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News from the committee
Branch information is now regularly being circulated to more than 300 families and professionals. Although we are based in the Eastleigh/Winchester/Southampton area, we welcome anyone for whom our group may be a helpful resource.
We have received an increase in enquiries in recent months. Information about our branch is being circulated by health professionals on a regular basis.
A number of events have taken place locally during the last year or so, in addition to our monthly parent support group meetings and family youth club. This will give you an idea of the activities we get involved in:
- In 2006 and 2007, we hosted NAS help! programmes in Eastleigh, run by the NAS help! team - excellent days with over 60 people attending each one.
- For the past four years we had a stand at the Hampshire Special Needs Information Days.
- In 2006 the Branch Officer attended the launch of the Make school make sense education campaign at the Houses of Parliament.
- In July 2006, our new Resource Library was launched at our support group meeting.
- In 2006 and 2007, we hosted NAS help!2 programmes in Eastleigh, run by the NAS help! team.
- In May 2008 we joined forces with the other three NAS branches in the county to launch the NAS I Exist campaign (see above) in Hampshire.
- In October 2008 we became the South Hampshire Branch.
- In May 2011 we organised a seminar at Winchester Guildhall featuring Professor Tony Attwood, one of the world's leading experts in Asperger syndrome, attended by 400 delegates.
Our monthly parent support meetings continue to be well attended and we have had some interesting guests.
From The National Autistic Society, we have welcomed a number of guests. Other visitors have included representatives from The Aviary and Lantern's Children's Centres, Hampshire Families, Eastleigh Child and Family Guidance, the Eastleigh in touch project, Hampshire Parent Partnership, Connexions, Contact a Family, Portsmouth Autism Support Network, Not Just Talking Ltd, Southampton Autism Assessment Team, Hampshire Police, Hampshire Children's Services, Hampshire County Council, medical professionals, a dramatherapist and other professionals in the field of autism.
Our Family Youth Club continues to be a success.
On the social front, we have enjoyed parents' skittles evenings and a Family Fun Day at Fairthorne Manor which attracted over 90 members. Our Sholing social groups run a variety of social events, including a recent Quiz Night.
We have also drawn up and approved a Branch Child Protection Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.
Members are asked to complete a branch membership form if they have not already done so. We also encourage members to become full members of the National Autistic Society. There are a great many advantages. A leaflet and membership form is available from the Branch Officer or visit the NAS web site for full details. (Additionally the Branch gains financially from each NAS member who nominates us on joining).
As always, we are pleased to hear from anyone interested in coming along to our meetings and from existing members with ideas for events, fund raising, etc.
At present the committee are David, Rachel, Daniel, Jane, Claire, Gillian, Sally and Sue. We would welcome any other volunteers to join us. Please do get in touch if you are able to help.
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