Issuu

October2023to September2024

Workinginpartnershipwith peoplewithlearningdisabilities since2011

LetterfromtheCEO

This has been a year of change forourcharity.Wewelcomedour new Chair, Andrew White, whose leadership is supporting us into thenextphaseofgrowth.

OurUnderstandUsConsultancy continues to raise awareness among organisations about how small changes can make a big difference for people with learningdisabilities.

DorothyWatson CEO,SunnybankTrust

We are living in an age of rapid transformation,wheretechnology advancements are reshaping how we live. From the way we connect with one another to how we work and navigate our daily routines, the digital landscape continuestoevolveatanextreme pace. As technology accelerates, thousands of people are finding themselves left behind, facing new barriers to communication, inclusion,andsupport.

At The Sunnybank Trust, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone has a voice, is included and has a place in the community.

As the need for our services grows, the role of specialist charities like ours becomes more vital. The crisis in health and social care continues, and our advocacy work remains crucial.

We are proud of our services, fromourwiderangeofclubsand activities to our person-centred Futures Programme, all designed to create spaces where people feelheard,valued,andincluded.

Wethankourvolunteers,funders, and partners for their ongoing support. Together, we continue tomakeadifferenceinthelives ofthoseweserve.

DorothyWatson,CEO

LetterfromtheChair2.

AndrewWhite Chair,SunnybankTrust

Since joining Sunnybank in April 2024, I’ve gained many insights into how the charity operates and, particularly, the needs of those with learning disabilities. Joining the charity with limited experience, it has been a period ofdiscoveryandsurprise.

One key observation has been the incredible work done by the staff and volunteers, and how essentialthisisinimprovingthe livesofmanypeople.

It has also become clear how much the charity sector has changed and the growing challenge of securing funding to sustainthesevitalservices.

Sunnybank’s role in supporting thelearningdisabilitycommunity is more important than ever.The impact is not only felt by our direct recipients but also in reducing healthcare costs and filling gaps left by other public services, especially in today’s climateofbudgetcuts.

Recognisingthis,weare actively reviewing Sunnybank’s operating model and structure to ensure we generate enough income to support our current services and increase that income to expand andreachmorepeople.

We are also exploring new funding opportunities and ways to self-generate income through ourconsultancyservices.

The actions we take in the coming year will be crucial in ensuring that Sunnybank can maintain its services and create a foundation for future growth. Having seen the dedication and effort of those involved, I am confident that we can achieve this, and I look forward to being partofanexcitingandrewarding periodofdevelopment.

AndrewWhite,Chairman

3.CharityOverview

OurVision

We want to be the change that enables a world that is fair, kind, safeandaccessibleforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities.

OurMission

We will make this happen by driving awareness and understandingoflearningdisabilityinachangingworld,through an effective and sustainable operation that provides the right servicestoasmanypeoplewithlearningdisabilitiesaspossible.

OurValues

Respect Kindness Listening Honesty

Understandingthateveryoneisdifferent Treatingeveryoneasequals

4.OurHighlights

October2023September2024

The value of our work and preventative impact amounts to approximately £200,000 in savings for social care and health services.

Eachpersonwesupporthasusedourservicesatleast46times andalwaysreturnsformore!

The Understand Us team collaborated with SunflowerHD to develop a lanyard for people with learning disabilities to use whenexplainingthesupportandadjustmentstheyneed.

InpartnershipwithNHSSurreyandBordersCommunityTeam forpeoplewithlearningdisabilities,wepilotedSurrey’sfirstSex and Relationships course, with 98% of the group reporting feeling more informed and confident to say no when things weren’tright.

increase in the number of people we support, with over 300activepeopleinourdatabase.

ofSunnyAfternoonClubmemberssaidtheylookforward totheweeklysessionsandhavemadenewfriends.

of SWAGDisco member said they enjoy it, especially the music,dancing,andmeetingfriends.

increase in listeners for our Sunny Sessions radio show, nowreachinganestimated170listenerspershow.

5.OurImpact ChoicesClubs&Activities

68 hoursonthe allotment

18 typesoffruits& vegetablesgrown

15+ recipes shared

98% ofSunnyAfternoonClubmembersreportednotattending anythingelseoutsideofSunnybank

ChoicesClubs&Activities

DramaProduction2024

InJuly2024,TheSunnybankTrustdramagroupproudlypresented aspecialproductionofCharlieandtheChocolateFactory.

12castmembers,withlearningandotherdisabilities,broughtthis belovedstorytolife.

Wearesoproudofourdramagroup!

“Ilovebeingapartofit”

ChoicesClubs&Activities HighAshurstGroupOuting

InJuly2024,wewenttoHighAshurstforaChoicesouting,an outdooractivitycentreinSurrey.Wearrivedataround9:30and had a brief talk about what was going to happen. We then started the activities for the day. Some of the activities on the first day included team-building activities and archery. On the second day, the activities included climbing and lighting a fire theold-fashionedway.

The aims of the activities were to encourage teamwork, increase confidence, and develop leadership skills. I feel we weresuccessful.

Whatwentwellwasthe teamwork,communication,listening, and diverse range of activities. I am not too sure what could be improved. It was an all-round great day out and I look forward to hopefully going again. Time really does fly when you’rehavingfun.WellworthavisittoHighAshurst.

IfeelIgotalotofconfidenceoutofthetwodaysandwasable to try new things. It also allowed me to develop some leadershipskills.Iamverypleasedwiththedays.

BlogbyAlexC,SunnybankChoicesOfficer

6.MemberSpotlight

MynameisBrian.

IhavebeencallingthebingoattheSunnyAfternoonClubfora longtime.

Sometimes I find it a bit difficult and sometimes I find it a bit easytocallthebingo.

Anyone who wants to play bingo, comes to the table at the Sunny Afternoon Club and then I call out the pictures. I ask for onelineorafullhouseandthentheysay‘Bingo!’ Imustshoutsoeveryonecanhear.

Myfavouritebingopictureis‘cookedbreakfast’

The people like the way I call it out and I feel good when I’m callingthebingobecauseIenjoyit! Sothat’sgood!

Toptip:Useabigvoice!

MynameisJulie.

I do different things at the allotment like digging, weeding, wateringandplanting.

Ienjoyallthejobs,butthebestjobiswateringandplanting. Ilikelearningnewthings!

Idon’tknowwhyIenjoyit,butIdo!Itgetsmeoutsideandinthe freshairwhichhelpsmymentalhealth.

Toptip:Tryeverything,dodifferentthingsandenjoyallofit!

October2023September2024

£90K 64% oftheissuesarerelatedto thegapswithinthehealth andsocialcaresector theestimatedvaluewe saveforthehealthand adultsocialcaresector

At Sunnybank, we use the term "advocacy partner" becauseitreflectshowwework.

A Sunnybank Advocacy Partner is someone who uses our services, and our Advocacy team works alongside them to ensure their needs are met throughsharedsupport.

OurReach Advocacy

Purley

Sutton

WorcesterPark

Medical and health support played a majorrolein2023/2024.Ouradvocacy team supported partners who needed regular medical care or hospital stays. They ensured the right provisions were in place to meet both disability and medicalneeds.

This included updating hospital passports and informing all involved. Smaller but meaningful details, like providing the correct drinking cup and ensuring proper discharge plans, were alsoaddressed.

Our advocacy team worked with partners facing accommodation and housing issues, collaborating with local housing authorities and Epsom andEwellCouncil.

Our team identified suitable housing and resolved any problems. However, finding appropriate accommodation remains challenging, as availability oftenlimitsoptions.

Beyond meeting daily needs, the advocacy team is building strong relationships with external agencies. This includes Surrey County Council Social Services, Learning Disability Teams at local hospitals, and local careproviders.

Multi-agency working is essential to ensure the best outcomes for our partners.

8.OurImpact FuturesProgramme

October2023September2024

TheyoungadultsinFutureshavebeensupported through one-to-one sessions and a variety of groupactivitiesfocusedonhealthandwellbeing, generallifeskills,andwork-relatedskills.

Key issuesraisedinone-to-onesessionsshape the focus of group activities, while individual needsidentifiedingroupsessionsarefollowedup inone-to-onesupport.

Through these tailored sessions and needs-led courses, young people with learning disabilities gain the confidence and skills to engage in learning and development opportunities within thecommunity.

Outcomes

Through teamwork, special projects, mentoring and setting their owngoals18youngadultswithlearningdisabilitieshavegrown inindependenceandcommunityresilience.

Thegrouphavetravelledtoeventsonpublictransport,developed independent skills like budgeting, shopping and cooking. The challenges of social media have been discussed, and self-help strategies developed by the group to support their own well being.

Community cricket remained a feature for the team with some attending and volunteering at the Oval and meeting the Surrey cricketteam.

OurImpact Inthewordsofthegroup

“Thankyouforhelpingmewithalotof different stuff in the past few weeks. EspeciallytheITandAdminskills.Ifeel comfortabledoingit.”

“Ilikeadmingro Ilikelearningnewski

“Travellingtogetheronthetrainwasgood.”

“Planningjourneystogetherisgood.”

“Iammoreconfidenttocrosstheroad.”

“My coordination is shocking but Neil tried different techniques to help me hit theballsandbeingpartofateam” .

“I liked talking to everyone and being friendlyandsupportothers.”

Driving&Road safetygroups

Employmentdiscussions &options

Groupoutings &Sitevisits

Supportedliving discussiongroups

Sex&Relationships course

FuturesProgramme AdminGroup

MynameisMatt, IampartoftheMondayAdminteam.

I sort out the printer and get the papersout.IgivethesetoBeth(whois also part of the Admin team) and she sortsthem.

I check the post box for letters. I like sorting out the post and chattingwiththeAdminteam.Ialsolikedoingtherecycling.

LaminatingisanewjobandIlikeit!

Mytoptip:Bepatient!

9.OurImpact Inthewordsofaparent

“When our son left college, we were really concerned for the nextstageinhislife.

Hehadcompletedhisinternshipwiththecollegewhichhadleft himemotionallydrainedandextremelylowinselfconfidence. Wewereworriedthathewasgoingtofeelalone and retreat intohisownworld.

InnotimeatallhestartedtofitinwiththeSunnybankmembers and team. Sunnybank has grown into a huge part of his everydaylife.

His overall confidence has thrived from the help of those aroundhim.Heisindeedadifferentpersonwithawhole new networkoffriendsandwithpeoplehecanturntoforhelpand guidance.

Hetrieseverythingthatcomeshiswayandthishashelpedhim tolearnmoreabouthimselfandothersinthewidercommunity.

Joining Sunnybank has given him a purpose, a feeling of belonging, people who give him the time and patience he deserves!”

10.SupportedVolunteer:David

MynameisDavid.

IvolunteerattheSunnyAfternoonClub.

Isetupandcoverthetablessotheydon’tgetmessy.Igetthestuff out like the glue, paint, puzzles and the games. I sometimes help maketeasandcoffees.

DuringtheclubIcheckifthereareanyemptycupsandrubbishon thetableandhelpclearthemaway.

Ialsohelpsetupthesensoryroombecausesometimespeoplelike tositwhereitisquiet.

I like volunteering with the Sunny Afternoon Club. It’s nice to meet people and it is helping me get more confident and learn new skills.

Toptip:Makesureyoufeelcomfortableandconfidenttobeready tohelp!

11.Spotlight:DJMagicMartin

Martin started his journey at Sunnybank as a supported volunteer8yearsago.WeareproudtosupportMartinatour SWAGDiscoevents.

MynameisMartin.

I try and get everyone on the dance floor and play loads of differentmusic-someoldsongs,somenew,somecheeseand some‘bangers’!

A ‘banger’ is when I play songs like the Fast Food Song or Macarena!

I like seeing people enjoying themselves and enjoying my music.Peoplelikeloadsofdifferentsongs.

I have been helping with the Sunnybank SWAG Disco for 8 years and think the club has changed dramatically – new venue,newpeopleanditisdefinitelygettingbusier,whichisa goodsign!

I’ve grown with it majorly! Iammoreconfident, and my music tastehasgotwider.

Toptip:Don’tgiveup!Tryyourbest!

12.OurImpact SunnySessionsRadioShow

October2023September2024

Sunny Sessions is The Sunnybank Trust’s inclusive radio show,hostedbySurreyHillsCommunityRadio.

It gives a voice to people with learning disabilities and explorestopicsthatmattertoourmembers.

Everyepisodeincludesrealconversations,usefuladvice,and storiesfromthecommunity.

EpisodeThemesIncluded:

Mentalhealth

HospitalPassports

Whatdoesindependencemeanforpeople withlearningdisabilities?

LGBTQ+andrelationships

Employmentbarriersforpeoplewithlearning disabilities

CostoflivingandhowtouseFoodbanks

Whatisgoodaccessibility?

MessagesforthenewPrimeMinister

Disabilitysports

Episodes

October2023September2024

Estimatedlisteners perepisode

LiveShows

“Assomeonewhohasalwaysbeenshyandfoundithardtoexpress themselves, connecting with Sunnybank is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It brought me out of my shell more, and I learned how to be on the radio and have some really special memoriestotreasure.IthinkSunnySessionsandJonhavehelped me in so many ways, we have somewhere that will allow us to be ourselves.”

13.UnderstandUs

UnderstandUsisaconsultancyledby peoplewithlearningdisabilities.

Weensureourconsultantsarepaidfor theworktheydooneveryproject.

“Wemakebusinessesmoreaccessiblefor peoplewithlearningdisabilities”

David,UnderstandUsConsultant

9Consultants

October2023September2024 10Events&Presentations

“I

find reading and writing difficult, and when people talk tooquickly.MyfriendandIwent to a café and we didn't get served because we were told weweretakingtoolong.Weleft with no coffee. They needed to give us more time, Every shop (assistant)shouldbepatient.”

Maria UnderstandUsConsultant