LPCF Achievements

Time2Talk

Time2talk sessions" have been offered during November & December instead of the regular coffee events to ensure that parents have still been supported during these challenging times.

Finding the right information and support can be hard, so LPCF volunteers have offered to hold these sessions to listen to parents concerns and signpost to appropriate help and support.

Learning to see the light after Lockdown

A second series of "virtual" Hypnotherapy sessions with Nicole from Hummingbird Hypnotherapy.

After the success of our first series of Hypnotherapy sessions with Nicole members of LPCF were excited to start on the second series.

LPCF Members were still given the opportunity to attend these FREE sessions taking place at various times of the day/evening to ensure they were accessible to most parents.

Emotional resilience, Mindfulness and weight management were among the topics covered by the sessions.
An evaluation form was completed by members so Trustees could monitor whether to add more sessions.
Due to the positive comments and success of the sessions more sessions are being held in 2021.(see events page for more details)

One member commented:- "Another great session with the lovely Nicole!
I love the upbeat nature of these sessions and the way that Nicole's cheerfulness is so infectious. All the participants are very friendly and welcoming too so it's easy to open up and share experiences with everyone. This weeks session has already had a positive impact on my week ... I have started wearing perfume daily as I enjoy smelling nice and so I've decided every day should be a special day (and that I'm not going to save it and see it go off in the drawer, like I do every year!)".

Another member commented "Love these sessions, this one was particularly interesting to me, as weight has always been my bone of contention, listening to Nicole made me feel better about myself and to take each day as a new start, if the eating plan fails, not to beat myself up about it. Nice to hear other people resort to chocolate and 'forbidden' foods to lift their mood, even if it is short term. Very enjoyable session."
More feedback is included in this report

Parents Voice

11th November 2020

Our extensive quarterly round up of what parents have been saying about Health, Education, Transport, EHC Plans, Leisure, Social Care etc

This edition of our Parents Voice is again a large document demonstrating a wide range of feedback from parents.

The July to September report for 2020 can be found here.
For other Parents Voice reports please have a look in our extensive library or check back through our Achievements pages or our library page.

LPCF SEND Survey for parents and SENCo

What have we done with the findings?

Jan-April 2020

LPCF have now presented the findings of the 2020 surveys to the Local Authority, the SEND Health committee and the Mental Health Partnership Board in a bid to improve the provision, quality , accessibility and range of services for children and young people in Lincolnshire.
See the link for the survey findings

Training for our volunteers

Summer 2020

Three LPCF Volunteers completed a huge amount of training over the summer period.
Between them they covered 18 different subjects and sucessfully achieved the outcomes.
Training was undertaken through the Volunteer Centre Lincolnshire.

Thank you to Lorraine, Carol & John for your dedication.

Virtual Signposting & Information Event

22nd September 2020

A diverse range of organisations and services attended our "virtual" Signposting & Information Day on 22nd September.
Five sessions were hosted by LPCF throughout the day giving parents, carers and professionals a chance to attend during the day and/or the evening.
The aim of the sessions were for organisations to provide participants with as much information about their organisation in 10 minutes. Participants were then given the chance to ask questions on the chat, if they wished.
The quick snapshot 10 minute overview meant that LPCF could invite 28 different
organisations throughout the day, which hopefully provided something for everyone.

Participants were also to complete an evaluation to provide feedback to LPCF about the event, which has been collated in the report herewith for your information.

Learning to see the light after Lockdown

A series of virtual Hypnotherapy sessions with Nicole from Hummingbird Hypnotherapy

LPCF trialled four Hypnotherapy sessions during the summer with Nicole from Hummingbird Hypnotherapy.

LPCF Members were given the opportunity to attend these FREE sessions taking place at various times of the day/evening to ensure they were accessible to most parents.

Stress and sleep and rest were among the topics covered by the sessions.
An evaluation form was completed by members so Trustees could monitor whether to add more sessions. Due to the positive comments and success of the sessions more sessions are being held in the near future.(see events page for more details)
One member commented:- "Really enjoyed the session today with Nicole and the other participants. A big thank you for reminding me that I have to prioritise myself from time to time and that I don't need to feel guilty about it! Thank you, Nicole, for your warm and friendly approach and your supportive words of wisdom.

It was also lovely joining with others who experience similar difficulties and even being able to laugh about them, together. I'm really looking forward to the next session. Thanks again!"
More feedback is included in this report

Virtual Coffee Event

1st September 2020

This "Virtual Coffee event" was offered to parents instead of our regular coffee events to ensure that parents were still supported during these challenging times.

The issue of returning to school was the subject for the meeting due to concerns being highlighted by parents on LPCF Facebook page.

Other opportunities for parental participation will be explored through our new "Time2talk" sessions coming soon.

Parents Voice

16th July 2020

Our extensive quarterly round up of what parents have been saying about Health, Education, Transport, EHC Plans, Leisure, Social Care etc

This edition of our Parents Voice is again a large document demonstrating a wide range of feedback from parents.

In this edition we have details of our Excellence award winner Carol Donohue -
Driving Instructor.

The April to June report for 2020 can be found here.
For other Parents Voice reports please have a look in our extensive library or check back through our Achievements pages or our library page.

New Ways of Working for LPCF

Over the last few months LPCF volunteers have broken new ground and have been piloting new ways of working.

Zoom meetings have been undertaken by volunteers who are now fully trained and confident with the media platform.
This virtual platform has also been used by the team to induct our new volunteers and for training sessions.

"Team" meetings with the Local Authority and health has become the "norm" rather than face to face meetings and volunteers are finding that it cuts down on travel time and although has its drawbacks also has had its benefits.

LPCF have also found that it is easier to reach parents from all over the county in one Zoom session, as this has always been a struggle with reaching parents throughout our vast rural County.

Kooth virtual showcase

Wednesday 15th July

Elle from Kooth joined LPCF to talk about their online wellbeing platform and offer of support.
The aim of the day was to give parents as much information about this Free service available to children aged between 11- 25.

Please click on the link for more details

Partnership working in Lincolnshire

Co production Week 6th July 2020

Co production week was celebrated in Lincolnshire with two examples of partnership working being included on the Contact website.

LPCF were delighted to be included as examples of success stories of how parent carer forums have worked with partners to help improve local services.
Please click on the link for more details

Virtual Coffee morning

13th May 2020

This trial "Virtual Coffee event" was held instead of our regular coffee events to ensure that parents were still supported during these challenging times.

Parents were able to discuss a range of issues with the team who found that the virtual format made accessing these events easier due to being able to do it from the comfort of your own home.
These events may be repeated throughout the year.

AGM

4th June 2020

LPCF held its AGM where the 2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts were presented. Annual Report

Volunteers and Trustees were thanked for the enormous amount of volunteer time given during the year.


Our year in numbers was presented detailing the work undertaken over the last year:-

4323 hours given to our forum last year.

350 meetings attended by our volunteers

15844 miles travelled annually to get to meetings etc.

Trustees were elected for the forthcoming year.
Other partners were thanked for their co production with LPCF.

LPCF SEND Survey for parents and SENCo

Results

Jan-April 2020

Many of you took part in our 2020 survey and the results have now been published and are available on the library page of our website or by clicking this link

A big thank you to parents who completed the survey and for giving us their views on the services their families receive.

A big thank you also goes to the many SENCos who took time out to complete the survey.


Don’t forget school may wish to use your participation as evidence, to Ofsted of your establishments engagement with parent carers of children with SEND.

Reaccreditation of Carers Quality Award

LPCF are proud to announce that we have been re accredited with the Carers Quality Award.

Assessor Every One

Well Done Team

Virtual Signposting & Information Event

28th May 2020

These Virtual events were held instead of our proposed event in Navenby to ensure that parents were still supported during these challenging times. Feedback from parents and organisations has been very positive.

One parent commented " it was lovely to hear that support is still available to parents even during this crisis and that there are people wanting to help. It makes me feel less alone".

This experimental trial has been successful and we intend to continue exploring virtual meetings providing it continues to be of interest to parents. See link for more details

Virtual Signposting & Information Event

20th May 2020

These Virtual events were held instead of our proposed event in Navenby to ensure that parents were still supported during these challenging times. Feedback from parents and organisations has been very positive.

One parent commented "I am so pleased I attended as I'm not sure where I would have got the information from".

This experimental trial has been successful and we intend to continue exploring virtual meetings providing it continues to be of interest to parents. See link for more details

Parents Voice

23rd April 2020

Our extensive quarterly round up of what parents have been saying about Health, Education, Transport, EHC Plans, Leisure, Social Care etc

This edition of our Parents Voice is again a large document demonstrating a wide range of feedback from parents.

The January to March report for 2020 can be found here.
For other Parents Voice reports please have a look in our extensive library or check back through our Achievements pages or our library page.

Volunteer Engagement Day

16th March 2020

LPCF held its March Volunteer/Trustee engagement day at the Supreme Inn, Bicker Bar, Boston.

A team of six volunteers joined together to learn about the initiatives that the Charity has been working on and to look at its current priorities.

The team were given the usual update on the meetings that volunteers and trustees have been attending and the outcomes that have been achieved.

The subject of parental participation and engagement was discussed and one of our own volunteers enabled us to look at the subject in more depth. Ideas to increase participation were encouraged and the outcome was that during the next few weeks we would explore the subject at length through our internal blog to collect everyone's views.

Along with the Local Authority and partners we have been involved in an additional programme of work to identify new ways to support schools, parents/carers and other professionals to successfully delivery the best outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs in a sustainable way.

Impower who are leading this work attended our VE day to inform volunteers about the projects progress so far, collect the views of our membership and to thank volunteers for their involvement in the work.


A volunteer commented " It was brilliant to hear that Impower wanted to hear what we had to say".

Lunch concluded the day.

Signposting and Information Day

31st January 2020

29 Organisations showcased their Information & Support for Parent carers & professionals at our Signposting & Information Event at Hubberts Bridge Community Centre in Janaury.

Parent Carers, Professionals and members of the public provided feedback at the event:-

"This was my first time attending a Signposting Event as a Professional and I really enjoyed it. All of the staff were very friendly, welcoming and accommodating. The venue was lovely. Lots of interesting stands however some stands felt a little hard to approach and not clear. Nonetheless I enjoyed the experience and will come again.

During the day we also gave parents the chance to attend two workshops delivered by Hil Gibb which gave parents a “Toolkit for Building their resilience"

During the workshops parents were asked to consider their coping mechanisms,were given hints to develop their skills,spent time exploring the support available and developing a plan to use the practical hints and tips they learnt.


Please see full report in our library for more details.

Volunteer Engagement Day

14th January 2020

LPCF held its Volunteer/Trustee engagement day at the Supreme Inn, Bicker Bar, Boston on 14th January 2020.

A team of ten volunteers joined together for a team building day to explore the work of LPCF.

The team were given an update on the meetings that volunteers and trustees have been attending.

The importance of the survey was discussed and all volunteers were encouraged to complete it and publicise it.

Discussions surrounding LPCF's coffee events followed and volunteers were asked to add ideas on post it notes to the display board. From these discussions it was suggested by volunteers, that LPCF should also have an open Facebook page for professionals and people without children with disabilities/SEN to find out more about our Charity.

Volunteers commented "Team building today was a chance for everyone to have a say, share ideas and a chance to learn about things from a different perspective.

Lunch concluded the day.

Parents Voice

26th January 2020

Our extensive quarterly round up of what parents have been saying about Health, Education, Transport, EHC Plans, Leisure, Social Care etc

This edition of our Parents Voice is again a large document demonstrating a wide range of feedback from parents.

The October to December report for 2019 can be found here.
For other Parents Voice reports please have a look in our extensive library or check back through our Achievements pages or our library page.