December Newsletter 2017 Merry Christmas to you all On behalf of the staff and Trustees at Disabled Living, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Debra Evans, Chief Executive.
Coleman’s Christmas Crackers! Billy Coleman from our Kidz Exhibitions team, has brought back ‘Coleman’s Christmas Crackers’. Here’s a few of the jokes we’ve shared over the last few weeks: What’s the best Christmas present ever? A broken drum; you can’t beat it! Why are Christmas trees very bad at knitting? Because they always drop their needles! What do you call an elf who sings? A wrapper! What’s worse than Rudolph with a runny nose? Frosty the Snowman with a hot flush!
Christmas Closure The Disabled Living Centre and the Ableworld Mobility Store based within the Disabled Living Centre will close at 1pm on Friday 22nd December 2017 and re-open at 9am on Tuesday 2nd January 2018 Disabled Living Centre 0161 607 8200
Christmas Card Competition! Isabelle Peacock aged 14 is the winner of our 2017 Christmas Card competition. Isabelle from Wigan has Aspergers Syndrome and has a talent for sketching and drawing. Mum says, Isabelle can often be found drawing both with her pencils and on her graphics tablet and has a passion for gaming and anything to do with European and Medieval history. Isabelle attended Kidz to Adultz North this year with her mum Lyndsey and has been to previous Kidz Exhibitions. Isabelle’s card design is Disabled Living’s Christmas card for 2017 and has been sent to over 92,000 contacts on our database
So why a hamper? From the early 1900’s the charity gave out Christmas Hamper’s to disabled children, which included a Christmas card. In our archives we have a large number of the charity’s Christmas cards dating back to 1897. Presenting Isabelle with a hamper was our attempt to recreate this element of our heritage and was supported by Ontex Healthcare.
Ontex Healthcare were delighted to provide support by sponsoring the Activity Area at Kidz to Adultz North. This area offered the opportunity to provide activities and displays which were linked to our heritage. Ontex are an innovative company and welcomed the opportunity to be linked to a charity whose Heritage Lottery Funded project is named From Donkey’s to Innovators. This event provided Ontex with an opportunity to display information on a new product for children which will be launched in 2018. Ontex, an international company known for providing products for personal hygiene, which cater for babies, children and adults, will introduce iD Comfy Junior, a new generation of super adsorbent underwear and protective slip.
Kidz to Adultz North Activity Area Ontex sponsored the activity area The Activity Area at Kidz to Adultz North at Event City was extremely busy as the children and their parents flocked to see the donkeys in the Donkey’s Den (the charity was originally formed to encourage children to be kind to donkeys), children participated in the Christmas Card competition and visited Santa in his grotto. As any organisation knows, time does not stand still and we encouraged the children to come along to the Disabled Living Innovation Hub and tell us about their ideas for equipment for the future. The children filled the Innovation Tree with ideas. This Activity Area and the activities sponsored by Ontex brought a smile to many faces. We would like to thank Ontex for their amazing support during Kidz to Adultz North this year and helping to make it the spectacular event that it was. If you would like to learn more about Ontex please visit their website.
The date for next years Kidz to Adultz North event is: Thursday 8th November 2018 EventCity, Manchester!
Are you the winner? Throughout 2017 any visitor to the Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions who registered in advance online was entered into a prize draw to win ÂŁ250 of high street vouchers! The winner was chosen at random by Kerry Hyde who has recently joined the Disabled Living team as Receptionist/Administrator. The Winner is
Brian Bartlett Poynton, Cheshire
What a fantastic year for our Kidz to Adultz Events!
Kidz to Adultz Middle
Kidz to Adultz South
During 2017, and in a year when Disabled Living was extremely proud to be celebrating 120 years of providing services to children, adults and older people, we held four Kidz to Adultz events throughout the UK – Coventry, Reading, Edinburgh and Manchester. We were delighted to welcome 10,932 visitors through our doors - parents, carers, professionals who support them and of course the children and young adults. With over 500 exhibition stands, our visitors were able to access the most up to date information on a whole range of mobility equipment, products and services including:- seating, bathing, beds, accessible vehicles, funding, transition, education, sports and leisure, legal matters and much more.
3,082 visitors were able to boost their CPD by attending one or more of the free, CPD accredited seminars on offer. In total 40 presentations ran Kidz to Adultz Scotland alongside the exhibitions. Subjects included really hot topics such as:single handed care, sensory processing, managing continence in schools, sleep issue, functional mobility, Education and Healthcare Plans, Lego based therapy, Assisting people with disabilities to fly and many more. Kidz to Adultz North
We do look forward to bringing these events to a location not too far from you during 2018 and hope you will be able to join us. If there are any hot topics you would like a focus on at the events please do let us know.
Kidz to Adultz Middle
Kidz to Adultz South
Kidz to Adultz Scotland
Kidz to Adultz North
Disabled Living’s Blogs November was a busy month on the blog. More pre-event blogs were received for Kidz to Adultz North following a number of post-event blogs with positive feedback from exhibitors such as IPSEA. Ontex were really pleased to support our Activity Area, where children were able to design a Christmas card, visit the Donkeys Den and go inside the Innovation Hub. You can read more about this here. Members of Disabled Living staff like to get involved with participating in awareness days. Our Occupational Therapist Week blog attracted a lot of readers as Jayne and Angela discussed the non-traditional side to the role.
Our guest blog feature focuses on a young woman named, Emma, who has muscular dystrophy. We spoke to Emma about her inspirations and what makes her happy. As well as discussing disability topics, we like to let you know what’s on in Manchester, which fits nicely with November’s Inspirational Story, dedicated to Yang Sing Cathay and their brand new Christmas dish. Look out for our next Inspirational Story!
Jayne
Angela
Kidz to Adultz Middle Thursday 15th March 2018 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, CV6 6GE 9.30am - 4.30pm One of the largest FREE UK events with 130+ Exhibitors supporting children & young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.
Free Entry Free Parking 150+ Exhibitors Easy Access Children Welcome Lots of Competitions, Fun & Features!
10 FREE CPD Seminars running throughout the day - topics include: •Managing Continence in Schools •Education and Healthcare Plans •Single Handed Care •Accessing Public Services •Autism/ Home Safety in relation to Challenging Behaviour •Sensory Processing Entry is FREE on a first come first served basis. Certificates of And more.... attendance will be available to collect on the day. Children welcome. Visitors can register at the event For more information contact Disabled Living: Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk or Tel: 0161 607 8200 www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk Organised by:
In Association with:
Kidz is a trademark registered to Disabled Living, Manchester. Established in 1897, Disabled Living, Charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Registered Charity Number 224742
Disabled Living Supplier Directory To compliment the launch of the Disabled Living websites, we have redesigned the Disabled Living Supplier Directory. The Directory provides information about companies and organisations that provide equipment, products and services to support disabled children, adults and older people. Access to the supplier directory is via the Disabled Living Website. This month we welcome the following companies to the Supplier Directory
For more information contact Disabled Living: Tel: 0161 607 8200 Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk
Product Demonstrations at the Disabled Living Centre Everybody is welcome to attend our FREE Wednesday afternoon demonstration days 2-3pm. Attending our product demonstrations will help you improve your equipment knowledge and boost your CPD. Places are limited please advise if you are interested in attending
3rd January – Helping Hand Company A representative will be demonstrating their standing chair.
10th January – Specialised Orthotic Services A representative will be demonstrating a range of products.
17th January – Mobility for You A representative will be demonstrating their buggy range.
24th January – Posture Care A representative will be demonstrating the Hugga & Onion Sleep System.
31st January - Sleep to Feet A representative will be demonstrating their product.
If you need products or equipment over the festive period visit the Disabled Living Online Shop In partnership with We are delighted to be working in partnership with Complete Care Shop to provide you with a comprehensive on line shopping facility for equipment and products to make life easier. Complete Care Shop has over 250,000 in stock items at competitive prices offering you choice from a wide range of manufacturers including mobility aids, daily living products, continence supplies together with telecare and telehealth equipment. In addition, Complete Care Shop has a reputation for excellent customer service which made the decision to enter into this partnership an easy decision to make! The main advantage of purchasing via the Disabled Living website, is the opportunity for you or your clients to speak to Occupational Therapists or Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring unnecessary purchases are not made. Disabled Living receives a commission from product sales to support our free helpline services. Visit our website www.disabledliving.co.uk
For more information please visit www.disabledliving.co.uk or get in touch with us! Disabled Living Head Office - Disabled Living, Burrows House, 10 Priestley Rd, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2LY Tel: 0161 607 8200 Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk Website: www.disabledliving.co.uk Redbank House Redbank House, 4 St Chads Street, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 8QA Tel: 0161 214 5959 Email: info@redbankhouse.com Website: www.redbankhouse.com