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The staff magazine…

For you... About you...

Winter 2014/15

Singing up a storm with Lisa Lovatt

Disability Hero Francesca Martinez

page 10

page 5

STAFF lAWARDS Specia

see pages 8 & 9

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

Speaking clearly

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About you...

Speaking clearly

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a year since Inner Voice was launched and it’s still going strong. Helping to celebrate this, I’m proud to give centre stage to the winners of the first Staff Awards. The Team Category winner was the Ashwood House Team, from Hollyrood, and the winner of the Individual Category was Alannah Taylor, from Graham Anderson House. You can read their stories on pages 8 and 9! I would like to congratulate all the staff that were nominated and who demonstrated creativity and commitment across the Trust.

Your Voice features Irene Sobowale, the Director of Finance, who has been with us now for over a year and a half, and offers a fascinating insight in to her life at the Trust. We are very lucky to have such passionate and inspiring people working for us.

With the latest influx of movies being Superhero orientated, Disability in the Media (page 7) takes a look at how disability is portrayed in the comics; whilst the Disability Hero (page 5) focuses on Francesca Martinez, a stand-up comedienne and actor who has Cerebral Palsy.

I’m very pleased to pass on the news that Francesca has agreed to be the After Dinner Speaker for the 2015 BIRT Conference!

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Your V

Irene There are also profiles on Helen Giblin, Lorraine Lanceley, Lisa Lovatt, Emma Armstrong and Daniel Vincent; as well as Spotlights on Graham Anderson House’s Diabetic Workbook, Luke Flatman and much, much more. Luke’s spotlight is even more fascinating as he was originally a service user at Fen House before joining as a support worker there. Don’t forget to check on page 14 about the discount scheme for contracted staff, especially as we’re getting close to that festive time of year.

There are some fascinating Staff Achievements (also on page 14) this issue, which highlight the strength and dedication of our staff. And as always, thanks to Gareth Ransome who has pulled together another exciting issue, and who created the montage on the back cover as a way of saying thanks to all the people that have made Inner Voice such a success.

Lastly, thanks to the special guests who posed for the front cover, I believe this caused quite a spectacle in the office!

It’s a joy to be able to highlight the dedication that our staff constantly show on a daily basis, but there wouldn’t be any Inner Voice without you; so please keep sending in your ideas and photos.

Barrie Oldham Chief Executive

For the last year and a half Irene has been the Director of Finance for The Disabilities Trust and has seen a lot of change, with much more to come.

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would very much like to bring business technology to the fore so we can support our front line services and make things as easy as possible; by relieving the burden of administration and form filling. At the moment there is so much information that needs to be reported and that’s only going to escalate with funder’s increased focus on transparency and outcomes.

I believe that the emphasis should be on supporting people so they can work to their fullest potential. People are capable of doing great things when given the right opportunities – staff, as well as service users. They need to be given the right tools to be able to shine; the new information system is just the first step and will make such a difference to people’s lives.

“ Everyone makes a difference and everyone has a part to play…”

Voice:

e Sobowale That’s one of the main things that attracted me to this role; being able to make a difference. Previously I’d worked as a Business Manager/Director of Business Management for 11 years and I reached a point where I wanted to work somewhere more meaningful; where I didn’t feel as if I was just another cog in the wheel.

When I met Barrie I was struck by his passion for the Trust and his enthusiasm for improving the lives of service users.

I could immediately see the synergy between this and previous roles and I knew that I would be able to make an impact from the first day.

“ I believe that the emphasis should be in supporting people so they can work to their fullest potential.”

However, it would be safe to say that working here has been nothing like I had expected and closer to being everything that I could ever have wished for. There are so many passionate people working here, united for the one goal of making a difference to the lives of our service users.

Everyone brings their own expertise to their roles and I feel as if I’ve only just been able to slot in to place. Everyone makes a difference and everyone has a part to play in the jigsaw that is The Disabilities Trust.

“ People are capable of doing great things when given the right opportunities.”

Life in The IT Help Desk Hi, IT Helpdesk. How can I help you?... Your tablet keeps going blank when you shake it?

....erm....

Are you sure you’re not using an etch-a-sketch?

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A Spotlight on

Luke Flatman On 23rd August Luke Flatman got married and requested that BIRT merchandise be used as wedding favours in order to promote awareness of acquired brain injury.

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hat Luke works as a support worker at Fen House should come as no surprise, considering such a gesture, but that he was once a service user shows the strength of his determination and generosity.

It was during his final year at university, in 2008, that Luke experienced a traumatic brain injury as the result of a road traffic accident. He was admitted to hospital and treated for injuries to his chest and legs as well as for his head injury, and after 10 weeks he was moved to Fen House for an intensive period of assessment and rehabilitation.

Whilst there, Luke undertook extensive rehabilitation in order for him to develop the necessary skills to regain control of his life again. With the acquisition of new coping strategies he increased his physical and cognitive awareness, which in turn enabled him to become more independent.

Throughout this his main goal was to return to university and complete his Musical Technology degree, which he achieved in 2010, with the support of the team at Fen House and his university tutors.

Luke moved back home with his family and on 17 April 2011 he ran the London Marathon in aid of Fen House to say thank you to the service for being instrumental in his journey to recovery.

Luke now is employed as a Rehabilitation Support Worker at Fen House, where he can draw on his own experience of brain injury and rehabilitation, and we hear that he is amazing with service users!

Maureen Walker Profile

Maureen is a Support Worker at West Heath House, our specialist centre in Birmingham that provides residential rehabilitation for people with acquired brain injury and is part of the national network of BIRT services.

How long have you worked at the Trust?

What do you think that you bring to your role?

Three and a half years.

I’m a good team player and like to think of myself as being honest and trustworthy. I also bring a breath of fresh air to the team!

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

I work to enable the service users to live as independently as possible, and provide personal care to ensure their wellbeing.

Where did you work before the Trust?

I worked in a healthcare support role and looked after people with mental health issues as well as spinal injuries.

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What have you learnt since working at the Trust?

I’ve learnt how to deal with challenging behaviour and how to stay calm and patient in those situations.

What are you most proud of?

I’m very proud of my home, I really enjoy housework. (I do!) Although things have been stressful in my life, I persevere and try to make the best out of things.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

As I’ve said I’m very house-proud and enjoy looking after it. I also go to the gym when I can and love cooking too.

Disability Hero The first question that Francesca Martinez would probably ask is “what defines normal?”

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s a stand-up comedienne and outspoken author and actor with cerebral palsy, she has stopped trying to fit in with this meaningless definition and accept herself, wobbles and all.

Some people might recognise her from her appearances on Grange Hill in the 1990s; others from her stint on Extras and more from her hilarious stand-up routines that have featured at the Edinburgh Festival, and across the world.

In fact, in 2003 she was listed in the Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.

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?

The DVD would be Taken with Liam Neeson; the CD would be anything by Luthor Vandross. And the book? Well…

Mr Grey springs to mind.

Have you any unfulfilled ambitions?

To win the lottery; if I won I’d travel to Jamaica!

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

Francesca Martinez

“ I think that comedy is great at demystifying taboos.”

Yet she is far more than that. Her comedy shows highlight the fact that we are all different and it should be those differences that define us, not ostracise us. She said this when speaking to the Independent: “When the label ‘ABNORMAL’ is slapped on you before you’re out of nappies, your self-esteem is destined for oblivion.”

“(That)… radical shift in perspective transformed me from whingey git to a very grateful one in minutes.

It allowed me to dump society’s unhealthy aspirations and focus on what I did have.”

Which leads us back to the first question, define normal…

From that Francesca has moved from strength to strength and she’s performed her sell-out comedy shows across the world and won the Public Affairs Achiever of the Year award in 2013 as part of the Women in Public Life.

Through a friend from an acting class, Francesca realised that none of us are actually normal – everyone is different, and only in that are we at all ‘normal’.

She’s also a campaigner; in 2012 she launched the campaign ‘War on Welfare’ that gained 100,000 signatures, calling an end to government cuts to disability benefits and an independent assessment of welfare changes.

In fact, Francesca often uses her public profile and comedy to raise awareness of issues surrounding disability and the need for self-acceptance.

“I think that comedy is great at demystifying taboos,” She remarked on her website, “so I hope we reach a point where we can all feel comfortable laughing at a funny show whether it has a disabled character in it or not.”

My parents; I’ve learnt a lot from their values and how to respect others.

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

I’d like to read people’s minds and know what they’re thinking.

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For you...

About you...

Daniel Vincent Profile

Daniel is a Team Senior at Porthcawl Green, one of Autism Spectrum Partners Community Houses which offers support to people with learning disabilities.

How long have you worked at the Trust?

Since February 2012.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

I’ve recently been promoted to Team Senior from being a support worker. As a support worker my role was to enable the service users to live as independently as possible. It was more hands on, whereas the team senior role is more office based.

I‘m responsible for arranging training for the support workers, and it involves more paperwork; as well as helping out in a support capacity.

What do you think that you bring to your role?

I’m a hard worker and I bring dedication to the role; I also believe in a personcentred approach.

What have you learnt since working at the Trust?

I’ve learnt never to judge a person before you know them. People are often too quick to judge others until they’ve really had a chance to understand them.

Everyone’s different, and I’ve learnt so much by supporting all the amazing people here; it’s a real privilege.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of my promotion and enjoying making a difference to the service user’s lives. Out of work I’m very proud of my four year old son, Jack.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I run as much as I can and it would probably surprise people to learn that I love running in the rain! There’s something about it that I can’t explain… I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, and I also draw a lot.

What might surprise people about you?

As well as the drawing, I’m also into origami. I got into it after playing the Heavy Rain game on the Playstation. There was a character called the Origami Killer who left an origami figure as his trademark.

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

In work, I’d say the staff team I have worked with over the last few years. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am now.

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

It’s not a superpower... but I’d love to be Batman! He’s got cool gadgets and a top car, yeah I’d like to be the next Bruce Wayne.

If you would like to know more about Dan please email: daniel.vincent@thedtgroup.org

A Spotlight on

Diabetic W Staff at Graham Anderson House are pioneering a new workbook designed to help service users understand and control their diabetes, as the condition is on the increase and there are more admissions into the service with diabetes than before.

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iabetes is a condition that results in increased blood glucose levels due to a lack of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which allows glucose to enter the body’s cells where it’s used for energy. With diabetes the body can’t make proper use of the glucose so it builds up in the body.

Glucose is also the primary source of energy for the brain as well, and if the brain goes without that for too long then brain cells can die; which can cause permanent brain damage, or even death.

However, many of the problems that surround diabetes can be sorted out with education, a raising of awareness and a change of attitude.

Annette Carrick, Head of Care at Graham Anderson House explains more: “It’s an emotional minefield that many people don’t necessarily want to face, and often admitting that there’s a

Life in The IT Help Desk Hi. IT Helpdesk.

How can I help you?

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Erm… ok… you did what with the superglue?

Um, I’m sorry, Sir… it’s not that kind of Helpdesk

Workbook

Disability In The

Media

A couple of issues ago I spoke about the Manga series “With the Light” citing it as one of the best representations of autism in any medium. In this issue I want to look at how comics deal with disability.

problem is the hardest thing of all. I’ve heard too many people say that they won’t let the diabetes affect their life, and that’s the worst thing you can do.”

The workbook is designed to make the symptoms of diabetes easily understandable, whilst helping the service users understand the function of insulin and the importance of a change of lifestyle. It forms a vital step in coping with the condition and allowing the service users to gain control over their lives again.

The workbook was piloted by Rosemary Jalloh, a staff member from Graham Anderson House, and is now used to a greater effect by the local community diabetic nurse when talking to people with learning disabilities. It’s also being used as part of group work for service users and even staff have found it to be very informative as well.

If you’d like more information on the Diabetic Workbook, please contact Annette Carrick via email: Annette.carrrick@thedtgroup.org

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omics have always struggled with the problem of representation; yet from 1963 there has been at least one wheelchair bound heroes: Professor Xavier from Marvel Comic’s ‘The X-Men’.

Xavier is a mutant, ‘gifted’ with awesome telepathic powers and it could be seen that Professor X was one of the first positive role models for disability in comics. “X-men is a story about alienation and marginalisation,” Dr David Huxley, a lecturer at Manchester University who specialises in comics and graphic novels explained to the BBC. “It directly responds to the way in which disabled people can be made to feel.”

“I finally felt included and broke away from the shell I had encased myself in.”

However these characters are still few and far between and deal with the more obvious forms of disability.

As with the other forms of media I’ve talked about in previous columns, it seems that there is a distinct lack of representation in comics, which is a shame.

In a recent interview on the BBC website, graphic novelist Al Davison from Newcastle remarked that, “We need more comic book characters who are believable representations of disabled people, rather than ones whose disabilities are negated by super powers.”

Another strong role model could be found in DC’s Barbara Gordon. Originally introduced as Batgirl in the late ‘60’s, she starred as a strong supporting character in Batman’s pantheon. However in 1988 this came to a horrifying end when she was shot by the Joker leaving her paralysed. Rather than letting this end her crime fighting career, she marshalled her strengths to become ‘Oracle’ and mastered a weapons based martial art, so she could engage in combat from her wheelchair.

The only constructive thing that can possibly be gleamed is that, by and large, these examples can be seen as overwhelmingly positive role models who focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities.

“When I found out that Oracle also uses a wheelchair I was so happy.” B.A. Boyd, a comic book fan who also uses a wheelchair, remarked to the BBC,

Photo’s courtesy of Marvel Entertainment Group & DC Comics Group

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For you...

About you...

STAFF Special

Message from Barrie Oldham, CEO

“ I am delighted with the winners of the first ever Disabilities Trust Staff Awards, which were launched in June.

The Team Category Winners – Ashwood House, Hollyrood The team at Ashwood House supported a highly vulnerable service user with complex autism, challenging behaviour and medical and self-harm issues over a period of months and then assisted them to make the transition to another placement.

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n times of severe stress the team all pitched in and backed their team leader and senior, persevered and kept focused on the service user’s well-being.

Ruth Davies, Service Manager at Hollyrood, nominated them and said, “It was very traumatic to deal with but they all became a team in the truest sense of the word, it showed a real strength of character.”

The team winners are: Tyler Blake, Danny Thomas, Samantha Whittaker, Mariam Kanzayire, Ivan Machado, Carl Williams, Chris Green, James Jacob, Mark Estevez, Celvin Hayes, Kayleigh Funnel, Alice Heaver, Rebecca Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton, Teddy Ndlovu, Lucy Stephens and Vikas Soni.

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“ ...they all became a team in the truest sense of the word and it showed a real strength of character!”

AWARDS We received an amazing 35 nominations which demonstrated the creativity and commitment of staff across the Trust. I would like to congratulate all the staff who were nominated.”

The Individual Category Winner – Alannah Taylor, Graham Anderson House Alannah won for her work to create an innovative vocational ‘passport’ for service users to help them gain new skills and qualifications.

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he Passport is a comprehensive record of the service users Vocational Rehabilitation and includes, past employment, CV, current and past placements, record of interviews, contact details of the placement and reflections and our service feedback.

“…she has benefited immensely by securing and providing vocational placements for several service users.”

Vocational Rehabilitation can

promote existing skills and may provide an opportunity for service users to learn new transferable skills which could be used in all aspects of life.

Sandra Wylie, Service Manager at Graham Anderson House, nominated Alannah by saying; “Since Alannah has commenced in this new role, she has benefited our service immensely by securing and providing vocational placements for several service users.”

Highly Commended Individual category – Ruth Smith, York House Team category – Stephen Edwards and Andrew Norman from Quality Assurance’s Health & Safety team; Annette Carrick and the Support Worker team at Graham Anderson House; Robert Shires and the team at the Community Services house at Oxford Drive, Bradford.

Both winning entries will be put forward for the 2014 / 15 Annual Staff Awards ceremony held in Summer 2015.

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For you...

About you...

Lisa Lovatt Profile

Lisa is the interim Head of Quality Assurance for the Trust.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

I oversee both the Quality Assurance (QA) and Health and Safety (HS) processes for the Trust which involves collecting and monitoring data from the audits that are carried out across the organisation, as well as line managing the QA team; who, in turn, support our services by providing advice and guidance on regulatory requirements.

Where did you work before the Trust?

I worked for a large independent care provider in a number of roles. In fact I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve worked my way up from a support worker role to a support manager and then to area manager. I like to say that I’ve done practically every job in the care sector, and that includes working as a gardener!

What do you think that you bring to your role?

I’m a big believer in practising what you preach and I’ve got a lot of transferrable skills through all the roles I’ve had.

Quality Assurance is a reflection of the organisation’s performance and we need to be able to provide guidance and advice. It’s important, therefore, to be able to take a step back and have a clear view of the situation before giving advice. I feel I’ve got that ability.

I’d love to be able to see into the future so I could make things better ahead of time and guide people through the hard times.

Have you any unfulfilled ambitions?

I’m very proud to be part of the Trust; it was a conscious decision to work for a charity that has heart.

I’m also a working mum with two teenage girls and am constantly juggling a work/life balance. On top of that I’m also a singer for a folk band – the

I’d love to either walk the Great Wall of China or climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity –that would be great!

Ruth Bovill 10

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

What are you most proud of?

A Spotlight on

Ruth has worked at Heathermount, which is a specialist school catering for children and young people, aged 5-19, who are on the autistic spectrum.

In this spotlight Ruth looks at the time she’s spent at Heathermount.

Raintown Seers. (Google them – they’re superb! – Editor) We’ve supported both Fairport Convention and Richard Thompson, which was just amazing!

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started working in the residential provision at Heathermount in 1996; it was, I felt, a last ditch attempt at a ‘proper career’. I had been working as a teaching assistant supporting a pupil with Asperger syndrome in a mainstream primary school and when the opportunity arose to work at Heathermount, it seemed ‘right’.

I’ve wanted to be a teacher from the time I was in primary school and it even ran in the family.

If you would like to know more about Lisa please email: Lisa.lovatt@thedtgroup.org

I was studying for a BSc in Natural Sciences with the Open University and following promotion to being a residential team leader, I was offered the chance to start my teacher training at Heathermount. I enrolled on the Registered Teacher Program through the University of Hertfordshire while still working at Heathermount.

I completed this training and was awarded Qualified Teacher Status in 2002.

I was department coordinator for the lower secondary part of Heathermount when a golden opportunity arose for me to start on the leadership pathway.

The Deputy Principal broke her ankle and I was asked to ‘step up’. This was

Emma Armstrong Profile

Emma is the Activities Co-ordinator at Jane Percy House, a purpose built centre in Cramlington, that provides accommodation and support for people with a wide range of physical disabilities and part of the Disability Lifestyles division.

How long have you worked at the Trust?

I started in November last year, so I’ve been here just over 10 months.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

The Activities Co-ordinator role is new to Jane Percy House and involves me consulting with service users and developing a programme of stimulating new activities. I am also responsible for raising the profile of the service and developing a cohort of volunteers to support the delivery of the activity programme, as well as seeking funding opportunities to support service activities.

What are you most proud of?

Working with service users and staff on a presentation which resulted in our service being appointed Sainsbury’s Cramlington ‘charity of the year’. Having been whittled down to three local

charities from twenty-seven we were asked to put together a presentation to show how we would propose working with Sainsbury’s over a year.

What are your hobbies?

My allotment, growing my own fresh fruit and veg, cooking with the produce I grow and then walking off the calories around our local woods. I mainly grow vegetables but do have some fruit bushes, then the usual: marrows, courgettes, beans, swedes, turnips, etc.

Is there any one who has made an impact on your life?

There would be too many people to say nobody famous but special all the same. I’d have to say my Pops, I definitely get my work ethic from him.

My mam too, as without her setting such a high example I wouldn’t be the domestic goddess I am today.

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

I’d have to say super-speed; with a bit of luck I might get through my ‘todo’ list instead of just adding to it!

If you want to know more about Emma, please email her on: emma.armstrong@thedtgroup.org

followed by promotion to Acting Assistant Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher and finally in April 2013, I was appointed Headteacher at Heathermount.

I’ve really enjoyed working at Heathermount, we have a great team; all the staff are highly qualified and deliver the best possible service to all our students.

I have seen many changes at Heathermount, and it is a very different school from the one I started at in 1996.

I always say to staff, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams; it may take longer than you would like – but never, ever give up. I truly believe that The Disabilities Trust is committed to developing their staff and I am surely proof of this!

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For you...

About you...

Helen G Profile

Look Who’s Talking

by Gareth Ransome, Editor

I was saddened by the death of Acker Bilk earlier this month, especially as he’s one of my dad’s favourite musicians and we were hoping to see him in concert together; but I was intrigued to learn how he “ I love talking to developed his all the amazing unique playing people that style: he lost two front teeth work for the during a school Trust through fight and half the Profiles and a finger in a sledging accident.

Spotlights.”

This got me thinking about two other musical legends. Django Reinhardt was one of the greatest guitar players ever (most well known for his duets with Stephan Grappelli) but he was injured in a fire which ravaged a caravan he was staying in. Amongst other terrible injuries, the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand were left badly burned; so much so that the doctors believed he would never play guitar again. He developed a new technique which, in my view, has still to be bettered.

Tony Iommi is someone people may be aware of through his association with Black Sabbath.

Tony lost the tips of his middle and ring finger on his right hand in an industrial accident.

Thinking he would never be able to play the guitar again a friend, ironically, introduced him to the music of Reinhardt and

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rather than giving up he fashioned some plastic fingertips for himself and developed a technique that was unique to him.

It’s one of the joys of working for the Trust, talking to all the amazing people that work for the Trust through the Profiles and Spotlights.

Helen is the Divisional Head of Nursing for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust.

How long have you worked at the Trust?

Seven years.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

However, the one thing I keep hearing from staff is that they often think that they’ve nothing interesting to say. I’m left aghast at this, especially after talking to them as they’ve got so many great stories to tell. I love hearing about what makes people tick, and all the people I’ve spoken to so far are just so passionate about what they’re doing, it’s inspiring.

I support the nursing teams across BIRT; monitor and develop the systems, including the medication documentation.

I work closely with Quality Assurance and the Health and Safety teams as well.

However you’ve all got the greatest story to tell – your own – and I look forward to interviewing more of you in the coming months!

I’ve worked in health care for a number of years and have lots of experience as a nurse so I know the procedures inside out.

I’m very calm and approachable though.

Where did you work before the Trust?

I worked in the NHS for nearly 20 years mainly in trauma and orthopaedics from staff nurse to ward manager What do you think that you bring to your role?

What have you learnt since working at the Trust?

I’ve learnt so much; from supporting people with such diverse needs with a close knit multidisciplinary team through to marketing services to raise the Trust’s profile.

What are you most proud of?

Django Reinhardt

I’ve progressed through the Trust, starting as a Senior Nurse and through the years I’ve been proud to see the service users fulfil their goals. I’ve also managed to juggle my work/life balance as I’ve got two children.

Lorraine Lanceley Profile

Giblin What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy going to the theatre and the gym (though not at the same time). I love musicals especially and am looking forward to seeing Jersey Boys soon.

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?

The DVD would be Pulp Fiction; the CD… well, it would have to be the first album I ever bought on CD: Head On The Door by The Cure; and the book; Silas Marner by George Elliot.

What is your claim to fame?

I used to socialise with Piers Morgan!

(His ex-wife used to work as a ward sister with me.) My family tree can also be traced back to Oliver Cromwell.

Have you any unfulfilled ambitions?

To be a property developer… and I want to drive across America in a Cadillac.

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

I’d love to be invisible so I could spy on people. (I love people watching!)

Lorraine is an Associate for The Disabilities Trust Foundation, which aims to make a difference to the lives of people with disabilities who are unable to access the core services of the Trust.

How long have you worked at the Trust?

What hobbies do you enjoy?

For three months.

I love modern jive dancing and I really enjoy baking cakes (and eating them of course!).

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

I’m involved in all aspects of the Foundation’s work. Currently I’m analysing data from the Prison Linkworker service and writing an outcomes report. This is where we screen the prisoners for traumatic and acquired brain injury and work with them to address their needs associated with that. We’re also currently scoping out new projects, looking for needs that aren’t currently being met by other organisations in the Trust’s core areas.

Where did you work before the Trust?

I worked as a research manager evaluating employment programmes aimed at helping the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged back into work.

What do you think that you bring to your role?

I bring versatility and a sense of enthusiasm to my role as well as many of the skills I learned from my previous job such as project management, data analysis and report writing.

What might surprise people about you?

I got married in Las Vegas! No Elvis, before you ask, but a lovely wedding chapel with just the two of us – and yes my family and friends have forgiven us. We had a great time seeing some of the national parks in Nevada and Utah afterwards.

Who have you learned the most from?

I would have to say my mum; she’s always taught be to think differently and not be afraid to be myself and walk my own path. She’s also been a huge help since I’ve become a mum myself.

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

I’d love to be like Spider-man and be able to swing from building to building! It would be great getting from one end of London to the other!

If you would like to know more about Lorraine please email: Lorraine.Lanceley@thedtgroup.org

What have you learnt since working at the Trust?

I’ve learnt a lot about brain injury and just how prevalent it is.

What are you most proud of?

If you would like to know more about Helen please email: Helen.giblin@thedtgroup.org

I’ve recently passed Level One British Sign Language course. I learnt some basic signs when my daughter was a baby as I’m a big fan of baby and toddler signing and so decided to learn more. I’d recommend it to others!

(image courtesy: Columbia Pictures. Spider-man is published by Marvel Comics Group)

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For you...

About you...

Staff Achievements

It wouldn’t be Inner Voice without something from Gemma Saint: Holly Caswell, Assistant Manager at Chalkdown House, entered her first Bodybuilding competition in September and came first! The “United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation” Midlands Championship was held in Birmingham.

“The Midlands championship was my very first competition and I had started training for this competition in April this year. I’m really pleased to have won this award and look forward to entering many more.”

“I was so pleased and excited that Yorkshire won the bid to host the Grand Depart of the 101st edition of the Tour de France. When I heard they were looking for volunteers to become Tour Makers I thought this was an un-missable opportunity to be part of the worlds most prestigious cycling race and I was delighted to receive the news that I was one of the 12,000 to be accepted. It is the first time that volunteers have been involved in the Tour de France, and the roles included marshalling, way-finding, and looking after dignitaries. I was a Wayfinder, and my role was to welcome people, direct them and answer any questions they might have. Before the day I had two aims; Firstly, I wanted to be useful and secondly I wanted a great view to see the cyclist race by. I was really pleased to have achieved both.”

Life in The IT Help Desk Hi, I.T. Helpdesk; how can I help you? The Network is down again?! What can I do about it?

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Heartfelt Story Staff at Ernest Kleinwort Court (EKC) deserve a special mention after receiving a letter of heart-felt thanks from parents of a service user. Giles, suffers from Lesch Nyhan Syndrome (LNS), a rare condition that demands complex and round-the-clock care. Although Anita Cobb, Service Manager at EKC, had no experience dealing with LNS in the past they were able to work with the service user and through their enthusiastic commitment to his independence they were able to change his life around exponentially. So much so that he is now able to make friends and even have a job in the local leisure centre. His parents, in the letter, said:

“ He has made new friends and developed wide interests all of which you facilitated... The demonstrated and continued commitment to go the extra mile to ensure the highest standards in every particular... What all this has done for Giles is all we ever hoped for for him, but you have given us the piece of mind that we are confident that you will never act in anything other than his best interests at all times and for this we are exceptionally grateful. Our son in your care is safe - no parent could ask for more.”

Congratulations go to Tyler Blake, Aga Grzybowska and Juan Pedro (JP) Caetano who won the Service Employee of the Year awards at Hollyrood. Tyler gained recognition due his dedication to the service users for the last 14 years, but particularly holding a team together under difficult circumstances in the last nine months. Aga won because she had a challenging task of leading a brand new service that struggled at the outset but through sheer hard work, role modelling and persistence, ensured a settled service and led to a satisfactory CQC inspection, happy service users, stakeholders and staff. JP won as he has proved a delight in terms of can do attitude, caring, humorous and thoughtful approach.

Flash Fact!

Disabilities Trust discount scheme for contracted staff With Christmas coming don’t forget that, if you are a contracted member of staff, you can save money on your everyday spending such as:

services. You will also have access to numerous discounts, cashback deals and exclusive one off sales.

• utility bills

If you have not yet registered, go to dtdiscounts.rewardcompass.com and register using your personal email address and your employee number (this is your payroll reference number which appears on your payslip.)

as well as exclusive offers using your money saving card which gives you access to discounts at many local shops and

For any queries about the scheme please contact the HR Department at csshr@thedtgroup.org

• supermarket and high street shopping • DIY purchases, • motoring costs

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For you...

About you...

“ I’m really proud of the way my confidence has changed”

“What struck me the most …was the sheer commitment and passion from everyone that works at the Trust”

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

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

“I want to be Superman!

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

16

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

The Force is strong with this one...