June Newsletter A

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:06

Page 1

BREAKING THE BARRIER goes national and is renamed ‘SurfABLE’ Fashion designer, motorcrosser, surfer girl, and overall dynamo personality, Maia Norman announces her patronage of SurfABLE, the newly launched partner project between Lifeworks and Surf Relief UK. “It’s such a perfect platform to engage kids with disabilities, I just couldn’t refuse,” says Norman. “Making surfing accessible to children regardless of disability is a noble enterprise and one which I’m privileged and proud to be a part of!” SurfABLE comes about thanks to the efforts of Lifeworks, Surf Relief UK, 8 surf schools, a multitude of helpful organisations and volunteers, and hundreds of youngsters! With the addition of Maia, SurfABLE is all set to hit the beaches, to reach and teach as many disabled children in the UK as it can, to break barriers and literally, make waves! Surf Relief UK is the only charity in the country dedicated to surfing and youngsters with disabilities. “Surf Relief is a small charity achieving big things and ‘SurfABLE’ is an exciting, challenging and unique venture which aims to use surfing to change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged young people,” says Dave Manley, Chairman of SRUK. “For 2 years now, we’ve been establishing a network of surf schools who are keen to deliver lessons and encouragement to children with any and all types of disabilities. Teaming up with Lifeworks who share the same passion for improving the lives of disabled children is a really exciting development.” Indeed, since 2007 when it inaugurated its special needs Breaking the Barrier events, Lifeworks has been intent on providing new and innovative ways to encourage children with learning disabilities to engage with and take part in local community activities. “Our mission is to create educational and recreational opportunities for learning disabled children and young people, opportunities that these youngsters should have as a natural part of their childhood and adolescence,” says Lifeworks Events Director, Lis Leader. “Where stepping stones towards a self-sustainable future don’t exist, Lifeworks endeavours to create them. Where the means to develop skills towards independence are unavailable, Lifeworks forges new pathways.”

For more information on SurfABLE please visit our website: www.surfable.co.uk or contact us on 01803 840780.

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life • Lifeworks aims to tackle exclusion, disadvantage and inequality concerning children and adults with learning difficulties.

SurfABLE delivers one-day events across the UK introducing youngsters with disabilities to surfing, as well as supporting on-going lessons, participation within surfing communities and a general inclusive atmosphere in this inspiring sport. As of this year, events will be hosted by 6 nominated surf schools that belong to the SurfABLE network, and are free to children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 20. It’s a fun-filled, carefree family day out, as rare as hen’s teeth for those with special needs children, and a chance for all children with additional needs to have a go at surfing under the guidance of specialist instructors using specially designed buoyancy aids and tandem, 12-foot soft boards. SurfABLE provides surfing activities without division or disadvantage. The 2009 SurfABLE calendar of events will include:

20th June: Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth; hosted by Surf Steps-Bournemouth Surf School

27th June: Borth Beach, Nr. Aberystwyth, Wales; hosted by Walkin on Water Surf School 11th July: Cromer Beach, Cromer, Norfolk; hosted by Glide Surf School 5th September: Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon; hosted by Discovery Surf School

12th September: Joss Bay, Nr. Broadstairs, Kent; hosted by Joss Bay Surf School 26th September: Thanet Beach, Bude, Cornwall; hosted by Big Blue Surf School

The SurfABLE network of schools offer on-going lessons to youngsters with disabilities throughout the year at heavily reduced rates. SurfABLE is intent on promoting additional inclusive opportunities, which involve regional surf clubs, mentoring programmes, and special and mainstream schools. “It is our goal to engage children and young adults with disabilities in surfing, to boost their abilities in the sport, raise their levels of confidence and self-esteem, and welcome them into local surfing communities,” says Lis Leader. Our new ambassador will also bring something daring and adventurous to the project, introducing the ‘Maia Challenge.’ Over the coming months, Maia will be finessing details for a variety of competitive paddling events that might raise the profile of the project, and raise cash for all of SurfABLE’s endeavours. Two possibilities that are under serious consideration are a cross-Channel paddle and a 3-4 mile bridge-tobridge paddle on the River Thames. “Knowing Maia,” remarks Lis, “I expect she’ll be first in the water and leader of the sponsorship pack of paddlers! There’s just no stopping her!”

Founded in 1996 by a group of parents, teachers and carers, Lifeworks has blossomed into a well-established organisation with a reputation for care, quality and compassion. Lifeworks runs a variety of projects dedicated to providing learning-disabled children and young adults with the confidence and life skills that ensure a self-sustainable future, that promote a fluid transition into adulthood, and that encourage their inclusion in the community as valued and active members.

Programmes for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties Robins Respite & Life Skills Centre A home-away-from-home respite and learning centre at Dartington, where children and young people up to the age of 20 can stay for a short or long break.

Robins Residential Apartment A two bedroom fully residential apartment at Robins for young people up to the age of 20 to live locally and attend their school.

Lifeworks Houses Small fully supported residencies for people aged 16 and over who are unable to continue living at home.

Life Skills Academy Young people of secondary school age can sign up for a term to learn and reinforce life skills. After-school and overnight stays at Robins on Monday nights.

Kool Club Weekend fun and learning for teenagers on a fortnightly basis.

Specialist Education A further education and career programme for students with learning disabilities based in South Devon.

Breaking the Barrier Introducing youngsters to surfing and acting as a conduit to surfing mentors, instructors, schools and the surfing community.

If you have a child or know of a family who would benefit from any of our services, please contact us on 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

A Partnership Project between Lifeworks & Surf Relief UK

Red House Foxhole Centre Dartington Totnes Devon TQ9 6EB www.surfable.co.uk 01803 840780 [email protected]

YOU CAN HELP US by providing in-kind support, making a donation, establishing a giving scheme or by becoming a corporate sponsor. We welcome one-off gifts as well as those of an on-going nature.

WE NEED YOU! Any contribution you can make - whether it be the gift of time or the benefit of experience - will make a difference to the variety of programmes we run and the young people who benefit from them.

Lifeworks, Red House, Foxhole Centre, Dartington, Devon TQ9 6EB

01803 840744 • www.lifeworks-uk.org

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life •

Newsletter

June 2009

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS AT THE PULSE CENTRE IN TOTNES

SurfABLE 2009

Callum Alexander is grinning from ear to ear as he says good bye to his Dad; it's Saturday morning and he's just thrashed his friends at table football. Martin Alexander, his Dad, is also grinning and is planning to brave an icy April wind to do a bit of kayaking on the River Dart. Nothing unusual in that, you may think, but Callum, a cheerful and outgoing 15 year old, has learning difficulties and it has been 9 months since the original Kool Club at Newton Abbot was forced to close its doors due to lack of funding and Martin was able to plan a bit of free time for himself, happy in the knowledge that Callum would be safe and having a great time. Lifeworks, has been campaigning for funds to re-open the Club and Lloyds TSB Foundation turned up trumps with a £20,000 grant that means the Kool Club (a youth club for teenagers with learning disabilities) is once again in operation and has started up again at the Pulse Centre in Totnes.“ We were very upset when the Club closed “ explains Martin. “There's nothing else like it anywhere around. Callum really enjoys himself and everything he does is geared to learning something and giving him a bit more confidence to do the sort of every day things that most of us take for granted.”

It's the first session of the new Kool Club so the day is going to be spent just chilling together and maybe going into town for a coffee. But Geoff Carter, once again acting as Kool Club co-ordinator, is planning some serious activities ahead - the first will probably be Ten Pin Bowling (but that's in Torquay and the members will be responsible for planning the trip and negotiating the public transport required to get there). Then there may be some pony trekking, a visit to Crealy Adventure Park, even a weekend away together. “Everything we do is aimed at helping members become more confident with the skills they need to be able to integrate happily with the larger community. Even being able to handle going for a pub lunch may need some practice in how you're expected to behave in a public place but that's the sort of thing that teenagers do, so that's the sort of stuff we work on,” explains Geoff.

It's obviously an approach that works and it's quite deliberately an approach that makes demands of the members themselves. Geoff again: “ We expect quite a lot and deliberately try to move our young people on a bit further; that's something that is probably easier for us to do than it is for parents but it's all about getting members to realise what they can do and then giving them the confidence to do more. Parents are quite often surprised at just what their kids can manage.” And plans for the future? The aim is to get enough funding to run the Totnes club every weekend, rather than every other, and set up several more clubs, maybe in Newton Abbot and Ivybridge or Torbay so that more teenagers with special needs can look forward to having a good time with their friends at the weekend and more parents can take a bit of time out from 24/7 caring.

LIFE SKILLS ACADEMY SUCCESS

NEW ROBINS KITCHEN

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS IN TOTNES

Anyone wishing to know more about Kool Club and how teenagers can take part, please contact Jo Parsons on 01803 840744 or visit our website www.lifeworks-uk.org/koolclub

Helping to provide a brighter future for children and adults with learning disabilities

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:55

Page 4

Cooking it up at Robins Respite Centre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBINS! – 10 YEARS OF HELPING LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES July 19th 1999 saw the ‘realisation of a dream’ as the first children arrived at Robins... the pinnacle of three years hard work by a group of teachers, parents and local people to provide a centre for families to access respite and life skills for children and young people with learning disabilities. Over the last 10 years Robins has provided over 23,500 respite nights, helping approximately 160 families from all over Devon and Cornwall and has recently been expanded to keep the centre up-to-date and progressive.

A recent generous grant award has really got the pot boiling at Robins. The grant has been used to create a brand new kitchen which will cater for all visitors to the centre and enable the existing kitchen to be adapted as a training resource where basic cooking and life skills can be learnt safely.

The new kitchen at Robins

The sort of sensory room we are hoping to create at Robins

The aim of most young people is to be able to 'do their own thing' in their own way. Students with a learning disability are no different, but they do need an extra helping hand to ensure that they can become as independent as possible. Learning to cook is a vital skill for everyone, as is learning to use kitchen equipment efficiently and safely. Our students require additional practice in using tools, from a peeler to a microwave or a grater to a gas hob and once the meal has been eaten, then there is the task of clearing away and washing up. Even dishwashers need to be stacked correctly - another learning opportunity. We have been actively fundraising for the Robins extension project over the last couple Charlie learns to cook up a stir fry in the of years. This award has not only given us the opportunity to make sure the catering facilities Robins training kitchen at Robins are efficient and up to date, but also to provide a well equipped teaching kitchen … an essential facility that will enable our students to practice these important skills, so that they can then go out and be more independent in the wider community. The extension at Robins has also been built to house a brand new Sensory Room, an interactive room designed to stimulate, relax and help our children learn. Sensory equipment is quite expensive and we are still looking for support/donations to enable us to make the room a really special place. If you would like to help, please call 01803 840744. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website and follow the links to Justgiving.

Lifeworks opening new house in Torquay Lifeworks has, for a long time, been aware that a lot of the children who come to Robins have great difficulty in finding somewhere to live when they are older and unable to continue living at home. In discussion with parents, teachers and other care professionals we have come to the conclusion that the young people want to live near their families, have as much independence as possible but be cared for and safe. This should be a small group house with friends and with an active programme of activities, life skills and fun. Just as important this house needs to be very normal and part of the local community. To make this happen Lifeworks has purchased a lovely house in Torquay that will be available from August 2009.

As with all Lifeworks provision this will be a quality service which meets the needs of the young people, promotes independence, provides choice, and supports the whole community. Underpinning our ethos is the belief in the right for young people with learning disabilities to lead ordinary lives balanced against their right to be safe, protected and safeguarded from harm. The house has four bedrooms with private facilities, a living room, dining room, kitchen and garden. It is designed to be a family home in a domestic area of Torbay with close access to shops, leisure facilities and on a bus route. There is outside space for sitting and relaxation which is safe and secure. The accommodation conforms to the highest levels for safety and comfort. There will be shared access to a house vehicle and care can be provided for those with complex needs.

Official handing over of the key to Robins on July 12th 1999

Official opening of Robins by Princess Anne

“The last 10 years have been hard work but really rewarding”, says Robins centre manager, Tom Andrew. “Working with our highly skilled and motivated care team, we have strived to achieve a better understanding of how to help the children in our care and have always endeavoured to ‘enable rather than disable’. Robins has managed to provide families with a high standard of care and continuity ... guiding and watching our young children develop into more confident and independent individuals has given us a real sense of achievement”. Robins will be celebrating their tenth birthday with a ‘Birthday Tea Party’ on Sunday 19th July at 2-4pm. Anyone wishing to join us will be very welcome and should contact Tom or the Robins Team Leaders on 01803 840479

Life Skills Academy ... Ticket to Ride! Using public transport is an important life skill to promote independence in young people within their community. and at the Life Skills Academy, we explore different ways to travel including buses, trains, mini-buses and cars. We help our students to plan their journeys by looking at timetables, buying their own tickets, handling their own money, and this builds their confidence in these social environments. The students this term would like to share the experiences they have had in their journeys over the weeks they’ve spent with the Life Skills Academy. These were some of the anxious comments before our trip to Totnes:“Catching a bus on your own is scary!” “I don’t think I can do it, in case I forget to get off!” “What happens if the bus doesn’t stop?” Somehow the mention of a meal at The Seven Stars helped to make the task much easier! “Return ticket to the Seven Stars, please.” We sat on the top deck of the bus:“We could see things that you don’t see in a car!”

The following week we caught a train to Teignmouth. First we got the train from Totnes to Newton Abbot, then changed trains to one that that took us to Teignmouth. In Teignmouth, we enjoyed a quick walk along the seafront and had a famous fish and chip supper. Our return journey got us back to Robins just as it was getting dark. Our Jolly Green Giant (mini-bus) is great fun for our local shopping trips, bowling and snotubing. After our trips out, comments were made, such as:“We chat all the way with my new friends!” “I didn’t think it would be so easy to catch a bus!” “Next time, can we go further on the train? I don’t think I’ve ever been on a train before.” “I’m much more confident to have a go at travelling on a bus or train now.” Such a great response from these young people on their achievements ... well done to you all ... or should we say ... that’s the ticket!

Access to the resources of the local community and social networks will be utilised to encourage active citizenship. There will be strong links with schools and colleges and education will form part of the full programme of leisure and life skills supporting pathways to more independent living and a fulfiling life. If you are a parent or carer, a social worker or teacher and know of a young person between the ages of 16 to 25 who would be interested in living in our new house, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to talk through our vision for the new house and any questions on funding or future planning. If this sounds great but Torquay is not the right area, talk to us anyway as we are planning houses in other areas of Devon and Cornwall.

Race Night Volunteers

As we reported in our last newsletter, our first Race Night at The Globe Inn, Buckfastleigh raised over £1,000. As well as raising money for a worthy cause, Race Nights offer a fun evening for everyone involved. If you would like to host a Race Night or know of a business or local pub who would like to, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Lifeworks Collection Tins

We have several collection tins in shops and pubs around Totnes. If you see one, please pop your pennies in! If you know of a business or pub that would support us by having a collection tin, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Mobile Phone Campaign

Changing your phone? Got some old phones in a drawer? Please donate them to Lifeworks. Any age, any condition... we can recycle them and turn them into small amounts of cash to help us support local children. Many thanks to all of you who have already donated your old phones ... over 400 so far! Totnes, Teignmouth & Plymouth branches of JAG continue to support us – please take your phone to them or call us on 01803 840744.

Luke Deller runs for Lifeworks

Luke Deller and his brother, Simon, are going to be attempting their first half marathon (13.1 miles). They have chosen to conquer this distance in running the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 24th June 2009. They didn't want to just run it, they wanted to run it for charity & for a worthwhile local charity and have chosen to run for Lifeworks. If you would like to sponsor them, please visit www.justgiving/lukedeller

Coast Award

Lis Leader was voted winner of the National Magazine Coast Awards 2009, in the unsung coastal hero category for her involvement with Breaking the Barrier at Bigbury. The judges applauded her enthusiasm and hoped the scheme would be rolled out nationally. Lis says it wouldn’t have happened without all the efforts of the surf instructors, volunteers, sponsors, Lifeworks staff and, of course, the hundreds of children who participated.

For more information about Kool Club or Life Skills Academy, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

From Lynmouth to Ivybrige in 5 days Tom and Dave Walk the Two Moors Walk (103 miles) for Robins and Lifeworks Devon has some of the loveliest and most varied scenery in England, from the bleakness of Dartmoor and Exmoor to the lush rolling green of the coastal areas. Tom Andrew and Dave Stevenson have decided to experience all the glories of the county, get some exercise and hopefully raise some funds for Robins and Lifeworks by taking the Two Moors Walk (even if almost a quarter of it is actually in Somerset). The intrepid duo intend to start their 103 mile hike from Lynmouth in North Devon early on September 8th, striding confidently across the moors (in glorious sunshine, no doubt!) and arriving at Holne on the evening of Friday 11th, ready for the final leg to Ivybridge (15miles) on Saturday. Tom and Dave will welcome anybody who would like to walk them for a couple of hours, a day, or more, and the last day (Saturday 12th) has been arranged so that all who wish to do so can accompany them to the finish in Ivybridge. A complete itinery, with start and stop times and places, will be listed on our website soon and a Justgiving sponsorship page has been set up so that anyone can support them in their efforts ... any sponsorship amount, big or small, can be pledged on this page and will help to keep Robins as a special place for children and young people with additional needs, so please give whatever you can ... visit www.justgiving/tomandrew to support Tom and Dave. If you would like to run, walk, swim, cycle or attempt any other activity in support of Lifeworks, please call us on 01803 840744 and we will set up a Justgiving sponsorship

site for you.

JUSTGIVING Supporting Lifeworks is simple and it doesn't have to cost you a penny. Easyfundraising is a brilliant idea for supporting your favourite charity or cause. So the next time you want to buy a gift, send flowers, book a holiday, replace your TV, buy wine, do some DIY, renew car or home insurance to name just a few options, go online and log onto www.easyfundraising.org.uk/lifeworks and register Lifeworks as your chosen cause. There are over 500 well known retailers including: Amazon, Dell, E Bay, HMV, Viking Direct and W H Smiths, so why not give it a go? It's completely FREE! How it works On every purchase the retailer will make a donation based on a % of the purchase value. The total of your donations are displayed for you to check every time you visit the easyfundraising site. Also check out www.easysearch.org.uk a fantastic search engine attached to Yahoo. Every time you search online you will be making a donation. That's all there is to it! So go on sign up and become a Lifeworks supporter.

Richard Hanlon

For more information about Lifeworks new house or Robins Respite and Life Skills Centre, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

Lifeworks shorties

When the company was created in 1999, the dream was to enable any charity, however small, to use the web to raise money at very low cost. Almost no one believed it could be done. Charities like the model because it's simple and transparent, freeing them up to concentrate on what matters - whether it's researching cancer or running the local playgroup. They know that justgiving treat their supporters with respect, promising never to spam them, sell their personal data, or sell them anything. Charity fundraising is all they do. They process donations and reclaim Gift Aid for member charities, and charge a small fee for their service. It works like this: • When you donate £10 on the site, they send 100% to the charity by the end of the week. • They reclaim £2.82 from the government (Gift Aid plus a supplement), which takes about a month. • It's only when we receive the Gift Aid that we charge our 5% fee, along with credit/debit card/PayPal charges, and send the rest to the charity. So, for every £10 you give as a UK taxpayer, the charity receives almost £12, and they get it much faster than they would otherwise.

If you would like to make a donation to Lifeworks, online, go to www.justgiving.com and choose Lifeworks as your charity.

Lifeworks: 01803 840744 • [email protected] • www.lifeworks-uk.org

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:55

Page 4

Cooking it up at Robins Respite Centre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBINS! – 10 YEARS OF HELPING LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES July 19th 1999 saw the ‘realisation of a dream’ as the first children arrived at Robins... the pinnacle of three years hard work by a group of teachers, parents and local people to provide a centre for families to access respite and life skills for children and young people with learning disabilities. Over the last 10 years Robins has provided over 23,500 respite nights, helping approximately 160 families from all over Devon and Cornwall and has recently been expanded to keep the centre up-to-date and progressive.

A recent generous grant award has really got the pot boiling at Robins. The grant has been used to create a brand new kitchen which will cater for all visitors to the centre and enable the existing kitchen to be adapted as a training resource where basic cooking and life skills can be learnt safely.

The new kitchen at Robins

The sort of sensory room we are hoping to create at Robins

The aim of most young people is to be able to 'do their own thing' in their own way. Students with a learning disability are no different, but they do need an extra helping hand to ensure that they can become as independent as possible. Learning to cook is a vital skill for everyone, as is learning to use kitchen equipment efficiently and safely. Our students require additional practice in using tools, from a peeler to a microwave or a grater to a gas hob and once the meal has been eaten, then there is the task of clearing away and washing up. Even dishwashers need to be stacked correctly - another learning opportunity. We have been actively fundraising for the Robins extension project over the last couple Charlie learns to cook up a stir fry in the of years. This award has not only given us the opportunity to make sure the catering facilities Robins training kitchen at Robins are efficient and up to date, but also to provide a well equipped teaching kitchen … an essential facility that will enable our students to practice these important skills, so that they can then go out and be more independent in the wider community. The extension at Robins has also been built to house a brand new Sensory Room, an interactive room designed to stimulate, relax and help our children learn. Sensory equipment is quite expensive and we are still looking for support/donations to enable us to make the room a really special place. If you would like to help, please call 01803 840744. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website and follow the links to Justgiving.

Lifeworks opening new house in Torquay Lifeworks has, for a long time, been aware that a lot of the children who come to Robins have great difficulty in finding somewhere to live when they are older and unable to continue living at home. In discussion with parents, teachers and other care professionals we have come to the conclusion that the young people want to live near their families, have as much independence as possible but be cared for and safe. This should be a small group house with friends and with an active programme of activities, life skills and fun. Just as important this house needs to be very normal and part of the local community. To make this happen Lifeworks has purchased a lovely house in Torquay that will be available from August 2009.

As with all Lifeworks provision this will be a quality service which meets the needs of the young people, promotes independence, provides choice, and supports the whole community. Underpinning our ethos is the belief in the right for young people with learning disabilities to lead ordinary lives balanced against their right to be safe, protected and safeguarded from harm. The house has four bedrooms with private facilities, a living room, dining room, kitchen and garden. It is designed to be a family home in a domestic area of Torbay with close access to shops, leisure facilities and on a bus route. There is outside space for sitting and relaxation which is safe and secure. The accommodation conforms to the highest levels for safety and comfort. There will be shared access to a house vehicle and care can be provided for those with complex needs.

Official handing over of the key to Robins on July 12th 1999

Official opening of Robins by Princess Anne

“The last 10 years have been hard work but really rewarding”, says Robins centre manager, Tom Andrew. “Working with our highly skilled and motivated care team, we have strived to achieve a better understanding of how to help the children in our care and have always endeavoured to ‘enable rather than disable’. Robins has managed to provide families with a high standard of care and continuity ... guiding and watching our young children develop into more confident and independent individuals has given us a real sense of achievement”. Robins will be celebrating their tenth birthday with a ‘Birthday Tea Party’ on Sunday 19th July at 2-4pm. Anyone wishing to join us will be very welcome and should contact Tom or the Robins Team Leaders on 01803 840479

Life Skills Academy ... Ticket to Ride! Using public transport is an important life skill to promote independence in young people within their community. and at the Life Skills Academy, we explore different ways to travel including buses, trains, mini-buses and cars. We help our students to plan their journeys by looking at timetables, buying their own tickets, handling their own money, and this builds their confidence in these social environments. The students this term would like to share the experiences they have had in their journeys over the weeks they’ve spent with the Life Skills Academy. These were some of the anxious comments before our trip to Totnes:“Catching a bus on your own is scary!” “I don’t think I can do it, in case I forget to get off!” “What happens if the bus doesn’t stop?” Somehow the mention of a meal at The Seven Stars helped to make the task much easier! “Return ticket to the Seven Stars, please.” We sat on the top deck of the bus:“We could see things that you don’t see in a car!”

The following week we caught a train to Teignmouth. First we got the train from Totnes to Newton Abbot, then changed trains to one that that took us to Teignmouth. In Teignmouth, we enjoyed a quick walk along the seafront and had a famous fish and chip supper. Our return journey got us back to Robins just as it was getting dark. Our Jolly Green Giant (mini-bus) is great fun for our local shopping trips, bowling and snotubing. After our trips out, comments were made, such as:“We chat all the way with my new friends!” “I didn’t think it would be so easy to catch a bus!” “Next time, can we go further on the train? I don’t think I’ve ever been on a train before.” “I’m much more confident to have a go at travelling on a bus or train now.” Such a great response from these young people on their achievements ... well done to you all ... or should we say ... that’s the ticket!

Access to the resources of the local community and social networks will be utilised to encourage active citizenship. There will be strong links with schools and colleges and education will form part of the full programme of leisure and life skills supporting pathways to more independent living and a fulfiling life. If you are a parent or carer, a social worker or teacher and know of a young person between the ages of 16 to 25 who would be interested in living in our new house, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to talk through our vision for the new house and any questions on funding or future planning. If this sounds great but Torquay is not the right area, talk to us anyway as we are planning houses in other areas of Devon and Cornwall.

Race Night Volunteers

As we reported in our last newsletter, our first Race Night at The Globe Inn, Buckfastleigh raised over £1,000. As well as raising money for a worthy cause, Race Nights offer a fun evening for everyone involved. If you would like to host a Race Night or know of a business or local pub who would like to, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Lifeworks Collection Tins

We have several collection tins in shops and pubs around Totnes. If you see one, please pop your pennies in! If you know of a business or pub that would support us by having a collection tin, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Mobile Phone Campaign

Changing your phone? Got some old phones in a drawer? Please donate them to Lifeworks. Any age, any condition... we can recycle them and turn them into small amounts of cash to help us support local children. Many thanks to all of you who have already donated your old phones ... over 400 so far! Totnes, Teignmouth & Plymouth branches of JAG continue to support us – please take your phone to them or call us on 01803 840744.

Luke Deller runs for Lifeworks

Luke Deller and his brother, Simon, are going to be attempting their first half marathon (13.1 miles). They have chosen to conquer this distance in running the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 24th June 2009. They didn't want to just run it, they wanted to run it for charity & for a worthwhile local charity and have chosen to run for Lifeworks. If you would like to sponsor them, please visit www.justgiving/lukedeller

Coast Award

Lis Leader was voted winner of the National Magazine Coast Awards 2009, in the unsung coastal hero category for her involvement with Breaking the Barrier at Bigbury. The judges applauded her enthusiasm and hoped the scheme would be rolled out nationally. Lis says it wouldn’t have happened without all the efforts of the surf instructors, volunteers, sponsors, Lifeworks staff and, of course, the hundreds of children who participated.

For more information about Kool Club or Life Skills Academy, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

From Lynmouth to Ivybrige in 5 days Tom and Dave Walk the Two Moors Walk (103 miles) for Robins and Lifeworks Devon has some of the loveliest and most varied scenery in England, from the bleakness of Dartmoor and Exmoor to the lush rolling green of the coastal areas. Tom Andrew and Dave Stevenson have decided to experience all the glories of the county, get some exercise and hopefully raise some funds for Robins and Lifeworks by taking the Two Moors Walk (even if almost a quarter of it is actually in Somerset). The intrepid duo intend to start their 103 mile hike from Lynmouth in North Devon early on September 8th, striding confidently across the moors (in glorious sunshine, no doubt!) and arriving at Holne on the evening of Friday 11th, ready for the final leg to Ivybridge (15miles) on Saturday. Tom and Dave will welcome anybody who would like to walk them for a couple of hours, a day, or more, and the last day (Saturday 12th) has been arranged so that all who wish to do so can accompany them to the finish in Ivybridge. A complete itinery, with start and stop times and places, will be listed on our website soon and a Justgiving sponsorship page has been set up so that anyone can support them in their efforts ... any sponsorship amount, big or small, can be pledged on this page and will help to keep Robins as a special place for children and young people with additional needs, so please give whatever you can ... visit www.justgiving/tomandrew to support Tom and Dave. If you would like to run, walk, swim, cycle or attempt any other activity in support of Lifeworks, please call us on 01803 840744 and we will set up a Justgiving sponsorship

site for you.

JUSTGIVING Supporting Lifeworks is simple and it doesn't have to cost you a penny. Easyfundraising is a brilliant idea for supporting your favourite charity or cause. So the next time you want to buy a gift, send flowers, book a holiday, replace your TV, buy wine, do some DIY, renew car or home insurance to name just a few options, go online and log onto www.easyfundraising.org.uk/lifeworks and register Lifeworks as your chosen cause. There are over 500 well known retailers including: Amazon, Dell, E Bay, HMV, Viking Direct and W H Smiths, so why not give it a go? It's completely FREE! How it works On every purchase the retailer will make a donation based on a % of the purchase value. The total of your donations are displayed for you to check every time you visit the easyfundraising site. Also check out www.easysearch.org.uk a fantastic search engine attached to Yahoo. Every time you search online you will be making a donation. That's all there is to it! So go on sign up and become a Lifeworks supporter.

Richard Hanlon

For more information about Lifeworks new house or Robins Respite and Life Skills Centre, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

Lifeworks shorties

When the company was created in 1999, the dream was to enable any charity, however small, to use the web to raise money at very low cost. Almost no one believed it could be done. Charities like the model because it's simple and transparent, freeing them up to concentrate on what matters - whether it's researching cancer or running the local playgroup. They know that justgiving treat their supporters with respect, promising never to spam them, sell their personal data, or sell them anything. Charity fundraising is all they do. They process donations and reclaim Gift Aid for member charities, and charge a small fee for their service. It works like this: • When you donate £10 on the site, they send 100% to the charity by the end of the week. • They reclaim £2.82 from the government (Gift Aid plus a supplement), which takes about a month. • It's only when we receive the Gift Aid that we charge our 5% fee, along with credit/debit card/PayPal charges, and send the rest to the charity. So, for every £10 you give as a UK taxpayer, the charity receives almost £12, and they get it much faster than they would otherwise.

If you would like to make a donation to Lifeworks, online, go to www.justgiving.com and choose Lifeworks as your charity.

Lifeworks: 01803 840744 • [email protected] • www.lifeworks-uk.org

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:55

Page 4

Cooking it up at Robins Respite Centre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBINS! – 10 YEARS OF HELPING LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES July 19th 1999 saw the ‘realisation of a dream’ as the first children arrived at Robins... the pinnacle of three years hard work by a group of teachers, parents and local people to provide a centre for families to access respite and life skills for children and young people with learning disabilities. Over the last 10 years Robins has provided over 23,500 respite nights, helping approximately 160 families from all over Devon and Cornwall and has recently been expanded to keep the centre up-to-date and progressive.

A recent generous grant award has really got the pot boiling at Robins. The grant has been used to create a brand new kitchen which will cater for all visitors to the centre and enable the existing kitchen to be adapted as a training resource where basic cooking and life skills can be learnt safely.

The new kitchen at Robins

The sort of sensory room we are hoping to create at Robins

The aim of most young people is to be able to 'do their own thing' in their own way. Students with a learning disability are no different, but they do need an extra helping hand to ensure that they can become as independent as possible. Learning to cook is a vital skill for everyone, as is learning to use kitchen equipment efficiently and safely. Our students require additional practice in using tools, from a peeler to a microwave or a grater to a gas hob and once the meal has been eaten, then there is the task of clearing away and washing up. Even dishwashers need to be stacked correctly - another learning opportunity. We have been actively fundraising for the Robins extension project over the last couple Charlie learns to cook up a stir fry in the of years. This award has not only given us the opportunity to make sure the catering facilities Robins training kitchen at Robins are efficient and up to date, but also to provide a well equipped teaching kitchen … an essential facility that will enable our students to practice these important skills, so that they can then go out and be more independent in the wider community. The extension at Robins has also been built to house a brand new Sensory Room, an interactive room designed to stimulate, relax and help our children learn. Sensory equipment is quite expensive and we are still looking for support/donations to enable us to make the room a really special place. If you would like to help, please call 01803 840744. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website and follow the links to Justgiving.

Lifeworks opening new house in Torquay Lifeworks has, for a long time, been aware that a lot of the children who come to Robins have great difficulty in finding somewhere to live when they are older and unable to continue living at home. In discussion with parents, teachers and other care professionals we have come to the conclusion that the young people want to live near their families, have as much independence as possible but be cared for and safe. This should be a small group house with friends and with an active programme of activities, life skills and fun. Just as important this house needs to be very normal and part of the local community. To make this happen Lifeworks has purchased a lovely house in Torquay that will be available from August 2009.

As with all Lifeworks provision this will be a quality service which meets the needs of the young people, promotes independence, provides choice, and supports the whole community. Underpinning our ethos is the belief in the right for young people with learning disabilities to lead ordinary lives balanced against their right to be safe, protected and safeguarded from harm. The house has four bedrooms with private facilities, a living room, dining room, kitchen and garden. It is designed to be a family home in a domestic area of Torbay with close access to shops, leisure facilities and on a bus route. There is outside space for sitting and relaxation which is safe and secure. The accommodation conforms to the highest levels for safety and comfort. There will be shared access to a house vehicle and care can be provided for those with complex needs.

Official handing over of the key to Robins on July 12th 1999

Official opening of Robins by Princess Anne

“The last 10 years have been hard work but really rewarding”, says Robins centre manager, Tom Andrew. “Working with our highly skilled and motivated care team, we have strived to achieve a better understanding of how to help the children in our care and have always endeavoured to ‘enable rather than disable’. Robins has managed to provide families with a high standard of care and continuity ... guiding and watching our young children develop into more confident and independent individuals has given us a real sense of achievement”. Robins will be celebrating their tenth birthday with a ‘Birthday Tea Party’ on Sunday 19th July at 2-4pm. Anyone wishing to join us will be very welcome and should contact Tom or the Robins Team Leaders on 01803 840479

Life Skills Academy ... Ticket to Ride! Using public transport is an important life skill to promote independence in young people within their community. and at the Life Skills Academy, we explore different ways to travel including buses, trains, mini-buses and cars. We help our students to plan their journeys by looking at timetables, buying their own tickets, handling their own money, and this builds their confidence in these social environments. The students this term would like to share the experiences they have had in their journeys over the weeks they’ve spent with the Life Skills Academy. These were some of the anxious comments before our trip to Totnes:“Catching a bus on your own is scary!” “I don’t think I can do it, in case I forget to get off!” “What happens if the bus doesn’t stop?” Somehow the mention of a meal at The Seven Stars helped to make the task much easier! “Return ticket to the Seven Stars, please.” We sat on the top deck of the bus:“We could see things that you don’t see in a car!”

The following week we caught a train to Teignmouth. First we got the train from Totnes to Newton Abbot, then changed trains to one that that took us to Teignmouth. In Teignmouth, we enjoyed a quick walk along the seafront and had a famous fish and chip supper. Our return journey got us back to Robins just as it was getting dark. Our Jolly Green Giant (mini-bus) is great fun for our local shopping trips, bowling and snotubing. After our trips out, comments were made, such as:“We chat all the way with my new friends!” “I didn’t think it would be so easy to catch a bus!” “Next time, can we go further on the train? I don’t think I’ve ever been on a train before.” “I’m much more confident to have a go at travelling on a bus or train now.” Such a great response from these young people on their achievements ... well done to you all ... or should we say ... that’s the ticket!

Access to the resources of the local community and social networks will be utilised to encourage active citizenship. There will be strong links with schools and colleges and education will form part of the full programme of leisure and life skills supporting pathways to more independent living and a fulfiling life. If you are a parent or carer, a social worker or teacher and know of a young person between the ages of 16 to 25 who would be interested in living in our new house, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to talk through our vision for the new house and any questions on funding or future planning. If this sounds great but Torquay is not the right area, talk to us anyway as we are planning houses in other areas of Devon and Cornwall.

Race Night Volunteers

As we reported in our last newsletter, our first Race Night at The Globe Inn, Buckfastleigh raised over £1,000. As well as raising money for a worthy cause, Race Nights offer a fun evening for everyone involved. If you would like to host a Race Night or know of a business or local pub who would like to, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Lifeworks Collection Tins

We have several collection tins in shops and pubs around Totnes. If you see one, please pop your pennies in! If you know of a business or pub that would support us by having a collection tin, please let us know on 01803 840744.

Mobile Phone Campaign

Changing your phone? Got some old phones in a drawer? Please donate them to Lifeworks. Any age, any condition... we can recycle them and turn them into small amounts of cash to help us support local children. Many thanks to all of you who have already donated your old phones ... over 400 so far! Totnes, Teignmouth & Plymouth branches of JAG continue to support us – please take your phone to them or call us on 01803 840744.

Luke Deller runs for Lifeworks

Luke Deller and his brother, Simon, are going to be attempting their first half marathon (13.1 miles). They have chosen to conquer this distance in running the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 24th June 2009. They didn't want to just run it, they wanted to run it for charity & for a worthwhile local charity and have chosen to run for Lifeworks. If you would like to sponsor them, please visit www.justgiving/lukedeller

Coast Award

Lis Leader was voted winner of the National Magazine Coast Awards 2009, in the unsung coastal hero category for her involvement with Breaking the Barrier at Bigbury. The judges applauded her enthusiasm and hoped the scheme would be rolled out nationally. Lis says it wouldn’t have happened without all the efforts of the surf instructors, volunteers, sponsors, Lifeworks staff and, of course, the hundreds of children who participated.

For more information about Kool Club or Life Skills Academy, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

From Lynmouth to Ivybrige in 5 days Tom and Dave Walk the Two Moors Walk (103 miles) for Robins and Lifeworks Devon has some of the loveliest and most varied scenery in England, from the bleakness of Dartmoor and Exmoor to the lush rolling green of the coastal areas. Tom Andrew and Dave Stevenson have decided to experience all the glories of the county, get some exercise and hopefully raise some funds for Robins and Lifeworks by taking the Two Moors Walk (even if almost a quarter of it is actually in Somerset). The intrepid duo intend to start their 103 mile hike from Lynmouth in North Devon early on September 8th, striding confidently across the moors (in glorious sunshine, no doubt!) and arriving at Holne on the evening of Friday 11th, ready for the final leg to Ivybridge (15miles) on Saturday. Tom and Dave will welcome anybody who would like to walk them for a couple of hours, a day, or more, and the last day (Saturday 12th) has been arranged so that all who wish to do so can accompany them to the finish in Ivybridge. A complete itinery, with start and stop times and places, will be listed on our website soon and a Justgiving sponsorship page has been set up so that anyone can support them in their efforts ... any sponsorship amount, big or small, can be pledged on this page and will help to keep Robins as a special place for children and young people with additional needs, so please give whatever you can ... visit www.justgiving/tomandrew to support Tom and Dave. If you would like to run, walk, swim, cycle or attempt any other activity in support of Lifeworks, please call us on 01803 840744 and we will set up a Justgiving sponsorship

site for you.

JUSTGIVING Supporting Lifeworks is simple and it doesn't have to cost you a penny. Easyfundraising is a brilliant idea for supporting your favourite charity or cause. So the next time you want to buy a gift, send flowers, book a holiday, replace your TV, buy wine, do some DIY, renew car or home insurance to name just a few options, go online and log onto www.easyfundraising.org.uk/lifeworks and register Lifeworks as your chosen cause. There are over 500 well known retailers including: Amazon, Dell, E Bay, HMV, Viking Direct and W H Smiths, so why not give it a go? It's completely FREE! How it works On every purchase the retailer will make a donation based on a % of the purchase value. The total of your donations are displayed for you to check every time you visit the easyfundraising site. Also check out www.easysearch.org.uk a fantastic search engine attached to Yahoo. Every time you search online you will be making a donation. That's all there is to it! So go on sign up and become a Lifeworks supporter.

Richard Hanlon

For more information about Lifeworks new house or Robins Respite and Life Skills Centre, please call 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

Lifeworks shorties

When the company was created in 1999, the dream was to enable any charity, however small, to use the web to raise money at very low cost. Almost no one believed it could be done. Charities like the model because it's simple and transparent, freeing them up to concentrate on what matters - whether it's researching cancer or running the local playgroup. They know that justgiving treat their supporters with respect, promising never to spam them, sell their personal data, or sell them anything. Charity fundraising is all they do. They process donations and reclaim Gift Aid for member charities, and charge a small fee for their service. It works like this: • When you donate £10 on the site, they send 100% to the charity by the end of the week. • They reclaim £2.82 from the government (Gift Aid plus a supplement), which takes about a month. • It's only when we receive the Gift Aid that we charge our 5% fee, along with credit/debit card/PayPal charges, and send the rest to the charity. So, for every £10 you give as a UK taxpayer, the charity receives almost £12, and they get it much faster than they would otherwise.

If you would like to make a donation to Lifeworks, online, go to www.justgiving.com and choose Lifeworks as your charity.

Lifeworks: 01803 840744 • [email protected] • www.lifeworks-uk.org

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:06

Page 1

BREAKING THE BARRIER goes national and is renamed ‘SurfABLE’ Fashion designer, motorcrosser, surfer girl, and overall dynamo personality, Maia Norman announces her patronage of SurfABLE, the newly launched partner project between Lifeworks and Surf Relief UK. “It’s such a perfect platform to engage kids with disabilities, I just couldn’t refuse,” says Norman. “Making surfing accessible to children regardless of disability is a noble enterprise and one which I’m privileged and proud to be a part of!” SurfABLE comes about thanks to the efforts of Lifeworks, Surf Relief UK, 8 surf schools, a multitude of helpful organisations and volunteers, and hundreds of youngsters! With the addition of Maia, SurfABLE is all set to hit the beaches, to reach and teach as many disabled children in the UK as it can, to break barriers and literally, make waves! Surf Relief UK is the only charity in the country dedicated to surfing and youngsters with disabilities. “Surf Relief is a small charity achieving big things and ‘SurfABLE’ is an exciting, challenging and unique venture which aims to use surfing to change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged young people,” says Dave Manley, Chairman of SRUK. “For 2 years now, we’ve been establishing a network of surf schools who are keen to deliver lessons and encouragement to children with any and all types of disabilities. Teaming up with Lifeworks who share the same passion for improving the lives of disabled children is a really exciting development.” Indeed, since 2007 when it inaugurated its special needs Breaking the Barrier events, Lifeworks has been intent on providing new and innovative ways to encourage children with learning disabilities to engage with and take part in local community activities. “Our mission is to create educational and recreational opportunities for learning disabled children and young people, opportunities that these youngsters should have as a natural part of their childhood and adolescence,” says Lifeworks Events Director, Lis Leader. “Where stepping stones towards a self-sustainable future don’t exist, Lifeworks endeavours to create them. Where the means to develop skills towards independence are unavailable, Lifeworks forges new pathways.”

For more information on SurfABLE please visit our website: www.surfable.co.uk or contact us on 01803 840780.

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life • Lifeworks aims to tackle exclusion, disadvantage and inequality concerning children and adults with learning difficulties.

SurfABLE delivers one-day events across the UK introducing youngsters with disabilities to surfing, as well as supporting on-going lessons, participation within surfing communities and a general inclusive atmosphere in this inspiring sport. As of this year, events will be hosted by 6 nominated surf schools that belong to the SurfABLE network, and are free to children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 20. It’s a fun-filled, carefree family day out, as rare as hen’s teeth for those with special needs children, and a chance for all children with additional needs to have a go at surfing under the guidance of specialist instructors using specially designed buoyancy aids and tandem, 12-foot soft boards. SurfABLE provides surfing activities without division or disadvantage. The 2009 SurfABLE calendar of events will include:

20th June: Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth; hosted by Surf Steps-Bournemouth Surf School

27th June: Borth Beach, Nr. Aberystwyth, Wales; hosted by Walkin on Water Surf School 11th July: Cromer Beach, Cromer, Norfolk; hosted by Glide Surf School 5th September: Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon; hosted by Discovery Surf School

12th September: Joss Bay, Nr. Broadstairs, Kent; hosted by Joss Bay Surf School 26th September: Thanet Beach, Bude, Cornwall; hosted by Big Blue Surf School

The SurfABLE network of schools offer on-going lessons to youngsters with disabilities throughout the year at heavily reduced rates. SurfABLE is intent on promoting additional inclusive opportunities, which involve regional surf clubs, mentoring programmes, and special and mainstream schools. “It is our goal to engage children and young adults with disabilities in surfing, to boost their abilities in the sport, raise their levels of confidence and self-esteem, and welcome them into local surfing communities,” says Lis Leader. Our new ambassador will also bring something daring and adventurous to the project, introducing the ‘Maia Challenge.’ Over the coming months, Maia will be finessing details for a variety of competitive paddling events that might raise the profile of the project, and raise cash for all of SurfABLE’s endeavours. Two possibilities that are under serious consideration are a cross-Channel paddle and a 3-4 mile bridge-tobridge paddle on the River Thames. “Knowing Maia,” remarks Lis, “I expect she’ll be first in the water and leader of the sponsorship pack of paddlers! There’s just no stopping her!”

Founded in 1996 by a group of parents, teachers and carers, Lifeworks has blossomed into a well-established organisation with a reputation for care, quality and compassion. Lifeworks runs a variety of projects dedicated to providing learning-disabled children and young adults with the confidence and life skills that ensure a self-sustainable future, that promote a fluid transition into adulthood, and that encourage their inclusion in the community as valued and active members.

Programmes for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties Robins Respite & Life Skills Centre A home-away-from-home respite and learning centre at Dartington, where children and young people up to the age of 20 can stay for a short or long break.

Robins Residential Apartment A two bedroom fully residential apartment at Robins for young people up to the age of 20 to live locally and attend their school.

Lifeworks Houses Small fully supported residencies for people aged 16 and over who are unable to continue living at home.

Life Skills Academy Young people of secondary school age can sign up for a term to learn and reinforce life skills. After-school and overnight stays at Robins on Monday nights.

Kool Club Weekend fun and learning for teenagers on a fortnightly basis.

Specialist Education A further education and career programme for students with learning disabilities based in South Devon.

Breaking the Barrier Introducing youngsters to surfing and acting as a conduit to surfing mentors, instructors, schools and the surfing community.

If you have a child or know of a family who would benefit from any of our services, please contact us on 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

A Partnership Project between Lifeworks & Surf Relief UK

Red House Foxhole Centre Dartington Totnes Devon TQ9 6EB www.surfable.co.uk 01803 840780 [email protected]

YOU CAN HELP US by providing in-kind support, making a donation, establishing a giving scheme or by becoming a corporate sponsor. We welcome one-off gifts as well as those of an on-going nature.

WE NEED YOU! Any contribution you can make - whether it be the gift of time or the benefit of experience - will make a difference to the variety of programmes we run and the young people who benefit from them.

Lifeworks, Red House, Foxhole Centre, Dartington, Devon TQ9 6EB

01803 840744 • www.lifeworks-uk.org

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life •

Newsletter

June 2009

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS AT THE PULSE CENTRE IN TOTNES

SurfABLE 2009

Callum Alexander is grinning from ear to ear as he says good bye to his Dad; it's Saturday morning and he's just thrashed his friends at table football. Martin Alexander, his Dad, is also grinning and is planning to brave an icy April wind to do a bit of kayaking on the River Dart. Nothing unusual in that, you may think, but Callum, a cheerful and outgoing 15 year old, has learning difficulties and it has been 9 months since the original Kool Club at Newton Abbot was forced to close its doors due to lack of funding and Martin was able to plan a bit of free time for himself, happy in the knowledge that Callum would be safe and having a great time. Lifeworks, has been campaigning for funds to re-open the Club and Lloyds TSB Foundation turned up trumps with a £20,000 grant that means the Kool Club (a youth club for teenagers with learning disabilities) is once again in operation and has started up again at the Pulse Centre in Totnes.“ We were very upset when the Club closed “ explains Martin. “There's nothing else like it anywhere around. Callum really enjoys himself and everything he does is geared to learning something and giving him a bit more confidence to do the sort of every day things that most of us take for granted.”

It's the first session of the new Kool Club so the day is going to be spent just chilling together and maybe going into town for a coffee. But Geoff Carter, once again acting as Kool Club co-ordinator, is planning some serious activities ahead - the first will probably be Ten Pin Bowling (but that's in Torquay and the members will be responsible for planning the trip and negotiating the public transport required to get there). Then there may be some pony trekking, a visit to Crealy Adventure Park, even a weekend away together. “Everything we do is aimed at helping members become more confident with the skills they need to be able to integrate happily with the larger community. Even being able to handle going for a pub lunch may need some practice in how you're expected to behave in a public place but that's the sort of thing that teenagers do, so that's the sort of stuff we work on,” explains Geoff.

It's obviously an approach that works and it's quite deliberately an approach that makes demands of the members themselves. Geoff again: “ We expect quite a lot and deliberately try to move our young people on a bit further; that's something that is probably easier for us to do than it is for parents but it's all about getting members to realise what they can do and then giving them the confidence to do more. Parents are quite often surprised at just what their kids can manage.” And plans for the future? The aim is to get enough funding to run the Totnes club every weekend, rather than every other, and set up several more clubs, maybe in Newton Abbot and Ivybridge or Torbay so that more teenagers with special needs can look forward to having a good time with their friends at the weekend and more parents can take a bit of time out from 24/7 caring.

LIFE SKILLS ACADEMY SUCCESS

NEW ROBINS KITCHEN

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS IN TOTNES

Anyone wishing to know more about Kool Club and how teenagers can take part, please contact Jo Parsons on 01803 840744 or visit our website www.lifeworks-uk.org/koolclub

Helping to provide a brighter future for children and adults with learning disabilities

May 09 NewsletterB

3/6/09

15:06

Page 1

BREAKING THE BARRIER goes national and is renamed ‘SurfABLE’ Fashion designer, motorcrosser, surfer girl, and overall dynamo personality, Maia Norman announces her patronage of SurfABLE, the newly launched partner project between Lifeworks and Surf Relief UK. “It’s such a perfect platform to engage kids with disabilities, I just couldn’t refuse,” says Norman. “Making surfing accessible to children regardless of disability is a noble enterprise and one which I’m privileged and proud to be a part of!” SurfABLE comes about thanks to the efforts of Lifeworks, Surf Relief UK, 8 surf schools, a multitude of helpful organisations and volunteers, and hundreds of youngsters! With the addition of Maia, SurfABLE is all set to hit the beaches, to reach and teach as many disabled children in the UK as it can, to break barriers and literally, make waves! Surf Relief UK is the only charity in the country dedicated to surfing and youngsters with disabilities. “Surf Relief is a small charity achieving big things and ‘SurfABLE’ is an exciting, challenging and unique venture which aims to use surfing to change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged young people,” says Dave Manley, Chairman of SRUK. “For 2 years now, we’ve been establishing a network of surf schools who are keen to deliver lessons and encouragement to children with any and all types of disabilities. Teaming up with Lifeworks who share the same passion for improving the lives of disabled children is a really exciting development.” Indeed, since 2007 when it inaugurated its special needs Breaking the Barrier events, Lifeworks has been intent on providing new and innovative ways to encourage children with learning disabilities to engage with and take part in local community activities. “Our mission is to create educational and recreational opportunities for learning disabled children and young people, opportunities that these youngsters should have as a natural part of their childhood and adolescence,” says Lifeworks Events Director, Lis Leader. “Where stepping stones towards a self-sustainable future don’t exist, Lifeworks endeavours to create them. Where the means to develop skills towards independence are unavailable, Lifeworks forges new pathways.”

For more information on SurfABLE please visit our website: www.surfable.co.uk or contact us on 01803 840780.

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life • Lifeworks aims to tackle exclusion, disadvantage and inequality concerning children and adults with learning difficulties.

SurfABLE delivers one-day events across the UK introducing youngsters with disabilities to surfing, as well as supporting on-going lessons, participation within surfing communities and a general inclusive atmosphere in this inspiring sport. As of this year, events will be hosted by 6 nominated surf schools that belong to the SurfABLE network, and are free to children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 20. It’s a fun-filled, carefree family day out, as rare as hen’s teeth for those with special needs children, and a chance for all children with additional needs to have a go at surfing under the guidance of specialist instructors using specially designed buoyancy aids and tandem, 12-foot soft boards. SurfABLE provides surfing activities without division or disadvantage. The 2009 SurfABLE calendar of events will include:

20th June: Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth; hosted by Surf Steps-Bournemouth Surf School

27th June: Borth Beach, Nr. Aberystwyth, Wales; hosted by Walkin on Water Surf School 11th July: Cromer Beach, Cromer, Norfolk; hosted by Glide Surf School 5th September: Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon; hosted by Discovery Surf School

12th September: Joss Bay, Nr. Broadstairs, Kent; hosted by Joss Bay Surf School 26th September: Thanet Beach, Bude, Cornwall; hosted by Big Blue Surf School

The SurfABLE network of schools offer on-going lessons to youngsters with disabilities throughout the year at heavily reduced rates. SurfABLE is intent on promoting additional inclusive opportunities, which involve regional surf clubs, mentoring programmes, and special and mainstream schools. “It is our goal to engage children and young adults with disabilities in surfing, to boost their abilities in the sport, raise their levels of confidence and self-esteem, and welcome them into local surfing communities,” says Lis Leader. Our new ambassador will also bring something daring and adventurous to the project, introducing the ‘Maia Challenge.’ Over the coming months, Maia will be finessing details for a variety of competitive paddling events that might raise the profile of the project, and raise cash for all of SurfABLE’s endeavours. Two possibilities that are under serious consideration are a cross-Channel paddle and a 3-4 mile bridge-tobridge paddle on the River Thames. “Knowing Maia,” remarks Lis, “I expect she’ll be first in the water and leader of the sponsorship pack of paddlers! There’s just no stopping her!”

Founded in 1996 by a group of parents, teachers and carers, Lifeworks has blossomed into a well-established organisation with a reputation for care, quality and compassion. Lifeworks runs a variety of projects dedicated to providing learning-disabled children and young adults with the confidence and life skills that ensure a self-sustainable future, that promote a fluid transition into adulthood, and that encourage their inclusion in the community as valued and active members.

Programmes for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties Robins Respite & Life Skills Centre A home-away-from-home respite and learning centre at Dartington, where children and young people up to the age of 20 can stay for a short or long break.

Robins Residential Apartment A two bedroom fully residential apartment at Robins for young people up to the age of 20 to live locally and attend their school.

Lifeworks Houses Small fully supported residencies for people aged 16 and over who are unable to continue living at home.

Life Skills Academy Young people of secondary school age can sign up for a term to learn and reinforce life skills. After-school and overnight stays at Robins on Monday nights.

Kool Club Weekend fun and learning for teenagers on a fortnightly basis.

Specialist Education A further education and career programme for students with learning disabilities based in South Devon.

Breaking the Barrier Introducing youngsters to surfing and acting as a conduit to surfing mentors, instructors, schools and the surfing community.

If you have a child or know of a family who would benefit from any of our services, please contact us on 01803 840744 or visit our website: www.lifeworks-uk.org

A Partnership Project between Lifeworks & Surf Relief UK

Red House Foxhole Centre Dartington Totnes Devon TQ9 6EB www.surfable.co.uk 01803 840780 [email protected]

YOU CAN HELP US by providing in-kind support, making a donation, establishing a giving scheme or by becoming a corporate sponsor. We welcome one-off gifts as well as those of an on-going nature.

WE NEED YOU! Any contribution you can make - whether it be the gift of time or the benefit of experience - will make a difference to the variety of programmes we run and the young people who benefit from them.

Lifeworks, Red House, Foxhole Centre, Dartington, Devon TQ9 6EB

01803 840744 • www.lifeworks-uk.org

• Skills for Living ... Skills for Life •

Newsletter

June 2009

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS AT THE PULSE CENTRE IN TOTNES

SurfABLE 2009

Callum Alexander is grinning from ear to ear as he says good bye to his Dad; it's Saturday morning and he's just thrashed his friends at table football. Martin Alexander, his Dad, is also grinning and is planning to brave an icy April wind to do a bit of kayaking on the River Dart. Nothing unusual in that, you may think, but Callum, a cheerful and outgoing 15 year old, has learning difficulties and it has been 9 months since the original Kool Club at Newton Abbot was forced to close its doors due to lack of funding and Martin was able to plan a bit of free time for himself, happy in the knowledge that Callum would be safe and having a great time. Lifeworks, has been campaigning for funds to re-open the Club and Lloyds TSB Foundation turned up trumps with a £20,000 grant that means the Kool Club (a youth club for teenagers with learning disabilities) is once again in operation and has started up again at the Pulse Centre in Totnes.“ We were very upset when the Club closed “ explains Martin. “There's nothing else like it anywhere around. Callum really enjoys himself and everything he does is geared to learning something and giving him a bit more confidence to do the sort of every day things that most of us take for granted.”

It's the first session of the new Kool Club so the day is going to be spent just chilling together and maybe going into town for a coffee. But Geoff Carter, once again acting as Kool Club co-ordinator, is planning some serious activities ahead - the first will probably be Ten Pin Bowling (but that's in Torquay and the members will be responsible for planning the trip and negotiating the public transport required to get there). Then there may be some pony trekking, a visit to Crealy Adventure Park, even a weekend away together. “Everything we do is aimed at helping members become more confident with the skills they need to be able to integrate happily with the larger community. Even being able to handle going for a pub lunch may need some practice in how you're expected to behave in a public place but that's the sort of thing that teenagers do, so that's the sort of stuff we work on,” explains Geoff.

It's obviously an approach that works and it's quite deliberately an approach that makes demands of the members themselves. Geoff again: “ We expect quite a lot and deliberately try to move our young people on a bit further; that's something that is probably easier for us to do than it is for parents but it's all about getting members to realise what they can do and then giving them the confidence to do more. Parents are quite often surprised at just what their kids can manage.” And plans for the future? The aim is to get enough funding to run the Totnes club every weekend, rather than every other, and set up several more clubs, maybe in Newton Abbot and Ivybridge or Torbay so that more teenagers with special needs can look forward to having a good time with their friends at the weekend and more parents can take a bit of time out from 24/7 caring.

LIFE SKILLS ACADEMY SUCCESS

NEW ROBINS KITCHEN

KOOL CLUB RE-OPENS IN TOTNES

Anyone wishing to know more about Kool Club and how teenagers can take part, please contact Jo Parsons on 01803 840744 or visit our website www.lifeworks-uk.org/koolclub

Helping to provide a brighter future for children and adults with learning disabilities