Airspace Dropper-Inner Edition Autumn Newsletter 2015
Produced At Parachute Drop-In Run With And For Adults With Learning Disabilities And Additional Needs
Quick note from The Editor Welcome to our newsletter, Airspace - named after our weekly discussion sessions at Parachute. There are 3 parts to the newsletter, just like Airspace: News: Catch up on the latest goings-on at the Drop In. My Voice: Our dropper-inners share their views on anything & everything. Hot Topic: Our latest ideas and plans. All articles are by our Dropper-Inners in their own words. We hope you enjoy reading it! Clare, Parachute Project Co-ordinator
News ‌ what have we been doing? Canal Trip started at Poynton to Marple. About 12 Dropper-Inners went on the trip. Lasted all day until 4pm. The canal boat was called the Mary Sunley 2. Patrick Picnic in the Park was good. It was in June . Someone bought me an ice-cream as well, I went for a walk and then I went to Museum. It was nice and sunny, lots of people went , it was absolutely Gorgeous. Helen We went bowling to the one at Lyme Green. It was very very good. A big group and there were 3 teams. Andrea was in my team. I can’t remember the score but my team won. After bowling we went in the bar and had a natter and a drink. Alison On Tuesday, 3rd March 2015 the Speaking Up & Speaking Out Group went down to LONDON to have a look around The Palace of Westminster. And while we were there I got myself an Official Guide. We met the M.P. of Cheshire. And his name is David Rutley. Neil We went to Blackpool in February with Clare and Darren for three days. It was a conference for people with learning disabilities with workshops. We met new people, and guest speakers. On the second day more people from our drop-in came and it was good to see Jon Wilkie work and Karen Burton. I enjoyed it and learned new things and it built my confidence. I enjoyed the disco and singing on the karaoke. Eating well and we did relationships, friendships keeping healthy. Donna
News … Fundraising for Parachute We went to Barclays at Radbroke Hall. People put money in our buckets. We sat down in the café and Gill talked about our stall at Barclays Fun Day on 5th September. It was a nice place. People said hello when they came in. We gave cake to people. Gill is a nice lady. Thank you very to the people who put money in the buckets. Philip
On Valentine’s Day we raised money. Stewart set music. Fantastic dancing. Brilliant singing. There were chilli tacos they were tasty. Thank you it was fantastic. Kathleen
We did a fundraiser in the Grosvenor Centre and we also did a street fundraiser and we packed bags at Sainsburys. Also we had Valentines party and we had a coffee morning. We would like to thank you all very much. Jane
My sister Rachel fundraising. She’s been cycling to raise money for Parachute. She got a medal for it. It was 100 miles. I’m happy and proud of my big sister. Sarah Editor – Rachel raised over £1700 !!!! Thank you Rachel from everyone at Parachute – your support is much appreciated!!
The Mayor organised so that we could fundraise at the match - Macc Town FC v Wrexham. The Match was really good I loved it and it was good to a draw 1-1. Adrian Editor – We received £1226 from the Mayor this year. Thank you to Cllr Janet Jackson for all your support. And thanks to Macclesfield Town FC!
My Voice … What do we do at Parachute I like working at parachute and the Christmas things. I’m going to the karaoke night I’m going to sing some Abba and do dancing. Sarah L I really enjoy the art. Jennie is lovely, understanding person who has lots of knowledge about Art. What we do is so amazing. I have never been taught like this at school or college. All of you who are worried about doing art, don’t be. Just enjoy it and I’m sure you will get to love art as I have done. Go on, give it a go! Sarah W On Weds we go on computers and look at photos on screens and display posters on the wall and signing our names in file and having breaks and play games. We go out, social activities together and we pay the subs and we do art and have parties and newsletters and we do daily jobs. Carol My name is Johnny I enjoyed the annual fund raiser last year. I am looking forward to going again this year. Johnny
When I first came to Parachute I made a lot of friends and they have been very friendly. My favourite activity is called Art and this is the list of what I have done and make at Parachute. Monoprint, Stone Painting, recycled art, drawing & colouring Easter eggs at Eastertime, and cut some musical notes at springtime. Rosie Meeting friends. Answering the telephone. Make the brews. Ten Pin Bowling. Karaoke. Day trips. Art. Music. Makaton. Adrian We did some music at parachute what instrument’s did we used piano and drums and I like too must we made different sounds of music play the piano. Sarah B I enjoy playing the various games, like jenga, snakes & ladders, bingo, wordsearch, the wii, and dominoes. My favourite is the bowling on the Wii. They can be frustrating as well, but just as enjoyable. With the bowling you have to be a very good aim: jenga is noisy, but great fun. Bingo is very popular, wordsearch is an unusual board game variation of the original. Dominoes is more compelling than might first appear. All in all, they’re all brilliant in their own way. Peter
My Voice … All about me I like birdwatching in the garden I doing wildlife on the television. I went to Buxton and we are going Crewe on Saturday morning on the bus. I work upstairs with Lesley we are the A Team at Don Millers. Alison
I love Macclesfield Town F.C. I live in with my Mum and Dad. I love Westlife and Deal or no Deal. I am 40 and I had a party at home. Robert I want to tell you about my pets. I have 4 pets 2 dogs, parrot and a horse. Parrot flies about and swears. Springer spaniels Sammy and henry. Henry is 1. Henry comes from a rescue place, he has yellow harness. My horse is black and white called starsky. Ben I like walking. I’ve been walking in Southport, with my P.A. Dave, my friend Kurt with his PA. Eric. I’ve done a lot of walking with my dad and Dave in New Zealand and Australia, I visited my Aunty Cerrie. I go walking with my two dogs, Monty and Sam . Alex
This is the second time been to the Parachute Drop In. I getting used to it. When I first came to the Drop-In I felt nervous a bit but I was all right later. It is small and better and I have more views and better things. Keith
I like the computers. I like the Disney parades. Jigzone is good. Maddie I saw Simon on Saturday afternoon. Simon is just like Elvis, I have seen him before I went with mum. I wore a blue dress, dancing with mum. he was very big and tall and I got an autograph. It was fun. I give him 5 stars. Andrea
This weekend I have been for some beauty treatment and to the cinema to watch the fantastic four. I went to the sheep dog trials in Sutton and then to Charlie's birthday party I watched a James Bond move on the TV, then I went Eduprint and was shown a round, then I went to parachute and played bingo, tomorrow I am going to watch some walking football. Sian
My Voice …What we think about Parachute I like Parachute. I have lots of friends here. I like helping Alison. I get her things from the cupboard. I like the art enjoy sticking tissue paper to make a picture. I like painting. I enjoy eating my lunch here with my friends. I like playing games and I am good at playing dominoes. Glyn I enjoy it. Everyone’s friendly staff. I enjoyed the bowling, liked the monoprint It was good. They do fun things Donna told me about. Darren My impressions Call in on Wednesday’s. I do enjoy what goes on. And I like what goes on. So l will continue to attend the Parachute club, for as long as possible. Georgette. Like the Parachute . I like it there because it’s different. I like to go on the computers looking at Wizard of Oz. I like to do some art sometimes . I love eating my dinner when I want to. Kimberley I like coming to Parachute to see all my friends. I like coming to Parachute on Thursdays because I like reading and writing. Make book and stories about Rainow. I go on computer and Mark helps me. I like playing Bingo and talking with my friends. I like talking to Karen because she’s nice to me. Parachute makes me happy. Eleanor
Coffee Break…ing News!!! We are absolutely thrilled and excited to announce that we have been awarded another three years funding by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Team to continue our Parachute Drop-In, we also have funding from East Cheshire’s Clinical Commissioning Group for a 5 Ways to Well-being Coordinator to join our team! It is a terrific achievement and one we are very, very proud of. The funding is incredibly important. It will enable us to truly build on what we have done so far and to work long term for our DropperInners and their place in the community. From everyone at Speaking Up Speaking Out’s Parachute Drop-In, we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Team and to East Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group for their belief and support – there couldn’t be a better way to celebrate our 10th year. Karen & Clare
Hot Topic … We started 9th August 2005 with 3 people. Me and Karen started setting up self-advocacy groups. We did about what self-advocacy was, ask what people they wanted to do. We did training, workshops, and chose the name and linked up with the partnership board. We did fundraising – sponsored walks, family fun day. At first about 8 people used to meet and then between 12 and 14! We have grown a bit *. We have volunteers, trustees and we are a registered charity and we have our own building. People have learnt a lot and made friends. We are being heard and not left out. We achieved a lot plus we have put our foot in the doorway. We can push forward and carry on another 10 years and be more stronger and maybe expand. We pushed the red tape out of the way. I can’t believe it! Darren *Editor: Since Parachute started 3 years ago - more than 170 people have been to the Drop-In or took part in social activities!
Friendship and relationship training. We did this with Helen. We talked about different types of friendships and relationships. There are lots of different types of people, some are easy to be friends with, others can be difficult. We learnt how to deal with people who are awkward, people who can’t be trusted or who are selfish and how to recognise good friends. We learnt how to compromise. Good friends are very important. Andrew
Membership at Speaking Up Speaking Out We have changed the rules about how Speaking Up Speaking Out is run. For the first time dropper-inners, volunteers, staff, and trustees can be members and have a say and vote at meetings about how Speaking Up Speaking Out is run. This includes voting for the trustees who will manage Speaking Up Speaking Out. Becoming a member is easy. It will cost you £2.50 for a whole year. You will get a membership card too. I am going to become a member. Are you? Nigel Watson, Chair of Trustees
Funding from East Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group means we will soon have a Wellbeing Project Worker joining us! They will tell you all about The 5 Ways to Wellbeing and how easy it is do simple, everyday things which make a big difference to make you feel better and keep you well. It’s going to be great – we’ll keep you posted! Karen, Manager Speaking Up Speaking Out
Parachute
25-27 Old Park Lane Macclesfield For more information just call Karen & Clare on: 01625 424717
info@maccsuso.org.uk www.maccsuso.org.uk
Speaking Up, Speaking Out @SUSOparachute
Our Registered Charity No. 1161691
Macclesfield Speaking Up, Speaking Out
SUSOparachute