Chief Executive Report
Helen Dayson
The Kingsley Organisation has during 2007 experienced a spectrum of life’s cycle, from the celebration of new life with one of our participants becoming a mother, to the acknowledgement that success for us often means saying goodbye as those with whom we work become more independent, to the sudden death of a much loved and longstanding participant. It brings to mind these words of wisdom “your joy is your sorrow unmasked” and I believe that it is our philosophy, as well as acknowledging that feelings cannot be ignored if we are going to grow and develop as human beings. These principles underpin our practice and relationships within the Organisation and have helped us all to cope with what has been a year full of challenges and change which you will learn more about from reading this review.
Whilst managing the “Change Process” relating to the ending of the West Berkshire contract coupled with the setting up of our new service in Reading, we were also embarking on the renovations and new build at the Kingsley Centre. Each of these challenges required careful planning, creative thinking and dedication from staff and volunteers. Our professionalism and good practice was acknowledged by West Berkshire Council and with innovative fundraising skills we raised £100,000 towards the building project, recognised by many as a major achievement.
The Board of Trustees through their annual Trustee appraisal identified that the Organisation’s mission needed to be revisited and a strategy developed, which would reflect both the identified needs and aspirations of disabled people as well as government legislation. Through a consultation process we decided upon a new mission statement and in late 2007 embarked on a strategic planning process. As an Organisation we have acknowledged that Personalisation, Individual Budget and Self Directed Support are the future and that it is important that we understand the impact of these changes not just for us as an Organisation, but especially in relation to disabled people and parent/carers. The challenge for us is to ensure that as an Organisation we are fit for purpose, that the services we provide are what disabled people want and need and that we do not loose sight of our mission to accommodate statutory and government thinking. 2008 will bring its own challenges, not least in light of the current Personalisation agenda and the financial sustainability of our current service provision, however on last years evidence there will be nothing that together we will not be able to rise to!
When recently conducting an exit interview with a member of staff, who after five years of service had decided it was time to move on, I asked what will be her most valued memories and not surprisingly she said the people, but added that she would always be grateful to the Kingsley Organisation for giving her the opportunity of not just “talking the talk but allowing her to walk the walk”. This one sentence encapsulates for me the Kingsley Organisation, but I would like to add that we are also privileged that those with whom we work choose to let us along side in their walk through life.
Denise Buckingham
Changes that have taken place over the past year in management, to staff roles and within the make-up and organisation of the staff team in general, have ensured that 2007 has been an intense year but both interesting and challenging.
Within this framework I believe that we have managed, as a team, to maintain the principles and philosophy of the Organisation, whilst heightening the interest and achievements of participants.
Participant numbers have remained the same, although an additional session was secured on the request of a participant. Attendance prior to Christmas was down fractionally for very positive reasons; one of our participants went through pregnancy and became a mother in December, a second participant revisited her home country, Hong Kong for 10 weeks, and a third participant, Kosovo for 8 weeks. Although missed, their experiences made for some very interesting and enjoyable groups.
We had 4 referrals this year from statutory agencies, but unfortunately for various reasons including ill health no one took up the opportunity of joining Chainreaction during 2007.
For our current Participants we worked hard as a team to accommodate aspirations both as a group and as individuals. During 2007 we recognised that the knowledge and information we had gained as a staff team through person centred approaches, which had benefited individuals, was not reaching the wider group. We would support an individual to access an activity or service and it was not always shared.
On reflection, we chose to devise a ‘Places to go in the Community’ notice board for the group, detailing local leisure activities and learning opportunities. In addition, we devised an ‘Information Board’ listing local health services from Podiatry to Dyslexia Support. Both boards are accessible and reflect the interests and needs of participants.
We also recognised the need to support and enable individuals and smaller groups to access their community when little interest from the wider group is shown. During 2007 individuals and smaller groups have been supported to access local amenities, activities, forums and events while the wider group remain, through choice, at base.
Our efforts to recognise and acknowledge the differences of individuals also included a growing awareness to the variety of national holidays and dates celebrated within cultures. We learnt about and celebrated Iran’s New Year for the first time, along with Chinese New Year, Black history month and other known dates. Celebrations at Chainreaction typically include information about the events themselves and associated food. For example we had several of Iran’s national dishes cooked by participants supported by staff. Being in London, our client base is very diverse and as part of service inclusion and group cohesion it is necessary to acknowledge diversity and culture.
On an individual basis Participants have had varying experiences this year some of which were challenging for both users and staff. The marriage and subsequent pregnancy of one participant involved a creative multi-agency response. It also prompted staff training from “Brook” a Sexual Health Service provider, which in turn lead to Organisation wide training on a similar theme. We now have literature for all participants on ‘Relationships & Sexual Health’ and teaching resources for staff. I also received training on how to engage with ‘hard to reach’ and at risk groups on topics of positive relationships and sexual health.
There was a holiday to Butlins providing participants an opportunity to overcome some of the barriers, which often stand in the way of experiencing something different and exciting.
Another participant with determined ambitions to become an actor, found representation with ‘The Casting Suite’ (London) working as an extra.
He has had numerous responses to his show reel and has already worked in a music video, been part of a studio audience and submitted a short story for the BBC. We have also had accomplishments that may appear small to an observer but have been huge for the participants concerned; Participants who would not/could not communicate without prompting began communicating without staff involvement, whilst another participant learnt how to operate a mobile phone and another developed artistic skills to a point where support is now no longer necessary.
We have continued to work closely with Camden Social Services Physical Disability Team with whom we successfully secured a three-year contract during the early part of 2007. We have quarterly monitoring meetings and towards the end of 2007 we were invited to join the Physical Disability, Brain Injury and Sensory Needs Joint Commissioning Reference Group. Currently income is generated through our contract with the London Borough of Camden providing 20 sessions and supplemented by six sessions purchased through spot purchase contracts. Our capacity is 30 sessions and we will be looking to increase spot purchase contracts during 2008, which will ensure Chainreaction in Town’s sustainability as well being able to offer more people the opportunity to access our unique service.
