforward.

this time I asked for help with garden at new house (securing it etc) and sent off form and literally 3 days later had a phone call saying they would fund entire amount!! (largest EVER grant for this stuff!!!) She said when she got the form she went straight to her manager and showed her the form and said "We HAVE to help this lady". So my experience is that they are really caring and just fab!

But they have so many people asking for help, that it does take a while to work through everyone.

5inthebed · 16/04/2009 20:26

Thats lovely Hecate. I think I acn remember you mentioning the garden a while ago.

The woman who visited me was so lovely. She was so nice about everything, very friendly.

jjones · 16/04/2009 22:54

Wow I had no idea they would do things like that hecate. I am glad to hear something nice about them, all I have heard on other forums is how bad they are. I think I will leave it a few weeks and see if I hear anything.

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HecatesTwopenceworth · 17/04/2009 07:25

They are very friendly 5, aren't they?

jj - I'm really sad you have been reading so many complaints about FF. All folks are doing is moaning? Saying how bad they are? This is an organisation that is GIVING people money! "They are really crap, I was kept waiting for MONTHS before they forked over some cash!" "They didn't do X, Y, Z.." What an attitude to have! IMO, All they can do is be grateful, even if they are waiting a year!! And the only reason it takes so long, is cos there are so many people's forms to go through, so many requests, and they don't have unlimited funds, so they have to make difficult choices.

They will get back to you, they are probably swamped.

CountessPhoenix4725 · 17/04/2009 07:42

i was lucky they got my forms 6 weeks later lovely ;ady came out talked met ds noted what we asked for said cound not see problem 4 weeks later money was throughand we had new fence up in garden , hell as she was leaving told me to make sure apply next year

jjones · 17/04/2009 11:31

I have just got through to a lovely lady, and my application is on the system. I will be very grateful if they see fit to give me anything. I think I was just a bit stressed what with it being school holidays. The only thing I don't like is when you get the message you are in queue position 1 and then are still holding 20 minutes later, that can be frustrating. I am now happy that they have received my forms and I have a reference now so I don't need to be on hold. The lady I spoke to was really nice and explained the process to me and said she didn't see a problem with the application as everything that they needed they have so should here in about a month.
Hecates I agree that some people are so ungrateful, I must admit that the forum I saw the thread about complaining about them there is a lot of treads about how they should be getting more money from DLA and alike. I am just happy to get what I get.

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Widemouthfrog · 17/04/2009 12:19

Our advisor was so nice. She saw my ASD DS in full blown sensory mode - stripped naked, wailing and very demanding. She was very knowledgable about autism which saved me alot of explaining. She encouraged me to request more help than what I had applied for, which I thought was encouraging. For once I wasn't been told - 'isn't DS good, he doesn't look very autistic to me!' -which is all too familiar.
I will be very grateful for anything we get (I,ve requested a holiday and some sensory equipment)

jjones · 17/04/2009 12:28

Sounds good wmf, I have requested a washer dryer and holiday. Ds2 has a severe problem with wetting through his nappies every night so I have to wash bedding, including pillows and blankets every day.

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5inthebed · 17/04/2009 13:09

WMF, the woman who visited me saw DS2 in full meltdown as well, and she didn't batter an eyelid. She also asked if he had dyspraxia (he got dx last week!) which I was surprised at her knowing, she was just so nice about it all!

JJ, does your DS2 "piss like a racehorse" as well? My DS2 is terrible! I have to wash his bedding practically every day as well.

jjones · 17/04/2009 14:17

I am so glad I am not the only one 5inthbed. My OT said she had never heard of anything like it before, but he goes through a nappy every 2 hours, had to change the bed twice today, once after his nap and once this morning. My house stinks of it most of the time as I cn't dry it quick enough and my washing line snapped yesterday.

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5inthebed · 17/04/2009 14:34

DS2 is getting too big for usualy nappies, but I can't use pullups, as they fall down as soon as he has a wee

Fingers croseed you get the washer/dryer from the FF

jjones · 17/04/2009 15:23

I so know what you mean, ds2 is in size 6 and pull ups are useless. I do hope so too.

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Widemouthfrog · 17/04/2009 21:39

JJones and 5, my DS was exactly like this until 6 months ago - he could wee for England and his nappies leaked every night. I got fed up of changing pjs and bedding. I used pyjama pants as he got bigger, as nappies and pull ups leaked as soon as he weed. They were better but expensive. Suddenly, age 5.5 he started waking and going to the loo, and we haven't had an accident in months. So there may be light at the end of the tunnel yet ladies.

Problem now is he goes to the loo so often he is not sleeping, so in a way one problem has swapped for another. Less washing but sleepless nights . We are considering melatonin (just seen your other thread 5 so i am watching with interest).

A bit of a diversion off the thread. Ooops .

cherrymonster · 20/04/2009 14:43

bit of an update- i had a letter this morning with a form, wanting me to explain exactly what i want doing in the garden and how the work will help ds2. they also wanted a quote from someone to do the work! i have filled it in informing them how much it will cost, what i want done and how it will help ds, but cant put in a quote as i will be doing the work myself, i didnt know they were expecting me to pay someone else to do it. does anyone know if this will make a difference please?

HecatesTwopenceworth · 20/04/2009 19:06

Just put that you are doing the work yourself, but detail the materials, where you will get them from and how much they cost - if you can get price lists then that would be best.

I don't think you have to have someone else do it.

Mitchell81 · 20/04/2009 19:53

I also think you if put a pricelist of the materials that should be alright.
Family fund is a great charity who about 7 years ago paid for me to have driving lessons so I could get my licence.
Used them again once and they paid towards a holiday, clothing and toys.

cherrymonster · 20/04/2009 20:50

i didnt put a list of prices, i havnt looked into them yet,and there wasnt enough room on the form.

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