CLAPA Children and Young People

28/08/2024

Due to a cancellation, we have a last-minute opening at our Camp CLAPA Activity Weekend in Perthshire next week.🌲

Camp CLAPA Activity Weekends allow you to meet and spend time with others born with a cleft in a safe and supportive space. Our weekends are packed with outdoor activities and personal/team challenges, with plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and build friendships.

We have one space at Camp CLAPA PGL Dalguise, Perthshire on 6th-8th September 2024.

Book your place or find out more via the 'Events' tab in our Linktree.

08/03/2024

⭐ Book this free event for young people on Sunday, 28th April @2:00-4:00 pm on Zoom.

💬 Chat and Chill is aimed at 7-12-year-olds and is a relaxed space to discuss the chosen topic and get to know each other.

Join young people from the CYPC and a Cleft Specialist Psychologist to chat about how to build your confidence and discover your inner superpowers.

Book now ➡️ https://clapa.formstack.com/forms/chat_and_chill_confidence_superpowers

[Alt text: A blue and purple graphic with text advertising the event dates. There is a graphic of a superhero and stars]

16/01/2024

What happens in Alveolar bone graft (ABG) surgery for young people?

Will I be awake in ABG surgery?
✅ You will be safely put to sleep with an anesthetic so the surgeon can operate. Don't worry, you won't feel anything!

What happens in ABG surgery?
✅ The aim is to take some bone from your hip and replace it into the notch in your gum

How do they do this?
✅ A little cut is made in the soft hip bone, and then it's molded into the little notch in the gum around where some teeth will be

How will the bone heal?
✅ Some adult teeth might be under the surface. They want to grow into a nice position. The gum is stitched over so the new bone is held in place. Then, the hip is stitched closed, so everything's sealed up.

If you have had ABG surgery, comment below and share your top tips for other young people!

[Alt text. A series of posts with a green and white background and black text explaining the ABG process (in the text). There are graphics of hip bones, mouths, and teeth]

12/01/2024

We recently held a 'Chat and Chill' event on Alveolar bone graft (ABG) surgery for young people. The operation is to fill the gap in the gum with a little bit of bone, usually taken from the hip.

Young people wanted to know what they could eat after surgery (soft food). So here are the top suggestions from the CYPC:-

✅ Mashed potato
✅ Yoghurt
✅ Custard
✅ Eggs (e.g. omelettes)
✅ Smoothies
✅ Fruit puree
✅ Blended meals
✅ Ice cream

Nikos loved roast dinners, so his family used a blender so he could enjoy the flavour more softly. You may have a birthday during your recovery; why not swap cake for yummy ice cream instead?

If you have had ABG surgery and have more suggestions, please leave them in the comments below!

[Alt text: Three posts with a pink background, white doodles, and stars. There are cute graphics of food and text which labels the food and tips taken from the written post text]

12/01/2024

👋 From September 2025, students can study British Sign Language as a GCSE in England. It is said to be open to all pupils, learning over 1,000 signs!

👂 Many children born with a cleft need help with their hearing, especially when they're young. Did you learn any signing when you were growing up?

[Alt text: A blue background with white doodles of sign language and an ear, an arrow, and a heart. There is a circular photograph of hands signing and a white CLAPA logo. The white and pink text reads, 'News. British Sign Language to be introduced as GCSE in England']

03/01/2024

⭐ Book this free event for young people on Sunday, 25th February @10:30-12:30 pm on Zoom.

💬 Chat and Chill is aimed at 7-12-year-olds and a relaxed space to discuss the chosen topic and get to know each other.

You can send in questions about braces in advance or ask them during the session. The sessions are hosted by some of our Children and Young People's Council. Everything will take place on Zoom so you can join from the comfort of your favorite space and choose whether to have your camera and mic on or off.

Book now ➡️ https://buff.ly/48vrpR8

[Alt text: A blue and purple graphic with text advertising the event dates. There is a graphic of a tooth with a smiley face]

24/10/2023

⭐ Book this free event for young people on Sunday, 29th October @4:00-5:30 pm on Zoom.

💬 Chat and Chill is an afternoon event aimed at 7-12-year-olds and a relaxed space to discuss the chosen topic and get to know each other.

They can send in questions in advance or ask them during the session. The sessions are hosted by some of our Children and Young People's Council. Everything will take place on Zoom so they can join from the comfort of their favorite space and choose whether to have their camera and mic on or off.

Book now ➡️ https://bit.ly/3ZHHa4k

19/10/2023

💙 Do you need support and someone to chat to?

CLAPA's Cleft++ Mentoring is a brand new service for 12-17-year-olds that matches you with young adult volunteers who can support you in talking about cleft-related challenges, developing coping skills, and setting goals for the future.

Mentors are trained and supervised by CLAPA, and all conversations take place on a secure platform called Brightside, which keeps safeguarding at the heart of its design.

Learn more about this free service and sign up today - https://www.clapa.com/support/young-people/cleft-mentoring/

27/09/2023

The Big Ambition – Have your say!

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has launched The Big Ambition, a national survey of children and young people across England.

The Big Ambition aims to hear from children across England on what they think is important! In the lead-up to the next General Election, the Children’s Commissioner wants to take children’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas to decision-makers to make sure that the Government hears young people’s voices on what they think needs to be done to make children’s lives better in England.

The Big Ambition survey will be open until Friday 15th

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

24/08/2023

It's GCSE results day. Good luck to everyone collecting results; you have all worked so hard! ✨

We would love to know what you are planning to do next! Are you going to college/ sixth form, starting an apprenticeship, taking a break, or starting a first job?

[Alt text: A pink background with white text reading Good Luck. There are graphics of stars, an envelope, and a thumbs-up sticker.]