Amber transforming lives

getset! The twice yearly newsletter from Amber - Spring 2008 Amber success

Amber has two main aims, to get unemployed young people motivated into work or college and to give them the tools to live an independent life where they can meet challenges and setbacks and overcome them. Kim has had more setbacks than most of us could imagine but has tackled them in an incredibly brave and positive manner, he is a true AMBERTEER. Charles Drew, Chief Executive

I was at Amber between 1999 and with the fact there was nothing more just misplaced bravado before the walk without sticks for a short 2000 after a life of children’s my consultant could do to fix my leg, fact? To my great relief I was even distance and as soon as I re-gain homes, crime, solvent abuse, drug so it had to come off. stronger and so much more focused. the strength in my thighs I'll be abuse, long term unemployment, unstoppable. Then I can start I hadn't really thought about my time Fast forward a year. I'd been doing homelessness and prison but Amber looking for a job but for now I’ll at Amber for a while. Then one day quite well at physio but due to really transformed my life and I keep myself busy with my college whilst sorting out some paperwork I ongoing circulation problems never looked back. I’ve watched course on digital photography and came across a glowing report from my progress was slow. I was doing Amber going from strength to my computer course. time there that reminded me that voluntary work at a furniture factory strength since leaving and it is thanks to Amber I already had the but was finding it difficult to walk as I'd like to thank everyone that was thanks to what I learned there that tools to deal with any situation that my apparently good leg wasn't up to involved during my time at Amber I have been able to cope with severe arose. All I had to do was apply it to supporting my weight. Out of the from the bottom of my heart to the health problems. this problem. So with my Amber blue I developed a small ulcer on my tip of my stumps, because without After moving back to Swindon I had fuelled motivation and determination toe, which quickly went septic and the skills I learnt whilst with you, severe circulation difficulties and a and a large measure of my morbid within 6 weeks I was under the knife especially my self-confidence, I horrid ulcer on my leg that got and slightly warped sense of humour, again. The other leg had to go. may not have been able to cope steadily worse, the ulcer was I told my consultant to get the saw with this at all. Luckily both amputations were below constantly infected; I had a couple of out and get rid of this burden. the knee making walking so much Forever in your debt, skin grafts, neither of which worked, The real test would be after the op, easier and 7 months after leaving sadly. So after almost 5 years of pain Kim Bond would I still feel as strong or was it hospital I have new legs and can and stress I had to come to terms

Amber challenge

Day two and we rose early to go to the Science Museum which was great, and after lunch it was back on the buses to come home. As a new Team Leader it was a great way to get to know all the staff but more importantly, to get to know the Amberteers and what makes Trafalgar Square - many Amberteers them tick.” had never been to London before so it Steve Upton, Team Leader was awesome for them. By this time we were so hungry we headed towards Leicester Square ‘Barty’s Challenge’ for our pre-arranged McDonalds meal. Then it was off to Oxford A while ago our Chairman, Barty achieved and was Street and the beautiful Smith, set Amberteers a challenge – delighted to award Christmas lights. There was a the first centre to complete all 100 the £1,000 prize. real buzz in the air and as we activities printed on the back of It was decided to all met at Marble Arch the Amber’s writing paper would get a use this to take all decision as to whether to get cash prize and in December, Bythesea the Amberteers and staff to four taxis back to the hostel, use the Lodge claimed their prize. They had London for a couple of days where underground or walk and save spent weeks researching, completing they had the most amazing time: ourselves £80 for pizzas was quickly and recording activities such as “After arriving at our YH the first stop made, although had everyone known model making, playing tennis and was Tower Bridge. Then in true Blue it was about eight miles and not two, making a pinhole camera and were Peter style we hopped on a tour bus walking may not have been the rightly proud of their achievements. and saw some of the sights before overwhelming choice! I’m sure Early in December Barty visited getting off at Westminster and everyone enjoyed their pizzas all Bythesea Lodge to see what had been walking up Downing Street to the more for their epic walk!

...Read the papers Health Diary Weather Draw how something works Play cards Friends Table tennis Local newspaper Modelmaking Budgeting Reading Clean clothes A4 Folder Trees Get up early Exercise Places of interest Diet Imaginary portfolio of shares Cricket Learn a language Swimming Go on a boat Think positively Painting Write a poem Driving lessons Write your CV Bake bread Make a plan Go on a train Talk to people Certificate Walking Musical instrument Galleries Follow a sport Help others 5 minute talk Go on a bus Communication skills Send off for some information... Amber activities A taste of Teamwork and Leadership

Climbing is just one module in certification Amber’s Teamwork, Leadership paperwork that and Communication course and earned the this particular adventure started Amberteers their early Friday morning with some certificate for this team bonding and problem module. We then solving tasks. I set off with the started looking Tour de Cornish Tramways team of Amberteers - Dave, forward to the Early on a February morning, seven Chris, Will, Chris and Richard - next module where intrepid Amberteers, led by our very for the indoor climbing wall at we would have to own senior team leader Geoff James, South Molton to develop some team complete a problem solving journey How many cups!...... headed for foreign lands and entered work and communication skills and across Exmoor, a journey that It is a well known fact that there is, the mystical shores of Cornwall. bash some fear. The day started with demonstrates all the new knowledge and always has been a creature that some low level challenges before learnt by the team over the three Their mission was to lurks in the darkest places of attempting the harder walls. All of the week course. cycle the old Cornish Amber’s centres, sitting in silence team took turns at climbing and more tramways with an Jon Farrer, waiting and ready to pounce. It waits importantly looking after each others’ instructor from the Team Leader for unsuspecting Amberteers to put physical and emotional safety. It was Bissoe cycling centre and Instructor, their cups down and steals them for a good day and the leaning outcomes – Bike Chain Ricci. Ashley Court its own use. We are unsure how were all documented in the NCFE many cup abductions there have After some basic instruction it was been over the years but one thing not long before our brave boys were is for sure, the Amberteers were cycling with confidence and a degree desperate for cups, some say that of skill (let’s not build their part up a single cup at Amber had greater too much), around woods, quarries value than “gold pressed latnum.” and cycle paths. However thanks to the wonderful After a very rewarding time the donation of 2,000 mugs from Amberteers returned back to Ashley Packexe Ltd in Exeter, Amberteers Court, lungs filled with clean Cornish can once again find a mug to drink air and full of enthusiasm. Another from with ease, or having to trade great day at Amber. with the black market...

Amber and companies A pond rediscovered

British Gas employee Dave Phillips saw “I helped British Gas with the pond Amber’s request on his company’s ‘Get clearing and really enjoyed doing it, it Involved’ intranet site that encourages was good fun. It was very cold and wet volunteering in the community. The and everybody was covered in mud from request was to re-discover an head to foot, but it was funny watching overgrown, leaking pond at Ashley everyone slipping around, people could Court and bring it back to life. Dave not stop laughing. When we had looked at Amber’s web site, liked what finished the water in the pond was A-maze-ing he saw and decided it was an ideal running for the first time in ages, project for him and his colleagues. “It probably years. It felt like we had really Thanks to the generosity of Virgin was a fantastic day. Before we tackled achieved something” Mobile, all 30 residents and their Team the mass of weeds and mud the Chris Davison, Amberteer Leaders from Bythesesa Lodge enjoyed Amberteers gave us a tour of Amber a fantastic day out at Longleat. Virgin and they were then keen to give us a For one young resident, Leann, the visit Mobile generously funded the cost of a helping hand. Without a doubt, the had the added bonus of being caught coach and tickets that gave access to work that Amber does in helping young up in the filming of a cable TV the safari park and all of Longleat’s people to get back into community life programme called Animal Planet as she attractions. This included the maze is a credit to all involved and we were was very bravely holding one of the which the residents not only managed delighted to be able to help out.” with ease but from the high visibility park’s smaller animal attractions, a points they also guided some lost staff tarantula. “I was very scared, I never Dave Phillips, members to the exit. thought I would hold a tarantula. I was Business Development Manager really proud of myself. It felt tickly and went to sleep so it must have liked me.”

“We were more than happy to offer the tickets to Amber and to include transport for the day to make it a complete experience for everyone. I am really pleased that everyone had a great day out.”

Lisa Codgell-Brown, Virgin Mobile Amber fundraising Charity of the Year

Stroud and Swindon Building Society is committed to serving its local communities and in 2007 the Frome branch chose Amber to be its charity of the year, supporting it with practical help as well as raising money through fundraising events.

Building society staff gave up their time to give training sessions on managing finance to Amberteers at Bythesea Lodge and to hold events order to produce a dazzling spectacle such as a big quiz night and cabaret that raised £5,000 for Amber. Busking for Amber that raised over £706 for the charity. The models, predominantly sixth form Three more young ladies, students in "It has been a very humbling experience students with some from the lower their last year at Marlborough College, but a great pleasure to have worked From left: Amber Le Bon, Milly Smith, , Stacey years, exuded professionalism and also dressed up to raise money for with Amber over the past year. Each style as they modelled clothes from Amber only these clothes were from a Amber helps Amber time I have visited I have been made to designers such as Boden, Jimmy Choo parents dressing up box! Millie feel very welcome and have been so Despite being in their final important and Topshop. Milly, Amber and Emily Cookson, Poppy Boadle and Hannah impressed by the attitude and courtesy ‘A’ level year at the Heathfield St never forgot the main aim of the show McCollum had formed a wind trio and shown by the young people of Amber. It Mary’s school in Ascot, Milly Smith, and before each of the evening’s two they wanted to busk for Amber during is a credit to the organisation that these Amber Le Bon and Emily Scott showings they invited Stacey, an their Christmas holidays. They applied young people have a brighter future". produced and directed an amazing Amberteer at Bythesea Lodge who was to Southampton City Council for a fashion show in aid of Amber. at the show, to say a few words about Anne Dimery, Branch Manager, Frome licence and determined to “busk for Drawing on strands of how Amber was helping her. as long as our stamina will allow!” talent within their year It was a daunting experience Christmas is a time of cheer and group they pulled together which despite being terribly goodwill and the clown theme plus a web of threads ranging nervous and knowing that withstanding the elements clearly from design and sewing to Simon Le Bon of demonstrated that. “We had a very lighting and food to fame was in the audience, good day and raised over £150 before decorations and publicity in Stacey accomplished so well. we froze and had to stop!”

Amber fundraising A special play in a very special place

Six Amberteers gingerly worked their open road, the wind in their hair way around a small stage on which ……...... , but back to the play. they would be performing a short play Everyone was very nervous and as the at the annual Amber drinks party. stage was very small we had to make Why so gingerly? Because the stage some last minute changes to the set was in Mayfair’s prestigious car up of some of the scenes we had Amber’s bowled over showroom, Jack Barclay, been rehearsing at and the stage was Ashley Court. FGIC UK was planning a ‘Bowl-a- positioned between a Interestingly our play The Great British Duck Race thon’ to raise money for charity with Bentley Azure and a illustrated Barty’s the emphasis on helping young Amber are delighted to be working Bentley Continental GT introductory speech people and they wanted the money with The Great British Duck Race Convertible with a total perfectly and gave a they raised to make a significant in attempting a new Guinness value of £400,000! It good understanding of contribution to the funds of that World Record in racing 250,000 was a wonderful venue, with its many what Amber is about. Many of the charity. They learnt about Amber rubber ducks down the River signature and Bentley-inspired guests complimented the Amberteers through ‘Remember a Charity’, a Thames at Hampton Court Palace designs including the black and white who without a doubt were a credit to consortium owned and run by over on Sunday 31st August 2008. chequered ‘race flag’ floor, and the both themselves and Amber and I was 140 UK registered charities of which Amberteers couldn’t believe it when very proud of them. Please support us by adopting a Amber is one. They then visited our they were told they could sit in the duck, or a family of ducks, at The web site and decided that they Ros Bolt, Team Leader, Ashley Court cars (carefully!) and imagine Great British Duck Race website wanted to support us, which was themselves behind the wheel, on the We are extremely grateful to HR Owen and by selecting Amber as your tremendous. The event was clearly and Jack Barclay for letting us hold our preferred charity. If your duck wins, great fun – with some friendly event at their magnificent showroom. you will win a whopping £10,000 competition thrown in for good whilst helping us, help others. measure – and raised just under £3,000, amazing! A big thank you to www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk everyone at FGIC for all their support.

“FGIC UK was proud to sponsor such a worthy organisation”

Lisa Toth, Assistant Vice President, FGIC UK. Amber in the community Amberteers support anti-social behaviour project

Amberteers have been helping with Bluez ‘n’ Zuz, an anti-social behaviour pilot initiative in West Wiltshire organised by the community and led by the police. It is held in a club or adult environment once a month and gives young people under the age of 16 something to do in a A tidy effort safe environment other than hanging After noticing that our local around on the streets near their community was looking untidy the houses and getting into trouble. Amberteers at Ashley Court ventured ”We help out by going down to keep an into Chawleigh and Chulmleigh to The staff threw down the gauntlet and eye on things and also we supply the clear up our local area of rubbish. challenged us to beat them in the four music. I am the current DJ and it’s great man team relay race, only adding to the A group of Amberteers armed with to know we are helping the community. excitement as we built up for the race. black plastic bin liners patrolled the It is a great project and good fun.” After a half hour humourous practice at streets looking for the offending items, pancake flipping, the races started. Callum Rixson, Amberteer crisp packets, tins and discarded First came the individual races and the wrappings of various descriptions to Amberteers finished second, third and mention just a few. Some items of fourth in the male category before rubbish are better not mentioned at all. going on to thrash the competition in Many locals stopped to thank the an overwhelming victory in the relay Amberteers and their efforts were Flipping fun with pancakes race with the staff team trailing three rewarded by the community with places behind them - they should have Each year Trowbridge town council a mention in the local Chawleigh realised the Amberteer competitive holds a Pancake race, a fairly large newsletter. spirit would win through! It was a very event attended by the town major and fun day and we are looking forward to Well done Amberteers you really well publicised in the local press. an invite back next year. cleaned up this time... So we were very excited when Amber was approached to enter a team. Rick Wilson-Rose, Amberteer Geoff James, Team Leader

Amber in the community MP aboard the Mary Rose

In 2007 Amber’s narrow boat, the Mary the Royal Navy, although a narrow boat Rose, was given a facelift – although it is possibly easier to navigate and the I help with the Hot Lunch Club run by has to be said she is remarkably good for waters calmer than a naval ship! Issued St James Church and friends, we her age! All the old paint was removed with a life jacket Dr Murrison took to provide a monthly lunch for people of and thanks to the generosity of the helm with Callum to be given a the village who would normally eat International Paint Ltd in Southampton demonstration of what was involved in alone. Two willing volunteers come from and the hard work of Team Leader sailing the boat and the technicalities Amber to help and do the washing up- Claude, his father-in-law and a handful and safety issues of going through a we do feed them first! It is a great way of Amberteers, the Mary Rose emerged lock. The Mary Rose made its way for them to meet the village and for the from the boatyard at Devizes Marina upstream through two locks on the village to meet them and we have all looking brand new. Kennet and Avon canal as other been impressed by the young people members of the Amber team walked who come. I gave a lift to a young man The Mary Rose is often hired out to ahead to operate each of the lock gates. a few weeks ago and he asked me what I am writing to express my thanks and other organisations, such at BTCV and the village thought of Amber. My reply support to the people of Amber in The Prince’s Trust, but the first visitor “I’ve been hugely impressed with was that we are proud of them and hope Chawleigh. Over the past few years, after the refurbishment was West Amber’s work over the past few years that the friendship they are shown will both staff and residents have Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison. and it’s been a great pleasure to visit help in the future. We perhaps lead integrated well into the community and Dr Murrison is no stranger to the water the canal boat and see what benefits very secure comfortable lives here, have taken on many community-based having served for 18 years as a Medical it can bring to young people in terms some of the young people we meet projects, such as clearing public Officer and then Surgeon Commander in of confidence and team building”. have not had that privilege. footpaths, helping at the elderly 'hot lunch', re-decorating the village hall Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Kate Wilford, Chawleigh facilities, and assisting with the Westbury constituence Christmas lights in Chulmleigh, to name but a few. Each year a football team has been entered in the Chawleigh Fair Tournament, an event which was won by your team two years ago. It is always good to hear of the successes that Amber has achieved and I wish you continued support and success.

Councillor Colin Watson, Chawleigh Amber successes From Amber to motorway maintenance From Amber to guitar teacher

Graham arrived at Bythesea Lodge He then became even more hyper and One success story from Ashley Court and a successful career as in July 2003 having started his needed to be kept busy and focused. concerns John from South Devon a guitar teacher, thanks to Amber life at Ashley Court. I had We discovered that Graham’s dream who came to Amber in the spring of opportunities he made the only been at Amber for 6 weeks was to gain employment where he last year, having lived for some years most of whilst at Amber. myself and I was a very raw Team could get stuck in and get his hands in an environment surrounded by Olly Giddings, Leader. Graham was placed in my dirty. He secured employment as a drugs. He was highly motivated to Recruitment Manager team and so our relationship began! fence erector working in different transform his life with Amber’s During those first few weeks Graham areas of the country. Graham help and whilst at Amber he was a real challenge, either flourished in this role and we were completed the Practical hyperactive or struggling to get out getting great feedback from his Housing Units and the of bed. We discovered that Graham employer but unfortunately the work outdoor ‘Teamwork, Amber has consistently offered still had a cannabis habit, hence the dried up and Graham was laid off. Leadership and and provided excellent struggle to get out of bed! This we Having tasted working life Graham Communication Course’. opportunities for both the addressed and Graham was able to was not going to be beaten and soon Those of us attending homeless and offenders in kick his habit. secured a job working on motorway the presentation of the form of a residential maintenance travelling all over the certificates at the project with an holistic yet country. After the first month Graham end of the course structured approach to decided that it was time to move out will remember his resettlement. Many young of Amber and he found his own flat virtuoso guitar people owe their current in Trowbridge. recital at the time, levels of stability and which should perhaps employment to this project and Its now 3 years on and Graham is give us a clue as to what happened due to the unique nature of the still in the same job and calls in next...John decided to move to objectives pursued at Amber the to visit me when ever he can. He France, as accommodation is easier ethos has inspired chaotic young always puts a smile on my face to find there, and supported himself people to take personal with his stories of life on the initially by doing gardening work for responsibility for their lives. HMP motorways and he still remains British ex-pats, but soon found it far Exeter regards Amber as a pivotal one of our biggest successes at more rewarding (in all senses of the part of it's re-offending strategy. Bythesea Lodge. word!) to start a business giving Andrew Bovey, Accommodation Dave Griffin, Centre Manager, guitar lessons. He is now living in a Advisor (HAO), HMP Exeter Bythesea Lodge house he is buying, with his own car

Amber successes From Amber to carpet fitter From Amber to counselling

I must have spent 3-4 years of going My time at Amber allowed me to enjoyed taking part in the Amber through many different therapies, assess my life and tackle difficult plays and I also completed a both psychological and medical, issues that I was in constant battle correspondence counselling course to help me sort out a number of with. Due to these issues I began to and qualification. I’m now living in unresolved issues in my past but drink and it became problematic and a good place in Cardiff and hope to they didn’t seem to be getting me I became homeless. When I was at work as a counsellor for victims of anywhere. So I decided to leave my Amber I worked with staff and the domestic violence. home town in search of a different counsellor to battle my demons and Without the support and time from approach that could help me deal with their support I was able to put Amber’s staff I would be homeless with my problems. past situations behind me and move and drinking too and so I will be for From Amber to fork lift driver on to better myself. That’s when I came across Amber and ever thankful. it was there I was able to get myself After years of drugs, peer pressure, I got my certificates in literacy and Sharne, Amberteer back to some kind of normality that joy riding bikes and cars I’d had numeracy levels 1 and 2 - I had always a lot of us take for granted. Amber enough of my so called friends and struggled with maths and at times I offered me understanding and support the life I was leading. I found out felt I wanted to give up, however with and the hope I needed to regain and about Amber and was there for about Amber’s support I eventually passed it build on my confidence and self- a year. Amber gave me a home, food and achieved a long term personal esteem. It gave me the guidance and and encouraged me to set goals so goal. I also completed all nine PHU direction I needed to develop some that I could get somewhere in life. basic living modules which I found structure and stability and learn how I had no qualifications, nothing very helpful and which gave me an to manage on my own. Through Amber before Amber but they helped me get insight into how to deal with everyday I got a job as a carpet fitter and was on a City and Guilds course and I got life and situations that may arise when soon promoted to Assistant Manager. two fork lift licenses so that I was living independently. I have also been sustaining my own able to get a job. Now I work for While at Amber I successfully stayed flat and independency since leaving Wiltshire Electrical Wholesalers and away from alcohol and to thank Amber. I am still very fond of Amber have moved into my own place. Amber wouldn’t be enough as it gave for the aid they have given me and Amber sees the best in everyone and me the chance to rebuild my life and the work they’re still doing for so helps them in any way they can. to be the success that I am today. many others. Thank you Amber for I dread to think where I would be It gave me back my self-esteem and everything and keep up the good work. now if it wasn’t for Amber. confidence so much so that I Steve, Amberteer Andy, Amberteer amberweb.org

Amber, Shurnhold Estate, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8DE Telephone 01225 792622 Fax 01225 792629

Amber Ashley Court, Chawleigh, Devon EX18 7EX Telephone 01769 581011 Fax 01769 581379

Amber Bythesea Lodge, Bythesea Road,Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8HR Telephone 01225 759900 Fax 01225 759909

Email [email protected] Registered Charity Number 1051388