snap cymru...snap cymru celebrating 30 years 02 snap cymru is a welsh charity that provides...

SNAP CymruCelebrating 30 Years

Listening to ChildrenWorking in Partnership Giving Families a Voice

1986-2016

SNAP Cymru Celebrating 30 Years

02SNAP Cymru is a Welsh Charity that provides independent information, advice andsupport for parents, children and young people (0-25), who have additional learningneeds. Our advice is impartial, honest and reliable and is provided through our AllWales helpline, website and our specialist casework service.

About Us

As one of the largest providers of SpecialistInformation and Advice in Wales, we provide26 local services across Wales helping familiesmake informed decisions and resolve theirproblems. We believe that children thrive andachieve their potential when all partnersincluding parents, professionals and young

people work together. Reliable informationenables children, young people and their familiesto participate fully and equally and helpsfamilies to understand the law, their rights andresponsibilities and to have their voices heardwithin the area of Additional Learning Needs.

We help over 3,000 families each year to resolve more than7,500 issues, concerns or disputes.

Helping Families since 1986

03Welcome from theBoard of Trustees

We are so proud and delighted to celebrate 30 years of SNAP Cymru. Takingforward the inclusion agenda for children and young people and trailblazing apartnership approach to problem solving in education. We have welcomed newtrustees into the NEC and, sadly, said goodbye to Dafydd Ifans who has given ussuch wonderful support over many years. We know that Dafydd continues to takean active interest in the work we do.

In 1986 the charities Scope and Mencap won agrant to set up an independent Parent Partnershipservice in South Wales. This was in response tothese organisations being swamped with callsfrom families desperate for support to navigatethe maze of assessment and provision foradditional needs. In a few years the charity,then known as the Special Needs AdvisoryProject (SNAP) was truly independent andmanaged by Trustees in its own right.

As SNAP Cymru grew and spread throughoutWales we took on many more areas of work asneeds were identified, including: DisagreementResolution; Children’s Advocacy; Discrimination,and Appeals. Throughout all of this, accreditedtraining and quality management was put inplace to support our staff, volunteers and othersto improve the service offered at every level.Over the last 30 years were proud to havesupported 70,000 families and helped toresolve 150,000 issues.

30 years on and families tell us they need thisbreadth of service more than ever. This isevidenced by the huge number of familiesaccessing our services. Whether its parentsgrappling with the intricacies of requesting anassessment or a child wanting support from anadvocate because of bullying, our staff andvolunteers take up the issues and try to resolvethem with all parties involved.

Much has changed for the better, as the inclusionagenda drives forward. There are still mountainsto climb, but as we look back, we can all beproud of what SNAP Cymru has achieved withparents and partners. Our vision remains clearand we continue to champion change toimprove policy, practice and provision forchildren, young people and their families.

We are now present on some high streetsrecycling clothing and interesting items throughour boutique style charity shops. Here we aregaining local volunteers and welcoming localcommunities in to experience the warmth of theSNAP Cymru family and find out more abouthow we might help them and how they mighthelp others.

The trustees thank our families and youngpeople, our volunteers, our staff our fundersand all the professionals who make uswelcome in their services. There is a new andexciting time coming to meet the additionalneeds of children and young people. We willbring 30 years of experience and dedication tothis new era and look forward to seeing you allat our next landmark celebration.

Dr David Williams Chair


04Contents

Contact usSNAP Cymru10 Coopers YardCurran Road CardiffCF10 5NB

Helpline: 0845 120 3730

Helpline from mobile: 0345 120 3730

Office: 02920 348 990

[email protected]

Registered Charity Number: 1027599Limited Company Number: 2832114

About Us 02Welcome from the trustees 03Contents and map 04Some numbers 05Our journey map 06Avoiding and resolving disagreements 08How we help 09Information and advice 10Specialist casework 11A word from our families 12

Resolving disagreements 13Independent professionaladvocacy 14SNAP do a lot more thanhand holding 15Partnerships and training 16Partnerships andcollaborations 17Training-developing people 18Who participatesin our training 19

Volunteering and fundraising 20 Volunteering-the gift of time 21Volunteering awards 22Fundraising 23What will your donation pay for? 24Shop SNAP Cymru 25Future plans 26

26LOCAL SERVICESACROSS WALES


05Some numbersin our 30th year

Families supported Social Return onInvestment

Volunteering hoursmaking a difference by donating

CALLS TO OURADVICE LINE

SROI IS AN APPROACH TOUNDERSTANDING ANDMANAGING THE IMPACTOF OUR WORK. IT TELLS THESTORY OF CHANGE ANDIMPACT BY MEASURINGSOCIAL, OUTCOMES ANDUSES MONETARY VALUESTO REPRESENT THEM.

EVERY £1 INVESTEDIN SNAP CYMRUEQUATES TO £20OF SOCIAL VALUE

80

WMFFDOWNLOADS

TOP 3 LOCATIONS SWANSEA, CARDIFFTHEN NEWPORT, THESE 3 CITIES ALONECONSTITUTE 35% OF OUR SUBSCRIBERS

PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS

AND VOLUNTEERS

3,000+FAMILIESHELPED LAST YEAR

7,500 ISSUES

10,600TELEPHONE CALLSSUPPORTING FAMILIES

11,843EMAILS

FAMILIES SUPPORTED AT MEETINGS

1,078

6,150

HOURS =£250,000ANNUALEQUIVALENT

VOLUNTEERSEACH MONTH

25,000

Website Data

Facebook People attending our training

629

69.41% PC DEVICES87,688

HITS ANNUALLY

30.59%MOBILE DEVICES

2500ANNUALLY

287,880PEOPLEREACHED

OF THE 2342 PEOPLE83% ARE WOMEN THEMAJORITY OF THEM

UNDER 45

2,628LIKES

THIS YEAR


06Our journey

The start of our journey began here1986 1992

1994 1998

1999

2000

Launch of SNAP Supported by theAll Wales Strategy (AWS) fundingstream, SNAP is launched at theUniversity of Swansea

Stick and Stones – SNAP and WelshCollege of Music and Drama perform atto the House of Commons

The Welsh Office commissionsSNAP Cymru to develop ‘Namedpersons’ service

Launch of SNAPCymru’s PartnershipCharter

Listening to Children – launchof advocacy services forchildren and young people

Accredited training with theNational Open College Network(NOCN) is developed

Specialist Quality Mark inEducation Advice gainedfrom Community LegalServices, and works withCLS to seek local solutionsto disagreement withoutrecourse to litigation

National Assembly for Walescommissions SNAP Cymru to developDisagreement Resolution Service forDedicated Support for Black andMinority Ethnic CommunitiesDeveloped

‘About Me’ national conference withDisability Rights Commission – Youngpeople share their personal experienceof transition through school towardadulthood

20021997

‘The BEST for Special Education’ – Welsh OfficeGreen Paper – ‘SNAP is unique to Wales andoperates a parent support service in most parts ofthe country… Its work means that many disputeshave been resolved without the need for anappeal (to SEN Tribunal)‘ The ‘BEST for SpecialEducation’ Welsh Office Green Paper 1997

Membership of WAGSEN – WA Ministers advisorygroup for SEN, formed in 1998 as a response torecommendation in the SEN Green Paper

2003Director of SNAP Cymru DeniseInger Invited to 10 Downing Street Inrecognition of excellence in the fieldof Special Education Needs.


You are here!

2001

2010

2011

20122014

The Audit CommissionReport identified thevalue and benefits toparents from PPS support

The Special EducationalNeeds and Disability Act of2001 made PPS a statutoryrequirement of LocalAuthority funded activity

European Social Fund project inpartnership with WCVA/LSC AdviceTraining Network Consortium

‘About Me 2’ Conference SwanseaLandmark conference where youngpeople share their experience of schoolexclusion.

SNAP Cymru launchesNational Advice Helpline

All Wales Parent ALNConsultation on behalf ofWelsh Government

“HARD TO REACH”- BMEconference

Commissioned by the WelshAssembly Government toprovide ALN Training for Youthoffending service and Youthjustice professionals in Wales

Partnership with EarlySupport Wales to developKey Working training

Awarded the Queen ElizabethJubilee Award for Volunteering

Launch of Wmff! App and website toimprove access to information andsignposting, promote and protect therights of children and young people,

Huw Lewis AM Minister for EducationLaunches new Bilingual website

Awarded Investors in People BronzeAward & Member of National HelplinePartnership

Social Return on Investment – Wavehillresearch demonstrating for every £1spent on SNAP Cymru activities there is asocial return value of £20.61 created

First SIOP Snap Cymru opens inLlandrindod wells

SNAP Cymru visit House of Lordsto encourage third sector use ofWelsh Language

2016

2013 Commissioned toprovide ALN Trainingfor Careers Wales

Commissioned by The Public ServiceOmbudsman for Wales to provide ALNtraining and legal update for theOmbudsman’s team

Partnership with CAB/Shelter Cymru toprovide Frontline Advice services

Website selected as example of excellence inbilingual contemporary media in Wales aspart of Digital National Archive

2015

2004

Zaika Amhed SNAP Cymru BME Officerreceives MBE

SNAP Cymru Training Unit is establishedensuring consistent, quality training across– and become an Approved Centre withOCN – (AGORED Cymru)

Director of SNAP Cymru revisits 10 DowningStreet In recognition of SNAP Cymru’s role incommunity development.

2005

2007

30 Year anniversaryevent at the Senedd


08Avoiding andResolvingDisagreements


09How we help

3%young peoplenot in education,

employment or training(NEET), were given advice,support or training toparticipate and develop

7%children and youngpeople who are

excluded from school werehelped to get back and stayin school with the appropriatesupport or move successfullyto a new school

55%families andprofessionals

helped to avoid andresolve disputes early andinformally preventingdisagreements anddisputes from escalating

3%children and young peopleand their families received

Formal Disagreement sessions orwere given support to appeal tothe SEN Tribunal for Wales (SENTW)

4%children and young peoplewith Health and Wellbeing

issues were helped

1%children who arehome educated

contacted us for support toaccess appropriate services

27%children, young peopleand their families were

helped with Reviews, StatutoryAssessment and Statements

In 2 years 2014-2016 we helped 6,000 children andyoung people and their families with 15,000 issues


10

The information and advice line is availableMonday – Friday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm, an answerphone is available at all other times. We will callyou back if you’ve left a message because ourhelpline is busy.

Most families and young people find they can sortout particular issues following the advice given.People can return as many times as they likeabout a particular issue or any others that arise.

People can phone us or submit an enquiry to us at our bilingual helpline service.Contacting us in this way gives access to a trained and experienced advisor who willgive confidential, impartial and accurate advice and support on additional learningneeds as well as make referrals to our specialist casework service or to our networkof partners.

6,000FAMILIES CALL FORADVICE ANNUALLY

I would just like to thank you again for yoursupport and input in what is a very difficultsituation, I have no doubt that without yourintervention there would be a very differentoutcome for my grandson. I and my familyreally appreciate your advice and support,you have shown that you go the extra milefor families with issues like ours. Thank Godthere are organisations like SNAP Cymru tosupport us. Thank you once again. Angela

Information and Advice

Families and professionals can access information and advice through our nationaltelephone advice line, our face to face specialist casework service, email enquiryline or website. Working across education, health and social care our Family andYoung People Officers provide confidential and impartial advice, as well as ensuringthat parents and young people's views are heard and understood and that familiesunderstand their rights, roles and responsibilities.

SNAP Cymru National Helpline 0845 1203730


11

We empower families by providing theinformation and advice they need to solveproblems and by referring into casework or,where necessary, to other services. Our websiteincludes detailed leaflets, template letters andadvice guides and frequently asked questions sopeople have a better understanding of their rightsand responsibilities, helpling them take the firststeps in helping themselves to resolve theirproblems.

Some issues will require ongoing support from our casework team. Our specialistcaseworkers can help families’ problem solve and unpick issues to uncover theunderlying nature of any potential disagreements.

Specialist Casework Service

Our teams have good knowledge, trainingand experience and are passionate abouthelping people overcome barriers, empoweringothers and offering support and guidancethat meets the needs of families.

A key objective is to intervene early toreduce the possibility of problems escalating,particularly through collaboration andpartnership between the family, school andwider community.

Families and young people need to feelconfident that their views wishes and feelingsare listened to. Caseworkers can helpfamilies prepare for meetings, contribute toassessments and reviews, participate indecisions and challenge where necessary.

Our quality assured service is delivered tonationally recognised standards and in accordancewith Welsh Government legislation and guidance.SNAP Cymru holds the Community Legal ServicesSpecialist Quality Mark for Education Advice.

ProfessionalsProfessionals contacting on behalf of familiesshould encourage families where possible toself-refer. When referring they must have theparent’s explicit consent. Professionals can alsocontact for general information and advice ortraining requests. Referrals can be made usingthe downloadable Professional Referral Form orby completing the online form.

www.snapcymru.orgOur public information bilingual web service www.snapcymru provides 24 houraccess to information advice on additional learning needs, choosing a school,exclusions, assessments, statements, bullying, discrimination and much more.

87,700PEOPLE VISITEACH YEAR


12A word from our families

A year ago, my son, Oliver, was diagnosedwith Asperger’s, and later with Dyspraxia andAuditory Processing Disorder. He was 10. Wehad spent six years working our way throughthe system – it had been a long and painfuljourney. For my husband and I, coming toterms with these diagnoses was difficult. Wewere fearful for his wellbeing, his happinessand his potential for the future.

We soon discovered that if we wanted to getOliver’s needs properly assessed we wouldhave to request a Statutory Assessment.Anyone who has been through the processknows how many hurdles there are toovercome and how complicated the process is.This is probably the hardest but also the mostimportant thing we have ever done.

We contacted SNAP Cymru for advice. Theyworked with us tirelessly, were faultlesslyprofessional in their approach and reassuredus at every step of the way. We were given theinformation we needed to present the best evidence to the local authority and they gave usconfidence when we felt like giving up becausethe obstacles seemed so insurmountable.

Thankfully, Oliver is now happy and settled andthis is in no small part due to the help andsupport we received from SNAP Cymru. We cannow finally say we are very excited for his future!

In August this year, I found myself in a situationin work where I again needed advice. I run anapprenticeship scheme and one of our youngapprentices has dyslexia and ADHD. I realisedthat he wasn’t getting the right kind of supportand I contacted SNAP Cymru. Once again, Iwas given dependable information and advice.This helped our apprentice get access to thesupport he needs to continue and succeed.

SNAP Cymru are a service that parents, andindeed anyone involved with a child withadditional learning needs, can benefit fromenormously. They offer so much in terms ofsupport, guidance, information and knowledge.I can’t begin to thank them enough for all theyhave helped me and my family achieve.

Parent, Glamorgan


13

SNAP Cymru provides a quality assured, triedand tested alternative to generic disagreementresolution services. This means that familiesand professionals and can be assured that ourservice is delivered to nationally recognisedstandards and in accordance with WelshGovernment legislation and guidance.

Our experienced staff and mediators• Work directly within the SEN legal frameworkand understand the complexity of the issuesfrom the perspective of parents, the localauthority and the school

• Have direct experience of working withparents, schools and professionals

• Have direct experience of appearing beforethe Special Educational Needs Tribunal forWales and therefore have the requiredknowledge and expertise to effectivelyidentify issues, needs and positions

• Have completed Education Law training,level 4 Mediation training, Solution FocussedInterview training, Advocacy andSafeguarding training.

Avoiding and resolvingdisagreement

Disputes between parents, local authorities and schools concerning AdditionalLearning Needs (ALN) provision can be contentious and costly, sometimes resultingin appeals being made to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal Wales. This can bea drawn out process for everyone and may result in strained relationships which arenot in the child’s interests. Where it hasn’t been possible to prevent disagreementsarising, the focus should shift to resolving them as quickly and appropriately aspossible. Early resolution of disagreements significantly benefits everyone involvedand can avoid unnecessary stress and expense.


14IndependentProfessional Advocacyfor children and young peopleSNAP Cymru provides issue based, independent professional advocacy, advice andinformation to children and young people across Wales. Our advocates work toensure that children and young people can understand what is happening to them,can make their views known and where possible exercise choice when decisionsabout them and their future are being made.

Children and young people of any age cancontact us via phone 0845 120 3730 or by emailat [email protected] to raise issues andconcerns about things they are unhappy about:

• if they want support, information or advice • if they feel their views are not being listened to• if they are angry or upset about somethingthat is happening to them or they feel they’vebeen treated unfairly

• if no one is telling them what is happeningabout their situation or decisions are beingmade about them that they haven’t beeninvolved in

• to help them take part in meetings and reviewsand make decisions at times of transition

• or if they want to make a informal or formalcomplaint, challenge an exclusion, make aclaim of discrimination or an appeal to theSEN tribunal and need a Case Friend

SNAP Cymru works proactively with otherorganisations who deliver advocacy services tochildren and young people to campaign andlobby to influence the policy agenda andsupport the development of advocacy acrossWales so children and young people with ALNin particular, achieve the best possible outcomes.

“I got to saywhat I liked

doing, what Ifound hard andwhat I want to

happen”


15SNAP Cymru do a lot more than hand holding!

• They support young people, parents andprofessionals to effectively communicateviews and vital information

• They ask constructive questions that enableclearer understanding or challenge tocurrent thinking

• They empower a young person and parentto feel more confident to self-advocate askquestions and speak up

• They help you take notes and check whatactions have been agreed, time-scales andmonitoring and follow them up ensuring theyhappen

Someone said SNAP is “just there to hold the parents hand” When I went through theprocess some time ago, a hand holding from SNAP was most welcome and gaveme the confidence to be the best advocate I could be for my child. Actually, atmeetings, SNAP Cymru do a lot more than hand holding!

“Wish Id comesooner, all the

stress anddisagreementwould have

been resolved somuch earlier”

They understand exactly what it feels like to be a parent of a child withALN – the incredible unmeasurablejoys and the awful lows andfrustrations. Swansea Parent

16


Partnerships & Training


17

Working with others extends the network ofhelp, improves access and helps us to supportmany more children, young people and theirfamilies. Working together means we can shareexpertise, skills and reputation and help meetpriorities for Welsh families:

• improve children’s early years’ experiences• create more inclusive and cohesivecommunities

• improve the skills of young people and families• ensure people receive the help they need tolive fulfilled lives

• Cardiff University• Advice Providers Network• University of Wales TrinitySt.Davids

• Bangor University• Swansea University• Ystrad Mynach College• Cardiff City Football ClubFoundation

• Cardiff City Council• IASS-Independent AdviceSupport

• REGIO – International SchoolLinking

• Groundwork• ESTYN Llaw• Agored Cymru• SENTW • Flying Start & Family Firstpartners

• Children in Wales• Shelter Cymru• Citzens Advice

• Pacey • GwirVol• Barnardo’s• Action for Children• St David’s Children’s Society• GISDA• WCVA• Welsh Government• Pembrokeshire Care Society• 22 Local Authorities• Services Network UK

Partnerships and CollaborationsSince our inception in 1986 SNAP Cymru has been a trail blazer in multi-agencycollaborations. Whether through government initiatives such as Flying Start, EarlySupport Wales or Family First Partnerships or through Third sector partnerships suchas Front Line Advice services with CAB and Shelter Cymru, we have strengthenedour organisations ability to participate with others to plan and deliver successfulservices which target particular areas of identified need.

SNAP Cymru currently work with the following partners:

SNAP Cymru would like to thank all our partnersover the 30 years who have supported us,advised, as well as challenged us on occasion.We wouldn't be here without you!


18Training —developing people

The quality of our training is widely recognised and draws upon local and nationalguidance and experience gained from over 30 years of working in partnership withparents and professionals.

We are passionate about HOW people learnand ensure our training courses are stimulatingand above all enjoyable. Over the last 30 yearswe have provided accredited and non-accredited training for thousands of individualswho wanted to improve the way they supportchildren and young people with ALN.

Our Welsh Government funded training for theYouth Offending Service in Wales, Early Supportand Key Working training for Education, Healthand Social Care Professionals and the currentInclusive Play and Disability Awareness Trainingfor Play Professionals are particular highlightsover the last 30 years. We were also delightedto deliver training for the Public ServiceOmbudsman team for Wales on education lawand practice and ALN training for CareersWales services across Cardiff and Gwent.

629PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS

AND VOLUNTEERSPARTICIPATED IN OURTRAINING LAST YEAR

Attending a SNAP Cymru course allowsyou to ‘tap into’ a wealth of experienceand support – the training helped mefocus on the most effective ways ofsupporting my clients with ALN andDisability. Careers Officer, ALN andDisability Team, Gwent

Our Training has always aimed to:• Help parents and carers become moreconfident in supporting their child and inworking with the practitioners they meet

• Help professionals develop their settingsand their practice to become moreinclusive for individuals with additional needs

• Encourages people to work collaborativelyon behalf of children and young people

• Help develop a high quality and skilledWelsh workforce.


19Who participates in our training?

We provide training for: • Parents, Foster Carers and Young People• Doctors, Dentist and Nurses, • Social Workers, Youth Offending teams, CareersAdvisors, Ombudsman's Casework team

• Specialist Teachers, SENCO's and LearningSupport Assistants

• Early Years Providers, Health Visitors andPortage Workers

• Service Managers, Head Teachers andSchool Governors

• Third Sector employees, Volunteers andStudents

We offer AGORED Cymru (level 1- 4) accreditedtraining and non-accredited, introductorysessions and twilight sessions for schools. Ourcourses cover all aspect of ALN and disabilityand can be developed as bespoke courses. Fora full list of our courses please seewww.snapcymru/training or call 01554 778288

The course has dramatically changedmy approach to working with peoplewith disabilities, I can now think of lotsof different activities for children of alldifferent abilities. Play Worker, Cardiff

20


Volunteeringand Fundraising


21Volunteers are a major asset to SNAP Cymru. By contributing time, energy andtalent, volunteers generate enthusiasm, provide new skills, increase communityengagement, fundraise and complement the work of our paid staff. They are anespecially vital resource for organisations like SNAP Cymru straining to meet theneeds of our beneficiaries with limited staff and budgets.

Our Volunteers ‘Gift of Time’ is measureable and valued by SNAP Cymru, The Welsh AssemblyGovernment, Local Authorities, children, young people and families. Our vision is that everycommunity across Wales will have face to face access to a trained Volunteer who is knowledgeableabout local ALN provision, local provision. Volunteering can help close the postcode lottery toreliable advice and support and improve the life chances of children and young people in Wales.

Volunteering —the gift of time

VOLUNTEERING HOURS –MAKING A DIFFERENCE

BY DONATING

VOLUNTEERS EVERY MONTH

After 38 years of teaching, I was looking for anorganisation where I could use the skills andexperience that I had gained. I was a child protectionofficer, which involved multi-agency working andsupporting young people and their families. I wantedto continue with a similar kind of role where I couldshare my experience and skills to benefit families.

I have been volunteering with SNAP Cymru for threeyears working from the Llanelli office coveringCarmarthenshire. I support families with casework, atschool meetings, multi-agency meetings and throughthe telephone helpline. I recently started deliveringtraining to Early Years providers.

Now that I’m retired, feel like I can give somethingback. I feel valued, and I feel that I can make avaluable contribution. Janice Sharpe, Volunteer

HOURS =£250,000ANNUALEQUIVALENT

25,000

80


22Volunteering for SNAP Cymru is uniqueand we have awardsto prove it!

Queens Award for Volunteering

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is thehighest award given to volunteer groups acrossthe UK. It is given for outstanding achievement byorganisations whose volunteers regularly devotetheir time to helping others in the community,improving the quality of life and opportunity forothers and providing an outstanding service.

SNAP Cymru were delighted to be awarded TheQueen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Awardas recognition for our unique role, on a nationalscale, to advance the education of people inWales and support their inclusion.

Investors in Volunteers AwardIn the year that SNAP Cymru celebrates 30years of providing services to families in Wales,we are extremely proud to have achieved theprestigious Investing in Volunteers qualitystandard for the third time recognising theexcellent work carried out across the organisationin supporting, training and developing volunteers.

Over 200 volunteers each year provide a rangeof services to advance the education of peoplein Wales and support their inclusion.

The Investing in Volunteers accreditationprocess helps us to continually improve anddevelop the way we support and train our volunteers. Investing in Volunteers demonstratesSNAP Cymru’s dedication and commitment tosector best practice and helps to recognise theamazing work volunteers do throughout ourorganisation and in the local community.

Volunteering for SNAP is life-changing!Sue Barratt, Swansea Volunteer

I feel as though I have been able to contributeto SNAP by giving the young person’sperspective. I’m also Welsh speaking, andthat was useful when speaking to familiesand helping design literature. Nia Frobisher


23Fundraising —adding value

All charities are struggling to cope with rising demand for their services at a timewhen many are facing a funding battle. SNAP Cymru is no different. The number ofchildren and parents wanting our service increases despite shrinking funds. Likeother charities we are taking action to manage this. We have reduced staff hoursand constantly review the range of services and our funding strategy. However,thirty years on, and despite periods of ‘up’s and down’s, we’re still here andcontinue to build and deliver a quality independent service for children and familiesacross Wales. The third sector and SNAP Cymru won’t be going anywhere soon!

We are constantly looking for new donors whocan support the shortfall in our income particularlyfor our National Helpline Service, so that morefamilies can have immediate and direct accessto impartial advice and advocacy.

My youngest daughter Amy was diagnosedwith ASD whilst she was in nursery. We wereobviously concerned about her transitionfrom nursery to ‘big school’ and spenthours talking with teachers and the LAtrying to agree and understand whatsupport Amy required and also what shewas entitled to… this was not straightforward… we contacted SNAP for guidanceand I cannot praise or thank them enough.

They guided, supported and helped usevery step of the way and without them, Ibelieve our experience would have beenvery different.

I ran the London marathon because Iwanted to return the favour, it was my smallway of thanking them for all the support theyhave given my family. Simon Brushett

We are extremely grateful to all our funders overthe last 30 years, not only for their generosity, butalso for their enthusiasm and shared belief inwhat we do. Without their support we mostcertainly wouldn’t be where we are today.

£2K will enable us to answer 100 calls to our Helpline

£47K will fund a specialist caseworker for a year

£2K will support a family from initial dispute through toresolution

£36 will enable us to open a new case via our Helpline

£50 buys one hour of formal mediation to help families

£50 buys one hour of a child’s advocate time

£150 will provide support to prepare and attend ameeting with a child or parent

£3K will support a child or family to appeal to the tribunal

What will yourdonation pay for?


24

WAYS TO RAISE AFIVER OR MORE...BRING IN THE £’SAND THE SMILES

As an organisation we believe thevalue of community fundraisinggoes beyond immediate financialsupport for SNAP Cymru. It alsoprovides long-term benefits ofbuilding a strong presence locally,creating trust, developingrelationships and raisingawareness of SNAP Cymru’s work with children and families.

50 Ways to Raise a Fiver is the name of our wonderful fundraising pack. Give it a readand you’ll definitely find fifty ways to help us and have a laugh along the way.

Who knows? You might come up with something entirely different again, if that’s the case go for it.Either way you’re raising funds for us to help families in Wales, and we really can’t thank-you enough.

£

50 Ways to Raise a Fiver

50SMILE AND NO-ONEWILL EVER KNOW!!!


25

We are also on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers to helpstaff our shop and make it a lively, friendly environment forcustomers. Volunteering in a SNAP Cymru Shop is a hugelyexciting and rewarding experience.

We hope our new ventures with the communityat its heart, are not just shops, but places tomeet, inspire and volunteer. Supporting ourshop will be a fantastic way to contribute to thecommunity, to help vulnerable children andfamilies and bag a bargain at the same time!

We also see our charity shops benefiting thewider community. Volunteering for many is away of building confidence and learning newskills as a very real way route back into paidwork. All our volunteers have a full trainingprogramme and opportunities to accessaccredited training.

But of course, our shops would be nothingwithout help.

Shop SNAP Cymru

Based in Llandrindod Wells, Neath and Llanelli our boutique style charity shops helpus raise valuable funds to continue supporting children, young people and familiesacross Wales.

TAKING PART IN DONATING ITEMS FOROUR SHOP IS A REALLY FUN WAY TOSUPPORT SNAP CYMRU

Visit, Volunteer and Donate

We really want to encourage the communityto get involved as much as they can, be itvolunteering in the shop or looking throughtheir wardrobes or bookshelves to bringalong any great donations. Every penny wemake in our shops goes to the vital workthat we do with families.Caroline Rawson, Assistant Director

DONATING JUST1 BLACK BAGCAN HELP RAISE

£20£20

If you'd like to volunteer, visit or donate to a SNAPCymru Shop, you can find out more information atwww.snapcymru.org/get-involved/ or call us on 01554 778288


26Future plans

For 30 years, SNAP Cymru has been a place for families to turn – even when it feelslike no one else is listening. We’ve helped over 70,000 families with 150,000 concernssince we launched in 1986. And it’s thanks to our amazing staff, supporters, partnersand volunteers that this is possible.

As we look to the future and in line with ourstrategic objectives, we will be focussing onincreasing our positive impact on the lives ofchildren and young people and their families.Our plans focus on providing quality support toaddress issues through our direct practice andinfluencing work.

Over the years the internet and mobile phoneshave allowed families to contact us moreeasily. Our staff and volunteers responded to10,600 telephone calls and 11,843 emails lastyear. 6,150 families called us via our nationaladvice line,

but right now we can only answer3 out of every 4 contacts fromchildren and families. 25% of our calls are missed.

Each year more and more families are goingonline for our support and we’ve seen amarked increase in the number of onlinereferrals from professionals. All of this takestime, it takes more volunteers and it takes vitalfunds to keep SNAP Cymru running.

Finally, legislative reform and transition fromone system to another – replacing Statementswith IDPs, in particular has the potential tocause anxiety for those children and youngpeople and their parents. SNAP Cymru has anessential role in supporting families positivelythrough these changes.

• Talking to SNAP Cymru can be the first stepthat gets a child back on track and in school

• Engaging with SNAP Cymru helps toreduce conflict, resolve disagreementsand restore relationships

• Attending SNAP training gives peoplegreater understanding and confidence tosupport children with additional learningneeds

With all this in mind during the next year we:

• intend to provide quality assured caseworksupport for more than 3,000 young peoplewith ALN and their Families

• further develop our avoidance ofdisagreement services in line with emerginglegislation and sector best practice

• maintain the high proportion of our serviceusers who experience positive impact orchange through our services

• contribute to the high level strategicdevelopment of Welsh Government policyon ALN

• deliver positive changes to children’s livesthrough our campaigning and policy work

• increase the number of donation andfundraising activities and grow our netunrestricted income from fundraisingactivities

• increase the number of volunteersmobilised in our communities

• raise awareness and change attitudesthrough the provision of accredited andquality training

Denise Inger, Chief Executive Director

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