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Happy New Year!
Many Congratulations to our Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal who has become a Grandmother for the 3rd time. Daughter, Zara Philips gave birth to a baby girl, Mia Grace Tindall in mid January.
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Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year. This is the second edition of Network News, your own Livability Newsletter. We are so pleased that the first edition which was released just before Christmas received a positive response and a big thank you to everyone who very kindly sent in their stories, without which this issue would not have been possible.
We hope you enjoy this issue as much as the previous one; there are some great stories here from the appointment of our new president to fantastic achievements of fellow service users. Happy Reading!
Meet Livability’s New President!
Wishing the family many best wishes for the future from all of us here at Livability.
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financial hardship and unacceptable barriers when trying to access education, training, housing, transport and the care they require.“
We are thrilled to announce that as part of his commitment to supporting disabled people, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury has taken on the role of Livability’s President. The Archbishop started his new role in November last year. He understands the challenges that many disabled people have to face. In a letter to Livability he said: “disabled people have much to offer to our local communities, workplaces and to society in general” but that they “face real
Livability’s Chief Executive Officer, Dave Webber said he was delighted to welcome the Archbishop as the President of Livability, adding: “Having the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury will help us raise awareness of disability issues and help us support disabled people, and their families and carers, all over the UK and overseas.” With the charity’s strong partnership already with churches, The Archbishop’s presidency will help to continue the close and historic relationship between the Church of England and Livability.
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Vice Patron Receives OBE! Connect with and chat to fellow Service Users of Livability, read Blogs watch the latest videos
The warmest of congratulations from everybody at Livability to our Vice Patron, Lady Marina Hobson for receiving an OBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours. Lady Hobson’s award was for her services to ballet and philanthropy.
and hear the latest news….
Song of Praise and Call The Midwife www.livability.org.uk/ Stars Help Raise Money at Carol Service! It’s easy to join, just visit
Read Kayleigh’s Blog and click on the Service User Network icon in the top right-hand corner.
On the 10th of December Livability held a A big THANK YOU to everyone for their Christmas carol service to help raise generosity and support. You can watch a money for the charity. The event was held video of the service at: at St Martin-in-the-Fields and was hosted www.livability.org.uk by Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes with readings from Call The Midwife star Bryony Hannah, who plays “Cynthia” in the BBC 1 drama series. Students from Livability’s Nash College also joined in performing the popular carol “Silent Night.” Other performers included: the Crouch End Festival Chorus, Mezzo Soprano Alison Duguid and organist Peter Jaekel.
The staff and residents at Dolphin Court are holding a plant sale on the 26th April.
The evening was a huge success, attended by 450 people and raising a massive £10,000 for Livability.
Actress, Bryony Hannah (aka Cynthia in Call The Midwife) provides a reading.
So if you live near the area why not go along and see what you can buy. You can also keep up-to-date with activities on the Friends of Dolphin Court Facebook Page.
Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields attended by 450 people
Pam Rhodes
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It’s All In The VIBE: Bournemouth's Hottest New Radio Station! Vibe radio has recently emerged from Victoria school. The radio station allows students to try something a bit different. They have the opportunity to create radio shows and learn how to use the equipment. Personally I decided that it would be a good idea to have a regular show in the morning; now known as ‘The full English Breakfast’. I broadcast alongside Jon Godber, the school’s New Technologies Coordinator. The show allows people to catch up on all the latest news, views and goings –on throughout the world, interspersed with student and staff requests for music. As a radio presenter it can certainly be entertaining but sometimes hard to think of what to say. It is great to co-present so you can bounce ideas off each other. Although there is only a microphone in front of you it feels really good to know that lots of people are listening. The down side of being a presenter is having to get up early every morning to do the show.
The West Shore Hotel, Wales Worried about mobility issues complicating your holiday? Then let Livability help you. HRH Princess Anne visits Victoria
New discoveries are always occurring in the station and we want to get everyone involved. Could you see yourself as a potential Vibe DJ? If so drop us a line!
A very exciting moment for not only myself but the crew at Vibe was a visit from HRH Princess Anne. She had a tour around the station and showed a real interest in the background of the station and how it runs. Story By Harry Bassett (VEC Student and Radio Presenter)
Our hotel-style and selfcatering accommodation is designed to be as accessible and adaptable as possible. We 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 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 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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Hard-working Keith Celebrates 20 Years In His Dream Job! Connect with us here at Livability on our new Blog feature on our website.
We are always being told that disabled people face so many barriers to get into employment.
Whatever the work Keith expresses great enthusiasm for what he does and has a good relationship with all his colleagues.
This has not been the case for Livabilility service user Keith who last year celebrated an amazing 20 years working at Ingatestone Garden Centre.
A spokes person for the Ingatestone Garden Centre said: “It is a pleasure working with Keith. His enthusiasm knowledge and reliability can enthuse all of us. He is a valued and respected member of the team.” When asked what he loves best Keith simply replies: “all of it. There are lots of jobs to do and each day is different.” Keith you are an inspiration!
“You can read Dave’s Blog now!”
Keith’s story was also published in the Essex Cares Supported Employment booklet in late 2013.
Dave Webber is our Chief Executive at Livability and will now be Blogging on a regular basis. You can access the Blog here: www.livability.org.uk/ our-blog/
Keith is all smiles in his dream job
Keith, who is supported by Lifestyle Choices East Anglia has always loved gardening since he was a boy, helping his Grandad out on his allotment. So when the opportunity came along to apply for a job at his local garden centre in 1993 Keith grabbed it with both hands. After a successful interview Keith got the job and worked hard to improve his gardening skills. 20 years later and Keith continues to enjoy working at the garden centre. He is very popular with customers who are always seeking him out for advice or even just for a chat.
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Good Luck to Jo, Units Administrator at Treetops who is taking part in a tandem skydive on April 11th.
“Hi my name is Stephen I was paralysed in a car crash in 1991 I am the Lead Officer on Service User Involvement for Livability. I joined John Grooms in 1996 and have been with Livability since the merger in 2007 My Job is to make sure your voices are heard not only by the staff who work with you every day; but all of the other parts of the charity. I hope to be able to meet with all of you at some time and make sure “We Listen To You and Act on What You Say”
Leo Wins Sailability Hatrick! Congratulations goes to Leo Grice for achieving all his sailing medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze during the 2012 – 2013 season. Leo 64, who lives in supported living attends The Links Day Service in Brackley. Staff have supported Leo to attends Sailability in Northampton along with other customers who have also achieved medals for sailing. Leo says he wants to continue sailing and his ambition is to sail alone and perhaps enter competitions one day.
Leo proudly shows off his medals
All the money raised will go towards new physio equipment for service users at Treetops.
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Livability Pilots Employment Programme In Nepal! Two fish in a tank, one turns to the other and says
You have seen the work Livability do in the UK but do you know what we are doing to help disabled people overseas? Like most disabled people, people with spinal cord injuries face many barriers when it comes to employment. This is where Livability comes in.
The project has received a grant of £6,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland. We are hopeful that this pilot project will grow and will in time lead to similar projects in Nepal leading to increased opportunities for disabled people to earn a living and get themselves out of poverty.
In January 2014 Livability started an employment programme with the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC), its partner organisation in Nepal.
“Do you know how to drive this!”
When is a car not a car?
We have teamed up with Sadle Traders, which specialise in the making of handicrafts and jewellery on an employment project programme which will focus on supporting 80 disabled people in Nepal to help them either start up their own business or to find paid employment within a year. Sadle Traders will provide training to those who are benefiting from the project, as well as market the goods produced. Carers and families will also be involved.
Employment project is underway in Nepal
We at Livability are delighted to report that the first training day which took place at SIRC for patients and their carers was deemed a huge success.
Jesse Norman MP Visits Wall Street! On the 24th of January residents at Wall Street, one of Livability’s residential homes in Hereford had a visit from Jesse Norman MP.
When it turns into a garage!
Why not send in your own jokes to: kwalters@livability.org.uk
He was invited by Nigel, one of the residents who wanted to share his hopes and worries for the future including the negative effects of funding cuts by the local council on his and others quality of life. The MP spent time with staff, residents and their families learning about Wall Street and the care and activities it provides to its residents. He even enjoyed a special Livability branded cake!
Wall Street resident Nigel who invited the MP, said: “It was great that our local MP took the time to come and visit us, and offer his support in keeping my home of 12 years, I feel confident he will make things happen.”
Jesse Norman MP meeting residents at Wall Street
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Budding Photographer Steve Shows There Is Life After Brain Injury! Steve was an outgoing Chef in the Army Catering Corps until a sudden brain haemorrhage in 2010 and two strokes left him disabled. Having made a fantastic recovery and with a little encouragement from his wife, Pam, Physio and some familiar army phrases; “right foot forward, left foot forward,” Steve began to walk again.
sense of humour, and understand each other’s language. Photography is Steve’s main outlet today and he is quite sincere about making his way as a photographer. In pursuit of this ambition he has successfully completed two photography courses at Plymouth High School for Girls, accompanied by Joe.
Steve and Joe now spend a lot of time outdoors with Steve’s photography. They pitch up at Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor taking photos of the birds and any wildlife they can The support worker they found was Joe. Joe find. is an ex Royal Navy Medical Assistant of 25 years. Steve and Pam were delighted to Steve says he is have another ex-serviceman as one of his doing this to show helpers who would be able to share in others that there is Steve’s propensity for service banter. life, good life after a brain injury. From the outset the two men gelled very Steve enjoying the outdoors well. They both share the same Services Steve is a service user with the Livability Lifestyle Choices Southwest project, and when Steve was referred the team worked hard to find the right Lifestyle Worker (who acts as a companion) for Steve, someone who he could relate to.
What do you call a monkey in a minefield?
A Baboom!
Why did the scientist install a knocker on his door?
New Training Flat For The Links, Brackley! Staff and service users at the Links part of Brackley Lifestyle Choices are very excited as work is well under way on a new training flat for the day centre. Manager, Mandy and team leader, Rob raised the money for the project by taking part in a Strictly Come Dancing competition.
and can’t wait for the projected to be finished. This will be a brilliant and unique addition to the Links giving service users the opportunity to learn new important skills and become more independent.
He wanted to win the No-bel prize!
The aim of the flat is to have an area where Links can hold new life skills groups. With the plans drawn up work has now begun, and service users along with the Decoration Group have been getting stuck in. Service user, Mark has kindly stepped in to fit the brand new kitchen while others have been busy decorating, choosing colour, design and tiles. Everyone feels like they have been involved in the whole process
Mark and Craig hard at work fitting the new kitchen
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