Merlins Magic Wand changing criteria.

[MincePieFlavouredVoidka]

*Dear Merlin?s Magic Wand Applicants,

For those of you wishing to take advantage of our complimentary tickets for 2012, there has been a change in the way that Merlin?s Magic Wand will manage applications in 2012, for those families whose children are on the Autistic Spectrum or who have any Autistic related disability.

This year (2011) Magic Wand handled over 5000 applications, nearly 50% of these were from families with children with ASD.

Our Charity has very limited resources and funds and unfortunately we are no longer in a position to be able to manage these applications as efficiently as we wish. Therefore we have had to put in the following process in order for us to continue to work with families of Autistic children.

Applications from individual families will no longer be accepted. You will need to contact your local National Autistic Society Branch (NAS) in order for them to apply for tickets on your behalf. If you are not a member of your local NAS, you will need to contact any other organisation that you are a member of (incl Special Needs School ) that specifically handles children on the Autistic Spectrum. They will be able to submit an application on behalf of all their members.

The NAS are aware of this new procedure and the regional offices will be asked to contact the families on their books to see if they wish to take advantage of our attractions complimentary tickets.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause, however, this change needs to be made so that we can help as many children as possible and for us to continue our promise of giving children magical experiences.*

For the info of anyone thinking of applying in the spring.

Lunar

You dont seem to see - Merlins Magic Wand is part of a company that make tens of millions every year. They are not a struggling charity who are thankful for every penny they receive.

The other thing is that the 'charity' costs them nothing. They are giving out something they already have.

Mince - Point you to silverfrogs post page one

MMW is not owned by Merlin group, but is officially suported by them

also this

Frankly they don't have to do it and it means a lot to a lot of people.

Lunar - if you ae going to quote m, please quote the whole sentence.

it said "I ahve delved a bit [note bit], and while it is not entirely clear, it seems as though..." (emphasis added) and then the bit you quoted.

not quite the same meaning.

appropriatelytrained mentioned in a further post that they were officially linked (which is what I originaly thought too).

Over the last coule of years the way Merlin has, as a gorup, dealt with disability issues has changed a lot - the exit pass scheme has had its criteria altered, and the introduction of yllow cards across the theme parks has had an impact too.

I don't like the way that the handling of MMW applications has been handed over to volunteer run groups, rather than being handled by people who are specifically employed for that purpose. and I don't like the way that ASD has been singled out, as has been highlighted by other posters.

Sorry to have offended you justabouthere, I do have a right to disagree and to express that opinion. Just as you have a right to critique it, I have a right to post in support it

I don't think charity can be thought of in terms of tax breaks. Do I gift aid something because it's economical or because I want to give a little bit more to that charity? No it's because I want to give a little more. Why because is supported by a corporation should the situation be any different?

And yes I do think in he desperation to critique policies the fact that it's a charity and doesn't have to do the things it does, has been lost.

Certainly wasn't directed at anyone personally

Sorry Silverfrog, but in my defence actually I went back to the website to confirm what you said hence the link. Obviously without tracing back the founder members, the exact relationship is unknown.

But to me it doesn't make any difference. Having been a part of groups that have benefited from corporate philanthropy and actually had a chance on occasion to speak to those individuals involved, I have never heard Tax Breaks cited as the reason for doing it.

Personally I would rather they didn't employ an extra administrator (or possibly several) and used that money for more tickets, but that's a mute point. Without seeing the accounts we really don't know how he money works.

justabouthere - I do not see it as discrimination, he same benefit is being offered to autistic children and heir families as to other disabled children; just that the application process is different. Incidentally there's a lot of assumptions in your post about me too.

I have a dodgy T one the keyboard!!! please fill in the blanks!!!

 Merlin?s Magic Wand Children?s Charity
Merlin?s Magic Wand enables children who are disadvantaged through ill health, disability, abuse, neglect or other
circumstances outside of their control, to have a great experience at one of our many attractions. Since its launch in
2008 the charity has seen remarkable growth. So far in 2010 over 18,000 children, their families and carers have
been given these days out, more than the charity helped in the whole of 2009. More recently, the charity has been
working on ?Taking the Magic to the Children? by setting up sensory rooms in Hospices for those children who are
physically unable to make a visit to one of the attractions. The Group supports the charity by providing free tickets
to the attractions, worth c.£0.5m so far this year. In addition, Merlin also supports the day to day running of the
charity by subsidising the employment costs of the Charity?s manager and providing office accommodation and
facilities at no cost. Merlin Group staff also work hard and with enthusiasm, on behalf of the charity, in supporting
the trips these children make and by undertaking local fundraising activities themselves

That is from the Merlin Entertainment 2010 statement.

I have never heard Tax Breaks cited as the reason for doing it.

They are never going to say that are they.

Ok, just one Example company creche substantially subsidised by company, wife of owner set it up - she was bored, wanted a project and wanted the company to help families, also didn't want to loose the talent pool of capable employees that became Mums (I'm sure there must be substantial tax breaks for running a creche...)

I didn't even know about this charity although I don't think ds1 would handle a theme park anyway. I wonder if I could apply as an individual if we described him as someone with severe learning disabilities.

I used to be a member of the NAS but left because I don't think it really understands the needs of those at the severe end of the spectrum (which is weird because a lot of the services it runs are aimed at that group, but that isn't really reflected in a lot of the training packages/advice etc it dishes out).

You can still apply, all their asking for is applications are given in en mass so they can process them easier.

saitlyjimjams - Never say never on the theme park thing, unless of course you dislike them then it's just not worth the hassle

justaboutstillhere-

I think the ungrateful thing is beside the point. It's a charity, or even if it isn't, it gives out free tickets to disable kids, it doesn't have to do what it does and if people don't like it, vote with your feet and don't use it.

I think that depends on who you apply through - I think already said people have said on this thread that they apply as groups give them out individually anyway.

Actually I think some people may even find the new process less intimidating.

Yes I do agree about the pressure on volunteers, but I have said that already

govenment report on the number of children with special needs- 3.0% and 5.4 % of all children under 18

If we accept the generally bandied round figure of a diagnosis rate of 1 in 64 of he population that makes 1.5625 % of children with autism, half of the 3.0 figure but less than 30% of the 5.4%.

interesting given nearly half of all applications were on behalf od children with autism

LunarRose - this is a subject which is clearly igniting strong feelings.

This board is generally very collegial and not like the rest of mumsnet. We challenge each other in a supportive and non-judgmental fashion. This is not AIBU.

I'm sure you don't mean your posts to be taken this way, but, I think you are flaming people for feeling aggrieved about the way these changes are being implemented. Many of us have children who very much enjoyed these family days out and, having children on the spectrum, also feel very let down by large charities like the NAS. The thought of being compelled to access them for free tickets does not sit comfortably.

With the greatest of respect, I also think you do not understand the tax issue. This is not about gleaning or assuming motives or sinister intent. It is about standard business practices for big corporations and about the law and the tax implications of donating. That does not make it a bad idea. Corporate giving benefits donor and donee and that is how it should be.

However, this is not an independent charity. It is a charity legally incorporated by a huge international enterprise as a tax effective way of donating tickets which cost it nothing.

Some people think this is unappealing and disappointing. You don't. That's fine. But we don't need to waste time arguing about it.

Those of us who are disappointed should perhaps direct our energies at asking questions of the charity and the NAS.

appropriatelytrained- Whilst in many ways I agree with you about wasted effort, As I've said I don't agree that just because I disagree I shouldn't post. Looking back at the beginning of this thread this is a post of strong opinions. Trust me I've offered and received more than my fair share of support on this board even tonight, but if you genuinely feel I have broken Mumsnet rules you are more than welcome to report me.

I think it ignited very strong feelings in me because yesterday I did genuinely encounter a really horrible example of discrimination, where the entire autistic population of a town were openly discriminated against.

Perhaps your right and I am unapologetically mass flaming. If I am it's only because I don't feel a charity should be going through such a flaming (particularly when no-one from the charity is here to defend it). I think perhaps us mums of autistic children shouldn't be wasting our energies on a charity that in the end is there to help, when there are such horrible real life examples of discrimination.

I think perhaps us mums of autistic children shouldn't be wasting our energies on a charity that in the end is there to help, when there are such horrible real life examples of discrimination

Discrimination is discrimination.

We should not ignore this, if you want to fine but dont tell anyone else what we should be 'wasting our energy on'.

LunarRose - I understand what you mean but I think that prioritising injustices does not come naturally when it comes to our children. My son adores Lego and has been made to feel special with his free tickets and pass on the two occasions we have received them. That doesn't happen very often - that he he feels he has an advantage in life!

So many are very sensitive to any suggestion that 'those autistic kids' are too much effort or take too much time or there's too many of them particularly when we know this is a hidden disability. If the charity can administer tickets for other disabilities, why do we all have to join another charity to apply - and why are we asked for money.

But we have been through this and you don't agree. That's fine.

I am not sure why you are persisting in arguing on this though. Perhaps just duck out of the thread. I don't think I have ever said that on SN board before but this is not AIBU. We don't post threads here just to have an argument. I think you have made your point and perhaps this thread should now be used more productively for those of us who are annoyed to exchange thoughts and feedback on what is actually happening with this change of policy

Merlins magic wand facebook page seems to have disappeared?

Can anyone else access it, or is it just my FB playing about?

Statement from NAS facebook page;

National Autistic Society

Hi all

We're aware some people have had questions about our involvement with the charity Merlin's Magic Wand. We hope this will address those concerns

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Children with all disabilities, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, can apply directly to Merlin's Magic Wand for free tickets to Merlins? 25 top UK family attractions

The NAS is currently only exploring ways in which we can help Merlin's Magic Wand reach more families who have children with autism

The announcement by Merlin's Magic Wand of our involvement was premature and once we have finalised precisely how the NAS will be involved we will let you know

Both the NAS and Merlin?s Magic Wand want to reassure anybody who might be concerned that there never has been, nor will there be any charge for tickets allocated through the scheme

Applications for tickets can be made through their website www.merlinsmagicwand.org

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Hope this helps clarify things and thanks for everyone's patience

MMW facebook page has definitely been removed.