This magazine is for people who use Livability’s services. They help to plan and to write it. It comes out three times a year. You can get it this size, or in big print or to listen to on CD.

Starstruck in NorwichCatherine and Mandy had a day to remember when they had a surprise visitor. Catherine tells us what happened: “I had written to Daniel O’Donnell a while ago about stuff happening at John Grooms Court. Mandy and I were going to see Daniel in concert on the Saturday. But on Friday, we had a massive surprise. Daniel popped in to see us! We were both absolutely amazed.

“I showed him around my flat and had a nice catch-up with him. It was my dream come true – I never imagined he would visit me at home! We went to see him perform the next night. The show was brilliant and I’d written to ask if Daniel would mention Mandy and Stephanie on the night. He did – and we got to meet him after the show as well!”

Thanks to Catherine for sending in her story – we’d love to hear your story too (see right).

Outstanding!When school inspectors called on a surprise visit, Victoria Education Centre (VEC) was delighted to get an “outstanding” rating. Congratulations to everyone at VEC! Look out for more VEC news next time, when students get involved in two exciting music and theatre projects...

Send me a story!

Please send Gill the editor any ideas you have for stories to go in this magazine. You can contact Gill by:

email: gtroup@livability.org.uk

or send a letter to: Gill Troup Livability 50 Scrutton St London EC2A 4XQ

autumn 2011

VOICES CHOICES

Daniel makes Catherine (on right) and Mandy’s day

VEC students on stage

getting to know you

VOICES CHOICES2

Hi, I’m Carol from north London

I’ve started my own business, thanks to help from Livability Enterprise

I run a fancy dress hire service. I have about 250 costumes to choose from

Having my own business makes me feel really independent

If you have an idea for a business, contact Alice on 020 7452 2067

VOICES CHOICES

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news

autumn 2011

See our starsDebbie, Kayleigh, Nigel and Chris talk about their lives in two new Livability films. All of them use Livability support so they can be as independent as possible. You can see Nigel driving a horse and carriage, and Debbie talking about getting a job.The films are called What do you want to do today?

You can see them online at www.livability.org.uk/lifestylechoices

Three volunteers from our Lifestyle Choices service in Brackley are using their gardening skills to make their community a better place. Craig, Bernard and Kevin have been volunteering for two years. “They have really helped to improve the Brackley library garden,” says Catherine Flippence, supervisor at the library. “They have regularly weeded and cleared the flower bed. They have also grown plants from seed and given plants in pots to the library.” Now library visitors enjoy using the garden for coffee and cake, craft sessions and story telling. The gardening trio have proved so popular they are now helping with another local garden. Gardeners Craig (on left) and Bernard

Gardening for all

Nigel driving Marmite the horse

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David from Livability’s Gloucester

service sent Voices and Choices

a photo of himself on holiday in

Cornwall. David also wrote about

his hobbies. He knows a lot about

trains, and his favourite steam

engine is the Duchess of Hamilton.

“I have visited York Railway

Museum – you can guess I really

like trains!” he says.

Suzanne hard at work

DDDD

A merry Christmas starts with our carol concertJames and Sabrina arrive at the Houses of Parliament

David enjoying his seaside holiday

Putting on a play is a lot of work, as York House people can tell you. They helped behind the scenes when the EDK theatre company put on a production of Alice in Wonderland. Suzanne got involved painting the sets that were used on stage. The play ran for three nights and raised £500 for York House.

James from Ashley House has been celebrating in style: “For my 40th birthday this year, I decided to take a trip to London for a holiday. We did lots of interesting things including the Jack the Ripper walk, the Houses of Parliament guided tour, the London Dungeon, Harrods (you can’t have a trip to London without Harrods!) and a comedy show. I would like to say a big thank you to Sabrina for making it a holiday I will remember for a long time.” Start celebrating Christmas at Livability’s wonderful Christmas carol concert on Tuesday 13 December.

This year students from Victoria Education Centre will be singing. The event is held at historic St Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London. Tickets sell out early so get yours soon (discount for Livability staff and service users). To fi nd out more about this and other events, ring Yvette on 020 7452 2115 or email ygillingham@livability.org.uk

44 VOICES CHOICES

4

David from Livability’s Gloucester

service sent Voices and Choices

a photo of himself on holiday in

Cornwall. David also wrote about

his hobbies. He knows a lot about

trains, and his favourite steam

engine is the Duchess of Hamilton.

“I have visited York Railway

Museum – you can guess I really

like trains!” he says.

Suzanne hard at work

DDDD

A merry Christmas starts with our carol concertJames and Sabrina arrive at the Houses of Parliament

David enjoying his seaside holiday

Putting on a play is a lot of work, as York House people can tell you. They helped behind the scenes when the EDK theatre company put on a production of Alice in Wonderland. Suzanne got involved painting the sets that were used on stage. The play ran for three nights and raised £500 for York House.

James from Ashley House has been celebrating in style: “For my 40th birthday this year, I decided to take a trip to London for a holiday. We did lots of interesting things including the Jack the Ripper walk, the Houses of Parliament guided tour, the London Dungeon, Harrods (you can’t have a trip to London without Harrods!) and a comedy show. I would like to say a big thank you to Sabrina for making it a holiday I will remember for a long time.” Start celebrating Christmas at Livability’s wonderful Christmas carol concert on Tuesday 13 December.

This year students from Victoria Education Centre will be singing. The event is held at historic St Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London. Tickets sell out early so get yours soon (discount for Livability staff and service users). To fi nd out more about this and other events, ring Yvette on 020 7452 2115 or email ygillingham@livability.org.uk

4 5autumn 2011

VOICES CHOICES

6 VOICES CHOICES

news about Livability

Read all about itYour new website

Livability’s new website has just gone live! Check out the service users’ area by clicking on Our Services. Service users helped to test the site before it was launched.

They looked at the design and how easy it was to find the information you wanted. Some people said it was “friendly” and chose which photos they liked best.

Information about where to live, and about holidays, was very popular. The site was also tested by parents and staff.

Have you seen Livability’s Annual Review? It tells you about Livability’s work in 2010/11.

You can read stories from people who use Livability’s services. One of the exciting things we did this year was starting building work at Victoria Education Centre.

You can see the Annual Review on our website at www.livability.org.uk/aboutus.

Or you can ask editor Gill Troup to send you a copy. Find her details on the front page of this magazine.

Livability’s new homepage

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my story

My brothers told me about some hi-tech kit. It lets me control the computer with my eyes

Now I can Skype my family and use email. It’s fantastic!

I’m Richard from Hereford

and I’m a new computer user

It was very expensive but the Hereford Lions Club gave me £1,000 towards it

VOICES CHOICES

Issu

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Oct

200

6 –

Jan

200

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autumn 2011

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and finally...

Spot the difference

See if you can find six differences between the two pictures below

Quick quizNot long till Christmas now, so here’s a seasonal quiz. You can win a box of chocolates if your correct answers are picked from the hat. Send your answers to editor Gill by Wed 21 December.

1 Who switched on the Christmas lights in Oxford Street this year?

o The Saturdayso Danii Minogueo Kate Middleton

2 Was Jesus born in

o Jerusalem o Bethlehem o Nazareth?

3 What kind of tree does the partridge sit in, in the Christmas song?

o Holly tree o Mulberry treeo Pear tree

Just jokingWhat do you call a man who claps at Christmas? A Santapplause!

What’s the best thing to put into a Christmas cake?Your teeth!

What do reindeer say before they tell a joke?This one will sleigh you!