Paul's Place News Spring / Summer 2024
After a break, you’ll enjoy reading our first of many newsletters in 2024
Our newsletters will highlight the exciting activities and projects that support and encourage physically disabled adults to grab life and live it to the full.
Our newsletter will connect you with our vital work and give you ideas to help us through fundraising, volunteering and donating
Your help will make sure our Paul’s Place charity continues supporting physically disabled adults to:
socialise, connect and reduce isolation; improve health and wellbeing; and give people the opportunity to develop new skills, enjoy new experiences and live life to the full.
If you would like to refer yourself or a physically disabled adult age between 18-65, please contact us.
Music Therapy
Every Wednesday, our members enjoy a very private session of music therapy, where they can express themselves. It’s a chance to communicate through music, when perhaps they can’t find the words. We’re extremely grateful to Miles and Dan from the university of the West of England (UWE), who supply our Music Therapy sessions, as part of their course at UWE Bristol.
Paul’s Place member, Paul, is passionate about music and looks forward to Music Therapy every Wednesday. Paul says, “In Music Therapy I can confront the things that bother me I always end the sessions feeling positive We jam by improvising with different music items, such as the drums or keyboard. The facilitators enjoy it as much as we do. I enjoy talking to people and sharing my passion for music. In actual fact, I’d love to work on a radio channel, as a DJ to share this passion.”
Student Music Therapist, Miles, says, “we felt so lucky at Paul’s Place. There’s a family atmosphere here. It’s very relaxed and supportive The staff were amazing And we learnt a lot from each member The members had different things to say in how the music made them feel and supported their lives We saw members with experience in music to those who had none. But we united by making music together. Our placement went smoothly. It cemented my ambition to become a music therapist, and at Paul’s Place, if there was a vacancy.”
Evening Programme
To prevents some of our members from being home alone during the evenings and weekend, we actively arrange a night out or a weekend away through our evening programme. Twice a month we do things like watching a show, going out for food and drinks, attempting a song or two in karaoke to bowling to name a few.
We’ve had problems with getting into buildings, using the toilet to fitting around a table, despite some venues thinking they’re fully accessible
Our amazing staff actively research accessibility, so our Paul’s Place members can freely enjoy their evenings out and create wonderful memories together
Hannah thoroughly enjoyed a Hamilton experience at the Bristol Hippodrome. Hannah says, “I loved the hip-pop music from start to finish, which loosely tells the American Revolution story It made fun of King George and the four fathers of Washington. The whole show was really different.
People think American history is heavy, but the show was filled with song and dance It created incredible memories with members staff and volunteers at Paul’s Place.”
Ready Steady Cook
Master chef we’re on our way. The hair nets came out and we made the most yummy food from scratch with fresh ingredients.
We laughed while grating, chopping and peeling at the Brockeridge Centre in Frampton Cotterell. We found new and accessible ways to prepare food with lots of healthy protein and vege, along with the odd sugary treat.
We’re exploring having our own community café when we move to our new day facility in Shire Way. With thanks to a generous grant from Global’s Make Some Noise, we’ll fund a Volunteer Development Officer. They will support our members at Paul’s Place to get involved. Watch this space.
Paul’s Place member, Liz, has multiple sclerosis. She formally worked at the Lawns and BT as a second chef Liz says, “the catering felt familiar, and it was nice being able to prepare food again. I was happy to make whatever we arranged. I enjoyed it and I would do more ”
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
At Paul’s Place, we’re committed to improving health and wellbeing, not just physically but mentally. That’s why we got involved in Mental Health Awareness Week. One of the most important things we can do to protect our mental health is regular movement. At Paul’s Place, we do lots of activities that involve movement, such as Pilates, Physiotherapy, Boccia and more.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we upped the anti with a fun physical activity everyday to encourage our members to take part. It covered Pilates, keep fit with Mikhaela, embracing walks in the countryside to name a few.
#mentalhealthawarenessweek
Strength and Balance with Physiotherapy
We can’t thank you enough for your generous donations, fundraising efforts and for choosing us for life changing grants For twelve weeks we used our much needed accessible mini bus for taking our members to The Brightwell Centre. The centre specialises in wellbeing for neurology and physical recovery. Our members achieved what they never thought was possible.
Paul’s Place member, Sue, looked forward to physiotherapy every week. She used the hand bike for strengthening her legs, and free weights to strengthen her upper body. The exercises eased the osteoarthritis in Sue’s right shoulder The sit to stand exercise enabled Sue to walk along the parallette bars, initially with Sue’s wheelchair behind her for safety, which was removed in later sessions. Sue finally took her hands off the bars and walked unaided.
Sue said, “I felt ecstatic”. Sue has used her wheelchair for fourteen years, due to cerebral palsy and then myopathy later in her life. Sue then said, “I can’t believe I did it”. Sue can now see a future in getting herself out for bed and into her wheelchair without a hoist. Ultimately, Sue would like more independence by using a walking aid and fulfil her passion to cook
Sue says, “after the physio exercises, I felt exhilarated and proud I can achieve what I never thought was possible It made me wonder if more physiotherapy sessions could improve my chances to walk again The venue was extremely suitable for disabled people and the staff supported me to get strong enough to walk a short distance unaided. I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity. And thank you Paul’s Place for making physiotherapy at the Brightwell Centre possible”.
Two Teams Compete for Boccia Trophies
At Paul’s Place we have to be the world’s best problem solver, as everyday life can be a challenge for physically disabled people. During #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we showed the many ways we can make movement fun. It also creates opportunities for teamwork, travel and a sense of achievement through our favourite tournaments, #Boccia.
Luke says, “Since January our Boccia tournaments took place in Coventry and Brentwood. We have two teams at Paul’s Place called, Vikings and Barbarians We all played well and supported each other. Our tournaments are also a great opportunity to stay and experience new places. It can be nerve wrecking when we draw, as we keep playing until there’s a winner.”
Our Life in Colour Project
In February, we launched our Life in Colour project. A colour was chosen every week to explore what the colour means to us by using different materials and artistic expressions.
Two very experienced Occupational Therapist and Artistic Expression volunteers at Paul’s Place facilitated our Life in Colour project. They said, “the achievements were endless. The project showed that our members have stories, which are worth sharing through their creative expression, so they can learn from each other and promote awareness.” They continued saying, “our project was about creative expression through art, words and people It opened doors for sharing our emotions, thoughts and ideas, so we could support each other We used the colour spectrum to speak about ourselves in creative ways while sharing our mutual experiences in life.”
Paul’s Place member, Ian, says, “I enjoyed and looked forward to our Life in Colour project. I love getting physical with painting and using different materials to express my thoughts and feelings. It was a visual and sensory experience where I could get hands-on, which was important, as my mobility is limited I have a passion for heavy metal music, so we played Slipnot during black week and Metallica during metallics week Support worker, Simon, got
Our What Matters Group guarantees we’re members led
A massive ‘thank you’ to Quartet Community Foundation for its grant to Paul’s Place, it kick started our What Matters Group in June 2023
The funding supported six members at Paul’s Place to meet every six to eight weeks to discuss the matters arising from our Paul’s Place ‘comments’ box.
For example, some comments suggested starting our day facility activities at 10.30am. They also advised we shouldn’t share our sensory and music rooms with the general public when we move to our very own building in Shire Way Paul’s Place member, Ben, says, “although our meetings are efficient, we make sure we hear, consider and discuss every comment. After everything’s discussed, we then approach the office, where our decisions, opinions and discussions are heard by its staff and the board. Therefore, we have an important part to play in the indecisions and actions at Paul’s Place
The grant equipped our members in the What Matters Group with the following training: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and GDPR Disability and Equality
The training empowered our members to run the What Matters Group and take turns in chairing the meetings.
Fully accessing our website was also important for empowering the What Matters Group We worked with UserWay to update the accessibility menu on our website, where you can e screen to suit your needs.
Paul’s Place member, Kevin, is our newest Trustee
Kevin joined Paul’s Place fifteen years ago, following a severe stroke, which made Kevin rely on his wheelchair to move around.
Kevin loves getting involved with local politics, and working with university students so they gain a deeper knowledge, awareness and understanding about physically disabled people. Kevin actively campaigns for disability rights, for example to promote inclusive travel and independent living
It was only natural that Kevin became a Trustee at Paul’s Place, to represent our members voices and feedback. Kevin has an interest in policies, governance and finance, so he can link our members aspirations with what our Trustees can implement.
Corporate Volunteering Highlights
In recent years, more and more employers are giving its staff paid leave to volunteer It ticks many boxes, from lifting staff morale and motivation, provoking ideas and imagination to improving teamwork.
So far in 2024, we welcomed staff from Vaultex, Trident Building Consultancy Ltd, Motability Operations and Mister B and Friends. Our corporate volunteers embraced spending time with our members and (getting stuck into) our day facility activities. The wonderful team from Trident Building Consultancy Ltd did a smashing job in clearing, organising and dismantling our storage sheds. Their tremendous help got us move ready from Coalpit Heath Cricket Club to our very own building in Shires Way
Our recent corporate volunteer, Jane, from Motability says, “I had an amazing day. The staff do an amazing job. I had a great experience. We enjoyed playing giant Jenga in the garden and building sculptures with tin foil during the brilliant Life in Colour project It was all very humbling ”
We warmly welcome and encourage both individuals and organisations to contact us about volunteering. Please visit: nteer/corporate-volunteering/
Meet Steph, our incredible day facility volunteer
Finance accountant, Steph, was looking for a golden opportunity to step out of her office and to give back with no financial reward Steph has a physically disabled niece and she noticed the charities and organisations that make a massive difference This inspired Steph to start volunteering at Paul’s Place since February 2023, and she never looked back.
Steph says, “I was blown away by Paul’s Place. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. The value I feel as a volunteer is different from my paid work. The difference I can make to someone’s day is very rewarding ”
Steph said she looks forward to volunteering at Paul’s Place every week. She loves talking to our members and learning about their lives The ‘can do’ attitude at Paul’s Place is very motivating, and Steph feels like a better person from the experience. It also optimises her ability to work as a team-player when she’s back in the office.
A typical day involves, putting lunch boxes into the fridge, welcoming members as they arrive, chatting over a cup of tea. Our team leaders set the activities for the day ahead, and Steph is guided in where she’s needed. Steph enjoys making the activities fun and engaging. She enjoys witnessing our members going outside their comfort zone to achieve the change they never thought was possible, when perhaps previously they refused. For example, a member with Spina Bifida, joined Paul’s Place over fifteen years ago. She recently experienced her first gym session at aged 53 She felt extremely pro
Steph says, “physically disabled adults can face extra barriers, I do my best to help them to make life easier or find the tools they need to excel in life, to empower and make choices ”
Our move to Shire Way updates
The much-loved Shire Way Community Centre, in Yate, has sat untouched since 2022 We heard your fond memories in using the centre and your sense of loss when it closed With thanks to an extremely generous legacy donation, Paul’s Place will take over the building and breathe new life into the centre
We’re currently signing contracts, and as soon as we have the keys, we’ll upgrade the building and make it fit for purpose. We already have volunteers and corporate volunteers lining up to support the renovations. But as you can imagine our budget is tight and a burst water pipe earlier this year caused flooding and structural damage. Therefore, we would love to hear from anyone who can help us.
Initially our community hub will support our members (service users) with the activities and services they’ll need to fulfil their support plans. This may include opening a community allotment to running a community café. Our Global’s Make Some Noise grant will finance a Volunteer Development Officer, who will make these life enhancing opportunities possible for our members.
Our Plans for the building are based on what our members say We can’t wait to build our new community hub that truly reflects who we are in 2024 After we settle in, we’ll then open our doors for the general public and space for their activities and
Your life changing donations
Since January 2024, we received the following amazing donations.
Downend Roundtable – £2000 from their annual fireworks fundraising
Knit and natter, downend group – £623
Emersons Green ladies group – £567
Lorraine Jones – joint birthday and anniversary party – £739.20
Chipping Sodbury Lions – donated easter egg for raffle which went on to raise £300
Every £5 makes a massive difference.
We also received donated items from Slimming World in Sea Mills, Patchway, Little Stock and Yate. We’re so grateful to Janice, Sarah and Sharron who personally delivered them
And Jeremy Price. He posted on the Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Facebook page, calling all art enthusiasts to donate their unused art supplies. Jeremey received an enormous response, as we received carrier after carrier bags of artistic goods, which supported our Life in Colour project
We rely on donations during the year for making our day facility and events special for physically disabled adults. It also opens a door for a possible raffle to raise much needed funds for Paul’s Place
If you feel inspired to fundraise or to regularly donate, so we can all make sure that physically disabilities adults can access life changing opportunities, please visit: Body
Read our press release:
Westerleigh Crematorium recycling metal to raise money for us.
Grant giving charity Global’s Make Some Noise awarded us £66,000 to launch a brand new in-house volunteering service for our members
From volunteer to employee at Paul’s Place
Meet Nigel, who joined Paul’s Place eighteen months ago as a volunteer He saw our Support Worker vacancy, applied and got the job
When Nigel was only eighteen, he had a severe accident, which left him in a coma and caused a stroke Nigel was told he would never work or walk again After rehabilitating, he defied all odds by working as a carpenter for thirty-seven years. Sadly, the difficulties Nigel has in his right leg caused him to stop working as a carpenter.
Nigel loves working at Paul’s Place, as he can empathise with how our members experience everyday life. His typical day involves setting up the facilities and supporting our members to realise their full potential. Nigel enjoys spending invaluable time with our members and making them laugh. Nigel says, we’re only here for a short time, so having fun and laughing is really important.
Next Steps
If you feel inspired, let’s chat:
Volunteering for us
Work with us
Fundraise or make a donation
Enquire about our services for physically disabled adults
Contact us