2

3

Changing Our Lives Newsletter April 2012

Inside…

Patient Council ‘Dragons Den’

4

Nigel and Gina visit London

5 Changing Young Lives

Nigel and Gina met with David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS for England and Paul Burstow, Care services Minister. Nigel and Gina talked to David about the Quality of Health Principles being written into national NHS contracts. They also shared their audit model with David and Paul and plans were made to share this as best practice nationally.

Take Your Best Shot Photography

Spotlight Open Mic Night

Changing Our Lives

April 2012

2

Patient Council – Dragons Den

The Patients Council are presenting ‘Dragons Den’ style at the Gerry Simon Clinic on the 24th September. The idea came from a piece of work they Council wanted to do to improve the grounds at Heath Lane Hospital. They will ask the Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust if they will ‘invest’ in their plans to improve the grounds and the canteen at Heath Lane. Four ‘Dragons’ have been invited to the event so that they can ask for their investment and their commitment to the improvement of the grounds. Until now the identity of the ‘Dragons’ has remained a secret but we can now reveal who they are!

• Karen Dowman, Chief Executive of the Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

• Bob Piper, Chair of the Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. • John Campbell, Chief Operating Officer of the Black Country Partnership NHS

Foundation Trust. • Lesley Writtle, Divisional Director of the Black Country Partnership NHS

Changing Our Lives March 2012

3

Dates for your diary 1

2

Take Your Best Shot From Bike to Mike

Blind Dave Heeley and a team of cyclists will be cycling from Wolverhampton to Aberdovey and back for the Aberdovey Bike Ride and Changing Our Lives. Be there to welcome them back at the finish line and enjoy an extra special Spotlight Open Mic. Talent Scouts will be picking the best acts to go through to the final on 9th November. 23rd June 2.30– 7pm The Public

Changing Our Lives has been supporting people on the Autistic Spectrum to use photography as a medium to express themselves, get out in to their communities and photograph the sights they see. People have learnt how to use point and shoot and professional digital cameras. These individuals are developing into a talented team of photographers. Over the next few months, this team will taking local images and using these images to make documents accessible. You can see the results on display at The Public and on our Flikr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/changingourlives/sets/72157629329280190

Young People’s Forum Day

• Street Dance • DJ Workshop • Art Workshops • Photography

24th May The Public

Changing Our Lives

April 2012

4

Spotlight Open Mic on Friday 13th April was a huge success. We were all expecting a quiet night, but no, news of our Open Mic nights must have spread as over 100 people joined us for another eventful evening! Maybe it was because talent scouts were in the audience selecting acts for the grand final in November. Gemma Caffrey opened the evening in style. It was great to see some new acts take to the stage including Coleen Johnson, Stephen Winsper and Maxine Price. Nazia Rafique added culture to the evening by playing the harmonium, Alan Slim entertained us with his own composition on the keyboard and Matt Doleman had everyone giggling as our first Spotlight comedian. Even Blind Dave took time out from his London marathon training to sing acapella. What a performance!

Changing Our Lives March 2012

5

Changing Young Lives Young Voices Network Meeting

Five new members have joined Young Voices leader’s group –Sian, Matt, Danny, Samee and Shyella. All of these young people are powerful young self-advocates who are not afraid to speak up for their own rights and the rights of other young people. The young people looked at the current adult’s health book, and suggested ways to make it more accessible and young person centred.

Whole of Life Passport trials

Young people in St Michael’s and the Meadows schools are working hard on the Whole of Life Passport trial. The young people working on this trial have a range of disabilities including hearing and visual impairments and young people with profound and multiple disabilities. They are making sure the Passport is accessible to all.

Lorem Ipsum

Dolor [Street Address]

[City], [State][Postal Code]

[Web Address]

The Public New Street

West Bromwich B70 7PG

Tel: 0121 533 7174 ask@changingourlives.org

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

Altogether Different

Changing Our Lives April 2012

Altogether Different is a new women’s group led by local women with learning

disabilities. We meet the last Wednesday of each month for women aged 25 - 45, 12.00am – 1.30pm In the Pinktank at The Public. Come along!

• Make new friends • Share life experiences and culture • Become more independent • Get support