DTVoice Summer

Helping you stay informed about the work of The Disabilities Trust Group Issue 24, Summer 2011

New techniques that help service users communicate Daniel learns to communicate again thanks to Melodic Intervention Therapy

McFly frontman wins £50,000 for the Trust on TV’s The Cube Tom Fletcher helps Eyes Alight

New garden for service users Making the most of the good weather in Eastbourne

Autism student’s building project “It’s good to see the finished product and think - I did that.”

www.thedtgroup.org | The Disabilities Trust is a Registered Charity No. 800797

Editorial

Welcome to the summer edition of DT Voice.

As you can see lots has been happening across the Trust. here has been a lot in the news recently about adult social care with proposed reforms to the Disability Living Allowance, the Panorama investigation into abuse at Winterbourne View Care Home and the Dilnot Comission, which Barrie Oldham, Chief Executive made recommendations for a fair and sustainable way of centre for adults who have funding adult social care in an acquired brain injury. The England. centre will provide The Trust issued a statement opportunities and modern accommodation for 20 in response to the report people who are currently urging the Government to living in Melbourne. We will take action on the Commission’s proposals. After keep you updated with further news from the service all, it is not just older people later in the year. that will be affected but also the millions of people who are Finally, I end with the sad of working age with a disability and relying on social news that the founder of The Disabilities Trust, Norman care to live their lives.

Thody, passed away at his home in Cyprus. Our In other news, recent figures thoughts are with his family. alarmingly suggest that people’s attitudes to disabilities are getting worse. You can read To keep up to date with the about different experiences of Disabilities Trust and our current thinking you can read this on page 15. my weekly blog and our news pages online at I am pleased to announce www.thedtgroup.org. You can that the Rehabilitation also follow the latest Australia service in Melbourne has now opened. developments on Facebook and Twitter.

The service offers a community reintegration

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Contents News ReNew Australia........................1 Brain Injury Awareness..............2 Trust Honours Founder..............3 One Piece at a Time..................4 Features Cover Story: Daniel....................6 Creating a Level Playing Field......8 Tom Fletcher Wins...................10 Marathon Effort........................12 Comment Fitness to Work........................14 Attitudes Towards Disability......15 The work we do Trish’s World.............................16 New Gardens in Eastbourne...18 Pupil Builds His CV...................19 New Gym Equipment...............20 How to help Leaving a Gift...........................16

The Disabilities Trust Group is a Registered Charity No. 800797.

If you would like further information about The Disabilities Trust, please contact: Communications, The Disabilities Trust Group, First Floor, 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9NP. Tel: 01444 239123 Fax: 01444 244978 Email: info@thedtgroup.org

Cover photo courtesy of The News & Star, Carlisle

News

The ReNew Centre - Australia arlier this year Rehabilitation Australia, which was established by the Trust to deliver BIRT’s neurobehavioural rehabilitation model for people with an acquired brain injury, opened its ReNew Centre in Melbourne. The Centre offers the first service of its kind in Australia.

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Anne Buckler, Rashmi Sharma and Deborah Frith have worked hard to ensure a smooth opening of the new service. Rehabilitation

Australia partnered with leading health and disability organisations in two states; the EW Tipping Foundation in Victoria and the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in New South Wales to focus on the needs of people with an acquired brain injury who may face challenges with reintegration back to their family and community

provide opportunities for 20 people with individual en suite bedrooms and modern facilities.

The ReNew Centre is for adults aged 18 – 65 who have an acquired brain injury.

Located in the Altona Meadows district of the city, the ReNew service will

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News

Brain Injury Awareness - Look After Your Head! his year was BIRT’s sixth Look After Your Head campaign which ran during Brain Injury Awareness Week.

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The campaign, which was aimed at young people across the UK, involved sending free educational and awareness raising packs to schools to encourage teachers to deliver sessions to their students on the causes of brain injury and how to prevent a serious head injury.

As a part of our children’s campaign this year we encouraged children, aged 5-11, to take part in educational sessions run by their teachers and asked them to design a poster that will be the focus for next year’s campaign. The prize for this competition was a bicycle and cycle helmet for the 12 regional winning entries.

We are very pleased to announce that the band McFly supported our 13-16+ yrs Look After Your Head campaign. Young people in groups of up to five, having taken part in our awareness raising sessions at school, were encouraged to use

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what they had learned and create a two minute film about looking after your head.

Films were then entered onto the campaign facebook page and the creators of the winning film got the chance to meet McFly!

BIRT services during BIAW

Happy BIRTday!

On the 20th of July this year we celebrated BIRT’s 20th Anniversary with all our services individually and together at the same time! Every service across the country held a BIRTday

Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW) 2011 has been our best Brain Injury Awareness Week yet.

party and invited people

The majority of our services organised events in and around their grounds or local area to celebrate the week.

Lots of fun was had at

The Goole NeuroRehabilitation Centre organised a bed push in fancy dress as well as a charity car boot sale. Daniel Yorath House, Leeds, ran an awareness raising evening, Fen House, Ely, promoted a sponsored walk with service users and the Woodmill, Cullompton, staged a bird of prey demonstration. Graham Anderson House, Glasgow, also organised a family day complete with bouncy castle.

from the local area to celebrate with them.

barbecues, quizzes and special parties across the BIRT division.

“Norman was horrified by the institutional nature of long stay homes where there was no privacy or dignity.”

Trust Honours Founder t is with the greatest respect that we remember Norman Thody, founder of The Disabilities Trust, who sadly passed away on 17 May.

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Norman founded the Trust, which started out as The Disabled Housing Trust in 1979 because he could not find suitable provision for his son Graham when he left a special school for children and young people with complex physical disabilities. Norman was horrified by the institutional nature of long stay homes where there was no privacy or dignity afforded to those who lived there. His vision was to provide accommodation designed to meet individual needs with integration between service users and the community and a strong emphasis on independence.

relationship which still stands today. Norman was delighted to be able to invite Diana, Princess of Wales to formally open the new service and also Shinewater Court in Eastbourne 3 years later. The Trust then began to develop rapidly to encompass specialist provision, including community houses for people with acquired brain injury and autism. By the time Norman retired in 1999, the Trust had 14 services throughout England and it continues to grow today.

Norman was a pioneer who had to work hard to overturn outdated views on support for people with disabilities.

Norman Thody in 2005 alongside former Chair, Graham Anderson, Actress Julie Fernandez and the Trust’s Patron The Duchess of Northumberland.

Norman, alongside Stephen Love and Barbara BesantHutchins, raised funds, firstly to buy land for bungalows in Burgess Hill and then a residential service in the same area. The latter development, Ernest Kleinwort Court was largely funded by The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust. Mrs Ernest Kleinwort became the Trust’s President, starting a

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News One Piece at a Time he One Piece at a Time photo project has been created to celebrate BIRT’s 20th Anniversary. A remarkable and creative project which involved the co-ordination of over 50 people across the BIRT continuum to bring together images from a moment in time.

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The Communications Team asked 20 service users to take part in the project, with the help of staff, by taking 20 images of points in their day that are important to them.

For some service users, this was something that they were once unable to do for themselves, for example, making a cup of tea, or putting on make-up themselves.

The photographs show the different milestones that

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make up the journey of rehabilitation for each individual and illustrates the small milestones that build up to a fantastic achievement in the long term. There are 20 canvasses which make up the One Piece at a Time exhibition, with each canvas featuring 20 photographs from each service user who took part. That’s 400 photographs in total!

The exhibition will be touring the country for the rest of the year at BIRT’s free educational seminars for professionals. Details of your nearest seminar are included in our ‘diary dates’ section on the BIRT website. One Piece at a Time is also the theme of our new BIRT brochure which accompanies the exhibition, detailing all the services that we provide.

“It’s often the small milestones that build up to a fantastic achievement in the long term.”

Congratulations to Lyn Miles who has celebrated her 25th year of service at The Disabilities Trust.

Lyn first joined on the 1st July 1986 as an Administrator at Ernest Kleinwort Court.

She was instantly a favourite with service users, particularly as she was the one responsible for distributing their pocket monies! Lyn would also assist with their care and making sure that everything ran smoothly.

She remembers seeing many changes during her time at the Trust. From working on a typewriter in an office in the roof of Ernest Kleinwort Court, to working at Norfolk Lodge (which has now been converted into flats). Lyn was also one of the first to move into the offices at Market Place.”

room for meetings: “I had a tabard and felt like a dinner lady!” she laughed. “On another occasion members of staff convinced me the window cleaner had left in a bad mood, because he thought I’d taken his job!”

“I have met so many people during the last 25 years at the Trust and had some real laughs. Let’s hope the years to come are just as good!”

Over the years Lyn’s role has grown from an Administrator and Secretary to her current role as Business Service Assistant. She has even tried her hand at cleaning windows and catering and remembers wheeling the food trolley into the board

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Features

New technique to help service users communicate speaking, the brain begins to link them together again.

Inspired by this idea Lindsay introduced the therapy to Daniel. She started by tapping the rhythm of a simple tune onto his hand while clearly singing the words. As they both sang along Lindsey lowered the tone of her voice until Daniel was just sixteen when a eventually Daniel was singing alone. Once this was mastered motorbike accident in Carlisle left him in a coma. He suffered they started to put common severe damage to the left-hand phrases to the tunes and side of his brain, which affected singing them, which eventually his speech and the movement made them easier to speak. down the right side of his body. The process works by reThis meant that he had to learn routing the pathways in the to speak again and go through brain that have been damaged. intensive speech therapy, which became quite frustrating When the therapy began for Daniel and proved relatively Daniel could speak just 4 syllables a minute. A year on unsuccessful. and this has increased to 54.

Although there is still a way to Specialist Speech and go it does mean that Daniel Language Therapist Lindsay King said that although Daniel can now move into a bungalow of his own. His dad Mark said: was able to process thoughts “It’s amazing. He was a young as before, he couldn’t man trapped in a box, but he is communicate them in words, climbing out if it now. Before either in speech or in writing.

Daniel would’ve been incredibly vulnerable but now he can get When Lindsay attended a by with his speech.” He added: national speech therapy “He’s been going to college conference she heard about Melodic Intervention Therapy – and doing really well: his IQ is brilliant. He always achieves to a newly developed technique the best of his abilities and he that uses melody and rhythm to help patients communicate. inspires me every single day.”

By singing words rather than aniel McCracken, who suffered extensive head injuries in a motorcycle accident which very nearly killed him, has learnt to communicate again thanks to Melodic Intervention Therapy.

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Photos courtesy of The News & Star, Carlisle

“It’s amazing. He was a young man trapped in a box, but he is climbing out if it now.”

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Features

IT - Creating a Level Playing Field omputers are becoming more and more part of everyday life. In 2002 Leonard Cheshire published a study which found that 54% of disabled people sampled considered internet access essential, compared with only 6% cent in the general population.

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Computers allow people with disabilities the opportunity of a level playing field for communication and participation. Some of the benefits of using a computer include the fact that computers never get impatient or frustrated by repeated errors, feedback is non-threatening and non-judgmental, and people are able to pace their learning at a level they are comfortable with.

New skills can be developed and reinforced by being repeated regularly over time.

In addition, using a computer can be highly motivating and people may be able to maintain their attention for longer periods than if they were learning in a more traditional way. Pictures, sound effects, animations, interactive features and music can make for a more

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exciting and stimulating experience.

IT makes communicating far easier for many people

been encouraging service users to make use of different iphone applications, which have been designed to enhance communication. This has proved an effective tool, particularly for those service users who have autism.

For many service users, travelling to visit people may be prohibitive, from both a distance and access point of view, while communication with friends and family via email and Skype is simple and quick. In many cases, speech and language therapists are making use of IT equipment, particularly video and voice recognition software. Recording people in therapy sessions allows them to hear themselves and increase their insight into how to improve their communication. This will help improve service users’ speech and will ultimately impact on how they communicate with their family, friends, staff and other service users.

Service users have also been using planners and schedule apps, flash cards, emotion games and eye contact games which, in turn, can increase eye contact for people when they are responding to you. Thomas said: “The apps are a new way of engaging with service users. They not only assist with practical things like online shopping and tracking behaviour but they can also have a calming effect too; one service user is fascinated by the campfire application and finds watching the flames flicker very soothing.” As well as finding new applications to inspire service users, Thomas is also planning to use the new internet café at Hamilton lodge.

New computer technologies are always being developed to complement people’s lifestyles. Thomas Harris, Activities Coordinator at Hamilton Lodge, has recently

This new equipment has been funded by grants from Get Connected, Colchester Catalyst and The Fowler, Smith and Jones Charitable Trust.

“Using a computer can be highly motivating and people may be able to maintain their attention for longer periods.�

York House has also benefited from a grant from the Ian Karten Charitable Trust which has helped to fund things like interactive white boards, touch screen computers and new computer programmes.

The Hotel Marketing Association (HMA) made a generous contribution to The Disabilities Trust. The donation will buy a whole

range of accessible computer technology which will open a new world for service users.

John Inverdale, a friend of The Disabilities Trust met with Andrea McKay, Chair of the HMA, and explained how important it is for all service users to have access to up-to-date technologies and IT equipment.

Andrea McKay and John Inverdale

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Features

McFly’s Tom Fletcher wins £50,000 for the Trust on ITV’s ‘The Cube’ cFly’s front man Tom Fletcher has won a staggering £50,000 for the BIRT’s Eyes Alight appeal on ITV’s game show, The Cube.

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The programme sees celebrities put into a large clear perspex cube and given tasks to complete, with the stakes raised each time to higher and higher amounts which are donated to the

celebrity’s chosen charity.

Tom Fletcher very kindly chose to split his winnings between BIRT and Comic Relief. We are so thankful to Tom and all his efforts!

Eyes Alight, created in conjunction with BIRT and Escala’s Izzy Johnston, aims to give BIRT service users the chance to do something that they have always wanted to do. Literally to make our service users’ eyes light up at

the thought of doing whatever it is that will inspire their happiness. It could be a trip to the ballet, a football match or even an afternoon of being pampered by a beautician.

Brain injury rehabilitation is a long journey for some people.

At BIRT we provide the highest standards of support for all those undergoing neuro-rehabilitation.

Rupert is joined by McFly’s Harry Judd and Tom Fletcher

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“We provide the highest standards of support for all those undergoing neuro-rehabilitation.”

Although fees cover everything that is needed to provide a high quality efficient and effective rehabilitation service, there is no provision for those little extras and that is where fundraising is so valuable.

Izzy’s brother Rupert was involved in a serious car accident when he was 17 leaving him with life threatening injuries and serious brain damage.

Rupert, a very talented classical musician, who joined the national youth orchestra at the age of 15 to play the French Horn, was in a coma for 18 months and the Johnston family didn’t know if Rupert would live.

Izzy has made a film about Rupert’s life and other service users at BIRT service, Kent House in Aylesbury to help launch the campaign.

The campaign was launched at a concert held at Harpenden Civic Halls in March. The concert featured classical music from students from the music school ‘Musicale’ run by the Johnston family. Service users and staff from Kent House attended the launch and enjoyed the first showing of Izzy’s film.

If you’d like to find out more, please visit: www.birt.co.uk/eyesalight or find us on Facebook.

Alternatively, if you would like to get involved in fundraising to help us raise even more for the appeal, please call us on 01444 237286 or email fundraising@thedtgroup.org

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Features

Marathon Effort for a Good Cause

e have had another fantastic year with a number of marathon runners running on behalf of The Disabilities Trust and we would like to say a big thank you to all of those who took part.

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Brighton Marathon Runners: Rod Catton, Louis Wright, Chris Stacey, Lauren Kirby, Emma Mackrory-Jamieson, Dawn Sherwood, Jimmy Elkins, Scott Chinchen, Tyler Blake, Ian Day London Marathon Runners: Nigel Parker, Iain MackroryJamieson (pictured), Tim Sherman, Luke Flatman (pictured), Kate Tofilska, Colin Bateman, Alison Whittaker, Ross Caffell The Marathon raised over £17,000 for the Trust. Of course every runner has their own reasons for wanting to put themselves through the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge but here is a selection of just a few of their inspirational stories:

Nigel Parker Nigel is Chairman of Central Football Club and also works as a building contractor in Exeter. He worked on The

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Paddock bungalow, which is linked to The Woodmill – the Trust’s brain injury service in Devon. It was during his time at the service that he decided he would like to do more. Nigel said: “The Paddock was built to provide the Trust’s service users with more independence. It is a vital service for people in the area and I felt like I should do something to support this.”

Nigel’s training had been going well until one day when he was out running he suddenly collapsed. His heart stopped for about ten seconds and he had to be fitted with a pacemaker. Not one to be put off, Nigel carried on and completed the Marathon – raising vital funds for the charity with the help of his family and the football club.

Ross Caffell Seven year’s ago Ross’ brother collapsed at home and nearly died from a bleed on the brain.

He was only 28 at the time and afterwards his life changed dramatically. Following a two year stay at a BIRT service Ross’ brother regained some of the independence he had before. He learnt to talk again and move about for himself.

Ross says: “A brain injury can happen to anyone at any time and I want people to be given the chance of getting the same help that my brother had.”

If you would like to take part in one of our running events, or find out about other ways that you can get involved in fundraising for the Trust please visit www.thedtgroup.org

“It is a vital service for people in the area and I felt like I should do something to support this.”

Cisco Lend a Hand at Heathermount

Luke Flatman Luke is recovering from a brain injury following a serious car accident in 2008 which left him in a coma for ten days and receiving medical treatment for six months.

Luke followed an eight week neuro-rehabilitation programme at Fen House, which gave him the support he needed to complete his university studies. Luke decided to run the London Marathon because he wanted to give something back.Luke says: “The staff [at Fen House] gave me some really helpful support just before returning to university and this made me realise just what an invaluable resource the service is.”

Staff from Cisco Systems were at Heathermount School to give two of the classrooms a makeover. The team spent the day painting, decorating and doing general DIY with a little help from some of the students who were keen to join in. They all had a great time at Heathermount and can’t wait to do another challenge there.

David Stewart, Executive Head of Heathermount, said: “We are really grateful to Cisco for giving us some of their time. The pupils loved getting involved and meeting new faces.”

More and more companies are taking part in challenge days for us, including Barclays and Zurich. Challenges are a great way to enhance team building and give something back to the local community. If you would like to get involved, please contact the fundraising team fundraising@thedtgroup.org

Collecting across Sussex We would like to say a big thank you to all of the businesses who have displayed a collection tin to raise funds for the Trust. The Master Cobblit, which is based at The Orchards Shopping Centre (Haywards Heath) has so far been our most successful collector, raising £569.00 for the Trust.

Tim Coke (above right), who distributes the collection tins across Sussex, presented a certificate to Mathew Aartsen (above left) who runs the cobblers on 20 May. The collection tins are a good way of raising funds for the Trust but they are also a great way of raising awareness, reminding people who we are and what we do!

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Comment Fitness to Work

he first big phase of the Government's radical welfare reform programme has now started and claimants are now having Work Capability Assessments (WCA).

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The people who are reassessed and found fit for work will now move onto Jobseekers Allowance and will be expected to look for work like other jobseekers. Those who could work but need extra help and support to become ready to work, will move onto Employment and Support

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Allowance (ESA) and receive tailored support to get back to work.

The Government has said that the most severely disabled will remain largely unaffected and will get extra help through ESA, but there is no given definition of ‘severely disabled’ and the Trust is concerned that people with complex disabilities will be unfairly assessed under these new regulations.

Whilst the Trust recognises that changes need to be

made to the benefits system and welcomes policies that support disabled people to work, we are concerned that the current tests used to assess people will not recognise genuine cases where people are unable to work. This is because the tests are based around physical criteria alone and do not cover cognitive or behavioral reasons as to why people may not be ‘fit’ to work.

Whilst there are many people with a brain injury, Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism who are keen and able to work, there are also those who may have the skills to carry out tasks required by the assessment but their difficulties in social interaction, communication and flexibility of thought could lead to significant problems in the workplace and in real life situations. If assessors are untrained in recognising and understanding the impact of ‘hidden disabilities’, they could make incorrect decisions that people are fit to work based on tests which have been carried out in an artificial environment.

There is a real risk that the tests could lead to long term costs for an individual being higher because people who

“people with disabilities would take umbrage at this appalling and insulting behaviour and quite right too.”

are genuinely unable to work, but are forced back to work through inaccurate assessment, may well end up needing more intense support as their condition deteriorates.

“They could make incorrect decisions that people are fit to work based on tests which have been carried out in an artificial environment.”

The government wants to toughen up on benefit claimants while supporting those in genuine need.

It now has a real opportunity to reform the system and has already made some positive moves by ensuring that people returning to work can keep some of their benefits.

However, it must ensure that measures to assess ability to work take into account ‘hidden’ disabilities, particularly cognitive and behavioural as well as more apparent physical issues.

Attitudes Towards Disability A recent survey published by the charity Scope suggests that attitudes to disability is getting worse, with disabled people experiencing increasing amounts of discrimination, sometimes on a daily basis.

An increase in disability hate crime is not something which Anne Hancox, Trustee of The Disabilities Trust, has noticed herself but over the years she has found herself the victim of cruel taunts.

However, she has come to accept insulting behaviour from the public as part of her image. She said: “I think of the insult to remind myself to sit properly and look intelligent. I have learnt over the years that retaliating to these remarks tends to make things worse.”

Despite 41% of the British public saying that they have not witnessed discrimination against a disabled person; more than half of disabled people say they have experienced hostility, aggression or violence from a stranger because of their

condition or impairment.

Anne went on to say that she has needed to become somewhat ‘thick-skinned’ when it comes to being on the receiving end of such treatment. She added: “Other people with disabilities would take umbrage at this appalling and insulting behaviour and quite right too.”

Holly Maby, a supporter of the Trust, has Asperger Syndrome. She often feels that her condition is misunderstood, even by professionals who are there to help. As a result Holly has often felt ignored and let down. She said: “People just didn’t know what to do. I tried explaining what is likely to make me feel anxious but people would not always listen; it became a negative cycle.” She added: “Some people don’t understand my Aspergers and so they think that I’m just being rude.

I really think that general awareness of Asperger syndrome should be raised.”

For more information about autism training please call 01444 237263 and ask to speak to the Communications Team.

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The work we do Trish’s World An Insight into being Visually Impaired atricia Thompson, a service user at York House, is sharing her experiences of being partially sighted in a project called ‘Trish’s World’.

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‘Trish’s World’ involves participants wearing a pair of goggles, with one lens taped over and the other lens scratched with sand paper to give a blurred effect.

With the assistance of her Senior Rehabilitation Support Worker, Lucy, Patricia devised a programme to give others an understanding of how her limited vision affects her everyday life.

Participants are escorted by Patricia around the grounds of York House, on various routes during daylight and evening hours, to give them a real sense of what it is like for somebody with limited

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sight to do something which others might take for granted.

Emma Harris, a vocational trainer at York House, wasn’t sure what to expect when she first took part in the project, she said: “Walking around the grounds with the goggles on, relying on Patricia to guide me around safely was a completely new experience to me. My vision has always been fine, so to

“To suddenly lose sight of the bumps in the ground and the steps on the pavement really made me aware of daily difficulties.”

suddenly lose sight of the bumps in the ground and the steps on the pavement really made me aware of the daily difficulties people who are visually impaired have to overcome. I would recommend anyone to take part in this project.”

As well as using the walks to educate others, Patricia has also been teaching participants how to read Braille.

First Aid Training at Daniel Yorath House Staff at Daniel Yorath House, Leeds, have been teaching service users essential first aid skills thanks to a new partnership with the British Red Cross Society’s Community Based First Aid Service at Humanity House in Leeds. Ten staff attended a ‘train the trainer’ day which covered basic first aid and presentation skills and they are now in the process of delivering the training sessions to service users.

Each first aid session is tailored to meet the specific needs of each service user in an inclusive and flexible way.

Sessions are delivered with involvement from the Speech and Language Therapist. First aid topics covered might include: calling the emergency services, caring for an unconscious casualty who is breathing, caring for a casualty who is not breathing, choking, blood loss, seizures and taking care of burns and scalds; although the topics covered in the session might vary depending on the individual needs of the service user.

Service users are taught through the use of flashcards, DVDs and workbooks. Janette Walker, who is acting project coordinator said: “The sessions are about instilling the confidence and knowledge in service users which will help them deal with an emergency situation, should one ever arise.” She added: “Not only do service users really enjoy the sessions but each person who has taken part receives a certificate, which creates a real sense of achievement.”

Daniel Yorath House hopes to train as many service users as possible over the next year.

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The work we do Shinewater in Bloom ervice users at Shinewater Court, Eastbourne, have been making the most of the good weather by making improvements to their garden.

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The garden, which is wheelchair friendly throughout, has recently been improved with the help of a local landscape gardener who came in to construct some raised flower beds using different materials including pebbles, wood and brick to create a range of effects.

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Graham Livermore, who recently retired as Activities Organiser at Shinewater, has been visiting once a week to offer gardening advice and assist service users with planting flowers, herbs and vegetables.

Graham has also been arranging group trips to local garden centres and open gardens, to get a little inspiration and of course stock up on new plants and seeds. He is currently on the hunt for speakers to come in and give demonstrations and gardening talks to the service users.

Ginny Currie, Activities Coordinator at Shinewater, said: “At the moment there are about lots of service users who take an active interest in the garden and who enjoy being involved in the project.

We have set up a gardening club, who meet regularly and we hope to have a barbecue for friends and families where we can show off all our hard work and sample some of our home grown produce.�

“People with autism are a valuable addition to the workplace because they are keen, hardworking and enthusiastic.”

Heathermount Pupil is Building His CV Nathan Johnson, 16, a student at Heathermount, our school for children with autism in Ascot, has helped build a new kiosk which will be used to sell treats and ice creams at Broomhall Recreation Ground.

Nathan has been involved in a number of projects as part of his work experience at Sunningdale Parish Council.

He has been working closely with grounds manager Graeme Kennedy and has helped cutting grass, clearing woodland and laying foundations. Of his building success, Nathan said: “It’s good to see the finished product and it will be nice to see people using it and to think - I did that.”

Nathan has been involved with a number of horticultural projects at Heathermount and would like to work towards a career in landscaping.

Christine Gadd, a Governor at Heathermount and chairman of the Parish Council, said: “It has been lovely seeing him gain confidence and develop since he started with us, which will help him when preparing for employability.”

“It’s good to see the finished product and it will be nice to see people using it and to think - I did that.”

The school works hard to secure work placements for all their students, which benefits both pupils and employers.

Helen Tridgell, of the Communications Department

was involved in making a series of DVD’s explaining the advantages of having young people with autism in the workplace. She said: “People with autism are a valuable addition to the workplace. The nature of autism means that they don’t always experience the world in the way that we do, so we must make sure that we communicate in a way that is easily understood.”

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The work we do New Gym Equipment at Hollyrood ervice users at Hollyrood, Lindfield, are now able to enjoy new gym equipment thanks to The Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath & District Round Table.

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It was personal trainer, Jenny Greenfield, who runs regular sessions at Hollyrood’s onsite gym, who put the service forward for funding. The new equipment includes: a treadmill, two exercise bikes, a cross trainer and a rowing machine.

The opening of the updated gymnasium was attended by Jenny Greenfield of Rapid Results Personal Training, Paul Ralph from The Fitness Workshop at Hoopers and Paul Robinson and Matt Winckless from the Round Table.

Martin Stean, Activities Coordinator at Hollyrood, said: “Keeping active is something that we like to encourage all of

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our service users to do. Not only is it good for general health but it can also help guide behaviour too. Hopefully with the new equipment installed we will see a few new faces in the gym!”

“Keeping active is something that we like to encourage all of our service users to do.”

Mark’s holiday Mark Tickner has recently returned from a holiday at Butlins which he planned himself. Mark has been at Hollyrood for over 10 years and gradually, over time, has become more confident to the extent that he felt that he could leave for a short break.

He researched where to go, what he needed to take with him, how he was going to manage his finances and, most importantly, who would accompany him.

Mark had a wonderful time and he is already planning his next holiday. He is an enthusiastic photographer, particularly keen on using film, but while away he used a digital camera and was very pleased with the results.

Mark’s return to Hollyrood was special too, as he moved to a new house and has designed and bought things for his new room. Mark said, “I had a wonderful holiday and am looking forward to going again but I like my lovely new room.”

“Inspired by the potential of people with disabilities, we are working in partnerships to provide the highest quality services.”

Birthday Celebrations at Jane Percy House Andrew Long, a service user at Jane Percy House – the Trust’s service for people with physical disabilities in Northumberland, celebrated his 65th Birthday on 27 May. His family joined the service users and staff to celebrate with a buffet and a bar. There was also entertainment from singer Miss Hollywood.

Andrew has been at Jane Percy House since June

Laura is Learner of the Year

Laura Shipley, a Bank Worker for the Carlton Resource Centre in Barnsley, was recently presented a Learner of the Year award by Train to Gain at an awards ceremony which was held at the Holiday Inn, Barnsley.

2003. He actually met and went on to marry his wife, Ilene, at the service and the

pair tied the knot in December 2004.

Laura was nominated for the award by the tutors at Train to Gain after she completed her Health and Social Care qualification and achieved her NVQ Level 3.

Worker at the centre. Of her success Laura said: “I was really shocked to win the award. I had been nominated for other awards before but never won.” She added: “I have been here for two and a half years now and it’s a really good atmosphere; I get on so well with service users and staff. I’d definitely like to work towards getting some more training – maybe one day I could become team leader.”

Laura began at the Carlton Resource Centre, a day centre for adults with physical disabilities in Barnsley, in October 2008 after she signed up to do a work placement as a student at Barnsley College. She enjoyed her time there so much that she decided to volunteer at the centre whilst working towards her qualifications. In September 2009 she was made a Bank

Above: Andrew and Ilene Long

Laura was joined at the awards ceremony by Service Manager Brian Almand and Lisa Stewart.

DTVoice Summer 2011 - 21

How to help Leaving a Gift

emand for the Trust’s services is growing and we are continually working on new developments to make a difference to the lives of even more people.

D

A gift in your Will, no matter how big or small, can help us plan ahead for the future.

Sensory rooms, accessible technology and activity equipment are not covered by statutory funding, but they can have a profound impact on rehabilitation and with funding we will be able to continue to provide these extras.

Although many of us find it difficult to think about the inevitable and will put off writing or updating a Will for as long as possible it is important to consider the difference that you can make by leaving a gift to charity.

74% of the population currently support charities and 35% of people say they'd happily leave a gift in their will once family and friends had been provided for. However, it has been estimated that only 7% actually do. In fact, if the 7% of people who give was

raised by just 4%, it would create an additional ÂŁ1 billion for charities in the UK every year.

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will to The Disabilities Trust, please visit www.thedtgroup.org Talk to us directly by calling 01444 237286 or complete the form below and we will respond to your request.

In order to respond to your request efficiently, the following information would be most useful.

(Please tick) I would like to receive more information about how I can leave a gift in my Will to The Disabilities Trust

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Once completed, please return this form to: The Disabilities Trust, FREEPOST SEA 4789, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9BR

22 - www.thedtgroup.org

Registered Charity in England and Wales 800797and Scotland SC038972