There’sonlyonewaytodescribethisgreateventatMyLife earlierthismonth;muddybrilliant!
Wehadnearly450entrantsmakingtheirwayroundthecourse andobstacleswhichweredesigned,createdandinstalledbyour members.Someofwhomthencompleteditthemselves!
Thankyouforsupportingthisfabulousevent.MyLifeLegacy charityhasraised£4Kwhichwillbespentonimprovingour facilitiesformembers,suchasournewlyrefurbishedPopUp Kitchentoadvancemembersincateringandhospitalityskills.
Nextyearwearegoingevenbiggerandbetterwithmore obstaclesbeingdesignedanddevelopedbyourmembers. ItwasafabulousfundraisingeventnotjustforMyLifebutfor charitiesthatfootballteams,sportsteamsandfamiliesofallages andabilitieswantedtorunforCompaniesandbusinessesranfor theirdesignatedcharitiestoo;itwasjustareallyfunandwell organiseddaywhichbroughtthewholecommunitytogetheron theMyLifesite
Lotsofgreatphotosweretaken-justclickthelinkandfor£5you willgetanemailwhichwillgiveyouaccesstothemall https://thompsonhouseequestriancentre.co.uk/tough-swampy.../
ThankyoutoLincolnYatesforhelpingthemembersdevelopthe courseandthenmakingsureitwassafeandranlikeclockworkheevenorderedthesuntocomeout!
Andwe’regoingtodoitagain-onthesamedat t Saturday10thMay2025;getitinthediary.Our haveplanstomakeitbiggerandbetterthanev
Saturday 10th May 2025
MyLifehasqualifiedcoachesfortheRidingfortheDisabledAssociation,andwelove welcomingpeopletoThompsonHouseEquestrianCentretogivethemthekindof accesstohorsesthattheymightotherwisestruggletohave WedidjustthatrecentlywhenwehostedafreeRidingforDisabledeventwhich includedwatchingalittleRDAshowandameetwithallorourwonderfulponies. We’renowdevelopingaprogrammespecificallyforchildren-andwe’vebeengetting asenseofwhattheirneedsaresothatwecaninvestappropriatelyinthethe equipmentthat’srequired.
Inviting people over to see what we do and can offer was great - and it wasn’t just limited to horses! We gave them a survey to fill in too - and we now want to widen that survey out to all readers of this newsletter so you can add your thoughts and views about how we can develop our Riding For Disabled programme
If you’ve got five minutes please do fill it in - it’ll help us shape the facilities, the funding and the programme; we need to get as many children as possible riding horses without worrying about the cost You can complete the survey here. Giveusyour views!
29th May 2024
Staying with horses, our pony days at Thompson House Equestrian Centre have always been really popular with children We use our amenable ponies and qualified instructors to help them learn about grooming, preparing feeds, mucking out and finally riding. They can develop their own physical and independence skills, too, and reflect on how their behaviour and emotions impacts on the horse It’s actually a very mindful day as well as a fun one.
Most of all, we really love the sense of community that learning together provides on pony days; children make friendships with other like-minded horse-lovers and enjoy each other’s company.
Soifthatsoundsgood,wedostillhaveafewplacesleftforthenextponydayduringHalf term-onWednesday29thMay.Abitlastminute,weknow,buttalkingaboutcommunity, we’dreallylikeThompsonHousetobefullofenthusiasticchildrenwithponiesnextweek! It’s£50includinglunch,from10amto3pm-andyou’rewelcometostayandwatchfrom StableDoorCafeordropyourchildrenoff. Calluson01257676003tobooknow,oremailusingthislink.
Have you heard of HAF? It’s the Holiday Actitivies and Food Programme which gets young people of all ages and abilities involved in some incredible opportunities at the My Life site in Standish Our last one in had equine, animal care, cooking, gardening and bushcraft sessions for 400 children and their families.
These sessions take place in relaxing, calm and most importantly inclusive environments
In April children, siblings, parents and guardians all benefitted from a wonderful meal to finish their day
Taking place every Thursday for children of all ages during the school holidays, this is a lovely chance to learn about the care and support of all the animals on our site There are also craft activities, make bug hotels and fat balls for the birds.
It’s a really lovely session getting children outdoors with animals and nature, helping them develop loads of skills.
Book a place by contacting us here or call 01257 472900
As one parent said:
“Very well organised, very helpful and very friendly staff. My daughter always enjoys her My Life days. We’ll be back!”
And hopefully, she’ll be back this summer! Our next HAF will run from Tuesday 22nd July Tuesday-Friday for 4 weeks and booking will be open as soon as you receive vouchers from your schools We will provide drinks and refreshments to all children, one parent or carer and one sibling.
Starts 16th May
As well as being a brilliant cafe for all, we’ve got plenty to tell you about Stable Door’s work outside the business of making sure you have a nice coffee and lunch at Thompson House!
Although check out our new menu next time you’re passing…
Our cooking sessions on a Thursday have been donating food to The Brick in Wigan - supporting other charities within the community.
Our horticulture team are working tirelessly to prepare fresh vegetables and produce from the My Life site that we can then pick from the garden every day - Ruby is one of our catering & hospitality members who attends our Monday sessions Look at the joy on her face preparing fresh flowers for the site!
Reserve your table by calling 01257 676076
Or email us using this link
the pop-up too; Rob will be helping members to learn serving and retail skills - all part of our commitment to a catering and hospitality pathway for our members which might start with working in Stable Door but can lead to so many other areas and skills
Nicola has recently joined My Life as Head of My Life Support, our CQC-registered care service Having previously worked as Managing Director for an autism provider, she is ideally placed to understand the importance of personalised care But beyond the job title, we put some questions to Nicola to get to know her better...
Q1
If you could have dinner with a historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Sir Richard Attenborough – his autobiography definitely gives you food for thought and he has seen so much change in the planet – we would definitely need a 5 course meal with drinks.
Q2
If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Happiness, by Goldfrapp - positive and uplifting
Q3
If you could swap jobs with a teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
I’d quite like to do a day swap with Gill Kennedy (My Life’s Animal Care Team Leader).
R
When I was young, I used to collect all things sheep related and I haven’t eaten lamb since I was 14. I’d love to be able to deliver a lamb, and If I could get to bottle feed, that would be even better
Q4
Share a funny or unexpected talent that people might not know about
Not necessarily funny, but I do have a full motorbike licence, and have travelled as far as Australia to watch MotoGP!
Q5
Finally, how have the first few weeks been and how are you finding the team and environment?
It’s been great! I’ve been getting to know our customers and enjoying the personalised care that we’re providing. I have a fantastically dedicated team who I’m very proud of and we are going from strength to strength
MyLifetookpartinthiswonderfuleventearlierthismonth,andthe teamplayedamazingfootballandscoredsomegreatgoals.Theygot throughtotheFinalhavingplayedsixgames,onlylosingoncealongthe way YourVoiceYourChoicecameoutwinnersinthefinal,butourteam deservealotofcreditfortheiramazingefforts
GoalkeeperAnthonyHardymanwasawardedthePlayerofthe Tournament,whichwasafantasticindividualachievementandboosted hisconfidence-actually,everyoneoftheyoungmenshowedhowmuch theyhavegrowninconfidenceandthiswasagreatexperienceforthem
WerecentlyheldaneveningwithMyLifefamiliestoconsultand understandwhatpeoplemightlikefromaservicethatwouldbein additiontoMyLife’schaletswhichprovideshortbreaksand/or respitecare
Oneoftheinterestingthingsthatcameoutofitisthatshortbreaks,day tripsortheatrebreakswithfriendsmightworkforpeople.Butweknowit’s expensivetodothesethingsonyourown,sowewanttohelpbysharing supportandwherepossibleresourcessuchasDirectPayments,toenable peopletodogreatthingssocially
MorescopingworkneedstobedoneonMyLifeTravelbeforewelaunchit -andthiswhereyoucomein.Pleaseifyouhavetimeandareinterested, fillinthisshortsurveysowecanfurtherunderstandwhatpeople mightlikeMyLifeTraveltodo
We’dlikeyoutobepartofthisexcitingnewventure
MyLifeSupportworkwithawiderangeofpeople,many definedashavingcomplexneeds.
ThisisChelseawhohasbeensupportedbyMyLifeSupportfor 18months.Whenshestartedhermumcouldn'tseeherbeing supportedbeyondafewhoursaweek Overtheweeksand monthsherteamhavebuiltherconfidenceandtrust,enabling andencouraginghertohaveavarietyofexperiences They understandhersensoryneedsandwhatshewants,despiteher notusingwordstospeak.
Chelseaisnowsupportedtogoswimmingweekly,tolerating shoesandsocks,goingtoparksandoncommunitywalks She hasevenbeentoAltontowersontheridesandisnowstaying inthechaletsonourStandishsiteeveryweek.Theicingonthe cakewasherenjoyingashortholidayinthechaletsenabling hermumtospendafewdaysatherotherdaughter’swedding.
ThisisphenomenalprogressandherteamandMyLifeSupport havebeencommendedbyalltheprofessionalswhoworkwith Chelseaandaredelightedwithherprogress.
IfyouwouldlikeinformationaboutMyLifeSupportorchalet stayspleasecontactusatinfo@my-life.org.uk.Weworkonan individualandbespokebasisbuildingateamaroundyourloved one
Workshop dates and topics
5th June: Thinking about the future?
12th June: Money, Money, Money
19th June: Personal Independence Payment
26th June: Support from where?
3rd July: Housing
MyLifeisofferingfreeworkshopsforfamiliestohelp planthefutureneedsoftheirlovedoneswhomay havedisabilities,braininjuries,mentalhealthissues,or specialeducationalneedsastheygetolder
FromplanningforthefuturetofillinginyourPIPform tohousing Wecanguideyouthroughthesecomplex processesbecauseweknowfamiliesmatter!!!
Joinusfor1ormoreworkshopsinourStableDoor Cafe TheyrunonWednesdays,7-9PMthroughout JuneandthefirstweekinJuly. Wewillserveyou refreshmentswhilstyoulistentoCarolineourCEOand otherssharetheirexperiencesandknowledgeof planningforthefuture
Reserve your place today by calling 01257 472900
Or email us using this link
You may notice a few more options coming to My Life Opportunities over the next few weeks and months This includes hairdressers, a new woodwork workshop, printing space, equine pathway, catering and hospitality extending to more people, and more opportunities to gain work based learning opportunities
So, if for example, someone really loves the woodwork sessions, we quickly want to progress them into outcome-based, meaningful activity using those skills, gifts and interests.
Rather than just making something else out of wood, we’d want to be getting them using those skills to mend a fence on site, or build an obstacle for Tough Swampy then stretching their skills set further by mending a garden gate for someone in the community All with our very skilled support team and facilitators enabling and encouraging work-based learning rather than simply activities
ThisisMyLifeOpportunitiesinaction,with theopportunitytogaincertificationand recognitionofprogress.
Itmightbethataspecificpathwayistimelimitedtoo;soonceamemberhasreached theoutcomewe’veagreeduponatthestart, theymoveontosomethingelse.
Ourmemberswanttobestretched,to transferskillslearnedtothewider community,tomakeadifference New opportunitiesareavailableforall-current membersandnewmemberstoo.Ifyouwant toknowmoregiveClareRoberts,our NewMembersandPastoralSupport Manageracallon01257472900.
Our famous hanging baskets are back in and they’re going like hotcakes. There are a few left but you need to hurry up to secure yours! Available from Stable Door Cafe seven days a week until 3pm or My Life Reception 8-5pm Monday to Friday.
Jacob is a remarkable young man whose journey with My Life is a classic example of how effective person-centred care and support can completely change the life chances and dynamic of an individual and their entire family.
Living with autism, epilepsy and a learning disability, Jacob is fortunate to have a mother, Hayley, who works in the social care system and instinctively understood what he might need as he grew older and moved on from college
“I just knew this was exactly what we were looking for,” says Hayley. “The outside space. Meaningful activities. Every day should be exciting and varied for him ”
To start with, Jacob came for respite care in My Life’s chalets. “And it did feel like respite because we were able to trust the team so much that we could just completely handover,” says Hayley “More than it just being a break for us, he was having the best time!”
Still, My Life’s staff had to work really hard to build the trust with Jacob that would enable him to feel he was in a safe environment where he could thrive.
“We called it his gravity boots,” says Joe Nightingale, Jacob’s Team Manager at My Life “If there was something unpredictable happening Jacob would often freeze. You just had to learn how to work with him in the sense of the ‘now and next’ - making sure that it was meaningful and respected what Jacob wanted to do "
Some lovely bonds began to form with staff and other My Life members, and given that not so long ago, Jacob was a withdrawn young man who could oscillate between periods of being really reclusive and over stimulated, this is genuinely transformational stuff
“He feels treated with respect, safe, secure and able to express himself,” says Hayley. “That comes from some really good staff and their natural flow and response with him - but the energy around the team you can see as soon as you get here.”
Thanks to everyone involved, the family began to explore making the respite arrangement more permanent. Now, Jacob is dropped off at his chalet in on a Monday morning every week, takes part in all My Life Opportunities’ programme of events, stays in the chalet overnight with support and then continues with Life Opportunities on Tuesday until Hayley comes to pick him up.
He now goes to his local gym too and meets up with a friend, which he would never have done before
“That’s why My Life has worked so well,” says Hayley. “He’s blossomed here, in which and the impact of that means now he can transfer that confidence to the community and expand the network around him ”