Getting ready to bring a sensory service to Greater Lincolnshire
Transcription
Getting ready to bring a sensory service to Greater Lincolnshire
The latest developments from the learning disability charity Getting ready to bring a sensory service to Greater Lincolnshire Issue 58 - Summer 2016 www.linkage.org.uk Last month’s Students’ Reunion at the Linkage College Weelsby Campus, Grimsby. By Artist-inResidence, Philip Williams. The Linkage student reunion is taking place at Weelsby Hall in Grimsby. Lots of people have gathered together for a catch up. Above: Valerie with Luda Balan from East Yorkshire - an ArtBeat prizewinner This issue of Linkage News reflects a busy first half of our 40th anniversary year. We started 2016 with the ArtBeat Awards, celebrating the art and photography talents of young people with additional needs across the region. 23 school students and Linkage clients won prizes through their amazing creativity, from photographs of wildlife to a memorable painting of a cupcake factory. Our thanks go to Freshney Place Shopping Centre at Grimsby and the Society for All Artists for their support. See pages 7-10. Probably the biggest achievement so far was the first-ever Linkage College students’ reunion. The Weelsby Campus at Grimsby was the focal point of the celebration, as we launched the Linkage Graduates’ Association. More than 60 people have already signed up – it shows what a special place Linkage has had in these people’s hearts. Still to come in this busy year is the big, 40th anniversary Musical Extravaganza by our clients from across Lincolnshire who will take to the stage at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness on Friday 17th June (see page 5). Enjoy the summer! Valerie Waby Chief Executive I remember when I first came to Weelsby Campus thirty years ago. I have come a long way since then, and I now have a job. I’ve joined the Linkage Graduates’ Association for free. I’ll buy a mug and raise money for them. I remember the Linkage Football Team! We played against the police in the summer of 1986. It was a brilliant day for us all! A team of five staff is now in place, led by Niz Smith, with Kate Benson as outreach worker at the Toynton Campus, Debbie Taylor at Grimsby, Glen Hilton as the driver and administrator, and Katie Upson as the graphic designer. SENSORY SERVICE IS FLAGSHIP AT COUNTY SHOW L inkage’s £375,000 Lottery-funded sensory library project, featuring a distinctive purple bus, will be launched at this year’s Lincolnshire Show. The Linkage Sensory Project, featuring the purple single-decker, will take centre stage at Stand 7-09, on June 22nd and 23rd. Not only will the bus be part of the new initiative but the project will also be offering a library of free resources from three sites – Lincoln, Grimsby and Toynton All Saints near Spilsby. Niz says: “It’s very exciting for us to give the bus and project the full launch at the Lincolnshire Show. It’s our 40th birthday gift to the area and we will want to talk to as many groups as we can of all ages.” The grant from the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities initiative means the team will be on the road to events and venues across Greater Lincolnshire. The latest custom-built motorbike, created as part of Functional Skills lessons by students and lecturer Karl Crawford at the Toynton Campus, is also due to be displayed on the stand. This will then go to the National Youthbike Competition near Lincoln. Pictured above: Sue Hall from Project Linus UK, which is working with the Sensory Project The memory of Linkage College graduate Matthew Brocklesby is to live on. The 19 year old, who left the Weelsby Campus in 2015, died in February from leukaemia. Matthew was a To celebrate his life, his parents are to young man who sponsor the new Sunshine Award at made us smile the Linkage Graduation, which takes he was beautiful place this year at Grimsby Minster on inside and out. Thursday 21st July. The common room at the Campus will be renamed The Brocklesby Room as it was one of Matthew’s favourite places. His mum, Amanda says: “Matthew was a young man who made us smile - he was beautiful inside and out. As we would like to keep Matthew’s memory alive, we have decided that we would like to sponsor an award each year at Linkage graduation and the ‘Sunshine’ Award is a fitting tribute for our lovely smiling son. He brought happiness to a great many people and to see him progress like he did at Linkage College was lovely.” A collection at Matthew’s funeral raised £395 which will be donated to the Students’ Union. www.linkage.org.uk Linkage News | Summer 2016 3 They came from far and wide to relive their education memories as Linkage College staged its first-ever students’ reunion. More than 260 people made the journey at the end of May to the nine-acre Weelsby Campus in Grimsby, with people travelling from South Wales, Kent and Middlesbrough. They toured an exhibition of the story of Linkage, including displays of Linkage News which was launched in 2000, plus old prospectuses, promotional videos and newspaper cuttings dating back to the 70s. Some 60 people signed up to the new Linkage Graduates’ Association. More on linkage.org.uk. Top left: Jane Arnold, Mary Havercroft and Eileen MacKenzie, the original Weelsby catering team Middle left: Amy Lutton with one of her paintings Bottom left: Students looking through old photos Above: Paul Greenbank, now a bus driver in London, remembering his footballing days. 4 Linkage News | Summer 2016 www.linkage.org.uk Linkage clients and friends prepare for a colourful show Brass, ukuleles and Abba will come together on a Skegness stage as Linkage celebrates its 40th anniversary with one of its biggest shows in years. A cast of more than 200 from the Adult Skills Performing Arts Group, based at the Toynton All Saints campus, will welcome guests to join them in a Musical Extravaganza at the Embassy Theatre for one night only on Friday 17th June. There will be lively sing-a-long fun with the choir, Linkage Voices, and the Horncastle Ukulele Group with numbers such as Let’s Twist Again. Other groups on the stage include Zoot, a five-piece function band with a female vocalist, the Beacon Primary Academy Choir, The Biz Theatre School and the dance act, Lowndes Lovelies. A group of seven students from Linkage College’s Weelsby Campus at Grimsby and three staff will perform the O’Jays song, ‘Love Train’, together with Makaton sign language. Angela Freebury-Fisher, the performing arts The show will end with tribute band, ‘Abba instructor, says: “We’re celebrating the music Salute’. of the decades and bringing Linkage together for this special show with talented performers Tickets are £12 from the Embassy Box Office from across the county.” on 01507 613100 or visit www.embassytheatre. co.uk. The show starts at 7pm. The variety show will open with Banovallum Brass and Linkage performing Amarillo. JOIN US JOIN US • Linkage events - ‘early bird’ booking • Keep in touch with other graduates • Share your stories with others • Dedicated Graduates section of Linkage website • Support Linkage by volunteering • Help raise funds for us To join or further information contact The Transition Team Linkage College, Weelsby Campus, Weelsby Road, Grimsby, DN32 9RU 01472 372381 [email protected] Staff at Lincolnshire’s only openair farming museum, where three Linkage clients are gaining work experience, say it is a “win-win” opportunity for both organisations. Anthony Spittles helps in grounds maintenance, Susan Ford assists in the café and Charlotte Hampson works in the shop and as a tour guide at the Village Church Farm, Skegness. The social history museum, which is spread over two acres of gardens, is largely staffed by volunteers. Anthony helps gardener Peter Meeds with the cottage garden and vast lawns while Susan helps clean up tables and makes hot drinks. Charlotte has been donning period costume and promoting the attraction to visitors. All three, who started in November, have gained their skills and confidence through the services Linkage offers. Sue Shelford of the Farm says: “They’ve all settled in well and the arrangements with Linkage work in everyone’s favour. We need support for all our work areas and the Linkage trio are doing a great job. The work is different every time the three come to the Farm and they all get on well with both the team and visitors.” Top: Anthony Spittles Above: Susan Ford Shop Till You Drop Introducing the latest Linkage trustees: John Cawdell is a chartered accountant and selfemployed business consultant. Dr Jeremy Pearce is a senior lecturer at the University of Lincoln. He has senior management experience in the public and private sectors. 6 Linkage News | Summer 2016 Linkage is to operate its own chain of shops. The stores will specialise in vintage and shabby chic goods and clothing. They will also sell the high-quality ceramics, woodcrafts and glassware made by Linkage’s clients. David Spencer has been recruited as charity shops development co-ordinator. Anyone wanting to de-clutter their wardrobe for Linkage should call 01790 752499 or email [email protected]. www.linkage.org.uk Pull-out and keep guide to the 2016 competition. Talented young artists and photographers have been celebrated in the 2016 Linkage ArtBeat Awards. The competition, which was held this year to mark Linkage’s 40th anniversary, invited students with additional needs from schools across the East Midlands and Yorkshire to submit their work. A separate competition for Linkage clients and students was also run. The winners of both were announced at a special ceremony at Lincoln College, attended by the city’s MP Karl McCartney and the then Mayor, Councillor Andrew Kerry. More than 200 entries were received, double last year’s number. There was prize money of £225 in each category, with additional prizes this year. Freshney Place Shopping Centre, Grimsby, sponsored two celebration awards for Linkage’s birthday, while the Society for All Artists presented the top-performing schools with £50 in vouchers. The winning work can be seen on the next three pages. Linkage would like to thank the judges for their support: Art – Phil White, BBC Radio Humberside; Simon Cummings, Linkage; John Hope-Hawkins, Society for All Artists. Photography - Anna Draper, Lincolnshire Echo; Chris Vaughan, freelancer; Amanda Austin and Michelle Chevins, Freshney Place. Top prize winners: L-R: Kyle Preston, www.linkage.org.uk Steph Horstead & Adam Turner Above: Liam Wallace Right: Rhys Avery Linkage News | Summer 2016 7 World War II Underground by Lili-Mae Jordan, Cambridge Park Academy, Grimsby London Underground in the War by Natalie Brown, Cambridge Park Academy, Grimsby World War II by Cohan Bateman, Cambridge Park Academy, Grimsby Red Leaf by Elliott Green, Giles Academy, Boston Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Cross by Bradley Morris, Ashmount School, Loughborough Salad Items by Rhys Avery, Giles Academy, Boston Forgotten Souls by Michael Coney, Cambridge Park Academy, Grimsby Party Poppers by Ewan Whiteley, Branston Community Academy, nr Lincoln Picasso Self-Portrait by Jake Farrow, Aegir Specialist Academy, Gainsborough The Kiss by Jack Payne, The Lady Jane Franklin School, Spilsby Crossfire by Joel James, St George’s Academy, Sleaford Celebration by Richard Love, The Lady Jane Franklin School, Spilsby Abstract Leaf by Luda Balan, Woldgate School & Sixth Form College, Pocklington Tree Print by Harrison Taylor, Springhead School, Scarborough Kyle’s Cupcake Factory of the 40th Birthday Party by Kyle Preston, St Bernard’s School, Louth Owl by Liam Wallace, Branston Community Academy, nr Lincoln Celebrating Nature by Liam Wallace, Branston Community Academy, nr Lincoln Landscape by Daniel Haynes, Aegir Specialist Academy, Gainsborough French Town by Steph Horstead American Flag by Oscar Burgess The Spiders’ Life in Web by Bernafette Scrafton Sunset by Adam Turner Birds by Steph Horstead Plane by Steph Horstead 10 Linkage News | Summer 2016 www.linkage.org.uk Linkage Gallery Grimsby Town fans Phil Houghton and Jack Franklin enjoyed a student visit to Wembley only to see the Mariners lose 1-0 to FC Halifax Town in the FA Vase. Still, the Mariners will now enjoy life in League 2 from next season after promotion the week before. A special garden and summer house, dedicated to the memory of Sarah Daniels, has been unveiled at Livingstone Court, Mablethorpe. Sarah died suddenly last summer and her parents wanted to provide this special feature. Natalie Watson (left) and Suzanne Cawley enjoy the garden, which includes a summerhouse and solar features. The sounds of City of Lincoln Brass Band were combined with a heritage quiz as the Boultham Park Restoration Project celebrated the 87th anniversary of the Lincoln park becoming a public open space. The lottery-backed project is a joint venture between Linkage and the City of Lincoln Council. Other summer activities planned include tennis and music: www.boulthampark.co.uk. Toynton Campus students will be facing the National Youthbike Competition again in June, hoping for a third year of trophy success. Building a motorbike has proved a winner in teaching Functional Skills – this was how the custom-built bike, called Rust Rat, looked a few weeks ago. Good luck to the team for the Youthbike weekend, 24th - 26th June, Sir William Robertston Academy, near Lincoln. www.linkage.org.uk Linkage News | Summer 2016 11 THE FLUME IS BACK! The online lottery for tickets to take part in the dramatic Lincoln summer waterslide is open. Thrillseekers can zoom the flume down Steep Hill on Sunday 17th July. Organised by the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia and charity partner, Linkage, the Flume will take people on a 100-yard exhilarating experience. Lottery tickets are available at £3 each and the draw will take place on 3rd July. Up to 850 places will be available for the ride, which will be specially built on the day. Book your tickets here: lincolnflume.co.uk. Linkage College student Jordan Shepherd has picked up a cheque for £550.40 from the Lincolnshire Co-op foodstore at Coniston Avenue, Grimsby. Linkage received the donation after being a Community Champion. The money was handed over by the Co-op’s Caroline Gittens. Parent Sue Parkinson was put through her paces when chosen for ITV’s Tough Mum Challenge on Good Morning Britain. So far she has raised £687 which will be matched by her employer, Eastern Airways. She is shown with her support party, including Linkage student, Jake (left). Sue is also organising a Stars in their Eyes Night in Scunthorpe on 9th July. 12 Linkage News | Summer 2016 www.linkage.org.uk Emily Oliver (left) completed the 2016 London Marathon in 3 hours 57 minutes and raised a stunning £6,000 for Linkage. Emily, the daughter of Linkage Chairman, Michael Oliver, said of her experience: “I am so happy, it couldn’t have gone any better on the day and I absolutely loved it!” More in Fundraising Good luck to Alice Corbally and cousin Rachel Barton who are climbing Ben Nevis in June in support of Linkage. Alice’s brother, Mark, is a student at the Grimsby campus. They have raised nearly £600 so far. Linkage thanks Steve Nettleton from Grimsby for his support, raising more than £800 through cycling events this Spring. Excited students at Linkage College have been testing out new trikes which have been donated to the Linkage campuses. Six adaptive tricycles have been given to Linkage by the Champneys Charitable Foundation, part of the company which operates healthy and beauty spas in the UK. Champneys co-owner and chairman, Dorothy Purdew (right), handed them over to the students at the Linkage College Weelsby Campus in Grimsby. The donation came as a result of a charity nomination by parent, Lynda Najmaldin. Linkage’s Adult Skills Service at Quayside, Grimsby, has received a £5,000 grant from the Santander Foundation for new IT equipment including cameras. www.linkage.org.uk Meanwhile, the Quayside team (above) has raised £400 with some determined sponsored walking across the Humber Bridge. Linkage News | Summer 2016 13 Silverware has once again come back to Linkage following the annual Rotary Disability Games. More than 80 clients pitted their talents against hundreds of other people with disabilities from across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire at The Pods in Scunthorpe. They were part of the Woodhall Warriors, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Woodhall Spa, which has looked after the Linkage delegation at the Games for many years. The surprise performer was Anthony Spittles from Skegness, who revived his teenage snooker playing days to take the title. Charlotte Hampson won her swimming category for the second year running, whilst Valerie Craig was on target in darts and there was success in weightlifting. Meanwhile, Suzanne Cawley was a runner-up in swimming, while Georgia King narrowly lost out in the finals of kurling. John Ranshaw from the Rotary Club said: “What a great day for the Woodhall Warriors - they really did us proud. Everyone put so much into making the event such a brilliant success.” Top: Anthony Spittles Above right: Medals for all Middle: Steven Gough Right: Matthew Morris 14 Linkage News | Summer 2016 www.linkage.org.uk UNBEATEN RECORD GIVES MIDTOWN TOP HONOURS The top sides - Kieran Robson (2nd right) holds Midtown’s trophy while Travis Brown (2nd left) celebrates for Grimsby Town Disabilities Gainsborough-based Midtown FC has been crowned the top side in Lincolnshire’s disability football league after sealing an unbeaten run all season. The Lincolnshire Ability Counts League, sponsored by Linkage for a third year, saw an invincible Midtown win the Championship, with Grimsby Town Disabilities 2nd Team clinching the League Division title. The League, which brings all teams together for a series of tournaments during the season, features sides from Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Lincoln, Boston, Skegness, Spilsby and Gainsborough. It is run by the Lincolnshire Orby FC - first winners of the new Sporting Shield www.linkage.org.uk Football Association. The dedication of Orby FC, a team organised by Boulevard Day Care, was recognised in the annual awards ceremony, held at the Grimsby Masonic Hall in May. The club received the first Sporting Shield Award for dedication to the League, despite results not going their way. In a league double, Orby’s manager Louise Polydore, was named this year’s winner of the Nigel Hoggarth Award for contribution to disability football. The majority of games next season will take place in Lincoln. Louise Polydore Linkage News | Summer 2016 15 Musical Extravaganza College Prom Friday 17th June, Embassy Theatre, Skegness, 7pm Saturday 16th July Weelsby Campus, Grimsby Big musical show to celebrate 40 years of Linkage Tickets £12: 01507 613100 Call Marie Barker on 01472 372324 for more details. Lincolnshire Show Lincoln Flume Wednesday/Thursday 22nd-23rd June Sunday 17th July Steep Hill, Lincoln Launching the new sensory library bus Visit lincolnflume.co.uk for details. Also see page 12 Philip Barnatt Golf Day Ruby Red Ball Friday 1st July Blankney Golf Club Saturday 12th November Kenwick Park Hotel, Louth Raising money for Boultham Park Project in Lincoln. Places still available. Dancing, raffle, auction and dinner. Tickets £35 Diable Golf Day Santa Fun Run Friday 1st July Cleethorpes Golf Club Places still available. Call Gill Curwen on 01472 372342. Unless otherwise shown contact Sunday 11th December [email protected] or Lincoln 01522 503190 for more details. Come and join Team Linkage! www.linkage.org.uk Contact Us Linkage News: College: Tony Barker, Linkage, West Central Business Park, 01472 372311 Runcorn Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QP [email protected] 01522 503188 Care: [email protected] 01472 372306 [email protected] General Enquiries: Linkage Toynton Hall, Toynton All Saints, Spilsby, PE23 5AE Employment Services: 01790 755068 01790 752499 [email protected] [email protected] www.linkage.org.uk @LinkageCT LinkageCommunityTrust linkage-community-trust Linkage Community Trust | Registered Charity No. 504913 | Company Limited by Guarantee No. 01240377