Summer 2011 This magazine is for people who use Livability’s services. They help to plan and to write it. It comes out three times a year. You can get it this size, or in big print or to listen to on CD.
VOICES CHOICES
Party at No.10 Jamie (left), Sam (centre) and Sophie meet Samantha Cameron
Three young people from a Livability school met Samantha Cameron at a special party recently. Jamie, Sam and Sophie went to No.10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lives. The Livability visitors were made to feel very special. When they arrived, they were allowed to park right outside No10’s front door. Mrs Cameron held the party for 30 people who support Livability. People at the party wanted to know more about a new hydrotherapy pool at Livability’s school, Victoria Education Centre and Sports College. So far, Livability has raised £130,000 for the pool. Mrs Cameron said how important it is for disabled young people to get hydrotherapy. Later on, the three students got a special tour around No 10. Student Sophie got the chance to sit in the Prime Minister’s chair in his office.
Top staff Are you supported by a brilliant member of staff? You can put them forward to win a Livability staff award. Winners meet Princess Anne at Livability’s awards event and get a special certificate. It’s easy to suggest someone. Just ring Stephen Springer on 07834 253544 or email sspringer@livability. org.uk Send me a story! Please send Gill the editor any ideas you have for stories to go in this magazine. You can contact Gill by: email: gtroup@livability. org.uk or send a letter to: Gill Troup Livability 50 Scrutton St London EC2A 4XQ
getting to know you Hi – we’re Mark, Sarah, Peter and Rosanne. We met top rugby players Nick Royal and Dan Norton at Twickenham
We live at New Court Place and love going out
We went for the London Sevens tournament. The Rugby Football Union were fantastic to us
2
VOICES S CHOICESS
Issue 1 Oct 2006 – Jan 2007
We joined in the themed beach party and had a laugh!
news Start a business If you have a good idea for starting your own business, Livability can help. We have set up a new Enterprise Agency to get people started. You can take part in a workshop to talk through ideas and get advice. Alice Morris runs the Enterprise Agency and says: “I have worked with disabled people for many years. I’ve helped them set up and develop extremely successful businesses.” The Agency will also train people in business skills like book-keeping and marketing. If you want to know more, you can:
Business training with Livability
Email enterprise@livability.org.uk Tel 0207 452 2067
Nash in training Nash College students got involved d in a sponsored run this summer. The students wanted to support Richard, who works at their local Sainsbury’s. Richard was training to run the Marathon for Livability Richard arrives at Nash and wanted to do a practice run to Nash College. So the students decided to do some training with him. They walked with him from Nash to Sainsbury’s – and some did the walk back again too. They had coffee and a rest in Sainsbury’s café. Well done to the Nash students who raised £300 from their walk!
Summer 2011
VOICES S CHOICESS
3
Fight for your right
Danny speaks out
s!
T n thousand pe Te ople took part in the Hardest Hit marc h in London rece ntly – and Danny and Catherine from Jo hn Grooms Court w ere there. The m arch was to protest a bout governmen t ccuts in disability services. “I found it vvery exciting to b e part of such a big protest and I wa nted to see wha tI ccould do to figh t for our rights,” said Danny. Catherine said it was a “gre at opportunity to e xpress my views and have our voices h eard”.
WHAT’S ON TV?
4
VOICES S CHOICESS
Issue 1 Oct 2006 – Jan 2007
Are you thinking of buying a new TV? Soon everyone will get TV by a new digital system. If you would like help in understanding it all, look at www.ricability-digitaltv. org.uk. You can find advice especially for disabled users. It will help you choose the best TV Get advice about your for your needs. This is because TV the site looks at different TVs, not just one make.
Posting eBay packages
What a bargain
On show Talented artists from Nash College showed their work in an art gallery in Suffolk recently. The gallery owner had seen some Nash art and wanted to display it. Twelve students took part and hoped to sell some of their work at the show.
People at York House have launched an eBay shop to raise funds for their house. Friends and family are giving items to be sold. Service users are packing up the items and posting them. Find them at www.ebay.co.uk. Go to Advanced Search, click on By seller, and type weareyorkhouse
Let’s rock!
Congratulations to Livability Lifestyle Choices in Plymouth, who raised ÂŁ200 with a charity gig this summer. The team worked really hard to put the event on. Seven local bands took part. The money will be used to help more disabled people access services in the community. Plymouth gig a success
Summer 2011
VOICES S CHOICESS
5
news in brief Best shop prize
Make travel better
Shopping can be difficult if you are disabled. Livability wanted to find out which shops were trying hard for their disabled customers. We asked Helen to visit shops in North London as our secret shopper. Helen visited lots of shops on Harrow High Street, like restaurants, coffee shops, newsagents and banks. She looked at how accessible the shop was, and how helpful the staff were. She also checked out the toilets and changing areas. The HMV store was the best, and Helen gave the staff a Livability Open Doors certificate. But over half the shops Helen went to were not accessible enough for disabled people. Do you want to tell us about good and bad shops you have visited? Contact editor Gill Troup you can find her details on page 1.
VOICES S CHOICESS
Disabled people can find public transport a bit of a struggle. About 1 in every 3 journeys don’t go as well as they should for disabled people. This is what a group called Passenger Focus found when they asked disabled people what their train journeys were like. If you want to complain about a bad journey on the train, bus or coach, you can:
Helen presents HMV’s manager with an Open Doors certificate
Issue 1 Oct 2006 – Jan 2007
6
What’s your bus service like?
ring Passenger Focus helpline on 0300 123 2350 email info@passengerfocus.org.uk
my story 2
1
is where I live I’m Chris and this
3
Livability supports me to look after myself and my house and to go out and have fun too!
Summer 2011
I moved here nea rly a year ago. It’s the first time I have lived on my own
4
I cooked a birthday meal for my girlfriend Louise, and we went to an Abba tribute concert
VOICES CHOICES
7
and finally... Quick quiz Do our holiday quiz – and win a box of chocolates, if your answers are picked from the hat! Send your answers to p editor Gill Troup by 31 August. If you saw the Eiffel Tower, would you be in: ● London n ● New York ork ● Paris?
Just joking Why are cooks cruel? Because they beat eggs and whip cream! d at Why is the sand tthe beach wet? B Because the sea weed! W Where do lions get their c clothes? J Jungle sales!
Spot the difference See if you can find five differences bet between the two pictures below
If you had a ride on a paraglider, would you be in: ● the air ● the sea ● the snow?
If you went to see the Grand Canyon, would you be in: ● Yorkshire ● The USA
VOICES CHOICES
Issue 1 Oct 2006 – Jan 2007
● Canada?
Summer 2011
3