newsSummer 2009 Issue 4

3Getting the mostout of life 4 A winning team 6Come dancing

Livability is the new face of John Groomsand the Shaftesbury Society

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A history lessonThe Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury was the firstpresident of both the Shaftesbury Society andJohn Grooms, the two charities that formedLivability. He led a remarkable life and hischaracter still inspires us today. Here’s how acontemporary writer described his later life:

His life was full of activity, and of the kind which seemed bestemployed when devoted to carrying out some beneficentpurpose. Even when far advanced in life, and therefore havingreached a time when most people are expected to take thingseasy, he might be seen going from the House of Lords to theCommons with the briskness of a young man. Few men seemedto bear more lightly such a load of years. He never set himself upto be a man of intellect or power, nor did he pretend or try to be astatesman. He was content with being good and doing good, andin this has set an example within the reach of those who have thehumblest talents or the fewest opportunities.John W Kirton

Welcome to another edition ofLivability News. I’d like to startby thanking you for yourinvaluable support for ourwork. We are grateful for theinterest of every supporterbecause you underpin whatwe do and without you, itsimply couldn’t happen.

In this edition of Livability News, we aretelling stories about the people thatmake us special. As Chief Executive,I’m so aware that I have a fantasticteam of staff, and I’m proud to say thatthey often go far above and beyondwhat’s expected of them. My onlysadness is that with limited space, wecan’t tell more stories of the veryspecial people who work here.

A great team is only part of theLivability story. We are also blessedwith a committed group of supporters.Some, like media personality andLivability Vice President Roger Royle,are well known, but others, like JoanPacheco, who we sadly lost earlier thisyear, are no less significant. And if youare one of the hundreds who sent inyour favourite recipe, then thank you,too. However you support us, bygiving your time, your money or yourprayers, we are very grateful to you.

Thank you again for your support,

Mary Bishop, Chief Executive

Enthusiastic Livabilty supporters ready to run the London Marathon

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Livability50 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4XQTel: 020 7452 2000 Fax: 020 7452 2100info@livability.org.ukwww.livability.org.uk

Registered charity no: 1116530Registered in England no: 5967078Livability is the operating name of Grooms-Shaftesbury, a company limited by guarantee.

Message fromMary

Why I support Livability“I remember the first time I heard of John Grooms,” says MayCooper, a Livability supporter. “It was back in 1991. My friend, whowas disabled, stayed in a John Grooms holiday home and had agreat time.” Eighteen years is a long time, but for some ofLivability’s loyal supporters, the reason why they decided tosupport us is still a fond memory.

May Cooper, from Burton on Trent, became a supporter becauseshe wanted to be part of a charity that creates choices for disabledpeople. Mrs Cooper says: “It’s in my nature to care and I do enjoyhelping people. I shall keep showing my support for charities I’mmost fond of, like Livability. I am retired, but I do my best.”

As we work with disabled and marginalised people, it is a realhonour to know that, for many years, thousands of supportershave been taking this journey of passion and commitmentalongside us. Mrs Butterworth, from Surrey, has supportedLivability since 1994. She feels strongly that young disabled peopledeserve the right to live in suitable accommodation. MrsButterworth says: “I feel it is very hard for these young people. I amvery keen that disabled people should live independent lives!”

What does Livability mean to you? We would love to hear yourthoughts about the charity, and why you decided to support us.Please contact Julia Hunton via email at: jhunton@livability.org.uk.

On 17 April Livability supportersand friends gathered at Wesley’sChapel in central London for ourfirst Easter service. With sopranoMary Plazas and the Pure GospelChoir providing wonderful music,it was a great time of celebration.Eileen from one of our LifestylesChoices projects gave an insightinto what Livability means in herlife. The service was lead by oneof our stalwart supporters, BBCRadio’s Canon Roger Royle. Itwas a lovely service and raisedaround £13,000 for our work.Watch out for details of nextyear’s service.

HolidaysWith more and more peopleplanning on taking their holidaysin the UK this year, here’s anopportunity you won’t want tomiss. Livability Holidays arepleased to offer a 5% discount toall our supporters. We haveholiday accommodation in someof the country’s most populardestinations, including Ambleside,Minehead and Llandudno. Ourholiday centres are designed withdisability access in mind, so maybe ideal for taking an olderrelative on a break. To find outmore, why not visitwww.livabilityholidays.org.uk

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Easter ServiceAt Livability, we work hard to give the disabled people we support themost fulfilling life possible. It’s often the small, everyday things thathelp people enjoy the day and bring a sense of achievement. Staff atAnvil House, one of our residential centres in Essex, make sure theseven residents, none of whom communicate verbally, get the mostout of life at home and in the community.

Several of the residents are out during the day at local day servicesand other activities. Back at home, they enjoy dinner together in thedining room, or, if they choose, they can take their meal in their ownroom. Later on, a trip to the pub down the road is a popular way tospend the evening and staff try to make sure residents can do thistwice a week if they wish. Other local evenings out include playingsnooker and going ten-pin bowling.

One of the highlights of the week at Anvil is “pamper night”, wheneveryone gets a chance to relax and emerge a little bit moreglamorous than when they arrived. One of the staff, a trained beautytherapist, offers manicures and pedicures, or hand and footmassages. With music in the background, the evening is a greatsource of enjoyment for the residents, even for some of the men wholike sitting with their feet in a warm, bubbly foot spa!

The residents’ spiritual needs are considered important at Anvil and arange of different activities are organised which the residents canchoose to attend. Many of the residents like to go to “Anvil Alpha”once a week, where they hear a Bible story and can make some craftbased around the story. Everyone can use musical instruments to joinin the worship time. The local vicar is a good friend of Anvil House andoften pops in. He has a hidden talent which delights the residents – hedoes a great impersonation of Elvis Presley. Heather, a resident who isa huge Elvis fan and has her room decorated with Elvis memorabilia,was thrilled when the vicar found her an Elvis mug as a gift.

One of the resident’s parents summed up the importance of a placelike Anvil House: “David gets opportunities to do things here that hewouldn’t get if he were living at home.” Comments like that encouragestaff across our services to carry on giving new opportunities toeveryone they work with, even when that can be difficult and time-consuming, because at Livability we don’t want anyone to settle for less.

Getting the most out of life

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A winning teamThey say that an organisation is only as good as itspeople. Here at Livability, we’re proud to have a reallygreat team of staff. They are a group of people whoare truly committed to changing lives. They give somuch of themselves – the work can be physicallydemanding, requiring large amounts of effort andenergy. Perhaps more significantly, the work is oftenemotionally demanding. Working with people with longterm or life-shortening conditions can call for staff todraw on deep reserves of patience and compassion.

February’s heavy snow-fall placed great demands onour staff, who responded with incredible resilience.While many businesses up and down the countrysimply closed for a few days, that was never an optionfor us. Some staff at one project worked a 72-hourshift when their colleagues were unable to get in. Yetthey remained very positive: “We all just pulled together!”

Teachers and support workers usually enjoy the quietrural location of Hinwick Hall College, but the snowturned it into a real challenge. Local roads were notgritted and the heavy snow turned to ice on the road,leaving the college cut off for three days. But staffput in a huge effort. “Many staff came to work withchanges of clothing and bedding because theyknew they would be staying for a few days,” recallsprincipal Tansi Harper. “And my vice principal, LizAuchincloss, became a sous chef, helping toprepare the meals!”

Spirits were high for these three days even thoughstudents were not able to access all the collegebuildings could have become very bored, moralewas high. A sing-a-long led by the Head of Educationcreated a great distraction as students and staffjoined together to keep warm and have fun.

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Sometimes staff go the extra mileto enable service users to makechoices and get involved in theircommunity. Jill Lammond, whoworks in Brackley, volunteered fora night shift extraordinaire whenshe supported service user Nigelto take part in an Extreme SleepOut event. Nigel really wanted toget involved, to raise money for aYMCA homelessness project, soJill went along to support him.

Nigel, Jill and a small group sleptoutside the local Baptist churchon a cold January night, andtogether raised nearly £2,000!They had fuelled up earlier on fishand chips, and coffee at a localcafé. Jill reports that the first thingshe did when she got home thenext morning was have a hot bathand crawl into bed. In so manyother organisations, Nigel wouldhave just been told he couldn’ttake part – that it was too difficultto organise. But thanks to stafflike Jill, we are able to offer peoplereal choices – and the chance tolive life to the full.

Our staff are often unsung heroes.Their work may rarely beglamorous, rarely be in the publiceye. Instead it is day-in, day-out,calling for levels of commitmentthat few can match. We try torecognise staff who go beyondthe call of duty – our “StarPerformers”. Here’s what a few ofthem have to say:

The best thing about my jobis solving challenges – I workwith people who sometimeshave challenging behaviour,but I always try and getbrilliant outcomes – I loveseeing people doing thingson their own.Tracy Mutsinze, East SussexSupported Living, who just starteda management course

Why do I work here? Toenable service users to haveday-to-day fulfilment in life.Irene Richmond, 30 years at YorkHouse

I love all aspects of my job,and couldn’t think of beinganywhere else reallyTracy Longcluse, third generationof her family to work at Brookside

The best thing is when wesee a service user achieve agoal they have been workingtowards – there’s nothingbetter than that.Louis Chan Kee, Dolphin Courtmanager

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“Plié! Tendue! Plié! Tendue! Bend! Stretch!” Balletinstructions echoed through the hall. Children inwheelchairs threw themselves at the challengewholeheartedly, steering themselves around thespace with surprising grace. And even slightly self-conscious support workers found themselves joiningin with enthusiasm.

Victoria Education Centre recently had an amazingopportunity to work with the English National Balletduring their performing arts week. Followinggenerous funding from the Scotshill Trust, the balletcompany spent three days running workshops withall the students. The dancers taught them newtechniques and encouraged them to devise andchoreograph their own work.

The last day culminated in a fantastic performance.Victoria students showed off newly-found ballet andtap-dancing skills. One piece saw older studentswork with dancers from Poole High School to greateffect as the strength and speed of the wheelchairusers brought a real dynamic to the stage. Finally,the principal dancers from the English National Balletput on a beautiful exhibition which left everyonespeechless. Our thanks go to everyone involved inorganising such an unforgettable week.

Come dancing

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With sadnessIt was with real sadness that we learned of the deathof one of our most loyal and hard-working supporters,Joan Pacheco. Joan had been a member of theEdgware Friends of John Grooms since it began in1969, eventually becoming chair for most of the1990’s. She also sat on the board of John Grooms formany years. We have many committed supporters,but Joan and her husband Jack stood apart in theirdedication and perseverance. Those of us who hadthe pleasure of being there will never forget theirtireless work at Edgware’s summer fêtes and golfdays. As an organisation, we are privileged to havemany loyal supporters, like Joan, who have enabledus to achieve so much in our work with disabled anddisadvantaged people.

Sugar and spiceThank you for sending us your deliciousrecipes, in response to receiving our“Recipe for independence” letter. You mayremember how we explained that fullyaccessible kitchens are an essential part ofleading independent lives for residentsDavid and Lucy. Residents and staff fromcare homes around the country have beenbusily sifting, rolling and baking somefantastic recipes. We’re pleased to say thatDavid and Lucy selected a deliciously moist,gooey apple cake as the winning recipe!Thank you again to everyone who sharedtheir recipes with us.

“May God bless you all with everygood thing, and supply all yourneeds now and in the future.” Thisis just one example of the inspiringwords of support sent to HinwickHall College recently in responseto our Path to Freedom appeal.You may remember receiving ourletter at Christmas, which told youabout this special college inNorthamptonshire, and our hopeto build a purpose-built bicyclepath for the students.

We have been simplyoverwhelmed with your generosity.We have even had one personsend us money specifically to buy a new specially adapted bike.Nicky Clarke, a physiotherapist at Hinwick, has seen first hand thedifference cycling makes to the students. “Cycling improves fitnesslevels, mobility and it raises self esteem and confidence.” she says.“It improves students’ coordination and helps them achieve agreater level of independence. They also get to meet new friendsand it’s such fun!”

As you are probably aware, there is a great deal going onthroughout Livability’s schools and colleges this year. You may haverecently had an update about a major refurbishment project atHinwick, This has become our priority, as it will open the college upto a further 19 students. But we are exploring ways of incorporatingthe bike path in this exciting redevelopment. We will definitely bekeeping you posted over the coming months.

Events Calendar

Livability golf dayBuckinghamshire28 September 2009Following on from the hugesuccess of last year’s tournament,this year’s event promises to be anexciting day. After 18 holes of golf,there will be a three-course dinnerwith a raffle and otherentertainment.

A night at the musicalsLandmark HotelOctober 2009Join us for an enchanting eveningat London’s prestigious LandmarkHotel. Guests will enjoy asumptuous three-course meal aswell as an evening of songs fromthe musicals.

Footsteps of Moses trekSinai Peninsula, Egypt6-9 November 2009Join us for an unforgettable trip toEgypt where you will able to followthe footsteps of Moses visiting StKatherine’s monastery andclimbing to the top of the mountainwhere he received the TenCommandments. Your last day willbe spent relaxing on the beach ofSharm El Sheikh.

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Update from Hinwick

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

Come into the gardenIf you are a fan of gardening, then this is an opportunity not to bemissed. On Sunday 19 July, Livability would like to invite you to anopen garden at Ote Hall, Wivelsfield. This stunning garden, notusually open to the public, includes an ancient yew tree mentionedin the Doomsday Book.

The highlight will be a talk byacclaimed horticulturalist Dr DeanMarston, who will be sharing hisknowledge with us in aninformative and entertaining way.

Tickets are complimentaryhowever a suggested donation of£10 would be greatly appreciated.To reserve your tickets pleasetelephone us on 020 7452 2115 oremail events@livability.org.uk.

“Victoria School is perfect for Callie,she’s getting everything – and more –that she needs.”

Clair’s five year old daughter Callie is a pupil atLivability’s Victoria Education Centre in Poole,Dorset. Callie has a rare condition called Cornelia deLange Syndrome. She has physical and learningdisabilities and her development progresses quiteslowly. She is a happy, content little girl and is verycurious about the world around her. Like mostchildren, she can also be quite cheeky!

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Food for thought

Victoria has helped Callie in so many ways. Callieespecially loves the stimulation she gets from thesensory facilities. She’s also fascinated with theinteractive whiteboard. All these activities help withCallie’s motor skills, dexterity and problem-solvingabilities. In addition, she has so much fun havinghydrotherapy in the pool, which helps to improve hermuscle tone and flexibility.

The most dramatic way in which Victoria School hashelped Callie is with her eating. She had alwaysneeded to be fed through a tube directly into herstomach. So before she came to Victoria, she hadn’ttasted food. But that was something the school’stherapy team were determined to change.

Over the last 2 years Callie has made significantprogress. Although she still needs to be tube-fed,she is now able to feed herself small tastes ofdifferent foods. Callie’s teachers made the family aspecial book with pictures of her trying all differentkinds of food. “They have been amazing at helpingCallie to explore eating.” says Clair. “By giving us thebook, they went above and beyond – as they sooften do.”

At Livability, we are committed to doing all we can tobring opportunities and choice to those we workwith – giving them the chance to experience all thatlife has to offer. It is your generous support whichmakes this possible.