Innervoice #2

“Quality is about doing it right, especially when no one is looking” Jon Borthwick – see page 9

inner The Disabilities Trust staff magazine… For you... About you...

Winter 2014

Working out at EKC Spotlight on the Cardiowall page 7

10 steps to Fundraising Success Page 15

Results of the Inner Voice survey Page 16

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

Disability Hero Derek Paravicini Page 6

Speaking clearly

For you...

About you...

Speaking clearly

Has it really been four months since the last issue? The response for the first issue has been overwhelmingly positive so I’m pleased to introduce this, the second issue of Inner Voice.

Inside you will find profiles on Claire Norman, Aljanes Rwiza, Sarah Bell, Kayla Allen and Marika Mausolf.

We hear also from Hilary McDaid, whose turn it is on ‘Your Voice’ (and spot the guest appearance from last issue’s columnist).

The ‘Spotlights’ continue to highlight ways in which we are constantly striving to push the boundaries in every area of the work that we do. This time they are focused on the QA Quality Day; the Personal Communication Passport and the sterling work that the Foundation does.

Alongside that you will find a masterclass on photography and top ten tips for fundraising, alongside a recipe for ‘Nutty Prawns’ and TWO ‘Star Voices’!

Congratulations go to Joe McKenna and Sharon Dines who continually fly the flag for excellence!

Hearty thanks to all those who feature in the ‘Staff Achievements’.

Thanks also go to Derek Paravicini and Professor Adam

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Ockelford for their help in putting together the Disability Hero article.

As I said earlier, there was resounding support for the last issue (On the back cover are the results from the staff survey) and I’m pleased to report on some rather special feedback from Stephen Love, joint founder and Life President of The Disabilities Trust, who wrote to us about Inner Voice. In the letter Stephen praises the light hearted but professional approach to the articles, but also says: “The quality of staff remains, as it always has been, all important; their commitment to our service users, their positive attitude and hard work are what it’s all about. Keep up the good work”.

I second that entirely!

Your Voice:

Hilary McDaid Hilary is the BIRT Divisional Manager for the North of England*, and she provided management support to the services there, advises them on meeting statutory obligations as well as developing the service managers.

I

actually trained as a mature student nurse and was forty when I qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in September 2000. I initially secured a position with the NHS on an elderly physical and psychiatric ward, but I very quickly became disillusioned with the lack of resources as I was very quickly left in charge of a busy ward where people were quite poorly, both physically and mentally.

“...I felt my opinion was valued.”

I applied for a role at York House and within six weeks I was hooked and experienced a level of support and use of resources and equipment that was not available in my previous position; I felt my opinion was valued. I had access to good training, both mandatory and service specific on brain injury.

I was promoted to Senior Staff Nurse and after two years as SSN I applied for an Assistant Manager position which I thoroughly enjoyed. I still had lots of clinical input and was funded for a management course through Leeds Metropolitan University which helped

ago. I have had some amazing experiences and although it’s not always easy I can honestly say I love my job, the service user group and the staff that I work with. *As of writing this my job is changing once again! I will be the Divisional Manager for the four hospitals with BIRT. (Graham Anderson House, York House, Chalkdown House and Goole) Once again I’m looking forward to the new stage in my career and all the challenges that this will bring!

Hilary (left) with a steam driven Santa Claus?

provide the extra skills required for the role. Again, I was very happy in this role but when BIRT opened a new service in Goole, which was a partnership with the NHS, I decided to apply. This was a very different service user group as I was used to working with those in the post-acute phase of their brain injury and with other neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and Locked In Syndrome.

The experience and achievement of setting up and developing a new service and watching a brand new MultiDisciplinary Team and nursing group develop was something I will never forget.

It was probably the most rewarding (and challenging) thing I have ever done.

After eighteen months I was asked to act as Divisional Manager in charge of seven northern services when a position became available and I secured the permanent position in January 2012.

I became a member of the extended Senior Management Team (and still have to pinch myself sometimes).

If you want to find out more about Hilary McDaid then email her on hilary.mcdaid@thedtgroup.org

“ I still feel as passionate about brain injury now as I did when I first qualified.”

When I look back where I came from I can’t believe what I am doing now. I still feel as passionate about brain injury now as I did when I first qualified almost 13 years

Hilary with Corporal Chris Ashton at The Goole Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre

Life in The IT Help Desk Seriously??? Didn’t you do that last week?

Hi, IT Helpdesk. How can I help you?... You’ve deleted the folder you were working on again?

(No... this never happened to me.)

(Honest…)

Should you be using computers at all, Sir?

(Ok… yeah, it did…)

3

For you...

About you...

Profile

Aljanes Rwiza (AJ) AJ is the Assistant Manager at The Maples, a centre for the support and development of people with autism and Asperger syndrome in Berkshire, which also supports people with epilepsy, and individuals with complex needs who might challenge alternative services.

How long have you worked for the Trust?

Since 2000, so around thirteen years.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

As Assistant Manager I oversee the day to day running of the service; making sure that everyone is working to regulatory requirements as well as the business administration duties.

What do you think that you bring to your role?

I bring a multi-cultural experience; a different way of seeing things.

I also have a service user that I’ve looked after since I started so I know exactly what the individual needs. I also have academic knowledge and know how to motivate people.

Media

In other cases the character with autism will either be used as a foil (or cypher) so the other characters can go on their journeys of self-discovery (such as 2009’s “Adam”, or 1969’s “Run Wild, Run Free”) or as a witness to a crime so the otherwise cold-hearted lead character can bond again with another person (“Mercury Rising” has a similar plot line).

Rarely will the film focus on the lives of the autistic character themselves in a realistic way.

You also have a lot of enthusiasm, which is great – that always comes through when we chat. What have you learnt since working at the Trust?

Well, because the service has different regulatory bodies and different stakeholders involved, they all have different needs that have to be satisfied, so it’s working with them all to find out how to best cater for them.

What are you most proud about in your role?

In the time that I’ve been here I’ve seen a lot of people change for the better with the services we’ve offered them. I’ve also seen ways to improve

“I want to be Superman!

Nothing would surprise me; I would be able to tackle it all with a smile and positivity!”

and learnt to adapt. I’m also proud of my academic achievements.

Do you have a particular hobby that you enjoy?

Watching football; I like the team building aspect and meeting new individuals. I support Reading FC. What might surprise people about you?

My knowledge of things – I’m very academic, and this helps me handle things in different ways. I think people would be surprised about just what I’m able to handle in any given situation.

Who is the one person you’ve learnt the most from, and why?

My dad: he has given me my sense of ambition from day one through the way he lived his life.

If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

I want to be Superman! Nothing would surprise me; I would be able to tackle it all with a smile and positivity!

You’re already halfway there, AJ! For more information, please contact AJ at: aljanes.rwiza@thedtgroup.org Or for more information on The Maples please visit: www.thedtgroup.org/themaples

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Disability In The

A

sk anyone to name a film that features a character on the autistic spectrum and most people will say “Rain Man”; with Dustin Hoffman landing an Oscar for his portrayal of Raymond Babbitt, it is now lodged in the popular consciousness as the definitive interpretation of someone on the spectrum, but by doing so it has perpetuated and popularised the stereotype of the autistic savant.

Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a serious mental disability can also show extraordinary capacity, like Raymond, who has a photographic memory and an ability to ‘card count’, or Derek Paravicini (featured later in this issue) who can play back any tune, no matter how complex, after hearing it only once.

While there are some cases of savantism they are the exception to the rule, and yet the media still plays up to them.

There is one short film, however, which does portray someone on the autism spectrum in a realistic fashion, with very little dialogue. “Silent Things”, written

by Rob Brown and Edward Jackson and directed by Rob Brown, is a simple story about how two autistic friends undergo a test of character when a stranger comes between them. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ filmnetwork/films/p00kmy38) The films strength lies in its attention to detail and the rooted nature of the characters, a lot of information is conveyed in their mannerisms. It’s a very emotive film and well worth a watch.

There are few autistic characters to appear on television either. A quick check on Wikipedia will highlight only around thirty, and most of which seem only to have a fleeting appearance.

This issue will be casting its eye on the depiction of those on the autistic spectrum. functioning autism coupled with savant syndrome, this story showed a more realistic approach to the condition.

Written from a first person perspective it is very insightful into Christopher’s thought processes and behavioural traits, however Haddon himself has stated that the character was not written as being specifically on the autism spectrum, yet parallels can certainly be made.

Perhaps the most accurate portrayal of autism, however, is not from films, television or novels but in Manga!

Beginning serialisation in 2000, “With The Light” is a story of the struggles of young mother, Sachiko Azuma with her autistic son, Hikaru, in modern Japan. It starts with Hikaru’s birth and explores the relationships between Sachiko, who desperately tries to understand her son, and his condition (which is mis-diagnosed several times at first). It focuses on Hikaru’s interaction with his father, his family and then his various schools – which are initially illequipped to deal with autistic children.

The manga series has been universally recognised for its sensitive portrayal, and is both an insightful and poignant story.

“The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time” published in 2003, and written by Mark Haddon, was a step in the right direction. Although this focused on the character of 15 year old Christopher Boone, a character which could be seen as having high 5

For you...

About you...

Disability Hero Derek Paravicini

Derek Paravicini would seem to have had the odds stacked against him: born extremely premature at 25 weeks, his blindness caused by the oxygen therapy given to him during his time in a neonatal intensive care unit also resulted in a severe learning disability and autism.

H

owever, Derek possesses universal absolute pitch and can play music, no matter how difficult, just by listening to it.

By the age of four he had taught himself to play a large number of pieces on the piano, some of which were melodically and harmonically complex. With no visual model to guide him, he developed an unorthodox technique, even using his elbows to hit some of the notes that would otherwise have been beyond the

span of his four-year-old hands!

play the music he so loved to hear.

It was around this time that his With a natural affinity for jazz, an potential was recognised ability to improvise in a

by Adam Ockelford, way that’s not been seen music teacher at Linden since legendary jazz pianist “Derek possesses Lodge School for the Art Tatum, coupled with universal blind in London. Adam an almost photographic absolute pitch” was able to recognise memory for sound, Derek is Derek’s talent, and a uniquely gifted performer. through physical He has played in Ronnie demonstration and imitation, and Scott’s jazz club, performed in countless many hours of painstaking practice, concerts in the UK and US, and featured Derek acquired the tools necessary to in documentaries all over the world.

“...an ability to improvise in a way that’s not been seen since Art Tatum...”

Photos: Marios Forsos (www.mariosforsos.com)

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A Spotlight on

the Cardiowall Service users and staff at Ernest Kleinwort Court (EKC), which is part of the nationwide Disability Lifestyles network of support services and based in Burgess Hill, are finding a new way to have fun and keep fit at the same time with the Cardiowall!

T

he Cardiowall is a versatile tool originally built to provide fitness and sports training but is being used to help promote and maintain the service users overall wellbeing in an enjoyable way. Originally bought with money kindly donated by the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust, it’s been with the service for about six months now.

they’re really getting into it.”

“Initially the service users found it hard to get used to, as it was a different form of exercise to what they’d done before” Sue Lane, Activities Coordinator, explains, “but they’re seeing the fun side of it now and

“Obviously its main aim is to improve the service users general fitness,” Sue continued, “mainly their cardiovascular system, but it also helps their speed and agility; their hand to eye coordination and even promotes

The aim of the game is to hit all the pads that light up in the right order and can either be used individually or as a pair – to either compete against each other or play together. There are several variations and it can be easily adapted so the games can become faster or slower.

Mille Helsby, Activities Assistant and service user, Nathan.

team work, when played as doubles!

We’ve even incorporating it as part of our ‘chairobics’ exercises on a Wednesday afternoon, and we’ve found that people enjoy using it more with music.”

Recipe Round-Up Quick and Easy Nutty Prawns

by Charlie Price, Marketing Officer in Communications (a recipe after my own heart – editor) 1.

Serves 2 (modest portions): Takes 5 minutes • Spring onions • 2 cloves of garlic • 1 tablespoon of olive oil • Packet of ready cooked Tilda rice pouch (plain basmati) • Packet of prawns (preferably uncooked) • 1 jar of satay cooking sauce (440g) • 1 egg • Half a mug of sweetcorn • Half a mug of peas

Chop up the spring onions roughly and finely chop two cloves of garlic, add with the prawns to a wok and fry in a little olive oil for around 2 minutes.

2. Mix in the rice, add the peas and sweetcorn (frozen is fine) and mix together for around a minute.

3. Make a well in the middle of the mixture and crack and egg into it, from the middle stir it into the rice until completely mixed in.

4. Pour the whole jar of satay sauce in and mix in with everything else, stirring for around a minute.

Serve, relax and wash down with a hearty glass of Pinot Grigio! (as a good accompaniment to prawn crackers) 7

For you...

About you...

Claire Norman Profile

Claire Norman was a Mental Health Manager in York House, which is the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust’s specialist neuro-behavioural assessment and post-acute rehabilitation hospital for people with a non-progressive acquired brain injury.

What are your main responsibilities?

My main responsibility is making sure York House is compliant with all aspects of Mental Health law and Human Rights law. I also look after the interests of our service users making sure their rights are upheld.

How did you become a Mental Health Manager?

Well, I’ve worked for the Trust for 11 years and I started as the service secretary. In order to get a better understanding of was involved I did Mental Health Act

training. Eventually the role grew along with the unit so I was promoted to Mental Health Act Administrator. I have continued in my studying and I passed my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Law in March 2013 and graduated July 2013.

What have you learnt since working for the Trust?

I think I have become more confident.

I feel grateful to be given the chance to rise within the Trust to become part of the Management team. They have had faith in my ability and gave me the opportunity to prove myself.

A Spotlight on

“ I passed my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Law in March 2013 and graduated July 2013.”

What is your one unfulfilled ambition?

It’s to be an actress. I did go to drama school at weekends and even auditioned for Byker Grove but my nerves got the better of me.

I wish I had pursued it further.

Jon Borthwick is a Quality Assurance Regional Advisor who helps services to improve the quality of the care, support and treatment they provide, and also conducts formal audits on whether services meet the “Essential Standards of Quality & Safety”. This is all designed to improve the outcomes for service users.

Since this interview Claire has been promoted into the position of National Mental Health Legislation Manager for The Disabilities Trust.

This is an expansion of the role I undertook at York House. I now visit other hospitals and services in order to give advice, support and training with regards to mental health law and safeguarding.

For more information please contact Claire via email: claire.norman@thedtgroup.org

• Placing the service user at its centre;

Things

The team at Hamilton Lodge, a modern, purpose built service for people with autism and Asperger syndrome in Essex, are pioneering a new way of supporting individuals who cannot easily speak for themselves with the use of Personal Communication Passports.

T

Their aims are to:

• Present the person positively as an individual, not as a set of ‘problems’ or disabilities; • Provide a place for the individual’s own views and preferences to be recorded and drawn to the attention of others; • Reflect the individual’s unique character, sense of humour etc.; 8

• Describe the individual’s most effective means of communication and how others can best communicate with, and support them.

The Passports are able to impart valuable and important information in a very concise and fun way.

Sally-Anne Edwards, Service Manager at Hamilton Lodge, explains more about the passports: “We have been using these with our service users for a long time, but what we are now doing differently is getting the service users to assist in choosing new members of

I don’t

like: • Gossi p and racism • Bullyi . ng • Dishon esty • Shout ing or arguin • Laz g iness • Disres pect

do to help me:

How I communicate:

• •

he passports are a practical way of pulling complex information together and presenting it in an easy-to-follow format.

Things

Things you can should know about me: face me when you Important things you te  Please try and r and extremely passiona speak to me.

I am the Service Manage understand we support.  If I don’t seem to about the individuals of work. be having fun in and out what you are telling me, enjoy and human, am I ed, and i patient and tell me the whole es be mis-communicat My passion can sometim story. at times. can appear to be intense be courteous - say please

• I can speak to you. you are saying • I can understand what to me if I am busy doing • I cannot ‘hear’ you not got my something and you have

Hi I’m Sally

attention.

I have access • It is essential that to the internet. family time day and I need to have I speak to my Mum every to keep me Sane!

T

he “Quality Day” focused on celebrating excellence within the Trust and, more specifically, promoting quality within individual services. It gave services the opportunity to showcase what they do best and to share “best practices” with colleagues.

We asked services to think about quality in terms of:

A Spotlight on Personal Communication Passports I like: o Laug hter, fun, jok o Team ing an wo d sarca o Music rk sm makes life wo o 1940 rth liv ’S Danc ing ing an o Sailin d fash g ion.

Quality Day

 Please and thank you.

– offer at  Ask me what I want everything, least two choices for but ask me it will always be Tea!, anyway. and  Make sure I have nicotine basis. caffeine on a regular

staff. The service users have found this to be quite a treat and during the last lot of recruitment they found it easier to say who they would like for support, as the many communication passports that have been handed in by applicants have been bright, cheerful and fun.”

If you would like more information about the passports, please contact Sally-Anne at sally-anne.edwards@thedtgroup.org ; or if you would like to know more about Hamilton Lodge then go to: www.thedtgroup.org/autism-andlearning-disabilities/our-services.aspx

The “Quality Day” seminar took place on the 27th November in Burgess Hill and Wakefield, facilitated by the relevant Quality Assurance Regional Advisors; where all of the work undertaken by the services was on show. Both staff and service users presented their posters and plans, explained how they were received and gave examples of good practice on how quality is achieved and what quality looks like.

• Having a positive experience of care provided through relationships based on mutual respect and consideration.

The presentations were very well received by all and highlighted the range of activities, practices and initiatives which are being promoted within services and which enhance quality in real terms showing service user empowerment. The goals of which are to allow service users to:

We then asked the services to celebrate quality and to plan events and activities to reflect what they did best over the week commencing 14th October.

• Live independent lives as defined by them, with as much involvement in decisions about their care and support as they want to have;

To assist them in planning, the Quality Assurance department provided a programme plan and a poster template as part of a display to capture examples of the events they organised.

• Have opportunities to participate in community life, engage in activities that match their interests, skills and abilities;

• Personal outcomes being achieved; • Relationships between staff and service users based on dignity and respect;

• Have positive experiences of care provided through relationships based on mutual respect and consideration, where care is designed around their needs.

Some positive aspects of the seminars were reflected in the anonymous feedback: “Just a quick line to thank you very much for the letter you’ve sent out about the Quality Day... we thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the Trust’s dedicated hard workers and service users’ achievements.

It truly was humbling and heart-warming”.

“I really enjoyed the QA day and took a lot from it, was great to see all the fantastic work which is done throughout the company, and I look forward to the next one.”

If you would like to know more about the Quality Days, please email Jon Borthwick on: jon.borthwick@thedtgroup.org

Life in The IT Help Desk Hi. IT Helpdesk. How can I help you? … Oh, your screen’s blank and there’s no power at all?

Have you actually tried switching it on?

No? Well, I think the problem lies somewhere between the phone and the floor then….

Thanks to L Odell

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For you...

About you...

Staff Achievements

Masterclass

How to take great photos With Barrie’s Blog, DT Voice, BIRTie and now Inner Voice, the demand for photos is increasing so here are a few tips on how to take better photos. Thanks go to Charlie Price and Emma Millar for modelling!

1) Keep as still as possible when taking the photo to lessen camera shake. If a camera has a view finder then use this over the display screen – using the view finder locks your arms into position, which immediately lessens the shake.

5) W atch the lighting – know when to use flash. Normally your camera will tell you the right time to use the flash, but it’s always best to experiment. Things to be wary of with flash are reflections in glass / mirrors, etc and red eye. Also, watch out for lens flare, especially when taking photos outside on a sunny day! This also applies to taking photos of people; remember that if they’re facing the sun they will be squinting. Equally, if they have their back to the sun you might get a lot of lens flare, so position the photo accordingly.

With the arms outstretched there’s With the arms locked into position it greatly reduces camera shake. more chance of camera shake.

2) Try not to move the camera when taking the photo as this will create blur and it will be unusable. The same applies to the subject of the photo; if it’s a person then ask them to remain as still as possible. This may not always be plausible, so be prepared to take multiple photos & select the best shot.

3) B e mindful of foreground / background. When framing a photo if there are extraneous objects that will detract from the photo then remove them first. Look out for lampposts mysteriously growing out from someone’s head, or a rogue waste-paper bin / pile of papers needlessly jumbling up the photo. If the photo is of a person, make sure that the subject is dressed appropriately and “well-groomed”.

Emma looks into the sun – lots of squinting

But if you look into the sun then you will get lens flare!

6) Frame the photo correctly. Head & shoulders, or a longshot with the camera held vertically? With a group shot, is it more interesting if they are all sitting down, or standing up? Birds eye shot, or a worms eye view, looking up at the subject? Don’t be afraid to experiment! Against popular opinion, centring the subject is not the best position – in a portrait have them standing to the left or right of the middle, it creates a more engaging photo. Be selective!

Worms eye view (portrait)

Birds eye view (portrait)

7) Something else to be aware of, is this a photo of an activity?

It so, take the photo whilst the activity is happening, rather than have the subject pose unnecessarily.

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In our autism service at Hollyrood in West Sussex, thanks go to • Jamie Humphreys, in Maintenance, who stayed behind in order to ensure that the generator was running so the staff and service users had power and heating; • Sam Whittaker and Ashwin Ddlvu, who drove a service user home for We also have some fantastic feedback from a recent CQC inspection at Woodlands Road, an Autism Spectrum Partners community house in Reading. Ken Arndt, the CQC Inspector, praised the professionalism of Josephine Gatheri and Lise Thorngate for working in a ‘collaborative and comprehensive way, providing everything [he] requested in a prompt and timely manner.’

Christmas despite the appalling weather. The journey took seven hours and they not only kept the service user safe and reassured, they also kept in contact with the family throughout; • Megan Pyatt, who ensured that staff and service users had a hearty Christmas meal despite a power cut.

Staff at Victoria House, our Disability Lifestyles service in Hull, deserve a mention for handling a tidal surge on 5th December. Being situated by the coast is normally a boon, but that night it nearly turned into a flood. Emma Greatbatch explains what happened: “I was called in as I was the acting Assistant Manager at the time, which was extremely scary. However, as I had read the critical incident plan I knew what to do in a flood situation. My main priority was ensuring that our service users were safe. Although the local council were keen to evacuate,

And finally: service users from the four of the accommodation based services in Leeds (Emley View, Westfield Lane, Burnham Road & Lindsay Road) planned for a Christmas lunch at a local pub only to find out that it had been robbed the night before and was now a crime scene! Everyone rang round and gathered the contents of the fridges from the houses and went to Lindsay Road. Staff cooked all the service users lunch and tea and had a whale of a time. Thanks to Team Leaders: Janet Higgins, Margaret Madden and Support Workers: Keely Knight and Rosie Jones!

4) Try to maintain eye-contact with the subject of the photo, rather than catching them mid-blink or looking away. If this is not possible then try a slightly different angle, step to the side of them and ask them to look in front of them. Even though the person is not looking at the camera it’s still engaging the viewer.

Above i. Emma is maintaining eye contact with the camera, engaging the audience. ii. Even though Emma is not looking at the camera, by stepping to one side and allowing her to look onwards the photo is still engaging and adds an extra element of participation.

Firstly we’d like to focus on all those staff that went above and beyond the call of duty during the Christmas holidays especially amongst the floods and power cuts.

8) Take multiple shots of the same scene and check each shot as soon as it’s taken. If the image is blurred or has camera shake, then take another; the only limit to the number of photos you can take is the battery life!

The staff at the autism service at Ashley Road in Hampshire deserve a mention as well: Louise John, Julie Bartlett, Mary Barnes, Nicholas Petersons, Lianyun Su and Damian Jenkins; who worked their shifts despite having no heating or power. Although there were contingencies to move one of the service users to a hotel for the Christmas period, he decided to remain at the service prompting the staff to provide extra support; staying up through the night to ensure his safety and comfort.

we followed our incident plan and simply moved everyone up to the top floor.

“The Team Leader on duty was Julie Fitzmaurice who did an extremely good job that night and had already moved the service users to safety before I reached Victoria House. The staff that weren’t on shift that evening were contacted and came in on standby. “ Thankfully the water didn’t enter Victoria House itself, just the gardens. Emma sums it up perfectly: “The efforts that staff went to were greatly appreciated and we could not thank them more.”

Congratulations and a hearty thanks to all those listed, and to the others who constantly strive to go that extra mile. If there are any more stories of exceptional achievements such as those above, we’d love to hear from you!

Life in The IT Help Desk Hi, IT Helpdesk. How can I help you?... You can’t find your network drive? The connection’s been lost?

Have you tried switching it off and back on again? Oh, you have? Hmm...

The Force is strong with this one...

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For you...

About you...

Sarah Bell Profile

Sarah is the Business Development Director for The Disabilities Trust.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

Identifying and developing new areas of opportunity and new services for the Trust. I work with Mike McPeake, who, as Development & Infrastructure Manager handles the physical build of the service whilst I project manage the timings of the operational and marketing requirements to get the service up and running. I also have a small team that work with me to develop our customer relationships and build stronger partnership links with key funders.

By developing even better relationships with our major accounts, we understand their needs better and are more able to provide solutions that work for them.

What do you think that you bring to your role?

Marika Mausolf

Marika is a Support Worker at Chain Lane, which is part of a Community Services supported housing project for four service users, each living in their own flat in Blackpool, and also the winner of last issues Crossword Competition!

How long have you worked in the Trust?

Seven years.

I worked in the Health Care sector for 25 years, the majority of which was in a Can you give an example of where you’ve commercial capacity. As part of business identified a new area of service provision? development our team has been able to proactively work with We’re not currently our commissioners offering a brain injury “What struck me the and customer base advocacy service. most …was the sheer which means stronger At the moment an commitment and loyalties and, in the individual might long run, make us go to a third party passion from everyone less vulnerable to advocacy for support, that works at the Trust” the ever changing and although the economic climate. individuals may appear The decision making and influencing cognizant and able to understand the process is much more complex than impact of the decisions being made, it used to be and we need to be able due to the nature of their brain injury to respond to that within the Trust. they might not really understand what’s happening. We are currently looking to If you could pick one superpower, see whether this might be something what would it be? the Trust could provide. However, if we To be invisible! I’m fascinated by were to set up this type of service, we people and it would give me a chance would want to ensure that the advocacy to get up to all sorts of stuff! service offered was 100% independent.

What are your main responsibilities?

What have you learnt during your time at the Trust?

I don’t think I’ve got any hobbies… but I love taking my grandchildren to the park and getting them to create mischief!

A huge amount. What struck me the most when I first started was the sheer commitment and passion from everyone that works at the Trust, and the energy!

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For example, I knew very little about the difficulties people have following an acquired brain injury and the long term effect it has, not just on the individual, but also on their friends and family.

Profile

If you would like to know more about Sarah Bell, please email her: sarah.bell@thedtgroup.org

My main responsibility is to help and support the service users, to take them shopping, and to accompany them when they go out.

What do you bring to your role?

My sense of humour… I think that one’s safe to say.

What have you learnt since working for the Trust?

In terms of the service users I’ve worked with, I’ve learnt that everyone is different; they all have their own needs and personality and I’ve learned how to best to communicate and help them.

What are you most proud about?

I’m proud to be part of a large team at work, it’s great. Outside of work I love my grandchildren and am proud to have them and not being an old grandma.

Do you have any hobbies?

A Spotlight on

The Foundation

Deborah Fortescue, Head of the Foundation, brings you up-to-date on the successes and achievements of the Foundation, and hands the ideas generation over to you, the experts, on how to better support the very people that bring us all together.

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ince coming to life in 2009 the Foundation’s consistent aim has been to serve the unmet needs and significant gaps in service for those with a disability. Drawing on 30 years of Trust expertise, the Foundation’s commitment to conducting ground breaking research studies and developing new ideas and services has enabled us to support individuals who If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one dvd, one cd and one book with you; what would they be?

For the dvd it would have to be a horror, probably Paranormal Activity; for the music I’d like something relaxing after the horror... and any true crime novel would be great.

Who is the person that you’ve learnt the most from?

In work it would have to be Richard Thompson (the Deputy Project Coordinator at Chain Lane), he’s a dead good listener and will always help you out.

Out of work, I would have to say my Dad. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy, I’d love to know what people are thinking!

would have otherwise had difficulty accessing or using existing provision.

The past four years have seen the Foundation conduct the first study in the UK into the prevalence of brain injury in the homeless population, the largest study in an adult male prison, and the development of four specialist Brain Injury Linkworker services for socially excluded adults and young people. We recognise that deficits often associated with brain injury can impact upon an individual’s ability to sustain a job, a home or personal relationships and can ultimately lead to a cycle of homelessness or offending.

A key focus of our work has been on raising political awareness of brain injury on a national scale. Termed ‘the hidden disability’, policy-makers are slowly beginning to recognise brain injury and the needs of those in the homeless and offender populations.

The Foundation has been instrumental in this campaign, acting as Brain Injury Contributor to the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health’s Standards Committee, and assisting the Department of Health and the National Offender Management Service with strategies for offenders with brain injury. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, which recently highlighted the Foundation’s Linkworker service at HMP Leeds as an “excellent development”, now routinely asks prisons what provision they have in place for offenders with brain injury.

Our team of eight, and our service users, have achieved some great outcomes during the past four years and we don’t want to stop there; the Foundation is continually growing and exploring new opportunities. Committed to developing innovative ways of identifying and supporting people whose needs would

otherwise not be met, the Foundation now needs you, your ideas and your expertise to develop new services. You know your service users, you understand their needs and you know what would make the biggest difference to them.

We are looking to • support individuals with brain injury, autism, learning disabilities or physical disabilities in new and innovative ways that enable increased integration and independence in society • conduct research with a view to recognising complex needs among particular groups of people, and to identify gaps in service provision for those people • develop resources that would enable complex needs to be more easily identified Whichever capacity or division you work in, we would like you to tell us what you would do differently for your service users, given the chance.

Don’t worry, we will ask them too!

If you have ideas, suggestions or comments, and would like to be involved in shaping our services please contact Deborah Fortescue, Head of Foundation: deborah.fortescue@thedtgroup.org 01444 239123 13

Look Who’s Talkin

Look Who’s Talking

by Gareth Ransome, Editor Last edition’s “Spotlight on Learning to Listen” column was about Equine Facilitated Development, which allows individuals to work directly with horses in order to highlight any areas for personal development or leadership potential.

I was very intrigued, and wanted to go on one of the courses myself.

I found a three day course, based in Hastings, which was designed so the individual could gain a deeper insight and understanding of themselves.

This is achieved by creating a feeling of mindfulness; an awareness of living in the moment. Horses live in herds and can not afford the luxury of brooding on what happened last week or worrying about what might happen tomorrow, for in the wild there are predators and dangers that they have to respond to.

On the morning of first day the group was taught how to create their state of mindfulness through a form of guided meditation.

In the afternoon we were introduced to the horses, with each person picking their own. I chose Spot (pictured) For me, it was a confidence building exercise. I’d always been wary of horses because of their (large) teeth, but Spot soon put pay to that fear by gently nibbling on my hand as I leaned on the paddock gate! At all times he kept eye contact with me, as if in reassurance that he wouldn’t hurt me; rather it allowed me to stay in the moment.

My interactions with Spot were quite profound; having only limited contact with horses before, he was an old soul and taught me much.

The second day was focused on how each individual interacted with their external 14

environment, and concentrated on expanding our awareness of our senses. So much time we can be stuck in our thoughts and be oblivious to our external environment – which includes where other people are.

In the afternoon we spent more time with the horses, putting into practice what we’d learned. This time I had preconceived expectations of what was going to happen, and was surprised when Spot didn’t respond how I imagined – at the start he ignored me completely. It became obvious that I was lost in my own thoughts, and not living in the moment at all. However when I centred myself again he walked up and put his head on my shoulder.

The third day was spent with the herd, observing their behaviour to deduce which was the leader, before interacting with them.

I’ve learnt a lot from my time with the horses, it’s given me more confidence and taught me to assess situations by what’s happening externally to me rather than prejudge it by my own experiences.

I can not recommend Equine Facilitated Development enough, it’s a wonderful and insightful form of personal development training that’s accessible to all.

For you...

About you...

Star Voice Sharon Dines Cleaning Assistant

Sharon has been recognised as a Star by Sally-Anne Edwards.

“It does not matter what you are going through on the days that she is on duty she comes into the service and cheers everyone up with her pleasantness and smile.” Sally-Anne explains, “She is always willing to assist the service users and goes out of her way with the extra little jobs that she does for them.”

Senior Learning Co-ordinator, Charmaine Cole even wrote a ditty summing up Sharon’s attitude to work: “She is a breath of fresh air in every way She works hard at her work and brightens our day There’s nothing to hard, or too much trouble And nothing seems to burst her bubble.”

10 Steps to

Fundraising Success Emma Millar is the Communications Fundraising Officer and gives a keen insight into the ten steps to fundraising success!

1. Purpose:

4. Leadership:

Decide what the purpose of your event is: Is this truly a fundraising event, or does it have other goals? Although your service may be hoping to raise money at the event, the main function might be to gain publicity, or reach out to a new network.

Large events will need a committee of volunteers and staff. The committee will be responsible for contributing substantial amounts to the event and encouraging others to do the same. The staff group should be responsible for the recruitment of volunteers for the event.

2. Fundraising Goal: Decide what amount of money you plan to raise at the event and what will be purchased with that money. If this is a fundraising event, then everything in the event plan should be geared to raising that specific amount of money; remember to budget properly!

Congratulations to both Sharon and Joe for being our Star Voices!

Who is the target audience for your event? Is this a general fundraiser where everyone will be invited, or is this event geared towards a specific group like business people, parents, or young professionals? In short, you must decide who you will invite to your event.

6. Set-Up & Pack Down: Plan the event set-up well in advance.

Where will it be? Will food be served?

Will there be entertainment? What kind of dress will be required? What is the itinerary for the event? You will also need a group of volunteers willing to help pack down and clear away after the event – some venues are happy for this to be done the following day, so check first.

Joe McKenna IT Support Analyst Joe has been recognised as a Star by Catherine Portman, Hilary McDaid and Mike McPeake!

“Nothing is too much trouble... He certainly goes the extra mile – sometimes when things aren’t even his area, is Super-speedy (with a capital S), and has been very cooperative in overcoming a key implementation communications issue!” – Catherine Portman, Business Support Manager, BIRT. Development and Infrastructure Manager, Mike McPeake, agrees: “Joe is an all-round star!” and Hilary, Divisional Manager for BIRT’s Northern Services has the final word, “Nothing is too much trouble and also he is really patient with me as I am a bit of a technophobe. He understands me when I say I have tried the girly options of turning it off, turning it back on, removing the battery and then shouting at it!!!”

5. Target Audience:

delivered? Who will be responsible for organizing the incoming information?

9. Practice:

It is essential that everyone who is working the event knows, ahead of time, what their responsibilities are; where they should be during the event, and how the event is going to “flow.” If you are having a large or unusual event, the key event staff may want a practice run to make sure that the operation runs smoothly.

10. Thank You: Make sure that you take the time to send thank you notes to everyone who is involved in your event, including contributors, volunteers, staff and vendors. Keep your donors happy too… you’re probably going to be asking them for another donation somewhere down the road.

If you would like more information on event management or to book a service fundraising training session then please contact Emma Millar on 01444 237286 or email her at emma.millar@thedtgroup.org

7. Marketing: 3. Budget: Every fundraising event plan should contain a complete budget listing all of the expenses and predicted income that will be required to hold the event. Your budget should include staff time, invitations, space rental, catering, entertainment, transportation, and anything else that will be required to make the event a success. It should also take into account your fundraising goal, ensuring that you raise that amount above and beyond all expenses. Be sure to leave a little extra room in your budget for unforeseen costs.

Aggressively market to your target audience; convince your supporters that your organization and event are worthy of their time and money. Draw up an entire marketing plan for the event – Communications can help you with this.

8. Sales: Set up a procedure for making the actual ticket sales, or accepting donations for the event. Will there be different contribution levels for the event (such as a flat ticket charge, an extra charge to be invited to a V.I.P. reception in addition to the event, etc.). Who will sell the tickets? How they will be shipped or 15

For you...

About you...

Afterword

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hope you’ve enjoyed reading the second issue of Inner Voice; you’ll notice that it’s changed a little since the first. In August a survey was sent out to find out what you thought of the first issue. We asked each person to tick their favourite sections of the magazine and the results are below. For example, we can see that 70% of the respondents voted that they enjoyed reading about Staff Achievements, but only 27% of them enjoyed the horror-scope

This is YOUR magazine, remember. If there’s anything you want to feature in the magazine; if you think someone should be recognised as a Star Voice, or if you have an achievement you want to shout about then please get in contact with me below.

Staff Achievements - 70% Profiles - 68% Disability Hero - 68%

Gareth Ransome, The Disabilities Trust, 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NP

Your Voice - 63%

Or email me: gareth.ransome@thedtgroup.org

Life In The IT Helpdesk - 51% Disability In The Media - 49% Spotllights- 49% Recipe Round-Up - 46% Look Who’s Talking- 46%

Caption Competition results

Handy Hints - 41% Campaigning For Change - 41% Star Voice - 41% Speaking Clearly - 38% Crossword/Wordsearch - 36% Masterclass - 33% Caption Competition - 30% Horror-scope - 27% In response to this I’ve tried to tailor this issue so it had more of what you wanted.

For the time being I’ve cut out things like the Horror-scope, the caption competition and handy hints aspects of the magazine and concentrated more on the profiles and spotlights. There is, however, a new master-class – based on some of the feedback that we received. Who knows, if this photography themed masterclass goes well, we may even run a photography competition!

“The new payroll office dress code wasn’t quite what they expected!”

Jen Newman, Purchase Ledger Assistant, CSS

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The winner of the crossword/wordsearch is Marika Mausolf from Community Services. Well done, Marika – a £10 voucher will be on its way to you in the post.

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