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Aiming for life news Winter 2010 Issue 6 Spring 10:A4 5/2/10 11:09 Page 1

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Page 1: Livability News Feb 2010

Aimingfor life

newsWinter 2010 Issue 6

Spring 10:A4 5/2/10 11:09 Page 1

Page 2: Livability News Feb 2010

Going where the

sun shines brightly

08456 584478www.livability.org.uk

Livability provides holidays for more than 4,000 people a year. Our fully-accessible catered accommodation and self-catering holidayhomes offer great breaks. We specialise in providing affordable holidays for disabled people as well astheir families and friends.Let us book you in.

Registered charity no: 1116530

Spring 10:A4 5/2/10 11:09 Page 2

Page 3: Livability News Feb 2010

ContentsDancing days 5

Leaps and bounds 6

Aiming for a full life 8

Campaigning news 11

Events 13

Livability creates choices for disabled people and brings life tolocal communities. We trace our history back to the Victorianpioneers Lord Shaftesbury and John Groom. Today we offer awide range of support and education for disabled people andalso provide churches with resources to impact their communities.Livability’s president is Baroness Howarth of Breckland and ourroyal patron is HRH The Princess Royal.

Aiming for a fulllife 8

Roger Royle’sSinai roundup13

Victoria update14

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Page 4: Livability News Feb 2010

Dear supporter.

In this edition of Livability News we’reexcited to share stories of tworemarkable men with whom we work.

Andy was a fire-fighter until a car-crashresulted in severe brain damage,devastating his speech and movement.Hugo’s studies and sports were cutshort by a shocking knife attack whichleft him in a coma. Both men are nowon the long, slow road to recovery.And we at Livability are playing ourpart, providing residential care andphysiotherapy for Andy and helpingHugo to get out and about, rebuildinghis shattered confidence.

As well as working with individuals, weare working to change the attitudesand systems which hold disabledpeople back. In this edition, you’ll readabout our recent training day helpingchurch leaders understand how toinvolve disabled people in the heart oftheir communities. And our campaignsteam is working hard to ensure thatdisabled people have the informationthey need to make the most ofchanging government systems.

It is a privilege to be able to work withpeople like Hugo and Andy. Theirdetermination and positive attitude tolife challenge and inspire us all. And Ihope that you feel inspired too – youare very much a part of the teamwhich is making all this happen.

Mary Bishop, chief executive

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Message fromMary

Friends like theseFriends of Edgware is a group which exists to support Brookside,our residential home in north London. They have recently raised over£4,000 towards upgrading bathroom equipment. New showerchairs and slings enable residents to be safely transferred in and outof showers or baths.

The funds were raised through a sponsored walk by the ReverendMichael Shaw, former chief executive of John Grooms, as well askind gifts from individuals and trusts. The David Laing Foundationalso gave a gift in memory of the late Joan Pacheco, a loyalsupporter whose fundraising golf days were the highlight of theEdgeware friends' calendar.

A legacy of hopeThe family of one of our generous supporters recently saw thedifference that a legacy makes.

“Our late beloved mum left a letter with her will which requested thata £10,000 gift be made to John Grooms. After discussion with thelegacies department at Livability, we decided to use the moneytowards the cost of refurbishing a bedroom and ensuite bathroomunit at Hinwick Hall. They agreed to name the unit after Mum, whichis immensely comforting to our whole family.”

The family, who wish to remain anonymous, were given a guidedtour of the new facilities. Refurbishing the Robinson unit at Hinwickhas meant that we now have space for ten new students, whowould otherwise have been unable to attend the college.

“Our mother was interested in the work the charity did with disabledpeople, and supported them for many years. It will be wonderful toknow that her legacy will make a lasting difference to the lives ofdisabled young people.”

If you would like to discuss how your legacy could benefit specificLivability projects, before instructing your solicitor, contact AlastairEmblem on 020 7452 2118.

New equipment will make a real difference for these Brookside residents

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Page 5: Livability News Feb 2010

Following last year's visit by the English NationalBallet, Victoria Education Centre have startedtheir own ballet class. Jamie Williams from ourfundraising department went to investigate.

Every Wednesday evening, after school, a group ofdisabled children head to the drama studio at VictoriaEducation Centre and Sports College (VEC), for theirweekly ballet class. Having been inspired by thedancers from the English National Ballet who visitedthe school back in March 2009, Belinda Ellicott, headof dance at VEC, has set up an accessible andinclusive class where ballet is available to anyone whowants to take part.

I arrived to find teachers and students workingtogether to ready the studio for the class. Mats werebeing laid out and students were preparing for thephysical demands of the class. 13 year old Natalie waslacing her beautiful pink ballet shoes that I laterdiscovered were a gift to her from the principal dancerat the English National Ballet.

The class began, and what I thought would be a basicintroduction to ballet turned out to be a fully structuredclass. They were learning frappes, plies, andbattement tendu; words I had never heard before, butseemed like second nature to the students.

Dancingdays

“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful,more powerful.” Agnes de Mille

The golfers from news agency Thomson Reuters

Regardless of their individual abilities, each child takingpart in the class was finding a way to fully participate.Everyone was finding a way to express themselvesthrough dance. Physiotherapists were helping childrenpoint their toes, and wheelchair users were spinning sofast I felt dizzy. Some of the children in the classcouldn’t walk; some couldn’t talk, but because of theincredible vision of VEC and Belinda Ellicott, everysingle person in that room could dance.

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Our second annual golf day took place on thebeautiful course at Selsdon Park, Croydon. Weenjoyed an exciting day’s play, followed by a galadinner and prize ceremony. As well as individualsupporters, we were joined by corporate teamsincluding Thomson Reuters, Punter Southall, HealthLambert, Alexander Forbes, Connaught Complianceand Guardian Water. Total Office won the teamcompetition and PKF followed close behind. We alsoreceived kind donations and sponsorship fromcompanies including Zurich Insurance, PunterSouthall, Barclays, Bates Wells and Braithwaite,Fletcher King Howard and Anthony Collins Solicitors.

Thanks to all who took part – we’re already lookingforward to next year.

LivabilityGolf Day 2009

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Page 6: Livability News Feb 2010

Trampolining strengthensmuscles, improves balance

and is great fun

Five years ago, when my sonAndy was just 23 years old, theunthinkable happened. Andyhad finished a long shift workingas a fireman. Although he wastired, he went to visit a friendwho had just been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Then, as hewas heading home, he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. He had a verybad swirl injury to the brain which affected his entire body. One day my sonwas fit and healthy and the next he was unable to eat, speak or walk.

The doctors told me that Andy would need full-time care and may neverget better. They offered Andy a place in a nursing home for the dying. Buthow would he find the strength and hope to fight to get better whensurrounded by death and suffering? The doctors offered me no otheralternative, so all I could do was pray.

Then my friend told me about Treetops, a high-dependency centre which provides 24-hour care. Myprayers had been very angry, but when I looked roundTreetops, I realised that thankfully they had been answered.This was a care home with a big difference. It was full oftailored specialist care, real love and, best of all, hope.

All the residents at Treetops are younger, so Andy has beenable to make lots of friends of a similar age to him. And thestaff really care about Andy’s well-being. They do everythingthey can to make sure he is not in pain. They have nevergiven up on him.

Andy has lived atTreetops, one ofour care homes inEssex, for fiveyears. His mum,Enid, tells his story.

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Leaps andbounds

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Page 7: Livability News Feb 2010

Andy fulfils a dream on the back ofa Harley

Thanks to the amazing care at Treetops, Andy has come on in leapsand bounds - the results feel like a miracle. Before Andy came toTreetops he was being fed through a drip; however, two weeks after hisarrival the nurses had got him back to eating proper food.

Eating was Andy’s first achievement and he hasn’t stopped there.Treetops organised an operation to straighten his feet and they’ve givenhim years of tailored, intensive physiotherapy. This, along with hisrelentless determination and bravery, means he is able to walk again.Admittedly it is not as easy for him to walk as it was before theaccident, but I’m so happy to see him back on his feet. If he had beenput in the home that the doctors recommended, he would only havereceived six months to recover his mobility and eating before they gaveup on him.

Andy walks most places now. He also loves jumping on the trampoline.Andy has always been really good at sports and loves the outdoors. AtTreetops the staff understand Andy’s hopes and dreams and do whatthey can to help him achieve them. One day they even took him out ona three-wheel Harley-Davidson motorbike, which was the bees’ knees.He was so excited about it that I bought him a leather jacket especiallyfor the occasion. The look of joy on his face brought a tear to my eye.

Andy’s goals for the future are to get well enough to go back to work,earn a living and be independent. I can’t thank Livability enough for helpinghim. Without their work Andy and I would not be where we are today.

To watch a short film aboutAndy, why not visit ourwebsite?

www.livability.org.uk/andy

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Thanks to Livabilitymy beloved sonAndy was given thechance to live,when everyone elsewanted to put himin a home for thedying.

Spring 10:A4 5/2/10 11:10 Page 7

Page 8: Livability News Feb 2010

Hugo ran downstairs to find two men bleeding to death on his kitchenfloor. One of their housemates wielded a seven-inch meat cleaver. Hugowas next.

He wasn’t even supposed to be home that night. He juggled two jobs,one at a warehouse and one at a bar, and made a last-minute decision toswap shifts with a colleague. “I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,”he says.

The machete attack left Hugo scarred, traumatised and unable to workbecause of his brain injuries. As a lifelong sports enthusiast, the idea thathe could never play sport again devastated him. But now, thanks to yoursupport for Livability, he’s thinking about new goals, celebrating thepositives in his life, and his next award in archery.

Hugo, now 33, had an incredibly narrow escape from the attack that killedhis housemates. As he discovered their bodies in the kitchen, his remaininghousemate turned on him, stabbing him in the back, across the face and inthe head. Hugo knew he had to run or he would be killed. He fled into thestreet, but his attacker followed, continuing to stab Hugo as he ran. Hugosays he could feel his arm dragging behind him as it hung from hisshoulder by a thread.

Aiming for a full lifeAfter surviving the knife attack that killed twoof his housemates, Hugo lost his reason forliving. Now, thanks to your support forLivability, Hugo has found a target to aim forand is rediscovering his zest for life.

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“I was in the wrongplace at the wrongtime”

Spring 10:A4 5/2/10 11:10 Page 8

Page 9: Livability News Feb 2010

In a coma for three weeks,Hugo's mother hardlyrecognised him.

At the end of the street, Hugo collapsed outside a pub. Two men draggedhim inside to safety while his attacker walked calmly away to a shop. Hugohad been stabbed 28 times and lost 6 pints of blood. Pub regulars tookinstructions from paramedics over the phone to stop the blood flow untilthe ambulance arrived.

Hugo doesn’t remember when he slipped into a coma. Perhaps it was inthe ambulance; perhaps it was after he had been transferred to Addenbrooke’sHospital in Cambridge. He was unconscious for a further three weeks.

Meanwhile, Hugo’s mother in Portugal received a phone call to say that herson had been involved in an accident. She imagined something hadhappened at work, or that he had been involved in a car crash. When shearrived at Gatwick, having overcome her fear of flying for the sake of herson, police told her that Hugo was going to die. “They told me they werewaiting for me so they could turn off the machine,” she says. “I felt sick forthe whole of the journey.”

When she saw Hugo in hospital, his head was so swollen that she did notrecognise him. She moved in to the hospital and stayed with himthroughout his coma. “It was horrible. Horrible,” she says. “But I’m glad Iwas there. He remembered every single word I said to him while he wasunconscious.”

Hugo’s mother eventually lost her job because she had to travel back andforth from Portugal to the UK to care for her son. Now, they live together inBedford, where she is her son’s carer. She writes everything down for himon notes around the house, as his brain injury affects his short-termmemory. Five years later, he is still in and out of hospital for reconstructivesurgery. He has had 15 operations to his head and many skin grafts andplastic surgery operations across his body. There are titanium metal platesin his arm. He struggles to balance and often falls over around the house.

“I bang into things,” he says. “Sometimes I think the cupboard isfurther away than it is. But I’m learning to compensate for the lack ofsight in my left eye.”

Hugo did not always have this positive, problem-solving attitude tothe life he faced after his attack. He had always been fit and active,training in basketball and even playing for a team in Portugal’s firstdivision. But amid the constant hospital visits and intenserehabilitation work, he became depressed. His weight fell to 3 stonesbelow normal and he lost the confidence to go outside.

“I had panic attacks at least twice a week,” he says. “Sometimesthey’d happen at home when I was by myself, or out in the street whenI met other people. It’s hardly surprising, after what happened to me.”

At one of his lowest ebbs, Hugo heard a talk by Livability’s LifestyleChoices at a rehabilitation clinic in Bedford. They explained how theymake it possible for people to pursue their dreams, achieve goals andrealise their ambitions. The talk ignited a memory in Hugo’s mind of theperson he had once been. He signed up immediately.

In a one-to-one conversation with staff from Lifestyle Choices, Hugoidentified basketball and archery as his favourite sports. Lifestyle Choicesresearched options for him and he soon joined local clubs. Basketballproved too much of a frustration given his trouble with balance, butarchery was a real hit.

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Page 10: Livability News Feb 2010

“Archery gives me a boost,” he explains. “It gives meconfidence and helps with co-ordination. I have tothink about how to hold my head, my shoulders, mywhole body.”

The benefits of archery for Hugo are not just physical.He has made friends at the club and now travels toaround 30 competitions a year. Encountering newpeople in a safe environment, where he can focus ongoals, has worked wonders as he learns to masterhis panic attacks.

“After the stabbing, I couldn’t talk to strangers. I wastoo afraid,” he says. “Now, I can control my panicattacks more.”

Hugo is a popular member of the club, voted “Personof the Competition” at a recent event because he isso outgoing and friendly. At the archery club’sChristmas party, Hugo is relaxed and enjoyinghimself. “Hey,” he calls to a fellow archer dressed infull elf costume. “Those ears make you look likeShrek. No – Tony Blair. No – Prince Charles!”

An instructor at the club explains how archery is aninclusive sport. “Anyone can do it, at any age. I’vetaught blind people, people without the use of theirarms. We’re like a family here.”

Hugo is now working towards his second-classmedal, having already achieved third-class, and hisaim is to shoot at full distance. “If I can shoot at fulldistance, I’ll be able to compete with others,” hesays. “At the moment I’m just competing againstmyself. But I know I’ll achieve this next year.”

It is not Hugo’s drive, ambition or hard work that isholding him back from progressing further in archery.If anything, it is the lack of money for expensiveequipment. Yet Hugo has made a great friend inAndy, who joined the archery club in the same weekas him. Now, Andy gives him lifts to competitionsacross the country and helps outwith equipment. “I don’t knowwhat I’d do without him,” saysHugo. “I couldn’t take a taxi to allthese competitions.”

Andy can see the difference thatarchery is making in Hugo’s life.“It helps massively,” he saysenthusiastically. “Sometimes heis still quite nervy when we goout. But without archery, heprobably wouldn’t be going outat all.”

The confidence that Hugo hasgained through sport has

helped in other areas of his life. Now less afraid to goout and meet new people, he has started a weeklycomputer course at a local college. “I was neverinterested in computers before the attack, becausesport was my life,” he explains. “Now I’m learningbasic IT skills, so I can use the internet, emails andFacebook to keep in touch with my friends. And it’sgood to get out of the house. I don’t want to sit athome all day, watching soaps. If I’m at home toomuch doing nothing, bad thoughts come to myhead.”

He is also volunteering once a week as a gardenerat a riding centre for disabled people. “I enjoy it,” hesays. “I like being outside.” It’s also a chance to helpother people gain the benefits of sport that heenjoys.

Life after the his traumatic injury is not easy forHugo, and although his attacker is in a securemental hospital, anxieties remain. “Now, I have totake pills to help me sleep,” says Hugo. “And Ialways wake up before the alarm goes off. I neverused to do that.”

But rediscovering archery through Lifestyle Choiceshas given Hugo a new mindset. Now he is absorbedin sport again, he is focused on what is still possible,not on what he has lost. It’s this positive way ofthinking, much more like his personality before theattack, which is making a significant difference to hislife.

“It’s tempting to think only about the negatives, butyou can’t do that,” he smiles. “You have to thinkabout the positives. There are many things peoplecan still do, gardening, horse riding, archery –whatever they are interested in. That’s why I’mgrateful to Lifestyle Choices for their help. I knowthere are so many positives in my life.”

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Hugo along with his mum and friend Andy

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Page 11: Livability News Feb 2010

Part of Livability’s remit is to speak up on behalf ofdisabled people, to make sure that the governmenthears their voices on issues that affect them. Thegovernment has a new plan – Individual Budgets(IBs) – which is going to mean a big change in theway that disabled people access services.

Individual Budgets are due to be available rightacross the country by March 2011.

But we wanted to find out how prepared people are.We interviewed over 500 disabled people and foundthat 87% of them had never been told about thenew system. But everyone we spoke to said theywould definitely want an Individual Budget, orcertainly consider one.

“We think that IBs have the ability to transform lives”,says head of campaigns Rachael Christophides.“But at the moment no-one knows about them, andno-one’s prepared for them.”

The campaigns team are raising this vital issue withcentral and local government figures, pointing outthe urgency of adequately informing disabled peopleabout the changes that are coming soon.

“There’s a mountain to climb before IndividualBudgets are able to provide the choice theypromise” says Rachael. “We are campaigning tomake sure they are more than an illusion – that theyreally do bring positive change.”

Researcher Helen clicked through over 100 council websites

Campaigning news

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• 9 out of 10 disabled young people have neverheard of Individual Budgets.

• Half of local authorities’ websites haveinformation about IBs at all noIB information.

• Over half phone calls to local authoritiesabout IBs were misdirected.

Hidden treasureDo you have a jewellery box that’s cluttered up with bits and pieces thatyou never wear? A broken watch, a tangled chain, or an unfashionablebrooch? Livability would love to take them off your hands. Ourjewellery recycling project can turn your unwantedpieces into support for Livability’s vital work.

Last year we had a jewellery collection at oursummer garden party and raised over £1,200. Thisyear we would like to raise even more. If you wouldlike to take part, simply call us on 020 7452 2115 torequest a recycling envelope. Alternatively, you cansend it Freepost to: Jewellery Recycling, Livability,Freepost KE3232, 50 Scrutton Street, London EC2B 2HL.Your old jewellery may no longer be of use to you, but itwill make a big difference to the lives of disabled people.

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Page 12: Livability News Feb 2010

Why I support

LivabilityDear all at Livability,

You asked people to tell you why they supportLivability.

Among my earliest memories, from the early1930s, are the beautiful fabric (possibly silk)roses that my mother received annually fromwhat was then John Groom's Crippleage. Iloved the flowers but I particularly liked thestrong little cardboard boxes they came in. Theymade ideal beds for mini teddies and the like.

When my mother died in 1979 I took over hersupport of John Groom. I think it is a wonderfuland much needed organisation.

With best wishes to all your staff and residents.

Last November saw the launch of our PrincessRoyal Livability Awards for outstanding service.

We talked to one of the winners, Joe Power,groundsman at Nash College.

How does it feel to be a Princess RoyalLivability Award Winner?I’m over the moon! Meeting Princess Anne was areal honour and a treat. It’s not everyday you get toshake hands with a Royal.

Why Livability?There are two reasons why I work for Livability. FirstlyI feel that Livability looks after me. I’ve been here 17years now and I really feel cared for. The second ispurely and simply the grounds. I love the groundsfrom top to bottom. Every season offers somethingnew that brings a smile to my face.

What’s changed at Nash over the last 17 years?When I started at Nash College, the grounds wereovergrown with weeds and brambles. There was nograss and not a single flower bed. I have single-handedly whipped the place into shape!

Do you do it all by yourself?I manage all seven and a half acres on my own, but Ido like to get the students involved, especially withthe allotments.

How does your garden grow?

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How does your work help the students?Being outside in the fresh air gives the studentsfreedom. I have put in lots of footpaths in that makeit easier for them to get around the place, taking inall the colours and smells that the grounds offer. Iknow the grounds help the students feel happy andindependent.

Joe receives his award from HRH Princess Anne

Thank you fromNorwichAs you know, 2009 saw us concentrate a good deal ofenergy on an appeal for John Grooms Court. We havegreat plans to renovate this Norwich residential carehome, making it larger and more accessible. Five newflatlets will give the opportunity for five more people tomake their home with us. A conservatory will givemore space for residents to socialise, and a new lift willmake it easier than ever for people to get about thebuilding and make use of all the new facilities.

The great news is that we are well on our way tomeeting our fundraising target. So for all that were ableto give, thank you! Once the final funds are in place,we are hoping to start the building work in the next fewmonths. Look out for an update in the next edition ofLivability News.

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Page 13: Livability News Feb 2010

Arriving at a Bedouin camp at 3:45am was an early indication thatthis trek in the footsteps of Moses was not going to be what mightbe called a luxury holiday. But at least there wasn’t the prospect ofhaving to cross the Red Sea being pursued by 600 of Pharaoh’ssoldiers. It was just the daunting task of climbing Mount Sinai, theMount of the Lord, that lay ahead.

Fortunately my travelling companions were nowhere near as difficultas the people Moses travelled with. They certainly weren’t moanerslike the Children of Israel, who wished they’d never started thejourney at all. My companions were great company; helping,supporting and encouraging each other every step of the physical,mental, and spiritual journey.

Having left the Bedouin camp, the next night we pitched up at an ecovillage tucked away in the wilderness. No electricity, no mobile phoneconnections, and study and supper were enjoyed sitting round thefire under a sky just bursting with stars. Don’t ask about the loos!

It was on the Saturday that we set off to ascend the Hill of the Lord,but not before visiting St Catherine’s Monastery. Here was thesupposed site of the Burning Bush and it was here, surrounded byinspiring icons and precious manuscripts that we set off a securityalert – but I won’t go into that!

The climb itself was a test of real endurance. We took the shortestroute but even then it was a three and a half hour solid slog in the sun.Having trodden the well-worn path we were faced with over 700 stepsbefore we reached the summit. I say ‘steps’ but what I really mean isboulders. Coping with these was my ‘Red Sea Moment’. I thought Iwould never manage it. But I did and, along with the others, I stoodon the summit of Mount Sinai marvelling at the sunset, feeling bothelated and humbled that we were standing where God and Moses met.

On the way down it was a matter of ‘Lead Kindly Light’ as we allheld our torches hoping that our footsteps might not slip. They didn’tand we arrived home safely. Everyone contributed fully to what wasa most memorable experience. But there are two special thanks –first of all to Kerry from Livability, who worked and walked her socksoff to make sure that all went well. Secondly, heartfelt thanks to all ofyou who were able to support us.You indeed were our driving force.Thank you so much.

Roger Royle

Events calendar

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Easter Service9 AprilOur Light up a Life service takesplace in Wesley’s Chapel, LondonEC1. Join us and special guests inthis historic venue. For full detailssee page 15.

Livability Summer GardenParties4 and 18 JulyAfter last year’s success, we will beholding two garden parties thissummer. With horticulturalseminars, a marketplace, teas andcakes they will be the perfect daysout for families as well as keengardeners. Tickets will becomplimentary, with a suggesteddonation of £10 per ticket.

BUPA London 10,00031 MayThis 10k run is gaining popularityevery year. If you are looking for afitness goal for the New Year, thenwhy not sign up? Runners of allcalibres take part, running throughthe heart of London, making thisan enjoyable day for all.

Hike Hadrian’s Wall10-12 SeptemberSpend three days walking 25 milesalong the remaining sections ofHadrian’s Wall. The walk passesthrough some of Britain’s mostspectacular countryside. Spend timein Northumberland National Parkand finish at Brocolitia Roman fort.

For more information on any ofthese events please call the eventteam on 020 7452 2115or visit our websitewww.livability.org.uk/events

The whole Footsteps of Moses team

Roger on top of the world

Roger Royle’sSinai roundup

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Page 14: Livability News Feb 2010

Are there disabled people in your church? If some attend, do you knowhow best to involve them in church life? How does disability fit in with yourview of God? A recent Livability training event for church workers set outto address these questions.

The day brought church leaders together with experts and individualdisabled people with the aim of giving them the confidence to builddisabled people into church life. The group discussed many things,ranging from types of impairment to worship styles that can includeeveryone. Attendees heard disabled people talking about theirexperiences of church and were able to ask them questions.

The day was a great success, with Livability’s Community Mission teamworking closely with staff and residents from York House, our residentialhome in Ossett. Many who attended the event committed to makingchanges in their attitudes and church life: "I will be more open-minded toGod’s possibilities in everyone, whether disabled or not” said one. Anotherdecided to "Look for more practical ways to enrich the experience inchurch for disabled people”.

With so much positive feedback, we are planning to hold a similar event inLondon. If you would be interested in attending, please email Jill Clark [email protected]

The inclusive church

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Challenging the way churches seedisability

Victoria updateYou may remember our Christmas letter about ourexciting plans for Victoria Education Centre in Poole.We intend to do radical work on the school,transforming it into a state-of-the-art learning andtherapy centre. The first stage is to extend threeclassrooms in the main building, improving the learningenvironment for the pupils and allowing teachers moreflexibility in their teaching methods.

We’re pleased to let you know that we have nowraised enough money to start work on this phase ofthe project. Thank you to all who have givengenerously to this important project, making such adifference to students at the school.

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Page 15: Livability News Feb 2010

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This Easter, join us for our ‘Light up a Life’service. We will be celebrating the work ofLivability and the impact we are able to have inthe lives of disabled and disadvantaged people.

Easter is a wonderful time to praise God for allhe has done for us and to reflect on the workwe have done. It is also a time to look to thefuture with renewed hope as we work tochange the lives of disabled people.

The service will be followed by lightrefreshments and a chance to meet Livabilitystaff, supporters and service users.

For more information, please contact Lianna Ovenden on020 7452 2115 or via email at [email protected]

Light Up a LifeEaster ServiceFriday 9 April 2009 at 2pmWesley’s Chapel, City Road, London EC1

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InspirationThere is nothing that is soeconomical as justice andmercy… We may be told that[our work] is costly and requirefinancial effort; but we maysafely say that it is disease thatis expensive, and it is healththat is cheap!Lord Shaftesbury, 1858

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It is our usual policy to acknowledge donations. However, if you do not wish toreceive an acknowledgement please tick here.

Please send your gift in the enclosed envelope to:Livability, FREEPOST RLYJ – UJHU – EKHJ, Slough, SL3 0EN.Thank you.Registered charity number 1116530

Make your gift worth more at no extra cost to you.If you are a taxpayer, Livability can reclaim 28p* for every £1 you give to helpdisabled people. All you need to do is tick the box below.

Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and would like Livability to treat all donations I havemade in the last six years, and all donations I make from now on, as Gift Aiddonations. I confirm that I pay an amount of income tax or capital gains tax atleast equal to the tax that Livability will reclaim on my donations in the tax year.

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Livability is the new face of John Groomsand the Shaftesbury Society

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