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Changing Our Lives Newsletter January 2013

Inside…

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Street Cred – free workshops in February

Success Stories Katie Hale – what a year!

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Hello everyone - my name is Kathryn but most people know me as Katie. I recently won the Frances Painter award, which is given each year to an inspirational woman living in the Black Country. I received my award at a Changing Our Lives event called Spotlight. I have to say that this was one of the best nights of my life, and I will never forget how I felt when my name was called and I was invited onto the stage to hear the speech given by John Polychronakis, Chief Executive Dudley MBC. The team at Changing Our Lives thought that other people might like to hear my story, and to find out more about what my life is like.

Sandwell Leisure Trust Training

Open Mic Nights on tour for 2013

Job Vacancy for Project Development Officer

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Changing Our Lives

January 2013

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Recently, my life has really changed. In April 2012 I moved into my own flat in the Dudley area. This is the first time that I have lived alone, having always lived with my family or in residential care. I remember telling people for a long time that I wanted to take control of what happens in my life. I used to feel very frustrated that other people made all the decisions for me, such as when I should get up, what I should eat or when I could go out. This made me feel like a child. Now, it is me who makes the decisions about my life! I have far more independence and finally feel that I am respected as the adult that I am. Even though living alone was something I had dreamed of for a long time I still found it quite difficult at first, however I stuck with it and now feel very settled and happy in my new home. Persevering is something that is very important to me, people say that I am a very determined person who works hard to overcome challenges. As you can imagine, living alone for the first time has presented quite a few challenges so being a strong woman has really helped me to find solutions. I am pleased to say that I have worked through lots of issues and most importantly, I still have my independence – as an example I have got to grips with new telecare equipment. This means that I can spend time alone in my flat but stay safe, and can contact my support team when I want to. If I did not have this equipment I think people might think that staff should stay with me all the time. I do really like my support staff but everybody needs some time and space to relax in their own home.

Changing Our Lives January 2013

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My home is exactly the way that I like it, I have chosen everything that is in it and I am proud of what I have achieved. It was a big step up from choosing small things for a bedroom to having to think what I needed to furnish a whole home. However, I am pleased with the results and really enjoy having visitors come to my flat. This year I am looking forward to hosting Christmas for the very first time at my flat for my friends and family. Having my own home means that I can have privacy with my visitors, living in residential care often meant that my visitors became other people's visitors too. It is also important to say that I am really happy with what happens in my life; I like to be busy and now feel that I have lots of things to look forward to. I have my own car so I am able to get out and about easily when I want to. It also means that I can do more things for myself such as my own shopping, and go and pay my own bills when I need to. I was asked what advice I would give other people who want to have their own home, I would tell people to never give up and to think really big. You might not think it exists but you need to keep telling people about how you want to live, otherwise they might forget. I never used to think that I would live alone but because I kept talking to the right people about my wish I eventually got there. I would also say do not be afraid to say what you want out of life. Whilst things are great right now, I do think about the future, and have many things that I would still like to achieve. The next thing I want to do is to employ my own Personal Assistant. I will choose who this person will be and will decide when and how they support me. I plan to use my Personal Assistant at weekends when I would like to go out more. I really hope that you have enjoyed reading my story, and found it helpful. Perhaps it will motivate you to make some important changes in your life or maybe encourage you to nominate an inspirational woman that you know.

Changing Our Lives

January 2013

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Changing Young Lives

STREET C R E D

Fun Half-Term Workshops 18-22nd Feb

Try art, graffiti or music production

and make new friends too!

Free Workshops

Art: 18-19th Feb Graffiti: 20-21st Feb Music Production: 22nd Feb 10.00am – 1.00pm at The Public

Changing Our Lives January 2013

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Sandwell Leisure Trust Training

Changing Our Lives' self-advocates, Richard Johnson and Isabelle Brant, delivered learning disability training to Sandwell Leisure Trust. The training session was delivered seven times in total, across six venues. Between them, Richard and Izzy trained a total of 176 staff: amongst these were fitness development officers, duty managers, lifeguards and leisure attendants. The purpose of this training was to give employees of the leisure trust a better knowledge of learning disabilities and how, by applying this knowledge to their respective job roles, they could improve people's experiences of using leisure facilities. At the end of the session everyone was asked to evaluate the training. The majority of the participants clearly enjoyed the training and, most importantly, felt that they had gained a valuable knowledge of learning disabilities and understood the importance of putting reasonable adjustments in place. Here are some of the excellent comments we received:

• Enjoyable, interactive and got everyone involved • Informative and also fun, a good balance • The training was more relevant as it was led by someone with a disability • Good, interactive, captured the audience better than a normal Powerpoint • Partnership delivery worked well • Hard hitting and factual, we all learnt something new

Changing Our Lives

January 2013

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Open Mic nights 2013 and the Spotlight Final

Following a truly fantastic evening at the Spotlight 2012 Final last November we are ready to welcome old and new performers to this year's Open Mic nights. Spotlight is a celebration of the often hidden artistic talents of people with disabilities across the Black Country. Leading up to the grand final at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 24th January 2014 (we've really thought big this year!), there will be regular open mic nights where anyone can perform. Talent Scouts will select acts to compete for the title of Spotlight Winner. So, whatever your talent – dance, song, comedy, drama - get in touch and book your slot on the Pink Tank stage. We look forward to seeing you, the dates for your diary are:

• 22nd March - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton • 24th May - Dudley • 19th July - The Public, West Bromwich • 20th September - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton • 22nd November - Dudley

Changing Our Lives January 2013

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We have vacancies for a full time (37 hours) and part-time (21 hours) Development Officer for two years fixed term at a salary of £25,400 to £26,900. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, creative and hard working individual who is passionate about the rights of people with disabilities. You will also have experience of working within a fast paced environment and achieving positive outcomes for people's lives. Both Development Officers will work across a range of projects, in co-production with people with disabilities, including our People's Parliaments in Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley, the Rights for All project aimed at developing the self-advocacy skills of people with learning disabilities from BME communities and our Quality of Life and Quality of Health audit programmes. Please see our website for more information about these work areas. Please apply by downloading the application form on our website and sending it to ask@changingourlives.org. The closing date for applications is 30th January 2013. Successful candidates will be called interview from 8th-12th Feb.

Job Vacancies for Project Development Officers

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The Public New Street

West Bromwich B70 7PG

Tel: 0121 533 7174 ask@changingourlives.org

www.changingourlives.org www.twitter.com/Positive_Lives

Changing Our Lives January 2013

The start of 2013 is looking good for Changing Our Lives, with an additional office at Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton open from 7th January. This reflects our growing work commitments across the Black Country and the need for a Wolverhampton base. You'll still be able to reach us on our existing telephone numbers and email. We're all really looking forward to working there!

New office in Wolverhampton