Newark and Sherwood Autism Support Group
Conference Report
3rd October 2019
Charles Street Methodist Church
“Different and Diverse – but not Defeated;
Disability Conference”
There were three speakers:
Paul Stafford – Senior Benefits Advisor, who talked around the complex criteria for benefit claims including DLA, PIP, ESA and Universal Credit.
Victoria Federico – Solicitor, who looked at SEND law, Access to Schools and EHC’s.
Henry Normal - poet and co-writer of tv sit-com ‘Royale Family’, who gave personal insights into family life with his 20 year old son with Autism as depicted in his book “A Normal Family”.
There were 8 ‘trade’ stands:
ASK US (formerly ‘Parent Partnership’)
Autism East Midlands
Colourful Hands Dolby Ltd
Hope House
Newark and Sherwood YMCA
Travel Counsellors
Parent Carers Forum
Young Carers
In addition, there were stands for Newark and Sherwood Autism Support Group and one for each of the three speakers.
One group “Small Steps” was expected to have a stand but did not attend.
Not a ‘stand’ as such, but a display of specialist equipment was on the platform behind the speaker.
Attendance
At the first session, the total ‘head count’ of attendee’s was 36 plus one baby.
Although people came and went during the course of the day, the total ‘head count’ at each of the three sessions did not change much. The maximum for the afternoon session was 39.
The Venue
The event seemed to work quite well within the spaces available.
Comments on seating, comfort, lighting, sound, video projection, kitchen, drinks and nibbles, lunch buffet or any other issue regarding the venue are welcome.
Admin.
Comments invited on any aspect of event admin., - conference content, session timings, publicity, advertising, delegate registration, advance tickets, speaker invitations, stand invitations, etc..