Amazing stories from around the world
Ever wondered what it would be like to scuba dive in wheelchair? Sue Austin did ...now with the help of funding she has created the world’s first underwater wheelchair. Find out more and watch Sue’s amazing video at: http:// www.guardian.co.uk/ commentisfree/2013/ jun/21/underwaterwheelchair-flyingdiving
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Welcome to Network News! Hello and welcome to “Network News.” This will be your guide to inform you what is happening throughout Livability services, as well as what fellow service users have been up to. We are hoping that through Network News it will also bring all of you, as service users of Livability together and share each other’s news.
improvements we can make to help give you the best possible service and experiences. We hope you enjoy this very first edition of Network News, and from all of us here a Livability
“Happy Reading!”
Everything from events to personal experiences will be highlighted within this newsletter. We at Livability feel that this will not only benefit you as a service user but also benefit us to hear your thoughts on the service we are providing for you and what
Who are Livability? We have become aware that some of you who use our services are unfamiliar with who Livability are. So we would like to take some time to give you a brief introduction as to who we are and what we do.
Follow us:
www.livability.org.uk
As the UK’s largest Christian disabled charity we offer a wide range of services for disabled adults and children. These services include:
Though the Livability name is new, our story goes right back to Victorian times, and two Care homes/ Independent living men, John Groom and the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury who dedicated their lives to Schools and Colleges helping improve the lives of disabled people. Lifestyle Choices These two men inspired charities that bore Holidays and accessible accommodatheir names, John Grooms and the Shaftstion bury Society. Both were dedicated in carrying on their legacy. Our vision is of a transformed society where disabled and disadvantaged people can live In 2007 these two charities joined together life to the full. and became…..”Livability.”
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Connect with and chat to fellow Service Users of Livability, read Blogs watch the latest videos and hear the latest news…. It’s easy to join, just visit
www.livability.org.uk/
Inspired by our Christian ethos, we work with disabled and disadvantaged people to achieve real choice, independence and opportunity. We do this through our expertise, the breadth and quality of our services and by campaigning for change. We seek to deliver services of the highest possible quality and constantly improve through listening, reflecting, learning and action.
who you feel could benefit from our service please visit us at our website. http://www.livability.org.uk/ Or you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Livability is always here to support you!
Working closely with disabled people, we challenge injustice, using our experience and research to achieve change. Working together with disabled people and their families, local communities and other organisations, we place your individual needs at the heart of our services. If you would like to find out more about us here at Livability and the services we provide, or if you know someone else
Read Kayleigh’s Blog and click on the Service User Network icon in the top right-hand corner.
Meet The Team Kayleigh! User Involvement Case Coordinator “Hi Guys. I’m Kayleigh and I have been working at Livability now for almost 2 years. Although like you I started as a service user for the Lifestyle Choices Project in the South West. Recently, I started my new role as Case Coordinator in the User Involvement Team. You may be seeing a lot of me over the coming months, as I come and visit you to ensure that you are 100% happy with the service Livability is providing. In addition, I write a Blog for the Service User Network. So if you have any worries or just want to voice your experiences, good and bad I am there to listen! I am really looking forward to seeing you all at some point in the not too distant future.” :-)
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The Hub! Livability’s operations directorate has adopted a new method of working. The purpose of this change is to improve the way in which our services work with the other directorates that provide support to them. The support directorates are FINANCE HUMAN RESOURCES AND FUNDRAISING. The operating services have been grouped into HUBS each of which has a hub manager and a liaison officer from the support directorates. The purpose of this new arrangement is to level out the management structure of the organisation and to make the decision making process easier and quicker. With this change in place, you, our service users will be able to participate in this new structure through a Service User HUB group, which will monitor the work of the HUB groups and your views and feedback.
The West Shore Hotel, Wales Worried about mobility issues complicating your holiday? Then let Livability help you. Our hotel-style and selfcatering accommodation is designed to be as accessible and adaptable as possible. We
The Hubs are pictured on the map on the right with a different colour for each Hub. For example, if you attend Victoria College or live at Talbot Manor then you are part of Hub 2 (in Red).
can help you to choose a holiday that meets your needs, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy your break. Accommodation is available
Livability Christmas Cards
Madonna and Child ÂŁ3.95
As Christmas draws ever Get yours now at: http:// closer, we have a lovely www.livability.org.uk/ selection of cards to choose from; our designs are sure to warm the hearts of your loved ones during the festive season. Proceeds from the card sales will go towards our work with disabled or disadvantaged individuals, helping them achieve real choice, independence and opportunity. Thank you for your support.
all across the UK, from seaside to country side there is something for everyone. Whether you are a wheelchair user or recovering from illness or surgery our accommodation offers all the adaptations to make sure your holiday runs without a hitch. If you would like to learn more about Livability Holidays and check out our fabulous accommodation and destinations, then you can download our brochure at
www.livability.org.uk/ Or to find out more and to enquire about tariffs please call
08456 584478
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The Quizmaster! George’s Story
Connect with us here at Livability on our new Blog feature on our website.
On the 14th April and the 25th of September this year the Lifestyle Choices project in Plymouth held a fundraising Quiz and Raffle event,
We asked George what gave him the drive to do it: “The drive to do the quiz was to raise funds so that fellow service users can go out on an outing, which is vital and every penny is for the service users.” With the support of his lovely wife, Val, George held two fantastic and fun-filled afternoons which together raised an amazing £183 for the Project and was well received by everyone who came along.
George with his lovely wife, Val “You can read Dave’s Blog now!” Dave Webber is our Chief Executive at Livability and will now be Blogging on a regular basis. The first post is all about what the use of Twitter, Facebook or YouTube means for charities and how we can make the best of what these platforms have to offer. The blog will also feature a variety of guest bloggers in the future. You can access the Blog here: www.livability.org.uk/ our-blog/
hosted and organised by service user, George. George, who has been a service user with the Livability Lifestyle Choices project in the South West for over a year. George joined Livability’s Lifestyle Choices Project after suffering a stroke left him feeling isolated. George now goes to bowls every week with the support of his Lifestyle Workers, Marie and Kelly, and is now on the bowling committee. George says; “Since using Lifestyle Choices, I am seeing more people, going out and about and gaining more confidence in talking to people.” “The team try and help me every day; it’s a fantastic service with wonderful people.” As a way of saying thank you to the Lifestyle Choices Project, George came up with the idea of organising a fundraising event with the proceeds going to Lifestyle Choices in order to help fund future trips and events for fellow service users.
We asked if he would do it again? “I would most certainly do it again; it was good for my ego (laughs) as I thought those days were long gone.” We asked George what he would say to someone else in a similar situation who is thinking about using Lifestyle Choices: “If you want to get better and see the world again just grab it with both hands and go for it!” George is the Quiz master at fundraising event
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Meet Livability’s New CEO and Chair We are pleased to introduce Livabilitiy’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dave Webber.
Q. Why did the apple turnover?
We believe that Dave will do a fantastic job and is the right choice for the role, a role he has held as an interim position since last summer and has already done remarkable work.
Dave Webber (CEO)
Caroline Armitage has now been appointed as Livability’s new Chair. Caroline takes over from Interim Chair Chris Carr. Caroline is passionate about creating opportunities for those who have a disadvantage in life, whether social or physical. Her strong and active Christian faith informs and motivates her commitment to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society. Caroline said: “I am delighted to take on the opportunity of leading Livability. I am passionate about supporting disabled people in the UK in achieving higher levels of choice, and independence.”
Caroline Amitage (Chair)
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Because it saw the Cheese roll!
Q. Why did the train go “ouch?”
Dolphin Court Bake Cakes for Red Cross Staff and residents at Dolphin Court held a coffee morning on the 15th June to raise money for the British Red Cross.
Well Done to everyone at Dolphin Court!!
A. Because it had a tender behind!
Residents purchased lovely homemade cakes made by staff and friends, as well as tea and coffee. One resident even purchased a whole cake for them to take to their local church. The coffee morning was a great success raising a total of £70 for the British Red Cross.
Sonia and Mel manage the cake stall at Red Cross fundraising event
Why not send in your own jokes to: kwalters@livability.org.uk
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“Our vision is of a transformed society where disabled and disadvantaged people can live life to the full.� (Livability)
Do you have any stories that you would like to share? Perhaps you have achieved something, took part in a fundraising event, had a good or bad experience on holiday, or you just want to introduce your self to your fellow readers. If so then you could feature in the next issue of Network News! Simply email your story with a photo (if you have one) to:
Kayleigh Walters User Involvement Case Coordinator
Tel. 020 7452 2000
Email: kwalters@livability.org.uk
Email: info@livability.org.uk