A NEW support group has been established in Okehampton for West Devon parents and carers of children and young people who are on the autistic spectrum.
Karen Coburn the primary mental health worker from the child and adolescent mental health service and Paula Martin, the children's community health worker from Devon PCT and other primary care professionals have established a support group.
Parents and carers are welcome to attend the support group, which meets monthly at Okehampton College Community Centre.
The group explores different areas that are helpful to children, young people and their families.
It has been led by the parent and carers' needs, which has helped it facilitate the ASD (autism spectrum disorders) group and invite numerous speakers, including the National Autistic Society, paediatrician, life coaching, managing challenging behaviour and family fun days.
Karen said: 'It has been a pleasure working within the Okehampton area and listening to all the professionals and parent/carers views on what support is needed in Okehampton.
'I am pleased that the ASD group is up and running, and that we took away all the suggestions from our consultation meeting from all the parents/carers.
'Hopefully, we have turned the ASD group into a valuable space where parents/carers can have time out, build friendships, listen to each other's experiences and learn from them, including taking away appropriate information from all our guest speakers to encourage small positive changes within the family home.'
Paula said: 'Okehampton was in real need for a parent/carer support group — it's an exciting time building up the group and working alongside Karen and Gary Skull the Axs Pathway co-ordinator.'
The Friends of Okehampton Community Hospital have donated £500 in order for the ASD group to buy appropriate books and DVDs so it can provide a lending library to parents/carers.
Paula added: 'Funding is greatly needed as we are a new and up and coming group for the Okehampton community.
'We are looking for funding to provide much needed resources for our children and/or one to one support for an activities day during the school holidays, and these all come at a high price.'
Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Paula on 07854563434.
The next meeting is at 1.30pm on Thursday, October 23 at the Community Centre, Mill Road, Okehampton. A leading paediatrician will be addressing the group.