Type of service: Family support and information services, Local groups

Forest Pulse provides support, advice, guidance and signposting on a range of issues to parents/carers of children and young people aged up to 25 years old who have a disability, and who live or attend school in the Forest of Dean. Coffee mornings, support groups and other social events link parents, giving them the opportunity to provide mutual support. A quarterly newsletter to members volunteers and involved professionals keeps everyone up to date with the activities and services provided by the charity, as well as sharing other relevant information about services, both statutory and community/voluntary. A range of out of school activities provides children and young people with disabilities with the same opportunities as other young people to take part in social, sports and recreational activities, independent of their parents/carers. These include: holiday and weekend clubs; family trips and outings; youth clubs; dance; specialist music sessions; multisports; specific sports eg tennis, football; boccia; and independence projects giving children and young people with disabilities of varying ages the opportunity to access mainstream community provision with support. These activities provide parents with a degree of respite, safe in the knowledge that their children are meeting friends and having fun in a safe environment where their individual needs can be met. A core of volunteers support staff in delivering activities.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Child , Young person

Specialisms: Generic

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability