dtvoice summer

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

Helping you stay informed about the work of The Disabilities Trust Group

Issue 24, Summer 2011

New techniques thathelp service userscommunicateDaniel learns to communicate againthanks to Melodic Intervention Therapy

McFly frontman wins £50,000 forthe Trust on TV’s The CubeTom Fletcher helps Eyes Alight

New garden for service usersMaking the most of the good weather in Eastbourne

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

Editorial

There has been a lot inthe news recentlyabout adult social care

with proposed reforms to theDisability Living Allowance,the Panorama investigationinto abuse at WinterbourneView Care Home and theDilnot Comission, whichmade recommendations for afair and sustainable way offunding adult social care inEngland.

The Trust issued a statementin response to the reporturging the Government totake action on theCommission’s proposals. Afterall, it is not just older peoplethat will be affected but alsothe millions of people who areof working age with adisability and relying on socialcare to live their lives.

In other news, recent figuresalarmingly suggest thatpeople’s attitudes to disabilitiesare getting worse. You can readabout different experiences ofthis on page 15.

I am pleased to announcethat the RehabilitationAustralia service inMelbourne has now opened.The service offers acommunity reintegration

centre for adults who havean acquired brain injury. Thecentre will provideopportunities and modernaccommodation for 20people who are currentlyliving in Melbourne. We willkeep you updated withfurther news from the servicelater in the year.

Finally, I end with the sadnews that the founder of TheDisabilities Trust, NormanThody, passed away at hishome in Cyprus. Ourthoughts are with his family.

To keep up to date with theDisabilities Trust and ourcurrent thinking you can readmy weekly blog and ournews pages online atwww.thedtgroup.org. You canalso follow the latestdevelopments on Facebookand Twitter.

Welcome to the summer edition of DT Voice.As you can see lots has been happening across the Trust.

www.thedtgroup.org

ContentsNews

ReNew Australia........................1

Brain Injury Awareness..............2

Trust Honours Founder..............3

One Piece at a Time..................4

Features

Cover Story: Daniel....................6

Creating a Level Playing Field......8

Tom Fletcher Wins...................10

Marathon Effort........................12

Comment

Fitness to Work........................14

Attitudes Towards Disability......15

The work we do

Trish’s World.............................16

New Gardens in Eastbourne...18

Pupil Builds His CV...................19

New Gym Equipment...............20

How to help

Leaving a Gift...........................16

Barrie Oldham, Chief Executive

The Disabilities Trust Group is aRegistered Charity No. 800797.If you would like further informationabout The Disabilities Trust, pleasecontact: Communications, TheDisabilities Trust Group, First Floor,32 Market Place, Burgess Hill,West Sussex RH15 9NP. Tel: 01444 239123 Fax: 01444 244978Email: [email protected]

Cover photo courtesy of The News & Star, Carlisle

The ReNew Centre - Australia

DTVoice Summer 2011 - 1

Earlier this yearRehabilitationAustralia, which was

established by the Trust todeliver BIRT’sneurobehaviouralrehabilitation model forpeople with an acquiredbrain injury, opened itsReNew Centre inMelbourne. The Centreoffers the first service ofits kind in Australia.

Anne Buckler, RashmiSharma and Deborah Frithhave worked hard to ensurea smooth opening of the newservice. Rehabilitation

NewsAustralia partnered withleading health and disabilityorganisations in two states;the EW Tipping Foundationin Victoria and the RoyalRehabilitation Centre in NewSouth Wales to focus on theneeds of people with anacquired brain injury whomay face challenges withreintegration back to theirfamily and community

The ReNew Centre is foradults aged 18 – 65 whohave an acquired brain injury.Located in the AltonaMeadows district of the city,the ReNew service will

provide opportunities for 20people with individual ensuite bedrooms andmodern facilities.

NewsBrain Injury Awareness - Look After Your Head!

2 - www.thedtgroup.org

This year was BIRT’ssixth Look After YourHead campaign

which ran during BrainInjury Awareness Week.

The campaign, which wasaimed at young peopleacross the UK, involvedsending free educational andawareness raising packs toschools to encourageteachers to deliver sessionsto their students on thecauses of brain injury andhow to prevent a serioushead injury.

As a part of our children’scampaign this year weencouraged children, aged5-11, to take part ineducational sessions run bytheir teachers and askedthem to design a poster thatwill be the focus for nextyear’s campaign. The prize forthis competition was a bicycleand cycle helmet for the 12regional winning entries.

We are very pleased toannounce that the bandMcFly supported our 13-16+yrs Look After Your Headcampaign. Young people ingroups of up to five, havingtaken part in our awarenessraising sessions at school,were encouraged to use

what they had learned andcreate a two minute filmabout looking after your head.Films were then entered ontothe campaign facebook pageand the creators of thewinning film got the chance tomeet McFly!

BIRT servicesduring BIAW Brain Injury AwarenessWeek (BIAW) 2011 has beenour best Brain InjuryAwareness Week yet.

The majority of our servicesorganised events in andaround their grounds or localarea to celebrate the week.

The Goole Neuro-Rehabilitation Centreorganised a bed push in fancydress as well as a charity carboot sale. Daniel YorathHouse, Leeds, ran anawareness raising evening,Fen House, Ely, promoted asponsored walk with serviceusers and the Woodmill,Cullompton, staged a bird ofprey demonstration. GrahamAnderson House, Glasgow,also organised a family daycomplete with bouncy castle.

HappyBIRTday! On the 20th of July this

year we celebrated

BIRT’s 20th Anniversary

with all our services

individually and together

at the same time! Every

service across the

country held a BIRTday

party and invited people

from the local area to

celebrate with them.

Lots of fun was had at

barbecues, quizzes and

special parties across

the BIRT division.


It is with the greatestrespect that weremember Norman

Thody, founder of TheDisabilities Trust, who sadlypassed away on 17 May.

Norman founded the Trust,which started out as TheDisabled Housing Trust in 1979because he could not findsuitable provision for his sonGraham when he left a specialschool for children and youngpeople with complex physicaldisabilities. Norman washorrified by the institutionalnature of long stay homeswhere there was no privacy ordignity afforded to those wholived there. His vision was toprovide accommodationdesigned to meet individualneeds with integrationbetween service users and thecommunity and a strongemphasis on independence.

Norman, alongside StephenLove and Barbara Besant-Hutchins, raised funds, firstly tobuy land for bungalows inBurgess Hill and then aresidential service in the samearea. The latter development,Ernest Kleinwort Court waslargely funded by The ErnestKleinwort Charitable Trust. MrsErnest Kleinwort became theTrust’s President, starting a

Trust Honours Founder

relationship which still standstoday. Norman was delightedto be able to invite Diana,Princess of Wales to formallyopen the new service and alsoShinewater Court inEastbourne 3 years later. TheTrust then began to developrapidly to encompassspecialist provision, includingcommunity houses for peoplewith acquired brain injury andautism. By the time Normanretired in 1999, the Trust had14 services throughoutEngland and it continues togrow today.

Norman was apioneer who had towork hard tooverturn outdatedviews on supportfor people withdisabilities.

Norman Thody in 2005 alongside formerChair, Graham Anderson, Actress JulieFernandez and the Trust’s Patron TheDuchess of Northumberland.

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

NewsOne Piece at a Time


The One Piece at aTime photo projecthas been created to

celebrate BIRT’s 20thAnniversary. A remarkableand creative project whichinvolved the co-ordinationof over 50 people acrossthe BIRT continuum tobring together images froma moment in time.

The Communications Teamasked 20 service users totake part in the project, withthe help of staff, by taking 20images of points in their daythat are important to them.For some service users, thiswas something that theywere once unable to do forthemselves, for example,making a cup of tea, orputting on make-upthemselves.

The photographs show thedifferent milestones that

make up the journey ofrehabilitation for eachindividual and illustrates thesmall milestones that buildup to a fantasticachievement in the longterm. There are 20canvasses which make upthe One Piece at a Timeexhibition, with each canvasfeaturing 20 photographsfrom each service user whotook part. That’s 400photographs in total!

The exhibition will be touringthe country for the rest of theyear at BIRT’s freeeducational seminars forprofessionals. Details of yournearest seminar are includedin our ‘diary dates’ section onthe BIRT website. One Pieceat a Time is also the themeof our new BIRT brochurewhich accompanies theexhibition, detailing all theservices that we provide.


Congratulations toLyn Miles who hascelebrated her 25th yearof service at TheDisabilities Trust.

Lyn first joined on the 1stJuly 1986 as an Administratorat Ernest Kleinwort Court.She was instantly a favouritewith service users,particularly as she was theone responsible fordistributing their pocketmonies! Lyn would alsoassist with their care andmaking sure that everythingran smoothly.

She remembers seeing manychanges during her time atthe Trust. From working on atypewriter in an office in theroof of Ernest KleinwortCourt, to working at NorfolkLodge (which has now beenconverted into flats). Lyn wasalso one of the first to moveinto the offices at MarketPlace.”

Over the years Lyn’s role hasgrown from an Administratorand Secretary to her currentrole as Business ServiceAssistant. She has even triedher hand at cleaningwindows and catering andremembers wheeling thefood trolley into the board

room for meetings: “I had atabard and felt like a dinnerlady!” she laughed. “Onanother occasion membersof staff convinced me thewindow cleaner had left in abad mood, because hethought I’d taken his job!”

“I have met somany peopleduring the last 25years at the Trustand had some reallaughs. Let’s hopethe years to comeare just as good!”

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


FeaturesNew technique to help service users communicate

Daniel McCracken,who sufferedextensive head

injuries in a motorcycleaccident which very nearlykilled him, has learnt tocommunicate again thanksto Melodic InterventionTherapy.

Daniel was just sixteen when amotorbike accident in Carlisleleft him in a coma. He sufferedsevere damage to the left-handside of his brain, which affectedhis speech and the movementdown the right side of his body.This meant that he had to learnto speak again and go throughintensive speech therapy,which became quite frustratingfor Daniel and proved relativelyunsuccessful.

Specialist Speech andLanguage Therapist LindsayKing said that although Danielwas able to process thoughtsas before, he couldn’tcommunicate them in words,either in speech or in writing.

When Lindsay attended anational speech therapyconference she heard aboutMelodic Intervention Therapy –a newly developed techniquethat uses melody and rhythmto help patients communicate.By singing words rather than

speaking, the brain begins tolink them together again.Inspired by this idea Lindsayintroduced the therapy toDaniel. She started by tappingthe rhythm of a simple tuneonto his hand while clearlysinging the words. As they bothsang along Lindsey loweredthe tone of her voice untileventually Daniel was singingalone. Once this was masteredthey started to put commonphrases to the tunes andsinging them, which eventuallymade them easier to speak.The process works by re-routing the pathways in thebrain that have been damaged.

When the therapy beganDaniel could speak just 4syllables a minute. A year onand this has increased to 54.Although there is still a way togo it does mean that Danielcan now move into a bungalowof his own. His dad Mark said:“It’s amazing. He was a youngman trapped in a box, but he isclimbing out if it now. BeforeDaniel would’ve been incrediblyvulnerable but now he can getby with his speech.” He added:“He’s been going to collegeand doing really well: his IQ isbrilliant. He always achieves tothe best of his abilities and heinspires me every single day.”

Photos courtesy of The News & Star, Carlisle


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


FeaturesIT - Creating a Level Playing Field

Computers arebecoming more andmore part of

everyday life. In 2002Leonard Cheshire publisheda study which found that54% of disabled peoplesampled consideredinternet access essential,compared with only 6% centin the general population.

Computers allow people withdisabilities the opportunity of alevel playing field forcommunication andparticipation. Some of thebenefits of using a computerinclude the fact that computersnever get impatient orfrustrated by repeated errors,feedback is non-threateningand non-judgmental, andpeople are able to pace theirlearning at a level they arecomfortable with.

New skills can be developedand reinforced by beingrepeated regularly over time.In addition, using a computercan be highly motivating andpeople may be able tomaintain their attention forlonger periods than if theywere learning in a moretraditional way. Pictures,sound effects, animations,interactive features andmusic can make for a more

exciting and stimulatingexperience.

IT makescommunicatingfar easier formany peopleFor many service users,travelling to visit people maybe prohibitive, from both adistance and access point ofview, while communicationwith friends and family viaemail and Skype is simpleand quick. In many cases,speech and languagetherapists are making use ofIT equipment, particularlyvideo and voice recognitionsoftware. Recording peoplein therapy sessions allowsthem to hear themselves andincrease their insight intohow to improve theircommunication. This will helpimprove service users’speech and will ultimatelyimpact on how theycommunicate with theirfamily, friends, staff and otherservice users.

New computer technologiesare always being developedto complement people’slifestyles. Thomas Harris,Activities Coordinator atHamilton Lodge, has recently

been encouraging serviceusers to make use of differentiphone applications, whichhave been designed toenhance communication. Thishas proved an effective tool,particularly for those serviceusers who have autism.

Service users have also beenusing planners and scheduleapps, flash cards, emotiongames and eye contactgames which, in turn, canincrease eye contact forpeople when they areresponding to you. Thomassaid: “The apps are a newway of engaging with serviceusers. They not only assistwith practical things likeonline shopping and trackingbehaviour but they can alsohave a calming effect too; oneservice user is fascinated bythe campfire application andfinds watching the flamesflicker very soothing.” As wellas finding new applications toinspire service users,Thomas is also planning touse the new internet café atHamilton lodge.

This new equipment hasbeen funded by grantsfrom Get Connected,Colchester Catalyst and TheFowler, Smith and JonesCharitable Trust.


York House has alsobenefited from a grant fromthe Ian Karten CharitableTrust which has helped tofund things like interactivewhite boards, touch screencomputers and newcomputer programmes.

The Hotel MarketingAssociation (HMA) made agenerous contribution to TheDisabilities Trust. Thedonation will buy a whole

range of accessible computertechnology which will open anew world for service users.

John Inverdale, a friend ofThe Disabilities Trust metwith Andrea McKay, Chairof the HMA, and explainedhow important it is for allservice users to haveaccess to up-to-datetechnologies and ITequipment.

Andrea McKay and John Inverdale

“Using a computer can be highly motivating and peoplemay be able to maintain their attention for longer periods.”


McFly’s front manTom Fletcher haswon a staggering

£50,000 for the BIRT’sEyes Alight appeal on ITV’sgame show, The Cube.

The programme seescelebrities put into a largeclear perspex cube and giventasks to complete, with thestakes raised each time tohigher and higher amountswhich are donated to the

the thought of doingwhatever it is that will inspiretheir happiness. It could be atrip to the ballet, a footballmatch or even an afternoonof being pampered by abeautician.

Brain injury rehabilitation is along journey for some people.At BIRT we provide thehighest standards of supportfor all those undergoingneuro-rehabilitation.

celebrity’s chosen charity.Tom Fletcher very kindlychose to split his winningsbetween BIRT and ComicRelief. We are so thankful toTom and all his efforts! Eyes Alight, created inconjunction with BIRT andEscala’s Izzy Johnston, aimsto give BIRT service usersthe chance to do somethingthat they have always wantedto do. Literally to make ourservice users’ eyes light up at

FeaturesMcFly’s Tom Fletcher wins £50,000 for the Truston ITV’s ‘The Cube’

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


Although fees covereverything that is needed toprovide a high quality efficientand effective rehabilitationservice, there is no provisionfor those little extras and thatis where fundraising is sovaluable.

Izzy’s brother Rupert wasinvolved in a serious caraccident when he was 17leaving him with lifethreatening injuries andserious brain damage.Rupert, a very talentedclassical musician, whojoined the national youthorchestra at the age of 15 toplay the French Horn, was ina coma for 18 months andthe Johnston family didn’tknow if Rupert would live.Izzy has made a film aboutRupert’s life and otherservice users at BIRTservice, Kent House inAylesbury to help launchthe campaign.

The campaign was launchedat a concert held atHarpenden Civic Halls inMarch. The concert featuredclassical music from studentsfrom the music school‘Musicale’ run by the Johnstonfamily. Service users and stafffrom Kent House attended thelaunch and enjoyed the firstshowing of Izzy’s film.

If you’d like to find out more,please visit:www.birt.co.uk/eyesalight orfind us on Facebook.Alternatively, if youwould like to getinvolved infundraising tohelp us raiseeven more forthe appeal, please call us on01444 237286 or [email protected]

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

Marathon Effort for a Good Cause


We have hadanother fantasticyear with a

number of marathonrunners running on behalfof The Disabilities Trustand we would like to say abig thank you to all ofthose who took part.

Brighton Marathon Runners:Rod Catton, Louis Wright,Chris Stacey, Lauren Kirby,Emma Mackrory-Jamieson,Dawn Sherwood, JimmyElkins, Scott Chinchen, TylerBlake, Ian Day

London Marathon Runners:Nigel Parker, Iain Mackrory-Jamieson (pictured), TimSherman, Luke Flatman(pictured), Kate Tofilska, ColinBateman, Alison Whittaker,Ross Caffell

The Marathon raised over£17,000 for the Trust. Of courseevery runner has their ownreasons for wanting to putthemselves through thegruelling 26.2 mile challengebut here is a selection of just afew of their inspirational stories:

Nigel ParkerNigel is Chairman of CentralFootball Club and also worksas a building contractor inExeter. He worked on The

Paddock bungalow, which islinked to The Woodmill – theTrust’s brain injury service inDevon. It was during his timeat the service that he decidedhe would like to do more. Nigelsaid: “The Paddock was builtto provide the Trust’s serviceusers with moreindependence. It is a vitalservice for people in the areaand I felt like I should dosomething to support this.”Nigel’s training had beengoing well until one day whenhe was out running hesuddenly collapsed. His heartstopped for about ten secondsand he had to be fitted with apacemaker. Not one to be putoff, Nigel carried on andcompleted the Marathon –raising vital funds for thecharity with the help of hisfamily and the football club.

Ross CaffellSeven year’s ago Ross’ brothercollapsed at home and nearlydied from a bleed on the brain.He was only 28 at the time andafterwards his life changeddramatically. Following a twoyear stay at a BIRT serviceRoss’ brother regained some ofthe independence he hadbefore. He learnt to talk againand move about for himself.Ross says: “A brain injury canhappen to anyone at any timeand I want people to be giventhe chance of getting the samehelp that my brother had.”

If you would like to take partin one of our running events,or find out about other waysthat you can get involved infundraising for the Trustplease visitwww.thedtgroup.org

Features


Cisco Lend aHand atHeathermountStaff from Cisco Systems wereat Heathermount School to givetwo of the classrooms amakeover. The team spent theday painting, decorating anddoing general DIY with a littlehelp from some of the studentswho were keen to join in. Theyall had a great time atHeathermount and can’t wait todo another challenge there.David Stewart, Executive Headof Heathermount, said: “We arereally grateful to Cisco for givingus some of their time. Thepupils loved getting involved andmeeting new faces.”

More and more companies aretaking part in challenge daysfor us, including Barclays andZurich. Challenges are a greatway to enhance team buildingand give something back to thelocal community. If you wouldlike to get involved, pleasecontact the fundraising [email protected]

Collectingacross SussexWe would like to say a bigthank you to all of thebusinesses who havedisplayed a collection tin toraise funds for the Trust. TheMaster Cobblit, which isbased at The OrchardsShopping Centre (HaywardsHeath) has so far been ourmost successful collector,raising £569.00 for the Trust.

Tim Coke (above right), whodistributes the collection tinsacross Sussex, presented acertificate to Mathew Aartsen(above left) who runs thecobblers on 20 May.

The collection tins are agood way of raising funds forthe Trust but they are also agreat way of raisingawareness, reminding peoplewho we are and what we do!

Luke FlatmanLuke is recovering from abrain injury following a seriouscar accident in 2008 which lefthim in a coma for ten daysand receiving medicaltreatment for six months.

Luke followed an eight weekneuro-rehabilitationprogramme at Fen House,which gave him the supporthe needed to complete hisuniversity studies. Lukedecided to run the LondonMarathon because he wantedto give something back.Lukesays: “The staff [at Fen House]gave me some really helpfulsupport just before returning touniversity and this made merealise just what an invaluableresource the service is.”

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

Fitness to Work


Commentmade to the benefits systemand welcomes policies thatsupport disabled people towork, we are concerned thatthe current tests used toassess people will notrecognise genuine caseswhere people are unable towork. This is because the testsare based around physicalcriteria alone and do not covercognitive or behavioral reasonsas to why people may not be‘fit’ to work.

Whilst there are many peoplewith a brain injury, Aspergersyndrome or high functioningautism who are keen and ableto work, there are also thosewho may have the skills tocarry out tasks required by theassessment but their difficultiesin social interaction,communication and flexibility ofthought could lead to significantproblems in the workplace andin real life situations. Ifassessors are untrained inrecognising and understandingthe impact of ‘hiddendisabilities’, they could makeincorrect decisions that peopleare fit to work based on testswhich have been carried out inan artificial environment. There is a real risk that thetests could lead to long termcosts for an individual beinghigher because people who

The first big phase ofthe Government'sradical welfare reform

programme has now startedand claimants are nowhaving Work CapabilityAssessments (WCA).

The people who arereassessed and found fit forwork will now move ontoJobseekers Allowance and willbe expected to look for worklike other jobseekers. Thosewho could work but need extrahelp and support to becomeready to work, will move ontoEmployment and Support

Allowance (ESA) and receivetailored support to get back towork.

The Government has saidthat the most severelydisabled will remain largelyunaffected and will get extrahelp through ESA, but there isno given definition of ‘severelydisabled’ and the Trust isconcerned that people withcomplex disabilities will beunfairly assessed under thesenew regulations.

Whilst the Trust recognisesthat changes need to be


Attitudes TowardsDisabilityA recent survey publishedby the charity Scopesuggests that attitudes todisability is getting worse,with disabled peopleexperiencing increasingamounts ofdiscrimination, sometimeson a daily basis.

An increase in disability hatecrime is not something whichAnne Hancox, Trustee of TheDisabilities Trust, has noticedherself but over the yearsshe has found herself thevictim of cruel taunts.However, she has come toaccept insulting behaviourfrom the public as part of herimage. She said: “I think ofthe insult to remind myself tosit properly and lookintelligent. I have learnt overthe years that retaliating tothese remarks tends to makethings worse.”

Despite 41% of the Britishpublic saying that they havenot witnessed discriminationagainst a disabled person;more than half of disabledpeople say they haveexperienced hostility,aggression or violence froma stranger because of their

condition or impairment.Anne went on to say thatshe has needed to becomesomewhat ‘thick-skinned’when it comes to being onthe receiving end of suchtreatment. She added:“Other people withdisabilities would takeumbrage at this appallingand insulting behaviour andquite right too.”

Holly Maby, a supporter ofthe Trust, has AspergerSyndrome. She often feelsthat her condition ismisunderstood, even byprofessionals who are thereto help. As a result Holly hasoften felt ignored and letdown. She said: “People justdidn’t know what to do. Itried explaining what is likelyto make me feel anxious butpeople would not alwayslisten; it became a negativecycle.” She added: “Somepeople don’t understand myAspergers and so they thinkthat I’m just being rude.I really think that generalawareness of Aspergersyndrome should be raised.”

For more information aboutautism training please call01444 237263 and ask tospeak to theCommunications Team.

are genuinely unable to work,but are forced back to workthrough inaccurateassessment, may well endup needing more intensesupport as their conditiondeteriorates.

“They could makeincorrect decisionsthat people are fitto work based ontests which havebeen carried out inan artificialenvironment.”

The government wants totoughen up on benefitclaimants while supportingthose in genuine need.It now has a real opportunityto reform the system and hasalready made some positivemoves by ensuring thatpeople returning to work cankeep some of their benefits.However, it must ensure thatmeasures to assess ability towork take into account‘hidden’ disabilities,particularly cognitive andbehavioural as well as moreapparent physical issues.

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


The work we doTrish’s World -An Insight into being Visually Impaired

Patricia Thompson, aservice user at YorkHouse, is sharing

her experiences of beingpartially sighted in a projectcalled ‘Trish’s World’.

With the assistance of herSenior Rehabilitation SupportWorker, Lucy, Patriciadevised a programme to giveothers an understanding ofhow her limited vision affectsher everyday life.

‘Trish’s World’ involvesparticipants wearing a pair ofgoggles, with one lens tapedover and the other lensscratched with sand paper togive a blurred effect.

Participants are escorted byPatricia around the groundsof York House, on variousroutes during daylight andevening hours, to give them areal sense of what it is likefor somebody with limited

sight to do something whichothers might take for granted.

Emma Harris, a vocationaltrainer at York House, wasn’tsure what to expect whenshe first took part in theproject, she said: “Walkingaround the grounds with thegoggles on, relying onPatricia to guide me aroundsafely was a completely newexperience to me. My visionhas always been fine, so to


Service users are taughtthrough the use of flashcards,DVDs and workbooks. JanetteWalker, who is acting projectcoordinator said: “Thesessions are about instillingthe confidence andknowledge in service userswhich will help them deal withan emergency situation,should one ever arise.” Sheadded: “Not only do serviceusers really enjoy thesessions but each person whohas taken part receives acertificate, which creates areal sense of achievement.”Daniel Yorath House hopes totrain as many service usersas possible over the next year.

First Aid Trainingat Daniel YorathHouseStaff at Daniel Yorath House,Leeds, have been teachingservice users essential first aidskills thanks to a newpartnership with the BritishRed Cross Society’sCommunity Based First AidService at Humanity House inLeeds. Ten staff attended a‘train the trainer’ day whichcovered basic first aid andpresentation skills and they arenow in the process ofdelivering the training sessionsto service users.

Each first aid session istailored to meet the specificneeds of each service user inan inclusive and flexible way.Sessions are delivered withinvolvement from the Speechand Language Therapist. Firstaid topics covered mightinclude: calling the emergencyservices, caring for anunconscious casualty who isbreathing, caring for a casualtywho is not breathing, choking,blood loss, seizures and takingcare of burns and scalds;although the topics covered inthe session might varydepending on the individualneeds of the service user.

suddenly lose sight of thebumps in the ground and thesteps on the pavement reallymade me aware of the dailydifficulties people who arevisually impaired have toovercome. I wouldrecommend anyone to takepart in this project.”

As well as using the walks toeducate others, Patricia hasalso been teaching participantshow to read Braille.

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


The work we doShinewater in Bloom

Graham Livermore, whorecently retired as ActivitiesOrganiser at Shinewater,has been visiting once aweek to offer gardeningadvice and assist serviceusers with planting flowers,herbs and vegetables.Graham has also beenarranging group trips to localgarden centres and opengardens, to get a littleinspiration and of coursestock up on new plants andseeds. He is currently on thehunt for speakers to come inand give demonstrationsand gardening talks to theservice users.

Ginny Currie, ActivitiesCoordinator at Shinewater,said: “At the moment thereare about lots of serviceusers who take an activeinterest in the garden andwho enjoy being involved inthe project.

We have set up a gardeningclub, who meet regularly andwe hope to have a barbecuefor friends and families wherewe can show off all our hardwork and sample some ofour home grown produce.”

Service users atShinewater Court,Eastbourne, have

been making the most ofthe good weather bymaking improvements totheir garden.

The garden, which iswheelchair friendlythroughout, has recentlybeen improved with the helpof a local landscapegardener who came in toconstruct some raised flowerbeds using differentmaterials including pebbles,wood and brick to create arange of effects.


HeathermountPupil is BuildingHis CVNathan Johnson, 16, a studentat Heathermount, our schoolfor children with autism inAscot, has helped build a newkiosk which will be used to selltreats and ice creams atBroomhall Recreation Ground.Nathan has been involved in anumber of projects as part ofhis work experience atSunningdale Parish Council.He has been working closelywith grounds managerGraeme Kennedy and hashelped cutting grass, clearingwoodland and layingfoundations. Of his buildingsuccess, Nathan said: “It’sgood to see the finishedproduct and it will be nice tosee people using it and tothink - I did that.”

Nathan has been involved witha number of horticulturalprojects at Heathermount andwould like to work towards acareer in landscaping.Christine Gadd, a Governor atHeathermount and chairmanof the Parish Council, said: “Ithas been lovely seeing himgain confidence and developsince he started with us, whichwill help him when preparingfor employability.”

was involved in making a seriesof DVD’s explaining theadvantages of having youngpeople with autism in theworkplace. She said: “Peoplewith autism are a valuableaddition to the workplace. Thenature of autism means thatthey don’t always experience theworld in the way that we do, sowe must make sure that wecommunicate in a way that iseasily understood.”

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

“It’s good to see thefinished product andit will be nice to seepeople using it andto think - I did that.”

The school works hard tosecure work placements for alltheir students, which benefitsboth pupils and employers.Helen Tridgell, of theCommunications Department


The work we do

Service users atHollyrood, Lindfield,are now able to enjoy

new gym equipment thanksto The Burgess Hill,Haywards Heath & DistrictRound Table.

It was personal trainer, JennyGreenfield, who runs regularsessions at Hollyrood’s onsitegym, who put the serviceforward for funding. The newequipment includes: a treadmill,two exercise bikes, a crosstrainer and a rowing machine.The opening of the updatedgymnasium was attended byJenny Greenfield of RapidResults Personal Training, PaulRalph from The FitnessWorkshop at Hoopers and PaulRobinson and Matt Wincklessfrom the Round Table.

Martin Stean, ActivitiesCoordinator at Hollyrood, said:“Keeping active is somethingthat we like to encourage all of

New Gym Equipment at Hollyrood

Mark’s holidayMark Tickner has recentlyreturned from a holiday atButlins which he plannedhimself. Mark has been atHollyrood for over 10 yearsand gradually, over time, hasbecome more confident tothe extent that he felt that hecould leave for a short break.He researched where to go,what he needed to take withhim, how he was going tomanage his finances and,most importantly, who wouldaccompany him.

Mark had a wonderful timeand he is already planning hisnext holiday. He is anenthusiastic photographer,particularly keen on using film,but while away he used adigital camera and was verypleased with the results.

Mark’s return to Hollyrood wasspecial too, as he moved to anew house and has designedand bought things for his newroom. Mark said, “I had awonderful holiday and amlooking forward to going againbut I like my lovely new room.”

our service users to do. Notonly is it good for generalhealth but it can also helpguide behaviour too. Hopefullywith the new equipmentinstalled we will see a fewnew faces in the gym!”

“Keeping active issomething that welike to encourageall of our serviceusers to do.”


BirthdayCelebrations atJane Percy HouseAndrew Long, a serviceuser at Jane Percy House –the Trust’s service for peoplewith physical disabilities inNorthumberland, celebratedhis 65th Birthday on 27 May.His family joined the serviceusers and staff to celebratewith a buffet and a bar. Therewas also entertainment fromsinger Miss Hollywood.Andrew has been at JanePercy House since June

Laura is Learnerof the Year

Laura Shipley, a BankWorker for the CarltonResource Centre in Barnsley,was recently presented aLearner of the Year award byTrain to Gain at an awardsceremony which was held atthe Holiday Inn, Barnsley.

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

pair tied the knot inDecember 2004.Above: Andrew and Ilene Long

Laura was nominated for theaward by the tutors at Train toGain after she completed herHealth and Social Carequalification and achievedher NVQ Level 3.

Laura began at the CarltonResource Centre, a daycentre for adults with physicaldisabilities in Barnsley, inOctober 2008 after shesigned up to do a workplacement as a student atBarnsley College. Sheenjoyed her time there somuch that she decided tovolunteer at the centre whilstworking towards herqualifications. In September2009 she was made a Bank

Worker at the centre. Of hersuccess Laura said: “I wasreally shocked to win theaward. I had beennominated for other awardsbefore but never won.” Sheadded: “I have been herefor two and a half yearsnow and it’s a really goodatmosphere; I get on sowell with service users andstaff. I’d definitely like towork towards getting somemore training – maybe oneday I could become teamleader.”

Laura was joined at theawards ceremony byService Manager BrianAlmand and Lisa Stewart.

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

How to help


Demand for theTrust’s services isgrowing and we are

continually working onnew developments to makea difference to the lives ofeven more people.

A gift in your Will, no matterhow big or small, can help usplan ahead for the future.Sensory rooms, accessibletechnology and activityequipment are not covered bystatutory funding, but they canhave a profound impact onrehabilitation and with fundingwe will be able to continue toprovide these extras.

Although many of us find itdifficult to think about theinevitable and will put offwriting or updating a Will foras long as possible it isimportant to consider thedifference that you can makeby leaving a gift to charity.

74% of the populationcurrently support charitiesand 35% of people saythey'd happily leave a gift intheir will once family andfriends had been providedfor. However, it has beenestimated that only 7%actually do. In fact, if the 7%of people who give was

Leaving a Gift

raised by just 4%, it wouldcreate an additional £1billion for charities in theUK every year.

For more informationabout leaving a gift inyour Will to TheDisabilities Trust, pleasevisit www.thedtgroup.orgTalk to us directly bycalling 01444 237286or complete the formbelow and we willrespond to your request.

Registered Charity in England and Wales 800797and Scotland SC038972

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

Your details

Name

Home address

Postcode

Email Telephone

I would like to receive more informationabout how I can leave a gift in my Will toThe Disabilities Trust

I would like to receive information aboutchanging my existing Will to include a giftto The Disabilities Trust

Thank you very muchWe may contact you in the future about our work and how you can support us.

If you prefer not to be contacted, please tick this box.

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

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