Learning Disability Community Support Service Newsletter

• Customer Council • News round up

• Imagine 2012 • Diary dates • Learning Disability Week • Day services update

Customer Council News Imagine 2012 The customer council has been up and running for 2 years Following the success two years ago now and has 46 representatives from across all our of our art exhibition, Imagine 2012 services. was held at City Library

The customer council is a great opportunity for people to throughout June. A wide variety of influence how services are work produced by delivered. This year the customers across representatives have our service was provided feedback on displayed in the Learning Disability Week fantastic gallery and Safe Places. They space, including have given their opinions on paintings, the new Easy Read collages, pottery, Employment Booklet for photographs, customers who work for and are sculptures, updating a customer Health and Safety Checklist for the drawings and new day service community bases. spinning art. Workshops were run every day If there are any matters you wish to have raised at a during the week so that people meeting, please contact your local Customer Council attending the exhibition had an representative who will speak out on your behalf. opportunity to produce their own works of art. A lot of people visited the exhibition and we plan to hold the

Free Cinema Tickets event again in the future. The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card entitles the card holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema, provided a full C price ticket is purchased for Se alendar ptember: the card holder. The card, 17th Rosh Ha 2 shanah ( which is issued to the person 6th Yom K Judaism) ippur (Ju who requires assistance to enjoy the cinema, costs £5.50 October: daism) and is valid for one year. There is no restriction on how 1st S ukkot (Jud many times the card may be used. For more information 26th aism) Eid-Ul-Adha and to download an application form, go to the Card 31st (Islam) Hallowee Nov n (Pagan) Network site at www.ceacard.co.uk ember: 11th R emembra 13th nce Sunda Divali (Hi y Remember De nduism/Si cember: khism) 9-1 The Christmas Card competition will be 6th Hanuk 25 ah (Judais launched again soon. It’s never too early th Christm m) as Day (C to start thinking about your entry!! hristian)

September 2012

Council Take Over This was a repeat of the very popular council chamber take over event which happened last year. Called ‘Take 2’, around 70 people with a learning disability took over councillors’ seats in the chamber where full council meetings take place.

Lots of events took place during Learning Disability Week in June this year.

‘Include Me In’ Conference After three years of research on the Independent Living Project, Leeds Metropolitan University hosted The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Ann a conference to share its findings. Called ‘Include Castle, even invited Susan Hanley, who has Me In’, the research found that many tenants of the a learning disability, to swap seats with her ILP properties had gained more independence, so that Susan could find out what it was like confidence and self-esteem since moving into their to be Lord Mayor! Councillors and officers new homes. The research found an increase in from the police, fire, local authority and health people using services were there to listen to the speeches local services given by people with a learning disability and gaining about the issues that are important to them employment, such as feeling safe and having a job. though it was recognised that some Midsummer Magic people felt Midsummer Magic Night held at Meanwood they needed Valley Urban Farm was a great success. more support in their new homes. Whilst some There was a lovely BBQ, support staff found it difficult at first to adjust to their fabulous magician and new role of ‘supporting’ rather ‘doing’ things for music provided by Philip people, they are working in a more empowering and Coates who played his person-centred way. The research team included accordion. eight customers and carers who were employed as The weather stayed good co-researchers to work with the professional so, following the food, researchers throughout the project. The One in Four everyone headed up to Theatre Company gave performances of real-life the epicentre where they situations for the audience to challenge and two films danced the night away. were also shown, one about how the research was In fact, it was such a done, and the other about social inclusion. You can magical evening that the organisers are find the full research findings and watch both films at: planning to hold the event again next year. www.progressgroup.org.uk/include-me-in

Safe Places Scheme Launch Picnic in the Park A Safe Places Scheme for Leeds was launched in Sadly the weather let us down when torrential June. Metro was delighted that the central bus sta- rain forced us to cancel Picnic in the Park. In tion was chosen as the first Safe Place to be regis- fact the rain has continued to pour throughout tered. Since then we have met with many organisa- July and August which means we have not tions across Leeds to tell them about the scheme been able to re-arrange this event until now. and most of them want to become Safe Places too.

We’re delighted to announce that the Picnic in the Park has been re-arranged for Friday, 21st Customers, supported by the Customer Involvement September – weather permitting of course! Co-ordinators, are training staff at each Safe Place So, get your sandwiches, drinks and chairs and we are planning these sessions for Wednesday ready to take to the Wedding Garden at mornings and Thursday afternoons. Already over 80 Temple Newsam on the 21st between 11am people have signed up to be members of the and 2pm. scheme. If you would like to join the scheme too or are interested in becoming a Safe Place, you Partnership Board AGM can download a form from Leeds City Council’s web- Over 70 people site on: attended this www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/safe-places.aspx year’s Annual General Meeting where the Board Rugby Skills with the Rhinos sub-groups The terrible weather also caused the rugby skills talked about workshop to be rescheduled to a new date in the Safe Places August. Richard and Sam - who are both very big Scheme, Autism Partnership Board, rugby fans - had a great time. Not many people person-centred thinking and health. were able to make the new date, so Richard and Sam had lots of attention from the Rhinos players Olympic Torch Party and loved the experience! The Olympic torch made its way through East End Park where Mencap hosted a huge party, complete with a DJ, BBQ, bunting, circus performers. There were performances from musicians and the inclusive dance group, M2. Party-goers were joined by Phil Marshall, one of the Olympic torch bearers.

Day Services Modernisation News Roundup The new Pudsey Leisure Centre community base has Mark and Stephie Collins recently decided opened which provides up to 20 places each day. A they would like to try rock climbing, so Changing Place toilet has also been booked a session installed at the centre which will at the Depot in open in September. All customers Pudsey. They from both Horsforth and Rothwell seemed to get the Fulfilling Lives services have now hang of it straight moved to their new bases and/or away and had day opportunities. Refurbishment such a great time work is almost complete on the new that they can’t community bases at Strawberry wait to go again. Lane Community Centre, Armley and Blackgates Community Centre, There were jubilee celebrations held through Tingley, and refurbishment work is scheduled to begin out the service with bunting, games and lots at Bramley Fulfilling Lives Service soon, as is work to of nice food. Three customers from upgrade the toilet facilities at Ramshead Wood. Design Moorland Drive were invited to a street party proposals for the Rothwell building are in development. by their neighbours. They contributed some party food … and their table and chairs!! More Dates for your Diary Pat Scott from Audby Lane The Get Me? campaign will be launched with a video fulfilled her long-term dream screening of a new film at the Royal Armouries cinema to fly in a helicopter. Pat set on Wednesday, 12 Sept 3.30-5pm. Get me? is about off from Leeds/Bradford raising awareness and to encourage understanding of airport and flew over Adel people who have learning disabilities. Places must be and Harewood. She can't booked so check out the Tenfold website at wait for her next helicopter ride! www.tenfold.org.uk. Meanwhile Kim Hudson went on her first The next Beautiful Octopus Club night group holiday recently with 'Avalon'. She will take place on Thursday, 13 Sept was nervous about going with people she did 7pm-11pm. The theme this time is: not know, but Kim was full of beans when Going for Gold. The Olympic Torch will she got back home!! Kim said she had a be making a special appearance and brilliant time and that she would like to go on party-goers will celebrate the Paralympic holiday with Avalon again. and Olympic games. Tickets are on sale at Playhouse Box Office. Letter from MP on 0113 213 7700 or buy online at www.wyp.org.uk. Tim Cook and Paul Williams met with their local MP Greg Mulholland to explain what National Disability Tag Rugby Festival will take place happens throughout on Tuesday, 25 September 10am-2pm at learning disability week Carnegie Stadium. The event is aimed at ambulant and how important it is for players with a learning disability and entry costs £20 people with a learning per team. For a registration form contact the Disability disability to have a chance Sports Officer at [email protected] to talk to him about issues that affect their lives. Tickets are on sale for The Baker, a new piece of Both Tim and Paul were music and movement theatre, about a baker who has a thrilled when they received magic recipe book. The show will be performed by a thank you letter from adults with learning disabilities at Courthouse on Greg Mulholland on house of Common’s Friday, 28 September 1:30-2:30pm. Contact paper to say how much he had enjoyed

Courthouse box office on 01943 467466. meeting and talking to them.

© Leeds City Council Learning Disability Community Support Service This information can be provided in large print, Braille, audio or a community language, please telephone 0113 214 3446 For general information about Adult Social Care please telephone 0113 222 4444.