Bedworth dyslexia support sets countywide trend
A drop-in centre for families in Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire who have children with dyslexia has proved such a success the idea has been extended across the county.
Monthly advice and support sessions are held at Race Leys Junior School in Bedworth.
Organised by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with North Warwickshire Dyslexia Association, they allow parents to meet with professional workers to discuss ways of managing dyslexia, and to borrow books and videos that will help them.
Anyone who has, or works with, a child with dyslexia is invited to join the next session on March 3 at 1.30pm. Parents and carers will be able to understand how they can support their children, while people based in schools will be shown resources available to help them in the classroom.
Special workshops are being arranged to give support, training and advice to match needs raised by those attending. More information is available by calling 024 7631 0405.
Dot Ward, of Warwickshire County Council’s Dyslexia Strategy Team, said: “There are lots of things that families can do to help a child with dyslexia. There are activities they can do to help them read, help them find ways to better remember things, and to raise their confidence and self-expectation. Quite often children with dyslexia feel isolated and these support sessions will help their families encourage them with their learning.
“Parents and families quite often do not know where to turn for advice and the aim of these sessions is to reassure them that help is at hand and that there are people in a similar situation. By bringing them together we will be able to find out what difficulties they experience and help them.”
Lesley Hill of North Warwickshire Dyslexia Association said: “These sessions aren’t just about meeting with professionals, there are parents and people with dyslexia themselves who can give little hints and share experiences. Sometimes it is reassuring to know there are people who have been through the same thing and can help you guide your child through the education system.”
Since the Race Leys centre opened, other centres have opened in Rugby, Leamington and Kineton.
They are being opened as part of Warwickshire County Council’s Dyslexia Friendly Strategy. The Council’s Education Department was recently awarded the British Dyslexia Association’s Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark – one of only five counties in the country to achieve this accolade.