Help a life add up today
Everyone’s LifeSum matters.
Will you be part of someone’s equation?
£10
could help provide specialist support for someone to develop independence skills to feel confident going out.
£25
could remove barriers to provide accessible travel, helping people with disabilities visit church as often as they would like.
£50
could help people learn a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument, helping them express their creativity.
What makes life add up to you?
For Lee James, or LJ as he likes to be known, it’s wrestling. He still talks about travelling to London to a big arena and seeing his first and only live match more than 30 later. The excitement of that day is a treasured memory he will never forget.
LJ turns 50 next year and dreams of going to the wrestling again. But for so many people with disabilities, experiences like this aren't easy to arrange. Inaccessible transport, feeling overwhelmed in busy environments and changes to routines can make even small trips into town to meet friends out of reach.
Missing out on moments and activities isn't just disappointing, it can have a lasting effect on social skills, confidence, health and wellness. But you can help remove some of the barriers that stop the people we support experiencing the moments that make their lives add up.
At Shaftesbury, we call the things that help us make connections and bring meaning to our lives LifeSums. They help us provide personalised care for the people we support.
Rob Welton, Activities Co-ordinator at Shaftesbury John Grooms Court where LJ lives, knows that being creative is also important to LJ and they enjoy playing their guitars together. For LJ, being able to express himself in this way is vital for his emotional wellness.
Making a gift to our LifeSum appeal could help someone like LJ have specialist support to develop independence skills and feel confident to do the things he loves, like going to a wrestling match.
What's your LifeSum?
LifeSums give people the chance to express what truly matter to them Why not take a moment to think about what makes your own life add up.
Enter your life values and qualities below and then press “Create my LifeSum!” to produce a sharable graphic that you can download.
By creating your LifeSum:
- No personal data is collected by Shaftesbury - we do not collect store or process any personal data when you download the LifeSum graphic from our website. Your use of the download function is anonymous.
- By downloading your LifeSum we grant you usage for personal, non-commercial purposes.
- All intellectual property rights for this download and those on this website belong to Shaftesbury. You may not sell, redistribute, or create other works from the LifeSum.
Meet Mandy
“It makes me more happy when I go to church”
Mandy is in her 70s and lives in Shaftesbury Ashley Place, Bognor Regis. Her faith is a central part of her life and being part of her church is a key part of her LifeSum.
Unfortunately, the bus service in Mandy’s area doesn't run on a Sunday. The only alternative is to use a taxi, but this is something she can’t afford every week, so she often misses attending.
We know that human connection, getting out and pursuing activities have a positive impact on our physical and mental health.
Your support could help Mandy fulfil her LifeSum by funding the transport she needs to attend church every week.
Meet Aaron
Aaron recently moved into one of our supported living services where staff are helping him adjust to living away from his family for the first time.
Taking steps to independent living is a big step for Aaron. One thing that has helped with the transition is his passion for art. He has joined local art groups and even had his artwork exhibited in a gallery.
Expressing himself creatively has given Aaron confidence and opened up connections with others.
By donating to our LifeSum appeal you could help more people get the support they need to explore their hobbies.