New Directions’ newsletter with news, views, stories, events and more.

• New Directions has a new supported living service at Lennon Court and in the community.

• This new service provides homes and support services in the community to 26 people with learning disabilities.

• Supported living is a stepping stone into living more independently in the community.

• Marygold Challenor is the Housing Support Officer for New Directions.

• Marygold will help tenants to claim benefits, manage their finances and help them to find work, either paid or as a volunteer.

NEW SERVICE

NEW DIRECTIONS’New Services in the Community

Right: Marygold providing support Above and below: At home with some of the tenants

Above: Quizmaster Chris with Organiser Cheri

Above: Quiz teams pit their wits to answer quiz questions

Charity Quiz Night

• Mark is helping New Directions to make a noticeboard display with pictures and stories.

• The display includes a history of New Directions from the 1900s until now.

• This display includes the latest Richmond Court development.

• Mark said, “We have been working on it a long time and researched in the library.”

Mark Helps With Charity History

Above: Mark and Tracy working on the noticeboard display design

• Our Charity Quiz Night raised £602 for New Directions.

• It was a fun evening with a brilliant atmosphere.

• The money raised will be used by New Directions for art therapy.

• The funds will also be used by art therapists coming to our services who do drama, art and music sessions.

Above: Poppy Place sensory garden and water feature

• The Mayor of Rugby, Cllr. Sally Bragg, officially opened Poppy Place residential home.

• The Mayor and special guests were invited to take a look around the home.

• CEO Doreen Woodward said, “This home is transforming the lives of its residents, and is having a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Above: Ian Southcott cutting the celebration cake

Official Opening of Poppy Place

Above: CEO Doreen, the Mayor and JLR representatives

• Becky Aucott from Particip8 has been working with our drama group at Community Choices Network every Friday.

• Together the group have put together a drama called ‘True Colours’.

• The star of the show, Tina, played an excellent part as a vulnerable girl who deals with being bullied by making relationships with new friends.

Above: Friends and families watch the drama performance in full swing at our free space

Drama Performance About Bullying

• Some people who attend Community Choices Network visit Hilltop Farm every other Friday, to enjoy arts and crafts.

• Each session is delivered to the group by the owner of the workshop.

• Individuals pay a cost for each session and select a piece of pottery from the workshop to decorate and take home or to give to their families.

Getting Creative at Hilltop Farm Studio

Above: Taking part in studio activities at Hilltop Farm

Richmond Court Opening

March 2017

• Richmond Court will be opening in March 2017.

• It will provide 11 one bedroom supported living flats for people with learning and physical disabilities.

• The people that will live there will be supported to live the life they choose.

• People living there will be more independent.

• At Richmond Court people will be able to make new friends.

If you would like to get more information phone:

01788 573318.

Above and below: The designs for Richmond Court flats opening soon

Senior Support Worker Dee said, “There was a wonderful amount of support at the Christmas Fete from those that popped in off the high street, friends and families.”

Charity Christmas Fete

• Our Christmas Fete at The Exchange raised an impressive £320 toward activities for people who use our services.

• There was a steady flow of visitors with faces old and new throughout the event.

• The craft stall made over £100 from selling handmade gifts such as table runners, broaches, bags and Christmas table decorations.

Keeping Healthy and HappyPaul’s Story

• Paul joined Slimming World at the end of July 2016 and has lost a total of 2 stone.

• He enjoys preparing healthy meals, planning ahead, and eating lots of fruit, vegetables and yoghurt.

• Paul likes that he is in control of his healthy eating habits and said, “I love it, it makes me happy.”

Above: Paul shows off his certificates for losing 2 stone

Left: Keith stretching his legs and strengthening his muscles

Keith and Kyle’s Story

• Keith and Kyle have been going to a wheelchair- based exercise class at the local sports centre for over 6 months.

• They are building up their muscle tone and it helps with their co-ordination.

• Asked what he thought about the exercise classes, Keith gave a double thumbs up and smiled.

Right: Kyle lifting weights working his arm muscles

Above: Janine, Maureen and Linda

Above: Peter Jackson

Cleaners Take To Their Roles

• Janine, Linda and Maureen are happy in paid work with New Directions.

• Their cleaning roles give them more i ndependence, confidence and fulfilment.

Janine said, “I enjoy cleaning and I have more independence earning my own money. I have bought myself some treats and go out for meals.”

CEO Doreen said, “We thank Peter for his dedication and legacy of support that helped people with learning disabilities and their families. He will be fondly missed.”

• Peter Jackson, who was a trustee for a number of years at New Directions, has sadly passed away.

• He was also a family member and will be remembered for his commitment to getting the voices of disabled people and their carers heard.

A Tribute To Peter Jackson’s Memory

Sue Celebrates Another Year Volunteering

• Volunteer Sue Windows believes she is privileged to be able to support Elaine and Kyle at Gateway Court and wishes she could devote more time to helping out.

Kyle said, “I look forward to the time Sue spends with me every week.”

Elaine said, “I have been to lots of exciting places with Sue.”

Thank You Volunteer Bernie

Above: Bernie supportingAlison and Tony with crafting and making cakes

• Bernie Watson, who volunteers at Poppy Place, has supported Alison, Tony and Denise with craft making and cooking for over a year now.

• Alison said, “I like putting things together and seeing things work like the printed holly Christmas cards.”

• Bernie said, “I like coming to Poppy Place and doing things with everyone. I enjoy my time here and have been friends with all the residents for many years.”

Above: Sue with Elaine and Kyle

• Our RemPods™ were set up for display at New Directions’ community space at Unit 8, Webb Ellis Park, Rugby.

• This open day event showed how useful the RemPods are and how you can hire them.

• Senior Manager Laura said, “New Directions successfully received a grant from Warwickshire County Council to pay for the RemPods and the RemPod vehicle.”

To hire the RemPods phone: 01788 577586

Pop Up Experiences on Display

Above: Some of the RemPods set up and available to hire

• A group of eager teenagers took part in ‘The Challenge’ fundraising event for their National Citizen Service, raising over £279 for New Directions’ activities.• ‘The Challenge’ is a government-funded programme.

• Three keen pupils from Caludon Castle School in Coventry have raised an impressive £170 for New Directions.

• They were sponsored to walk around Coventry Memorial Park.

• The 12 year old pupils, Rachel, Lucy and Sophie, enjoyed fundraising for our charity.

Young People Fundraising for New Directions

Above: NCS participants at The Exchange with Joyce and Mark

National Citizenship Challenge

Coventry Memorial Park Walkathon

Above: The fundraising schoolgirls with Elaine and Kyle

‘Browse’ Our New Look Website

• New Directions has added new software called Browsealoud to the charity’s website.

• This software can make text bigger, read text outloud, access different languages, change the colour of text for easier reading and more.

• New Directions has created an easy read information sheet to show people to look out for the Browsealoud headphones icon and how to use its toolbar.

Taking on Dementia Together

Deputy Manager Andrea is now our Dementia Champion.

Above: Andrea

Andrea said, “We help to support people to avoid getting anxious about the symptoms of dementia, taking some of the confusion away so thay can carry on with their daily tasks and interests.”

Media Officer Abbi caught up with Sam before Christmas. Here’s what he had to say...

Abbi: So Sam, you turned 20 this year?

Sam: Yes, I had a get together to celebrate with my family.

Abbi: You have been supported by New Directions for 4 years now. How have things changed?

Sam: I am able to do more for myself. I am at college now after leaving school. We had a school prom night.

Abbi: So I hear you also treated yourself to a holiday in 2016?

Sam: Yes, I went to Bulgaria. I enjoyed going on the jet ski. I like different countries and want to explore the world.

Spotlight on SamSpotlight on Sam

Above: Sam’s birthday

Above: Sam on the jet ski

Below: Sam going to his school prom in style

• New Directions is keeping up-to-date with the latest digital technology to improve our support services.

• These technologies help people who use New Directions’ services to communicate better with staff, families, friends and carers.

• They also make it easier and safer to keep records about everyone.

New Technologies Improve Services

• Police officers from Warwickshire Police talked to some of the people who use New Directions’ services all about keeping safe.

• They also invited the group to see the police cells and custody office which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Personal Safety First Police Visit

From left to right: Martin, Linda, Bob, Janet and David in the police cells

Above: Laura supports Kyle with his online food shopping

• Maureen and Janine visited Maureen’s family in Ireland and popped in to Dublin Zoo.

• They stayed in a 6 bedroom cottage which ment Maureen could invite her family to a big get together meal there on the Sunday.

• Maureen said ,“ I had a lovely time. New Directions helps me to visit my family.”

Terrific Tenerife Holiday• Alison went on holiday to Tenerife.

• Support staff hired a car so she could visit many areas around the coast.

• The hotel where they stayed is specifically adapted for people with physical disabilities with features like ramps, lifts and grab rails.

• Alison said, "The weather was hot and I had a lovely room. The food was nice. I am looking forward to my next holiday."

Above: Janine and Maureen at the ZooBelow: Maureen

Maureen’s Family Visit to Ireland

Above: Alison enjoying sightseeing in Tenerife

Above: Kyle with his mobility car

Kyle’s New Wheels

• Kyle has a new mobility car that is helping him to take part in community activities. Kyle uses a wheelchair so having this vehicle is a lifeline.

Kyle said, “My Dad takes me out in my new car. It is easy to get in and out. I feel safe inside.”

• Kyle uses the mobility car to go shopping and for day trips but would really like to take it on holiday this year so that he can visit tourist attractions.

Days in and out with New Directions

Art Gallery Experience

Milner House Museum Visit

Poppy Place Pantomime

Interactive Shopping Trip

• Dunchurch Park Hotel hosted our Christmas Celebration Lunch in their marquee for 200 people.

• This seasonal event celebrated our 65th anniversary.

• The Long Lawford Community Choir and New Directions’ staff member Caroline Imonikhe sang Christmas songs before a festive lunch.

Our Charity Celebrates 65th Anniversary

Above: Caroline (centre) and the choir Below: Enjoying the festivities

Above: New Directions’ staff member Dee, the hotel’s General Manager George Briffa (centre), with Santa and his elves

• New Directions received donations for the celebration lunch from local businesses.

• New Directions’ staff members also spent months raising funds to help cover the costs.

CEO Doreen Woodward said, “Dunchurch Park Hotel have gone the extra mile to bring together the people who use our services with their loved ones in this special way.”

Our Charity Celebrates 65th Anniversary (continued)

Above: Cynthia and Colin receive their retiremment gifts

Above: The Trustees say goodbye with a farewell meal

Farewell to Two Trustees

• Anthony and Philip spent a week in a log cabin in the Peak District.

• During their stay they visited Derby town centre where Anthony bought a new hat. They also took day trips to Buxton, Dovedale and Eyam Village.

Sneaky Peak District Holiday

Above: Anthony sportinghis newly purchased hat

• Trustees Colin Davis and Cynthia Martin have retired from their voluntary roles with New Directions after many years of supporting our charity.

• CEO Doreen said, “We are very grateful to have had the benefits of Colin and Cynthia’s experience over many years. I would like to thank them for all their hard work.”

Our Charity Celebrates 65th Anniversary (continued)

Milestone Birthdays

Above: IanBelow: Tony

Tony is 70There was a birthday party to celebrate

Tony’s 70th with a gathering of friends and family and a trip to the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Contact Us:New Directions (Rugby) Ltd.Head Office27 Bilton RoadRugbyCV22 7AN

Tel: 01788 573318

Email: admin@newdirectionsrugby.org.uk

Website: www.newdirectionsrugby.org.uk

Registered No: 2647131Registered Charity No: 1005302

New Directions Rugby Ltd

newdirectionsrugbyltd

@CeoRugby

Right: Ian’s birthday cake

Ian Turns 50Ian celebrated his birthday with family and friends, including his neices and nephews, and his sister Margaret who he had not seen in years.

Ian said, “Thank you everybody and cheers.”