The Stables Newsletter

r e t t e l s w e N TH E STA B LE S

Autumn 2015

Latest news on...

• Volunteering with The Stable Family Home Trust • Tanya and Alex ‘tie the knot’ • Phase 1 refurbishment of Pinehaven begins • A busy time for Day Service • Gifted - all ready for Christmas • Join us for our Carol Service and Christmas Tea

...and so much

more!

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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Jan Mills, CEO

WELCOME to THE STABLES Newsletter Autumn 2015 In this Newsletter we are celebrating the work of our volunteers. People volunteer for us in many different ways. We have a core of around forty people who work for us regularly as volunteers, for anything from a few hours to a few days each week, or giving blocks of time when they can fit this in around their already busy lives. These volunteers have a special relationship with the people we support; they are not paid to be with people and they give their time freely.

Inside you will see photos of corporate groups who come as a team to undertake a specific project with us: this may be groundwork or creating a garden; painting or decorating one of the homes. These people give up a day or two and, with colleagues from their workplace, can undertake a substantial piece of work that may have taken us a long time to complete or for which we would have had to pay, or the work just would not have been done. The people we support always enjoy these visits and it is a great opportunity for the volunteer teams to meet people with learning disabilities and learn a little bit about their lives.

Our Trustees are also volunteers and this can sometimes be overlooked.

They are all highly experienced and skilled business people or retired professionals who not only give their time and expertise, but also take on the roles and responsibilities of non-executive directors of the Charity; shaping its’ strategic direction. Each Trustee has at least one specific area on which they lead: Finance, Quality Monitoring, Operations support, Fundraising, Buildings & Development etc.

Although our staff are paid for their work, many do far more than is actually paid for: e.g. a staff team came in on their weekend off, with their partners, to ‘blitz’ the garden of one of the homes; staff support people at events and with activities in their own time; staff members have supported people on holiday as a volunteer; a staff member works at home, making costumes for people for a drama event, because there is not enough time at work. I believe that most of our staff give over and above the time for which we pay.

The ‘Friends of SFHT’ are also volunteers, who as a group and as individuals, promote the work of the Charity and are becoming increasingly involved in fundraising events and activities.

We also consider family members of the people we support to be long serving volunteers; promoting the Trust and its’ work; supporting events and often giving specifically to the home or service their family member uses; promoting the rights of people with a learning disability; as well as the final generous act of leaving a legacy to the Charity.

To all our Volunteers: corporate, community, family members, staff, Trustees, friends, groups and individuals, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! What you give has no cost yet it is priceless; you really make a difference in the lives of the people we support.

May I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, a wonderful time with the people you love and bright hopes for the coming New Year!

diary December 2015... r u o y r o f s e t Da Friday 4th Staff and Volunteer Christmas Party

What’s Coming Up?

Monday 7th Service User Concert ‘Nothing but Love’

2.00 - 3.00pm followed by refreshments Tickets £3 from Andrew on Reception

Tuesday 8th Service User Christmas Party

Wednesday 9th Service User Christmas Lunch and Christmas Games Saturday 12th Highcliffe Christmas Craft Fayre Gifted open from 10.00am - 4.00pm

with a wide variety of pottery, craft and woodwork for sale - great Christmas gifts!

Thursday 17th Volunteers’ Recognition Christmas Lunch The SFHT Carol Service at Bisterne Church 2.00 - 3.00pm followed by Christmas Tea at The Stables - all welcome!

Tuesday 22nd Service User Christmas Spectacular 2.00 - 3.00pm - a Christmas Variety Show followed by tea/coffee and mince pies Tickets £3 from Andrew on Reception

Wednesday 23rd Service User Christmas Quiz and Disco

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THE STABLES Newsletter Autumn 2015

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

The Wedding of Tanya & Alex ...a day to remember!

Tanya & Alex who are supported by the Domiciliary Care Team at the Stable Family Home Trust, married on

Saturday 17th October at Poulner Baptist Chapel near Ringwood.

On a lovely autumn day they made their wedding vows in front of family and friends who were there to support them. The celebrations continued well into the evening with a disco at Saint Leonards Hotel.

We are delighted to see this lovely couple married and everyone at the SFHT wishes Tanya and Alex a long and happy life together.

Mandy Harris

Service Manager: Domiciliary Care

PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE Winning Scarecrows for the Stables!

Service Users and support staff at The Stable Family Home Trust had great fun making the winning entry in Class 2 - Pair of Scarecrows of the Bisterne Scarecrow Competition. Much time and effort went into making the scarecrows, Shrek & Donkey, for the piece entitled Waiting for Fiona.

The model making involved papier machĂŠ work, painting, sewing and varnishing in the build up to the judging and the model makers were delighted to receive their certificate and winning rosette from the judges.

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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Bushcraft with Will Newell of ‘Down to Earth’

Richard Tatem

Will explains

how to build

a safe fire

ie

h Herb

Will wit

Art and Graphics Instructor Rose Perry arranged for Will Newell of ‘Down to Earth’ to run a six week course in Bushcraft for our service users in the grounds of Bisterne Manor, with the permission of Hallam Mills.

During the course, our service users learnt about identifying different animals and their specific tracks, hammock making, lighting fires, making fishing nets and fishing with them, track setting, shelter building, using fire steels to light tinder bundles, making elderflower fritters and dandelion and burdock cordial and much more.

We would like to say a big thank you to Will as well as our volunteers Libby and Micky who helped with the course.

Katie said “I loved being part of the Bushcraft course and learnt a lot about surviving outdoors” Becks Green

identifying different animals with Will

building a

s

arshmallow

toasting m

Josie, Rose

, Richard &

Rob in their

shelter

shelter

News from

Touching Base Club Over the past few months the amount of people attending has increased and each week we see some new people and this is great.

Not everyone is able to attend every week; some people prefer our quieter activities while others enjoy our very lively and loud music events.

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We try to have varied programme of events to suit everyone and recently had a very lively Halloween night which was run by Sam Bolter, Alison Smith and Colin Preston, our Volunteer, while I was on Annual Leave.

We like to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves, are happy and valued and included in the activities if they wish to do so. We are looking forward to a fun filled December with the following events -

Our most popular events are Finbars Hoolie Irish Band, Bevois Valley musical duo, prize bingo, music and dance nights and storytelling.

People seem to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, meeting new people, making new friends and sampling our biscuits and soft drinks, we have even had two couples who met at Club!!

3rd December: Christmas themed Prize Bingo 10th December: Christmas fun with Finbars Hoolie Irish Band 17th December: Christmas songs with Bevois Valley

THE STABLES Newsletter

Autumn 2015

We hope that you can come along and join in the fun soon!

Mary Hindmarch Job Coach/Leader Touching Base Club

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

What’s New at Skillsbase

We have some new and exciting changes at Cornerways.

David McCluskey has begun a 6 week relationship course for men only. He was very happy with the results of the first session.

Our social work students, Izzy and Hannah are running a 6 week course called ‘Safebook’ about managing social media safely.

They have also been busy helping to co-ordinate the Safe Places scheme in Ringwood and helped make the ‘Our Voice, Our Say’ evening a success.

Some of the people we support are gaining travel skills by returning to Southbourne by bus after the sessions with an experienced peer.

Service Users with Social Work Student

The money skills course is becoming more popular and we have several people on the waiting list for the ‘Ready for Work’ course so will be able to start this shortly.

We have been asked to offer a two week work placement to a Health and Social care student from Brockenhurst College next March and look forward to working with her.

Susie Lewis

Team Leader: Domiciliary Care/Skillsbase

News frtohme Stables Flat Butlin’s During the Summer Holidays Most of the Residents at the Stables Flat enjoyed a fun filled week at Butlin’s in Minehead. Everyone enjoyed a host of attractions including Steam Train Rides, a Day out to Taunton and Shopping in Minehead as well as many other activities on the Butlin’s Camp such as Swimming, Snooker, Bowling and many trips to the onsite funfair which included Go Kart Rides

Jonathan’s Helicopter Ride One of our long term residents, Jonathan Mills, has been taking part in a number of activities recently i.e. sailing and regular art lessons. However, Jonathan decided on this occasion that he wanted to do something a little bit different. So Jonathan chose to experience a Helicopter Tour of the Dorset Coastline with Views taking in Poole Harbour, Swanage and Corfe Castle which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Nick & Andrew visit Dr Who Being huge fans of the hit Sci Fi Drama Dr Who for many years, both Andrew and Nick were delighted at the prospect of going to Cardiff to meet the Doctor and enjoy all that The Dr Who Experience had to offer. This Included a Walking Tour through the Experience, Flying in the Tardis, Meeting the Daleks and seeing lots of props and costumes in the museum as well as the Gift Shop. Both Andrew and Nick purchased some souvenirs to take home and both are excited at the prospect of going back again soon!!

Matt Maden Support Worker, The Stables Flat

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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Larmer Tree Festival...

The Larmer Tree Festival, which took place back in July was another success this year and a great time was had by the group who attended the event - Stephen Freemantle, Richard Tatem, James Suttle and his carer Bridget, Sam Dobson, Richard Vine and James Meekers.

Staff members Rose Perry and John Barrett supported the group for their visit.

Everyone enjoyed trying all of the activities which included Tai Chi, Street Theatre, ‘Flash Mob’ (learning a dance routine and performing it near the main stage) and a Drumming Workshop, as well as the usual varied programme of music performances on the main stage. Even the camping disasters that they experienced (one broken tent and finding that they had the wrong poles for the second tent!) couldn’t spoil the fun that everyone had.

We would like to say a big thank you to volunteers Pete, Mike and Michelle who attended the event at various times, without whom we couldn’t have run this trip.

Richard said “I loved going to the Larmer Tree Festival again this year” Becks Green Peripatetic Support Worker

Day Service Activities...

Nathan’s clock, work in progress

Stephen decorating a plant pot

Cathy’s butterfly mosaic

Richard & Cathy

Katie trying a new technique to make a coaster

Michael drawing a spaceship

Nathan with his dolphin mosaic

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THE STABLES Newsletter

Autumn 2015

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

Beverley painting a plant pot in art

Anna helping to make coasters Holly doing yoga with dance instructor Sam Joanna sewing

Cathy designing her next mosaic

Joanna in craft

a GREAT day at

Julie Drysdale organised a trip to Marwell Zoo for our service users on Thursday 5th November. Thankfully the morning stayed dry and our service users were able to see many of the larger animals - the giraffes were a big favourite with their big brown eyes and long eyelashes. The rain came down in the afternoon and the group took the opportunity to see the tropical world where they saw the tarantulas and other large insects.

Everyone had a good time, despite the bad weather. The fantastic photos were all taken independently by our service user Nathan James. We would also like to say a big thank you to volunteers Pete,

Paul and Simon for their support and without whom the trip would not have been possible.

Becks Green Peripatetic Support Worker

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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Volunteering at SFHT

Volunteer Group wi

th HRH Countess of

Wessex

Our SFHT Volunteer team have continued their outstanding support throughout 2015.

Each member is truly committed and dedicated to their voluntary role within the Trust. In order to show our appreciation we are holding a Volunteer Recognition Christmas Lunch in December and have invited them to our subsequent Christmas Carol Service at Bisterne Church. This will give us the opportunity of saying thanks for all their valuable time and for all that they do.

We received tremendous support for our Autumn Fayre in September.

Rose Lavender organised and manned the Toy Stall with her family, Lynda Gillies organised and ran the Raffle with Karen Thompson (wife of Volunteer Pete). Pam Pitman, Pat Newman and Liz Holmes supported the kitchen and Refreshments area and Libby Bellhouse was heavily involved with the Drama Group performance. Rob Taylor and Marina Caines organised and ran the Football Shoot Out, together with arranging presentations to the service users for their participation in the Football and Snooker activities. Pete Thompson and Paul Kelham did a magnificent job selling programmes to visitors upon arrival. These Volunteers offered substantial support towards our main fundraising event and we are so appreciative of their willingness to give their time so freely – especially on a Saturday.

a day trip to Swanage. The enthusiasm of the team supporting these trips is remarkable. On their return there is always laughter and banter amongst them which is a delight to see. Members who have been involved in these are: Simon Aust, Mike and Michele Board, Marina Caines, Carolyne Chapman, Liz Holmes, Paul Kelham, Pete Thompson and Rob Taylor.

We have certainly kept the team active during and since the Summer months. Individual members have supported the Larmer Tree Festival, Studland Walk, Disability Sports Day in Weymouth, Trip to Caves, Marwell Zoo and a Cinema Trip to see Spectre. Further, support has been provided with an outing to a local care home singing to elderly residents and 1-1 support has been given to a residential client with

We have two Volunteers, Jenny Hubbard and Sue Taylor, supporting our retail outlet “Gifted” in Highcliffe, with two more prospective Volunteers undertaking the recruitment process to join them. Doreen Julian and Colin Preston continually help at our Touching Base Club on Thursday evenings at Sopley Hall – group leader Mary Hindmarch is so thankful and says she could not manage without them.

All Volunteers mentioned above have given this support in addition to the weekly support they provide within Day Service and Residential Homes. We also have significant team members who continue their regular support of Day Service and those involved are: Tim Hickish, Dave Blackwell, Glynnis Stirton, Helen Milton, Imogen Byers, Laura Woodward, Micky Chilman, Paul Nicol, Rhiana Bibby and Rosemary Hiscock.

Despite their personal commitments, all Volunteers find time in their busy lives to come and support us. If you feel that you would like to become involved in volunteering with the Stable Family Home Trust, please contact Teresa Hunt Volunteer Manager for further information on 01425 485089 or email: teresahunt@sfht.org.uk.

Lynda Gill & Doreen Julian

Marina Caines

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THE STABLES Newsletter

Rob Taylor

Autumn 2015

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

Group Volunteering Projects This year SFHT has received substantial interest from corporate organisations seeking one day group volunteering projects.

BT: We were approached earlier in the year by New Forest Community First (Volunteer Centre in Ringwood) who introduced us to a BT group who were seeking a team volunteering project. The group visited our extensive gardens at the Stables in Bisterne on the 16th April. A group of 10 arrived having travelled quite a few miles to get to us – one from as far as Cornwall. Former discussions had taken place with Will Harvey from BT Technology Services & Operations and arrangements were in place for the team to work in the Orchard area where they helped to prepare the grounds for our pending Wildlife Project. The weather was nice and sunny - they were a lovely friendly group and did a fabulous job. Although the work was quite strenuous they really enjoyed being in the fresh air and spending time amongst our service users. Many commented on what an amazing place it was to be.

Liverpool Victoria: On the 2nd September a group from Liverpool Victoria visited the Stables to undertake a gardening project. This was a referral from Bournemouth Council for Voluntary Services (Bournemouth Volunteer Centre) and co-ordinated by Emma Gavin, Personal Assistant to Head of Protection Sales and Head of Protection Pricing. An enthusiastic team of 20 arrived ready for some hard graft in the garden area. They did a magnificent job finishing off preparations in the Orchard area, generally tidying up beds and weeding – which was perfect timing for our Autumn Country Fayre scheduled for the following Saturday. Emma subsequently got in touch to say a huge thank you on behalf of the team commenting “your Head Gardener On the 17th October another team from LV visited our Stables Flat in James and the guys were fantastic”. We of course felt indebted to them Bisterne to undertake some decorating tasks. This was co-ordinated by Karen Townley, Personal Assistant in HR & Corporate Communications. for all their amazing support.

Seven members arrived and eagerly got stuck into painting the hallway and lounge. It was a delight to hear their chatter and laughter – team work and camaraderie was evidently high amongst them. The Stables Flat Service Manager, Jo Gibbs, and her staff were delighted with the results and said what a difference it has made. They commented that “the LV team were a lovely bunch and really friendly”.

We have received feedback from LV saying “they thoroughly enjoyed the day and were so pleased to have been able to help such a wonderful cause. It was a great day and a real opportunity to get out of the office as a team and do something worthwhile”.

Lloyds Insurance Banking Group: For the fourth year running, Lloyds Insurance Banking Group has visited our Homes in the Southbourne area. They have previously undertaken decorating and gardening volunteering projects at Harleith but this year visited Abbotsford to paint the fences and Games Room. We are so very grateful for their continual loyalty and support and for returning year after year to help freshen up the environment for our residential clients and staff teams within the Homes.

We pass on our sincere thanks to BT, Liverpool Victoria and Lloyds Insurance Banking Group - it was such a pleasure to have met them and we are so grateful for all their extraordinary support.

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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5th September 2015 Our main fundraising event was re-scheduled this year to September, as opposed to being held at the end of July.

Fortunately, it was a dry day and more visitors arrived than we could have hoped for. Our theme was “Wild West” so we had no hesitation in dressing up in our denim jeans, check shirts and cowboy hats! To set the scene, a couple of our management team got together and decorated the Beer Tent as a magnificent “Saloon Bar”.

We had the opportunity to showcase the excellent services that we provide within our Day Opportunities. Our Craft, Pottery & Woodwork Instructors were all in attendance running their stalls to display and sell the items that had been carefully made with our Service Users. Our Dance & Drama Support Worker, Sam Bolter, and her group made us feel very proud, as always, by performing a medley of songs, together with line dancing to Uptown Funk.

Peripatetic Support Worker Alison Smith subsequently undertook a performance with her Music Group.

This year we welcomed a few external stallholders and received the following feedback: Julie Shortland / Sockies: “I just wanted to put pen to paper so to speak, to say that I really enjoyed the Fayre and did well. Everyone is so friendly and I would love to come along again next year.

Well done to you and all the other helpers/organisers”.

Pauline’s Pantry: “One word - brilliant”. Michele Thomas / Butterflies: “Really enjoyed the event – everyone is so helpful and willing”. Clare James / Phoenix Trading: “Went really well and thank you for the lend of the gazebo”.

We are always thankful to Sheila Orr, a former employee, who year after year takes on the responsibility of collecting and sorting through items that have been donated for the Bric-A-Brac Stall. Day Service staff members Janet Brown and Helen Ellis once again ran the Book stall - they are both so devoted to this role covering it each year.

Members from the Men’s Group Ringwood Parish Church once again ran a successful BBQ and Bransgore Rotary Club very kindly managed to conjure up a fantastic team to organise the car park. Many commented that they were brilliant and extremely well organised.

To entertain the children, we had Hook-A-Duck and Games led by Peripatetic Support Worker Julie Drysdale and partner Ian. Our Job Coach Mary Hindmarch and her family manned the “Wild West” bouncy castle and we were privileged with the presence of Pixie Pom Pom Face Painting. All activities were highly successful and a great attraction amongst our young guests.

Our Residential Homes ran their individual stalls.

Abbotsford organised a Treasure Hunt, the Harleith team provided ice-creams and Pinehaven sold home-made lemonade. Our Stables Flat once again ran the Tombola stall – always a highlight and very popular with our visitors.

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THE STABLES Newsletter

Autumn 2015

We welcomed Damian O’Vitch playing the ukele and Stanford Road Band performing country music on the main stage. Stanford Road commented “Great to meet you at the Fayre, we had a lovely time and felt honoured to have been a part of such a wonderful event”. We were delighted that the RMDS Choir (Ringwood Music & Dramatic Society) were able to join us once again. We are forever grateful for their loyalty and support.

We are honoured that each year our staff, volunteers, service users, family members and visitors come together creating such an enjoyable and memorable event – all taking place within our magnificent gardens at the Stable Family Home Trust.

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

News from Harleith & Abbotsford HARLIETH We have had some improvements recently; new patio furniture and gazebo and Mark has organised a tree surgeon to cut back the horrible trees at the bottom of our garden. It feels like someone has let the sky back into our garden. We also have a gardener to come and clear the leaves from the front garden every two weeks, this helps keep the place tidy. Also the Council have been round to cut back the trees along the road side which hang over the front of Harleith. Well done to Katie Tullett-Gomez who encouraged the Council to trim back the trees.

We have been on our holidays our all-time favourite is Butlin’s. A couple of us have been to Weymouth and Richard went on a supported adventure holiday to Portugal - surfing, kayaking, walking and rock climbing.

Harleith Residents Richard adventures in Por

tugal...

Pippa & Paul at Bu

tlins

ABBOTSFORD

t Butlins

atthew a

Paul & M

Life pretty much goes on the same at Abbotsford. Our new fence, which was put up between us and our neighbours, has now been painted by a great group of volunteers from Lloyds banking group. In fact they painted all our fencing both sides and the outside of our games room, it’s all looking fab.

We are now looking forward to the Pantomime season, we are going to see Snow White at the Pavilion in Bournemouth and Matthew is excited as he is going to the Horse of the Year show at Olympia.

Abbotsford Residents

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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NEWS from FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING APPEAL CHANGING SPACES PHASE 2 There are exciting times ahead for two of our homes in Southbourne and our plans are ambitious. We want to provide homes with good facilities that meet the needs of both residents and staff and provide harmonious living conditions for everyone living there.

PINEHAVEN Work has started on Phase 1 refurbishment at Pinehaven and there is great excitement and anticipation as the installation of the new bathrooms and shower rooms begins. Service Users will be involved in choosing colour schemes that reflect their own interests and personalities and everyone is looking forward to seeing Phase 1 completed by the end of January 2016.

Meanwhile, I am applying to a number of charitable trusts for funding to support Phase 2 – the refurbishment of the communal areas at Pinehaven. The cost of this work will be in the region of £150,000, we are still awaiting confirmation of one or two items.

I am hopeful that we will get good support from charitable trusts but we will still need to raise some funds ourselves, through fundraising events and personal donations. Can I ask, please, for your support for this project? Your donation, however small, will help us reach our target and get Phase 2 completed next year.

Could you get together with a group of friends and neighbours and organise a small fundraising event for us? A Coffee Morning, Bring & Buy, whatever you feel able to do in the way of support for this project would be greatly appreciated.

ABBOTSFORD We are still fundraising for Abbotsford’s Conservatory and Office.

The project will cost approximately £55,000 to complete and we have raised £12,000 so far and thanks to everyone who has made a contribution. Again, I am hopeful that we will receive some grant funding to support the project but if you can help in any way then please let me know.

We are so excited about these projects that will make such a difference to the lives of the people with a learning disability that we support. A donation form is enclosed with this newsletter and can be used for any project or general donation.

CHANGING SPACES – PHASE 3 ARTS SUITE The new Arts Suite will be our Phase 3 project and we are currently seeking planning permission for the project. There will be more updates as things progress.

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THE STABLES Newsletter

Autumn 2015

Val’s Retirement We said a sad goodbye to Val Smith, Fundraising Assistant, who retired on Friday 30th October having worked for the Trust for some 12 years.

Val was presented with a gift from the Trust plus flowers, champagne and a Haskins Gift Card from staff. Service Users presented her with a beautiful card depicting a cat, very similar to the feline that Val has at home.

We will miss you Val but wish you a long, healthy and happy retirement.

Thank You! Thanks to Mrs. Williams for her generous donation of £1,000 to the Pinehaven project which, together with Gift Aid, brings the total to £1,250.

Many thanks to Churchill Retirement Living based in Ringwood who donated £500 to The Stable Family Home Trust.

Thank you to The Percy Bilton Charity who gave a grant of £494 in order for Skillsbase to purchase equipment for their Friendship and Wellbeing sessions.

...and thanks to many others who have made a donation, become a regular donor or Friend, or supported our events over the last few months. Your support really does make a difference to people with a learning disability.

STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS Our grateful thanks to the Trustees of the Albert Hunt Trust for donating £25,000 to the Pinehaven project and also to the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation for £5,000. The support from these two grant makingcharities is much appreciated.

Marion Davies tel: 01425 485090 email: mariondavies@sfht.org.uk

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

‘Tapering Service’ & ‘Outcomes’ This is the new terminology of the future. Over the next couple of good services are at the Stables. As it is, Cornerways and Gifted are years, Local Authorities will be making significant cuts to their Adult exactly the type of support Commissioners are keen to buy and they Services Budgets; this is being driven from Central Government. For will become our doorways into the Stables.

Hampshire County Council, the cut to the Adult Services budget

We face some real challenges over the next couple of years and we need to see this as an opportunity to ensure we are supporting people disability services. These figures look enormous and we cannot begin in a way that really does promote their choice and independence and to imagine how a County Council can achieve such savings! This is safety. happening throughout the country and some County Councils have much higher savings to achieve. It is very clear that we will have to Local Authority spend on residential services is planned to reduce change the way we support people and make sure that everything we by 80% by March 2017 and Commissioners are encouraging people do gives the very best value for money. The way that day services are to move into supported living services that will attract Housing and commissioned has already been changing throughout the County. other benefits. They are looking, in particular, to reduce the number Most of the large day centres have disappeared and Hampshire is of people receiving 1:1 and 2:1 support. The plan is for people to have less dependence on staff for everything and for support to be looking to buy ‘enablement’ sessions for people with lower support ‘tapering’. We are looking at a very exciting model that would enable needs and ongoing support for people with multiple, complex and people to have their own front door, but have 24 hour support and profound support needs. access to shared facilities where they could spend time with their Enablement services will include: independent living skills and friends. is £43m; £19m of which will be cut from their budgets for learning

social skills development; meal preparation; managing money and Over the next month or two we will be looking at all our services being a tenant; keeping safe; independent travel training; planning to identify the value of that activity and the outcomes it delivers to and arranging social activities; keeping in touch with friends and individuals. For the moment all new staff posts are frozen and if we family; preparing for employment. need to replace a staff member it will be on a short term contract.

Ongoing support for people with complex needs will be about: Although we are looking closely at how we are supporting people, we support for people to maintain their health & welfare; communication; are not reducing any support to individuals. As with our recent fee being safe; having therapeutic and meaningful activities; personal negotiation exercise, we will involve family members at every step care as necessary; support with specific physical or mental health of the way. conditions; supporting people to maintain contact with their family One clear criteria for all future services is that there needs to be a community link for everyone. Without Cornerways and Gifted we would now be in a very precarious position, irrespective of how Jan Mills & Colin Waters

Wills & Trusts Workshop Thursday 17th September 2015

On 17th September 30 people met at The Tyrells Ford Hotel in the early evening for our Wills and Trusts Workshop. We had a good mix of families, friends and public who were interested in learning more about Will writing and the various types of Trust that can be created.

Many thanks to Richard for his great input on the evening. A lot of ground was covered during the two-hour session and everyone went away with an information pack. The feed-back from this

Richard Wadsworth, a Senior Solicitor with Moore Blatch, based Workshop has been very positive and we hope to run another in in Lymington, led the Workshop and he created an informal April 2016. atmosphere (no PowerPoint) for this sensitive subject. People were encouraged to ask questions that were of concern to If you would like to receive information on the next Workshop them and Richard took that as his point of reference to cover a please contact Marion Davies particular topic. This was much appreciated by the audience and tel: 01425 485090 or email: mariondavies@sfht.org.uk the questions were soon coming thick and fast.

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

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all ready for Christmas...

Gifted, our shop in Highcliffe, sells gifts, plants and garden accessories all year round but it comes into its own at Christmas. If you don’t know what to buy someone for Christmas then Gifted is the place to go - the choice is endless. Craft, pottery, jewellery, candles, cards, plants, woodwork, decorations and much more are all on sale, with many of the items having been made by our very talented service users at our Day Service at Bisterne and also at the shop.

Christmas Trees are on sale week beginning 23rd November and from 1st December table centres, wreaths, holly and mistletoe will also be on sale.

Gifted is running low on the following items so can you please have a rummage at home and see what you can find to help:

There are bargains to be found in the plant section with a good number of shrubs on sale at discounted prices, all waiting for a good home.

• Buttons

all colours and sizes, as many as you can find

• Embroidery thread • Old wooden picture frames • Old picture canvasses Once you have collected things together please either bring them to The Stables, Bisterne marked for the attention of Julie Drysdale or take them to Gifted at 316 Lymington Road, Highcliffe.

Many thanks for your support – the more gifts we can make and sell, the more money we can bring into the shop to support our charity.

We hope that you will visit us in Highcliffe and remember that we have gifts, plants and garden accessories on sale all year. Gifted is the place to visit when you are looking for something different be it for a gift for someone special or as a treat for yourself. We look forward to seeing you.

Sue Gilbert Project Co-ordinator: Gifted

will be part of the Highcliffe Craft Fayre Saturday 12th Decemeber shop open 10.00am - 4.00pm 14

THE STABLES Newsletter

Autumn 2015

t: 01425 478043 www.sfht.org.uk

Ways to Support Us...

As you will have seen elsewhere in this newsletter, we have many and varied fundraising initiatives at the moment. If you are able to support us with a donation for any of the following projects your contribution would be much appreciated.

A donation form is enclosed with this newsletter and if you would like to help us in this way please complete the form and indicate which of the following projects you would like your donation to support...

PROJECTS • Refurbishment of Pinehaven • New Conservatory extension and Office at Abbotsford • The restoration of garden /car park walls at The Stables • Development of Gifted Toilet block, Workshop, Café area, Delivery Vehicle

REGULAR DONATIONS Regular donations (monthly) are important to us as they provide us with a monthly income that we can use during the current year to support people with a learning disability. The monthly donation does not have to be a huge amount of money - £5 per month would make a huge difference to us.

Imagine, if 50 new people donated £5 per month for a year that would provide us with an extra £3,000 to support people with a learning disability. How marvellous would that be?

If you are a UK tax payer then an additional 25p for every £1 that you donate can be claimed back from HMRC at no extra cost to you.

As mentioned above, our donation form is enclosed with this newsletter and provides the opportunity to make a

GIFTS IN KIND For Craft & Gifted our shop in Highcliffe • Buttons all colours and sizes, as many as you can find!

• Embroidery thread • Old wooden picture frames • Old Picture Canvasses • Coloured tiles • Stained glass off-cuts one-off donation or to make a regular donation. The Gift Aid form is also included if you wish to make a Gift Aid Declaration in order for us to claim back the tax from HMRC. Thank you to all our regular donors, those that surprise us with one-off donations and all those thoughtful people who, instead of throwing things away, donate material, old jewellery, craft materials and much more so that we can create beautiful items to sell at our shop or at our special events.

Your support is much appreciated and enables us to continue to support people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments.

If you would like to find out more about the above please contact Marion Davies tel: 01425 485090 or email: mariondavies@sfht.org.uk

Supporting people with a learning disability to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments

15

ehaven!

Exciting Times at Pin

bishment that n taking place. The refur ve ha ne Pi at s ge an ch r weeks, with many facilities It’s been an eventful fou e way with the bathroom th on ll we is 1 e as Ph and 2014 has now begun. suite is now completed en we first spoke of in June ’s lie Ju it. to t en jac or ad o an individual’s room in her smart new being incorporated int very excited to be back is e sh d an ed ish fin w thy’s room is no rents in Spain is looking splendid. Ca holiday visiting his pa as tm ris Ch d de ten ex pleased to get an tructed. The ensuite room. Mark is g bathroom to be cons nin joi ad e th d an ite e end er to enable his ensu e work completed by th th from the end of Novemb ve ha to pe ho we d an her rooms will follow on refurbishment of the ot of January 2016.

ing lessons on a s recently begun drumm ha d an a, em cin the h to on a Thursday along wit been very active, going Meanwhile, Grant has dnesday and Phab club We a on b clu ap sh sn uri to flo to also enjoys going nts. Justin is continuing Monday evening. Grant d coming Christmas eve an up the plants, to the rd wa ing for ain d maint looking aven clean and tidy an Katie. Grant is already eh Pin at n rde ga the has been keeping in his independence, he . which he seems to enjoy on a trip to Windspit Oliver and Beverly went at er and said it was a gre Caves in early Septemb ian’s ly celebrated friend Jul day out. Ben and Bever r out at Pinocchio’s birthday by having dinne es with his badminton, Restaurant. Ben continu d om the special Olympics an Julie’s ro Julie’s new en playing for England in suite ch Monday ea e mb sco Bo in fam working at Ox s om the evening celebration Cathy’s ro afternoon. He attended a ny and Ta of the marriage of Alex st wishes to them be congratulations and en. both from all at Pinehav Christmas All are now planning the to see family social calendars - visits Cathy’s ensu ng the tree and ite or friends and discussi … me ho ir the for s ion rat co de L at Pinehaven Regards Kevin and AL

The Stable Family Home Trust The Stables, Bisterne, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3BN tel: 01425 478043 fax: 01425 461076 email: reception@sfht.org.uk www.sfht.org.uk Private company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No. 4421606 Reg. Charity No. 1093672 Newsletter designed & produced by: The Impressive Group 01202 568561

Supporting people Newsletter with a learningAutumn disability to lead ordinary with some extraordinary moments t: 01425 478043lives www.sfht.org.uk THE STABLES 2015