heart photo

SIL Picnic in the Park

On Wednesday 13th July, Services for Independent Living hosted a Picnic on the Park.  Held on the Grange, Leominster, the picnic brought together staff and service users from across Herefordshire’s registered care providers in an informal celebration of social care.

The picnic was organised to help raise awareness of the importance of social care, to recognise the value of all those who work in care to the people they support and to create an inclusive environment for all to enjoy a day out.

Whilst enjoying the sunshine and a lovely picnic, guests were also there to take part in a record attempt; the first world record for the largest number of social care service users and staff in a heart formation taken by drone.  With residents and staff from Hampton Grange & Gwen Walford Nursing Homes, Hereford Rotherwood Healthcare Lynhales Hall Nursing Home, Herefordshire Forbury Home Merrivale Farm, Ledbury Buckfield House ECHO and Leominster’s Mayor Cllr Trish Marsh as well as those from SIL, the Guinnexx World Records adjudicator (No! that’s not a typo, the real deal was a little costly) registered our attempt at 53 people.

Euan McPherson, SIL CEO, commented; “It has been a great opportunity to meet and get to know people who share our belief that people affected by disabilities can live independent lives and actively participate in society, it has been interesting hearing from staff and service users alike about all the activities and opportunities on offer.  We extend our thanks to everyone who came and made this such a lovely event.  We are actively recruiting and hope to demonstrate to anyone who interested in a job in care the value and variety of work undertaken.”

Many of the guests were heard to say what an enjoyable day out it had been so we expect to see many more picnics being organised and perhaps someone will take on the heart photo challenge.

#LovetoCare #SILheartphotochallenge.

Ends

If you are interested in a job at Services for Living please go to our vacancies or call 01568 616653

Kindle centre logo

The Kindle Centre

The Kindle Centre, based at the Asda store, Hereford provides affordable meeting rooms for hire and office space for charities and non-profit organisations. In addition it has a large hall conferencing space, used for conferences, community activities and increasingly services provided to the community.

Our values, in all that we do, are to ensure that we are inclusive and participative, partnership-focussed, and that we deliver valuable and quality outcomes.

You will find a huge range of activities available including:

  • BBO Herefordshire – supporting you into work with help to apply, improving skills, confidence or work experience
  • Hereford Food banks
  • Zumba class – free taster session
  • Free Summer activities for children 5 – 12 years – sport activities, dance, arts and crafts
  • Drama for Change – free to attend mondays 5pm to 7pm
  • Drama workshops summer activities August and September
  • Melody Dance Company Term timetable
  • Southside Project updates
  • Parkinsons Exercise Class (seated exercise for people affected by Parkinsons, any other condition that restricts mobility or seniors)
  • The 17% of men – support group run for the 17% of men in Herefordshire who experienced sexual abuse in childhood.
  • Mental Fitness for Men – a Talk (and listening) Club for men
  • Thursday Lunch Club
  • Hereford 050 – social events, speakers, music, walking group and more for over 50s
  • Writer’s circle – 1st Friday of the month
  • Kindle Singers – meeting on Mondays 12pm to 1.30pm
  • Hereford Art’s Appreciation Society
  • Jumma Mubarak Friday Prayers
  • ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages – Thursday and Fridays
  • Shaw Trust Work & Health Programme
  • Cranstoun community based substance misuse services, supported housing, specialist services for young people, families, carers and domestic abuse services
  • Mobility Aids Service from British Red Cross

See more information on meeting times and what’s on offer in the newsletter

maggie is made honorary president

Presidential Honour for Trustee

Number 63/ 22 – 20th July 2022

Services for Independent Living (SIL) marked an outstanding achievement at their Summer Garden Party last week.

Maggie O’Neill, one of the founding members of the charity, has recently stood down as a trustee after 25 years of working tirelessly for SIL. To mark this dedication to the charity, SIL has awarded Maggie the position of Honorary President, the first time this has been done in its quarter century history.

Euan McPherson, CEO, said: “Maggie is a truly remarkable individual who has given so much to the organisation and I am pleased we are able to acknowledge that in this way.”

Maggie became one of the small group of people who in 1996, campaigned for the right to have a direct payment. The group were successful in their campaign and as a result the Herefordshire Centre for Independent Living was formed, which later changed its name to Services for Independent Living.

By this time the organisation had become a registered charity and was not only supporting people to employ their own personal assistants, but also providing supported living in people’s own homes.

Maggie said: “Much to my surprise and delight, and with some fear and trepidation, I was asked  by the founding members, Barbara Millman and Marion Tweed-Rycroft, to join them as a Trustee .

“Since then I have learnt so much both as a Service User and a Trustee, even becoming Chairperson of SIL for a short time, before ill health took its toll.

“From thinking I had very little to offer the organisation I am overwhelmed by the appreciation I have received for the contribution I have made over the years and I am thrilled to be appointed Honorary President of SIL, assuring my continued relationship with the people who work for and are supported by  SIL.”

For more information about the work SIL does, or to enquire about working for this award winning organisation, call 01568 616653 or email: contactus@s4il.co.uk or visit: www.s4il.co.uk

Photo – Euan McPherson, CEO with Maggie O’Neill, at the Garden Party on the 7th July