Hearts and Minds - a review of 2013

There's been a huge amount going on at Hearts & Minds in 2013, from Autism Bubble Day in April, a cycling challenge in Spain, horse-racing and Madness in July, a fabulous night of fund-raising and fashion in September to the star-studded Viva Las Vegas Ball...

But the most heart-warming stories of the year are about all the children who have been helped by their iPads from Hearts and Minds.  Here they are, and the links to their stories are below.

An iPad helps Corey with reading and writing

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/an-ipad-helps-corey-with-reading-and.html

Noah and the iPad

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/noah-and-ipad.html

How an iPad is helping a beautiful baby girl who is also blind

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/how-ipad-is-helping-beautiful-baby-girl.html

How an iPad helped Tom with brushing his teeth

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/how-ipad-helped-tom-with-brushing-his.html

Isaac points for the first time thanks to an iPad

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/isaac-points-for-first-time-thanks-to.html

Josh's iPad from Hearts and Minds helps him to stay calm

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/joshs-ipad-from-hearts-and-minds-helps.html 

Could an iPad help your child?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

Hearts & Minds : Achievements to date

Hearts & Minds Challenge is a young dynamic, innovative and passionate organisation formed in 2010 and based in Manchester, which is bringing positive change into the lives of those affected by autism throughout the UK.  The charity is putting together a range of services that includes awareness raising, education support, advocacy, counselling, transition planning and advice for families upon receiving diagnosis as well as a Facebook support group.

The Mission is to raise the quality of life of individuals and their families affected by autism by ensuring the highest standards in education, care and support leading to employment and equality of living opportunities.

Currently Hearts and Minds is running a fundraising campaign to raise £1 million in order to open a Centre of Education for Autism in Manchester.

These are all the achievements to date:

£30,000 raised for autism by the Hearts and Minds Ball

A huge thank you from all the Hearts and Minds families to all the friends, supporters and celebrities who attended the Viva Las Vegas Ball on Saturday 9th November.

More than £30,000 was raised, which will go towards the total needed to build the planned Education Centre for Autism in Manchester.

Hearts and Minds Ambassador Cleo Higgins arrived at the event in style and later sang...

Nov 9, 2013 | Cleo Higgins is rocking out the @handmchallenge #Vegas ball, what a voice! by diannebourney on Keek.com

Hearts and Minds patron and paralympic athlete Rik Waddon also attended the ball with his wife Natalie Jones, here with Hearts and Minds Events Manager Cheryl Broadfoot (centre)

Cheryl, whose son Bobby has autism, bravely had her head shaved at the event, after raising thousands in sponsorship, and then joined Cleo on-stage!

Also at the event, Manchester Mum Annette Jackson spoke about family life with autism.

Finally thank you to everyone who helped organise the event, including the Rococo Group, Julie Perry Events, the Hilton Hotel, and everyone who sponsored Cheryl, shared details of the ball, wrote about it,  and posted photographs and the video!

More about Hearts and Minds and how we help children with autism here: http://www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/

The Hearts & Minds Autism Christmas Gift Guide Part 1

Beautiful jewellery

Treat someone special to a unique handmade Christmas Gift by Caroline.  Prices start from just £2.99 and 10% of all sales go to Hearts and Minds.

https://www.facebook.com/ASDICE

Teacher's Presents

Unique and personalised gifts by another friend of Hearts and Minds.  These plaques are £8.99 each + P&P.

https://www.facebook.com/CloseToMyHeartPlaquesGifts

Cookbook

Just Look and Cook is a textfree visual cookbook that is being used with young people with autism with great success.  Produced in Ireland, it costs €20 + P&P and can be ordered here:

www.justlookandcook.ie

Character clothing

There's a huge range of character T shirts and pyjamas available from stockists like Tesco for the gamer in your household.

Weighted lap pads and quilts

This £20 weighted lap pad is one of many special needs products from Rosy & Bo.

http://RosyandBo.com

Mugs

Fun stuff includes this mug from Cafe Press

http://www.cafepress.co.uk/mf/22389705/proud-mom-of-autistic-son-2_mugs?productId=172211320

Special needs stocking fillers

Christmas Stocking fillers from  Fledglings, a national charity that finds and sells products to improve the lives of disabled children and their families:

http://www.fledglings.org.uk


Or you could of course make a donation to Hearts and Minds instead this Christmas ....

http://www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/

What kind of Mobile Phones can be recycled to exchange for an iPad?

Hearts and Minds accepts MOST old mobile phones.

However, for the charity to raise funds and to cover the cost of the iPads we cannot accept donations of phones over 10 years old, or non colour screen mobile phones.

Clues to age - e.g. small brick size phones, non colour screens, phones with antennae.

Examples below:

Mobile phones that will not be accepted 

1. Dummy Mobile phones 

These could be:
... Retail dummy display only models.
... Not real working mobile phone handsets

2. Home land line phones 

These could be:
... Land line house phones.
... Phones that do not take a mobile phone Sim card.

3. Very badly damaged, scrap mobile phones

These could be:
... Mobile phones with no screens or keyboards.
... Just motherboards with no casing

4. Counterfeit / Fake mobile phones 

These could be:
... Chinese made imitation mobile phones
... Most often fake apple iPhones
... Usually take 2 Sim cards

5. Mobile phones from landfills

These are:
... Usually covered in dirt
... Stained and heavily marked handsets 

Could an iPad help your child?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

The Hearts and Minds Cheshire Cycling Challenge 2014

Join us for a Hearts & Minds Challenge, Sunday 20th July 2014! 

Hearts And Minds Challenge together with CycleSurgery Manchester invite you to join us for this fantastic cycling event. All running costs for the event are covered by our sponsors so every penny of your registration fee will be used to support families living with Autism in the UK. 

 

Starting and finishing in the stunning grounds of Capesthorne Hall the ride will comprise of an intermediate (53.5 miles) and advanced course (74 miles), both warming up with a rolling 12 miles through the heart of the Cheshire countryside. 

Next is where the “Challenge” comes in! 

The course will head off towards Bosley Hill and the famous “Dumbers” climb towards Buxton and will branch off towards the little village of Flash – At 1560ft home of the highest pub in England! 

At this point the advanced ride will peel off towards Bakewell. Taking in some of Derbyshire’s most spectacular vistas, climbs and hamlets (and fast, fun descents!) It will loop back to Buxton and then take in the stunning climb through The Goyt Valley and finally descending back into Cheshire after over 3500ft of climbing. 

The intermediate course will still be a challenge with a fast descent from Flash into Buxton and will take in Long Hill and The Goyt Valley before rolling along Clough Brook through the lovely valley of Wildboarclough before climbing back over the Dumbers and descending back into Cheshire. Make no mistake! This is still a challenge and takes in nearly 2500ft of climbing – enough to test the majority of keen cyclists! 

You will be joined on this ride by our Patron Rik Waddon. Rik has been an inspiration to many with his fantastic cycling career which has included multiple successes in the Paralympics and World Championships. 

All cyclists who have registered for this event will be entered into a prize draw for a new Carbon Road Bike and will also receive a voucher giving 10% discount off all none sale accessories and clothing at the Manchester Cycle Surgery store. Cycle Surgery will also have a bike maintenance area at the start / finish area and will be on hand to help with any mechanical problems. They will also have a stock of spare parts available should you need them. There will be a number of drink stations and marshals along both routes as well as a medical team for your safety. 

We will also have a Family Fun Day at Capesthorne Hall for your family to enjoy while you are cycling. 

Sign up here:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/101160/Hearts-And-Minds-Challenge-

See Twelve Angry Men and raise funds for Hearts and Minds

The charity has secured up to 30 seats per performance for

Monday 18th November at 7.30pm

Tuesday 19th November at 7.30pm

Wednesday 20th November at 7.30pm

Monday 25th November at 7.30pm

Thursday 26th November at 7.30pm

Wednesday 27th November at 7.30pm

Monday 2nd Decemberat 7.30pm

Tuesday 3rd December at 7.30pm

Wednesday 4th December at 7.30pm

Top price £49.50 seats reduced to £19.50 plus a mandatory donation of £5 to Hearts and Minds

Offer closes on Friday 22nd November - so book now by clicking on this link...

http://seemoretheatre.seetickets.com/Tour/TWELVE-ANGRY-MEN-FUNDRAISING/?src=HEARTSANDMINDS

100% of all funds raised go directly to Hearts and Minds to raise the quality of life of individuals and their families affected by autism

Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0HH 

Nearest Tube: Charing Cross 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEE TICKETS

Terms and Conditions: Top price £49.50 seats reduced to £19.50, plus £5 donation. Maximum of 6 tickets per transaction/per household and subject to availability. A £2.75 transaction fee applies. Tickets can only be booked online via the above link and are not available on the telephone or at the Garrick Theatre Box Office. Tickets cannot be re-sold for profit or commercial gain and should any tickets sold via this link be found on ebay or secondary ticketing websites they will be cancelled immediately and the attendees refused admission to the theatre. Offer closes on Friday 22nd November. Any unsold tickets after these date will be released for general sale.

 

Free workshops for siblings of special needs kids in Tameside

 

Josh's iPad from Hearts and Minds helps him to stay calm

Josh is a 10 year old boy with autism who used to love his Wii, but also got very distressed by it when a game didn't go to plan.  And in the end Mum Nichola felt she had to remove it.  But the iPad was different...

"On the Wii, if he lost a race against Mario etc, there would be tears, meltdowns, and even a broken TV screen, so I had to remove the Wii," she says.  "Then I decided to do the Hearts and Minds Challenge to get him an iPad instead by collecting old mobile phones.  I got my Facebook friends to help me collect, also my work colleagues, and my colleagues at head office.  I was quite surprised how many people helped, and how quickly I collected them, and how easy the whole process was."

"Then the iPad arrived.....And he absolutely loves his iPad!  It has calmed him down loads and he has many more happy times in the day, than frustrated times.  It is amazing what he has learned himself to do in his own time.   He loves the sensory Apps you can get, and is learning when he needs to use them."

------------------------

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

See 'ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS' and help Hearts & Minds

 

BOOK TICKETS HERE: http://seemoretheatre.seetickets.com/Tour/ONE-MAN-TWO-GUVNORS-FUNDRAISING/?src=heartsandmind

How one Burnley couple have already obtained 3 iPads from Hearts and Minds

A dedicated Burnley couple explain why they got involved in the Hearts and Minds Challenge to obtain iPads for local children with autism....
 
We are parents of two children and our youngest who is now 6 is currently diagnosed with speech and language disorder and sensory issues, this could possibly lead to a diagnoses of AS later.  He has an iPad, and it has taught him so much, there are so many specialised apps and his visual learning is really strong, like so many other children on the spectrum.

So when we saw the advert on TV one evening about 10 months ago about a charity that would exchange 165 old mobiles for 1 iPad, we thought of all the children we could help on the autistic spectrum, or those with social communication problems that didn't have access to one.

We began by creating small posters and giving them to local cafes, charity shops, hairdressers, and college etc so people could have these as drop off places and we could collect from them.  Each phone donated is photographed then put onto our facebook page (Autism and Social Communication Awareness) with a personal thank you.

The word gets round via the page also. We are now awaiting the 3rd iPad and have started collecting for number 4.  The first iPad we donated to Action for ASD in Burnley (our local town), we are very lucky to have this centre in our town it provides support for parents and children in various ways.

The second one we donated to OJs based in Preston, which again supports children and families on the Autistic Spectrum.

By collecting these phones it also gets people talking about Autism and wanting to know more about it......and that's so good because knowledge brings understanding and that's so badly needed.   In April 2013 we persuaded Blackpool Tower to turn blue for Autism Awareness Day and we hope to do the same next year too. 

We also have a twitter account running (Davina Walker @ASC_Awareness). So we started the twitter, the facebook page and I started a blog (apieceofthepuzzleblog.com) all at Easter ........it's all helped and taught me a lot, because before Easter I didn't really know how to use facebook or any social media, and now I do it all....

------------------------

Find out more about Autism and Social Communication Awareness here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-and-Social-Communication-Awareness/379250578856308?hc_location=timeline

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASC_Awareness

Blog:  http://apieceofthepuzzleblog.com/

------------------------

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

Cheryl to go to the ball and shave her head for Hearts and Minds

 

Here is the link to her Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow campaign:

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/cherylbroadfoot1

Or you can support Cheryl's campaign via Paypal:

cshowbiz@sky.com

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge
Mobile Phone Recycling Website: heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 
Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

A Derbyshire Mum's fight to get her son an autism diagnosis

Derbyshire Mum Caroline has three boys, but from birth she noticed something different about Lewis. 

"He never slept, never fed well, never looked at us, and at 2 was still non verbal," says Caroline.   

They took him for a hearing test when he was two, and at the appointment Lewis began arm flapping and an assessment for autism was recommended.

Three years later and the family are still fighting to get a diagnosis, even though he has many issues:

"A few worries are no danger awareness, a poor diet of only brown and cream foods, no sleep, and delayed speech... and too many others to mention."

But because he has no diagnosis, he has no services.  But Caroline is fighting to help Lewis from every angle: he began a new assessment in a new area 6 months ago.

"We will never give up!"

She has also joined the Hearts and Minds Challenge to get her son an iPad by collecting old mobile phones.

"I think that an iPad would help Lewis interact, learn, help his speech, independence, and self help skills in life,"  she says.

Please support her mobile phone collection if you can:

https://www.facebook.com/events/423188507790118/

As if that wasn't enough, she is now making and selling beautiful jewellery to raise autism awareness and funds for Hearts and Minds.  Once again, her son was the inspiration, because she needed an ID bracelet for him in case he slipped away:

"Lewis lets go of my hand a lot, and I was so worried he would get lost on holiday, so I thought what a fab idea to make ID bracelets, then came a few ideas of jewellery and ideas just flowed from my head."

A child's ID bracelet

This is her jewellery page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Awareness-Jewellery-and-Safety-items-By-Caroline/283234721809964?hc_location=stream

Some more examples of her jewellery - all of which can be purchased by messaging her page.

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

Isaac points for the first time thanks to an iPad

Isaac is almost 5 years old and has classic autism and other conditions, including seizures and global developmental delay.  He is still non verbal but has now started pointing since the arrival of an iPad obtained through the Hearts and Minds mobile phone recycling scheme.

You can read more about Isaac and his family here: http://faithmummy.wordpress.com/

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

GIVEAWAY! A fabulous Mia Tui Bag

Autism Mums are not always good at treating themselves, so here at Hearts and Minds we have a very special treat for one Mum thanks to Mia Tui, whose award-winning multi-functional bags are loved by Mums all over the UK, and further afield.

These wonderful bags are available in a variety of colours and styles and can be used as travel bags, changing bags, gym bags and for work. 

This is the gorgeous Minnie Amelie and we have one bag to give away on the Hearts and Minds Facebook page!

It has plenty of functionality with two pockets for bottles or sippy cups, clips for your keys plus a phone and pen holder, a co-ordinating clutch bag that you can use this as your mini handbag, and a clear PVC bag which is ideal for all your wipes and creams.  A changing mat or iPad, plus a few spare nappies or toys can effortlessly fit into the large inside pocket.

One winners will be chosen at random on Thursday 31st October 2013 at 10am in the morning.  Simply pop over and LIKE the Facebook post and write your reason for wanting this wonderful bag.
UK and Northern Ireland only.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=604378019605646&set=a.179083095468476.37550.174286835948102&type=1&theater

Do you like what you see?  Well Mia Tui have also given a 20% off discount code to use on the website so you can buy your own bag too!

This is the code: Mia13

Here is the link to their website: http://miatui.com/

  

The Hearts and Minds Facebook community for families affected by autism:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Other social media:

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

How to get your child an iPad from Hearts and Minds

It's very simple: collect old mobile phones and Manchester autism charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for an iPad:

165 old phones = 1 iPad 2

There are other products available as well for homes and also schools, such as laptops, iPad minis and protective cases:

http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/phones-4-education-communication/

Note: you do not need to have a child with autism to benefit from this scheme - any family can take part, once they collect the phones.

How can my child benefit from an iPad?

Using an iPad can help with the following:

...communication
...learning
...organisation
...fine motor skills
...relaxation .
...behaviour

What sort of phones do you take?

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/what-sort-of-mobile-phones-can-be.html

How would I collect 165 phones?

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/top-tips-for-collecting-old-phones.html

Where do I sign up?

http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/how-to-register/

Why does Hearts and Minds run this scheme?

1.  It helps families obtain useful technology for their children, including children with autism.
2.  It raises funds for Hearts and Minds to go towards the building of a school in Manchester for children with autism:

http://heartsandmindsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/keith-duffy-helps-launch-1-million.html


Hearts and Minds also runs a Facebook community for families affected by autism:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Other social media:

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

See the X Factor Musical and help Hearts and Minds!

Help Hearts and Minds, and enjoy the brand musical I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium in March 2014.

Irreverent, mischievous and yet strangely touching, I Can’t Sing! is an irrepressible new musical comedy opening in February 2014. Go behind the microphones and under the judges’ desks at the biggest show on earth, as I Can’t Sing! exposes the (allegedly) true story behind The X Factor – a gloriously twisted tale of naked ambition, heartache, hunchbacks and a talking dog.

Buy tickets for the school rate of £22.50 plus a £5 mandatory donation to Hearts and Minds.
Tickets are normally £55.

Tickets are available for these performance:

WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm
FRIDAY 7TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm
THURSDAY 13TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm
FRIDAY 21ST MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm
MONDAY 24TH MARCH 2014 at 7.30pm

This offer is only bookable until Tuesday 1st October 2013

Book here:

http://seemoretheatre.seetickets.com/Tour/I-CAN-T-SING-THE-X-FACTOR-MUSICAL-FUNDRAISING/?src=HEARTS&MINDS

 

More press coverage for John Fashanu's visit to a special school for Hearts and Minds

 

John Fashanu reveals his son's autism-like learning difficulties as he visits a special school for Hearts and Minds

Football legend John Fashanu revealed his son's autism-like learning difficulties on a visit to a special school for Hearts and Minds.  He was presenting iPads and a defibrillator to Oakfield School in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, which were obtained through the Hearts and Minds mobile phone recycling scheme by Cheryl Broadfield, through her Give Bobby A Voice appeal.

Read more in the Manchester Evening News here:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/football-legend-john-fashanu-hit-6039436

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

Press coverage gets Margate boy an iPad

Read the full newspaper article here: http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Margate-mother-s-plea-old-mobile-phones-help/story-19536509-detail/story.html


Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge

Cheap theatre tickets that support Hearts and Minds!

BOOK TICKETS AT THIS LINK:  http://seemoretheatre.seetickets.com/Tour/THE-RESISTIBLE-RISE-OF-ARTURO-UI-FUNDRAISING/?src=HEARTS&MIND

BOOK TICKETS AT THIS LINK:  http://seemoretheatre.seetickets.com/Tour/THE-RESISTIBLE-RISE-OF-ARTURO-UI-FUNDRAISING/?src=HEARTS&MIND