news2013 Issue 15

3 Our LastingLegacy 6 Greenbelt 2014 7 Energetic

Supporters

Livability is the new face of John Groomsand the Shaftesbury Society

Celebratingour past,building a bettertomorrow p4-5

Dear friend,

Welcome to theautumn issue ofLivability News.

In this issue, wecelebrate our heritage

and look at how the legacy of ourfounders, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, theSeventh Earl of Shaftesbury and JohnGroom lives on today in the wayLivability continues to transform thelives of some of the most vulnerablepeople in society.

You can read about Robert Ward,now age 71, who attended threeShaftesbury schools during hischildhood and credits them for givinghim the best possible start in life.Robert was inspired to become a lifelongsupporter and volunteer for our charity.

We also feature the story of IsabelleSedgwick, a former John Groomsflower girl, who now lives in one of ourresidential homes. Her experienceshows how we support disabled peoplethrough all the stages of their lives.

Although we reflect on our history, wealso have our eyes firmly on futuregrowth and development. It is a veryexciting time for Livability as wewelcome our new Chair, CarolineArmitage, who brings to our charity atrack-record of high achievement inthe voluntary and private sectors and areal commitment to our work.

With our executive team and Carolineleading Livability, along with your help,we look forward to providing the bestpossible care and support to disabledpeople in the UK for many years to come.

As Livability’s new Chief Executive Iwould like to thank you for yourcontinuing support.

Best wishes,

Dave WebberChief Executive

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Message fromDave

Livability appoints new Chairand new Chief ExecutiveWe are very excited to announce that DaveWebber has been appointed as our newChief Executive and Caroline Armitage as ournew chair.

Dave joined in 2002 as Director of CareServices for the Shaftesbury Society and hasbeen Livability’s Interim Chief Executive sincethe summer of 2012. He said: “The charitydoes incredible work supporting disabled people and theirfamilies, and it will be an honour to continue this crucial work at atime when many of our beneficiaries are struggling to maintaintheir standards of living and risk facing social isolation.”

Caroline has taken over from Interim Chair Chris Carr, and bringssignificant third sector experience as a Chief Executive andTrustee. Her background also includes a very successful legalcareer, as a corporate lawyer and partner in major law firms.

Caroline is passionate about creating opportunities for those whohave a disadvantage in life, whether social or physical. Her strongand active Christian faith informs and motivates her commitment tosupport the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society.

News and Updates...

Café Culture at Nash College

The Mayor of Bromley Cllr. Ernest Noad performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony surrounded by Nash staff, students and supporters.

Nash College has come up with an innovative way for studentsto gain work experience and learn social skills at the same time.

In July, the college opened its own café-style learning space justa few minutes’ drive away. The project was named ‘16’ by thestudents, all of whom have severe learning disabilities.

At the newly-refurbished café, the young people will learn aboutcatering and customer service. ‘16’ will be used for communityand charitable events so students will also get the chance tointeract with new people.

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Our lasting legacy —What will you leave behind?Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury and JohnGroom, founders of the Shaftesbury Society and John Grooms,challenged the Victorians’ attitudes to disabled people andpioneered projects that changed society for the better.

The legacy they left was the firm belief that disabled people shouldhave the same opportunities as others. In 2007 these two leadingcharities merged to form Livability, a charity dedicated to providingpractical support for some of the most disadvantaged disabledpeople in the UK.

You could help us continue this vital work simply byremembering Livability in your Will.

Legacy gifts help us enormously insupporting young people like Hannah (right)who has cerebral palsy.

Hannah is a full-time wheelchair user andneeds 24-hour personal care support. Sheused to attend a mainstream school whereshe ‘felt like an outsider; like I was not goodenough and abnormal’. But at VictoriaEducation Centre, our school for disabledchildren, Hannah was much happier. In oursmall, specialised classes she learned newskills and grew in confidence. Hannah now lives independently.

We understand that when it comes to writing your Will, you’ll wantto provide for your own family first, but please consider donatingpart of your estate to Livability.

A gift in your Will could help give future generations thefreedom to live their lives and the chance to use theirabilities, whatever challenges and barriers they face.

For more information on leaving a gift to Livability in yourWill please contact Alastair Emblem on 0207 452 2118, ortick the legacy information box on the enclosed reply formand return to us using the provided envelope.

Seeds forsensesA big ‘thank you’ to everybodywho responded to our sensorygarden appeal.

Many of our students thoroughlyenjoy their gardening lessons andwere delighted to receive yourkind messages written on theplant tags we sent you. Wereceived hundreds – some weretouching, others amusing but allwere incredibly supportive.

Carol, Head of Horticulture atVictoria Education Centre inDorset said: “Our supporters’words of encouragement mean alot to our students. It’s nice toknow that so many peopleunderstand how much ourstudents get out of growingplants in the garden.”

The teachers and students willcertainly be trying out all the reallyhelpful gardening tips sent in byenthusiastic and talentedgardeners.

Thank you again. We allappreciate your support.

David, a student at Victoria EducationCentre is very grateful for your support!

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School: the best days of my lifeRobert Ward, 71, is one of our most committed supporters. Hehas been a volunteer for many years – helping out in the office,taking part in fundraising events, and distributing leaflets.

What drives him? The support and encouragement we gave tohim as a child born with a club foot.

The early yearsIn 1942, Robert was born with Talipes Equinas Varus – that’s themedical term for club foot. This meant he would never be able towalk unless he underwent extensive surgery over many years.Robert’s mum who had epilepsy and four other children wasn’table to cope with a disabled child – so when the ShaftesburySociety offered to help she jumped at the chance.

Learning to walkAged only one, Robert left the family home in London and went tostay at Victoria School, in Dorset where he would get the medicalattention he needed. Robert spent the next 14 years under thecare of the Shaftsbury Society attending Coney Hill School inMargate aged five after being able to walk with splints on his legs,then in 1951 he moved on to Whiteness Manor School inBroadstairs where he stayed until he was 15.

Robert recalls, “As I was growing, I had to have 24 operations –12 on each foot. The doctors had to break the bones then resetthem. Of course the surgery was painful, but the worst bit wasthe physiotherapy. After I recovered from each operation, thephysiotherapists manipulated the muscles in my feet every whichway and made me do endless exercises that hurt a lot! Theycertainly weren’t my favourite people.”

At Coney Hill, Robert continued to make great progress andlearned to love sport. “As soon as I could, I was kicking a ballaround and eventually progressed to joining the school footballteam – we competed in the local schools league, but never cametop. We gave it a good shot, though! I was also in the cricketteam and played tennis.”

Celebrating our past, buLivability is building on the achievements of our two founding charities, John Grooms and the ShaftesburySociety— to improve the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people. The great work our foundingcharities have done in the past helps us to support people with a disability in the future.

We passionately believe that disabled and disadvantaged people should be given the same rights andopportunities to live the life they choose as everybody else without social barriers or prejudice. So, whenpeople we have supported come to us with stories of heartfelt appreciation on the impact our hard workhas made on their lives, it encourages and reminds us just how important the work we continue to do, andbuild on, really is.

Here are two stories that demonstrate the positive difference that our founding charities have made todisabled people.

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Fond memoriesRobert reflects on his time at school. “We werewell looked after – proper lessons, comfortablerooms, and three square meals a day, whichwas more than many kids got at the time. Butwe weren’t mollycoddled. If we complainedabout being in pain, the teachers suggestedthat we go and do something to take ourminds off it – play a game, read a book or writea letter to mum and dad.”

“What I remember most is growing up in anenvironment where people truly cared. Havingthat sort of kindness around you means youlearn to care too – and that’s something thatstays with you throughout your life.”

“Volunteering is my way of saying thanks. Iloved my school days and I have theShaftesbury Society – now Livability – to thankfor that. They made me the person that I amtoday. I visit Victoria School from time to timeand it makes me so happy to see the childrenbeing treated with the same kindness andcompassion shown to me all those years ago.”

Flower powerIn the 1950s, Isabelle Sedgwick was one of the well-known John Grooms flower girls. Polio had left herdisabled and she started working at Lilac Housewhen she was 15. For the last 26 years, the 88-year-old has been a resident at Livability’s BrooksideHouse in Edgware.

John Groom set up the ‘flower girl’ brigade in 1878.His novel idea was to get disabled anddisadvantaged young women off the streets byemploying them to make the artificial flowers whichwere very fashionable in Victorian society. Thewomen were paid a fair wage and provided withaffordable shelter.

The flower girls became very skilled in the art ofmaking beautiful, intricate silk flowers by hand. Thebusiness flourished and continued for many years.

Isabelle recalls her 13 years as a flower girl withfondness. Her specialities included making roses,tulips and primroses and she remembers theintricate pin work that went into making each one.“You had to be very careful,” she comments.

One of the tasks she enjoyed most was greetingvisitors who came to the factory grounds to buythe grand flower displays. She said: “It was a goodopportunity for the customers to meet disabledpeople, sometimes for the first time.”

Above all, Isabelle remembers the strong workethic in the factory. She worked from 8am until5.30pm, barely stopping for a break. It was a longday, but she cherishes the memories and thefriends she made: “I loved those days…”

ilding a better tomorrow

John Groom with flower girls.

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Back to the futureIt’s often said that the best predictorof how we will act in the future is howwe acted in the past. For us, the staff,volunteers, friends and beneficiariesof Livability I hope this is true. Ourhistory is defined by great momentsof courage, generosity, justice andcreativity driven by faith.

At this year’s Greenbelt festivalLivability’s Community Mission Teamarranged a series of talks aboutinclusive and healthy communities. Inone session we discussed what, ifanything, had changed for disabledpeople a year after the Paralympics.Responses were varied but theconclusion was that society still hasmuch to do in becoming moresocially inclusive.

The world Livability operates in haschanged and we need to continueour tradition of courage and faith aswe seek to transform society. So aswe look back, celebrating our pastwe also fix our eyes on our missioninto the future.

Adam Bonner isDirector ofLivability'sCommunity Missionteam, helpingchurches transformtheir communities.

On a mission

Greenbelt 2014Mud, music and cider – that’s what’s commonly associated withsummer festivals. But this year festival-goers at Greenbelt packedvenues to hear Livability talk about dementia, happiness anddisability, and autism.

This is the fourth year of Livability’s partnership with the Christianarts, faith and justice festival. In the past we have helped Greenbeltto provide practical support to enable disabled people to enjoy thefestival – things like ramps, accessible toilets and induction loops.This year we wanted to move from access towards inclusion –supporting disabled people not just to move around the festival,but to play their part in the content too.

To do this, Livability sponsored one of the site venues, home todiscussions, debates and workshops; a place for disabled anddisadvantaged people to really have their voices heard. Over theAugust bank-holiday weekend thousands of festival-goers camealong to our sessions. One of the most popular was a talk on

making churches more dementia friendly. Another saw apanel exploring how churches can include people withAsperger Syndrome and autism.

It was encouraging to see so many people who wantedto hear what they can do to welcome and supportdisabled and disadvantaged people. If you’d like to findout more about how your church could be better atincluding disabled people, visit our new Churches Incwebsite – www.churchesinc.org.uk

Haydon Spenceley, speaking at Greenbelt about disability afterthe Paralympics.

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Darren Cossey from Rochford competed in his secondVirgin London Marathon in a Livability vest earlier this year.He raced in his wheelchair and completed the course injust under five hours.

Since becoming disabled in a motorcycle accident in1995, Darren has taken part in various charity fundraisinginitiatives. He said: “Last year was the first time that

wheelchair users could start the race alongside all the other runners.For me it is a good way to show that disability is no barrier to achievement."

We’re really pleased that Darren chose Livability as the charity to benefitfrom his fantastic marathon achievement. He handed over the chequefor £3,200 at a special event held at the headquarters of his employer,Olympus KeyMed. The company helped sponsor Darren’s challenge.

Darren aims to complete the race in four and a half hours next year.Go Darren!

Energetic supporter raises £3,200

Help knit a fabulous pergolaAre you a keen knitter? Then dig out those spare balls of wooland take part in this year’s knitting challenge.

With your help, the Friends Group at John Grooms Court aims tocover a 10 foot tall pergola frame entirely with knitted squaresrepresenting leaves and flowers. At Easter, this unique piece of artwill go on display at The Forum in Norwich.

The group is building on the success of its knittedChristmas tree challenge which raised more than£10,000. In 2010, 600 knitters created morethan 4,600 green squares for leaves and nearly2,000 tree decorations. The tree will be on displayagain at The Forum in December.

Ann Meijer, whose daughter lives at John Grooms Court, said“We hope many people will get involved – the funds we raisemake a real difference to the lives of local people with disabilities.Our Knitted Christmas Tree challenge received an incredibleresponse and we really want our pergola to be equally successful’’.

Send your knitted contributions to: The Knitted Flower Pergola,John Grooms Court, 215 Sprowston Road, Norwich, NR3 4HX.

Events calendar

Christmas carol service atSt Martin-in–the-Fields10 December 2013Come along to a wonderful eveningof festive music and readings hostedby Songs of Praise presenter PamRhodes. Other celebrity guests willbe confirmed closer to the time.Keep an eye on our website fordetails. The service begins at 7pm.Tickets: £12.50.

Virgin London Marathon 2014Sunday 13 April 2014Apply now to join the Livability teamfor the 2014 Virgin London Marathon.We’ll support you every step of theway and you’ll be invited to celebrateat our fabulous post-race party.

Registration fee: £50 plus VAT.Minimum sponsorship: £1500.

Easter Rabbit Run 2014Sunday 26 AprilChoose to run 5km, 10km or 15kmin our Rabbit Run or join the 2kmBunny Bustle. Both will take place atClapham Common, London. Theregistration fee includes a rabbit suitto wear during the race and keep.

Registration fees: 5k – £20; 10k –£25; 15k – £30; 2K - £7

If you would like to book or haveany questions about our events,please contact us atevents@livability.org.uk or on020 7452 2115.

Darren Cossey with three Livability staff members; Lisa Adamson, Chantelle Ojo,and Lisa Hemsley.

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Registered charity no:1116530 Registered in England no: 5967087Livability is a company limited by guarantee LN13A–b

It is our usual policy to acknowledge donations. However, if you do not wishto receive an acknowledgement please tick here.

If you would like to find out about leaving a gift in your Will to Livabilityplease tick here.

Please return this form, with your cheque or postal order if appropriate in theenvelope enclosed and send to: Livability, Freepost RSYJ – HGEK – RGBX,126 Fairlie Road, Slough, SL1 4PY.You don’t need a stamp.

Email is a great way for us to communicate with you as it is very cost effective andenables us to dedicate more money to helping disabled people.

Please help Livability continue to change people’s lives.

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Celebrating our pastRobert Ward (pictured) grew up in the care of the ShaftesburySociety, and was initially cared for at Victoria School in Dorset.“What I remember most is growing up in an environment wherepeople truly cared”, said Robert. “Having that sort of kindnessaround you means you learn to care too – and that’s somethingthat stays with you throughout your life”.

Building a better tomorrowLivability is building on the achievements of our two foundingcharities – John Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society. “Beingexcluded from society and living in poverty is too often a reality formany disabled people” says Chief Executive Dave Webber. “It iscrucial we provide support to help disabled people live life to the full”.