Members' Stories
Charmaine's Story
As told by Elaine, Charmaine's mother
My name is Elaine Williams and my daughter Charmaine has been at Uniting Friends for six years using the evening and weekend service and the daytime service.
Charmaine is an epileptic with moderate learning difficulties. She started main stream school but this was difficult for her due to her having absence seizures and missing lessons. Once statemented she went to Hatton School for children with special needs which worked well for her. Once she left school we battled with services for her because of her mixed diagnosis and finding funding which depended on disability budgets.
This is where we found Uniting Friends. Although we didn’t know it then this was the start of a positive turning point for Charmaine. In July 2012 Charmaine started the evening and weekend service. Charmaine was very excited to join Uniting Friends and met some old school friends and made a lot of new ones. The staff team were amazing. On her first trip out with UF to the Olympic Park to watch the Paralympic Games she had her first seizure since joining. They dealt with it so well. I was convinced this was the perfect place for her. She looked forward to all the activities. Whilst attending staff also noticed that Charmaine and I were using public transport and cabs because I didn’t drive so I was signposted to Dial-A-Ride taxi service where Charmaine could travel door to door.
Charmaine went on to use the day service three years ago with the grateful help of the staff. They were invaluable in getting Charmaine a social worker who was able to apply for funding from Redbridge so she could pay for day-care. Charmaine uses the day service three days a week and her confidence has grown thanks to her helpful and kind key worker, Vicki. Without exception all the staff team have been so supportive. She has now experienced lots of different activities such as drama, sensory creations, arts and crafts, swimming cycling etc.
Cynthia's Story
Cynthia: "Ive been coming to Uniting Friends for over 15 years and I remember it when it was small. I've seen it grow into the excellent service it is today. I have helped shape the service by being a member of the Steering Committee. I represent the members and feedback ideas and issues."
Claudette (Cynthia's mum): "Over the years, I have seen Cynthia's confidence grow and gain skills. She has made zillions of friends! I'm very proud of what she does and by her gaining her Asdan certificate in food preparation which she did in Cafe training."
Alex's Story
As told by Deborah Williams, Sprout There! Co-ordinator
Alex first joined Sprout There! with her wonderful support worker Jo, four years ago. Our spacious green environment gave Alex the opportunity to explore and interact playfully with all those involved in the project. Alex needed the time to observe and just be part of the team.
Over the years Alex's dependency changed into assertive requests to help with familiar gardening tasks, which have now become her specific jobs. She takes charge of emptying old compost (usually with a loud shout of "Gone!") and watering the seedlings in the polytunnel.
Alex never fails to surprise the team with her quiet observation and decisions to replicate a task, like 'potting on' when she thinks no-one is watching.
Her confidence and creativity has also increased with her involvement in art activities which also take place in the garden.
All the different aspects of Sprout There! actively promote and encourage Alex's confidence and independence as well as encourage her to communicate with us all. She is a young and vital woman. A well-loved and enthusiastic member of Sprout There! whose noisy spontaneous fun is contagious!
Samantha's Story
As told by Sam's Mother June:
I found out about Uniting Friends a year ago. I was looking for a service that would support my disabled daughter.
Following a tragic accident four years ago Samantha was put on life support and I was told she would never be able to do anything ever again. It was heartbreaking especially when she was put in a nursing home and Sam would be made to sit in a chair all day long. It was awful. I had to take her out of there.
Sam started to attend Uniting Friends with Cam, her support worker and things changed. Thanks to the wonderful care, support and the activities they do, Sam became much more relaxed. She became happy and smiley and would sing the songs she learned at the project. I felt I had my daughter back. Cam's personal input together with Uniting Friends support has been tremendous. Sam has a life. I'm so glad we found Uniting Friends.
Carer Cam:
It has been a great experience working with Sam and coming to Uniting Friends. I have seen big changes in Sam. She likes coming here and enjoys the music and singing sessions. This makes her happy. Over the year Sam has become familiar with people and has learned to relax. She knows faces.
I am so impressed with the service and the friendly staff and members.
