Tesco Community Grants – New Stores!
We’re in the customer vote for a Tesco Community Grant. This is a scheme giving community projects and small charities like us grants of up to £1,500.When you pop into a local store, it would be fantastic if you could put your blue tokens (given out at the checkout) into the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity slot to decide how much funding we get.The money we then receive from Tesco Community Grants will be used to support children and young people with dyslexia, giving them confidence and helping them succeed at school, college or university.
Which Tesco stores?
From the beginning of April, you can choose Helen Arkell at:
Tesco Express, 10 Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AF
Tesco Extra, Bourne Centre, Salisbury SP1 2NY
Tesco Express, 21-25 Castle Street, Salisbury SP1 1TT
Tesco Express, Wilton Road, Salisbury SP2 7HW
Huge thanks to everyone who has been supporting us in various Tesco stores around the country since last October – this really makes a difference!
You can find out more about Tesco Community Grants here.
New Spotlight session: There’s More Than One Way to Read a Book
Wednesday 21 June, 6 to 7.30 pm
This talk from our Head of Education, Claire Harvey, will touch on some of the reasons why many learners with dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties struggle with reading, potentially becoming reluctant readers and why reading matters so much. Most importantly, this talk will provide attendees with simple, practical strategies, activities and resources to help improve the reading development of a weaker reader and encourage even the most reluctant reader to re-engage with the wonderful world of reading.
Fantastic donation is EGGSactly what we need!
We were absolutely delighted to welcome Thierry HENry to the Centre in West Street at the beginning of this month. This honoured guest was brought along by the Howard family who also brought a very welcome cheque for the charity for £1,000.
Brian Howard has been organising a charity event in Haslemere since 2017; there have been hogs, hares and hounds and this year was the turn of the hens. Thierry HENry is a three-foot fibreglass model hen – just one of 80 sponsored hens that have been decorated, hilariously named and sold in aid of local and national charities. Other hens included an artistic HENri Matisse, a super-heroic Cluck Kent, a musical EGG Sheeran and a nature-loving David AttHENborough. The events have raised a huge £190,000 since they began.
Thierry HENry is the brainchild of Brian’s grandson Charlie who is an avid Arsenal fan. Eleven-year-old Charlie was diagnosed with dyslexia at here at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre 18 months ago and decided that his footballer hen should raise money to help children like him to get the support they need.
Charlie’s mum Lorraine said, ‘[the diagnosis] really changed Charlie’s life. We know first-hand what amazing work the charity does supporting children and adults with dyslexia as well as their families. Charlie wanted to give something back.’
Charlie’s dad Douglas is CEO of the Real English Drinks Company which sponsored the Arsenal-kitted hen. The hen was bought by a determined and enthusiastic club fan for an amazing £1,000 – all for the benefit of the dyslexia charity.
Our CEO Andy Cook said, ‘It was so lovely to welcome Thierry HENry and the Howard family and to hear Charlie’s story. He’s proof that the right kind of support can make a world of difference. As a charity, our aim is to make this support available to as many people – children and adults – as we possibly can. The £1,000 donation goes a long way to helping people, so thank you to Charlie, Brian and the family and to the very keen Arsenal fan.’
Are you 11 to 13? Get a picture of your brain!
Could your 11-13-year-old help with research into engaging children in reading?
We are researchers in the N-Code Lab at Royal Holloway University, London. We are running two studies to understand why humans enjoy learning new words while reading, and whether this ‘buzz’ can be harnessed to boost learning in children with dyslexia. Our work is funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences.
In the first study, we are looking for 11-13 year olds with dyslexia (as well as neurotypical children) to complete an MRI study. We offer a £40 voucher and a picture of their brain! This requires coming to our MRI scanner at Royal Holloway, University of London, in Egham, Surrey (our postcode is TW20 0EX). We can arrange parking on campus/cover reasonable travel costs. We are recruiting 25 children with dyslexia.
Our second study is an online study. This can be done remotely via Teams and takes about 2 hours. Children complete a set of games and reading tasks. We are looking for around 25 children with dyslexia aged 11-13. We offer a £20 voucher as a token of our thanks.
We offer appointments on weekends, evenings and school holidays. To sign up, parents can email us at ncodelab@rhul.ac.uk or visit http://ncodelab.com/springboard/
Meet our London Marathon runners
Support our amazing London Marathon 2023 runners
These dedicated individuals are pushing themselves to the limit training in preparation for the event on 23 April.
And if that wasn’t enough, they’re running to raise funds for the people we support at Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.
Click on their stories below to find out what led them to commit to running for Helen Arkell and how you can support them.
New Spotlight session on Dyslexia and Nutrition
Wednesday 24 May, 6 to 7.30 pm
Links between ADHD, autism and the potential role(s) of nutrition are relatively well documented. Less is known about how nutrition could be of benefit to individuals with dyslexia. This presentation from nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire will look at:
- The role of the in-utero environment and brain development
- Where we are up to with nutrition in children and teens
- The evidence base for some key nutrients and brain function
- Some nutrition considerations and recommendations
New Spotlight session on dyslexia and executive function skills
Monday 24 April, 6 to 7.30 pm
Executive functions are a family of three core brain processes: inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility. These three core executive functions work together in different ways resulting in a set of other high-order skills called executive function skills. There are 11 executive functions skills including time-management, organisation, planning, emotional control and response inhibition.
Many neurodivergent people experience executive function challenges. As part of this talk, expert Victoria Bagnall will look at:
- the links between Dyslexia and executive functioning
- how executive functions impact physical health and mental wellbeing throughout life
- how executive functions impact teaching and learning
- introduce a 3-step approach to supporting the development of these essential skills.
Research study – Understanding Reading and Anxiety
Can you help with research into the links between people’s reading skills and anxiety?
The University of Surrey is conducting research into this and, whether you have reading difficulties or not, would like you to take part. It’s for those aged 18 and over who speak fluent English.
The survey takes 20 to 30 minutes and is found here.
Discover Adventure – and support people with dyslexia
We’ve partnered with Discover Adventure who are award-winning specialists in UK and worldwide trekking and cycling challenges. They offer challenges and adventures all over the world specifically for individuals and groups who are fundraising. Are you ready for an adventure? Want to challenge yourself? There are loads to choose from, with a small selection below. Or head to their website to choose your big adventure!
