1. Lis Johnstone chair@yadda.org.uk 0777 371 9237

2. Who are we?
YADDA is the York And District Dyslexia association affiliated to the British Dyslexia association.
We are a volunteer support group for children, young people & families affected by dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Meares-Irlen & related specific learning difficulties.

3. Most people contact us via the webpage and this is the first image they see.

4. How and when did we start?
We began in 2008 with two families struggling to get support for their respective children.
Today we have had 108 enquiries and we support families, young people and adults in and around York.
One was a child in the state system
The other in independent school.

5. What do we offer now?
A befriending line and enquiry routes via a webpage, Facebook, twitter.
Once a month family activity night.
Once a month drop-in session in partnership with the library.
Bespoke workshops for schools and parent groups.
Screening and recommendations report for individuals. NEW for 2014.
Screening costs £10 per hour plus £10 for the report BUT no-one should be put off by the cost.

6. Family support – with schools.
Sometimes the parent feels like the cat, sometimes it’s the teacher or SENCO.
YADDA would like to act as a bridge between the two.
Just as a matter of interest- I tried this slideshow out on members of our group and one of young people described this picture as someone with a specific learning disability and the dogs being the rest of the world.
We SOOOOOOO want to tackle that perception!

7. So how do we support? From Initial enquiry
We offer of a face-to-face meeting
Invitation to the family night
Invitation to the social night
Bespoke support
Signpost to the appropriate agency
Some people want to ask one question, some people want to ask many! We try and give time and space, if we can.
ONGOING and INDIVIDUAL

8. Once a month Family activity night
Meets at Haxby and Wigginton Methodist church hall. 3rd Friday in the month:
6-7pm – A quieter session for 7- 11years, parents and siblings.
7pm-9pm – noisier session for 11years plus although all welcome to attend with parents and siblings.
Focus is on fun and building confidence so we plan lots of activity days.

9. Young people – Further / Higher education support
Advice on transition from school to college and University.
Advice on “reasonable adjustments” in the workplace and the support they can expect.
Study skills, essay writing, revision tips and form filling.
Once a month social club - A local pub quiz is very popular 

10. Adults Advice for job seekers.
Drop-in session for support with form filling.
Signpost to “Access to work” support, where and how to access workplace assessments, etc.
Return to learning and access to learning support.

11. Contact details chair@yadda.org.uk Befriending line 07773719237.
British Dyslexia Association

12. Final thought
“It is better to light a few candles than sit in the dark and complain.”
John Adair.
“It is better to light a few candles than sit in the dark and complain” John Adair.