Newsletter January 2017 We won Best Co-production at the National Advocacy Awards! Pam and Dawn went to the National Advocacy Awards, where My Life My Choice got the award for Best Co-Production. Co-production is when people with learning disabilities make the decisions and do work in partnership with staff. Look inside to find out about. Travel Buddy Our trip to Spain New trustees www.mylifemychoice.org.uk Charity number: 1073247
My Life My Choice News #Camino LB Walk in Spain Dawn, Paul and Shaun went to Spain to do a famous walk called the Camino de Santiago. They walked to remember Connor Sparrowhawk (also known as LB or Laughing Boy), Danny Tozer, and all the other people with learning disabilities who have died preventable deaths in care settings. Paul said: The best thing was getting over my fear of flying, and doing something new: long distance walking and going to a foreign country. Dawn said: I was worried about the walk, but am so proud that I achieved it. We are My Life My Choice and we don t let anything get in the way. Shaun said: We did have a whale of a time. There s no doubt about that. Did you used to live in an Assessment and Treatment Unit? Would you like to tell your story? Researchers at Bristol University want to find out about what people who have left ATUs say about their lives now, what is working well, what they need more help with, and what they think could be done better. They will collect together people s stories and write a report to send to the people who make decisions. It is important that people have their voice heard when the Government makes changes that affect them. Find out more about being part of the project by contacting... Joe on 0117 33 10712 or joseph.webb@bristol.ac.uk Sandra on 0117 33 10974 or s.dowling@bristol.ac.uk The Includer January 2017 Page 2
My Life My Choice News We have a new Board of Trustees! At the AGM in November, MLMC members elected a set of new trustees. Trustees make decisions about how the charity is run. This year s trustees are: Pam Co-Chair Jackie Vice Chair Dawn Vice Chair Tommy Co-Chair Tyrone Michael Leslie Steve Andy Paul Gina Claire Joan Graham Nigel Secretary The Includer January 2017 Page 3
Travel Buddy Project Travel Buddy is growing! We now have 16 people who are learning to travel independently, and many people with learning disabilities who are being paid as travel trainers. Here are what some of people being travel trained say... Carmen says: "I am enjoying using the Travel Buddy Scheme, it is helping me build my confidence with travelling and being more independent." Edward says: "The Travel Buddy Scheme has really helped me, now I can get to college on my own." Would you like to have travel training? Or help somebody else learn to travel? Contact Paul on 01865 204214. 1 st December 100 Club Draw The latest 100 Club winners are Mary Moore and Chris Lock. Mary won 100 and Chris won 25. The next draw is on 1st March. The Includer January 2017 Page 4
Group news Great news! We have a new group in Bicester. We meet at the Bicester Methodist Church on Bell Street. The next meetings are on Tuesday 13 December and Tuesday 17 January, 2pm 4pm. What about the other groups? Hayley Ruth Abingdon group is run by Hayley. The next meetings are on 18 January and 15 February, 7pm to 9pm. They meet at 35 Ock Street. Didcot group is run by Hayley. The next meetings are on 18 January and 15 February, 10.30am to 12.30pm. They meet at Didcot Methodist Church. Banbury group is run by Ruth. The next meetings are on 26 January and 23 February, 1.45pm to 3.45pm. They meet at the Ruscote Community Hall. Chipping Norton group is run by Ruth. The next meetings are on 19 January and 16 February, 1pm 3pm. They met at The Albion. Gwyn Carterton group is run by Gwyn. The next meetings are to be confirmed. They meet at the ICE Centre. Henley group is run by Ros. The next meetings are on 16 January and 20 February, 7pm 9pm. They meet at the YMCA. Ros Tina Wantage group is run by Ros. The next meetings are on 10 January and 14 February, 7pm to 9pm. They meet at Wantage Methodist Church. Oxford group is run by Tina. The next meetings are on 12 January and 16 February, 12.30pm 2.30pm. They meet at Oxford Central Conservative Club. Oxford Young People s group is run by Paula. The next meetings are on 25 January and 22 February, 5.45 8pm. They meet at the MLMC Office. Paula
Stingray night club dates Tuesday 31 January Tuesday 28 February Tuesday 28 March Tuesday 25 April Tuesday 30 May Tuesday 27 June Tuesday 25 July Tuesday 29 August Tuesday 26 September Tuesday 31 October Tuesday 28 November Tuesday 19 December 5 entry Carers go free Plush Lounge 27 Park End Street Oxford OX1 1HU 7-10.30pm