Summer of Hope
Hello friends. Summer has come again and nearly gone again. The news that has dominated our newspapers and TV screens has been of the shenanigans at News International and the riots that have taken place in cities throughout England. The lack of values and integrity in our society ultimately causes a lot of suffering. There seems to be a sense of hopelessness for many young people in Britain and it can be a very depressing picture.
However, it is important to remember that there are also many of seeds of hope present in this fractured society. A few weeks ago I hand delivered more than fifty new diaries to our clients and their families. The feedback I received from people on their doorsteps was that the service we provide is meeting clients needs and is very satisfactory.'Everything is going very well' was the general consensus!
Seeing people with disabilities being supported in the community in a positive, equal and respectful way is one such sign of hope. I know that whenever I see our clients as they are are out and about with their support workers, I feel very proud to be a part of Supported Lives. All the values that we espouse can be glimpsed there in these interactions between two individuals within a few brief moments, and not just for me but for everyone to see.
Thank you to everyone within Supported Lives for the part you play in bringing about positive change here in Bradford, when things around us can feel so uncertain. Thank you also to our clients and their families for choosing Supported Lives!
With all Best wishes
John Drury
A Grand Day Out
Multiflight
Calling all plane-spotters!
Multiflight is a flight training school near Leeds/Bradford Airport
with a really nice café that overlooks the runway. It has
freshly prepared food at reasonable prices (£2.25 for home-made
soup). To find it, drive towards the airport on the A658 and turn
right about 200 yards after you pass Murgatroyds fish shop on the
left.
Owen
Art-Star
Art-Star is a small company run by Ruth Wightman. She holds an art class from 2:00-4:00pm on Fridays, upstairs at Cliffe Castle in Keighley. Classes recommence on Friday 2 September. (N.B. Clients do need to be accompanied by their support worker)
The class is free, but all donations are gratefully accepted. I would suggest a donation of about £3.00 would be appropriate, but if you are truly impoverished don't let that stop you going!
John Drury
Sports Activities
Southfield School are starting a Social Enterprise project where their students design and deliver sports/activity programmes.
They would like to know if any of Supported Lives clients would be interested in being involved. They have excellent facilities on and off site and whilst there would be a small charge for the service, access to the facilities would be free.
Please contact me if you are interested.
Owen
Congratulations
Congratulations to Joanne, one of
our support workers, who is now Joanne McGlynn after marrying Gary at
the end of July.
The Outsiders 
The Outsiders
are looking for singers. They'll be holding auditions on
17 September between 12:00 and 4:00pm at The Old Chapel Studios,
Czar Street, Crossland Court, Leeds LS11 9PR.
If you'd like to audition contact Liz by phone (07812 723 272) or email (theoutsiders1@live.co.uk).
Lives being supported by Supported Lives
Our annual round up of pictures of some of our clients.
Alice was being supported by
Natalie on her week sailing on a tall ship out of Whitby. Apparently
seasickness meant this was the last time Natalie smiled during the
week's voyage!
Katie out horse riding with
Christine
Richard
making a beeswax candle on a trip to Fountains Abbey
Liam Steven was born on Friday 19 August, weighing in at
8lb 7oz to proud parents Pamela & Chris and brother
Junior
We always
seem to catch Mark in a café eating cake!
Katie took part in
record-breaking sing along in Lister Park and then met up with some
Bradford Bulls
Simon took
a trip down to Nottinghamshire to visit his friends who'd just bought
a new traction engine
Katie doesn't let being in
wheelchair stop her enjoying going ice skating!
"On the 7th of July I went to Grimsby to visit my old live-in
college. We had a look round the town, visited the Maritime Museum and
we stayed in St. James's Hotel Also we went to the cinema to see
'Bad Teacher'. The people at Wheelsby Hall were friendly I enjoyed
being at the College" - Jason
Ian and James on holiday in
Grange-over-Sands
Tom and Mark decided to tidy their
hedge at their home in Burley with help from Allan, Phil and
myself. It took two days to do and eight trips to the tip but everyone
worked extremely hard and with team work we got it all done although I
think everyone now needs a holiday to recover from this epic gardening
task. - Simon
Canal boat trip
Jenny, one of the students doing her placement with us this year, organised a boat trip for a gang of us on the canal between Skipton and Kildwick.
More pictures of the boat trip are available in the gallery.
