AfC Info website - Kingston and Richmond

Local, user-led charity supporting individuals (irrespective of age, impairment, health condition or capacity) to live independently at home and in their community.

RUILS' full range of person-centered services include:

• Independent Support for families going through the SEN process
• Information and Advice
• Advice, consultancy and training on pooling budgets
• Advocacy (helping to get your voice heard)
• Community involvement and activities
• Befriending (Connecting Communities)
• Advice, training, recruitment support and networking for PAs and employers
• Campaigning
• Work Support Forum
• FriendBee Befriending for children and young people
• Support Brokerage for adults and older people
• Support Brokerage for children and young people
• Volunteering

Children's services:

Bright Futures - SEND Transitions

Supporting disabled young people aged 16-25 and their families with transitions – social / health / education / work. Providing
information and advice through online resources, workshops and 1-1 support to enable young people and their families to know their options and make informed choices as they move from services for children (whether that be schools, clubs, health, etc) into services for adults.
For more information contact Sue Robson at suerobson@ruils.co.uk or call 07508 530693

FriendBee – SEND Befriending

FriendBee is a SEND Befriending Service that matches young people with a paid Befriender to help them access social and
leisure activities. We currently support young people up to the age of 25 that have a Special Education Need or Disability (SEND) that
impacts their social life, who also live in Richmond or Kingston upon Thames.

Our Befrienders are recruited, trained, vetted and employed by Ruils to make finding the right support easier for families.
For more information contact Hallie Banish at halliebanish@ruils.co.uk or call 07508 022431

SEND Advice

Alex Hardy has been helping Richmond families to navigate the SEND system since 2014.
His service is independent and free of charge.
He covers SEND Law, EHCP processes, SEN Support, obligations on schools and Local Authorities and as part of the Children's Team at Ruils will do everything he can to help you access the support you need.
Call 07507805966 or email Alexhardy@ruils.co.uk

Family Matters

Family Matters supports families with children aged 0-25 with disabilities and/or additional needs in Hounslow and Richmond. Our Parent Support Workers will provide practical support, advice and information to families who are feeling under pressure or experiencing difficulties. We can work with you on a one to one basis to focus on areas of family life that are causing concern and identify steps to address them. We also facilitate regular workshops on topics of interest.

For more information contact Alka Tripathi (for Hounslow) on alkatripathi@ruils.co.uk or 07376
354638,

Surabhi Dhondiyal or Martha Fong (for Richmond) on surabhi@ruils.co.uk or
07376277779, marthafong@ruils.co.uk or 07944 902 794