Autism Mum Caroline helps raise vital funds for Hearts & Minds

 

Autism Mum and talented jewellery maker Caroline Chuter has kindly chosen Hearts & Minds as her Charity of the year to support and raise vital funds for.

She makes beautiful pieces of handmade autism awareness jewellery and raises lots of awareness of other conditions too including bipolar , cerebral palsy, adhd and many more.

Hearts and Minds is a charity close to her heart as Lewis has autism and she is currently battling for diagnosis and support for him
She recently collected enough old mobile phones to exchange for a laptop for him via the hearts and minds phone exchange
http://www.heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/

Caroline says Lewis is her inspiration behind her jewellery making.

Lots of her items also have safety in mind and can have parents phone numbers added in number beads , perfect for days out and holidays especially for children who have communication difficulties

This is her facebook page where you can see more of her jewellery and purchase by messaging her:
https://www.facebook.com/ASDICE?hc_location=stream

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

Autism Dad Paul Scholes dons boots for Family Football Event

Autism Dad, Hearts & Minds Patron, and former Manchester United Star, Paul Scholes, will be back on the pitch for the big family football event and charity match at Bolton's Reebock Stadium on Sunday May 18th.

It's going to be MUCH more than just a football match.  It is a family day out with a Family Fun Day outside the stadium including rides, bouncy castles, face painting and stalls. 

Paul Scholes is just one of many football legends - some with autistic children - who are coming together not so much to represent their clubs, but to support autistic children and raise much needed funds for Hearts & Minds, especially the family support service.

Also playing will be:

John Fashanu
Vinnie Jones
Terry Phelan
Bryan Robson 
Andy Cole 
Dwight Yorke
John Aldridge
Jason McAteer 
Dean Holdsworth 
Jason Euell  
John Mcginley
And many many more.

Dean Holdsworth

More details of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/213095112212053/

Buy your tickets here: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc/details/event.aspx?itemref=3113

Mascot Opportunity

How would you like this to be your child?

He/She will get the chance to meet the players, walk through the tunnel and walk on the pitch. Plenty of photo opportunities and autographs to be collected.

Price is £100 which includes a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children. The places are being sold on a first come first served basis

Get in touch with Cheryl at heartsandmindsevents@gmail.com or 07712 394879. 

Gala Evening

Why not finish off the day in style and enjoy a gala dinner, entertainment and charity auction - with all proceeds going to help children with autism.
 

This is a fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity - don't miss out!

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge 

Social media here:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK   
Twitter: @handmchallenge
Pinterest: Hearts and Minds
YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK 

Google+: Hearts and Minds

Jumping for Autism

Hearts & Minds will be taking over the skies on April 5th 2014 with charity parachute jumps countrywide.  To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, some of the children who have received iPads from Hearts & Minds show off their jumping skills...

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge 

Social media here:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK   
Twitter: @handmchallenge
Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK 
Google+: Hearts and Minds

 

 

 

Family support from Hearts and Minds

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

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge 

Social media here:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK   
Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

Rachel's wish for her little brother with #autism

What 9 year old Rachel wrote in school about her brother with autism....

 

This was her teacher's response:

 

 

Matthew and Rachel!

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

Brothers say thank you for the iPads that have improved their speech

Mason and Malacki say 'thanks for the iPads!

Mum Jodie explains how the iPads from Hearts and Minds have helped her boys:

"Mason and Malacki's speech has really improved from having the iPads, and they love all the different games and puzzles on there. In the past few weeks since the boys got the iPads we have seen amazing improvements in both their social skills as well as their understanding! It's amazing and I would encourage anyone to do the Hearts and Minds challenge!" 

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

Paul Scholes, John Fashanu, Vinnie Jones to play charity match for Hearts & Minds

How could any football fan resist this line-up?

Especially as all the funds from this charity match will go towards the first school for autistic children being established by Hearts & Minds in Manchester.


Tickets are going fast, and you can buy yours here:

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc/details/event.aspx?itemref=3113

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

Hearts and Minds is a Manchester-based autism charity that helps children and their families throughout the UK.

 

More about the charity here: Hearts & Minds Challenge 

Social media here:

Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK   
Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds

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:

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-

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

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

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

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

How an iPad helped Tom with brushing his teeth

In the 5 months since Tom got an iPad from Hearts and Minds, it has helped him in all sorts of unexpected ways, according to Sue, his Mum:

"As you can see, he now brushes his teeth better, and more willingly using a Brush Time App.  The iPad also got him interested in doing puzzles and colouring, which started on the iPad and has now progressed into an interest in actual puzzles and colouring books, widening his previous interests.

"Although non-verbal he will hold 'conversations' using the talking back animal Apps on the iPad, encouraging him vocally.  He has also improved his recognition of shapes and colours using learning Apps on the iPad, which I can now see in his daily understanding of language. It has really widened his world!"

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