Author Archives: wendy

Dog helps children with their reading

Grace the dog helps ‘reluctant readers’ at Antingham and Southrepps Primary School

by Alex Hurrell , Reporter Thursday, February 2, 2012
6:44 PM

  Pupils at Antingham and Southrepps Primary School are being helped to read by stroking a dog. Lewis McCrohon (9) pictured with Grace. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

A wet nose and waggy tail set one ‘staff’ member apart at a north Norfolk primary school.

 

But what Grace lacks in official teacher training she more than makes up for in dogged patience and a soft furry coat.

The retriever-border collie cross has taken up residence in the head’s office every Thursday to help children with their reading.

“There’s no magic involved. It just seems to work,” said Grace’s owner Janice Kingman, head teacher at Antingham and Southrepps Primary School, near North Walsham.

Carer is relieved that ‘Day centre in Worcester will not close ‘

Relieved to hear son’s day centre is safe

1:30pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in

A CARER has spoken of his relief after a council boss quashed rumours that the day centre used by his disabled son would close.

Worcestershire County Council hopes to save £1.3 million through an overhaul of day centre services but some carers were concerned that this would mean some day centres closing, including Cherry Orchard in Worcester.

Ivan Fowler, aged 67, of Martley, near Worcester, together with his wife Pat care for their son Ben, 35, who has cerebral palsy and right-sided hemiplegia.

Mr Fowler said he was reassured by Maria Hicks, manager of provider services at Worcestershire County Council, who answered questions from an audience of 30 people at Perdiswell Young People’s Club yesterday at a meeting which was organised by the Worcestershire Association of Carers.

Leeds day care users hit by big rise in costs

 Colin Darnbrook faced an increase of more than 500% in his day care costs

The cost of adult social care in Leeds has dramatically increased as the authority faces cutbacks in its budget.

In one case a visit to a day centre which had cost a user £4.60 now comes with a charge of £29 – a 530% increase.

Leeds City Council said it faced tough decisions as social care consumed a significant amount of resources.

Colin Darnbrook, who used to visit a council-run day care centre said the rise from £4.60 per day to £29 had been too much for him to bear.