Cover Story Children Meet Eastenders Star Page 2 Investors in People Report Page 3 New Housing at Whitfield Way Page 5 Jubi
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InThe voice of learningTouch disability in South West Herts Winter 2012 What’s inside Cover Story Children meet EastEnders star page 2 Investors in People report page 3 New housing at Whitfield Way page 5 Jubilee Year round-up pages 6 & 7 Raising Your Game receives award Photo: Stuart Bendig Photography page 11 A Happy New Year to EastEnders star helps Fantastic Investors in People report all our readers! raise £2,000 Watford Mencap was extremely happy with organisation and who derive immense job We start the year with our excellent its most recent Investors in People (IIP) satisfaction from the work they do.’ Investors in People review. It is a real report. The report also drew attention to recent boost to receive such positive feedback Back in October IIP visited Watford Mencap improvements in the organisation, including about the quality of Watford Mencap’s and interviewed many of its staff, volunteers the recruitment process which now focuses services and support. and trustees. more on competency as opposed to “This is a competent workforce who are Investors in People is a flexible, tailored and experience. This has reportedly resulted in extremely committed to the organisation easy-to-use people management standard. a better calibre of employee and greater and who derive immense job satisfaction It helps businesses to achieve objectives diversity of skill set and knowledge. from the work they do. The charity’s by developing and harnessing the skills of strengths continue to be equality of people. opportunity and the involvement and empowerment of employees and service The report described Watford Mencap as users alike,” states the report. ‘well structured, with a supervisory process Key Points which regularly facilitates and supports Heartfelt thanks go to all our staff and • Watford Mencap was commended for Photo: Stuart Bendig Photography generally very good communication volunteers, whose ongoing commitment throughout. The charity’s strengths continue the way in which it develops the skills of and support made a real impact on our to be the cultural elements of the Standard, its people during an Investors in People assessor. Actor Elliot Rosen was a great success visit with the audience at Watford Mencap’s Big specifically equality of opportunity and Despite reductions in our funding, we are Breakfast at Moor Park. the involvement and empowerment of • The Investors in People report striving to ensure that our personalised employees and service users alike.’ described Watford Mencap as ‘well Rosen, 33, who has Down’s Syndrome, told services continue whilst we reduce costs. The report went on to say ‘there was very structured’ and said there was ‘very New funding from the Department of guests that he especially liked working as good evidence of effective teamwork Alfie Moon’s son in EastEnders, and joked good evidence of effective team-working Health, income from our two charity shops and generally approachable managers who and approachable managers’ and the support of the local community that actor Shane Ritchie spent most of his take the development of their employees • Recruitment processes have improved all help to ensure that our Advice and time trying to be funny! as seriously as the support provided to their so that a better calibre of employees are Advocacy Service can support the Organised with Watford Chamber of service users. This is a competent workforce recruited increasing numbers of families facing cuts Commerce, the breakfast was sponsored by who are extremely committed to the to services, benefits and support. international payments provider VocaLink. Many thanks also to the Topping family Mark Chapman, Director of Commercial who share their personal experiences Marketing and Chairman of CSR at VocaLink with us in this edition of In Touch. We said: “We are committed to supporting the are keen to hear from other families who fantastic work of Watford Mencap and may have similar experiences to share, encourage other businesses to understand £50,000 boost for people with learning disabilities or who may need our support in these the mutual benefits of supporting their local Watford Mencap has won nearly £50,000 from challenging times. community.” the Department of Health’s Health and Social Watford Mencap’s Chair Don Eungblut Care Volunteering Fund, with the support of the Community Learning Disability Teams of Best wishes thanked guests, who helped raise £2,000 at the event. He said: “Every £45 we raise Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. allows another child to spend an evening at The money will be provided over the next our AfterSchool Club.” 2½ years so that a team of volunteers can Key Points be trained to give advice to people with a Elliot is pictured visiting our AfterSchool Club • The Department of Health has at our children’s centre in Watford. learning disability, supporting them to find what they need in health and social care. provided Watford Mencap with nearly Key Point Watford Mencap’s Learning and Leisure £50,000 Jane Pattinson Manager, Ruth Murray, said: “This will make • The money will help to train • EastEnders actor Elliot Rosen was a real difference in helping us to reach guest of honour at Watford Mencap’s new people. Thousands of people with a volunteers to give advice to people Big Breakfast event learning disability in our area have little or with a learning disability no support.” 2 www.watfordmencap.org.uk telephone 01923 713620 3 Funding cuts are badly affecting the vulnerable New development for Key Points • 4 people with learning disabilities A young woman with Down’s Syndrome has “Everything is a fight. All we want is for people with learning have been re-housed in Whitfield Way, had her income more than halved because Amanda’s disability related expenditure to Rickmansworth of cuts in government funding. be assessed properly and for her to have disability • 3 of these people lived at Homeoaks Amanda Topping, 35, has lived in supported enough money to live on. If she has to live A care home which was forced to close due which is being demolished because it accommodation in Abbots Langley for the on the small amount she has been given to subsidence has led to Watford Mencap’s showed signs of subsidence past 10 years and enjoys an active life using then she will really suffer. We hear that the investing its reserves in a new development • The new home was funded through the Watford Mencap’s Leisure and Learning weak and vulnerable people in society are at Whitfield Way, Rickmansworth. legacy of Betty Lydon whose son Kevin sports and fitness sessions, the local being protected – but they are not. Certainly Homeoaks in South Oxhey is to be lived in Homeoaks. Local businesses Gateway Club and a drama club. not in Amanda’s case.” demolished but 3 of its former residents, also gave their support A HCC spokesman said these are Susan Tavener, Jacqueline Chaplin and But changes in the way that Hertfordshire Rosemary Culbert are now living happily in County Council charges people for services Government cuts to services for people with learning disabilities and there is little that Whitfield Way. They have been joined by a means that Amanda’s quality of life is 4th tenant, Saundra Bell. likely to get worse. Her weekly charges the county can do to intervene. have increased by more than £42 and she The Toppings are now considering taking Funding came from the legacy of Mrs Betty Lydon, whose son Kevin lived in Homeoaks. has been landed with a back-dated bill for their case to the Local Government There has also been a lot of support from £1,469. Ombudsman. local business, including John Lewis which Amanda and her parents, Janet and Allan If you are struggling with the cuts, please provided the kitchen. Other help came from Topping, have been told that the allowance contact Watford Mencap’s Advice and Rumball Sedgwick, VocaLink, YourCash and given to Amanda for disability related Advocacy Service on 01923 713620. Camelot volunteers, RPL builders and Rance expenses has been reduced because some Landscapes, as well as Three Rivers District of Amanda’s activities are ‘lifestyle choices.’ Council and Hertfordshire County Council. However, the Toppings say that activities Project manager Lorrain Barratt said: “Many people with learning disabilities struggle to such as the fitness sessions are essential for find a home of their own. Watford Mencap has helping Amanda control her weight as she financed Whitfield Way to provide affordable has an under-active thyroid. Plus, Amanda and accessible housing.” cannot drive so has to spend money on transport so she can buy food to eat and Ross Smith and Jon Jupp from the Camelot attend everyday appointments such as the Creative Team worked hard to transform dentist or doctor. the garden at Whitfield Way Mrs Topping said: “Amanda is being picked on and her money is being plundered. We have tried to explain to the county council New Year, New You! how this is going to badly affect Amanda, Eaten too many mince pies at Christmas? The race, which is once again sponsored Want to get fit in 2012? Inspired by the by Camelot, will officially be launched on but no-one at the council seems able to Photo: Richard Owen Olympics? 24 February when radio station Vibe 107.6 help.” Janet and Allan Topping with their Start the New Year training for the Watford will visit Watford Mencap Children’s Centre. Mr and Mrs Topping, who live in Watford, are daughter Amanda 10k race, which takes place in Cassiobury Make sure you book early to get your place trying to help their daughter financially but Park on Bank Holiday Monday 7 May 2012.