How adapted disability equipment for twins Lucas and Levi have given the whole family the chance to spend quality time together and get valuable exercise.

ISSUE 37

“Just to see our boys happy makes us so happy!”

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

CONTE

NTS

Action For Kids’ newsletter is published to keep you informed about the charity’s work and developments. The views expressed are not always those of Action For Kids. If you would like further information about anything you have seen in this newsletter or would like to help us in our work, please contact us at our head office.

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Graham DuncanChief Executive

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Page 3 – Tom’s new wheels / new websitePage 4 – Game changersPage 5 – Paramount PicturesPage 6 – Meet AnnaliePage 7 - My dream jobPage 8/9 - Participation and HOPPage 10 - A new lease of lifePage 11 - Meet LukePage 12/13 - Main eventsPage 14 - Helping handsPage 15 - Some last words

Twitter: @actionforkidsFacebook: www.facebook.com/actionforkidsInstagram: ActionForKids

Welcome to issue 37 of our magazineThis issue is full of stories of just how you’ve helped us make a difference in the lives of disabled children and young people around the country.

Young Saheba, Tom, and twins Levi and Lucas, are just some of those who’ve been given new equipment and are getting out more instead of being stuck indoors.

Yet independence doesn’t just mean mobility – we’re working hard to find employment for our students, help them get involved in decisions about their lives and ensure they do more of the things they want.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of these fantastic young people.

We are happy to announce the launch of our brand new website!Visit www.actionforkids.org to find out more about who you help, the services we provide and the many different ways you could get involved with Action For Kids!

TOM’S NEW WHEELSTom was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at four years of age but that hasn’t stopped him.

For years his trusty wheelchair enabled him to be goalie for the local powerchair football team and take his dogs for a walk.

But over time his chair became too small and unreliable, with the controls stopping working at the worst of times. Once it even resulted in him rolling down a hill... luckily escaping with only a minor injury!

Thankfully, generous Action For Kids donors stepped in and now 19-year-old Tom will be given a new powerchair, meaning he will get much needed independence as he moves onto college from school.

Tom said to AFK supporters, “Thank you for helping me get the most out of college and everyday life!”

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

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GAME CHANGERSRecently, we won a share of funds from GamesAid and couldn’t wait to put it to use by providing eight-year-old Saheba with new wheels!

One of the fundraising gamers, Cat Channon, cycled from Cologne to Brighton, ran three marathons, then swam from Spain to Africa.

Nintendo DS-loving Saheba, who has muscular dystrophy and specifically asked for the chair to be a flashy fuchsia pink, said:

“I like the chair going up and down and laying back.

“It’s bonkers crazy but cool that a person swam through a freezing cold jellyfish shark ocean to raise money for this.”

Saheba’s sister, Toufa Kadir, said: “Saheba had been waiting for a new chair because her old one was very tight and her legs were dragging along the floor.

“The chair plays such a big part in Saheba’s life; she spends a lot of time in it and gets back and leg pains. When the chair plays up, breaks or isn’t comfortable, Saheba gets really upset and stressed.”

“When someone is so completely dependent on a wheelchair, a good chair gives confidence, especially when they are out playing with friends.”

“I like the chair going up and down and laying back.”

PICTURE THISParamount Pictures came to visit Action For Kids, turning our students and employees into film stars!The top filmmakers captured life at our head office and spoke to everyone involved in the magical Action For Kids journey to independence.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included:

Elaine“My role as a job coach is to basically find young people placements. Work-wise it depends what they want to do and we go from there and we take their lead. Nothing’s too much. It’s great to be part of a team that’s so proactive and the young people know they can trust. We’re there for them every step of the way.”

Marcel“It’s a nice place to go. I wish I had left school at age 16 to join.”

Siobhain“I started to be more confident and now looking at me in 2014 I have two jobs already. Action For Kids has changed my life around!”

You can watch the video on our YouTube channel

www.youtube.com/ActionForKids

Hello Annalie!Tell us about you... I live with my mum and the dogs. I have Down’s syndrome but I don’t feel I have difficulties - I have a very good family and friends, I am so lucky to have them. I am so happy being me.

We heard you won an award recently... I was given an award for being kind and helpful. I won a book, a medal and £200. I am not going to spend it on myself - I am going to spend it on a DJ for the Christmas party so everyone can have fun.

What else is happening in your life?I’ve just started a work placement at an Italian restaurant thanks to Action For Kids... It’s good! It makes me happy and I love being around others and being myself.

It is important for me to get a paid job because I volunteer in two places already. If I had money, I would spend it on my family and help people.

What skills would you bring to a workplace?I am friendly, very confident and very stylish. I like talking to people and I’m good to be with. I am very good at communication and remembering things, I am organised too.

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“I’m so happy

being me!”

DREAMS CAN COME TRUE

Now there are job coaches at Action For Kids and they’ve been helping me. I wasn’t sure at first but they recently got me an interview at the school around the corner.

I now go there every week to find out what it’s like.

It feels really good, I’m so happy! And it might mean I finally get my dream job...

THE JOB JOURNEY0102030405

Our Job Coaches find out the exact work young people want to do.

Work skills training is provided.

A placement in a real work place is arranged.

Someone is by the young person’s side to provide support when required.

Paid jobs are found.

Hello, I’m Tanya and I have Friedrich’s ataxia which limits some of the things I can do but there are a lot more people worse off than me!

If I had to describe myself in three words I would say I am funny, likeable and caring... most of the time!

All I’ve ever really wanted is to work with children, ever since we first spoke about careers in school.

If I had a paid job it would make me more normal. Everyone I know has a job and it makes me want one more.

It would give me more independence - I would learn how to deal with money and do what I want more. I could pay my bills.

Getting a job with children would mean I could also tell them about disabilities and if they saw another person in a wheelchair, they’d just carry on as normal.

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Many people with disabilities, particularly learning disabilities, are under-represented in society for all kinds of reasons.

Action For Kids is working to empower our students and encourage them to take part in all areas of their lives and the community.

GETTING OUR VOICES HEARD

How?THE STUDENT FORUMWhere a group of young people communicate the ideas and opinions of the students and we listen with the aim of improving what we do.

Candidates will deliver disability awareness training to a range of professionals involved in young disabled people’s lives.

Different tools like film and media can help disabled people more easily voice their opinions and project how they feel about important decisions.

We’ve created an online tool to assist when students are thinking about their future and leaving school.We use film, photography, sound and illustration to record their views in our specially designed eProfile. This clearly communicates individual aims and aspirations to the many professionals involved in their lives.

Action For Kids’ Student Forum linked up with global PR firm, Burson-Marsteller and spent a day at the Houses of Parliament!

MP Dave Watts gave the students a tour of the grand buildings and held a Q&A.

Many disabled people don’t vote so this trip was important in helping the students become more aware of how to get their ballot in.

Giulia said: “My favourite part of the trip was asking the questions – and getting the answers to my questions! It was nice to meet Dave and to know more about the Houses of Parliament”.

The trip helped students have a greater understanding of politics, how to engage with public services and how it relates to their day-to-day life.

Elif told us, “I got an insight into what a politician really does and how they go about their jobs”.

Conor, Giulia and Elif with MP Dave Watts

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“As soon as we got the bikes, we took the boys out to use them straight away and it just made a massive difference! The boys love being outside.Our boys have severe autism, vocal developmental delay, uncontrollable epilepsy, severe learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Life can be hard but we get a lot of joy back from the boys, just tiny little things they achieve are so massive.

Adapted equipment is vital for the boys to have good health and a happy life, and for us to have better lives together as a family.

The bikes mean we can happily leave the house for hours on end with the boys.

Without the bicycles, we’re stuck indoors, with the boys symptoms exacerbated and no relief.

The bikes are the perfect answer. The boys can get out into the community where they should be. It calms them when they are out on the bikes, with the wind in their hair.

We try to go out every weekend on the bikes for three or four hours at a time.

Just to see them happy makes us so happy and life easier and the boys’ lives better.”

Paul, Michael, Levi and Lucas!

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

“Just to see them happy makes us so happy”

Thank you,

Hi Luke,What’s a typical day like for you? As clichéd as it sounds, there is no typical day at Action For Kids. As a tutor, I spend each day delivering work experience and preparation for life and work. The students always bring something new to each session - just when you think you’ve planned a session step-by-step something unexpected – but delightful – will happen.

What has been your most enjoyable moment at Action For Kids so far? Seeing the students’ progress - a student who hasn’t spoken much before may suddenly feel confident enough to engage in conversation, while another may find one task difficult but then excel at another. The sense of humour and friendliness that sweeps across all staff and students makes every day enjoyable...

How does your work help the students improve their skills? In a safe and fun environment, working at their own pace, the students are given new responsibilities tailored to their own skills, while building their confidence and drive to eventually seek out paid employment. It gives them valuable experience in performing practical tasks, as well as expanding upon skills many of us take for granted.

Our new tutor tells us about his work

The sense of humour and friendliness that sweeps across all staff and students makes every day enjoyable...

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THE MAIN EVENTS - GET INVOLVED!

Brighton Marathon www.actionforkids.org/Event/brighton-marathon-2015

The Brighton Marathon now features in the top 12 UK running events and it’s no wonder why.

April is the perfect time of year to wipe the winter cobwebs away and run through this fun-loving, party city with a sea breeze keeping you cool.

When? 12th April 2015

CYCL

E SP

IRIT For those that like a cycling challenge! Follow in

the pedals of the world’s best cyclists and make like an Olympian through 100 miles of the capital and the stunning Surrey countryside.

When? 2 August 2015

Where? From London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, through Surrey and back to The Mall in central London.

Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 2015

COASTAL COURSE

To find out more and how to enter visit www.actionforkids.org/events or contact Emma Cornish 020 8347 8111 or events@actionforkids.org

Experience culture like never before and abseil off the UK’s tallest sculpture, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, while taking in impressive views of London.Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor and standing an impressive 114 metres high, the rearing red piece of art was the visual statement at the 2012 Olympics.

When? Saturday 16th May 2015

Where? London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

When? July 2015

Our annual headlining event brings the beach to the city for you to test your skills and slams!

Perfect for work colleagues to get competitive away from their desks, it’s also an energetic, fun and sun-filled day out for anyone!

BEACH VOLLEYBALLEXCLUSIVE

THE ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT ABSEIL

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HELPING HANDS

“I like making the young people happy... It’s not just about volunteering – it’s about making a difference.”

Action For Kids caught up with Olga for a brief chat about volunteering with our young people for the last year.

Is this your first time volunteering? Yes, this is the first ever organisation I have volunteered with.

Why did you decide to volunteer at Action For Kids? I like what the charity stands for – working with children who have disabilities is something that is close to me and it feels great to help where I can.

Do you work or study alongside volunteering?I started volunteering because I was made redundant from my previous job which I was in for 10 years. After that, I had plenty of free time to explore new things. I am now employed part time, but I’ve managed to find a good balance between working and volunteering so I’m happy.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?I like making the young people happy, especially when it comes to job coaching. You get to see them learn skills, then they come to say thank you or tell you about their first pay cheque! It’s not just about volunteering - it’s about making a difference

The young people we work with have a range of disabilities - from cerebral palsy to learning disabilities - and experience varying difficulties in their day to day lives.

We’ve been busy training some of the students to become our media champions so that they will be able to tell the public what their lives are like.

Some of them wanted to share their positive outlook and valuable knowledge with you in 2015.

SOME LAST WORDS

Find out more about the work we do: visit www.actionforkids.org

It’s important to respect one another. There is no difference between disabled people and others - they just have different needs.

Jerm

aine

There is a saying ‘there is more to things than meets the eye...’ Be proud of who you are no matter what.

You are unique in life!

When people are nice it makes me happy! Please don’t be rude, please say please and thank you and excuse me. We should take our time and be kind.

People with disabilities are just like others, people need to know. Look at me as a normal person because at the end of the day, I am.

Barry

Neal

Shaquille

Action For Kids, Ability House, 15a Tottenham Lane, London N8 9DJTel: 020 8347 8111 Fax: 020 8347 3482 Web: www.actionforkids.org

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