newsAutumn 2009 Issue 5

The first dayof term

Disabled young people are twice as likely toleave school with no qualifications.But Livability is working to change that.Leaving us a gift in your will could transform ayoung life, paying dividends far into the future.

Make a wiseinvestment

Remember Livability in your will.For more information, please contactAlastair Emblem on 020 7452 2118.

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ContentsThe first day of term 4

News 7

Events 9

Why I support Livability 10

A note from Mary 10

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 theircommunities. Livability’s president is Baroness Howarth ofBreckland and our royal patron is HRH The Princess Royal.

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Police rescue7

Gardeners’world 9

Spotlight onTalbot Manor 11

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Michael making himself at home

Michael shows his arty side

Settling in to his new room

As you’d imagine, the first day of term at Hinwick Hall College is much likethat of any other college or university. Nervous first years wander aroundwith their parents clutching maps of the campus, new teachers getaccustomed to their classrooms and staff put finishing touches to the hallsof residence which will soon be bursting with students and their belongings.

Of course there are differences; Hinwick is a specialist college providinglearning support to young people with physical and learning disabilities.Many of the young people are exploring the grounds in wheelchairs andparents are meeting their children’s new physiotherapists.

One student who has just arrived with his parents and sister is19-year old Michael. It’s a big day for all of them; although Michael hasbeen in fulltime education since he was five, he has never lived away fromhome before.

Michael doesn’t seem fazed. He’s a lively confident lad and he alreadyloves Hinwick. The family visited three colleges and Michael was adamantthat Hinwick was his favourite. On his induction day, he was alreadyplanning how he would deck out his bedroom.

Michael who has Downs Syndrome will stay at Stable Mews, a 12 flatcomplex for students who are ready to embrace independent living. Each

The first day of termThanks to you, Michael is just one of 25 new students enrollingat Hinwick Hall for the very first time.

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flat comprises of a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Here, fullysupported by his key worker, Michael will learn how to get up himself,wash and dress every morning, prepare meals and keep the placeclean and tidy. The aim is that after three years at Hinwick, Michaelwill have the necessary skills to live in supported housing.

Many other important lessons will be learnt at Hinwick too: how tocatch public transport, how to find the way back home, how tobudget, how to do a supermarket shop and a hundred and one otherlife skills that most of us happily take for granted.

Principal Liz Auchincloss emphasises the importance of this. “Our goalis to prepare our students for the next stage in their lives. Life istough, especially for these young people and we want them tobe ready. If they leave us with the skills to thrive in adult life, it’s adream come true for them, their parents, us – everyone.”

Michael’s sister Shiobhain echoes Liz’s views. “Up until now we’vebeen very protective of Michael. If people stare at him in the street andhe gets distressed, we’re there to soften the blow. Learning to copewith these situations on his own will be difficult for him but invaluable inthe long run.”

As well as learning essential life skills at Hinwick, Michael will continuehis education. Every student receives a personal timetable made up ofcore subjects such as numeracy, reading and writing, and modularsubjects such as horticulture, art, music, dance and, Michael’sfavourite, drama.

Getting to grips with an interactive whiteboard

The Hinwick appeal hasenabled us to transformabandoned rooms intobeautiful modern flats, makingroom for 19 new students.

With his timetable set, his bags unpacked and introductions made,it’s time for Michael to wave goodbye to his family. You can tell thatmum, dad and sis are delighted to be leaving Michael somewherehe feels so comfortable but they make no secret of the fact thatthey’re not looking forward to the quiet car journey home. “Don’tworry. Trust me.” Michael tells them, and Shiobhain and her mumdissolve into tears.

Michael and the other 24 students starting Hinwick this term areextremely lucky to be there. Hinwick only used to be able toaccommodate 41 students, but that number has now risen toover 60 thanks to a Livability appeal in April this year.

Everyone at Hinwick, as well as all the parents and students, wouldlike to say a big thank you to everyone who donated. The appealenabled some disused rooms to be turned into staff rooms andoffices and the current administration block to be transformed intofour large new teaching spaces. Donations also paid for sensoryequipment and adjustable desks that Michael and his new friendswill start using within the next few days.

If Livability supporters need any proof of how their kindness andgenerosity is helping people with disabilities to live life to the full,Hinwick Hall is it. As the last of the parents prepare to leave,students are settling into their new accommodation and preparingfor a welcome disco that evening. Again, it’s much like any othercollege or university.

And of course, that’s the point. Hinwick gives people with physicaland learning disabilities the same life experience as other youngpeople their age. It’s a place they can experience the fun of living ina shared flat, experiment with cooking, embrace subjects they’reinterested in, make lifelong friendships and enjoy many socialactivities. It’s the chance of a lifetime.

If you’d like to make a donation to Livability which could help youngpeople like Michael at Hinwick Hall, please call X, visit X or send acheque in the post to X.

Two weeks later

A couple of weeks into the startof term we revisit Hinwick to seehow Michael is getting on. Hiskey worker tells us that he’ssettling in well.

He’s already learning how tomake his own breakfast and isbecoming a dab hand atscrambled eggs. To everyone’ssurprise he also made a fruitsalad and ate it, which is a majorbreakthrough considering that hewould never try fruit at home.Michael’s academic work is comingalong too with him excelling inwriting and computing.

Perhaps the most heartwarmingthing of all for Michael’s family tohear is that he’s making friends.He plays football every nightafter lectures and has joined SoDancers an independent danceand drama group in nearbyWellingborough.

From talking to Michael on thephone, his family is convincedthat Hinwick is going to be themaking of him. In his sister’swords, “This is Michael’s timeto shine.”

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The first day at college can be tiring

Police rescueNorfolk Constabulary has namedLivability as its charity of the year.

Our campaign to redevelop JohnGrooms Court in Norfolk aims toraise £850,000.

Speaking for the police force, chiefconstable Ian McPherson says,“Times are tough in the currenteconomic climate, but I urge anyoneto get involved and support thiscampaign so that the plans on paperreally do become a reality.”

The plan is to extend the building sothat another six disabled people canenjoy the choice and freedom whichour support services bring.

Chief inspector meets his match in Norwich

Steve at the helm 12 years ago

Steve Rowland, a client from Bedford Lifestyle Choices, enjoyed aday of sailing in Milton Keynes with Sailability, a sailing club withspecially-adapted boats

“The whole day was brilliant but my favourite part must have beeninitially taking to the water,” said Steve. “It was such a surprise howeasy the adapted boat was to handle.”

Steve used to enjoy sailing, but his disability meant that he hadn’tbeen in a boat in over 12 years. “It felt so great to be back on thewater – like getting my freedom back.”

Sailing is one of many activities that Lifestyle Choices clients can getinvolved in. Livability staff supported Steve by making all thearrangements and driving him to the club.

Steve had such a good time that he’s looking forward to his nextsailing trip. “It was wonderful,” he said. “I give it full marks.”

Plain sailingPlain sailing

You may remember receiving a letter from her earlier this year asshe wrote to tell you about the specialist care she receives atIcanho, Livability’s brain rehabilitation centre in Suffolk.

Hundreds of supporters have since sent us much needed giftsand kind words of support, raising more than £68,200 for Icanhoand the essential services that Livability provides for so manydisabled people around the country.

IcanhoFundraisingupdateJane was enjoying life whenshe suffered a sudden anddebilitating stroke.

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News

Get ready for a

Livability ChristmasChestnuts roasting on an open fire. Christmasseems a long way off but it quickly creeps up on us.This year have a Christmas to remember withLivability events, cards and gifts.

We will hold our carol service in St Martin-in-the-Fields, London on 14 December. This landmarkchurch on Trafalgar Square has been refurbishedover the past few years and is now more beautifulthan ever.

Our traditional Epiphany service takes place on 4January 2010 at the Chapel Royal of St Peter adVincula within the Tower of London. The beefeater's

church is steeped in history and a wonderful place tocelebrate the season.

This year we will also have a wide selection ofChristmas cards and gifts – diaries, calendars andkeyrings are among the more popular items.

Last year our Christmas card sales generated morethan £20,000 to support disabled and disadvantagedpeople across the country. This year, with your help,we’d love to do even better.

St Martin-in-the-Fields is a beautiful venue for our carol service

Bradford Christians are tackling homelessnessin a more coordinated way thanks to Livability’scommunity mission team.

Like every city, Bradford’s homelessness challenge ismore than simply a case of finding housing. Theproblems include mental health, substance abuse andunemployment, making it a sometimes complex issue.

Earlier this year, the team organised an event calledNo Room, inviting representatives from many of thechurches and Christian organisations that work withhomeless people in the Bradford area.

Livability’s Ruth Smith says, “Lots of churches arerunning programmes like soup runs, but they haven’t

been connecting with each other.”

Thirty attendees spent the day discussing theirprojects and finding out what others are doing.

This type of information-sharing can save churchesfrom duplicating services. One church had beenthinking about setting up a new furniture project, butthey discovered that another local group wasthinking of doing exactly the same thing.

Following the event, the group has decided to forma new homelessness network. They hope to not justcoordinate their work, but develop a united voice toinfluence city-wide policy.

Making a difference in Bradford

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We were thrilled to use the beautifulgrounds of Great Ote Hall, near BurgessHill in Sussex.

It was all the more special as the gardenswith their ancient oak trees are rarely opento the public. Although it was a blusteryday, visitors enjoyed wandering in thegarden, browsing stalls and listening to alocal brass band.

As well as refreshments and quizzes, therewas a very popular jewellery-recyclingproject, with guests bringing in oldunwanted pieces for us to sell. Wecollected two boxes full of donationsincluding six silver pocket watches and abeautiful diamond ring.

There were also fascinating lectures byhorticulturists Dr Dean Marston andEdward Elchin, who shared expertise onyear-round gardening and growingorganic fruit and vegetables.

If you would like to host a Livability gardenparty, please get in touch with our eventsteam on 020 7452 2115.

Gardeners’worldFlowers, music, facepainting and cream teas

– Livability supporters enjoyed our first ever

garden party this summer.

Events calendar

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Golf day6 NovemberSelsdon Park Golf Club, Croydonis the venue for this year’s golf day.We are looking for teams of fourand individuals to play on thischampionship course.The club also has a beautiful hotelwhich is offering Livabilitysupporters a special rate of just£49 per night for two people sharing.So why not turn the golf day into aweekend getaway?

Footsteps of Moses5-9 NovemberJoin BBC Radio 2’s Canon RogerRoyle on a five-day journeythrough Sinai, Egypt.Stay in a Bedouin run eco-lodge,hike through the picturesque Sinaivalley, visit the world’s oldestfunctioning Christian monastery,trek Moses Mountain and spend arelaxing day on the beach inSharm el-Sheikh.No previous trekking experience isnecessary and the challenge isopen to people of all ages andabilities.

Christmas carol service14 DecemberOur carol service will take place inSt Martin-in-the-Fields, TrafalgarSquare. The evening will be hostedby Pam Rhodes with music fromChantage, which was BBC Radio3 Choir of the Year in 2006.Tickets to this wonderful eveningof hymns, carols and readings willgo on sale in October.

Epiphany service3 January 2010Our annual Epiphany service is achance to thank God for hisblessings over the past year and toentrust the new year into his hands.It takes place in the ancient Chapelof St Peter ad Vincula in the heartof the Tower of London. Ticketsare strictly limited for this intimateservice, so book yours in plenty oftime.

Supporters and serviceusers enjoy a grand day out

Dear supporter.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading thisedition of Livability News. We’vepacked it with more stories and newsthan ever.

I find it so exciting to hear aboutpeople whose lives are changingthanks to Livability. Some changes arehuge, like Michael’s exciting move tocollege. Others are less dramatic butno less significant. For Steve fromBedford Lifestyle choices, getting outonto the water was a significant step indeveloping his confidence and livingthe life he chooses.

Stories like these remind me that justlike our service users rely on Livabilitystaff to support and enable them, ourcharity relies on you. Without yoursupport, we would simply not be ableto work with people like Steve andBeth. Whether you are able to supportus with regular contributions or just theoccasional gift we are very grateful.

The economic situation is affecting usall, and many of us have less disposablemoney than last year. Your support isnot something we take for granted.

Thank you for all you do,

Mary Bishop, Chief Executive

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Message fromMary

Why I support LivabilityWe are always interested to hear from supporters telling us how theycame to be involved in our work and what Livability means to themtoday. Mrs Andrews in Redhill sent us this beautifully written letter.

Dear Livability,

Having read the article in the summer Livability News, I wonderedwhether you would be interested in my story.

I am now in my nineties and have had contact with John Groomssince I was a little girl.

My father (who died in 1979 aged 97) met John Grooms on severaloccasions which made a lasting impression on him. Consequentlyhe supported the charity in his small way whenever possible and Iwas taken as a child to see the ‘Flower girls’ at work.

When my own family came along in the 1950’s, we visited Edgwarea few times and my daughters were fascinated to see the forget-me-nots and pink roses being made, as well as the clever paintingsdone by holding the brush between the teeth or even the toes.

When my father died it was his wish that instead of flowers,donations be sent to John Grooms. He asked me to endeavour tocarry on supporting the charity. With my limited means I have triedto do so.

I can now look back over the years and praise the Lord for hismany blessings on a charity which started with a small need.

Yours sincerelyMrs Andrews

What does Livability mean to you? We would love to hear yourthoughts about the charity, and why you decided to support us.Please contact Jamie Williams at jwilliams@livability.org.uk orLivability, 50 Scrutton Street, London, EC2A 4XQ

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If your mental image of aresidential care home is a silent,austere institution then spendingfive minutes at Talbot Manorwould change your mind forever.

This Livability property is home to12 young people who are full of life.

The sound of Abba blares from astereo, residents hang out in thebright new conservatory – makingplans to go off into town.

Talbot Manor is a few minutesoutside Bournemouth towncentre with its shops, collegesand endless leisure opportunities.

Staff encourage the residents tomake choices about their livesand then support them to makethose plans a reality.

Beth, 30, is a great guide to thehome. She has lived at TalbotManor for 12 years.

“I love living here for lots ofreasons, but I think the main thingis that all my friends are here,”she says. “The other thing I reallylike is the staff. They support us ifwe want to try new things.”

Beth has recently returned from aholiday with Nicky, one of theother residents. “We went to aholiday centre in Southend, whichwas brilliant! Nicky and I havebeen friends since school so welove going on holiday together.”

But far from the post-holidayblues, Beth is busy planning moretrips – one to see her parents inDorchester and the other to meetup with her fiancé in Sherborne.

Talbot Manor is a great exampleof Livability's work – making surethat Beth and her friends have thechance to make plans for thefuture and live life to the full.

Spotlight on

Talbot Manor

Talbot Manor is a great place to live

“I have seen first-hand the inspiring work of the charityand the difference it makes in the lives of disabled anddisadvantaged young people. What inspires me is thetremendous dedication of staff and the realindependence they offer to disabled people.”HRH The Princess Royal

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Livability is the new face of John Groomsand the Shaftesbury Society