INTO THE FUTURE - a vision for 2018
ANNUAL REPORT
2008
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Julian Hillman
executive director
In this report we are looking to see not only what we have achieved in 2008, but also what we hope to achieve by 2018. Join us now as we consider some of our thoughts and some of our clients’ thoughts for the future. Our job will be to rationalise those thoughts, hopes and wishes and together create a dynamic enterprise that provides our clients with the help and support they need, within the constraints of this ever changing world in which we live. The Enterprise Lodge project continues to develop and we’re looking forward to running a busy community centre, helping the diverse population of Ealing. We have worked hard this past year to support Ealing Voluntary Services Council and their work, also linking directly with other organisations, particularly those concerned with social care and disability.
Julian Hillman
Ealing Mencap are always thankful for your support, help and generosity, without which, all this would be a far greater struggle.
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Berge Kanikanian administrative assistant
After ten years it’s time for me to say goodbye as I am leaving my job here at the Ealing Mencap office. In the future I want to concentrate on campaigning and national issues which I have already started through my work with Ealing Partners. I am passionate about the following campaigns and issues: • Mencap’s campaign - Death by Indifference • Improving health care for people with learning disabilities • Respite and the needs of carers • Changing Places toilet facilities in Ealing • What people do during the day, the evenings and the weeks I look forward to meeting you soon on the campaign trail!
Berge Kanikanian
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Advocacy
Patti Vincent
advocacy worker
“50 years ago people with learning disabilities did not go to school which is unthinkable today. People with physical disabilities are receiving the support they need to parent their children, whereas people with learning disabilities still have to fight for this. Many babies are removed to foster care FIRST before any meaningful assessments are undertaken. We need to see justice for parents in the future�
Patti Vincent
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Sharon and Jessica client and baby
“To start with I was really worried about Jessica being taken away from me. At the moment I live in a placement scheme but in the future I’m looking forward to looking after Jessica and having a flat of our own. I would like to have someone I could phone for help if I needed to.”
Sharon and Jessica
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Value Life Murad Vassi
client
I am going to start going to Learning Curve to do computer. I will go with Martin, my travel buddy. I love playing pool, going ice skating and bowling. I go out with Reza on Thursdays and we sometimes meet with our friends.
Murad Vassi
Omarah Vassi
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mum
Murad was a tiny premature baby and the doctors did not think he would survive. He is my miracle. My hope is that he will be able to live independently and with the continued support of Reza from Value Life he is learning the skills that will help him to do this.
Reza Panesh support worker
I encourage Murad to make choices, whether it’s what we eat, what we do or who we meet. I encourage him to be sociable and confident. He is learning constantly and that is what we must realise in our work, that the learning never stops.
Omarah Vassi
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Value Life
Nick Amarteifio
Meet Nick Amarteifio, on the left and his brother Theo on the right. Nick looks after Theo and also their mother who is crippled with arthritis. She recently contracted an MRSA infection in hospital and is also showing early signs of dementia. Theo is often very unpredictable and can be difficult to control at times, he also self harms and has very limited communication. Nick wants to find residential care for Theo but this is not easy due to his brother’s complex needs. Steve Penfold is working with Theo by taking him out and about, encouraging him to make choices, getting used to public transport and also eating out. These skills will help Theo when he finds the home he deserves.
Alison Murphy
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team leader
Home Based Respite is evolving and we have now changed our name to Value Life. Our work involves giving people opportunities to experience life. The way services are to be provided will change and in the future we hope that we will be able to encourage and support families to think ‘person-centred’. We will help service users and carers seek a package of care that will offer a decent quality of life and allows carers to value their life too! Exciting times lie ahead and we’re looking forward to the challenges, obstacles and joy along the way! Theo Amarteifio
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Asian advocacy
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Cookery Class
Mrs Dhaliwal, Fatima Akhtar (Advocacy worker), Mrs Chatha, Mrs Chahal and Mrs Johal
A group of carers enjoy a healthy eating cookery class with renowned chef, Kalwant Sahota (not in picture). Here the ladies are starting to make a nutritious pizza. Fatima has concerns for the future. “After college for many young people there is nothing to do. Families are worried about going out of Southall because of travel and language problems. Long before 2018 we need a range of good local services.�
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3Cs Counselling
Lesley Beck
One of the hardest aspects of having a child with a disability can be the very conflicting feelings you might experience. On the one hand you love your child and want the best for them and on the other is a sense of grief and loss for the person your child is possibly never going to be and whom you imagined before the birth. It can feel desperately painful and it is easy to imagine that others are coping with it all so much better than you. It can also feel very uncomfortable to be open about these feelings as perhaps you may be worried that if you voice them, other people won’t fully understand and might misjudge you.
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Having a child with special needs can be a very different kind of parenting experience. You can feel yourself being more of a carer on a never ending round of appointments and therapies. It can be hard to just feel like a family. At times like this it can be very helpful to use counselling as a safe and non judgemental space in which to release some of these feelings, explore the issues and perhaps gain different perspectives and a greater sense of choice around how you and your family might live together. Our contact details can be found at the end of this report.
Linda Shampan
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Supercare Nick Walsh project manager
Nick Walsh
Supercare has grown a lot over the past year two years and we are proud of what we have achieved. This does not mean that we want to rest on our laurels. Our vision for the future is to provide a safe and interactive learning service for people to develop skills that they can use to move forward in achieving their goals. We also hope we will move to bigger premises with access for people with physical disabilities as this is something we are unable to provide at the moment. There will also be many new subjects introduced to making the trainee’s day diverse, interesting and fun.
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Prakash Tailor and Steven Ogden would both love to get paid to be ground keepers at Enterprise Lodge in the future. Failing that Prakash would love to get a job in the Supercare offices providing administrative support. They are also both looking forward to developing the allotment at the Lodge and growing lots of lovely food to maybe sell! Steven lives independently and this is something Prakash may look to aspire to, although was a little worried that he may not get his mother’s homemade Indian food if he moved! Steven would also like to start learning how to cook meals himself. Both the guys are looking forward to Supercare growing and getting bigger training facilities. Prakash Tailor and Steven Ogden
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Transition Gabriel Jones
transitions/connexions manager
Let’s hear from two of our clients and how they see their futures. Neil, currently at Hammersmith College said “At residential college I liked the space, it’s open. I liked having the support to do ordinary things, like buying a train ticket, doing my own shopping and cooking.”
Gabriel Jones
After attending this specialist college, he’s now at a mainstream college. “Enrolling at ordinary college was really stressful. There were so many things to bring and to remember.” But he was able to reflect that
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he had stuck at it, and managed to enrol, and that he is really enjoying the course. In the future “I want to become a chef and cook people food in a restaurant.” And another thing: “I’d like a BMW!” Randa reflected that a few years ago, she would have said she just wanted a place of her own. But with support from Julie her Mencap Connexions PA, she applied for housing and is now living in a flat, her next ambition is to build on her work in a nursery. “I’d like to teach little children and I’d like to learn to drive.” Step by step, her horizons are growing. As for our future, we see ourselves supporting people to make choices from a range of options, helping them to make individual plans, where they could access a range of activities and support, and find meaningful occupation. Ideally, we’d like a society where we no longer need to
have a specialist service for those not in employment education or training, (NEET), because there would be something for everyone, and paid work would be a reality for the majority of young people. We look forward to there being a specialised therapeutic college facility in West London for people with complex needs, so that people are not having to trek across London to find an appropriate course to meet their needs. Then we’d be one step closer to helping people bridge that gap to an ordinary life….
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Travel training Jen Moseley travel training manager
Tony Campbell, travel buddy, with Kevin Jordan
Our travel trainers have been working with CREW to create a training programme for Year 9 children at Belvue. At the first stage they learn to: • Keep eye contact • Not greet the feet • Say what you see • Tell it like it is Using this method it is quickly apparent that the children enjoy this way of learning, especially the role play and the competitive aspect. This
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work is crucial for the future independence and safety of our children allowing them a more varied and enjoyable life. As our work progresses we pair travel buddies with people that need help with the view to enabling independent travel for all of those that could benefit. Tony, pictured on the left with Kevin, helped us at Belvue. He took part in the training and worked with the children. This approach enables us to involve our more able clients in helping those less able acquire necessary skills. We look forward to helping more people with learning difficulties to participate more fully in everything life has to offer by giving them the means to access this in a safe and confident manner.
Helen during role play at the training programme
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Ealing Partners
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Ealing Partners
Our AGM was held during Learning Disability Week and the new Partners’ Power Group were elected. We have been campaigning for more Changing Places toilets and we are hoping that Ealing Hospital is going to build one. We would like to see some in the town centre that people can easily use. We have also been campaigning for more jobs in Ealing for people with learning disabilities.
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The future’s bright?
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Enterprise Lodge
Franklyn Nevard
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What’s happening?
Whilst these guys at Thursday Club are waiting for the new Lodge to be built, work on the project continues. The architect, Franklyn Nevard (opposite) is researching applications of green technology and low energy solutions for the building. There are a wealth of ideas and suggestions for the development of the project and we are looking towards applying for planning approval before the end of the year.
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Mick Davis - Manager | Corri Skeete | Tony Bolster | Stan Wozniak| Daniel Johnson | Moz Marra | Lucy Wilson Phillip Cohen | Barry Lee | Chris Walker | Dominic Keal
They’re Football Crazy The football team had an excellent season last year, winning the prestigious Regents Park Tournament and reaching the semi-final in the National Finals at the David Beckham Centre. The lads would love the opportunity to play against similar teams and also the chance to practice on a proper pitch more often. Mick Davis, the manager, said that they have all really enjoyed playing together this season and look forward to more challenges this coming year.
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Vincent Borag - Goalie
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Who do I talk to?
Now you’ve read a little about what we do and feel that you would like to talk to someone in more detail, use this list to help you. A lot of our employees only work part time, so please leave a message if you don’t manage to speak to them straight away.
Administrative Manager For all general enquiries
Maureen Schofield 0208 567 9185.
Advocacy and Information Patti Vincent 0208 567 9185
Advocacy for Asian Families Fatima Akhtar 07949 506501
Anne Corrigan at Thursday Club
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Connexions and Transition
Person Centred Planning
EalingHELP
Travel Training
Gabriel Jones 0208 567 9185
Information for families of disabled children
Nick Radclyffe www.ealinghelp.org.uk info@ealinghelp.org.uk
Employment Projects & Supercare Nick Walsh 0208 222 6588
Empowerment Project & Peer Advocacy Lucy Underdown 0208 280 2264
Matthew Coulam 0208 280 2260 Jennifer Moseley 0208 567 9185
Value Life
Alison Murphy 0208 567 9185
3C’s Counselling Linda Shampan 07813 095383 Lesley Beck 07968 871459
Gateway Clubs Daytime 0208 567 9185 Evenings 0208 998 3466
Should you be having any problems with accessing or using our services then please call me.
Older Carers Project
Executive Director
For young people and adults
Alka Tripathi 0208 280 2261
Julian Hillman 07961 160435
Colin at Thursday Club
Page 30 Main Office 173a Uxbridge Road LONDON W7 3TH 020 8567 9185 Acton Office Acton Business Centre 203–5 The Vale LONDON W3 7OS 020 8222 6588
Income & Expenditure Account / Statement of Financial Activities Balance sheet For the year ended 31st March 2008 Restricted Unrestricted £ Voluntary income: Grants receivable Gateway Clubs Donations and gifts
2007 Total £
2008
2007
£
£
87,062 50,200 137,262
92,098 54,676 146,774
Debtors due within one year Cash at bank and in hand
122,561 244,158
69,014 264,595
Creditors (amounts falling due within one year) Net current assets
(27,454) 339,265
(29,454) 304,155
Net assets
476,527
450,929
144,395 314,240 458,635 17,892
155,879 273,201 429,080 21,849
476,527
450,929
Fixed assets 1,040,489 1,009 6,396
1,310 3,762 17,460
1,041,799 4,771 23,856
1,060,616 3,968 25,514
Tangible assets Investments
Current assets Activities for generating funds: Commission – Mencap Limited General fund-raising
Chairman George Venus
Resources Expended
Registered Charity No. 1054061
£
2008 Total £
Incoming resources from generated funds
West Ealing Office The Lido Centre 63 Mattock Lane London W13 9LA 020 8280 2260
Trustees (from left to right) Dave Widdowson Vice chair Deborah Silver Brenda Perks Hon. Treasurer Roy Willis Bill Elliott Ken Munford Dawn Locke Anne Warner Bernice McNaughton (no photo)
As at 31st March 2008
Investment income Total incoming resources
Direct Charitable Expenditure: Cost of generating funds
-
594
594
1,012
-
1,904
1,904
1,417
5,570
3,992
9,562
8,028
1,053,464
29,022
1,082,486
1,100,555
Funds -
399
399
341
956,929
30,639
987,568
1,050,813
Governance costs
10,195
-
10,195
10,531
Other resources expended
52,309
1,941
54,250
57,855
Total resources expended
1,019,433
32,979
1,052,412
1,119,540
Net incoming resources (resources expended)
34,031
(3,957)
30,074
(18,985)
Unrealised gain/(loss) on investment assets
(4,476)
(4,476)
2,711
Charitable activities
Restricted funds Enterprise Lodge Development Fund Other Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds
Approved by the Board of Directors and trustees on 17 July 2008
Net movement in funds Fund balances at 1 April 2007
29,555 429,080
(3,957) 21,849
25,598 450,929
(16,274) 467,203
Fund balances at 31 March 2008
458,635
17,892
476,526
450,929
G A Venus B M Perks Major funding gratefully received from Ealing Council, Ealing PCT, City Bridges Trust, Clothworkers Foundation, Baily Thomas Trust and the BIG Lottery.
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George Venus Chairman
At Ealing Mencap we have always had a firm eye on the future, whilst trying to ensure that our foundations remain sound. There will be a lot of changes in the way support is delivered in the next few years and the prospect of people having more choice and control is exciting, whilst bringing new challenges. Our mission however remains the same – to deliver the best possible support to people with learning disabilities and their families. We have been working closely with National Mencap to understand the best ways forward. We have also sought, and received, support from Lord Rix and Brian Baldock with our fundraising activities, for which we are very grateful. As a carer myself, I have also taken a particular interest in the carers involvement work we do. I believe that carers generally have too few rights to support and a life beyond their caring responsibilities and we will continue to campaign for positive change. Over the next few years I look forward to seeing the new Lodge built and the situation for people with learning disabilities improve, especially in terms of daytime opportunities and what happens after people leave the education system. Finally my thanks to all the staff and volunteers who work for us. We have an excellent team, which is why I think we can be optimistic about meeting the challenges of the next few years.
George Venus
Kerry Ann Brown and Adrian Matthews were engaged during the Summer, and we would like to wish them every happiness in their future and hope that we can continue to support them along their way. We will be able to do this with your continued support and encouragement. Please get in touch on 020 8567 9185 if you want to find out more about the work we do and ways in which you can help.
Annual report designed by Nick Radclyffe