This campaign has now closed

The Peach Helpline is a vital resource that is available to parents and other family members of children with Autism. Advice is given on a variety of subjects in the Autism field. Support is also given by means of Information Packs, New Parents Days, signposting to other organizations and introducing callers to parent members who can offer mentoring.

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Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Other Other

    Situation

    Research shows that 1 in 100 children born will be diagnosed to be on the Autisitic Spectrum. A recent survey indicated that 87% of Local Authorities surveyed perceived an increase in incidence of Autism over the last five years. There is clearly a need for support for these children and their families. The Peach Helpline currently receives approximately 400 calls per month. Since parents may be very distressed, calls can last for 30 minutes or more and parents may make repeated calls to the helpline. As of May 2009, the cost of running the helpline for one year was £36,541. Peach is seeking to improve the quality of the helpline service that it offers. Currently, Peach does not actively seek referrals but these come through word-of-mouth, the Peach website and through sources such as other charities, GP's, parent groups, hospitals and local authorities. At such times as Peach receives media coverage the helpline is swamped with calls, far more than can be currently handled. Peach would like to secure funding in order to be in position to offer effective support and information to all those callers in the future. In the words of a mum: It is hard to imagine the pain felt by parents to be told that they may never be able to communicate, interact or share hugs, emotions and laughter with their child. A diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder often leaves families in despair - their dreams, expectations and aspirations for their little ones cruelly, instantly replaced by a terrifying, unpredictable, unknown future - seemingly out of their control. While they grieve for the loss of the 'normal' child they had nurtured, many are also struggling to deal with challenging, often harmful and frightening behaviours from their child who is unable to make sense of the world and who is scared and confused, preferring to shut everything out and opt for a lonely and solitary existence. Imagine the agony of having to watch your child's pain yet be unable to help, to reach them. There is little understanding or help available at this heartbreaking time. I could not accept that future for my son and searched till I found someone somewhere to help me to help him. I was lucky, I found PEACH. PEACH are their to help with advice, practical support and strategies to help educate and care for affected children and their families.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Other Other