I wish we had enough cash that we didn't have to arse around with social services

[Jimjams2]

Lots of things have come to a head, and our easiest, neatest solution would be a Safespace It would solve all 6 problems we need solving in one go. Would produce a happpier ds1, a happier rest of the family, and remove the risk of him falling a hideous distance to our back garden from his bedroom.

But its 3 grand. Which is more than we can afford so we're trying to get a disabled facilities grant to fund it. I brought it up with SS at ds1's care plan review last week. An assistant was meant to come back to day to start sortiing out a referral to OT, but she called in sick. So the first stage (of what I assume will be a year long to 18 month long process) has already been delayed.

I'm tempted to sell everything that isn't tied down and try to fund one ourselves, in which case presumably we could get it early next year.

God I try not to moan much these days, but there's something about dealing with social services that just makes everyting 200 times more stressful.

Have you tried the family fund? Not sure if they can help?

Not sure if this will help or not, but the Frank Buttle Trust provides Grants for individuals - details - but as a parent you need someone such as health visitor, support worker to make the application. Social Services could also apply, but from the sounds of it you have already tried to get them to help. Could be worth a look at, if you can find someone who could help present a case.

Thanks nannynick that's useful. I'll look into it. I think SS would fund it tbh, but it alll takes sooo looooong! My favoourite stoory is of "gabriel" from the book "growing up severely autistic they call me grabriel". His family applied for SS funding to build something to stop him climbing on the roof, by the time the funding had been agreed he had fallen through the neighbours roof (and survived thank god).

We have too much income for the family fund BH (and I;m not moaning about that at all, but despite that we still can't afford the safespace iyswim).

I'm also going to try the Beckham's charity I think.

Should point out given tonight's threads (tip always read mnet before starting a thread ) I'm not asking for money!

Just moaning! (about SS)

I know someone who had a SafeSpace funded somehow, I'll ask her how she did it. Another friend sent a list to an EGroup I belong to of places/charities to apply to for equipment etc. I thought it was so good I kept it so here it is for you, cut and pasted with love!

approach charities -
for this and other stuff

Family Fund (so long as total family income under 23,000)

BDF New life
BDF Newlife www.bdfcharity. co.uk

Cerebra www.cerebra. org.uk

full lsit of charities

Charity Address/Web Telephone
number

Action for Kids Ability House 0208 347 8111
15a Tottenham Lane
Hornsey
London

BDF Newlife www.bdfcharity. co.uk

Cerebra www.cerebra. org.uk

Children's Today The Moorings 01244
335622
Charitable Trust Rowton Bridge
Christleton
Chester
CH3 7AE

Dreams Come True York House 01730
815000
Knock Hundred Road
Midhurst
West Sussex

Handicapped Childrens 4 Farr Avenue 0208 594 4100
Action Group Barking, Essex
IG11 0NZ

The Joseph Rowtree PO Box 50 01904
621115
Family Fund York YO1 2ZX

Scope 6 Market Road, London 0207 619 7100
N7 9PW

Whizz Kidz 1 Warwick Road 0207 233 6600
London SW1 5ER

Lifeline 4 Kids
215 West End Lane
West Hampstead
London NW6 1XJ
www.lifeline4kids.org

Tender Loving Care 23 Ashurst Road 01202 861190
West Moors
Ferndown BH22 0LR

Caldwell Charitable Trust Minton Hollins 01782 600600
Shelton Old Road
Stoke on Trent
St4 7RY

The Wishes & Dreams Trust 5 Galloway Drive 0161
794 6179
Clifton
Manchester M27 6PG

Comedians Golfing Society 24 Cross Road Witham 01376 501401
Essex CM8 2NA

Children's Aid Committee 4 Woodthorpe Grange 0161
720 6010
Prestwich Manchester
M25 0GU

The Elifar Foundation 43 Bertie Road 0239 281 9562
Portsmouth
Hants PO4 8JX

Local contacts

These raise funds for local support activities. AND will give money
to local people for specific items

Round Table
Rotary Club
Lions Club
Fire and Police Services

OH I always feel a bit guilty about applying to things like the frank buttle trust (my HV would support my application she is great) because some of the people applying there are so financially needy -iyswim- far more so than us (then people remind me I am applying for ds1 - and for something he wouldn't otherwise get).

I think I might try the Beckham's first -although there isn't that much info available about it- it seems to be about helping children get things they need, rather than helping out families in poverty- so if we were awarded something then hopefully we wouldn't be taking anything away from anyone else.

Davros- as usual- you are a star!

Oh I can add (from previous research) that Elifar will part fund items if that's of interest to anyone.

When I set up this social enterprise thingy am hoping to be able to use the profits to fund a trust for parents/carers of autistic children to apply for this sort of thing. Will be a few years away but hopefully another name will be on the list sometime soonish.