B&Q Great Yarmouth

We support the local community, particularly the vulnerable, in a deprived area (one of 225 'left behind neighbourhoods in England') - the Magdalen estate in Gorleston, covering NR31. Our model is built around an intentional journey that can see a resident grow from a place of distress and distrust to a life of participation and progression. Residents might join us at any point on this journey. This is delivered through 4 stages: 1. Crisis Relief (food, fuel, household goods and crisis mental /financial support) 2. Community Foundations (10+ community groups, projects and events) 3. Personal Resilience (advice and support services) 4. Progression. (Volunteering and contributing) We partner with Trussell, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, GY Dial and many others to provide an integrated, holistic service. A long term drug addict and alcoholic looks back: ‘my life has changed completely. I now have a job and my family back.’

Children, young people and adults with Autism often face social disapproval not because they look different but because they don’t. Poor communication skills, unable to interact, strange patterns of play and sensory issues lead to difficult behaviour making life harder for them and their parents or carers who face awkward questions and unwanted comments. Following research through Children’s Services it became clear that there was a lack of provision in the eastern area to provide a safe environment for children and young people to access enabling parents and carers respite. We are currently the only self-referral centre in the local area to provide a safe, understanding and secure setting for children affected by autism and related conditions. Sunbeams Play is a registered charity, which provides a fun, safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults with ASD to thrive. We understand how difficult it can be for them to engage in mainstream activities due to a variety of social needs and anxieties. Here at Sunbeams they can relax and play in an environment that is suitable for them, alongside or with others who have the same/similar needs. From experience and meeting the children we've find they love attending because everyone is here for the same reason, they do not encounter ‘competition’ or the need to behave in a certain way and can simply be themselves! All of our staff are fully trained and have relevant experience of working with autism. Training about Autism and behaviour management are kept up to date at all times, as well as first aid and other relevant courses. Sunbeams works on a 1:3 ratio, this means for every 3 children/young people (below 16) there will be 1 member of staff. We can have up to 15 children/young people in any one session, your child will be invited to attend a two week introduction during the session appropriate to their age. This enables us to get to know them thoroughly before they start and also for them to get used to staff, the environment and the other children /young people. You may be asked to stay on the premises for the first sessions until your child is comfortable with us. Our evening youth group provides 16-25 year olds with the opportunity to access social opportunities, gain life skills supporting independence as the move on into employment. We also support 25+ to make friends. We understand it's not just about the children and sometimes parents and carers feel lost, frightened, confused, or alone so we've added a free fortnightly Parent Support group. The group provides the opportunity to meet other parents and carers, share ideas, tips and experiences, ask advice or simply relax in each other’s company knowing that everyone understands. For families of children and young people attending Sunbeams we offer private appointments to talk to our highly trained support coordinator who can advise on diagnosis, education, benefits, form filling and behaviour issues or just a listen.

Shine (East Norfolk) supports and promotes the welfare of children & young people aged from 2 years to 24 years including those with special or additional needs arising from mental, physical, behavioural or educational difficulties. Our aim is to provide counselling, care, advocacy, advice and assistance for parents and/or carers. Shine offers Saturday Short Breaks during term time and play schemes during school holidays for 5-17 year olds.; we also offer a Friday night term time Youth Club for children aged 8years - 17years . All of our amazing children and young people have a moderate to severe disability or additional need/learning disability. Shine Early Years Nursery also supports children with additional needs age 2 years - 5years Shine would love to be able to move four heavy wooden planters from one of our play areas to a new area that has been designated as an allotment, so that all of Shine's children can grow, cook and eat their own food. We need to move these planters as, where they are, the children pull up whatever starts to grow so we can't complete any projects. A gated picket fence is needed to secure and allow children to have planned adult lead fun times at the allotment. This secured area will also help stop our 2 chickens ( Scrambled and Fry) and our 3 guinea pigs ( Ham, Egg and chips) from eating what the children grow. Moving the planters will free up a space for a large summer house or small caravan that we are planning to fundraise for in the future. Please help our children to lean how to grow and cook their food to enable them to take pride in their environment.