The Helping Hands Psychology Service 

Helping Hands Psychology Service is run by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The service offers psychological support to the families of children with developmental difficulties and/or disabilities who access other services at Serennu Children’s Centre, Nevill Hall Children’s Centre, and Caerphilly Children’s Centre. The service also offers training and consultation to the professionals who work to support these families. Many of the services available can be accessed via a request for involvement completed by parents or carers. To discuss how Helping Hands Psychology might be able to support your family, please contact the service on 01633 436996 or abb.helpinghandsteam@wales.nhs.uk. Alternatively you can speak to a Family Liaison Officer for more information.

Dad's/Male Carers Group

We invite all fathers and male carers of children with disabilities and developmental conditions to a monthly get-together on a Saturday morning. This time can be used to have a chat over a breakfast roll.

The group is led by the Dads themselves, and supported by our Helping Hands team when needed. This session offers male carers a chance to chat about the issues that affect them specifically.

This group meet each second Saturday of every month, 10:00am-12:00pm in person and online on the fourth Saturday of each month Contact: dadsgroupgwent@gmail.com

ADHD+ Parents Support Group 

ADHD+ Parents Support Group supports parents and carers of children and young people affected by ADHD and/or ASD. 

They meet at Serennu Children's Centre each second Thursday monthly during term times between 10am and 12pm. You are very welcome to join them for a cuppa and a chat. If you would like more information you can contact our Family Liaison Officers at Serennu Children's Centre by telephoning 01633 748013 or emailing Family.liaison.abb@wales.nhs.uk.

Newport Autism Support Group 

Newport Autism Support group (NAG) are a support group for parents, carers and grandparents of children or young people who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) living in Gwent. 

The group invite various speakers to their meetings including Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists and other agencies.

They meet on the first Thursday of each month from 10am-12pm at Serennu Children’s Centre. If you would like more information please email: newportautismsupportgroup@hotmail.co.uk.

Torfaen Play

Torfaen Play Service provides community play opportunities for children and young people aged 5-15 years in the form of after school clubs, half term and summer play schemes.

In addition to this, support is provided for children and young people aged 5 - 18 years with disabilities to access community play provision.
Support is provided to young people aged 16+ years to volunteer within community play settings during holiday times, including young people with additional needs. Full training is provided.
The young helpers’ scheme is aimed at young people aged 13 to 15 years to help within community play settings during holiday periods. The aim of the project is to empower young people to gain work based experience and learn skills which will further them within the field of working with children and young people.
Term time training placements are available with Torfaen Play Service. This includes support to learn work-based skills, to work in a variety of settings including schools and community based venues as well as achieve an accredited qualification.

Contact: 01495 742 951 Email: calltorfaen@torfaen.gov.uk

Family Liaison Service Coffee Mornings 

The Family Liaison Mornings are open to all, offering support, advice and good conversation amongst a supporting peer group of parents and carers. 

They meet at Serennu Children's Centre the first Friday of each month during term times between 10am and 12pm. If you would like more information you can contact our Family Liaison Officers at Serennu Children's Centre by telephoning 01633 748013 or emailing Family.liaison.abb@wales.nhs.uk.

TOGS

TOGs is a self-funding local charity that provides services to families in Torfaen who have children or young people (Aged 8 - 18 years) with physical, learning or sensory disabilities.

Any parent/carer of a disabled child from 8 to 18 years who live in and around the borough of Torfaen can make a self-referral to TOGs for their child to join us - you DO NOT need to be referred by any statutory organisation.

This Centre is owned and run by Trustees and Parents. Special Youth Clubs are run by a team of Youth Workers and Voluntary Workers.

Contact: 01495 751567

Email: office@togscentre.co.uk / youthclub@togscentre.co.uk

Hope GB

Hope GB is a registered charity based in Torfaen, South Wales.

Hope GB offer support services to people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs), and their families. They aim to provide support on issues such as: understanding what it means to have an autistic spectrum condition, exploring the triad of impairments, structuring the learning environment – particularly during periods of transition, different approaches to managing challenging behaviour, supporting improved communication and social interaction and developing daily living skills for children and young people with ASC.

Contact: 07595455067

Address: Griffithstown Baptist Church, Commercial Street, Griffithstown, Pontypool NP4 5JF
 

GoGirls Project

Go Girls is a social action group for young women aged 15-25 years living in Torfaen, Newport, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire.

Bron Afon Community Housing in partnership with Pobl Group offer this programme for Young Women to have a safe space to talk about issues that matter to them. From safer relationships, to positive mental health and women’s equality, Go Girls aims to build the self-esteem and resilience in young women living in our communities. With an ethos of ‘Together Girls Stand Strong’, Go Girls provides a platform for young women to make new friendships, be a part of a support group and provide young women with a voice to talk about the issues that matter to them, improving their wellbeing and encouraging them to be the best they can be.  

Contact: 07837 033 379 / 07528 965 195

Email: gogirlswalesuk@outlook.com

SNAP Cymru

Snap Cymru provides impartial information, advice and support for parents of children and young people who have, or may have,  special educational needs or disabilities.

Snap Cymru provide the following impartial, confidential and free services: Monthly Drop-in Advice Sessions, Helpline Advice and Support, Specialist Casework, Discrimination Advice and Casework, Independent Specialist Advocacy and Disagreement Resolution.

Contact: 0808 801 0608 Website: www.snapcymru.org

NYAS – National Youth Advocacy Service

NYAS offers individual advocacy and a range of information, advice and support to ensure the child or young person’s voice is heard when decisions are being made about them. Alongside monthly advice sessions at Serennu.

Contact: 0808 808 1001 Email: help@nyas.net

Building Bridges

Building Bridges is a project for 14 - 25 year olds with additional needs. The project is based within Bridges Centre in Monmouth, but is a countywide project.

Their aim is to support and encourage young people to engage in their local communities; broadening their social networks, making friends, confidence building and learning social skills.The focus is on sustainability and supporting our young people to make connections with individuals and groups that outlive the life of the project. They do this through one-to-one and group work encompassing social, leisure and work-related activities.