News

Born too soon: Clarie’s Story

21 October 2019 | premature, premature birth

We were going home to enjoy Christmas. I couldn't have imagined for a second what was about to happen... Claire ...

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Lisa on Becoming a Family Research Ambassador

family research project, Lisa Reakes, toolkit

Lisa Reakes Lisa is one of our Family Research Ambassadors. She explains why she got involved and what she does ...

Cerebra library a child reading books from the library.

Books in the Library About Giving Birth to a Child with a Disability

Library, postal lending library, pregnancy

General books L6316 Celebrating and Caring for your Baby with Special Needs: uplifting tips and advice to help you through ...

Born too soon: Clarie’s Story

premature, premature birth

We were going home to enjoy Christmas. I couldn't have imagined for a second what was about to happen... Claire ...

Implementation of the Welsh SEN/ALN Reform Postponed

SEN

Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, has issued a written statement postponing the roll out of the new special educational needs ...

Legal help Cerebra charity for children brain conditions.

Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving Conference

We are holding a conference on "Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving for Disabled People, their Families and Carers". 19 November ...

Local Government Ombudsman Report on SEND in England

report, SEND, survey

In a new report released on 04 October and called Not going to plan? – Education, Health and Care plans ...

Joshua’s Transition Part 4 – Direct Payments

direct payments, Joshua, Transition, transition to adult services

This is part 4 in a series of articles that Emma has written for us. You can also read her ...

School transport, Cerebra help with families of children with brain conditions.

Home to School Travel and Transport Guidance Consultation -England

LEaP, LEAP project

Cerebra’s Legal Entitlement and Problem-solving (LEaP) Project, led by Luke Clements the Cerebra Professor of Law and Social Justice at ...

Wales International Film Festival

Samuel Turner, Wales International Film Festival

Samuel Turner is a young man with a passion – for supporting us and for making films. He is thrilled ...

Ruling the World!

cerebra innovation centre, CIC, ruler | 2 Comments

Ross Head from our Innovation Centre tells us of the team’s latest design to help children ‘rule’ the world! Whilst ...

What’s your Experience of Community Physical Participation?

Cardiff University, research

Hello. My name is Karen Visser. I am a physiotherapist, PhD student and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University. You can ...

School Transport for Nat

LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, school transport

Our Legal Entitlements and Problem-solving (LEaP) Project helped Nat get transport to school and as a thank you he has ...

LEaP Project Helps Family to get a Continence Assessment at Home

Continence, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project

Earlier this year, our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project supported a family who had been told that their son’s ...

Building a Better Bedtime Routine

My daughter Avleen was born prematurely at 28 weeks but is now five years old. She was diagnosed with Autism ...

Our Innovation Centre help Harry to throw a ball for his dog

Cerebral Palsy, Motor Skills | 2 Comments

Cerebra Innovation Centre, with help from ATiC – the University’s integrated research centre – developed the tennis ball shooter for ...

New books in the library

Library

Check out the new books we have in our library. If you are not already a member you can borrow ...

A Helmet for Imogen

helmet, Horse riding, RDA

The new helmet being developed by CIC and UWTSD has been made to measure by using high tech equipment to ...

Borrow ebooks Cerebra for children with brain conditions.

School, bullying and mental health

Bullying, mental health, Rare Genetic Conditions, school

School. Some of us fondly remember our days in school as ‘some of the best days of our lives’. School ...

Accessing Public Services in Scotland Toolkit Workshop

Accessing Public Services Toolkit, Problem-Solving Toolkit Workshops, workshops

Scots law provides powerful rights to education and support from other services, but this alone isn't enough. The law can ...

Embracing Complexity, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

The Embracing Complexity Coalition launches

Embracing Complexity Coalition

We have joined leading UK Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Charities to Launch The ‘Embracing Complexity Coalition’ The Embracing Complexity Coalition ...

Jigsaw, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

SEND funding in England: the Government needs your views!

England, funding, SEND

Last week the Department for Education (DfE) in England made a call for evidence about SEND funding. As many of ...

New switch toys in the Cerebra toy library.

New Switch Toys in our Library

Library, postal lending library, sensory toys | 2 Comments

We have some exciting new switch toys in the library. Switches are accessible for all abilities, making them perfect for ...

CIC develop new sensory fish tank

CIC, fish tank | 2 Comments

CIC have developed a great new sensory fish tank. Fish are a great addition to a sensory experience, but are susceptible ...

Mair Elliott, Cerebra the charity for families of children with brain conditions

The long-term effects of unreliable, inconsistent support in CAMHS

Mair Elliott | 3 Comments

Mair Elliott writes about how unreliable and inconsistent support from CAMHS has had an impact on her. You can read ...

Specsavers and Imogen at the top of Pen y Fan

Specsavers donates almost £20,000

fundraising, Specsavers

Staff at Specsavers opticians have helped donate nearly £20,000 to us, following a year of fundraising. 39 Specsavers stores across ...

Joshua’s Transition: Part 3

Emma and Joshua, family story, Transition | 2 Comments

Emma tells us about the challenges of transitioning from child to adult services. You can read part one here and part ...

We won! Innovation Centre success

CIC, St David Awards | 1 Comment

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC), a partnership between Cerebra and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has won ...

Have you been told that your child is too young to have a continence assessment?

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Template Letter

Has your local continence team told you that your child isn’t old enough to have a continence assessment? Our new ...

Christine Bunting takes on her biggest challenge yet as she prepares to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

base camp, Christine Bunting, Hyphen Law, Mount Everest

Christine with her equipment to get her to base camp Christine Bunting, a lawyer from specialist Court of Protection law ...

Amelie gets transport to school, with help from our LEaP Project

LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, school transport | 1 Comment

Karen, who lives in Surrey, contacted our LEaP Project in January for help with a school transport problem. Her daughter, ...

Cerebra Innovation Centre shortlisted for a St David Award

CIC, St David Awards | 2 Comments

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC), a partnership between Cerebra and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has been ...

World book day in our library

Library, postal lending library, world book day

Thursday 7th March is World Book Day and we have lots of story books that are suitable for children of ...

Joshua's Transition to Adulthood with help from Cerebra.

Joshua’s Transition: Part 2

Emma and Joshua, family story, Transition

Emma tells us about the challenges of transitioning from child to adult services. You can read part one here. It ...

Meet our new Sleep Practitioners

Sleep

We're thrilled to introduce you to the two newest members of our sleep team, Carwyn Tywyn and Claire Cox. Carwyn ...

Has your child been refused a continence assessment at home?

Continence, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project | 8 Comments

Has your local continence team told you that they can only assess your child at a school/hospital, rather than at ...

Designing a better future for children with brain conditions with help from South Wales Freemasons

CIC, South Wales Freemasons, Swansea

Our Innovation Centre and the work they do to help children take part in and enjoy life alongside their friends ...

Samuel discovers freedom with his Oxy-gem

CIC, Oxygem, Oxygen trolley

Samuel's mum Joceline recently contacted our Innovation Centre. As a member of a parent group on Facebook, she had seen ...

Can you guess our most popular post from 2018?

Cerebra to benefit from Co-op Community Fund

Co-op community fund, Sleep

Vanessa with Dylan, Ryan and Taran This year we have been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. ...

Cerebra and Cardiff University collaborate to advance support available to families

Cardiff University, mental health, Rare Genetic Conditions | 2 Comments

Hello, I’m Lowri and I’m really happy to be joining Cerebra to work on an exciting and new Welsh Government ...

Emma tells us about the period of transition that her son, 17 year-old Joshua is about to face and the services that are available to help the transition. Joshua I have always feared Joshua becoming older as it felt like a step into the unknown. Every ...

Imogen draws our Christmas raffle winners

Christmas raffle, Imogen, raffle

Imogen with (L-R) our Head of Income Generation Terry Osborn, Neil form Specsavers and CEO Chris Jones We held our ...

The twelve days of Christmas with our Innovation Centre

CIC, Design, innovation, Products, surfboard | 6 Comments

Christmas is a time for joy and for making dreams come true. At our Innovation Centre we believe that all children ...

Is your child getting unsuitable continence products?

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, template letters | 5 Comments

Have you been told that your child can’t have the type of continence product that she needs? Are you concerned ...

That dog has got a beard!

ADHD, Autism, children's books, postal lending library

We've got a great new children's book in our library that explores the consequences of being different. 'That dog has got ...

Accessing Public Services Workshops

accessing public services, toolkit, workshops | 2 Comments

Are you interested in hosting a workshop to help families access services for their disabled children? We are taking bookings ...

Making dreams come true this #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday, CIC, Giving Tuesday, Imogen

#Giving Tuesday is on November 27th and this year we’re celebrating the amazing work our Innovation Centre do to help ...

Soaring high

2 Comments

Our Innovation Centre are proud to make products that help disabled children to enjoy and experience life alongside their friends. ...

CIC come up with clever 3D printed solution

3D printer, CIC, Innovation centre, wheelchair

The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) were recently asked for help with a small project, which really emphasises the usefulness of ...

Book reviews

Book reviews, Library

Our librarian Jan reviews two new books you can borrow from our postal lending library. ‘There are Things I ...

An introduction to us

Emma and Joshua, family story | 7 Comments

My name is Emma and I am married to Michael – it is our 23rd wedding anniversary today – and ...

Cerebra surfboard goes global

surfboard

The team at CIC designed the surfboard in partnership with Roger Cooper for children with limited mobility and brain conditions. It ...

Alex rides the waves

CIC, Innovation centre, surf, surfboard, The Wave Project | 6 Comments

The team at the Cerebra Innovation Centre are dedicated to designing and making bespoke products that enrich a child’s life, ...

Special Educational Needs reform in Wales

additional learning needs, ALN, SEN, SEN Reform, special educational needs

The special educational needs (SEN) reforms in Wales are now a little under a year away from their introduction. The ...

Our LEaP Project helps change the Welsh Government’s guidance on continence products

Continence, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, template letters | 2 Comments

Have you been told that you can’t have more than 4 continence products a day, even if your child needs ...

Improving the mental health of children with brain conditions

ADHD, Autism, Cardiff University, KTP, mental health, Schizophrenia

We are launching a new project to help families of children with brain conditions access timely and appropriate mental health ...

What can I do if my child needs me to be there in order for them to sleep?

gradual withdrawal, Sleep, Sleep Guide

For some children, falling asleep without an adult with them seems impossible. Perhaps your child is used to you sleeping ...

Caldicot girl with cerebral palsy climbs South Wales’ highest peak

Imogen, Pen y fan, Specsavers

Specsavers directors, team members and Cerebra staff with Imogen at the Pen y Fan summit Six year old Imogen Ashwell-Lewis, ...

Joint Statement on PenCRU by Cerebra and University of Exeter Medical School

The following joint statement concerns termination of funding from the charity Cerebra for the Academic Chair and PenCRU childhood disability ...

Big Thankxx to TKMaxx!

corporate, grant, Terry Osborn

Terry, Cheryl and Amanda We would like to say a huge thank you to Cheryl Phillips, the Store Manager at ...

Support in the Early Years Survey

Autism, Early Years Survey, survey, University of Warwick | 1 Comment

We are working with the Family Research Group at the University of Warwick, as well as with Mencap, Ambitious about ...

Get a good night’s sleep with help from our library

Book list, Library, sensory toys, Sleep, video

Join our librarian Jan (and teddy) as she talks through the different books and sensory equipment we have in our ...

Partnership pioneers better support services

Cardiff Unversity, KTP

We have forged a partnership with Cardiff University to improve services for families of children with debilitating brain disorders. The ...

Understanding and reducing sleep disorders in children with development delay

Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Sleep Project

The Sleep Project at the Cerebra Centre for Neurological Disorders at Birmingham University is studying sleep in children with neurological conditions. ...

Difficulty settling at night

Laura MacDonald, Sleep, Sleep Practitioner

One of our Sleep Practitioners recently helped a family who were struggling to get their daughter to bed, and to ...

Object of comfort helps Poppy sleep

Kaileigh Wilson, object of comfort, Sleep

Poppy, Simon, Bella, Gigi and Rachel Mum Rachel contacted our Sleep Service to get some advice about daughter Poppy who ...

My child just won’t go to sleep

gradual withdrawal, Graduated Extinction, Sleep, Sleep Guide, sleep service

This article takes a look at what you can do if your child just won't go to sleep. It's taken ...

Cara smashes duathlon challenge

ambassador, Cara Readle, cycle, duathlon, run

Cara Readle One of our Ambassadors, Cara Readle, recently completed a duathlon and raised over £500 for Cerebra! This was ...

Innovation Centre’s spinning pod a big hit with Curtis

CIC, spinning pod | 8 Comments

Curtis and his spinning pod Louise recently contacted our Innovation Centre after seeing a post on our Facebook page about ...

Engage to Change

Engage to Change, placement

We're delighted to welcome Kyle Davies to our team following his Engage to Change placement with us. We were very ...

We have a new Chair of Trustees

Chair of Trustees, David Rose, Sean Taggart, trustees

We are pleased to announce that Sean Taggart will be joining the Board of Trustees on the 1st of September ...

Jonas enjoys sensory toys from our library

Library, postal lending library

Jonas with fibre optics Jonas' parents recently contacted our postal lending library to borrow some sensory lights. Mum Jolanta and ...

Summer Reading

Book list, Library

Are you looking for ways to entertain the children this summer? Did you know that you can borrow children's books ...

Handy tips for summer holiday sleep

Sleep, Tips | 2 Comments

During the summer holidays the change in routine and light, warmer nights can often make sleep difficult. It can be ...

Travel insurance covering children with disabilities

holidays, travel insurance

At this time of year, one of the questions coming in to our helpline is about travel insurance that will ...

Cara draws winning summer raffle tickets

Cara Readle, draw, raffle, summer raffle

Cara with CEO Chris Jones and some of our fundraisers On 25th July actress Cara Readle, who is one of ...

Cara to take on duathlon challenge

ambassador, Cara Readle, duathlon, run

Cara Readle Swansea born actress Cara Readle, famous for her role in ‘The Story of Tracy Beaker’, will be taking ...

Epilepsy and getting a better night’s sleep

epilepsy, Sleep, sleep service

Jonah and Louise Louise recently contacted our Sleep Service for some advice to help 9-year-old Jonah get a good night’s ...

Delivering legal rights through practical problem solving

LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, University of Leeds

In this article we explain our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project with the Centre for Law and Social Justice, the ...

The accessibility of Disabled Facilities Grant application forms

Disabled Facilities grants application forms, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Professor Luke Clements, University of Leeds | 1 Comment

A survey has found that about half of local authorities in England do not make application forms freely available for ...

Disability related expenditure and pets care costs

disability expenditure, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, pet care costs, pets | 1 Comment

A survey has found that many disabled people are unable to afford to keep a pet dog or cat due ...

Knowledge Transfer Partnership success!

Cardiff Unversity, CNVs, KTP, mental health

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) bid with the Institute ...

Effective interventions for long term change

Cerebra centre, Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

At the Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Conditions, University of Birmingham, the aim is to identify the causes of the most pressing ...

Our innovation team design the Boccia ramp of the future

Boccia

The CIC team have been working hard to create a high tech Boccia Ramp. Boccia is a ball sport, similar to ...

Borrow fiction from our BorrowBox library

audiobooks, borrowbox, ebooks, Library

BorrowBox is great new service we offer that means you can now borrow ebooks and audiobooks from us. You can read ...

Ask, Listen, Do

Ask listen do, Autism, NHS England | 4 Comments

Do you care for a child or young person with a learning disability, autism or both? Have you ever raised ...

Overcoming sleep terrors

Anxiety, gradual withdrawal, night terrors, Sleep, sleep terrors | 2 Comments

In this article we take a look at what sleep terrors are, give advice on how to overcome them and ...

Innovation Centre help Livia gain independence

CIC, Innovation centre

Mum Alanah recently approached our Innovation Centre with a challenge that would help maintain her daughter's independence while keeping the ...

Six year-old Jake-Junior to run for Cerebra

5K, Birmingham, fun run, Jake-Junior, run

Jake-Junior When Jake -Junior cheered his dad from the side-lines as he completed the London Marathon, there was only one ...

Arctic Ride Alaska!

arctic rider

Gordon with his brother Robbie This summer Cerebra Ambassador Gordon Stuart will attempt his latest epic charity motorbike challenge. He ...

Tiny hats for tiny babies

hats, premature babies | 2 Comments

One of our dedicated fundraisers, Sam Elliott, has just knitted 39 baby hats for premature babies on the Neonatal Ward ...

Preventing neonatal brain injury and childhood disability

pregnancy, premature birth, University of Leeds

The main objective of the Cerebra Perinatal Research Centre at the University of Leeds is to make a difference in ...

Parents, researchers and charities join forces to create new resource for parents of children with learning disabilities.

ESRC, families, Warwick University, well-being | 1 Comment

The University of Warwick, Mencap, Cerebra, and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation have teamed up with parents of children with learning ...

Team Imogen smash the Swansea triathlon

CIC, team Imogen, Triathlon

The 2018 UWTSD Swansea Triathlon has come and gone for another year, but for Team Imogen this has been an ...

Creating the Urdd Eisteddfod Crown

CIC, Eisteddfod Crown

Daniel Cuthbertson, who is a designer at the Cerebra Innovation Centre, has created the crown for this year’s Brecon and Radnorshire ...

How to look after yourself

children's mental health, mental health, wellbeing | 2 Comments

We know from research that parents of children with a learning disability can be twice as likely to experience high ...

Autism and mental health – one family’s journey

Autism, mental health | 6 Comments

"My daughter, Mair, is autistic with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. She was diagnosed with autism 6 years ago ...

Working to improve children’s mental health

Cardiff University, children's mental health, mental health

We are working on a joint funding bid with the Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University for ...

BorrowBox is coming soon!

borrowbox, e-audiobooks, e-books, Library

We're delighted to announce that BorrowBox is coming soon to our library. With BorrowBox you'll be able to borrow e-books ...

Storytelling evening raises funds

box, collection box, story telling, Tea Traders

Paul Raven with Box Coordinator Melanie Clark A new Carmarthenshire business has raised funds for Cerebra through a series of ...

Samuel cheers buddy to marathon glory!

Dustin Erhardt, London marathon

Dustin with Samuel and his parents and Cecilia Bufton On Sunday 22nd April, American Dustin Erhardt ran the London Marathon ...

Tom’s writing slope makes him the envy of his classmates

CIC, doodle, Innovation centre, writing slope | 2 Comments

Our Innovation Centre team recently helped a young boy with his writing skills - and made him the envy of ...

Running, cycling and donuts!

CIC, Innovation centre, Swansea, Swansea tri

Ross Head sneaking a donut The Cerebra Innovation Team are officially 5 weeks away from competing in the Swansea Triathlon ...

Understanding and Reducing Sleep Disorders in Children with Developmental Delay

Birmingham, Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Sleep | 4 Comments

Dr Caroline Richards and Professor Chris Oliver from the Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders talk about the Sleep Project which ...

Accessing Public Services Workshops for Professionals

Accessing Public Services Toolkit, LEaP, toolkit

Following on from the huge success of our Accessing Public Services Workshops, we are launching sessions specifically for professionals. The ...

Star Volunteers Take on Fun Run

Samuel and Angel after the race On 24th March our star volunteers Samuel Turner and Angel Jolly took part in ...

Adapting life – a family’s story

adaptations, family story | 3 Comments

One of our families has written a blog post about the many adaptations families with children who have disabilities have to make. "Several ...

Captain Imogen and her brave triathlon crew!

CIC, Innovation centre, Triathlon

Captain Imogen The Cerebra Innovation Centre design team will be embarking on a triathlon adventure this year with their very ...

Improving the well-being of young children with learning disabilities: A Parent’s Guide

learning disabilities, Parent Guide, University of Warwick | 7 Comments

We're looking for people to take a look at a brand new booklet on improving the well-being of young children ...

Research Advisory Committee – Call for applications

research, Research Advisory Committee

We are recruiting to our Research Advisory Committee. In this article you can find out more about what Cerebra does, ...

New Books on Autism in the Library

Autism, Book list, Library | 2 Comments

We have had a lot of requests to borrow books explaining autism recently, so we have purchased some brand new ...

Countdown to Marathon Glory!

Dustin Erhardt, London marathon

Dustin is running the London Marathon in April American Dustin Erhardt is making his final preparations for this year's London ...

Delivering legal rights through practical problem-solving

Accessing Public Services Toolkit, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Luke Clements, school transport, services, short breaks, therapy legal

In this article we take a look at our Legal Entitlements and Problem-Solving (LEaP) Project - why we started it, ...

Dr Ross Head to talk at Naidex

Naidex is Europe’s largest disability and independent living event and will take place at the NEC on 25th and 26th ...

Accredited workshops on Accessing Public Services, DLA and Sleep

DLA, DLA Guide, public services, Sleep, Sleep Guide, toolkit, workshops | 2 Comments

We are delighted to announce that our workshops on Accessing Public Services, DLA and Sleep have been accredited by the ...

Fetal Medicine Barcelona – University of Barcelona

Barecelona, fetal medicine

Why our research is important for families? We are a research group focused on Fetal Medicine. Our main goal over ...

Students Raise Funds With Performance

Community fundraising, UWTSD

A group of second year BA Acting students at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David recently held a week of fundraising ...

Ollie’s Story

Ollie Taylor, Sian Taylor, Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome | 1 Comment

Ollie with his mum and brother We are extremely excited to have been named Specsavers' charity of the year for ...

Imogen’s Story

Catherine Ashwell-Lewis, CIC, Imogen Ashwell-Lewis

Imogen with mum Catherine We are extremely excited to have been named Specsavers' charity of the year for Wales this ...

Ryan’s story

Down's syndrome, Ryan Hooper, Specsavers, Vanessa Hooper | 1 Comment

Ryan and Taran Hooper at our Specsavers partnership launch event We are extremely excited to have been named Specsavers' charity ...

Specsavers Name Cerebra as their Charity of the Year for Wales

families, partnership, Specsavers | 1 Comment

Imogen Specsavers has donated £10,000 to Cerebra to mark the start of a year-long fundraising partnership. The optician's 39 stores ...

Why Our Research is Important – Cerebra Family Research Group

CEDAR, research, University of Warwick

Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) University of Warwick Cerebra Family Research Group “Strengthening families” Why our research ...

New look library lists

books, Library, postal lending library

Take a look at our great new Library Lists. We've made some changes to make them more user friendly. We ...

DLA Workshops for Professionals

2 Comments

As part of Cerebra’s programme of information workshops we have developed a Disability Living Allowance workshop for professionals. This is ...

Samuel is our Star Volunteer!

Samuel Turner, volunteer | 1 Comment

Samuel and Angel In 2017 we welcomed Samuel Turner to team Cerebra as a volunteer and Samuel, his family and ...

New Toys for Our Postal Lending Library

Library, postal lending library

We recently received some funding from Children in Need to purchase some new toys for our Postal Lending Library. Check ...

James’ trike ride is a winner!

fundraising

James on his trike Nine year old James Miles is our latest fundraising Superhero! James raised an incredible £512 for ...

Cerebra Innovation Centre’s Rocket Shelf Finds a New Home

CIC, rocket shelf, Rocket Shelves

Eve and her rocket shelf The Cerebra Innovation Centre recently designed these rocket shelves. This cool piece of equipment was ...

New books in our library

Book list, Library

We've got lots of great new books on a range of topics available to borrow now from our library. Autism ...

Dustin to Run London Marathon for Cerebra and his Buddy

Dustin Erhardt, I Run 4, London marathon

Dustin is running the London Marathon in April We're very excited to welcome Dustin Erhardt on to team Cerebra for ...

Our LEaP project helps Rhiannon get the continence supplies she needs

Continence, LEaP, LEAP project, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, template letters

Our LEaP Project helps Rhiannon get the continence supplies she needs and our template letter could help you to write ...

Birmingham Experts Launch Pioneering Autism Research

autism research, Autistica, Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Leading researchers from Birmingham are today (25th October 2017) launching a major, new UK study into autism and mental health ...

New Book on Autism in Our Postal Lending Library

Autism, Library, postal lending library

We have a new book available from our Postal Lending Library. ‘Through the Eyes of Me’ by Jon Roberts ISBN ...

Cerebra Research Support Network – Help us make a difference

research, Research Support Network, volunteer

We are looking for people with lived family experience of childhood brain conditions to join our Research Support Network. Can you ...

Books on ADHD in the library

ADHD, Booklist, postal lending library

Check out the books on ADHD that you can borrow from our postal lending library for free. For parents L6329 ...

My Experience of Applied Behavioural Analysis

Applied Behavioural Analysis

Razwana Mushtaq, whose 5 year old daughter has autism, discusses her experience of getting a diagnosis for her daughter, recent ...

Impact of Headbanging and Sensory Issues on Sleep

head banging, Sarah Coldrey, Sleep

One of our Sleep Practitioners explains how she helped a family struggling with head banging problems: "Mary came to one ...

Sleep Practitioner Sarah Tells of her Own Experience of Sleep Training

Sarah Coldrey, Sleep

Sarah and Theo Our Sleep Practitioner Sarah Coldrey is used to helping families with their sleep difficulties but, as she ...

Support for Potocki-Lupski Syndrome

Potocki-Lupski Syndrome

Mum Lisa, who's son Kyle has Potocki-Lupski Syndrome, tells us their story. "Kyle was born by natural birth on June ...

The Arctic Rider Takes on New Alaska Challenge

arctic rider, challenge, fundraise, Gordon Stuart, motorbike

Gordon Stuart When Cerebra Ambassador Gordon Stuart first started his Arctic Rider project, he couldn't have imagined the distances he would cover ...

Team Cerebra at the Superhero Series!

superhero, Triathlon

Rob and Poppy with Anthony, Rhys and Kevin On Saturday 19th August two very special Superheroes joined team Cerebra for ...

School Transport Report

LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, school transport, University of Leeds

The school of law team at the University of Leeds Our student researchers at the School of Law, University of ...

Your Average Jo

Disability, real life, story

In the latest of our series of articles from young people talking about growing up with a disability, Jo tells ...

Rhys and Anthony Take on Superhero Triathlon

Anthony, Rhys, Superhero triathlon

Rhys, Anthony and Kevin When Rhys watched his sister take part in her first sports day, he wanted nothing more ...

Christine Braves Wing Walk

We would like to say a massive well done and thank you to Christine Bunting who completed a wing walk ...

Josh Nurse Becomes an Ambassador

ambassador, Josh Nurse, raffle

Josh receiving his Ambassador certificate Joshua Nurse from Pontiets, Carmarthenshire is celebrating his 16th birthday by becoming an Ambassador for ...

Disabled Facilities Grants

disabled facilities grants, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, University of Leeds

The school of law team at the University of Leeds Our student researchers at the School of Law, University of ...

How behaviour problems can affect family life

1000 Families study, Challenging Behaviour, University of Warwick

Jane Raca, whose son James has learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour shares her story and explains how you can ...

Social Care Guides – England and Wales

guide, LEaP, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, Social Care

One of the results of devolution is that in a number of areas of the law England and Wales are ...

SEN Reforms in England and Wales

Education, Parent Guide, SEN

In England, the special educational needs (SEN) reforms introduced in September 2014 continue to be rolled out. Although all SEN ...

Innovation Centre Test New Surf Boards

surf, wave, wave project

Our Innovation Centre has been doing some pioneering work with surfing equipment for disabled children over the past couple of years ...

Alex Completes 60 Mile Trek

Alex Elsaesser, Ceredigion, trek

Alex and Ezra at Mwnt Beach We would like to say a huge well done to Alex Elsaesser who recently ...

Anne and Brian Make Fantastic Donation

Mrs Pearce hands her cheque over to Laura MacDonald The story of one little boy inspired Anne Pearce and her ...

Massage Helps Improve Bedtime Routine

Our Sleep Practitioner Pattie Everitt was recently able to help Freddie and his mum Abbie build a better bed time ...

Samuel and Angel Bake Some Sweet Treats to Raise Funds

bake, cake, fundraise, fundraising | 1 Comment

Samuel, Angel and Jacky On Saturday 1st July 2017, Samuel Turner and his friend Angel raised £50 for Cerebra at ...

Night Waking and Building a Better Bedtime Routine

Central England, Pattie Everitt, Sleep

James James' family were struggling with his bedtime routine and night waking. Our Sleep Practitioners, Pattie Everitt explains what sleep ...

Life online for young people with SEN

internet, On-line, research, SEN

Dawn Cavanagh Dawn Cavanagh, whose teenage son has autism, considers the benefits and challenges of life online for young people ...

New books in our library

Booklist, Library

In recent months the library has had less money to buy new books and it's been hard to choose which ...

Sleep Seminar Gives Advice on Aromatherapy, Mindfulness and Massage

aromatheraphy, massage, mindfulness, Sleep

We recently held a Sleep Seminar in Leeds at the Mencap Centre. The theme of the day was supporting sleep ...

Brody, Me and Global Development Delay

global developmental delay | 2 Comments

Brody Laura is mother to 5 year old Brody who, despite having lots of health issues, has no definitive diagnosis. ...

Better Bedtime Routine

Sarah Coldrey, Sleep, sleep advice

Our Sleep Practitioners provide support for families on a range of sleep issues. One of our Sleep Practitioners, Sarah Coldrey ...

Poppy to Take on Second Triathlon Challenge

Poppy, Rob, Swansea, Triathlon

Rob and Poppy Last year, eleven year old Poppy Jones realised her dream of competing in the Cardiff Triathlon. This ...

Improving early intervention for children with autism

Zarbanoo Rajput Zarbanoo Rajput BA (Hons), mum to a 15 year old with autism and an active member of ABAAccess4all ...

1000 Families Study – Age Range Extended

1000 families, University of Warwick, Warwick

Are you the mother, father, or caregiver of a child aged between 4 and 15 years, 11 months who has ...

Leah Makes Sense of Her World

advice, events, global developmental delay, Leah, Lilly Fahey, regional officer

The whole family! "Leah turned 5 in February and she has a diagnosis of severe global development delay, vision impairment, ...

Sleep Walking to Success

Pen y fan, Sleep, sleep walk, walk

The walkers before they set off On Saturday 6th May we held our second walk to the top of Pen-y-Fan ...

Book Review: Parenting your disabled child

Book Review, Library, postal lending library

Our librarian Jan reviews a new book you can borrow from our free postal lending library. ‘Parenting Your Disabled Child: ...

An End to Sleepless Nights

Catherine Stone, Sleep

Our Sleep Service gives support to families when their child is having sleep difficulties. Sleep Practitioner Catherine Stone recently helped ...

Help with night waking

Claire Varey, night waking, settling, Sleep

Mum Tammy was struggling to cope with her daughter's night waking. Our Sleep Practitioner Claire Varey describes how she gave ...

The Effect of Delay in Autism Diagnosis

Autism, delay, diagnosis

We've been asking parents to share their experiences with obtaining an Autism diagnosis for their child and the effects that ...

Support for our Problem-Solving Toolkit Workshops

Problem-Solving Toolkit Workshops

We are very grateful to The Santander Community Fund, via the Community Foundation in Wales, and The Boshier-Hinton Foundation who ...

Books in the library on growing up

Booklist, Library

Check out the books we have in our postal lending library on growing up. Going through adolescence How to be ...

Why should I take part in research about families of children with learning disabilities?

1000 families, CEDAR, research study, Warwick University

The CEDAR research centre at Warwick University needs 1000 children with learning disabilities and their families to help with a ...

Why timely diagnosis of autism is important

Autism, diagnosis

Tracy Elliott, our Head of Research and Information explains why timely diagnosis of autism is important and tells us her ...

Research and Information Request Service

factsheets, inforamtion standard, information, internet, parent guides, research

In a survey we carried out in 2016 (with 1937 respondents), less than 41% of parents receive written information when ...

Cameron Gets Around on His New Scooot Seat

grant, grants scheme, scooot, Seat

Louise French recently got in touch with us after she saw a Scooot Seat in action and knew it would ...

Rocking dinosaur designed by cerebra innovation centre

Holly’s Rocking Dinosaur!

CIC, Innovation centre

Holly and her rocking dinosaur "We contacted the Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) after realising the first birthday present we had ...

Isaac’s Story – A Little Houdini!

Autism, Claire, grant, Isaac

Claire, Isaac and the whole family Claire is mum to eight year-old Isaac. Here's her story: . "Isaac is 8 ...

Top Ten – The most popular children’s books in the library

Book list, Library

Find out which are the 10 most popular books for children in our postal lending library. C0031 & C0092 Hands ...

Welsh SEN ALN Reforms

ALN, Consultation, SEN, Wales

The Welsh Government has been working on reforming the special educational needs system in Wales since the summer of 2007 ...

Barcelona Team Complete Half Marathon

Barcelona, fundraise, Marathon, run

Five members of Fetal i+D team at the University of Barcelona took on the challenge of running the Barcelona Half Marathon on ...

Jonathan’s Story – Eye Can Talk

blog, Christopher, communication, eye gaze

Jonathan's perspex spelling board which helps him to communicate. Jonathan Bryan tells us his remarkable story and how he's doing ...

Sleep Practitioner Helps Nelli

Claire Varey, Sleep, support

Nelli and Iveta Our Sleep Service gives support to families whose children are having problems with their sleep. Claire Varey, ...

Learning disabilities: Identifying and managing mental health problems

learning disabilities, mental health, NICE

The role of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is to improve outcomes for people using the ...

Uniquely Human: a different way of seeing autism

Autism, Book Review, Library

Uniquely Human: a different way of seeing autism by Dr Barry M Prizant ISBN 9780285643338 £20.00 We all have different ...

Sleep and Head Banging

head banging, Sarah Coldrey, Sleep

Head banging is just one of the issues that our Sleep Practitioners can help families with. It's a difficult behaviour ...

Teenage Sleep

chronotherapy, Sarah Coldrey, Sleep

Back in 2015, Sarah Coldrey, our Sleep Practitioner in the South West met with the Hunter family from Brixham. The ...

Sleep Forum Addresses Sensory Difficulties

Claire Varey, Sleep

On the 10th November, Sleep Practitioner Claire Varey held a sleep forum at Burton Street Foundation, Sheffield. Claire, who is ...

Disabled Facilities Grants Project

disabled facilities grants

The school of law team at the University of Leeds Joseph is one of the students working on our Legal ...

Magical Christmas at Covent Garden

Angelicus Choir, choir, Christmas, Covent Garden

On 22nd December, we held our ‘Christmas at Covent Garden’ concert at St Paul's Church in London. Guests were treated ...

Becca’s fab rocket design!

CIC, medical stand

Becca Becca Davies recently joined our Innovation Centre team for a month long internship. Becca wanted to gain some design ...

Poppy’s Dream Comes True

Poppy's Dream, Triathlon

Go Poppy! On 24th June Poppy’s dream finally came true – she completed the Cardiff triathlon in style! The weather ...

Chris Oliver – My Journey into Research: the Boy at the Pillar

Chris Oliver, research | 1 Comment

Professor Chris Oliver explains his journey into research as well as the pioneering work of the Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental ...

baby ultrasound for research at Cerebra into brain conditions.

Mr Nigel Simpson: My Journey into Research

Mr Nigel Simpson, pregnancy, premature birth, University of Leeds | 1 Comment

Nigel Simpson For most mothers pregnancy is a safe and straightforward process but for 1 in 5 unexpected complications can ...

Innovation Centre Create High tech horse riding helmet for young boy with unique head shape.

Autism, BSI, CIC, helmet, Horse riding, Innovation centre | 2 Comments

Tommy-Lee in action The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC), along with the help of BSI (British Standards Institution) have taken the challenge ...

Prof. Richard Hastings: My Journey into Research

1000 families, Prof Richard Hastings, University of Warwick

Professor Richard Hastings Professor Richard Hastings is Professor of Psychology and Education and Cerebra Chair of Family Research in CEDAR ...

Survey finds local authorities failing to comply with their legal obligations to parent carers/young carers

LEaP, legal, legal entitlements and problem-solving project, short breaks

A survey of over 40% of English social services authorities by the Cerebra Legal Entitlements Research Project at Cardiff Law ...

Communicating with Music

communication, music

Our Parent Support Consultant Gill Gleeson takes a look at communicating with music. "Because music is a way of communicating other ...

Autism and Mental Illness: a Teenager’s Perspective

Autism, Mair Elliott, mental health

Mair Elliott Mair Elliot shares her experience of living with both a mental illness and Autism. "Since 14 years old ...

Sexuality, Autism and Young People – Families Study

ADHD, Autism, sexuality, young people

The Sexuality, Autism, and Young People- Families study (SAY-Families) is a joint project between Warwick, Bangor and Glasgow Universities. Researcher Stacey ...