Is It really Five Years
Yes, on October 1st it was five years since Supported Lives started operations. Our aim back then … to try and still be running by Christmas 2004! Thanks to the goodwill of a number of carers who trusted us to 'have a go' we made it to Christmas and beyond. Despite a few near misses on the financial front we have managed to stay solvent and going into the next five years looking relatively robust and secure.
Along the way
we have made a lot of friends and seen a lot of positive changes
in people's lives. It's difficult and maybe even unfair to pick
out individuals who have really touched us, but such a
celebration would not be complete without a mention of the people
who played such an important part in our lives who are no longer
here. Martin, Jenny, Ashik will always be remembered by us.
Some of the positive changes we have seen in people range from small steps, such as making a choice over what to eat, to massive steps such as moving to their own flat and living semi-independently or even getting married. We have seen people who had been or were about to be excluded from their day service or their school and who now regularly take part in activities that they have chosen without incident or difficulty. We see people who had little choice over where they lived, what they did and who they spent time with, who are now making real choices for themselves and who are growing in confidence with those choices.
From a starting point five years ago we are now supporting over
80 people for a total of over 1000 hours a week with a staff team
of 70 (and rising!).
We must pay respect to our loyal team of staff who have been on hand to assist with these steps, big and small. Who are willing to be flexible in order to best meet the needs of the clients and their carers.
Where will we be in five years time? Well, the future has probably never been more uncertain in terms of public sector funding. All political parties are now talking about 'cuts'. However, we have some new investment, we are highly thought of by the people who commission services, we have a good track record, we have an able and dedicated staff team. All of these factors mean we are well placed to be able to challenge for all new work that is likely to be offered. The Bradford Care Trust is committed to decommissioning its learning disabilities services which means that there will be big opportunities for us to offer our unique way of working to a wider group of people.
So here's to the last five interesting, exciting and sometimes scary years and hopefully we will all be here in five years time celebrating our first decade!
Best wishes to everyone connected with Supported Lives .
The Two Johns
Lives being supported by
Supported Lives
Welcome to second annual celebrity supplement!
The pictures on this page show some of the activities that our clients have been involved in over the last few months. There are one-off special activities and things that people do every week.
Gez and Alan.
Rachel and Casey in Lister Park.
Lee Timpson.
Dean visiting Tong Garden Centre.
Every Friday lunchtime a group of us meet up for the lunchtime
swimming session at Bowling Pool. Danielle, Michelle, Louise,
Donna, Mark, Brett and Michael are part of the regular gang.
Katie and Christine also come along on Fridays but, as usual,
they were late and missed the group photo shoot!
Richard Barrett has continued visiting the stately homes he
loves. This is him settling in at Chatsworth House.
Matthew Raynor enjoyed looking round this fire engine.
Frances and Leanne spent a weekend in Blackpool.
Paul Dempsey works at Northcliffe Gardens.
Roger Moore.
Simon Nunn achieved his long-standing ambition to attend the
world's largest steam fair: The Great Dorset. Brett and Jenni
went along too. As you can see, Simon was keen to 'help' Jenni
get on his friend David Ragsdale's engine!
Another shot of Simon at The Great Dorset - the engine name
says it all!
Dave Yarrington on a visit to Embsay Station.
Ian Munro enjoys an ice cream...
... and James Munro enjoys a drink.
Kayleigh and Louise out on a day trip to Bridlington.
Not everywhere Michael goes with Supported Lives is as precarious
as this roundabout!
Mark does lots of walking and swimming with Supported Lives but
he also enjoys stopping off for a cup of tea and a biscuit (or
three!) at a cafe.
Daniel Tyhurst at The Big Soup
Alan Holian checks out some Blue Peter pictures.
New developments
The new structure
Following the consultation sessions with staff and carers we are now able to make a clear plan for implementing the new structure of Supported Lives .
We expect to transfer all staff contracts, with all current terms and conditions intact, to Supported Lives Services Ltd in the next month. We will approach all staff with details in good time.
We will be changing the payment details for our invoices in the same time frame. Again, details will follow. If you regularly receive invoices from us, there's no need to do anything until we tell you. If you are in any doubt please give us a ring and talk to someone in the office.
IT manager
Other changes include
changing Brett's role. Brett will be our IT manager from the
beginning of October, as well as remaining a part time support
worker. Brett's role will be to write a programme to assist with
the rota, linking invoicing and time sheets eventually. He will
also manage our computer systems, including software, hardware,
email and web pages.
Admin assistant
We have
a new Admin. Assistant, Donna Jackson, who will be working in the
main office assisting with Human Resources and finance.
Welcome Donna!
Rooms at Rebecca House
We are also all having another big move around! The Team Leaders, Seniors and others will be moving into the room that Choice Advocacy have just left. (Those with long memories will remember that this was where the Team Leaders and others started out!)
The admin team will move into the Two Johns' office, the Two Johns will move into the Green Room, which will also double as a quiet space. The room the team leaders are currently in will become the new meeting and drop in space. (The conference room has now been taken over by Choice for office space.)
If that lot doesn't confuse everyone I don't know what will! Expect to see lots of staff looking lost and scratching their heads in the corridors over the coming weeks.
The loss of the Green Room may affect some people who use it as a quiet space for clients to have lunch and to drop in. We will be trying to make some space available in the kitchen so that clients and staff can use that instead.
In the near future we are looking at extending out in the car park (using the derelict little house) and creating some more space. Hopefully that will happen ready for the New Year.
Jon Wright
Bike Mileage Policy
In line with the HM Revenue and Customs guidelines we are now offering 20p per mile where staff are using bicycles at work. This money can not be claimed for the journey to and from work, but for all other work related journeys it can be.
We are unable to meet any other costs, e.g. for equipment or wear and tear.
Claims should be completed in the same way as car mileage is currently compiled and submitted.
Jon Wright
New Placement Students
Hi
everyone my name is Rebecca Peace (Becky) and I am a student
social worker currently on placement at Supported Lives . I have two children and
in my spare time I enjoy taking them swimming, cycling and
dancing.
I love meeting new people and before I started university I carried out various voluntary work, I have worked with a family whose daughter was born with a genetic condition called Cornelia de Lange syndrome due to this condition she has severe learning disabilities. I enjoyed spending time with the family and going out with them on trips to the sea side.
I also volunteered with an organisation in Bradford which supports families with children under the age of five. I received great pleasure from interacting with the families and helping them to access various groups within the community.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to carry out my placement at Supported Lives and I am looking forward to the following weeks. xxx
Hello,
my name is Claire Scarfe, I am 26 years old and am a social work
student from Bradford University on placement at Supported Lives . I have a five year old
son called Aaron and I like taking him to the park to play
football and we enjoy going swimming.
I volunteered at a children's residential unit in Bradford for two years which I really enjoyed, I loved reading with the children and taking them to the cinema and park. I have also worked with adults with disabilities in a day centre in Huddersfield and one to one support work with adults with schizophrenia and drug and alcohol addictions.
I am really looking forward to my placement at Supported Lives and getting to meet new people. x
A Grand Day Out
St Ives
St Ives estate in Harden (near Bingley) offers a lot of different walks. Spectacular views over the Aire Valley from Druid's Altar; Woodland walks with the opportunity to go statue-spotting; an easy lakeside walk; and many more. There's also a cafe, a well-equipped playground, good car parking and disabled toilets.
It's not easily accessable by public transport but it's only a short drive from Bingley along the Harden Road. Or, if you're feeling fit there are some lovely but quite strenuous walks up from Myrtle Park and other bits of Bingley.
Brett
