thiste foundation annual report 2010/11

We believe that life is for living

Annual Report 2010 – 11

Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 –11

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Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 – 11

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Vision and Mission 01

Welcome 03

Supported Living Report 04

Connie’s Story 06

Health and Wellbeing Report 09

Bronwen’s Story 12

Learning and Development Report 14

John’s Story 18

Adam’s Story 22

Financial Report 24

Thank You 27

Looking Forward 28

Our Details 29

If you would like a copy of this Annual Report in larger print please contact us on 0131 661 3366

Our VisionThistle Foundation is a boundary-pushing, pioneering organisation helping bring about a society where everyone has the right to feel involved and empowered to live the life they choose, regardless of their disabilities or health condition.

Our MissionWe believe that life is for living. We always go the extra mile to help people with disabilities or long-term health conditions lead great, authentic lives, where they are in control.


WelcomeWelcome to Thistle Foundation’s Annual Report for the financial year 2010 to 2011. Thistle is an organisation that every day reflects the values stated in our manifesto; we support people to lead great, authentic lives.

As Thistle’s Chair, I have the privilege of viewing Thistle’s work as a whole, gaining insights into how its different parts work together and complement each other, from training healthcare professionals how to work in a person-centred way, to supporting someone to have their own home for the first time and make connections in their community. It is impressive work.

The focus of this report is on “Changes and Effects” - how even small changes that Thistle makes or facilitates can have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life or on someone’s professional practice. We only have space to share some of our highlights from this year and would love to be able to report on so much more. The stories speak for themselves - illustrations of our heartfelt belief that life is for living. I hope you will enjoy reading them.

The difference Thistle makes to people’s lives is due to the enthusiasm and dedication shown by our amazing staff and volunteers every day as they go about their work. I would like to thank them and my fellow trustees, who I know share my sense of pride in the work we do.

Julia Fitzpatrick Chair of the Board of Trustees

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The focus of this report is on Changes and Effects - how even small changes that Thistle makes or facilitates can have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life or on someone’s professional practice.

Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 – 11Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 –11

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Supported LivingIt’s been a busy year in the Supported Living team. A highlight was the launch of our Citizenship Strategy, which aims to support disabled people to be full citizens from having friendships, community connections and jobs to having control of their lives and their support service.

As part of this strategy we have developed partnerships with organisations such as Neighbourhood Networks, Equal Futures and Dates ‘n’ Mates, who work to build community connections, circles of support and enable friendships and loving relationships for disabled people.

We have also developed new contracts, policies and support plans, which give every single person we support the ability to tell us what they want from their life and then to hold us to account, to ensure that we’re doing the best job we can to help them reach their goals. And we have hosted events, where people we support and their friends and families got to meet each other and hear from inspirational speakers.

And perhaps most significantly our staff are working with the people they support to see how they can build more “natural supports” in their lives, in the form of friendships, work colleagues, family and people with shared interests. We are particularly proud of this work as it lies at the very heart of our values to enable people to rely less on paid support.

And in this economic climate where cuts to many people’s funding are a harsh reality, it is this kind of business approach that enables us to reduce support hours in a truly person-centred and positive way, where the people we support are in control.

A final highlight of our year was the 10th anniversary of our Renfrew office, which staff and people we support celebrated in November at a party with speeches and inspiring stories and even some wheelchair dancing!

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We hope that the stories we’ve

shared with you in this report inspire you as much as they inspire us to do better every

single day.

“I get to do what I want to do.”



Connie’s story

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“I wouldn’t go anywhere

else. I’ve got a great team and I can talk to any

of them.”

How my Life has Changed I have a busy life and have really grown in confidence. The difference is that I now do things for myself and I don’t have people protecting me so much. When I lived at home, I didn’t do anything without someone from my family there. Even on nights out I’d go with my sisters and their boyfriends or my brother and his girl-friends. I was frightened because I took seizures, I still do, but now they’re mild and don’t stop me from doing what I want to do.

Independence I’m very independent and have actually reduced the amount of hours of support that I receive. This has been a big step for me as I used to be

How I got involved

I got involved with Thistle through in Edinburgh. My mum wasn’t well so I went to stay there. I met someone and we got engaged and moved through to Renfrew and married. That fell through but I’ve carried on in Renfrew on my own. I didn’t know anyone through here to start with but through Buddies, Dates ‘n’ Mates and my job at Capability Scotland I’ve now got a massive circle of friends.

“I have a busy life and have really grown in confidence.”protective of my hours, but then I started to notice that I didn’t need staff with me; like at Dates ‘n’ Mates or on nights out.

So now I decide when I need support and my plan is really flexible.

I’m able to be creative with the hours I receive and plan when I’ll need support. It really suits me.

Confidence It’s like a bubble’s burst for me. I’ve realised what I can do. I think anyone can do it but they just need the confidence. I’d help anyone to get this. My motto is “nothing ventured, nothing gained”.

My Team Thistle have always shown me that they are doing a good job. When I was first thinking of coming to Renfrew, Margaret (Support Services Manager, Renfrew) used to drive to

meetings in Dalkeith just for me – she didn’t need to do that and I didn’t know her that well at the time. I always think of what Margaret did for me at the start. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I’ve got a great team and I can talk to any of them. When you can do that and you’re comfortable, you can’t ask for anything else. I’m lucky, very lucky.


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“I am positive about the future now”

Health and WellbeingIt’s been an incredibly busy year in our Health and Wellbeing team with many strands of work on the go. Our Lifestyle Management service, Thistle Gym and Thistle Outdoors have thrived, attracting referrals from a wide range of organisations.

Our Lifestyle Management courses for the veterans, which we developed with support from the Veteran’s Fund and Thistle Trust, received two High Commendations at the Military Civilian Health Partnership Awards in Belfast in November. And many of the servicemen, who have gone through the course, are now helping us co-deliver future courses.

But it’s not just the veterans work that puts people with “lived experience” at the heart of our approach. For a number of years now we have run a Peer Facilitator programme, which sees people who have initially come to us in need of help and support, then go on to volunteer for us, help us design courses and programmes, and even become full time members of staff.

Another highlight of our year was the Training and Consultancy Resource, which we delivered to professionals from the health and social care sectors. The work was funded by the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland and involved us training staff - from psychiatrists, to dieticians, to speech and language therapists to physiotherapists – in how to work with their clients in a person-centred way. This means learning how to work with people not patients and recognising individuals’ own resources and designing support that is based around their own goals. People who received our training have reported that their clients have “been shouting from the rooftops” about their new approaches.

The Scottish Government also continued their support for a range of initiatives aimed at improving mental health in South East Edinburgh. Our local outreach and referrals have led to greater demand for our services - gym usage has doubled compared to 2009. Our trial of woodland based activities has attracted multi-annual funding. And in the coming years, we will offer a range of taster events and groups that improve mental health through exercise and conservation activities.

And last but not least, the Garden Cafe and the Community Garden have continued: both are supported by dedicated volunteers.

It’s definitely been a busy year and we look forward to reporting on further progress next year!

“We all know Thistle, but we didn’t realise you did so much”

“Thistle improves my

life by helping me do what I want

to do.”

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457

8

39

1011

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We have 250 dedicated Supported Living staff who deliver over 4900 hours of support each week.

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Bronwen’s storyManaging Stress and Time I’ve learned to take five minutes to settle down and gather my thoughts and I’ve realised that I have to take care of myself properly first because if I don’t do that, I can’t take care of anybody else. The Lifestyle Management course teaches you how to manage your stress and your time. It helps you to care about your goals again, not rush into anything and pace yourself doing it and I put that into practice in my own life.

Managing my Weight The best thing about coming to Thistle has been managing my weight, being able to relax and not stressing about stupid, silly things. They say that your moods can affect your children

How I got involved

Before I came to Thistle I was really depressed and overweight; I didn’t want to go out anywhere or talk to anybody and I was becoming a recluse. Then when I moved here I heard about Thistle. At first I just planned to join the gym but Linda placed me on both the Lifestyle Management and gym-based courses. I didn’t expect to get much out of them but then I realised about three weeks in that it was actually really helping me.

and that’s really true. When I was sad my children were sad but now I have nothing to be sad about, I live life to the full.

Becoming a Volunteer When Cathrin asked if I’d like to become a gym volunteer I thought “Really? Why me?” But she explained that I could be a role model for other people in the gym and help them like people had helped me. Before going on the courses, I wouldn’t even have been able to have a simple conversation with somebody like Cathrin but now I can.

My confidence has just soared thanks to these courses and my volunteering - I’ve even found a job, which I start on Monday!

I volunteer twice a week and I love it. Everyone in the gym has taken the time to teach me how everything works and I’ve gotten a lot out of it. I’m going to keep volunteering at Thistle even after I start my job, I’d miss it so much if I couldn’t. I work with a Parkinson’s Support group and when I see them laugh at life, considering what they’re dealing with, it reminds me how lucky I am and I really admire them.

Looking Forward Now I’m just looking forward to starting my job, working and having fun with my kids. My main goal is to start driving because I’ve just got my provisional licence. I’m working towards my goals and that’s all I can do.

If people are thinking of coming to Thistle, I’d say definitely come along and join a course or join the gym because it’s worked out so well for me. I’ve spoken to a lot of people who’ve been on the Lifestyle Management course and they tell me it’s changed their lives. Coming to Thistle has been very worthwhile for me and I would recommend it to anyone.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people

who’ve been on the Lifestyle Management

course and they tell me it’s changed

their lives.”“I’m working towards my goals.”

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Learning and DevelopmentThis year we were very sorry to see the suspension of Thistle’s HEC in Person Centred Approaches, which we’ve run for nearly 10 years in partnership with Queen Margaret University. This course was launched in 2002 with funding from the European Social Fund and is primarily for social care staff. Between November 2002 and October 2010,19 groups of students successfully completed the course.

“...with the right support, anyone can complete this course successfully, as it has been designed for person centred learning and tailored to suit people who have been away from learning for a long time, or like myself, have had limited or no learning at all.” Ian (Group 4 student)

However with cuts to training budgets and a lack of funding from external sources the decision was made to suspend new intake to the course indefinitely. By 2012, when the final four groups finish, the course will have had 500 graduates over almost ten years of training.

In addition to this achievement, the course has also won three awards; a National Training Award, an ESF Lifelong Learning Award and in 2010 a Care Accolade for Investing in the Workforce.

“People want you to see them and hear them as they are and they only want that which we all want for ourselves ‘respect’ and ‘understanding’. “I have come from an attitude of ‘I have all the skill and expertise and I know best’ to ‘How can I best support you to get to where you want to go?’.” Agnes (Group 9 student)

The training students get on the HEC is life-changing, not only for the students, but then consequently for the people our graduates go on to support. And so despite the HEC suspension, Thistle intends to continue to train its staff using shorter, more focused modules, that centre on the learning that makes a difference to staff performance. It’s this commitment to staff development that sets Thistle apart from other organisations; there are similarities between what we offer and what others offer - the difference is in how we do it!

Between November 2002

and October 2010,

19 groups of students

successfully completed the HEC course.

“Things have changed. They’ve

helped me to get a bit more confidence to get on

with people... I want to continue with the gardening.

At least I’m still doing something for the

community.”


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John’s storyThistle Gym Things were so bad I couldn’t even get around the house, so I spoke to my GP and the physiotherapist who came to my house recommended the Thistle Gym. I was a bit dubious at first because another gym I went to had been very intimi-dating and I felt really out of place.

So I came to Thistle with a bit of trepidation, however I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone was. They went out of their way to help me, talk to me and encourage me; everybody helps each other here. I have a laugh with the folk that come along and the classes are really enjoyable, you can have fun and relax.

Rock Bottom

I’d been having problems with my back and last year I came to a very low point; I couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t walk and couldn’t do anything. I was putting on weight because I was unable to do any exercise, so the worse I was getting, the heavier I was getting. It got to the point where I thought: is this what the rest of my life is going to be like?

Independence Gradually I got better and better and I’ve even lost weight since I started coming. Thistle has been a God-send for me; I just wish I’d had this opportu-nity a few years ago.

I’ve gone from people having to do everything for me to being able to doing things for myself again, which has improved my life tremendously. I’ll be a member of the Thistle Gym for as long as I possibly can.

Lifestyle Management On the Lifestyle Management course I met people who’ve had similar issues to me. What I like about Thistle is that everyone has problems but they all deal with them in their own way. When you see them, you think “If they can do it, I can do it”. I’ve met older people who come to the gym almost religiously and think; if I ever get to that age I hope I’m doing that!

Life Changing My life has changed so much; my walking has improved and I’ve made it my goal to go out every morning for the paper. I also wanted to get back to fishing and I’ve already been

out a couple of times this year. I can do things again, whereas before I felt I was cut off from the world.

I just hope other people can get the same support I’ve had because I think it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“If they can do it, I can do it.”


“What I like about Thistle

is that everyone has problems but they all deal with

them in their own way. ”


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Across the central belt of Scotland, we support 92 people to live in their own homes.


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“I didn’t know what to expect

before I got support from Thistle, I was

a bit nervous.”

Adam’s storyHearing about Thistle We were looking for support services and got told about the Thistle Foundation. Before that I was studying at college. I have many gifts and strengths, I like using the computer, script-writing. I’ve been doing that quite a while. I made a film about Boccia, a disabled sport. It’s a bit like bowls where you try to nudge the jack with your ball.

College I was studying Digital Media and Computing Level 4 at Telford College and I’m hoping to get on to level 5 this year. Having support from Thistle has given me more indepen-dence, I can do the things I want to do without my parents. The long-term plan is that I won’t need support, that I’ll be able to go out on my own. In future, I’d like to work in the media and produce films.

“Thistle has given me more independence, I can do the things I want to do without my parents.”

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Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 – 11Thistle Foundation Annual Report 2010 – 11

Our FinancesIncome

Donations and Legacies £430,511

Grant income £326,535

HEC income £167,913

Conference facilities £44,959

Other fundraising activities £31,614

Investment income £333,555

Supported Living £4,089,995

Health and Wellbeing £36,024

Other charitable activities £102,888

Expenditure

Costs of generating voluntary income £248,659

Supported Living £5,161,843

HEC £230,724

Health and Wellbeing £372,802

Conferences & other charitable activities £278,456

Governance costs £54,527

Income summary

Donations

Legacies

Grant income

HEC income (inc. European Social Fund)

Conference facilities

Other fundraising activities

Investment income

Supported Living

Health and Wellbeing

Other charitable activities

2011

417,009

13,502

326,535

167,913

44,959

31,614

333,555

4,089,995

36,024

102,888

5,563,994

% of total

7%

0%

6%

3%

1%

1%

6%

73%

1%

2%

100%

2010

537,054

111,557

273,939

171,839

41,448

76,092

306,777

4,070,009

101,385

94,138

5,784,237

% of total

9%

2%

5%

3%

1%

1%

5%

70%

2%

2%

100%

Expenditure summary

Costs of generating voluntary income

Conference facilities

Supported Living

HEC

Health and Wellbeing

Other charitable activities

Governance costs

2011

248,659

25,166

5,161,843

230,724

372,802

253,290

54,527

6,347,011

% of total

4%

0%

81%

4%

6%

4%

1%

100%

2010

155,932

34,029

4,839,305

233,484

193,334

285,361

67,577

5,809,022

% of total

3%

1%

83%

4%

3%

5%

1%

100%


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Thank youGrant funding Coventry and Warwickshire Cardiovascular Network European Social Fund Forests for People Long Term Conditions Collaborative Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland NHS Lothian Community Health Partnership Poppy Scotland Scottish Government Veterans Fund Voluntary Sector Development Fund

Trusts A M Pilkington’s Charitable Trust Cruden Foundation Limited Glebefoot Charitable Trust Hugh & Mary Miller Bequest Trust J T H Charitable Trust Kenneth Barge Memorial Trust MEB Charitable Trust Miss Rachel E Duncan’s Charitable Trust Mr W J & Mrs C G Dunnachie’s Charitable Trust-The Andrew & Mary Elizabeth Little Charitable Trust Thistle Trust William Grant & Sons Charitable Trust

Groups Caledonian Society of Holland Lincolnshire Lodge Lockhart St John No 248 Lodge of Fort William No 43 Lodge St Andrew at Perth No 74 Lodge The Gael No 609 Mother Lodge Kilwinning Northumberland & Durham Caledonian Society Paisley Rotary Club Portobello Old Parish Church Royal British Legion W S - Lossiemouth

St Andrew’s Club Berwick upon Tweed Taynuilt Golf Club The Salvation Army The Tuesday Circle Wednesday ME Group Wednesday Women (Liberton Kirk)

Corporate Accenture Anderson Medical Mobility Arnold Clark BP Amoco Corporation Chivas Bros Ltd Dickson Minto W S Findlays (Butchers) Greggs Foundation Hibernian Football Club Ltd HSBC Direct Nature Delivered Ltd Premier Inn and Lady Nairne Beefeater Sainsburys Spence & Partners Limited

Legacy Isobella Cowan Marion Mungall Douglas Muriel Neill McDonald Hilda Stewart Mary W Swanson

“A big thank you to all our funders and donors; it’s thanks to you we can deliver our life-changing services every day.”


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Looking forwardLike Julia our Chair, I have a great sense of pride in our team here at Thistle and in the work we do. In this report we have tried to give you a snapshot of the past year, and it’s been a busy and varied one. We have improved how we work so that we are focused on outcomes. We have designed contracts, policies and questionnaires to ensure that our customers can hold us to account and ensure we’re delivering the very best service. We have continued to adapt and design services that truly meet people’s needs and support them to reach their goals. And we have created internal processes that support staff to feel motivated to do the best job we possibly can.

Like many other organisations we have had a tough year financially with cuts and ever increasing competition for fundraised income, and, as we all know, more tough times are ahead for many of us. But despite this we feel we are well positioned to ride out the storm. We have a strong business but perhaps more importantly, strong relationships - both with people we support and their family members, but also with our partner organisations who help us to ensure that people live full and independent lives on their own terms.

So while we face the year ahead with a sense of trepidation, we also know that we can tackle this challenge head on and see it instead as an opportunity to do things a little differently, something we know we can do!

Diana Noel-Paton Chief Executive

Our detailsPatron Her Majesty the Queen

Honorary President Bryce K. McCosh

Board of Trustees Julia Fitzpatrick (Chair)

Jane Ballantine (Vice Chair to June 2010)

Solveig Hoy (Chair of Finance Committee) Resigned November 2010

David Amers Appointed August 2010

Jan Cochran

John Dalrymple Appointed August 2010

Samantha Folcarelli

David Giffin Appointed June 2010

Raymond Harland Resigned November 2010

The Directorate Diana Noel-Paton, Chief Executive

Louise Kelly, Director of Learning, Development and H.R.

Louise Page, Director of External Relations

Sandra Howells, Director of Corporate Services

Auditors Henderson Loggie

34 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7HA

Bankers Royal Bank of Scotland plc 26 St Andrew Square Edinburgh EH2 2YB

We have continued to adapt and design services that truly meet people’s needs and support them to reach their goals.

If you would like to help us by volunteering or donating, please go to www.thistle.org.uk or call 0131 661 3366. We’d love to hear from you!

Thistle Foundation Niddrie Mains Road Edinburgh EH16 4EA

T: 0131 661 3366 F: 0131 661 4879 [email protected] www.thistle.org.uk

Design by Lizzie Cameron www.thecollectiveworks.co.uk

Photography by Sam Sills www.whitedogphoto.co.uk

Additional Photography by Thistle Foundation

The Thistle Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland, number SC24409. Our registered Scottish charity number is SC016816. Our registered address is Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4EA.

thiste foundation annual report 2010/11

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