News

"Search" spring newsletter is out!
3 April 13
Brainwave's newsletter is full of resources, links, funding suggestions and much more to make it easier for families who have children with additional needs to find what they are looking for. 

Win your tickets for the Children Helping Children concert!
3 April 13
Find out how you could win tickets for you and your family for our 10th anniversary Children Helping Children on 27th April.

Children Helping Children concert press release
28 March 13
Saturday 27th April will see music stars of the future perform at HemiHelp's Children Helping Children concert at Cadogan Hall. With some very special guests, BBC Radio 3's presenter Sean Rafferty and Royal Patron HRH Princess Alexandra, this promises to be a fabulous evening. 

Budget update from Contact a Family
21 March 13
In Wednesday's budget the Chancellor George Osborne announced a series of increases in support with childcare. However, Contact a Family is concerned that families with disabled children will miss out.

Urgent call for action on "haphazard" neurology services
13 March 13
HemiHelp and other charity members of the Neurological Alliance are warning that current neurological services will fail unless there are swift improvements and investments.

HemiHelp quarterly news roundup
4 March 13
HemiHelp brings you all the latest news on welfare, health and education.

MSP Siobhan McMahon is now a HemiHelp Patron
27 February 13
We are delighted that Siobhan McMahon, Member of the Scottish Parliament, has accepted to become a Patron of HemiHelp. We think her involvement will be crucial to help raise public awareness of hemiplegia and promote the rights and wellbeing of children and people affected by the condition. We are extremely pleased to welcome her as part of the HemiHelp team.

New Transition to Adulthood Guide for Practitioners
20 February 13
Cerebra has released a new guide that aims to help practitioners understand the relevant law and policy so that they can guide young disabled people through their transition to adulthood.

New Mentoring Service (for young adults 16-25)
15 February 13
HemiHelp is delighted to announce that we are piloting a brand new mentoring scheme for young people with hemiplegia. If you would like some extra support from another person with hemiplegia who could help you getting a job, living independently or meeting new people, contact Karen Mount - karen@hemihelp.org.uk - 07754 103340

HemiHelp Services
14 February 13
We have updated our information about the services we offer to support families and young people with hemiplegia, including events, transition support, information provision and much more.

Fantastic opportunity to become involved in the Scottish Youth Parliament
30 January 13
The TEA Room (Scottish Epilepsy Initiatve) are looking to elect two young people with epilepsy to represent them as members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

HemiHelp Conference for Professionals in Birmingham
28 January 13
Each year HemiHelp runs a conference for medical professionals in a different part of Britain, and in November 2012 it was the turn of the Midlands. Click here to read a full summary of the day and to watch some bits of the speakers' presentations.

HemiHelp is now a partner of the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Childhood Disability Research Priority Setting Partnership
22 January 13
The aim of the Partnership is to identify the research priorities felt by families and clinicians to be most likely to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people affected by neurodisability. 

New Fundraising internship opportunity at HemiHelp
10 January 13
This fantastic role will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and experience in the charity sector, learning how to raise income and engage with community fundraisers. 

Magic Therapy on BBC News
9 January 13
Breathe Arts Health Research and Guy's and St Thomas' Charity published an article on the BBC website about Magic Therapy and how it helps improve use of the affected hand in children with hemiplegia.

Do you know someone directly affected by stroke?
8 January 13
Whether they are a stroke survivor, carer, volunteer or professional, let them know how remarkable they are by nominating them for a Stroke Association Life After Stroke Award. You have time until 1st March 2013.

New summary info sheets from the CBF
4 January 13
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation has produced new summary information sheets about challenging behaviour with all the key points of the full info sheets, but in a more accessible format. 

Scope and Contact a Family respond to Education Select Committee report on SEN reforms
19 December 12
Both charities welcome the report and express their concerns about the government's proposed reforms

Contact a Family's response to the Government's Autumn Statement
10 December 12
"Cuts to local authority budgets in 2014 will squeeze social care budgets and hurt families with disabled children".

HemiHelp quarterly news roundup
3 December 12
HemiHelp brings you all the latest news on welfare, health and education.

Hemiplegia Awareness Week 2012
15-19 October 2012
October saw our first ever hemiplegia awareness week take place across the UK. Here you can read some of the highlights of the week.

London Design Festival
11 September 2012
The show will have designs for people with hemiplegia, such as a new one-handed condom or a game to teach children how to undo buttons

Preparing for Adulthood programme
31 August 2012
A programme that provides knowledge and support to local authorities and their partners, including families and young people, so they can ensure disabled young people achieve paid work, independent living, good health and community inclusion as they move into adulthood

Jacob's Traffic Jam
22 June 2012
A new story book to help explain cerebral palsy or hemiplegia to young children. Free to download. 

HemiHelp quarterly news roundup
24 May 12
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

Disability Swimming Hub Club for Cheshire East
17 May 2012
The Hub Club programme is an ASA led initiative whose aim is to provide assessment opportunities for anyone with a disability who wants to get involved in swimming. Check out how you can get your assessment. 

Moving up: transition from early years
20 April 2012
Scope's booklet to ensure all children's needs are identified and met when they transfer into the next stage of education 

Briefing on the Budget 2012
3 April 2012
A summary of the main announcements of this year's budget that impact on children, young people and families

New Blue Badge Guide for London available
2 April 2012
To make full use of public transport and the blue badge scheme both during and after the 2012 Games.

HemiHelp monthly news roundup
19 March 12
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

A Family Guide to Paediatric Stroke by the Canadian Stroke Network's
February 2012
The guide includes information on the signs and types of paediatric stroke, issues around rehabilitation and recovery and advice from kids to other kids and parents to other parents

HemiHelp is now a certified member of The Information Standard
January 2012
Find our what this means for our information sheets

Positive storybooks featuring disabled characters
December 2011
Scope's 'In the Picture campaign' raises awareness of the need to include disabled children in the books they read

Sing the e-petition!
December 2011
Save Independent Living Fund from closure (save ILF)

HemiHelp Christmas Card competition
November 2011
Have a look at the Christmas cards that our members created for our 2011 competition.

Help a product design student find everyday living solutions
10 October 2011
Email HemiHelp member William Holland-Leavens with details of everyday tasks you find difficult.

Grit and determination see Ben succeed against the odds
2 September 2011
HemiHelp member Ben Nutkins is destined for great things after achieving top marks at sixth form college

HemiHelp monthly news roundup
25 August 2011
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

HemiHelp monthly news roundup
14 July 2011
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

HemiHelp publishes response to SEN and disability green paper
10 June 2011
Read our response to the government's Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Green Paper, which was informed by consultation with HemiHelp members.

HemiHelp monthly news roundup
17 May 2011
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

HemiHelp monthly news roundup
15 April 2011
Catch up on all the latest news on welfare, health, education here.

Employment training for young people in London
30 March 2011
Scope has launched First impressions, first experiences - an exciting new programme for young disabled people (aged 16-24) in Tower Hamlets and surrounding London boroughs who are not currently in employment, education or training.

Creating one-handed musical instruments
14 March 2011
The Digital Exploration Centre, working with HemiHelp, Ars Electronica, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, is challenging inventors to design and build one-handed instruments that emulate those in a classical orchestra.

HemiHelp in the news!
15 February 2011
See HemiHelp members talking about how hemiplegia has affected their families' lives on BBC News online and in the Birmingham Mail.

News update
2 February 2011
Read a summary of the latest welfare, health and education news affecting families of disabled children.

Help improve the CBBC website - and earn £50 cash!
20 September 2010
Researchers are looking for children aged 7-11 with mild/moderate physical and cognitive disabilities to take part in a review of CBBC's website.

Assisting Hand Assessment course - last few places remaining
4 August 2010
Great Ormond Street/The Institute of Child Health have a few places left on the Assisting Hand Assessment course they're hosting in September.

Funding granted for Northern Ireland Play at ICT project
28 July 2010
AbilityNet has received funding for a 'Play at ICT' project for families in Northern Ireland. They will offer participants funding, training and assessments as part of the programme.

Government launches 'Spending Challenge' website 14 July 2010 Earlier this month the government launched it's new Spending Challenge website. Comments made here will inform spending policy for the next four years so make sure you have your say.

Jacquetta Wheeler Sunday Mail interview
28 March 2010
Model and HemiHelp patron Jacquetta Wheeler talks to You magazine about why she's running the London Marathon to raise funds for HemiHelp.

O2 offer £5m to young people keen to make a difference
16 March 2010
Telecommunications firm O2 has launched Think Big, a scheme offering young people £300 grants to start community projects. If you have a great idea for your community, why not get involved?

Take a look at HemiHelp's new information sheets
11 March 2010
Reworked to reflect directly the experience of those affected by hemiplegia, our new information sheets offer up to date guidance on such topics as staying active, accessing DLA, seeking treatment and everyday living.

Join campaign to ensure all disabled people have chance to vote
09 March 2010
Disability charity Scope is calling for all local authorities to make sure their polling stations are accessible for disabled people. Read more about the campaign and fill in the Polls Apart survey on its website.

Changes to benefits explained
16 February 2010
Disability charity Contact a Family has provided easy-to-follow guidance on new government initiatives and updates to the benefits system.

Climbing film wins award 05 February 2010 Production company Bamboo Chicken has won a prestigious award for its new film 'Welsh Connections'. Included in the DVD package is the 15-minute feature 'To the Rainbow', which follows the return to climbing of Paul Pritchard - whose acquired hemiplegia was caused by a head injury sustained on a climbing trip.

Research on traditional therapies underway 20 January 2010 HemiHelp contact Dr Charikleia Sinani and MSc student Victoria Place are conducting new research on the effects of traditional therapies - particularly physiotherapy. They are looking for parents of children aged 4-11 with hemiplegia to take part in the study.

The Cerebra research unit needs your opinions to shape research
20 September
The Cerebra research unit would like children and parents to help shape their research - Is there is a treatment or therapy you would like to know more about? Or what evidence is there is that a specific treatment works? Post your comments on their online forum, following the link above.

Epilepsy Action launch petition against generic drugs
07 August
In January 2010, new dispensing regulations will mean that pharmacists will be expected to change brand named drugs to generic brands. Epilepsy Action is concerned about this. Unless epilepsy is excluded from the legislation, thousands of people with epilepsy could have their medication switched - which could cause adverse side effects. To sign the petition, click on the link above.

Had a stroke? Have your say about the services that are available to you
20 July 09
To learn about the effectiveness of services, the NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE (NAO) is asking people who have have had a stroke (or who care for someone who has had a stroke) to complete a short online questionnaire.

Disabled parents to be
01 July 2009 
New study from DPPI on the lack of information about choices and services for disabled parents-to-be.

Getting into work
12 June 2009
Working Families have produced a guide for parents of disabled children returning to work.
For your copy, call 020 7253 7243 or email office@workingfamilies.org.uk

One-handed parenting guide
18 May 2009
Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International (DPPI) have produced a new guide called 'One handed parenting: a practical guide for new parents'. You can order it from DPPI via their website or on 0800 018 4730. It is available free to disabled parents and at a charge of £6 to others.

Have your say on the SEN assessment process - take part in the Lamb Inquiry
18 May 2009
If you are the parent of a child with special educational needs or you work with children, schools or families, don't miss your chance to have your say on the SEN assessment process. Children's views are also welcome.

News archive

Constraint induced movement therapy questionnaire
29 July 2008
Children with hemiplegia are the focus of a new research project into Constraint Induced Movement Therapy.

Childhood stroke "may be as common as childhood cancer"
1 July 2008
Childhood stroke, which can cause hemiplegia, "may be as common as childhood cancer", according to a researcher launching a project that hopes to address some of the gaps in our understanding of childhood stroke.

Get One Handed Hints in HemiHelp's Spring Newsletter
14 April 2008
HemiHelp's latest newsletter is out now, packed with useful information, in-depth articles, news and updates.

Help us with our book on hemiplegia... and win John Lewis vouchers!
10 March 2008
HemiHelp is producing a new book on hemiplegia, and we'd like you to fill in a survey to tell us about your own experiences.

HemiHelp response to the suspension of Disability Living Allowance payments to Danny Johnson-Green
7 February 2008
HemiHelp was concerned to learn about the Department for Work and Pensions' decision to stop Disability Living Allowance payments to Danny Johnson-Green, who has hemiplegia, because he took part in a charity cycling event.

HemiHelp Post-18 get-together in London, 9 February
28 January 2008
Come along to the post-18 meetup in Starbucks in Oxford.

HemiHelp Post-18 get-together in London: 1 December 2007
22 November 2007
Fancy a friendly pub meeting with others who have hemiplegia?

Get your hands on our Autumn Newsletter!
October 2007
This issue of the HemiHelp Newsletter is all about Grants and Benefits.

Book now for October's Conference for Professionals in Dublin
6 August 2007
HemiHelp is taking bookings for the Conference for Professionals in Dublin on 25 October 2007.

Come to our Music Workshop at Stepping Stones School!
20 July 2007
HemiHelp is holding a Music Workshop at Stepping Stones School this October - register your interest now!

The HemiHelp Summer Newsletter is out now!
13 July 2007
The latest issue of the HemiHelp Newsletter is all about music.

A message from HemiHelp's Chief Executive
29 June 2007
Find out what HemiHelp has achieved in the past year, and how we plan to develop in the future.

Join our Teddy Hunt!
June 2007
We've been really careless and lost ten HemiHelp teddy bears somewhere on this website. Can you help us to find them?

HemiHelp announces new Royal Patron
29 March 2007
HemiHelp is delighted to announce that HRH Princess Alexandra has agreed to become our Royal Patron.