Training
All our helpers are provided with training at the start of the holidays. This is usually conducted by the Holiday Organisers, nurse and/or other experienced helpers before the children arrive.
Our training manual is emailed to all volunteers before the holiday and paper copies are available at the holiday itself. The manual provides some useful guidance on helper responsibilities, basic medical and day to day care, and other ideas for assemblies, games, songs etc. Please note this is only a reference manual - helpers are not expected to recite the contents at any stage!
INFORMATION A-Z
Below is an A-Z of useful videos and summaries to provide a brief introduction to a variety of subjects which are of relevance to being a helper on a Newman Trust holiday. They are from what we consider to be authoritative sources, but watching/reading them does not in itself constitute training by the Newman Holiday Trust. Several resources are aimed at professionals in education, health or social care, so there may be some elements which do not directly apply to the context of a Newman Trust holiday. These links are provided for information only; the Newman Holiday Trust is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Videos tend to be YouTube clips; click on the title to see the video itself, or the source to be taken to that organisation's YouTube channel.
Summaries (diagrams or brief documents) are usually printable and in PDF format. Click on the title to see the document, or the source to be taken to that organisation's website. Depending on your existing knowledge, some summaries may require a little more context to make proper sense. If this is the case, you could ask for further explanation at helper training on the holiday.
The "Further information" section lists some useful organisations for that subject, with links to their websites, and some free online courses which are open to all.
Remember: whatever anyone's condition, all humans are individuals; we are not caring for the condition, but for the person who has it!
Therefore do not take descriptions of the effects of conditions too literally, and certainly not before you meet the individual.
Also bear in mind that many people have more than one condition, each requiring differing types and levels of support. Unique people need unique care!
You will be given more specific, personalised information about the young person in your care by your Holiday Organisers. The holiday nurse(s) will also have detailed knowledge of the personal medical needs of the young person.
[All of the resources below were sourced from the internet and are believed to be freely available. If anything needs to be removed, please contact the Newman Holiday Trust and we will immediately remove it.]
ALLERGY
Videos
For more videos see our Allergy YouTube playlist
Living with allergic disease - Allergy UK
Anaphylaxis and me - Anaphylaxis Campaign
Summaries
Could you save the life of an allergy sufferer? - Allergy UK
Life-threatening allergic reactions - Anaphylaxis Campaign
What to do in an emergency - Anaphylaxis Campaign
Anaphylaxis factsheet - Anaphylaxis Campaign
Adrenaline factsheet - Anaphylaxis Campaign
Further information
BSACI - British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
ASTHMA
Videos
For more videos see our Asthma YouTube playlist
What are the common symptoms of asthma? - Asthma UK
Having a child with severe asthma - Asthma UK
Asthma: inhaler techniques - NHS
Summaries
Asthma action plan (child) - Asthma UK
Asthma action plan (adult) - Asthma UK
Further information
AUTISM
Videos
For more videos see our Autism YouTube playlist
What is autism? - National Autistic Society
What is Asperger's Syndrome? - Fixers UK
Can you make it to the end? - National Autistic Society
Summaries
How to support people with autism - UK Department of Health
How to help - National Autistic Society
Autistic spectrum - simple strategies mind map - TES Special Needs
The language we use to describe autism - National Autistic Society
Triad of impairments (Source unknown)
Further information
Free online course: "Understanding autism" - Open University OpenLearn (24 hours study)
BASIC CARE
Videos
For more videos see our Basic Care YouTube playlist
How to handwash with soap and water - World Health Organisation
How do I change a dirty nappy? - NHS
Putting on and removing disposable gloves - Globus Gloves
How do I keep my child safe in the sun? - NHS
Summaries
Hand-washing technique with soap and water - NHS
How to change a nappy - Twinkl
How to safely remove your disposable gloves - Globus Gloves
Further information
CEREBRAL PALSY
Videos
For more videos see our Cerebral Palsy YouTube playlist
I'm more than just a disability - Fixers UK
My normal childhood with cerebral palsy (Katherine's story) - Scope
Summaries
What is Cerebral Palsy? - World Cerebral Palsy Day
Diagnosis and treatment - World Cerebral Palsy Day
Further information
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Videos
For more videos see our Cystic Fibrosis YouTube playlist
What is cystic fibrosis? - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Getting nosey about CF with Oli and Nush - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
The rest is up to me (a guide for friends) - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Ask me anything about cystic fibrosis - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Cross infection - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Summaries
Me and CF factsheet - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Factsheet designed for teachers - Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Further information
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (USA)
DIABETES
Videos
For more videos see our Diabetes YouTube playlist
What is diabetes? - Diabetes UK
What is Type 1 diabetes? - Diabetes UK
What is Type 2 diabetes? - Diabetes UK
A day in the life: Type 1 diabetes - Fixers UK
Summaries
Diabetes type 1 and 2: what's the difference? - Diabetes.co.uk
Hyperglycemia symptoms - Diabetes.co.uk
Hypoglycemia symptoms - Diabetes.co.uk
Further information
DOWN'S SYNDROME
Videos
For more videos see our Down's syndrome YouTube playlist
Our Down's syndrome twins - BBC Three
Things people with Down's syndrome are tired of hearing - BBC Three
Summaries
Did you know...? - Down's Syndrome Association
Your questions answered - Down's Syndrome Association
Terminology guide + Myths and facts - Down's Syndrome Association
Further information
EPILEPSY
Videos
For more videos see our Epilepsy YouTube playlist
What is epilepsy? - Epilepsy Society
How to deal with a tonic clonic seizure - Epilepsy Action
What do kids think about epilepsy? - Epilepsy Action
Summaries
What is epilepsy? An introduction - Epilsepsy Society
First aid for tonic clonic seizures - Epilepsy Action
Further information
FIRST AID
Videos
St John's Ambulance YouTube playlist - All First Aid Advice and First Aid Training
British Red Cross YouTube playlist - First aid for babies and children
British Red Cross YouTube playlist - First aid
Summaries
St John's Ambulance first aid posters (scroll down page)
Further information
FRAGILE X SYNDROME
Videos
For more videos see our Fragile X syndrome YouTube playlist
Introduction to Fragile X syndrome - Fragile X Society UK
Meet the families: Understanding Fragile X syndrome - Fragile X Society UK
Summaries
Fragile X Briefing Sheet - CLDD Project
Further information
HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
See also: SIGNING
Videos
For more videos see our Hearing Impairments YouTube playlist
Top 5 tips for communicating with Deaf young people - Communication Trust
Tips for teaching deaf children with a mild hearing loss - National Deaf Children's Society
My deaf children and their hearing sister - National Deaf Children's Society
Summaries
Communicating with deaf children - National Deaf Children's Society
Further information
National Deaf Children's Society
Royal Association for Deaf People
LEARNING DISABILITIES
Videos
For more videos see our Learning disabilities YouTube playlist
What are learning disabilities? - Fixers UK
What is a learning disability? - Mencap
What does learning disability really mean? - Mencap
What you need to know about learning disability - Mencap
Speaking to people with a learning disability - Mencap
Communicating with people with learning disabilities - Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Trust
Summaries
Communicating with people with a learning disability - Mencap
Further information
BILD - British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Foundation for people with learning disabilities
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Videos
For more videos see our Muscular Dystrophy YouTube playlist
Duchenne muscular dystrophy - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Becker muscular dystrophy - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Living with muscular dystrophy: Blake's world - Attitude
Summaries
Duchenne muscular dystrophy - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Becker muscular dystrophy - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Factsheets on muscle-wasting conditions - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Further information
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Videos
For more videos see our Multiple Sclerosis YouTube playlist
10 facts about multiple sclerosis - Multiple Sclerosis Trust
Seven stress busters for people with multiple sclerosis - Multiple Sclerosis Trust
Summaries
What is MS? - Multiple Sclerosis Society
Further information
SAFEGUARDING
Note: All Newman Trust volunteers require an up to date DBS or DS check to be accepted to help on one of our holidays. In addition, volunteers need to name two referees in their application, and new volunteers need to attend a recruitment day. Before the children arrive at the holiday, all volunteers receive safeguarding training, and are made aware of our Trust's safeguarding policies and procedures.
Videos
For more videos see our Safeguarding YouTube playlist
How a child's brain develops through early experiences - NSPCC
Preventing child sexual abuse - NSPCC
Responding to a child's disclosure of abuse - NSPCC
Summaries
Talk PANTS / Underwear Rule - NSPCC (Note: It is not the responsibility of Newman Trust volunteers to teach children. This is here for information only.)
Further information
SIGNING
BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE (BSL)
Videos
For more videos see our BSL YouTube playlist
Right-handed British Sign Language fingerspelling alphabet - Signstation (UoBCDS)
Left-handed British Sign Language fingerspelling alphabet - Signstation (UoBCDS)
British Sign Language Society YouTube channel
Let's Learn BSL YouTube channel
National Deaf Children's Society YouTube channel
School of Sign Language YouTube channel
Sign Island BSL YouTube channel
Signs and Sounds YouTube channel
Summaries
Learning British Sign Language - Action on Hearing Loss
BSL Fingerspelling Right-handed - British-Sign.co.uk
(Right-click to rotate clockwise)
BSL Fingerspelling Left-Handed - British-Sign.co.uk
(Right-click to rotate clockwise)
Further information
SignBSL.com - British Sign Language Dictionary
MAKATON
Videos
For more videos see our Makaton YouTube playlist
Singing Hands UK YouTube channel
Summaries
Further information
"Something Special" - BBC CBeebies
SIGNALONG
Videos
For more videos see our Signalong YouTube playlist
Why Signalong? - Something to Say with Signs
Something to Say with Signs YouTube channel
Summaries
Signalong - how we do it - Signalong
Further information
Signalong (includes free posters on Freebie Fridays)
VISION IMPAIRMENTS
Videos
For more videos see our Vision Impairments YouTube playlist
What is vision impairment? - Oxford University Hospitals NHS
The sighted guide technique - Oxford University Hospitals NHS
Through their eyes: a short film by young people - Action for Blind People (now merged wth RNIB)
Understanding vision impairment in children (Lily Grace) - RNIB
Going to school with Freddy - RNIB
Living with Nystagmus in Childhood (Molly's Story) - RNIB
Living with retinitis pigmentosa in childhood (Anna's story) - RNIB
Summaries
Ten tips to help you communicate with a person with sight loss - Action for Blind People
Ten tips to guiding a person with sight loss - Action for Blind People
Ten top tips to help a person with sight loss in their home - Action for Blind People
Further information
OTHER TRUSTED SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON CONDITIONS AND IMPAIRMENTS
If the links above have not been helpful, try these below.
Mencap - Learning disability and conditions
The Brain Charity - A-Z of neurological conditions
SENteacher.org's list of specialist sites (middle column)
CLDD briefing sheets - (also available here) - originally produced by the CLDD Research Project
If you just need a straightforward definition and summary of a condition or impairment, try:
NHS official website - including A-Z of conditions and treatments
Patient.info - website created by (and used by) British GPs
Some other reputable health websites include:
Healthtalk - website where people share experiences of health issues
Clinical Knowledge Summaries - technical information from NICE on how GPs review current evidence on treatments
Lab Tests Online - explains lab tests, what to expect, what results mean
GENERAL DISABILITY / SPECIAL NEEDS ORGANISATIONS
BILD - British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Choice Forum - including PMLD Network
Contact (formerly Contact A Family) - for families with disabled children
Disability Now - for, about and by disabled people
Mencap - the voice of learning disability
NASEN - National Association for Special Educational Needs
WellChild - national charity for seriously ill children
