Centre 404404 Camden RoadIslingtonLondonN7 0SJ020 7607 8762

www.centre404.org.uk For people with learning disabilities and their families

Registered charity no. 299889

Winter NewsletterPage 1:

Leigh Road opens

Page 2:

Victoria’s Tribute Evening

Winner of Children in Need T-shirt Design

Page 3:

Your Feedback

Youth Group Cricket

New staff

Page 4:

Fun and Fundraising

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

If you have any feedback or comments about our newsletter or if you would like any more information about the articles featured please get in touch.

You can email your comments to us at general@centre404.org.uk or send them by post to the address above.

Central newsletter Winter 2014

BRAND NEW STARTWe were delighted to launch, in partnership with Islington Council, new homes for people with learning disabilities at Leigh Road in November. We were honoured to have been selected by the Local Authority to deliver care and support for tenants at this development of 13 flats, which will house up to 19 people.

Due to a big shortage of houses for people with learning disabilities, many of the tenants had been living a long way from their family homes in Islington. Anne Tickell, a family carer, said, “Our daughter has been living in Kent for some years, so Leigh Road means that she can move back to Islington and be close to her family, which is wonderful for her and us.”

The building is fully accessible, with communal living areas, a quiet room and sensory bathroom. Outside is an accessible garden with different zones including a sensory garden, seating area and vegetable garden. Tenants will have access to 24-hour care and support from Centre 404.

CEO of Centre 404 Linda McGowan said, “We were able to have some involvement in the construction and design choices of the building and the feedback from tenants and families has been amazingly positive.” Linda also said she wanted to thank all the housing support staff, who have worked really hard to assure a smooth move for tenants.

Over the past few weeks people have been moving in and getting to know each other and their bright and modern building. Pete, right, was one of the first tenants to move in. He said, “Living at Leigh Road is a big change. Centre 404 introduced me to new people through the evening socials and as we move to Leigh Road together we are becoming a community. It was also a big difference to see this new flat from the outside and to move into it as my new home”

Linda added, “Going forward, we’re really looking forward to working in partnership with tenants, family carers and friends to make a positive difference to peoples’ lives.”

Pete in his new lounge

If you’re interested in volunteering or working at Leigh Road, please see our website general@centre404.org.uk or call 0207 607 8762 for more information.

YOUR FEEDBACKIn the reception at Centre 404, there is a suggestion box for your feedback. Anything that is put in there is passed on to the right team. Here are some of the ideas people put in the box in the last few months:

A bring and share lunch for carers so we can

try food from different cultures

Different music on at the Friday Night

Social

Swimming at Happy Tuesdays!

Volunteers with learning disabilities to make more fun

games at the Fun Day

AND THE WINNER IS...This summer we received a special message from a Very Important Bear... children from our Juniors Group and this year’s summer scheme, both of which receive Children in Need funding, were challenged to design a Pudsey Bear Superhero t-shirt!

With pens at the ready, our summer scheme kids got busy whenever they had a spare minute, drawing, colouring, cutting and sticking. In total, 10 designs were submitted and the design team from Debenhams chose their winner: a colourful Pudsey with spotted bandana and cape designed by 8 year old Julie-Ann Tyler who attends our Siblings Group as well as our play schemes.

We will soon be taking a VIP tour of Debenhams flagship branch on Oxford Circus and to see Julie-Ann’s t shirt in the shops. I imagine they will make a wonderful Christmas present this year so get writing to Santa now!

Congratulations to Julie-Ann from everyone in the Learning & Leisure Service.

Julie-Ann with her winning design.

“I am happy that I won, because when I grow up I want to become a clothes

designer.”

JUST THE CRICKETOur Youth Group began this term by taking part in one of England’s favourite pastimes - playing cricket! In the first two sessions of the term Centre 404 and The Lord Taverner’s teamed up to give the young people in the group a chance to learn some new skills, and hone some of their own cricketing techniques.

Our minibus, provided by the Lord Taverner’s, ran the children through drills working on their throwing, catching and batting. At the end of the session we all got together and played a great game. There were some fantastic shots and deliveries made, some reminiscent of the great Graham Gooch! A jolly good session had by all.

Left: Ben gets ready to bat!

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

Nicky BowmanResearch and Development Coordinator

Nicky will be getting feedback to help us

develop future plans

Sean Kinahan Supporting Parents

Project Manager Sean will be

supporting parents of children with all

disabilities

VICTORIA’S TRIBUTE EVENINGIn September, the first anniversary of Victoria Willson’s death, over 100 people gathered together to enjoy good food, music, and poetry in St. Luke’s church where we said goodbye to her. Victoria lived at Kendall House and launched many campaigns for people with multiple and complex needs.

People were very generous and we raised nearly a £1000. We thank all those who helped, donated and came to the evening, which was very magical and we are sure Victoria would have loved it! We remember her every time we go in the garden at Centre 404, by sitting on her bench, which was donated by all who attended her funeral.

Victoria’s legacy money has now been added to by money given in memory of Lisa Davis. We intend to build a small sensory and play area also in the garden. News of this will follow in the New Year.

The Willson Family

Jean remembers Victoria on her beautiful bench

We really like this idea. Delicious!

We’re always looking for volunteers for events. If you want to help out, call

Lizzie on 020 7697 1335

We spoke to GLL, who run Islington’s leisure centres, about the difficulties

we have had finding a good, wheelchair accessible pool that

has swimming on Tuesdays. They suggested Ironmonger Row Baths, so we’re planning to check the facilities

We had a Halloween disco with themed music and hopefully we’ll have a live performance from the Music group again

soon!

I am writing this article as Chair of Fun and Fundraising at Centre 404. Next year I would like to focus on two things we need help with, and am asking for YOUR help.

We need to continue to seek additional funding for our Leisure & Learning service. This is for funding all

those extras that make such a difference for our clubs and holiday projects.

Second, in memory of my daughter Victoria and Lisa, her flatmate, we would like to build a mini climbing and sensory playground at the bottom of Centre 404’s garden. Total costs will be around £20,000, and we’re

already £4,000 there.

So, if you or your family enjoy the clubs, or would really like an area to explore and have fun, then would you think about how you can help us next year in fundraising for this?

FUN AND FUNDRAISINGA message from Jean Willson, OBE

Book exchange - Bring and buy

books

Have a bake sale or host a

lunch for friends and neighbours

Donate to our Old Jewellery and Scarves

Appeal

Do a sponsored event!

Diet; give up smoking; visit every northern line stop, swim, be silent; run, walk and hop - there are loads

of things you can do to raise money!

I know many of you are very grateful for what Centre 404 has done for you and your family. Please take some time to think about how you can now put back something into our wonderful organisation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jean WillsonTel: 020 7607 8327

Email: jean@willsonfamily.co.uk

Host a cocktail evening and ask guests to donate drinks

Your local knowledge can be a great way to get fundraising

going! Can you get your children’s school or your

company to adopt us as Charity of the year, month or day? Do

you know of a local community group who might do some

fundraising for us?