Exploring the Impact of Dyslexia on Sleep: UCL’s Groundbreaking Study and How You Can Help

University College London (UCL) is embarking on a crucial study to understand the impact of dyslexia on sleep. This follows a groundbreaking discovery in their recent research, which found that 66% of children with dyslexia experience clinical sleep issues. Given that sleep is essential for brain development, mental health, and overall well-being, UCL’s latest research aims to uncover how dyslexia might be affecting sleep across all age groups.

Why This Research Matters

Sleep plays a central role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health. For those with dyslexia, difficulties in learning and processing information are common, yet little is understood about the additional challenges they may face related to sleep. UCL’s recent findings have raised significant questions about how widespread these sleep issues are, and how they might influence cognitive performance, mental health, and day-to-day life.

In children with dyslexia, sleep disturbances can further complicate learning challenges, making academic and personal growth even more difficult. If similar sleep issues persist into adulthood, understanding and addressing these disruptions could be transformative for individuals with dyslexia at all stages of life.

How You Can Help

UCL is now seeking participants both with and without dyslexia to take part in a short online questionnaire about their sleep behaviours. The input from a wide range of participants will help researchers pinpoint patterns, enabling them to take a closer look at how dyslexia and sleep intersect.

By participating, you’ll be contributing to a vital research project that could lead to better support, improved sleep interventions, and a deeper understanding of dyslexia’s impact on mental and physical health.

Interested in helping out?
Follow this link to participate and be part of this meaningful study.

Thank you for your support in advancing our knowledge of the Impact of Dyslexia on Sleep!

By |2024-12-09T16:17:46+00:00October 29th, 2024|Research news|Comments Off on Exploring the Impact of Dyslexia on Sleep: UCL’s Groundbreaking Study and How You Can Help

Half-term ceramics workshop

Seen The Unseen: Ceramics

Join us for this half-term workshop led by UCA Surrey Galleries in collaboration with 318 Ceramics and in association with the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

The project aims to develop awareness of invisible disabilities, specifically dyslexia. Generously funded by Farnham Town Council Grants for school holiday activities.

The workshops invite students, families, and friends to create clay discs textured with marks reflecting the achievements and occupations of people with dyslexia. The discs will have the names and occupations of these individuals stamped on them. Some discs will have no marks to represent those who are still unaware they have dyslexia.

The project will consist of five 3-hour making workshops for families in Farnham over the October half-term holiday. 318 Ceramics will provide expert ceramic tuition and guidance for the workshops, fire and glaze the works, and produce the final wall hanging.

The clay discs developed during the workshops will culminate in the creation of a dyslexia art installation to be displayed at the entrance of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity for students, young people, families and everyone in Farnham to enjoy.

Book your free place here: Booking form

Dates: 28th October – 1st November 2024

Workshop Locations:

  • Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 October, 10am-1pm at UCA
  • Wednesday 30 – Thursday 31 October ,10am-1pm at Helen Arkell Centre Courtyard, (weather permitting; wet weather contingency – UCA, with signage and re-direction to UCA)
  • Friday 1 November, 10am-1pm at 318 Ceramics

 

Cost: The event is FREE open to all students and families

Workshop facilitators: 318 Ceramics tutors Kathy Mason & Sian Van Driel

UCA Surrey Galleries Curator: Dr Loucia Manopoulou

 

For further information, please contact gallery@uca.ac.uk

By |2024-12-09T16:18:16+00:00October 22nd, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Half-term ceramics workshop

Co-op Local Community Fund

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity is delighted to be part of the Co-op Local Community Fund initiative.

With the help of Co-op members, we’ll be able to offer free specialist dyslexia assessments, tuition and courses for disadvantaged children and young people to build skills, confidence and self-esteem.

Please choose us to help unlock their potential!

You can choose us as your charity no matter where you are in the UK

To find out more about our project and to choose us as your cause, click here: Local Community Fund

If you aren’t a Co-op member, you can find out about joining here:

Co-op Membership – Membership that makes a difference – Co-op

Thank you for your support and help.

By |2024-10-29T10:17:45+00:00October 21st, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Co-op Local Community Fund

Thank you to our fantastic Royal Parks Half Marathon team!

We want to say a huge thank you to the amazing Helen Arkell team for being part of this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon.

After weeks of training in all weathers, they joined 16,000 runners on a route through 4 of the beautiful Royal Parks, passing many iconic London landmarks on the way.

Our runners were incredible, and we loved seeing them wearing Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity’s name with pride as they crossed the finish line.

Congratulations to Ceri, Joanna, Peter, Alice, Jack and Chris!

As well as flying the flag for dyslexia, they have raised an incredible £4,140 so far!

You can still donate to their fundraising efforts here: Royal Parks Half 2024

If you would like to join our 2025 team, please email events@helenarkell.org.uk

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2024
Royal Parks Half Marathon 2024
Royal Parks Half Marathon 2024

By |2024-10-29T10:17:53+00:00October 18th, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Thank you to our fantastic Royal Parks Half Marathon team!

Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 – What’s your Story?

Monday 7th October – Sunday 13th October 2024     

We are counting down to Dyslexia Awareness Week in October. This is the week in the year where we go even further to help people understand what dyslexia is, that there is effective support available and to explain the up and down-sides of having dyslexia. If you can join us, we would love it!

The theme of this year’s Dyslexia Awareness Week is What’s Your Story?

Look out for posts on our social media pages and for ways you can get involved.

Could you help spread the word about dyslexia?   

Dyslexia brings unique strengths. What’s your story of thriving with dyslexia?  We would really love it if you wanted to share your own dyslexia story with us. How about sending a short video no longer than one minute. Look out for others’ films during the week on our social media channels.

You can use your mobile phone and let our community know what makes you a champion for dyslexia!

group of people with hands in the air

Share Your Dyslexia Story!  

Show us how you have overcome your dyslexia or are working to succeed. Send a 1-minute video about your unique journey.

  • Email to: events@helenarkell.org.uk
  • Share on social media: #DAW24, #Dyslexia, #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek, #WhatsYourStory and tag us in!

Be Helen’s Hero!  

Share your story or take on a challenge!

Could you fundraise during #DAW24 week and become one of Helen’s Heroes?

To launch the celebration of our heroes we are asking our supporters to tell us your story or do something challenging for dyslexia.

Have you done something amazing for dyslexia? Have you overcome a battle and feel like you have found strategies to cope with your dyslexia?

Some Fun Fundraising Ideas to get you started:

  • Sponsored run or walk
  • Board game marathon
  • Bake sale
  • Quiz night
  • Skydive or wing walk
  • Treasure Hunt
  • Silent auctions
  • School or office dress-up days!

Your fundraising will help even more people with dyslexia make sense of their life. All our heroes will receive a certificate and a place in our hall of fame on our website. Let’s help people with dyslexia know we are proud to share awareness.

Contact: fundraising@helenarkell.org.uk

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Support our Royal Parks Half Marathon team

Our magnificent Royal Parks Half Marathon runners are taking part in this race on Sunday 13 October, which is also the last day of Dyslexia Awareness Week. A great final flourish to cap off a week of raising awareness and understanding for dyslexia!

Good luck to all who are taking part! Support them here: Royal Parks Half Marathon 2024 – JustGiving

If you have any questions, email the team on events@helenarkell.org.uk.

Thank you!

Watch this space for DAW 24 updates or sign up for our e-newsletter.

By |2024-10-29T10:18:03+00:00October 9th, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 – What’s your Story?

Rotary Club of Farnham – Lunch, Talking and Donations!

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Rotary Club of Farnham for Their Generous Donation

On Thursday, 25th July, we were honoured to be invited to lunch with Jon Curtis and Jacqui Priddle from the Rotary Club of Farnham. Our Head of Fundraising, Hazel, attended to speak to the club about Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity and the services we provide to those affected by dyslexia, including children, adults, parents, and educators.

The Rotary Club of Farnham generously presented us with a donation of £2,000! This incredible amount will go a long way in supporting many people who come in contact with our charity through their journey with dyslexia.

The Club have supported Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity for many years, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support. Their generosity enables us to continue our mission of empowering those with dyslexia to thrive in education, the workplace and beyond.

We want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Rotary Club of Farnham. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of so many individuals, families and schools.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can support Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, please visit our get involved page or contact our fundraising team directly by emailing fundraising@helenarkell.org.uk . Every contribution, big or small, helps us to continue our vital work.

By |2024-10-29T10:18:11+00:00September 24th, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Rotary Club of Farnham – Lunch, Talking and Donations!

Good luck to our Royal Parks Half 2024 runners!

During Dyslexia Awareness Week, our amazing Royal Parks Half Marathon team are taking part in the race in central London on Sunday 13 October.

By taking on this challenge they are not only raising funds for people with dyslexia but raising awareness too.

Good luck to Chris, Alice, Peter, Ceri, Caroline, Jack and  Joanna!

We’ll be there cheering you on!

Please support their incredible efforts and help them get to the finish line!

By |2024-10-29T10:18:19+00:00September 24th, 2024|Fundraising news|Comments Off on Good luck to our Royal Parks Half 2024 runners!

Exploring Reading Experiences in Neurodivergent Adults

An Invitation to Participate in Research

The Neuroscience of Communication Development Lab (N-CoDe Lab) at Royal Holloway, University of London, is excited to announce a new research project focusing on the reading experiences of neurodivergent adults. This research focuses on understanding how the experience of reading grows and changes throughout life, particularly in individuals with a diagnosis of autism, Developmental Language Disorder, and/or dyslexia.

Who are they looking for?

  • Adults aged 21-30
  • With a formal diagnosis of autism, DLD, and/or dyslexia
  • A history of challenges with reading during childhood
  • Raised speaking English in the UK

Please note they are not including individuals without a diagnosis or reading difficulties.

This criteria has been carefully selected to ensure they can accurately explore the nuanced ways in which specific neurodivergent profiles impact the relationship with reading, motivation, and support systems over time.

What Should I Expect?

If you wish you participate, you will begin by completing a short questionnaire, which should take approximately 30 minutes. This can be done online, via email, or over the phone. Should you meet the eligibility criteria, you will then be invited to participate in a one-hour online interview. The interview will delve deeper into your reading experiences, focusing on your personal journey and any changes in motivation and support over the years.

How Can I Participate?

If you are interested you can access an information pack, which includes a video information sheet and an easy-to-read version, and complete the initial questionnaire by visiting this link. This is an opportunity to share your unique experiences and contribute to a better understanding of how neurodivergence influences reading and motivation.

For more information or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Hannah Jones at hannah.jones.2020@rhul.ac.uk or the N-CoDe Lab at ncodelab@rhul.ac.uk.

By |2024-10-29T10:18:26+00:00August 8th, 2024|Research news|Comments Off on Exploring Reading Experiences in Neurodivergent Adults

Dyslexia Research Participants Needed!

If you are over 18 and have a Dyslexia diagnosis, you could help!

The University of Surrey has reached out to us with 2 exciting research opportunities that you may be able to participate in. If you are interested and wish to participate please get in touch with the research organisers using the contact details in the images below.

Thank you for your help!

 

By |2024-10-29T10:18:34+00:00July 29th, 2024|Research news|Comments Off on Dyslexia Research Participants Needed!

Multisensory Teaching- SEN Magazine Article by Claire Harvey

Enhance Teaching with Multisensory Techniques!

Did you know that engaging all senses in learning can make education more effective and memorable? Claire Harvey, our Head of Education at Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, shares insightful strategies on using multisensory teaching to cater to neurodiverse learners. This approach transforms learning into a whole-brain exercise, ensuring content sticks and knowledge transfers to long-term memory.

Discover the full potential of multisensory teaching in Claire’s article in Special Educational Needs Magazine, July/August 2024 edition.

Read it now: https://senmagazine.co.uk/sen-online/sen131_4y2g/#p=13

By |2024-10-29T10:18:41+00:00July 25th, 2024|Research news|Comments Off on Multisensory Teaching- SEN Magazine Article by Claire Harvey
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