2024 has been a fantastic year. We’ve compiled some of the standout moments for you to celebrate with us. The children, young people and adults we support are at the heart of everything we do and 2024 has reminded us of the amazing things the people we support achieved and enjoyed. Thank you for ongoing support which makes this possible.
New name, same mission
We were thrilled to launch our new name – Shaftesbury – last year, which coincided with our 180th anniversary. We decided to change our name to reflect our rich heritage and pay homage to our famous founding father and social reformer the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. In the nineteenth century he successfully campaigned for better opportunities and better lives for vulnerable children and adults. We hope our name change will enable us to resonate and reach wider audiences to build on the incredible support we have to enable us to provide outstanding disability services to more people.
Cost of living expertise shared by people we support
Living through the cost of living crisis has been especially challenging for many disabled people. Last year our Changes for the Future Forum co-produced a guide to share tips and advice on ways to stretch your budget. The content is particularly relevant to those with disabilities. The forum is made up of people who use our services, elected by their peers, to make decisions about how their care is provided and to raise disability issues.
The cost of living: guidance designed for and by people with disabilities
Lives transformed
Hearing stories of lives transformed across the Shaftesbury community is a joy, and those stories arrived in abundance from Shaftesbury services last year.
Rehabilitation
John and Julie shared their experience of treatment at our brain injury rehabilitation service Shaftesbury Icanho, after John survived a car accident that left him with a broken back, wrists and a partially severed foot. Following months of rehabilitation, John wrote: ‘Julie and I feel part of an Icanho family, we feel that all the team are friends and I couldn’t have better friends.’
Complex care
Paul moved into one of our high-dependency residential homes after months of failed placements and painful hospital treatments. Initially showing extremely challenging behaviours, staff worked with Paul to gain his confidence and trust. Now, instead of shunning interaction with others, he’s eating well, welcomes visitors and enjoys life. ‘Nurses and other professionals are commenting on how well Paul is doing, compared to before he arrived here,’ says area manager Patrick Iddon. We’re introducing more support to meet this need. ‘Some of our services for complex disabilities are diversifying to welcome people with challenging behaviours,’ Patrick says. ‘There’s a lack of this kind of provision but when you see how much more Paul is enjoying life now, it shows what a huge need there is for Shaftesbury ’s care.’
Supported living
We offer supported living as a model of care, as it provides flexibility and choice about how an individual wants to be supported. This could be one-to-one time from a Shaftesbury enabling support worker to attend an activity or go shopping, or perhaps learn a new life skill, such as using public transport with people we support.
Lucy is just one person we support who has been enabled by Shaftesbury to not only get a job but excel at it. ‘Staff stay with me every time I go to work to keep me safe,’ says Lucy, who needs staff attending with medication available, as Lucy can experience seizures. This does not prevent her from working independently and she was delighted to hear she had won regional volunteer of the year at the charity where she works. How did she feel? ‘Happy and proud! I really did. People at work said “well done”!’
Lifelong learning
Now in its third academic year, Shaftesbury Millie College has increasing demand for places and is building on its work-related learning and personal development curriculum. An on-site café, veg box scheme with homegrown produce and events for the community are just some of the outlets for students to put their learning into practice, whether in catering, front-of-house work, horticulture or hosting. A Halloween event at the beautiful countryside site drew big crowds, with students preparing winter warmers including soups, breads and spooky-themed cakes.
Inclusive education for disabilities: how Shaftesbury is preparing students for life
Learn more: www.milliecollege.org.uk/
Short-breaks
In response to an acute shortage of provision in the north east, we launched a short-break service for children with disabilities and their families. From very young children to 18 years, staff work alongside the family to support the child, take them out or interact with them at home, so the parent can have a break. If a parent wants to spend more time with the child, Shaftesbury staff can do practical tasks like shopping or cleaning. ‘We’ve got the ability to be flexible in what we’re offering parents and develop a really person-centred service that can be truly enabling and inclusive,’ says service development manager Rachel Davidson. ‘And we quickly see the difference the support makes – the pressure it takes off parents.
Royal support
Finishing on a high note, we were honoured again last year by the support of our royal patron HRH The Princess Royal. At the start of the year the princess attended a thanksgiving service to celebrate Shaftesbury’s 180 years of service and later in the year hosted a private dinner at St James’ Palace. We were also delighted when she visited two residential services including Shaftesbury New Court Place and Shaftesbury Netteswell Rectory. The princess’ presence was hugely appreciated by the people we support, staff and supporters, in her 22nd year as royal patron.