www.mcch.org.uk Spring issue 14 life Easy Read Newsletter
Welcome This is Sam Woollard. Sam writes stories for this newsletter. Hello This newsletter is in easy read with pictures. Do you have a question about mcch? Tell us your question and we will answer it. Email Sam at marketing@mcch.org.uk Or write to Sam Woollard: mcch, One Hermitage Court, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9NT We may put your question in the next newsletter. mcch? X Question for mcch: What is the name mcch short for? The answer is nothing! It was Maidstone Community Care Housing, but not anymore. We are now a charity. Our charity number is 1156486. We can now ask more organisations to give us money. 2 life
Safety at work This is Chris he works at Tuck by Truck. Chris is a delivery assistant at Tuck by Truck. Chris likes health and safety. He went to fire and health and safety training. He made his own health and safety training on the computer using pictures. He helps people to make sure things are safe at Tuck by Truck. He also helps people to use the computer and the internet. Spring 2014 3
Crime research finishes We did some research about bad things that happen to people with learning disabilities. We wanted to find out how many people told the police. Some of the people told us bad things happened to them when they were out. Not all of these people told the police. We are working on a new project. Doctors will ask people with learning disabilities and autism if bad things have happened to them. Stay safe It is safer to go out with a friend or someone you know. Tell someone what time you will be home and where you are going. Always tell the police if bad things happen to you. Call 101 to report a crime. Call 999 if you have an emergency. 4 life
We were finalists Kerry is a manager at mcch. She was a finalist in the Laing & Buisson Independant Specialist Care Awards. Well done Kerry. Our service called Holly Lodge was also a finalist. Holly Lodge is for people with challenging behaviour. Staff get an award We had an event for mcch staff and volunteers. We gave them awards. The Wellbeing Centre in Hart and Rushmoor won the Volunteer of the Year award. Well done to all the winners. Spring 2014 5
Get involved We want people to do fundraising events. Fundraising events mean raising money for mcch and doing a fun activity. We have lots of fundraising events. Doitforcharity Superhero run How far do I run? 5km or 10km. What do I wear? Arrive early and get a free superhero costume, like Superman or Supergirl. Or you can wear your own superhero costume. Wear trainers. When? Sunday 18 May 2014 Arrive at 9.45am How much do I pay to run? 22 How much money do I need to raise? 100 How do I enter? Call Emma Cassley on 01622 722536 or email fundraising@mcch.org.uk 6 life
Emma Cassley Fundraising Manager Doitforcharity London to Brighton bike ride How far do I cycle? 54 miles. When? Sunday 17 September 2014 Arrive between 6.30am and 9.30am How much do I pay to cycle? 35 How much money do I need to raise? 100 How do I enter? Call Emma Cassley on 01622 722536 or email fundraising@mcch.org.uk Get a fundraising website page People can give you money on your fundrasing website page. Go to www.doitforcharity.com/give How will mcch spend the money? We will buy sensory equipment for people we support. Sensory equipment can be anything that looks, smells, feels or sounds good. Spring 2014 7
What is supported living? Supported living helps people have choice and control Supported living gives people their own tenancy. The support is all about you. You have a tenancy agreement. This means that housing laws protect you. 24h Supported living can be up to 24 hour support. This depends on what you need. Anyone can have their own tenancy. It does not matter if you do not understand what a tenancy is. People can help you understand your tenancy. These people are called advocates. Valarie lives in a supported living service. She helps to cook all her own meals and clean her flat She goes to a dance group 3 times a week. She loves going to the theatre. 8 life
Technology review Dan Johnson Senior Operations Manager We take a look at BIGmacks They help people communicate. They are easy to use. I asked someone if they wanted the TV on. He could not talk or nod his head. I got a green BIGmack and recorded my voice saying yes. I got a red BIGmack and recorded my voice saying no. I pressed the BIGmack s so that he understood. I asked if he wanted the TV on. He pressed the green BIGmack switch, it said yes. How much do they cost? 70-100 + VAT Where can I get one? We got ours from www.inclusive.co.uk You can ask your support worker to help you find one. Spring 2014 9
20 years since the hospital closed Lesley and Bob work for mcch. They used to work at a hospital that has now closed. It was called Leytonstone House Hospital. Lesley worked at the hospital for mcch in 1994. She did not like it there. X People did not have their own choice. People could not choose what food they ate. People had a bath only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. People shared rooms with other people. Bob helped to move people out of the hospital into their own homes. The first night people moved out they had fish and chips. People were surprised as it was not fish and chips night. When people moved out of the hospital they had more choice and independence. 10 life
Other mcch life newsletters are also available. mcch life not in easy read. mcch life for people that are interested in mental health news. Contact Sam Woollard if you would like one of these sent to you. Email Sam at marketing@mcch.org.uk Or write to Sam Woollard: mcch, One Hermitage Court, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9NT Spring 2014 11
Are you looking for support? Call us free on 08000 28 28 15 mcch One Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone Kent ME16 9NT t. 01622 722400 f. 01622 722450 www.mcch.org.uk twitter.com/mcchcharity facebook.com/mcchcharity Printed on 100% recycled paper mcch is a registered charity our number is 1156486