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Service summary

Daisy Chain Project

Daisy Chain exists to support and empower autistic children, young people, adults and their families. We deliver a wide range of person-centered services for autistic individuals from as young as aged 3 to aged 18+ and into adulthood.
Our five-and-a-half-acre site in Norton offers a welcoming, calm and supportive environment where service users are able to relax, seek support, have fun and connect with others. This includes a purpose-built day centre, two sensory rooms, a farm, a sensory play area, forest school area and a horticultural zone comprising of planting beds, green houses and three large polytunnels.
Our Superstore on Portrack Lane, whilst open to the public as a retail outlet, also provides real life work experience for adult service users within our employability services.

Children Services include:
• After School & Holiday Clubs – a varied programme of activities aimed at boosting confidence, improving social skills and facilitating friendships. Sessions on offer include social & teenage clubs, arts & crafts, barn club and forest school sessions. High needs sessions with 121 support are also available.
• Trips & Residentials – funded by Children in Need we provide free day trips and residentials during the school holidays to destinations such as Tweddle Farm, Diggerland, Adventure Valley, Peat Rigg Activity Centre and Centre Parcs.
• High Needs Holiday Sessions – funded by Children in Need these free 3-hour sessions are available on a weekly basis during the school holidays for children between the age of 3 and 11 who require 121 support.
• Rising Stars Performing Arts Project – free performing arts-based sessions which take place on weekends as well as after school and during the school holidays. Activities on offer include drama, movement, sound as well as more bespoke sessions such as script writing, masks & puppetry and video editing.

Family Services include:
• Family Activity Days – connect with other families and enjoy our farm, play areas and a variety of indoor & outdoor activities including soft play, sensory play, arts & crafts, cooking, pond dipping and much more.
• Links – our free Links group is for parents/carers of autistic children or who have children going through the diagnostic process. The weekly programme is varied, with interesting speakers and an opportunity for an informal chat and light refreshments. The sessions take place during term time on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 10am to 12:00pm and a creche is available for children under the age of 5 (please note there is a small charge for your child to attend creche).
• National Telephone Support Service – free service to ensure neurodiverse young people, adults and families have access to personalised advice and guidance. Can be accessed by ringing 0800 031 5445 or emailing [email protected].
• Daisy Chain provides a Family Support Service for young people aged 0-18 years and families of those affected by neurodevelopment diversity, jointly commissioned by the CCG and local authorities.We support families from the following areas: Stockton, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Darlington and Hartlepool. More information below.

Our aim is to provide support and services for children, young people and their families who display traits associated with neurodevelopmental diversity: autism, sensory processing, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The service is needs-based, and tailored to the requirements of each individual family. Support offered may include

• Peer support drop in sessions
• Bookable 1:1 parent telephone support appointments
• Multi-agency drop-in sessions, where a range of professionals/services will be in attendance, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for families
• Parent learning opportunities around topics such as emotional regulation, visuals, understanding behaviour and puberty. Topics will vary depending on need, we are always open to suggestions if parents/carers have a specific subject they would like us to cover.
• Children and young people sessions to support social communication and interaction.

The Family Support Team will be based in Family Hubs and other venues in your local community. Please get in touch for further information about specific sessions near you, or join our Facebook group for more details.

Who can attend? Parents/carers of those aged 0-18 years can access the service provided within their local authority area if they:

Have concerns their child may have autism/sensory processing/ADHD/FASD
• Are undergoing diagnosis for autism/ADHD/FASD
• Have a diagnosis of autism/ADHD/FASD
• This service is for families pre, during and post-diagnosis.

How do I get involved?
For further information about the service, to book a 1:1 appointment or any Parent Learning sessions, please call the family support team on 01642 531248 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, parents and carers are welcome to drop into one of our parent support groups. To find out where your closest session is held, call us on the above number.

Positive Behaviour Support
The Key Working Team is running a series of Positive Behaviour Support Workshops (PBS).

These workshops are for parents who have a child/young person aged 4-12 years with an autism diagnosis or a learning disability. The course is free of charge.

Positive behaviour support is a person-centred framework to support Children/Young People with behaviour that challenges. The course has been co-developed by parents and PBS trainers. The sessions run virtually over 3 consecutive weeks.

For further information, to discuss suitability and availability of sessions please contact the Key working team on 01642 531248 (Option 0) or email: [email protected]

Families must live in one of the following Local Authority areas to access these workshops:
Stockton; Hartlepool; Middlesbrough; Darlington; Durham.

Adult Services
Daisy Chain’s adult services are open to autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Formal diagnosis is not necessary and individuals who self-diagnose or identify as neurodivergent are welcomed.

For further details on all of our adult services, including how to register your interest, please visit our website: https://www.daisychainproject.co.uk/

• Social Group in the Garden – An opportunity to make friends, boost your wellbeing and grow your confidence, whilst also taking part in a spot of gardening. Small group, open to individuals aged 18+ (no upper age limit). This service is free until 31st March 2022, after which charges will apply.
• Employability Support – Personalised 121 employability coaching, access to internal and external work placement opportunities, employability skills workshops, weekly jobs club. This service is FREE to access and is open to individuals aged 18+ (no upper age limit).
• Housing, Benefits, and Independent Living Service – Through 121 advice and case work, you can access benefits checks, support with benefit applications, support to appeal benefit decisions, support to explore housing options and make housing applications, support with property bidding, access to a range of independent living skills workshops. This service is FREE to access and is open to individuals aged 18+ (no upper age limit).
• Wellbeing and counselling services - 121 and small group-based support available, including mindfulness, self-care, daily wellbeing strategies, support to manage anxiety, holistic alternative therapies (e.g., aromatherapy, crystals), friendship and confidence groups and counselling. This service is FREE to access and is open to individuals aged 15+.
• Social Groups (18-29 years) – A great opportunity to connect with others, have fun and build confidence. We offer a range of social groups including Chill and chat, Community Connect and Dungeons and Dragons. Groups start at £10 per session (paid in advance block bookings).
• 30+ Social Group – Informal and friendly, this small group meets fortnightly to chat, have fun and connect over shared experiences. Sessions take place both at Daisy Chain and out in the community, guided by the wishes of the group members. £10 per session (paid in advance block bookings) plus the cost of any additional activities chosen. Open to those aged 30+ (no upper age limit).

Please visit the Daisy Chain website for more information or contact us via [email protected]

Client Groups Served

  • Children and Young People
  • Adult Working Age
  • Parent / Carer
  • SEND Local Offer

Costs

  • Many services are free to access. For those with a cost, the prices vary depending on the service.

Accessibility

Physical Environment Accessibility

Are your premises accessible?
Yes
Further details about your premises' accessibility

The building is wheelchair accessible and there are disabled toilets on each floor.
There is a sensory room.

Other Accessibility

Could you provide a BSL interpreter?
No
Do you cater for religious/cultural needs?
Yes
Please give further details

Vegetarian options are available.

Is a referral required to access your service?
Yes
Please give further details

The referral process varies depending on the specific service. It is possible to self refer into most of our services and this can be done by emailing [email protected]. Professionals can also refer using this email address. All service users are required to complete a full care plan and for some services, professionals will be asked to complete a referral form.