Calling all young artists, authors or musicians!
We want to know about your Favourite Place!

You can draw a picture, write or tell a story, sing a song, or take pictures of your 'Favourite Place' for our competition. All the entries we receive will be displayed, or heard, at our AGM (see below) on the 23rd of October where we will announce the winner and prizes will be awarded. (There will be runner up prizes for everyone who enters).

The closing date for the competition is Tuesday 16th October. Please send or bring in entries to HFBU at The Print House, 18 Ashwin Street, London, E8.

Catherine's boyfriend, James, proposed to her on 24 September and she happily accepted. We can't wait for the wedding!

Many thanks to everyone who attended our summer picnic/party in Trinity Hall. The grey weather convinced us to move from the park to the warm, dry hall at last minute.

Nevertheless, we had a great turn out with lots of delicious food brought by many of you.

Here are a few photos of the day:

The AGM is the chance to ensure that you, our families and carers, know that we are running HFBU properly, spending the money wisely and providing services which parents and children value. It's also a chance for you to meet staff, members of our council of management, and other parents, volunteers and carers. We will provide a crèche staffed by experienced playworkers and buffet refreshments for everyone. We will also be giving the results of our great COMPETITION (see above).

Our guest for the evening will be acclaimed children's author Allan Ahlberg (Peepo!), who will be speaking to the group and sharing one of his stories.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We think that parents are pretty special people, and we want to hear what you have to say, too. Tell us how you finish this sentence:
"Being a parent is important because... "
We'll display the results around the office.

Toy Library Winter Schedule

The Toy Library will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period, so if you'd like to borrow toys during that time please contact Tess before 28th November. If you have a particular toy in mind, call to reserve it as soon as possible! Toys will need to be collected by 11th December at the latest, and the Toy Library will re-open again on 17th January.

• Because of a low response for our recently arranged Autism Awareness course, we are rescheduling. So don't forget to contact us if you're interested in the next one!
• Please ask the HFBU office for a form detailing your availability if you wish to attend any forthcoming training

PEDAL POWER: This is a cycling club for people with learning difficulties, which meets on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month in Finsbury Park. They are keen to encourage children with autism, learning difficulties or related problems, and would welcome accompanied children (the adult must also be prepared to cycle). Bring your own bike, or Pedal Power can provide trikes and bikes, though they currently do not have stabilizers. They will also provide helmets. There is a charge of £5 per session, less if you bring your own bike. Contact Jo Roach on 020 8809 7718 or jo4cakes@hotmail.com for more information and an enthusiastic and friendly welcome.

BIKEWORKS: An organisation based in Tower Hamlets which offers inclusive cycle training on a range of ordinary and specialist bikes. They can run the training at their base in Mile End Park or come out to another venue, such as a school or club. They charge £25 per group session (more if they have to bring bikes to another venue). (They recently provided cycle training at Downsview School and if you were at the PlayDay in Victoria Park this summer, you may have seen the long queues for the 'have a go' sessions on the adapted bikes, and spoken to the friendly and helpful staff.) Contact Jim Blakemore on 07968 681 633 or jim@bikeworks.org.uk.