Enham In Touch Winter Issue

“ The evolving national mood”

Peta Wilkinson, Chief Executive, page 2

“ Announcing the new Enham Chairman”

Professor Khalid Aziz, page 3

InTouch.The magazine for Enham’s Supporters and Friends Winter | 2012/2013

HIGH ACHIEVERLily Helme, page 6

INSIDE

THE70THANNIVERSARYOF THE BATTLEOF EL ALAMEIN

www.enham.org.uk

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www.enham.org.ukInTouch. Winter 2012 / 20132

InTouch.Winter newsletter

Contents

12

9

7

A message from our Chief Executive 2

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein 3

Introducing Enham’s new Chairman, Professor Khalid Aziz 3

My story: Clive Henderson 4

Fact file: PIP benefit payments 5

Cover story: High achievers 6

My story: Louise Chesson 7

Enham over the years: A timeline 8-9

How can assistive technology help our clients? 10

Enham’s Buddy Scheme 11

Walled garden refurbishment project 12

Every morning as I walk to my office, I am moved and delighted in equal measure by the fantastic achievements happening around me. The day-to-day positivity, strength, passion and drive of the disabled people we support are an inspiration to us all.

It was with great concern therefore that I read the findings of the British Social Attitudes survey published in September 2012, covering the first full year of the steepest deficit reduction programme since the Second World War.

The body which conducts the study noted that, “If you look back at the previous recession, you find that people became more sympathetic…that hasn’t happened this time.” Particularly striking is the erosion of a longstanding belief that those viewed as ‘deserving’ should be aided.

In 1998, three out of four wanted to see more spending on benefits for disabled people, compared with just 53 per cent in 2011.

At a time when benefit changes have the potential to reduce independence, choice and control, we must ensure that the rights of disabled people are protected.

Thank you for all your support.

Peta Wilkinson, Chief Executive

Dear Friend,


8 -



On Saturday 20th October, the village of Enham Alamein was transported back to the 1940s to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle.

The Second Battle of El Alamein ran for 13 days between 23rd October and 4th November 1942. Field Marshall Montgomery led the Eighth Army to victory against the Germans in the desert sands of Egypt. Not only was it a pivotal moment for the Allies in the Western Desert Campaign, it was also a landmark moment in the history of Enham.

In 1945 a generous ‘thank you’ donation from Egypt enabled the Enham charity to expand its rehabilitation services and build many more homes and training facilities. The village was renamed Enham Alamein.

And so in October, a series of events and re-enactments evoked the famous wartime spirit, while veterans rubbed shoulders with those who were wearing their uniforms from yesteryear. There were readings by Bernard Horn, former Chairman of Enham’s Board of Trustees, and Lt Gen Sir Freddy Viggers, a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire. Chris Pritchard shared the vivid memories of his late father, a chaplain with the Eighth Army at the height of the Battle.

Enham Events Organiser Liz Cosgrove said of the day, “The sun shone and hundreds came to join in, seeing everything from tiny desert bikes through to our battle history exhibition with its original exhibits and displays.”

The final day saw the formal commemorations begin with a 25-pounder gun salute and the ringing of the original El Alamein train station bell. This was followed by a memorial concert with

Enham is delighted to announce the appointment of media and business communications specialist Professor Khalid Aziz LVO DL FRSA to its Board

of Trustees. Professor Aziz has joined the Board with immediate effect as Chairman Designate, and will become Chairman in 2013.

Professor Aziz brings a wealth of experience in media communications and organisational development. He is Chairman of both The Aziz Corporation and Naomi House children’s hospice, a business communications specialist, ambassador for national organisations, and a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.

Commenting on his new appointment, Professor Aziz said, “Enham is a well-established charity, and widely admired. There is tremendous potential to spread the word about the quality and variety of its work. I very much look forward to being part of that initiative.”

music from the Test Valley Brass Band and a thanksgiving service.

To the haunting sound of the last post, played by members of Test Valley Brass, 93-year-old war veteran Harold Briant, once a gunner with the 1st Mountain Regiment, laid a poppy wreath in remembrance of his fallen comrades, and the many thousands who lost their lives fighting for freedom.

Commemorating the 70th

anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein

www.enham.org.uk 3InTouch. Winter 2012/ 2013

Introducing our new Chairman: Professor Khalid Aziz



www.enham.org.ukInTouch. Winter 2012/ 2013Winter 2012 / 20134

I’ve been a resident in William House for thirteen years.

During that time I’ve acquired the skills to be able to live

independently with the aid of minimal support.

Like any other 36-year-old man I want to live

my own life, to have control of my own destiny

without others controlling it for me. Whilst I

understand that my disability means I’m reliant

on people for certain aspects of my life, I’m very

capable of living independently with minimal help.

I want to feel the way I do when I’m at the

farm in Fullerton that I go to each week, or at

Radio Enham. I’m treated like an adult, with

respect and consulted; I have my opinions and

they count.

I’m now regularly making the trip into Andover alone where I’m able to meet with

friends and socialise, do my weekly shopping and have a meal out if I choose.

I’ve gradually been taking on more tasks for myself and not relying on support staff. For

example, I am seeing to my personal care needs myself. It’s hard for me to do and I

struggle, especially when I’m tired – it can take me up to 40 minutes – but I still do it as

I don’t care how long it takes, it’s important for me to be able to be self-reliant.

Now I close the curtains by myself and administer my own medication, I put my talker

on charge and pull my quilt back so it’s ready for me when I go to bed. I get clothes out

for the next day, and I can make my own drinks and my own food in the microwave.

“ I couldn’t do any of these tasks by myself before. I’m doing things now

to prepare me to become more independent. I want to settle down, be my

own person and enjoy my life.”

My story: Clive Henderson

Radio Enham

The purpose of Radio Enham is three-fold: To deliver therapeutic speech and language benefits; to develop ‘life skills’ – such as teamwork, organisation and time management, in an innovative, dynamic manner; and to provide an outlet for creativity.

We have found that the opportunity to broadcast their thoughts, views and feelings to a wider audience has motivated participants to make extraordinary progress. At present, 35

of the residents at our care homes are able to participate at Radio Enham. We have a waiting list of residents who would also benefit, but currently we do not have enough space or equipment to enable them to do so. The plan is to replace our one makeshift studio with two roomier, tailor-made studios, outfitted with accessible radio equipment, enabling more participants to share their views, develop their speech and language skills and grow in confidence.



www.enham.org.uk 5InTouch. Winter 2012/ 2013 5Winter 2012 / 2013

As you may be aware, it was announced in the Emergency Budget of June 2010 that the Government would be reforming Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This was followed by the proposal in December 2012 to replace it with a new benefit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The implementation of this payment is now less than six months away.

PIP benefit payments

What do we know about PIPso far?

In June of 2012 the Government ended its consultation on the eligibility rules that will underpin PIP. These rules will now inform the development of secondary legislation. Much of the detail of this benefit is still to be published and we won’t know until 2013 exactly what it will look like – the level of payment, the qualifying conditions for each element and how decisions will be made have not yet been finalised.

Eligibility criteria

PIP will be introduced for new claimants from April 2013. Those that are already receiving DLA, if aged 16-64, will be invited to apply for PIP from late 2013 onward, and assessed against the new entitlement criteria. There are no plans to replace DLA with PIP for children under the age of 16, or those over the age of 65.

Payment

PIP will be calculated in two parts, with both parts having a standard and enhanced rate:

A ‘mobility’ component which will relate to claimants’ ability to get around independently out of doors.

A ‘daily living’ component which will reflect claimants’ ability to carry out daily living activities, such as cooking, dressing, bathing and engaging socially with other people.

Award criteria

After considering the effect of a person’s disability on their daily life, a score will be given to the individual. This score will determine if the person qualifies for PIP and at what rate.

The potential impact

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) noted on page 32 of the design consultation published in March 2012 that: “The entitlement criteria for Personal Independence Payment will be different to those of DLA and will result in some people who have health conditions or disabilities but lesser barriers to participation relative to others receiving reduced support.”

What action are we taking?

We have been working to influence Government policy by responding to Government Green Papers, hosting our annual Speaker’s House event, and encouraging the disabled people we support to participate in national campaigns aimed at influencing disability policy.

We will continue to closely monitor and report on the impact of these changes on the lives of disabled people.




High achieversIn late May, Enham CEO Peta Wilkinson and plucky 18-year-old Lily Helme (pictured) joined the Red Devils for a tandem skydive to raise funds for Enham.

They jumped out of the plane at 13,000 feet, accelerating from 0-120mph in just 10 seconds! “What a wonderful experience! I’d definitely do it again,” exclaimed Peta after the jump. “So many people get involved in fundraising for Enham, and I decided it was time I did my bit too. I might try bungee jumping next!”.

For Lily, the jump posed an extra challenge. Lily is a wheelchair user and used a special harness attached to an experienced instructor for her jump, allowing her to land safely. “I want to be able to hand over life-changing money to loads of people. I am disabled, so I know from experience what the smallest bit of equipment can do for someone who is physically challenged on a day-to-day basis,” said Lily.

Lily, who plans to start using some of Enham’s services, has raised an incredible £26,000 in sponsorship – a record for sponsored skydivers jumping for Enham. Lily’s achievement was formally recognised at Enham’s annual Recognition and Celebration Awards in November 2012.

Peta Wilkinson presented Lily with the Fundraising Award, acknowledging the particularly large sum she had raised individually, and her gutsy, ‘can do’ approach to fundraising; her skydive captured the imagination of everyone at the charity.

We’re delighted to be welcoming Lily into the Enham family and very much look forward to working with her towards achieving her goals.

The Enham Awards 2012

2012WINNERS!

AWARD RECIPIENT

Fundraising Award Lily Helme

Volunteer Award Linda Fox

Partnership Award Hobbs Rehabilitation

Spirit of Enham Award Winner: Adele DalyHighly Commended: Len Paddock and Enham Radio

Outstanding Achievement Award Shaun Barker



www.enham.org.uk 7InTouch. Winter 2012 / 2013

I’m Louise. I’m 33 and I have spina bifida. I came to Enham with the goal of increasing my independence, and the ambition ultimately of training for a career in health and social care. Before coming to Enham I’d always been discouraged from taking this path.From the outset, I was supported by the Enham Trust to do what I wanted to do, as far as possible. The work placements officer focused straight away on my wish to work with children, and before long, I was gaining work experience in both a playgroup and primary school.

I really enjoyed interacting with the children, and it was rewarding helping them learn to read and write. I continued with my school and playgroup placements, until an opportunity came along to volunteer on Enham’s Reception. To begin with, I felt nervous about speaking to people on the phone. I worried about which calls to put through to which people. But I soon got my head round it and figured out the structure of the organisation, and began to really enjoy the diversity of the people calling in.With my new-found administration skills, I’m now volunteering within several other departments at Enham, as well as with a special needs children’s club at Andover and District Mencap.

My confidence has grown so much in my time at Enham. This has helped me realise what I’m capable of, and to work out what I want to do with my time – with my life. Enham’s person-centred philosophy has made all the difference; I feel I have real choices, and that I’m in control of my life. For example, I have chosen who supports me – my ‘personal assistant’ – and it’s someone I like and who I’m building a good rapport with. In the past, disabled people wouldn’t have had this choice – but having carers you click with matters so much. Because of how Enham works, and the freedoms I have in my life, I feel happy and safe here, and I’m achieving things I never thought possible.

My story: Louise Chesson

Enham’s Learning and Working Programme in numbers

During 2011-2012 we provided employment support to over 500 disabled people, and have helped over 200 of them into work since June 2011.

Over 1,000 qualifications have been attained by our beneficiaries on the Skills2Achieve and Steps2Employment programmes. 63 of our

young Skills2Achieve trainees have achieved employment, apprenticeships or college places.

We currently employ 46 disabled people in our supported businesses, and help them make transitions to non-supported work positions elsewhere when they are ready.

“ I live independently in my own bungalow, and I’ve been able to volunteer and train in areas that interest me.”




With so many injured servicemen returning from the First World War the country, for the first time, had to consider the needs of people with disabilities. The rural village of Enham near Andover was chosen to be the first Village Centre for their care and rehabilitation – an innovative project dedicated to enabling the men to regain independence and the ability to provide for their families.

By the end of 1919, 50 disabled ex-servicemen and their families, known as ‘settlers’, had come to Enham.

In the 1930s, with memories of the Great War still vivid, many fundraising events were held to support the servicemen at Enham. And in 1945, following the end of the Second World War, Enham received a gift of £225,000 as a ‘thank you’ from the Egyptian people for the gallantry of British Forces during the Battle of El Alamein. The village was re-named ‘Enham Alamein’. It was the beginning of the village expansion. Field Marshall Lord Montgomery of Alamein visited the village in 1948. ‘Monty’ became one of Enham’s most distinguished Vice-Presidents.

No-one had ever offered training in such a wide range of trades – from rearing poultry to basket making, carpentry, and furniture making. Their success resulted in Enham’s first industries, with a woodworking factory and market garden providing income for the village and salaries for the men.

Enham was the celebrity cause if its time, attracting the patronage of Royalty, politicians and show business stars. We were visited by King George V and Queen Mary, and later in 1926 by the Prince of Wales who opened the Landale Wilson Institute. King George personally donated £100 to the Village Centre.

Enham over the years: A timelineEnham has a unique history with a rich past. Below are the key milestones in the time since the village was established in 1919, with some facts that you may not know about us.

Field marshall Montgomery of Alamein visits Enham in 1947.

1919 1930s - 40s1920s



www.enham.org.uk InTouch. 9Winter 2012 / 2013

The new century has brought many landmarks. The biggest change is the introduction of ‘Person Centred Planning’ (PCP), which gives disabled people more choice and control in the way they live their lives. Enham today has social enterprises such as Mount Industries – over half of whose staff are disabled – making quality furniture for schools and offices. And today, our Building Choices programme moves forward: in 2011, we opened Coopers Chase, which offers a transition from fully supported care to greater independence. Funding is also in place to start building accessible town-centre homes in Andover.

This period saw the long-overdue modernisation of some of Enham’s principal facilities.

Industries prospered, the engineering workshop expanded, and 131 houses and flats were modernised. In 1981 Princess Alexandra visited Enham, toured the industries and formally opened Alexandra House. The Duchess of Gloucester became our Patron in 1984 and in 1989, the Enham Candles Factory entered the Guinness Book of Records, having made the world’s tallest candle!

There followed significant improvements to, and expansion of, the village, including a new 50-bedroom state-of-the-art care home – the first in the country to provide individual (non-dormitory) accommodation for people with disabilities. In 1955, Enham opened its doors to people with a wider range of disabilities, and in 1966 women were offered residential places for the first time.

1950s-60s 1970s-80s 2000 and beyond




How can assistive technology help our clients?

What is a mobile phone ‘app’?

An ‘app’, also known as application software, is defined as a piece of computer software that helps the user perform specific tasks. Mobile applications run on hand-held devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants. Today, there are hundreds of apps relating to disabilities and health.

What challenges can they help to solve?

Recent research reported in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation in the United States has shown how mobile phone applications can help adults with autism function in the workplace.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have valuable assets and strength that are sought after in the workplace, such as logical and mathematical ability, exceptional computer skills or photographic memory.

However, only 15% of adults with ASD in the United States have some form of paid work. Difficulties related to cognition, behaviour, communication and sensory processing can impact their ability to attain and retain employment.

The studyParticipants in a four-year trial were each given a vocational placement, paired with a job coach and given an individualised suite of apps to provide support. These included task reminders and lists, video prompts, tools for self-managing behaviour and other supports, along with training in the use of the device as a vocational aid.

The results

One participant, Jeffrey, worked at a restaurant. He had difficulty moving from one task to another and couldn’t remember the multiple steps required by his role, leading him to become stressed. To combat this, when he became stressed he would use an app that displayed calming images, such as spinning, and emitted sounds, such as humming. Jeffrey’s occupational therapist also worked with him to set reminder alarms on his phone to cue moving from one task to another. Step-by-step checklists were also created to ensure tasks were completed properly. Within a week, Jeffrey was successfully responding to the reminder cues and checking task notes. A year on, he continues to use the apps and is recognised as a valuable employee.

Technology is something that increasingly impacts on the lives of all of us. In this article, we look at how mobile phone applications can be used to improve the lives of disabled people and further their independence.



www.enham.org.uk InTouch. 11Winter 2012 / 2013

Do you want to do something different? Do you have time to commit and want to meet new people in the Andover area, to be inspired, give a disabled person new opportunities, share interests and have the opportunity to engage with the community?

Then please look no further!

The Buddy Scheme at Enham helps to create informal friendships that match potential volunteers with Enham clients by age and interests.

We are looking for a cross-section of volunteers, working, retired, young or older, who have the time to spare to become involved in a chosen aspect of a disabled person’s life. With shared interests, you can soon be going to a football match, painting, cooking, hanging out watching a DVD on or any activity that you both enjoy!

A volunteer Buddy offers new friendship to our clients from outside of Enham. Through you, the disabled people we support can experience a broader social life, a sharing of interests and

experiences, and a widened perspective on life. Buddying relationships are invaluable for boosting confidence and supporting personal development – but above all, they are FUN!

Here’s what just a couple of our current Buddies have to say about being part of the Scheme:

Enham’s Bringing life-enhancing experiences

“ It makes me feel good about myself. It makes me think and I believe that it helps me feel – like many men, I’m not good at that!”

Charlie, Enham Buddy

“ I like to help people. Being unemployed, I feel that it’s good to do something, and it gives me a chance to make use of my skills.”

Luke, Enham Buddy

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you’re interested in finding out more information about Enham’s Buddy Scheme, and indeed the activities that our current volunteer Buddies and their disabled friends are doing, then please contact Jo Young, Enham’s Volunteer Programme Manager, on 01264 345 836 or at [email protected]


InTouch. Winter 2012 / 201312

Walled garden refurbishment project

Thank You for supporting the work of Enham. With your financial and volunteering help, we are able to change lives.

Your continued support makes a real difference

£45£20 £150could provide a mouth-operated seed-sower, allowing clients to pick up and place seeds using suction.

could pay for a foot mouse, making it possible for someone who does not have use of their hands to use a computer.

could provide a client with essential items such as bedding and crockery, when moving from a care home into their own home.

Many of the disabled people at Enham get a great deal of pleasure from gardening activities. They provide therapeutic benefits, a platform for skills development and even work experience. Over the years our donors’ continuing support has enabled us to offer a variety of greatly valued horticultural opportunities to our beneficiaries, from creating a sponsored garden at a local garden centre to the building of a wheelchair-friendly vegetable bed in the garden of one of our care homes.

Our clients’ love of gardening, and the priority we give to health and wellbeing as well as developing new, transferable skills, have combined to inspire an exciting idea for a new horticultural project at Enham.

We are working with our disabled residents to explore the possibility of restoring a disused 200-year-old walled garden in the heart of the village of Enham Alamein. It is currently laid to lawn, and disconnected from neighbouring buildings; we would like to transform it into a vibrant, accessible community kitchen garden, with greenhouse and shed and many more wheelchair-friendly raised beds.

The revived garden would supply organic fruit and vegetables to our care homes, village residents and the community shop and café, while the disabled people involved in the project would learn a host of new skills, engaging in rewarding and meaningful activity.

Taking a project such as this forward would depend heavily on our donors’ support, so please give generously, and help us to unlock the pleasure of kitchen gardening in time for the next growing season.


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Enham In Touch Winter Issue