The Link Winter 2015

Inside

Featuring

Turning Point in Action

REAL LIVES

SPEAKERS HOUSE

50 Years of Turning Point

Don’t miss...

TURNING POINT’S FIRST NATIONAL PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT

AWARDS TIME

Hello Dolly!

SERVICE USER

INVOLVEMENT Launch of the Involvement Charter

Welcome Welcome to our winter edition of The Link. You will read that we have had a busy time of it and have focused on ensuring the people we support are involved in everything we do. This is important to us as we need to ensure that all aspects of our support are person centred and that we inspire ambition.

We have had a very exciting event at the Houses of Parliament which you will read more about and I was particularly delighted that other support organisations came with people with learning disabilities as this was their chance to tell MP’s what they thought they should be focusing on.

Our People’s Parliament has gone great guns and I was fortunate to be present at the launch of the Involvement Charter which was a fantastic day.

We have had such a lot of comments back saying what a great time people had, you’ll also find out more when you read on!

I have been busy visiting regions and meeting some family carers on the way whilst they were visiting their sons or daughters. It is important to us that we involve family carers in any way that they want to be involved. In fact a family carer from Bradford came to help us in a tender interview which I was most grateful for, as he was absolutely fantastic. Please do let us have your views about the support we provide and we will publish them in The Link, good and not so good! All comments will be gratefully received.

I have also been busy with the Winterbourne View programme and having discussions with some key people around what the Government and NHS should be concentrating on to support the 3000 people still in institutional places. It’s been an interesting time but seems to be such a difficult thing to get any real movement on. Still I said what I thought so let’s see if they listened.

And finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff who worked over the festive period, it is very much appreciated, and I hope you all have a healthy and happy 2015.

I hope you all enjoy this edition and wrap up warm!

Best Wishes,

Fiona Ritchie Managing Director Learning Disability Services Turning Point fiona.ritchie@turning-point.co.uk

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Contents In this issue

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Turning Point’s First National

People’s Parlaiment

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Service Spotlight

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- REFOCUS, Wiltshire

Real Lives - Hello Dolly!

50 Years of Turning Point Awards Time - Extraordinary Person of the Month

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Turning Point in Action - Raising Awareness of Social Care

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14 On the cover April Jenkins, supporting Paul O’Gaza from Houghtons and Paul’s mum Mary O’Gaza representing Bedfordshire at the Speakers House.

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Turning WelcomePoint’s First Nati In October Turning Point held their first National People’s Parliament in Birmingham.

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urning Point’s People’s Parliaments aim to maximise service user involvement across our learning disability services, and have been set up to ensure that all individuals supported by Turning Point are empowered and supported to influence what the organisation does at a local and national level as well as taking a more active role in their communities.

For the last two years individuals supported

by Turning Point have had the opportunity to attend Regional People’s Parliament, following this, representatives from each regional forum were nominated to take forward their regions’ ideas and raise them at National People’s Parliament.

It was the first time all the Regional People’s Parliaments had come together in one place.

The aim of the day was to share what they have been working on with each other and voice their views to Turning Point’s Chief Executive, Lord Victor Adebowale and his team. Paul Picknett came on behalf of the Non-Executive Board Members.

Also in attendance were, Karen Flood, Cochair form the National Forum for People with a Learning Disability (a national group of people with learning disabilities that inform Government of what they feel are the major issues for people with learning disabilities) and Bill Heron who alongside Karen is the director of First Step, (a not for profit organisation based in Liverpool). First Step aims to support its members to speak out and change poor practice and injustice. They both have learning disabilities and have personal experience of support services. They have been involved in coaching

ABOVE, TURNING POINT’S FIRST EVER PEOPLE’ S PARLIAMENT

Turning Point staff in creative consultation and self-advocacy when setting up the People’s Parliaments.

On the day Tom Truslove from Wiltshire People’s Parliament, Nigel Button from Step Forward, Bradford’s People’s Parliament, Geoffrey Partridge from Chatterbox, Wiltshire’s People’s Parliament and Ian Wardle from Forum4Us, Northumberland’s People’ s Parliament, Co-Chaired the event alongside Andy Callow, Head of Operations, Learning Disability Sector.

Regional People’s Parliaments On the day Bedfordshire’s People’s Parliament had support from Mr Sims a family carer whose daughter

is supported by Turning Point. They spoke about Tom Drake’s success in his job as a Park Ranger and how this has inspired other people from the region to be involved in volunteering in their local community parks.

Step Forward, Bradford, People’s Parliament amongst other things shared their current main focus around issues they have been finding with Transport. They were looking for support from Turning Point on their campaign against Private Taxi companies in Bradford charging people with disabilities sometimes up to double fares. Step Forward, confirmed Daniel Wood, Parliamentary Outreach Worker for the Houses of Parliament for Yorkshire and Humberside would be attending their forum

andrew.callow@turning-point.co.uk To find out more please contact Andy Callow, Head of Operations, email:

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onal People’s Parliament Contents in November and that Bradford People First would also be attending the forum.

Step Forward have been working with Bradford People First (who have members that sit on the Bradford’s Learning Disability Partnership Board) as a way of feeding the work that Step Forward do through to those who commission their services. People First is an organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities to raise awareness of and campaign for the rights of people with learning disabilities and to support self-advocacy groups across the country. Step Forward, have received training from Bradford People First on how to run a self-advocacy forum with the aim to help the individuals we support and the colleagues supporting them to move their forum forward to be led more by individuals we support and less by our colleagues.

Derby People’s Parliament, were represented on the day and came along to see what they could learn from other regions forums.

Everyone was happy to share best practice with them and they had the opportunity to learn from others so they could pick up the momentum of their People’s Parliament.

Hertfordshire’s IScream4Herts shared information about a company they have been speaking with called Homely Home (www.homely-home.co.uk). They offer the choice you get from a shopping experience but from your home; a good way of still empowering people to have a choice, if they perhaps did not enjoy or weren’t really feeling a trip to a big busy supermarket. They also shared the success of their sports day which brought together people from services across Hertfordshire.

RIGHT, STAFF AND PEOPLE WE SUPPORT FROM NORTHUMBERLAND’S FORUM4US, ALONGSIDE PAUL PICKNETT NONEXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER.

LEFT, CO-CHAIRS OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S PARILAIMENT, FROM CHATTERBOX, STEP FORWARD AND WARWICKSHIRE PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENTS

RIGHT, REPRESENTATIVES FROM ISCREAM4HERTS, HERTFORDSHIRE’S PEOPLE’ S PARLIAMENT

LEFT, REPRESENTATIVES FROM STEP FORWARD, BRADFORD PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT

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National WelcomePeople’s Parliamen Kent People’s Parliament amongst other things shared their focus on Public Transport and how they had arranged for the Manager and Deputy Manager of customer services from Stagecoach to speak about the work they are doing to ensure people with disabilities feel safe and have a positive travel experience.

One of the initiatives Stagecoach managers discussed was the development of ‘Safety Zones’ in bus stations where anyone in difficulty can go. In response to this the Kent People’s Parliament developed a ‘Keeping Safe on Public Transport’ leaflet and made links with their District Partnership Group to help promote the ‘Safety Zones’.

Stagecoach now uses their booklet for training their staff and their own safety manual.

Forum4Us, Northumberland’s People’s Parliament shared ideas of creating a Turning Point radio station to share ideas, best practice and points of interest across the country. They also spoke about education and their

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work with the community police around keeping safe.

Peterborough shared how people with a learning disability had been getting involved in recruiting their own staff. In particular Philip Patterson had been working hard with his speech and language therapist and is now in the position where he is sitting on interview panels for his staff.

Representatives from Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent shared their recent experience of going to the Speakers House in Parliament.

Warwickshire People’s Parliament shared their winning entry to the ‘what involvement means to me’ competition and spoke with pride about how members of their forum were peer advocates for those members who needed more support in sharing their views.

Chatterbox, Wiltshire’s People’s Parliament spoke about their forums works around safeguarding and what makes a good support worker. Through

great use of Multi Media Advocacy, Geoffrey Partridge shared a film of his holiday.

Launch of the Involvement Charter The day saw the launch of the new Involvement Charter for Turning Point’s Learning Disability Services. The Involvement Charter has been coproduced by people we support, staff and management across the Learning Disability Services. We held two Involvement Review Days: one in the north and one in the south, where we held workshops to gather people’s views around.

What service user involvement means to people.

What’s good about the way we involve people we support currently and

What we could be doing better to ensure Service User Involvement is happening in the ways the people we support want it to work.

The feedback from the

two days was then pulled into common themes and set out as 5 Standards of Involvement in the form of a charter.

In Birmingham this was presented in front of the Chief Executive’s Team and Board who signed up to making a commitment to involving people we support in the way they have told us to. Over the next 3 months this will be rolled out across the country and will be embedded at every level of the organisation.

All staff in the Learning Disability Services will be signing up to the charter to make a commitment to involving the people we support in the ways outlined in the charter.

The last session of the day was Question Time with Fiona Ritchie, Julie Bass, Assistant Chief Executive, David Hoare, Deputy Chief Executive Paul Pickett, Non Executive Board Member and Victor.

It was a great day and we are already thinking about how we can make next year as successful.

Thank you to all involved!

nt Contents continued...

Below: The Involvement Charter being co-produced at the Involvement Review Day in Manchester. The launch of the 5 Standards of Involvement and Turning Point’s Chief Executive, Victor Adebowale signing up to the Involvment Charter at the National People’s Parliament.

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Welcome REFOCUS This edition’s Service spotlight is on REFOCUS, previously known as Focus Point, which provides Day Opportunities for people with a range of learning disabilities and complex needs. Located close to the centre of Salisbury, the service works well with individuals to help them identify and take part in activites that are meaningful to them.

As Focus Point entered their 25th anniversary year, they took the opportunity to re-launch the service.

After lots of discussions and giggles with the people they support and staff, they decided to rename the service REFOCUS. The new name reflects how they not only want to maintain what is a good service but want to make it an outstanding one, that they are all proud to be a part of. To do so they are comitted to focus on what they do well and to refocus on other aspects of their service delivery to excell.

To mark the relaunch an amazing afternoon of fun, good food and entertainment was held, for all the people supported at REFOCUS, their families and staff . The people we support chose a circus theme to comemorate the day and enjoyed being involved in everything from watching the clowns and circus performers to trying their hand at plate spinning. Elaine Sears, mum to Holly who is supported by the service summed up the event nicely, in a letter to Zanna Finnerty, Team Leader at REFOCUS.

Dear Zanna, A big THANK YOU to you and your staff yesterday for putting on such an amazing afternoon of fun - the clown was brilliant, the chef was amazing and the cakes were divine - good food, entertainment and ‘welcomness’ - if there is such a word! Both Holly and myself had a lovely afternoon and it was obvious that so much hard work had been put into getting everything ready. Thank you again and look forward to seeing the DVD. Elaine Sears, (Holly’s Mum).

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To find out more please contact Zanna FinnertyTeam Leader REFOCUS, zanna.finnerty@turning-point.co.uk

The The Link Link

Contents Hello Dolly!

Tara, is supported in Kent. Back in September she enjoyed a day out in London with her mum, supported by Ellen and Donna. Read on to find out what she got up to and who she bumped into...

“I woke up rather excited and Ellen and Donna helped me to get ready, pick my Mum up and jump on the train to Charing Cross When we arrived in London we made our way to the London Eye. On the way I saw Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

When we arrived at the London Eye it was a little busy so we bought our tickets and went and had some lunch by the Thames; Fish and Chips which were just delicious!

After lunch I wanted to explore so we went to the green on the South Bank to take a look around.

It was then time for me to go on the London Eye. My, it gets bigger with every step closer! I was a bit in awe of the size of the wheel but the staff were really helpful in supporting me to step onto the pod.

I was very brave but I wasn’t going to let go of the handrail or my Mum’s hand just in case! Although I did wave to the queen in Buckingham Palace, it looked a bit far away so I’m going for a closer look around next time as I hear the Palace is lovely inside.

As we came to the end of our ride we noticed that it had got a lot busier. Then we spotted the legend that is DOLLY PARTON! She had come to see me! She got on the ride just before we got off so we had an ice cream whilst we waited to see her.

She came off the ride and I made my move. Everyone wanted a pictureHARD with WILMER ATDolly WORK but she wasn’t keen. Then, one of her people noticed me and asked if I wanted a picture. Er yes I would! Everyone was jealous as I was the only one to have a picture taken with Dolly which made me feel really special, although she did have to wait until I had finished my tea!

We then had a nice slow walk back to the train station If you are supported along the Thames, carefully avoiding all the shops that my by Turning Point and Mum wanted to go in! like Tara would like to On the train we had a picnic share your story please tea and arrived home tired email: but very happy that I was able to spend such a lovely day with my Mum.” LDinvolvement @turning-point.co.uk

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50 yea Service User Involvement Turning

There have been a lot of events taking place aro a few of the ways we have been celebrating this

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his year marks Turning Point’s 50th anniversary: 50 years ago founder Barry Richards launched a small non-profit organisation called Helping Hands which was formed to help people with issues related to alcohol. Helping Hands developed into Turning Point in 1984. At the time, Helping Hands was the UK’s first attempt to help those with alcohol problems, by using a community based, residential programme. Barry Richards was breaking new ground.

He dared to believe that life could be better for people affected by these issues and this bold spirit of inspiring new opportunities for people is what has motivated Turning Point ever since. The spirit has enabled us to grow into a pioneering force for change, operating around 200 services in the areas of Learning Disability, Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Primary Care, Employment, Criminal Justice and Community Engagement.

As we move into our 50th anniversary year; we have been finding ways to celebrate our achievements together. Fifty years is a significant landmark and we have come a long way, but there is still so much for us to do to reach the many people who need our support. We look forward to continuing to work with you on this journey.

Pictured, celebrations from across the country. From Halloween Party’s to BBQ’s to Bake Off’s, people across Turning Point have been celebrating the big 50 in their own way.

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ars of g Point

ound the country to mark our big 50. Here’s just s important milestone.

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Welcome

Awa rd s time

Extraordinary Person of the Month The past few months have seen some great achievements from the people we support.

Read on to find out why people have been recent winners of the Extraordinary Person of the Award.

Pictured above, Eileen Kavenagh from Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

Eileen has been attending cookery classes and has recently started her first job working in a cafe, run by Elite in Newcastle Library. Eileen is very proud of herself and we are very proud of her. Well done Eileen!

Pictured below, Martin Eden from Hertfordshire.

Martin was taught how to fasten and unfasten the seat belt, now he is helping other people with his skill. Well done Martin!

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Pictured below, Ryan Gibbs from Kent.

Pictured below, David Bennett from Bedfordshire.

Ryan has enrolled at a local college and he has been showing motivation & commitment to attending every week, even when the going got tough. Well done Ryan!

David asked he if could make the Yorkshire Pudding for Sunday Lunch, he has been supported on many occasions to do so but this time he wanted to ‘go it alone’ making the Yorkshire’s.

He asked to be given verbal guidelines only. David concentrated really hard and produced the most AMAZING Yorkshire puddings we had ever seen!

Everyone really enjoyed them and asked for seconds. David said he had never been so proud. Well done David!

Contents Pictured above, David and Robert Clark from Northumberland.

David and Robert are brothers who have lived with and been supported by their elder brother John for 15 years. In November they moved into their own property with 24 hour support from Turning Point.

Prior to their move they had very limited independent living skills.

They have not only coped with an enormous amount of change, they have also taken on board the added responsibilities of being active and responsible tenants; from washing dishes to changing their bedding.

They have also been engaging in their local community. Well done David and Robert!

Left , Stephen Addison from Derby.

Stephen, recently started his cookery course which has been going very well and been very positive. He’s already made cake, pizza and more recently corned beef pie which he shared with his housemates Well done Stephen!

Right, Mark Downey from Bradford.

Mark for working really hard on some challenging issues in his life and dealing with them extraordinarily well! Well done Mark!

Right, Tom Truslove from Warwickshire.

Tom for making a positive contribution to the project worker interviews for a post in the service which he lives. Well done Tom!

Below, Mark Simpson from Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent

Right, Lawrence Murphy from Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

Mark has been supported to transform his garden from a blank canvas to one anyone would be proud of. Working tirelessly throughout the summer he created a small vegetable plot which provides not only a pleasant looking garden to relax in but also fresh vegetables to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We are all very proud. Well done!

Lawrence spoke in london to representatives from MIND who act as appropriate adults when individuals are taken into custody. He helped explain how they can support people who they think might have a learning disability. Well done Lawrence!

Left, Michael Mills from Hertfordshire.

Michael for the effort he has made in welcoming a new resident to live at Sybden. He has learnt and taken on board some new skills with regards to his laundry and now takes responsibility for folding and putting his clothes away. Well done Michael!

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Raising Awareness of Social Care In September, Turning Point hosted an event to raise awareness of Learning Disabilities in Speakers House in Parliament. the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Real Life Options and Dimensions.

Kate Jones Senior Research Advisor, External Affairs Turning Point

Four members

of Parliament attended the event including John Glen, MP for our Wiltshire services who helped us launch the event alongside our Managing Director of Learning Disabilities, Fiona Ritchie, the Bishop of Carlisle and two Councillors.

People we support from each of the seven regions we have learning disability services in also attended as well as people with learning disabilities from other organisations, including

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The event gave people with learning disabilities and their carers the opportunity to talk with MPs, Peers and Councillors about the issues that effect them as well as tell them about some of the things they have achieved.

We also launched our top learning disability priorities for the next Government. We want to ensure that the next Government prioritises the needs of people with learning disabilities and their carers and addresses the following key barriers that are currently faced.

These ideas came from people we support and their staff at the Involvement Review Days which also informed the Involvement Charter featured on page 6.

Top Priorities

1

Support for People with Learning Disabilities to live as independently as possible, in appropriate accommodation

2

Progress to end health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities

3

An employment and benefits system that is fair and supportive

4

More positive images of people with a learning disability

5

Realisation of the Care Act reforms through adequate funding

The event was a success and was greatly enjoyed by all who attended.

A number of MPs who were unable to attend the event have since arranged visits to Turning Point Learning Disability services in their constituencies.

This included a visit by Marcus Jones MP to The Poplars, Warwickshire.

MARCUS JONES MP SAID:

There is always a very warm welcome at The Poplars. I was delighted to visit again. The friendly staff do a fantastic job supporting two people with ve severe needs.

We have also had visits from Mark Pawsey MP, Ronnie Campbell MP, Gerry Sutcliffe MP , Rob Flello MP, Laura Sandys MP, Nadhim Zahawi MP, Richard Fuller MP , Sir Roger Gale MP and Ian Lavery MP .

b ery

Other news…

Party Conferences Our Chief Executive, Lord Victor Adebowale, attend all three of the Political Party conferences. He had meetings with the Care Minister, Norman Lamb MP and the Minister for Disabilities, Mark Harper MP where he has spoken about our top learning disability priorities.

Sir Stephen Bubb report In November the ‘Winterbourne View Time for Change’ report was published. The report was led by Sir Stephen Bubb and was an independent report into the future care of people with learning disabilities.

The report makes a series of recommendations for the NHS, local Government, regulators and the Government, that include supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to move out of hospitals and into the community.

Launch of Labour’s Health Plan During the launch of Labour’s health plan Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham MP made several references to people with learning disabilities, setting out his commitment to ensuring they have equal access to healthcare and specialist community support.

If you have any comments on any of the above please do get in touch: Email: kate.jones@ turning-point.co.uk

The report contains a number of positive aspirations however we believe that more commitment, leadership and accountability is required to make the changes suggested in the report happen.

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The Link has been designed for you.

It’s about you and the people you care about, connecting families and carers of people with a learning disability from around the country. Please tell us what you think and how we can make it better next time.

What is important to you? What you say matters and we want to share your ideas and stories. Tell us more about what you would like to read about.

Get in touch today Tell us what you think by emailing TheLink@turning-point.co.uk or via post to The Link, Turning Point, Clarence House , Clarence Street , Leamington Spa , CV31 2AD Letters may be edited.

The Link will be distributed quarterly. If you would prefer not to receive it, you can opt out by emailing the address above, or via telephone on 020 7481 6228.

www.turning-point.co.uk

Useful Numbers General Turning Point enquiries: Standon House (London) 020 7481 7600 The Exchange (Manchester) 0161 238 5100

Ideas, comments and stories: Estelle Khiari Turning Point 01926 423034

Turning TurningPoint Pointisisaaregistered registeredcharity charityNo. No.23454565.

23454565.Address: Address:Standon StandonHouse, House,21 21Mansell MansellStreet StreetLondon, London,E1 E18AA 8AA