Vulnerable people able to see families for first time in months thanks to iPad donations
A 90-year-old care home resident from Cumbria has told of her joy after being able to see her husband again after over a month thanks to iPad donations to care homes. Gwenie, who is 90, hadn’t been able to see her husband Bill since the beginning of April when her care home was closed to visitors due to the coronavirus lockdown. Thanks to the donation of a second-hand iPad she can now see him and their two sons every day by video calls. Gwenie is one of many care home residents who has been helped by Connect the Love, a new charitable initiative which connects vulnerable people to their loved ones through video calls, by donating iPads to care homes and hospitals across the country. Connect the Love’s mission is to fight loneliness and provide a way for those most affected by isolation to see their families again. The organisation has already distributed over 45 iPads and other devices to care homes and hospitals across the country in just the first two weeks of operation, meaning residents and patients can see and speak to their loved ones for the first time in many weeks. 90-year-old Gwenie moved into St George’s Care Home just before the lockdown. When the home had to close to visitors she desperately missed her daily visits from family but now, thanks to Connect the Love and with the help of the care home staff, the video calls have become an essential part of Gwenie and her family’s daily routine. Gwenie says: “I speak to my husband Bill and our sons Colin and Adam on the iPad every day at 11.15. We talk about what we are doing and just have a general chat which is such a comfort. I hadn’t used an iPad before coming to the home, but it’s a great way to stay in touch with family, who can’t visit at the moment. It has been a real joy to be able to speak to them and to feel connected again.” Sophie Fisher, a carer at St George’s Care Home, said: “Gwenie had been feeling low since moving into the home just over a month ago, but the Connect the Love iPad has helped her a lot. She now sits in the lounge with the other residents and her family have noticed the difference to her mood too since they’ve been able to speak and see her on the tablet. Having to be closed to visitors has been upsetting for all our residents, but the iPads from Connect the Love have really helped. Being able to see and speak to family has boosted the mood and wellbeing of residents at such a daunting time.” Gwenie’s sons Colin and Adam said: “Our Skype calls have been essential to us all. To be able to talk and see Mum, when the circumstances don’t allow us to physically be there, it’s become an important part of our daily routine. Having the ability to Skype call has made this uncertain time easier on us all, we enjoy our chats and can see that Mum does too. The staff being there while she talks to us is fantastic too, as Mum interacts with them also, boosting her social interaction and being comforted when needed.” Connect the Love was launched by Lucy Russo, who devised Connect the Love as a way to give vulnerable and digitally unconnected individuals a way to see and speak to their loved ones. Lucy has a busy day job in the venture capital sector but set up the initiative in her spare time, so moved was she by the inability for those in care homes to see their families and friends. The charity has now received a £5,000 donation from the CareTech Foundation to fund over 100 extra devices. The Foundation has also agreed to provide wider support to the new initiative to support its development and promote its work. Lucy Russo, who started the initiative, commented: “During this difficult time, no one should suffer from feelings of loneliness. Staying connected to my family and friends through video calls has a real positive effect on my mood, and to some extent lessens the distance between us. Through Connect the Love I’m determined to support our most vulnerable and people who have previously fallen through the gaps. The testimonials we are hearing so far show that the initiative is having a really positive effect and helping tackle a problem that existed before Covid-19. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received to date and I hope with more support we can Connect the Love all across the country.” Jonathan Freeman, Chief Executive of the CareTech Foundation, commented: “At such a difficult time for the care sector, people like Lucy are an inspiration to us all and the work she is doing to connect care residents with their friends and family is incredible. The CareTech Foundation is so proud to be able to be involved with Connect the Love, alongside our other support for the care sector at this incredibly difficult time.” Donations to Connect the Love to help connect vulnerable people with their families can be made at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=connectthelove
Over 65s staying fit and active, even during lockdown
Older people in the UK staying fit and active, especially during lockdown, according to Audley Villages. Before lockdown in the UK, over 65s at Audley Villages were keeping fit with daily walks and exercises but this has also continued well into lockdown at home. Whether this be making the most of their daily outdoor exercise or doing Pilates and aerobic classes from their living room, daily activity is keeping people in retirement villages positive, healthy and happy during this current period. – Couple at Audley Stanbridge Earls, in Romsey, doing daily exercise including long walks, cycling, strength training from home like Pilates and yoga, and YouTube videos from trainers like Joe Wicks – Owner at Audley Stanbridge Earls keeping up daily exercising despite hip and knee operation, whilst husband hitting 100,000 steps and 8-10 active hours a week Melissa Bray-Spicer, Club Manager at Audley Stanbridge Earls, said: “Both active exercise and leisurely walks are extremely beneficial to both the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals. Everyone should find the exercise they feel comfortable with and listen to their body, but if individuals are able to stretch to active exercise it will have countless benefits. Their body will be working at a higher intensity and the cardiovascular and muscular system has to work harder to keep up with the demands of the exercise. This means you are testing your body and encouraging it to react and change as you get older and the needs of your body change. “An example of this is osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones. You can improve or slow down the progression of this condition with regular training. When you take part in active exercise, your muscles strengthen along with the bones as they are the structure which our muscles are connected to. So, to help reduce pain and weakness in the bones we have to keep our muscles working and improving.”
Here East reveals second cohort of ‘East London Innovators’
Here East, London’s technology and innovation campus, announced its second cohort of East London Innovators. The campaign identifies individuals and organisations who are working to make a tangible, positive difference within the East London community. The initiative showcases the innovative work being done throughout the East London boroughs. The innovators include founders of cutting-edge tech and science applications which are disrupting industries, as well as leaders of non-profit social initiatives, and cultural and education projects – all working to meaningfully tackle and provide solutions to real-world problems. This announcement comes as several innovators across the first and second cohort are demonstrating great tenacity and resourcefulness in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak, pivoting their innovative work to support the new challenges facing the communities across London. Amongst the second cohort of innovators are Alex Stephany, Founder and CEO of Beam, a multi-award winning platform which allows people to crowdfund homeless people’s employment training, Ashwini Deshpande, Founder of Art-Z, a software using artificial intelligence to reduce the amount of fabric wastage in the fashion industry and Matt Pierri, Founder and CEO of SociaAbility, a mobile app which enables users to find and contribute accessibility information for local venues and hotspots. The second cohort of innovators also includes Matteo Maccario, CEO of Pluvo, a street structure which tracks and removes harmful pollutants from the surrounding air, Henry Smith, Founder of the Wickers Charity, which supports young people in Hackney and Randy Rampersad, Founder of the Green Vic, a pub that aims to be the world’s most ethical through measures such as employing vulnerable people and a drinks list which helps over 40 charities. They join the likes of Wayne McGregor, multi-awarding winning dance choreographer, Hayden Wood and Amit Gudka, founders of Bulb, a major industry challenger in the green energy sector, and Cemal Ezel, founder of Change Please, the coffee social enterprise dedicated to combating homelessness, all who were part of the inaugural cohort of East London Innovators. Here East, established by Delancey launched East London Innovators in 2019. This network continues to grow through the announcement of further cohorts and is testament to the wealth of talent and innovation to be found in East London. This year’s cohort was selected by an expert judging panel comprising of Bindi Karia, Innovation Expert and Advisor, Emma Frost, Director of Innovation, Sustainability and Community for London Legacy Development Corporation, Mark Martin MBE, Teacher and Founder of Urban Teacher, Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney and Tracey Walsh, Chief Executive of East End Community Foundation. East London has a strong heritage when it comes to industry and innovation. From being selected as the home of the 2012 Olympics, it’s continued to build on this legacy, and in recent years, it has undergone a remarkable transformation. The area is fast emerging as a core creative and innovation hub whose work is significant across London, from the opening of East Bank to the established artistic community at Fish Island. The flourishing innovation and creative scene is due to the highly talented and diverse groups of people who work tirelessly across the boroughs. Here East is currently home to over 4,000 start-ups, scientists, artists, businesses, students, academics and global businesses working and studying across the campus. As a catalyst for growth, the campus has created a community that inspires collaboration and innovation for London’s most impactful businesses, technologies and sectors. Plexal is the innovation centre at the heart of Here East, creating a community of start-ups and entrepreneurs producing ideas and businesses that address the biggest challenges facing corporates, government and society. Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East, said: “At Here East, we have carefully curated an ecosystem of individuals and businesses who are committed to cross-sector collaboration and developing innovative ideas utilising different mediums . These are values we witness every day as being embodied throughout the East London community – and the overwhelming response to support one another in the face of Covid-19 has brought this into sharp focus. “The unveiling of the second cohort of East London Innovators strongly demonstrates this, and I am delighted to see this impactful network further expanding, showcasing incredible levels of talent and dedication to making a positive difference within our community. This year’s judges had a large number of applications to consider, and these finalists were chosen because of their community impact and engagement, as well their creativity and innovation.” For a full profile of each innovator, please visit the East London Innovator site here.
Youth work: From a distance
Aberdeenshire Council’s Work With Young People team is finding new ways and means to continue to support around 120 young people across Aberdeenshire during this difficult time. Some members of the team, and some of the young people they support, have shared their experiences so far. Brenda Thorley who’s based in Ellon explained: “My role as a community worker working with young people has not changed with the impact of coronavirus and the lockdown, but the way in which I deliver the work has changed significantly. We are now delivering youth group sessions via tools including Google Meet and I have found that young people are enjoying the continuity of their youth groups as it is a safe place to ask questions and talk about how they feel without being judged, and there is also a social aspect to meeting up. “We also have a couple of mini projects we are working on that will hopefully keep young people distracted from the reality of the lockdown, assist them in communicating with others and provide a safe place to work through what is happening. “One group has decided to create a time capsule and our Youth Forum is hoping to share what they feel may be helpful for other young people during the lockdown. I am also setting up our one-to-one work online, offering support to young people who I would usually see on a weekly basis. This can be supporting them with issues such as mental health, friendships, bullying, behaviour and many other issues that young people sometimes struggle to deal with. “The coronavirus has shown us how much young people value youth work and how important it is in their lives. On receiving the news of the lockdown, the first responses from one of our groups was, ‘Can we still keep our group? Can we meet online or something? Please don’t let it stop.’” Jake (19) who’s from the Peterhead area and engages with the local youth group shared some of his feelings about lockdown. He said: “Normally I’d go to college. At the minute I can’t do that so I’m doing online lessons through Microsoft Teams – it’s good but not as good as face-to-face contact. You can’t do everything you would normally do in a lesson so we’re struggling with that. “Not being able to leave the house is really difficult. Usually I’d only be in the house to eat, sleep and catch up with my mum so it’s strange being in the house all the time. I’ve got a lot more time on my hands than I would usually have which was hard for the first couple weeks but now I’m finding more productive ways to spend my time: like going out for a walk, a lot of reading, more research for college work, helping my mum home school my little sister, doing the garden…I never thought I’d say this but I miss my education and I miss my friends and other members of my family.” In answer to how youth work sessions online are helping young people to cope, the team got lots of good feedback: Wendy Jones who works with young people in Banff shared some of the other ways in which youth workers are helping young people to stay afloat. She said: “I organised the delivery of a couple of food parcels, and I have been offering mental health advice and signposting young people to appropriate services. I am also currently helping to organise the delivery of public access laptops to families that require them to support home learning. “This situation is not easy for anyone but particularly for those young people with multiple barriers to their learning and their families, this can be very stressful.” Keeping up and learning new hobbies has been an essential survival strategy for many of our young people too. In Inverurie, a group who call themselves Art Clubbing are being supported by artist and art therapist Penny Downes. Penny commented: “I have worked in Inverurie as a youth worker and community worker for nearly 20 years. I’ve always offered young people a safe place to be themselves and find a supportive new family of peers and caring staff. I’ve run many creative groups for young people, where they can share what they are interested in, and we are continuing to meet on video in lockdown. We don’t know how long this will continue, but the group are glad to meet up with us weekly and chat and hang out.” Community Learning and Development Service Manager Philip Boath is full of praise for his staff. He said: “Our Work With Young People teams are providing a lifeline to many of our most vulnerable children and young people across Aberdeenshire. It’s not easy, but they’ve taken on the challenge of going online with great gusto and I’m really proud of their ongoing efforts. Sometimes listening is the most important thing we can do and we have absolutely got our eyes and ears open.” Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, Cllr Gillian Owen added: “While many of us are still getting up to speed with all the latest technology for engaging with our own extended families, this feedback from our youth workers and young people demonstrates how important these little communities we create are to the people who benefit from them. They are very much like extended family, supporting each other through this testing period. “I’d hope that some of the more positive outcomes of this – remote access for those who may otherwise not be able to engage with groups, and the ease of catching up without the need to travel – may shape the way we do things well into the future. Thank you to everyone out there across the council and beyond who is continuing to try and ensure we support children and young people across Aberdeenshire to thrive.” For more information about youth services in your area, visit: https://www.girfec-aberdeenshire.org/home/children-and-young-people/get-involved-youth-participation-and-engagement-in-aberdeenshire/ Details of contacts
Manchester-based Insync Bikes and part-time inventor get backing of global manufacturer for special needs trike
A part-time inventor whose design for a trike for special needs children caught public attention has received the backing of a second global business to help bring his work to market. Les McMahon is working with Manchester-based Insync Bikes to perfect the trike he engineered for his young neighbour. And his social media posts about the trike’s progress have caught the eye of metal framing manufacturer Unistrut, which has pledged to lend its expertise. Insync has also released the first CGI images of the trike, which will be available at about a tenth of the price of current models on the market to enable more families with disabled children to enjoy the benefits of cycling. Les, from Ellenbrook, Worsley, made the original trike in his garden shed to enable 13-year-old neighbour Lewis Flint to get out on the roads with his parents, Dawn and Andy. The trike shot to prominence in June 2019 when the media reported he is working with designers at Insync Bikes in Manchester owned by India’s Hero Cycles, the world’s biggest bike maker by volume. Since then, he was visiting Hero’s Global Design Centre every few weeks before the pandemic to iron out any design challenges with Insync’s team of designers. Considerations have included improving the stability of the trike, weight-saving measures and flat-packing and shipping. Les has tweeted about the progress of his invention regularly and, when he posted a tweet asking for donations of Unistrut off-cuts, the business responded to say it would like to help with the design aspects and offer advice on flat-packing. The trike involves a ‘sidecar’ fitted to a bike, with a ramp to roll on the wheelchair. Insync’s designers have recreated it in a computer programme to allow them to make and test alterations before it is rolled out to others. Prior to his link-up with Insync, Les teamed up with the University of Bolton, which incorporated the trike into its engineering degree course for two years. Once plans are finalised, it will be made available in a flat-pack kit or as a downloadable design under Hero’s Insync family bike brand. The trike will cost in the region of £500 compared with alternatives that start at around £5,000. Les said he has kept Lewis and his family up to date with developments. He said: “The chances of getting one global company on board with this were slim, but to get two is unbelievable. We’re trying to solve the problems now so that we can produce something that is like a Meccano for grown-ups, making it easy for anyone to build so that we can benefit as many people as possible.” Martin Beard, marketing manager for Unistrut, based in West Bromwich, said: “It is easy to see that Les is doing a great thing and, although the design is his creation, we are trying to support with alternative options and assist him with ideas for the possibilities of flat packing the frame.” Abhishek Pratap Singh, head of design at Insync, said Les deserved all the support he needed and was pleased to welcome Unistrut on board. He said: “Insync is very proud and happy about continued association with Les. He has been working very hard with our studio designers to improve the design for lightweight structure, mass manufacturing and cost. We are also very happy to welcome Unistrut in this project as it is truly a community-driven project and needs more partners who add value. Unistrut undoubtedly brings in lot of expertise and knowledge about structures. “The project is true reflection of Insync’s brand values which, at their core, are about making cycling accessible to every member of the family.” For similar article visit our news section
Disabled teen teaching thousands of Brits sign language during lockdown
A 15-year-old from Birmingham is being heralded for getting thousands of people across the country learning British Sign Language (BSL) during the pandemic lockdown, helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst disabled people. Tyrese Dibba, who is Deaf and partially sighted, is fronting a new campaign by the national disability charity, Sense, aimed at getting more people to learn British Sign Language (BSL), a communication method commonly used by people who are Deaf or those with a hearing impairment. Over seven thousand people have already signed up online to receive the free video lessons made available to coincide with Deaf Awareness Week. Taught by Tyrese, each lesson covers a variety of his favourite subjects, from family to holidays. Tyrese has CHARGE Syndrome, which affects his body in many ways, and he and his family have been supported by Sense since he was 6 months old. He receives support from specialist support workers, attends events and participates in Sense Holidays. According to research carried out by Sense, one in four Brits admit to avoiding conversations with disabled people, while one in two disabled people feel lonely, rising to three quarters for young disabled people. Tyrese jumped at the chance to be involved in a campaign that would help tackle the issue. Tyrese Dibba, said: “I want more people to learn to sign, so Deaf people don’t get excluded. You should be able to chat to someone, whatever their disability might be. After all, no one likes feeling left out.” Vicky Dibba, Tyrese’s mother, said: “I’m very proud of how Tyrese just got on with filming, not hiding any of his personality. Tyrese is proud to be Deaf and feels more people should treat everybody equally and I’m happy to support him.” Richard Kramer, Sense Chief Executive, said: “BSL is the first language for hundreds of thousands of people who are Deaf, and if more people are able to use it we can ensure that less people are left out, helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst disabled people. It’s really fun to learn and an ideal time to learn, with so many of us stuck at home looking for new things to do.” You can sign up for free British Sign Language lessons with Tyrese at: www.sense.org.uk/sensesignschool
Visually impaired man designs sensory odyssey to cope with lockdown
A visually impaired man, currently socially isolating in London, has designed a 14 day ‘Sensory Odyssey’ offering people with disabilities to cope with lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic to connect with nature more effectively. Andy Shipley’s ‘Sustain’ course is already drawing plaudits from those taking part with one participant describing it as a “a breath of fresh air in every way”. Rory Carol of west London, who started Andy’s course a few days ago after seeing a Facebook post, went on: “It was a really welcome break to each day. Something different and interesting during this time when pastimes and distractions are limited but most of all it was a brilliant combination of relaxing meditation and intelligent appreciation of the natural world on our doorstep and further afield.” Andy, 56, explained: “I have been visually impaired for much of my life. I have channeled this experience into my work as a facilitator, speaker and coach fueled by my twin passions for the natural world and an inclusive society. “The course offers people a daily sensory exercise to enable them to connect more deeply with the nature on their doorstep, as well as one or two links to little morsels of inspiration, fascination or curiosity relating to a particular theme for each day. I believe our future as a species depends on people acquiring a deeper relationship with those around them, and with the natural world. To achieve this we need to open people’s hearts to the value of nature and awaken their sense of belonging.Tapping into diverse perspectives can help. In this respect visually impaired people such as myself can help us appreciate our non-visual senses, deepening our connection with the world around us and disrupting society’s view of what disabled people have to offer,” added Andy who lives in Buckinghamshire but is currently self isolating with his partner in the capital. He continued: “The multi-sensory nature immersion experiences I have developed enable you to really notice the textures under your toes, the breath of the breeze and the banter of the birds. They help reconfigure and rebalance your sensory relationship with nature and shift your perspectives in everyday life.” For more information about the course visit www.natural-inclusion.org.
Hidden Disability: The Celebrities Who Are Eligible for the Motability Scheme
The concept and definition of disability has evolved quite radically over the last century. Today, hidden disabilities are recognised as biomedical, including them as part of the body rather than something separate in our mind. Hidden disability is an umbrella term that covers disabilities that aren’t visible, however can have a huge and long-term effect on a person’s day-to-day life — as much as a physical disability would. This can range broadly, including but not limited to chronic pain, chronic fatigue, mental illness, psychiatric disabilities, brain injury, epilepsy, and learning difficulties. The majority of impairments in the UK are not visible. Around one in four British adults are diagnosed with one hidden disability in any year. Many of us are unaware of how common these disabilities are in society. Here, we’ll discuss which celebrities have hidden disabilities and are eligible for the Motability scheme. But first, what is Motability? What is Motability? Schemes have been introduced in the UK to provide support for those with hidden disabilities. For example, in 2019, the Department for Transport extended their blue badge eligibility criteria to include a wider scope of people affected by hidden disabilities who face distress, low confidence, and risk harm when they’re out. Doing so has made it significantly easier for people with hidden disabilities to socialise and go out independently with free and accessible parking spaces, as well as being excused from London’s congestion charge. Similarly, Motability was introduced back in 1977, providing people with disabilities with independence and freedom. There are a range of Motability cars available to choose from, from a wide range of international marques that participate in the scheme ranging different prices. Those with hidden disabilities can apply for the Motability scheme if they receive: In 2018, the scheme helped 625,000 disabled people get on the roads — the figure is likely a lot higher today. So, which celebrities have hidden disabilities and how would they be eligible? Jessie J — Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a genetic heart condition that causes palpitations, where the heart beats irregularly due to an extra electrical pathway in the heart’s process. The symptoms of this disease are dizziness and feeling light-headed, palpitations, loss of consciousness, and shortness of breath. Jessie J would be eligible for Motability allowance as this disease is present from birth and has long-term effects on daily living and getting around — someone suffering from this condition could apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as the eligibility states: As this condition is congenital, those with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome could access disability cars as a learner driver with a provisional license. The same rules would have applied as in as a learner, the learner driver must be in the presence of a driver over the age of 21 and held a licence for a minimum of three years — this nominated person must also be on the leases’ insurance in case they need to take control of the car. In terms of the person claiming Motability, their parent or carer could have also applied for Motability after their third birthday, or possibly before if the criteria is met, to help parents or guardians care for a child with a disability. People with disabilities don’t get automatic eligibility — for all conditions, PIP would take into consideration how severe your condition affects your ability to function rather than just your diagnosis. Check your eligibility here. Morgan Freeman — Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is an incurable condition that causes increased and intense sensitivity to pain, exhaustion, cognition issues, and insomnia. Morgan developed this syndrome as a result of a car crash in 2008 after multiple injuries and nerve damage — this is a severe mobility condition that causes moving to be extremely painful, having a huge impact on daily functioning. Morgan would be eligible to apply for PIP due to issues with mobility. If someone with fibromyalgia found it too painful to drive, up to three named drivers can be insured on the car, including family, friends, or carers. You don’t have to be a driver to access the scheme but need a car to help you keep your freedom with someone trusted to drive you around. It wouldn’t matter that if Morgan was applying over the age of 65, anyone who is claiming any of the allowances listed above can apply. In the event that walking becomes too painful and the condition deteriorates, if a walking stick, wheelchair, or other equipment is needed, Motability provides cars with free adaptations for disabled people and their unique and specific needs, regardless if they can drive or not. Robin Williams — Parkinson’s Disease & ADHD Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that causes issues such as involuntary shaking, slow movement, stiff and inflexible muscles, as well as psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and memory problems. Robin would have been eligible for PIP — if he already had a vehicle, it could’ve been exchanged to partially pay for the Motability scheme, even if the car was privately owned. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder that affects attention and impulsiveness. However, assessment would be essential to determine how much a person’s life is affected by ADHD, as it can range from mild to extreme. So, there we have a guide of Motability eligibility and which celebrities would be suitable. It’s important to remember that just because someone doesn’t look like they have a disability, doesn’t mean that they don’t!
Ex-Eventer Goose Helps Rory Build Trust in People
Jeanette Davies’ son, Rory, has always had a passion for horses and it was this love that was to unlock his fear and anxiety around other people, with the help of the fantastic staff at Barguse Riding Centre, based in St Austell, Cornwall. 22-year-old Rory was born with Down’s syndrome, and the difficult challenges he faced resulted in him losing trust in the people around him, so Jeanette decided to try and use horses as a form of therapy to help him build trust. Although Rory enjoyed his initial riding experience and his riding ability improved, his distrust of people remained. Said Jeanette; “We needed to find a horse and a person who could speak to Rory’s fear and not to his anger, someone who had all the time in the world, knowledge, patience and above all respect for Rory as a human being. We needed to find that person who didn’t argue back, allowed him space to breath and process, someone who wouldn’t give up on this young man. That’s when I found myself telephoning Barguse Riding Centre.” Instructor, Vicky Rowe answered Jeanette’s call and her positivity and kindness gave Jeanette hope that she had finally found someone that understood Rory’s needs. Barguse Riding Centre, owned and run by Lisa and Alistair Todd, is an Accessibility Mark accredited centre. Accessibility Mark is a nationwide joint scheme between Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the British Equestrian Federation to provide more riding opportunities for disabled people. Within a week, Rory had his first riding lesson with Vicky at the centre and even progressed to enjoying an ‘Own a Pony Day’ without Jeanette staying with him, which was a major breakthrough. It wasn’t just the staff that made a difference to Rory, it was his incredible bond with Goose, a 16.2hh horse that was bred in Russia and brought over to the UK to compete. Having done a little bit of everything in his career, including eventing, Goose came to the centre for a new purpose in life and at 26-years-old he has become a firm favourite with the centre’s Accessibility Mark riders and shows no signs of slowing down. Rory has been riding at the centre for two years now and he is a changed young man and his ability has exceeded all expectation. “The change in Rory didn’t happen overnight; it was because Vicky and Lisa took a deep breath and did an assessment of Rory’s needs. They looked at him as an absolute individual and didn’t try to make him fit into somewhere other than the place that he was in, they slowly and carefully allowed him to develop. Rory made mistakes and didn’t listen at times, which was frustrating for all but it became clear that they were not going to give up on him. In every lesson when Rory tried to get Vicky to argue, she didn’t. Vicky used every distraction technique and very slowly Rory learnt to trust Vicky and her instruction. Instead of giving up, he tries again and again until he gets it right. He isn’t afraid of failing and understands the process of learning now. At home we can apply this to literacy, numeracy and any situation that is challenging. I always ask – ‘What does Vicky say?’, ‘keep calm and carry on riding’ and we can laugh and move on. Vicky kindly bought Rory a mug with the motto written on it, which he uses every day. Sometimes when Rory feels overwhelmed with life he will stop in a lesson and cry, Vicky lets him have all the space he needs in the lesson, to work through the emotions that sometimes arise. The sensitivity and respect that comes from this wonderful woman has changed Rory’s life and all the skills that Rory has learnt he can now apply to his own life. Thanks to Goose and Vicky, Rory finds himself blessed with new friends, a place to belong, and with a new view of the world,” added Jeanette. Vicky has incorporated SMART Targets when planning Rory’s sessions to help set out and work towards goals and ambitions and even though there have been challenges along the way, they have always found a solution to every hurdle. Said Vicky: “Rory has been a pleasure to teach for the past two years and he has become a popular figure at the centre, encouraging all our riders during lessons and even helping our younger riders to lead their ponies to the arena. I have seen a huge improvement in Rory’s communication and language skills, problem solving and willingness to learn and we couldn’t do it without the wonderful Goose, the kindest, most gentle and patient horse ever.” In a masterclass in inclusion and patience, all the young riders at Barguse have been educated on how to engage with Rory, meaning he is welcomed and encouraged by everyone on the yard. Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, Rory has been unable to attend for his usual lessons which has had a huge impact on his life. To help Rory during this uncertain time, Lisa has been keeping in regular contact with Rory, filming morning and evening walks around the stables and of course his beloved Goose. During his time away from the centre, Rory has drawn pictures of Goose, written a poem about him and even made his own film; he simply cannot wait to return. Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by the RDA following training and assessment. The close link with the RDA means that it can offer continuous support to the establishment to ensure it provides a first-class experience that aims to be hugely beneficial to riders of varying levels of disability. There are currently 56 Accessibility Mark-approved centres across the country. To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk Rory’s tribute to Goose can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/297480463