newsAutumn 2012 Issue 13

2 News andUpdates 5 Overcoming

barriers toemployment

6Mud, mud,glorious mud!

Livability is the new face of John Groomsand the Shaftesbury Society

Earning Independence

Dear friend,

Hello, and welcometo the autumn issueof Livability News.As some of you mayknow, in August webid a fond farewell to

Mike Smith OBE who retired from hisposition as our Chief Executive Officer.

Mike, who has a clear passion fortackling disability issues, joined us in2010 and made an importantcontribution to the running of ourorganisation. He was particularlyconcerned with providing employmentopportunities for disabled people andlaunched the Enterprise Agency, aself-employment service. We wishhim all the best for the future.

However, we need to continue toprovide beneficiaries with the supportthey need to live life to the full. It maytake some time to recruit a suitablyhigh calibre individual to steer Livabilityinto the future, so while our Trusteesconduct this search, they have askedme to be Acting Chief Executive Officer.

I have worked for Livability asDirector of Operations since 2007and before this for the ShaftesburySociety since 2002.

I want to assure you, as a valuedsupporter of Livability, that I and mycolleagues will remain at all timesfocused on delivering the best possibleservice to the disabled people wework with.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Best wishes,

Dave WebberActing Chief Executive Officer

2

Message fromDave

Molly, a VEC student, meets Her Royal Highness

Sparkle SuccessThanks to our supporters, construction of the new hydrotherapypool at the Victoria Education Centre (VEC) is now underway. Wegreatly appreciate the time and money donated so generously tothe appeal and the tireless effort from everyone involved in raisingfunds and awareness.

The new pool will mean our disabled students and young peoplewill benefit from longer hydrotherapy sessions which are soimportant for their muscles, movement and wellbeing.

“It is difficult to explain how I feel in the water, I’m able todo things I can’t when I’m in my wheelchair”David, student at VEC

Our patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, laid thefoundation stone of the new hydrotherapy pool at a special eventin July to mark the start of the building work. Joining in thecelebration were supporters, pupils, parents, governors and staffof Victoria Education Centre, as well as special guests includingfootball manager Harry Redknapp, children’s television presenterChris Jarvis and presenter Esther Rantzen.

Our Sparkle Appeal is raising funds to build a much neededhydrotherapy pool and therapy centre at Livability’s VictoriaEducation Centre and Sports College.

The College supports 100 disabled children and young peopleaged 4 to19 years, some of whom have complex and profoundneeds. Hydrotherapy is an essential part of many of the students’treatment, it helps relax, mobilise and exercise as well as restoreposture and balance.

News and Updates...

3

Give when you shopWhenever you shop online, you could behelping to raise money for Livability. All youhave to do is sign up to The Giving Machine –it’s free – and make Livability your charity of choice. Then everytime you buy something online from any of the 400 big-nameretailers involved, they will make a donation to us.

So whether you are buying groceries, sprucing up your home, orlooking for a new outfit try shopping via The Giving Machinewebsite. Knowing that you’re helping to provide some extra helpfor our beneficiaries while buying something new will make youfeel twice as good!

Visit www.thegivingmachine.co.uk – and tell your friendsand family about it.

Helpingresidents livelife to the fullAssisted activities such as awalk down the street or a tripto the shops or local café arenot frivolous extras for disabledpeople: they are fundamentalingredients for leading happy,fulfilled lives and preventingfeelings of isolation andexclusion from society.

Do you remember Andy’sstory? Having suffered a braininjury Andy is now a resident atLivability home Treetops. Hismum Enid is very proud of his progress and feels that regularactivities – as well as a special trip to see the Olympic flame –have given him a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

These assisted activities are funded entirely by donations and wouldnot be possible without the generosity of our supporters. We havealready raised just over £30,000. This is a great start towardsreaching the £149,156 we need to provide disabled people likeAndy with the choices and opportunities that most people takefor granted.

Thank you to everybody whose donations help us provideaccess to stimulating activities for residents.

If you have not already done so, please take the time to find outmore about Andy and Treetops on our website atwww.livability.org.uk/disabled-people

Andy with mum Enid

Help givechoice todisabledpeople atChristmas

Christmas is a time to enjoycelebrating at home in ourown way. We all choose howwe celebrate Christmas - wemight put up a tree, havefriends and family over or cooka delicious Christmas meal. Itis important that our disabledresidents also have the choiceand independence to spendChristmas at home doingthings that they want to do.However, to help our residentsenjoy the festive period weneed to continue to providesuitable accommodation,adapted to their needs thatallows independence andfreedom of choice. Forexample accessible kitchenswhere residents can cook theirown Christmas dinner and goabout the rest of the day asthey please.

We want to give our residentsthe choice and independenceto celebrate Christmas in theirown way through providingadapted kitchens, hoists andother accessible features intheir accommodation.However, we rely upondonations in order to makethese improvements andmaintain existing equipment.

Please give disabled peopleindependence and freedom ofchoice this Christmas byresponding to our letter whichyou should receive inNovember.

4

More than a century ago John Groom, one ofLivability’s founders, employed many orphanedand disabled girls and women to produceartificial flowers which were fashionable amongwealthy Victorians. Known as John Groom’sFlower Girls, the young women were able toearn a wage and support themselves. This wasa revolutionary concept in Victorian times.

In today’s employment market, disabled people facedifferent challenges. Only 49 per cent ofdisabled people are in employmentcompared with 78 per cent of non-disabled people. Disabled young people find itparticularly difficult to find a job and by the age of 26are four times more likely than their non-disabledpeers to be unemployed.

When we asked disabled people about the mainfactors that give choice and control in their life,‘work’ came out on top. Having a job is about muchmore than earning money to pay the bills. It’s aboutgaining life experience, learning new skills, andmaybe even realising a lifelong ambition.

Barriers to employmentSome of our beneficiaries told us that they find ithard to get hired, even though they would very muchlike a job. Employers’ concern about ‘health andsafety issues’ was suggested as a barrier and thecaution around employing disabled people could bedue to society’s misunderstanding of ‘disability’ ingeneral. Even when a disabled person does get ajob they earn, on average, a third less than non-disabled people and are significantly more likely toexperience unfair treatment at work*.

We know that you, our supporters, want to seechange in the employment market after speaking tomany of you this summer. In our Supporter Surveyemployment and education were rated as two of thetop five areas where you felt Livability shouldprioritise spending. And after speaking with many ofyou by telephone this summer we realised just howpassionate you are about these issues.

Encouraging workLivability is helping disabled people find the trainingand opportunities that they desperately want anddeserve. At our colleges, Nash and Hinwick Hall,special courses help young people with learningand/or physical disabilities develop skills for going towork. This includes finding work placements whichplay a crucial part of students’ successful transitionfrom college to a more independent lifestyle. Andemployers get to find out first-hand that disabledemployees are just as dedicated and hard workingas non-disabled employees.

Our support doesn’t stop with help to gain paidemployment. Many disabled people have the passionand ambition to set up their own businesses andwork for themselves. We believe that if a disabledperson wants to be their own boss, then we shouldoffer them the support and guidance they need.

That’s why we introduced our Enterprise Agency.Since January, 77 disabled people have started ourprogramme for self-employment, and we want todevelop this service and help even more disabledpeople.

Earning Independence

*Source: Labour Force Survey, Quarter 2, 2011

5

Creative futureDave Scates, 26, is one of the budding entrepreneursbenefiting from Livability’s Enterprise Agency.

As the result of a spinal tumour and having cancertwice as a child, Dave now uses a wheelchair to getaround. He lives in London and has a degree indigital animation.

“I wanted to find a junior position in graphic designas it’s always been a passion of mine. I sent myCV to about two hundred companiesand signed up with a number of recruitmentagencies specialising in this type of work, but onlygot four or five interviews.

“I also completed several internships. These weregreat for gaining experience – at one place Idesigned promotional material for big music events –but I needed to earn some money.”

After three years, despite his consistent effort, Davewas still without full time paid employment. A bitdisheartened, but not demotivated, he spent sometime considering his future. With creative skills anddesign experience, one option was to set up agraphic design business.

“I signed up for the New Enterprise Allowancescheme and enrolled on the eight-week course runby Livability Enterprise. This covered all the things Ineeded to know about starting up my business. MyLivability advisers Alice and Liam were great, theyhelped me produce a business plan and their supporthelped give me the confidence to go it alone.”

Meeting other people wanting to work for themselvesalso proved fruitful. “It gave us all a chance to

discuss any problems we came across and how toget round them. Some of my colleagues hired me todesign leaflets to promote their business and thatsparked my idea of offering a range of packagedeals to suit new and young start-up businesses toensure that their brand and identity is consistent.”

Dave now works for himself as agraphic designer and is proud of whathe has achieved so far. “Business is slowlytaking off via recommendations – I’ve gained two orthree clients through connections at Enterprise andmy portfolio of work has grown significantly.Hopefully my business will continue to grow andallow me to become self-sufficient.”

Livability is passionate about helping disabledpeople realise their ambitions, whether that’sthrough further education, increasing everydayindependence or self-employment. Challenging theinequalities that disabled people face when findingtraining and work will be a key focus for Livability inthe future.

It costs just £30 to provide two hours ofadvice to a disabled person like Dave who iskeen to set up their own business. With thehelp of you, our supporters, more peoplecould benefit from our Enterprise Agency – infact, we want to double the number ofbeneficiaries in the next year.

It’s heart breaking to turn away those whoneed our advice, but with your help moredisabled people like Dave could have abrighter future.

To see some of Dave’s work visitwww.davescates.com

6

When WilliamBooth foundedthe SalvationArmy he coinedthe motto ‘workfor all’. Hebelieved that tohelp people have

purpose in life, employment wascritical. Clearly, work and purposewere fundamental concepts to ourfounders, Lord Shaftesbury and JohnGroom. Inspired by their faith, bothmen pioneered work opportunitiesthat gave people a route out of poverty.

John Groom helped disabled womenbecome ‘flower girls’ – making silkflowers. Lord Shaftesbury’s politicalwork saw a ban on women andchildren working in coal mines, thefirst limits on the length of a workingday, and the end of employing youngboys as chimney sweeps.

Reading Matthew’s gospel (chapter20) in the Bible we hear Jesus talkingabout fair pay and equality ofopportunity for workers in the vineyard.Clearly Christianity does havesomething to say about employmentas throughout the Bible we discoverthat God sees no divide betweenwhat is deemed by some as ‘sacred’and that which is labeled ’secular’.

The Community Mission team hasspent many hours this year helpingmanagers in all kinds of churches andprojects to better look after their staff.Our training resource ‘Are you reallymanaging?’ is always popular andhelps managers learn to be goodstewards of the staff they lead. Wehope and pray that Livability can bothenable employment opportunities andwork towards better employmentexperiences for disabled anddisadvantaged people across thecountry.

Adam Bonner is director of Livability'sCommunity Mission team, helpingchurches transform their communities.

On a mission Will you be the keytomy future?You could help us unlock the potential of adisabled child by including a gift to Livabilityin your Will.

We’re already helping disabled children likeMatthew (right) whose new speech aidequipment is enabling him to communicate with confidence, andMichelle, who took her first steps at the age of nine. But both willneed continuing support.

That’s why legacies are a vital part of our income – they help makeit possible for us to support and empower disabled peoplethroughout their lives.

We are very grateful to our supporters who have already includedLivability in their Will and are keen for others to help ourbeneficiaries in this way.

To find out about leaving us a gift in your Will:

• contact Alastair Emblem on 020 7452 2118 and ask for a Lifeis Precious booklet

• tick the box on the donation form attached• visit our website www.livability.org.uk/key-future

Mud, mud,glorious mud!It may have been the wettestsummer in 100 years, but thatdidn’t stop Livability makingthe most of our involvement inthe Greenbelt festival.

This summer saw the thirdyear of Livability’s partnership with Greenbelt, the faith, arts andjustice festival. We sponsored ramps, hearing loops and accessibletoilets so disabled people could enjoy the festival independentlywithout barriers or discomfort.

For the first time, we hosted a panel discussion as part of thespeaking programme. Our topic, Will I need a blue badge inParadise?, covered many issues of disability from the Paralympics tohealing, and drew great questions from the audience. Feedback waspositive. Panelist Jonathan Bartley summarised by saying ‘there is nothem and us, only us!’.

Greenbelt attracts around 25,000 Christians interested in justice andsocial action, and offers us an opportunity to meet and talk to thosewho share our passion for removing obstacles that prevent disabledpeople from being fully involved in their local community.

To find out how we can help your church become more inclusive,email Mat Ray (mray@livability.org.uk) or visit: www.churchesinc.org.uk.

Thanks to all the Livability supporters who came to speak tous at the festival. It was a pleasure to meet you.

7

We have recently set up some volunteer-led Friends Groups tosupport our work. They are made up of individuals from all walks of lifeand ages – our youngest member Emma is 15 years old and oureldest supporter Alfred is 92 years old.

The groups have a lot of fun supporting disabled people in engagingwith the local community and organising activities to raise awareness

and funds for Livability’s work.

Friends Groups have been hard at workcarrying out supermarket collections; holdingcoffee mornings, afternoon teas, cake salesand dinners; hosting local carol services andmuch more. One Friends Group held agarden day this summer with tea, coffee andcakes, dancing and bowls. Everyone had afabulous time and over £1,400 was raised.Another Friends Group sell Christmas cardsfor Livability every year and bring in asubstantial amount of much needed funds.

We currently have local groups in Essex, Norfolk, Kent and Northantsbut we are forming new groups in Suffolk and north London.

Being part of a Friends Group is sorewarding. It's an opportunity to meetpeople from all walks of life; givesomething back to the local community;and have great fun whilst doing so.

If you would like more information on how tostart your own Friends Group or moreinformation about what your local group isdoing please contact our events team on020 7452 2115 or email events@livability.org.uk

Friends of Livability

Virgin London Marathon 2013Whether you’re a first time runner orhave run many races before, wewould love to welcome you to theLivability Virgin London Marathonteam. Once you’re signed up, we willsupport you every step of the way.

This year another record was brokenand £52.8 million was raised in totalfor good causes. You could be part ofbreaking next year’s record.

Registration fee: £50 + VAT (£58.75)Minimum sponsorship: £1,500.

Events calendar

A spot of bowls?

Christmas carol service atSt Martin-in–the-Fields11 DecemberThis event promises to be one of thehighlights of your Christmas calendar.A beautiful historic venue in the heartof London is the perfect place to holdan evening of festive music andreadings. Guests include Song ofPraises presenter Pam Rhodes andsolo soprano Mary Plazas.

Tickets are £12.50 for the evening

Rising to the challengeFamily and friends of beneficiaries are often keen to help raise funds.In July, Keith Hodgkin and Chris Davis took part in the YorkshireThree Peaks Challenge: a 12-hour hike that takes place in thePenine peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Neitherbad weather nor flooding dampened the lads’ spirits and theycompleted the trek in 11 hours and 40 minutes.

Their sterling effort raised £800 for York House, where Keith’s sisterSarah lives.

Our thanks to Keith and Chris. Donations like these can helpprovide extra services, such as access to clubs and groups, thatresidents enjoy.

We can offer support to individuals or groups who want toraise funds for Livability. From fundraising ideas and tips topublicising and running an event, take a look at our LovingLife booklet online at www.livability.org.uk/fundraising-ideasor contact our events team.

Or just a spot of tea?

Title First Name:

Surname:

Address:

Postcode:

Yes, I want to contribute to bringing change to the lives of disabledpeople across the United Kingdom. I’d like to make a gift of:

£15 £25 £50 £___________ my preferred amount

I’m/we’re enclosing a cheque/PO/CAF voucher made payable to Livability

Please debit my/our Mastercard/Visa/Amex/Delta/Maestro/CAF Charity Card(please delete as appropriate)

Card No.

/Security Code (the three digit number on the back of the card)

Start Date Expiry Date Issue No.(Maestro only)

Signature: Date:

If you pay tax in the UK, Livability can reclaim 25pfor every £1 you give to help disabled people. Forexample, if you gave £15, we can reclaim anadditional £3.75, making your gift worth £18.75.If you have not let us know already, please confirmyour tax status below and allow us to claim gift aid on your behalf.I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or CapitalGains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to theamount of tax that all the charities that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts forthat tax year.

Please treat as gift aid donations all qualifying gifts of money madeToday In the past 4 years In the future

Please tick all that apply

Sorry I do not pay sufficient tax in the UK Date: / /

Registered charity no:1116530 Registered in England no: 5967087Livability is a company limited by guarantee LN12Ab

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 pop 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.

Email address