The annual ASNA family respite weekend will take place at on the 20th – 22nd April 2012 at the  Wokefield Park hotel , near Reading. This annual short break brings carers and people living with disabilities together for mutual and spiritual support. the weekend also provides  an opportunity for carers share experiences and gain refreshing ideas from each other and from the workshops provided. Trained volunteer carers are provided to enable access to  ASNA programs for children, young people and adults with disabilities and special needs. Watch this space for more details.

ASNA is 10 years old this year. We have a number of events planned to celebrate this milestone and we will be undertaking a numbers of research projects to establish the difference ASNA has made over the last 10 years and what still needs to be done. Events so far have included an exciting and informative training day for 40 volunteers with Act 4 and our annual family respite weekend  during the month of April. This year over 130 people attended the weekend. Great weather, company and presentations. Read the comments and feedback from delegates from this event. We are also working on the production of training resources to support volunteers and professionals supporting disabled people and their families. The week at the Christian Resource Exhibition (CRE) brought a number of new contacts for ASNA, many wanting to know more about our work and how we can provide support.

Future events  include a fundraising cycle on the 28th August 2011, SYCAF – Young carers week in Swindon 8th – 12th August and a celebratory Black Tie banquet during the Carers Weekend  7th – 9th October 2011.

Other events include disability awareness training programs around the country and the joint annual training conference for disability coordinators and those supporting people with disabilities and special needs.

Follow these links for:

• Booking Form
• Booking form (word document)
• Childrens Program
• ASNA respite weekend programme 2010

What do people say about……
ASNA Carers weekends:

Just a quick line to say hi and thanks for such a good weekend it was good fun, laughter and yes spiritual healing for me.

You dont all know but i had a very bad week and it was so nice to be around people like you guys loving,caring and funny…..good,understanding and most of all fun.

We all had a good time as a result of that trip i joined the gym on Monday gone and went today it was fab i have a long way to go but i will look better soon for myself.

Imagine you dont have to drink to have this much fun.

I would like to say that as usual I enjoyed the weekend and always gain alot from the weekends spiritually, socially and physically. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend away

Thank you again for a lovely weekend.

What do Young Carers say about the Bright Futures project?

What I enjoyed most and why?

“The beach – because I haven’t been on a beach since I was two years old.”

“Splash down Get down – high ropes, beach, splash down, bowling .. everything.”

“Everything – meeting new people. This week was great”

“The way everyone got on with one another/looked after each other.”

“The group discussion sessions really made me think about the importance of developing my personal character”

10th Anniversary Celebrations continue with an extended ASNA family respite weekend 2011.

• ASNA 10th family weekend 2011 will take place at the Frontier centre, Northants, ,  15th – 18th April 2011.
• A short break for families living with disabilities to meet other families in similar situations to share ideas, peer support, relaxation, emotional support and training opportunties.
• Children and adults with disabilites are supported by 1: 1 CRB checked and trained volunteers.

See leaflet below for further details:

• Family Respite Weekend leaflet: Page 1 | Page 2 | A4 poster

Register your interest and book on line. Follow this link

Follow these links for:

What families say about ASNA weekends…..

A great time to come away and meet other families

We don’t have to apologise for our sons disability or try to explain his behaviour to anyone because everyone understands!

Thank you ASNA for a fantastic time away.

I have never left my daughter with anyone before. After this weekend, I would definately feel happy to leave her with your wonderful volunteers again. Looking forward to next year.

Respite Weekend celebration camp-fire

New experiences for all

Taking risks

Further details coming soon to this site.

Supporting Adults and children with disabilities

ASNA Carers’ weekend.

Residential short break for carers. For social, physical and spiritual development and emotional support.

A carer is a family member, parent, partner, significant other, friend or neighbour who provides care on an unpaid basis. The person they support may have a chronic illness, disability, mental illness or may be frail. Caring is a natural part of life and all people will either provide or require care at some stage of their life.

Caring may last a short time or it may last many years. Carers have added responsibilities compared to other people at the same stage of life, and thus require support during their period of caring.

To this effect and in response, ASNA runs an annual Carers weekend which provides spiritual, social, physical and emotional support for carers. Details for 2010 coming soon

Past weekends have included workshops  such as:

• Planning for the future
• Carers in the UK
• Self management
• Social programme for all primary carers
• Social programme includes:
  • swimming,
  • massage,
  • sauna,
  • gym,
  • banquet
• Carers in the UK: Facts and issues
• Stress Management: Symptoms, Signs, Situation and Solutions
• Managing money and debt
• Carers and Relationships

These weekends also provide opportunities for:

• Relaxation (health spa)
• Mutual support from other carers
• Individual professional consultations
• General health checks

100+ attend 8th ASNA family respite short break for families with…

Connect Breaks 2008 was a residential weekend activity break for people with special needs and their families which took place at Pioneer Centre, Northants.

• DATE: 24th April – 26th April 2009
• COST: £55 (£45 ASNA Members)
• Children under 18 years £30.
• Children under 5 years and all disabled children under 18 go free.
• LOCATION: Pioneer Centre, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire DY14 8JG

Cost includes all meals, resources and accommodation

ASNA Connecting people, Changing Lives weekend is for people with special needs and disabilities, their families, friends & carers to meet new friends and share experiences. This weekend will also benefit those interested in working with, or volunteering to support, people with learning disabilities and special needs

Workshops include:

• Support group networks
• Health workshops
• Music workshops
• Carers forum

Outdoor and indoor activities for adults and children; abseiling, orienteering, parachute games, music and praise concert.

All children and adults with disabilities will receive 1:1 support for activities from trained and CRB checked volunteer carers.

For further details contact: ASNA: Suite W-05, Windrush Innovation Centre, Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 0BA Tel: 01491 833395 or 07768 298 297 or contact us