Merry Christmas
Hello friends.
Another year has come and gone. We read the newspapers and see on TV that the economic signs are not so good. Economic stringency all round.
Last week I listened to an interview with Terence Conran, the designer, who owned amongst other things, the Habitat chain. Asked how he kept his workers happy during economically difficult times, he said that he always kept telling staff how good they were.
Looking at Supported Lives, it is really great to be able to say this to everybody involved with us: the seniors; the admin and management team in the office; the support workers out there in the community; all of our clients; their carers and families who bear with us through the difficult times as well as the good.
Thank you all for continuing to make Supported Lives what it is today, a company of which we can all be proud, and which, despite the economic situation, is on an increasingly sound footing.
May this Christmas bring peace and joy to all.
John Drury
Keighley Leisure Centre
There
is a session for individuals with learning disabilities at Keighley
Leisure Centre. They happen every Wednesday (except school holidays)
1:30pm until 2:30pm. It is organised by physiotherapists and includes
games and activities such as Jabadao, skittles, ball and net, exercise
balls etc. We've all enjoyed our time there, definitely worth a visit
and only £1 a session.
Christine and Donna
Carols
It would be lovely to see you all for Carols, Mince pies and coffee from 11:00-12:00 at the Supported Lives office on Tuesday 20 December.
If you can't make it then, you would also be very welcome at the Leisure Library's version of the same thing at Keighley Friends' (Quakers') Meeting House on Skipton Road, Keighley). This is just beyond all the shops on the right hand side before you get to Cliffe Castle. This one is on Friday 16 December, again from 11:00-12:00.
Please bring voices and instruments. We'll provide the words and the food!
If you can't make either, then have a very happy and peace-filled Christmas.
John Drury
Who am I?
Khalil
Hello, my name is Muhammed
Khalil Baz. I am 36 years old. I have been with Supported Lives for 3
years. I am fairly independent and live in my own home with the
support of my family.
I really enjoy my days with my support workers, which gives me a chance to interact in a number of activities. I have been going to the gym on a regular basis throughout the week and have been going to the cinema on a weekend. I also like socialising in the town centre, going to different shops and cafes.
As I enjoy cooking, I have been attending a cooking class once a week called 'Ministry Of Food' where I get to explore and cook different foods.
I have recently started going to an organisation called 'Minds' who help me to socialise and talk to other members of the community and I feel it has built up my confidence. I have recently been involved in a drop-in centre called 'Sharing Voices'. I enjoy my days at 'Sharing Voices' with my support workers because I get to do a number of activities such as day trips, walks, going on the bus, socialising with different ethnic groups, playing pool, etc.
I really enjoy working with Zed, Sid and Akeel as my support workers, as they are great fun and keep me busy. I have also been to college with Zed to enrol for a cookery course as I enjoy cooking and will be starting after Christmas, which I am really excited about!
An apology
Jo felt that our
photo of her at her wedding in the last issue caught her at a bad
moment (or after a bad vodka or two!) Here's a more pleasant picture
of her with husband Gary.
Who am I?
Yaqub
My name is Mohammed Yaqub Ismail. I am a
Social Work student currently on a placement at Supported
Lives. Originally as a voluntary youth worker at a local Youth Centre
I had the opportunity to help young people to fulfil their potential
in society. We provided enjoyable, educational and challenging
activities to help young people improve their confidence, develop new
skills and cope with the issues that affected their lives.
However, I am now a mature student and hard working family man. I have come to realise that I have the potential to better my career, which would give me financial and job satisfaction. I am a realistic person and know my expectations and limits; I believe I have the commitment and dedication to further my education and job career to realise my aspirations.
Supported Lives has provided me with an opportunity to work with people with learning disabilities, my expectations are hopefully to use this experience to pass and gain a social work degree and help vulnerable people as well as unfortunate and distressed families.
Who am I?
Nosi
Hello everyone, my name is
Nosizwe Gadhlula. I am a married mum of one. My son is a very bubbly
energetic 4 year old so we are never short of fun together. He enjoys
going to the park and playing football. I enjoy taking long walks and
listening to music.
I am a social work student from Bradford University and am currently on placement at Supported Lives. I have been working with people with learning disabilities for the first time.
I have learnt so much in this short space of time, my experiences have been such an eye opener and I feel immensely privileged to be part of Supported Lives. I work with an excellent management and support team and I truly believe this is one of the friendliest places anyone can work in.
I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy meeting new people and building positive relationships with clients. I can’t wait to get stuck into more activities with them each week and look forward to learning plenty more in this placement.
A Grand Day Out
Jaume Plensa
Richard and I went to see the Jaume Plensa exhibition at
the Yorkshire Sculpture Park last month. We were both very impressed
by it.
Many of the exhibits are giant heads or bodies constructed and displayed in a way that has a big emotional impact.
Richard particularly enjoyed the room with a
dozen massive gongs arranged in a circle. Visitors are encouraged to
strike the gongs, although Richard was perhaps more enthusiastic than
the curators wanted! I didn't manage to get a picture of this but
there's one here of Richard in a tiny cubicle made of glass
blocks.
Most of the exhibition is in one of the indoor galleries so it's well worth a visit even if the weather's a bit poor. Venturing out to see the outdoor pieces is worth the effort. I went to see the exhibition again and saw some of them illuminated as the sun went down.
This excellent exhibition ends at the beginning of January so get down there now. Entry is free but there is a £5 charge for car parking (free for blue badge holders).
Brett
Carlisle & Morecambe
It's December so I'm doing my annual
advertising of the cheap rail tickets to Carlisle and Morecambe.
A day return is only £9 if you have a Concessionary Pass or a MetroCard. (Concessionary Pass holders can only get the cheap tickets Monday to Friday.) The offer runs until 23 March
Brett
