Summer 2015 Newsletter Welcome to the My Life My Choice newsletter My Life My choice is a self-advocacy organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. In this issue Our new website The Tale of Laughing Boy Our self-advocacy groups Earn some money as a Quality Checker And more! My Life My Choice, The Jam Factory, 27 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU 01865 204214 www.mylifemychoice.org.uk @mylifemychoice1 www.facebook.com/1mlmc Charity number: 1073247
My Life My Choice News New website You might have noticed that we have a new website! We also have a blog where you can read regular updates about what we have been doing. Go to www.mylifemychoice.org.uk to see the website. If you have any ideas about the website or the blog phone the office on 01865 204214 and talk to Kate. The Tale of Laughing Boy We made a film about Connor Sparrowhawk. It tells the story of what Connor was like, his preventable death at Slade House in Oxford, and the resulting Justice for LB Campaign. 3 of our trustees are interviewed in the film: Tyrone, Tommy and Shane. You can watch the film online: https://vimeo.com/130521001 Thanks to Oxfordshire City Council for giving us some money to make the film, and to Oxford Digital Media for their generous support. Summer 2015 Newsletter Page 1
Upcoming Events Stringray Night Club For people who have a learning disability. Have fun, dance, and meet new people! Dates 2015 Tuesday 14 July Tuesday 11 August Tuesday 22 September Tuesday 20 October Tuesday 17 November Tuesday 15 December 5 entry, carer goes free. Plush Lounge, 27 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU West Oxford Fun Day Saturday 11 July 1pm 5pm At the West Oxford Community Centre on Botley Road. We are going to have a stall to raise money for My Life My Choice. Access All Areas Art Event in Didcot Friday 24 July 1pm 3pm at Cornerstone in Dicot. Join our session to get creative and make yourself a name badge. For more information visit: http://www.cornerstonearts.org/whats/access-all-areas Summer 2015 Newsletter Page 2
Join a group! If you aren t already coming to one of our monthly self-advocacy groups then you are missing out. There are groups in: Abington, Banbury, Chipping Norton, Carterton, Didcot, Henley, Oxford (For young people) and Wantage. My Life My Choice groups are the only opportunity we get to talk about the things that impact our lives and speak up for ourselves. I think the groups are very important. New people are always welcome! Phone 01865 204214 or visit http://mylifemychoice.org.uk/get-involved/join-a-group/ New groups! We had a successful open day in Bicester last week. We ran activities to show people in Bicester how great our groups are. We will be starting a group in Bicester. We will also be starting groups in Witney College and Abingdon College. Phone the office on 01865 204214 and ask to speak to Patty if you are interested in coming to one of these groups. Summer 2015 Newsletter Page 3
Member Stories Paul s adventures with the Thames Valley Police I had the opportunity to spend the day with the Police as part of their Ride-Along/Walk- Along scheme. I met the Officers I was going to be spending the day with at St Aldates Police Station in Oxford. First we were called by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who had found someone who had broken his bail conditions. We took him into the back of the van for questioning and then released him. When we got back to the Police Station the same man was running out of Tesco. The Manager said he paid for his shopping with a fake 50 note. I watched the Police Officers stop and search him and find the things he had bought with fake money. After they had arrested him they needed to take him to Abingdon. I couldn't go with them so we arranged that I could come back next Saturday instead. The next week I spent the morning with a female officer while she woke up homeless people and asked them to move. She approached them really well and everyone got up. They weren't nasty because she was kind. We chatted to them and one asked if I was a trainee Police Officer! Then I went with another officer to speak to shop owners and undercover security officers. I learnt how the police work with shop security. When we are in shops we don't realise there are undercover security officers watching you. It was really interesting to find out how they catch shop lifters. Do you have a story you want to share in the next issue of The Includer? Tell us about it by phoning 01865 204214 Summer 2015 Newsletter Page 4
Job opportunity: Quality Checker This is a job for someone with a learning disability. You will take part in visits to check care services around Oxfordshire. The MLMC Quality Checker Coordinator will help organise your work, offer support and make the work accessible. You will be asked to do one visit per month on average. You will be paid 10 per hour. Each checking visit will take about five hours. Visit the website for details and to apply: http://mylifemychoice.org.uk/about-my-life-my-choice/jobs/ Or phone 01865 204214 and speak to Jess The closing date is Friday 7th August at 5pm We are starting a lottery called the 100 Club We are going to sell 100 tickets. Each ticket costs 10 and means you will be entered into 4 prize draws. The first draw will take place on 1st September. The 1st prize will be 100 and the second prize will be 25. My Life My Choice Trustees will be selling tickets. If you want to buy a ticket then ask one of the trustees. The 100 Club will help raise money for My Life My Choice. Summer 2015 Newsletter Page 5