Volunteers with a sense of humour, stamina and maturity are sought to help young people aged 6-17 with asthma andor eczema enjoy a five-week activity holiday at a centre in Scotland, Nottinghamshire or Northern Ireland. Activities range from crafts, games and swimming to canoeing, orienteering and rock-climbing. Room, board and incidental expenses are covered. Training weekend during May or June. Details: Joint Holiday Project Organiser, National Asthma Campaign, Providence HousePlace, London N1 0NT. Tel: 0171 226 2260.

Sponsored bike ride

Paul Trower, who works at Baytree Special School, Weston-Super-Mare, is undertaking a sponsored bike ride with a friend from Land’s End to John O’Groats on July 13. They aim to raise Pounds 80,000 for a hydrotherapy pool at the school, which will be of particular physical and social benefit to students with severe learning disabilities and profound and multiple learning disabilities. Telfax: 01934 625567.

Art conference

“Against the odds: art education and special educational needs” is the theme of a conference to be held on April 20 at University College, Bretton Hall, West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Key speaker is Lawrence Riccio, University of Warrington and there will be workshops, exhibitions and book displays. Fee: Pounds 60, Pounds 45 partnership schools, Pounds 15 registered research students. Details: Rachael Ward. Tel: 01924 832024.

Asperger support

Asperger’s syndrome is a form of autism which hinders the ability of those who have the condition to communicate and often leads to great anxiety. A new centre called OAASIS Office of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Information and Support has been opened to serve anyone interested in this complex developmental disorder. It is based at Southlands School, Lymington, Hampshire, and is part of the Hesley Group, the largest group of independent residential special schools in the UK. Details: Lesley Durston. Tel: 01590 676237.