M&S Newark

We work to support people with learning disabilities across Nottinghamshire to live happier, healthier lives in their community. At our centres people with learning disabilities (our clients) enjoy social activities, courses and projects which enable them to move closer to leading the life they want. Reach's activities run from our 5 bases - Reach Southwell, Reach Newark, Reach Mansfield and our two Flower Pod centres. Our care support company Reach learning Disability Care Ltd offers trained care workers who support people with learning disability on a one-to-one basis. There is a growing population of adults with learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire. They are one of the most disadvantaged and excluded groups in society today. Many are at higher risk of poor health than the general population, rely on low incomes and are potentially at risk of exploitation without the right support and intervention. Very low levels of confidence, poor communication skills and low self-esteem, fear of harassment and inaccessible facilities all combine to make it difficult for people to engage in the life of their local community. Many of our clients tell us of their feelings and isolation and loneliness before coming to Reach, and how weeks could go by without communicating with anyone beyond close family and paid carers. At our five centres, adults with learning disabilities can participate in a diverse range of courses ranging from horticulture, cookery, ICT, fitness, dance, singing and music, arts and crafts, supported volunteering opportunities, socials and lots more! Everything we do is embedded with opportunities to build confidence, self-esteem and gain new life-skills that are vital for more independent living and to feeling connected to the life of the community. Our clients have a very wide range of skills, capacity, abilities, interests and aspirations. Our trained staff are skilled at differentiating activities and offering person-centred approaches, and we are supported to achieve this by local volunteers.

It is because we passionately believe that everyone matters right up until the point they die that we support patients’ families and loved ones at what is arguably one of the most difficult times of their lives. We believe this is a privilege offered to us by those who decide to ask for our help and who put their complete trust in us. Patients are at the centre of all that we do and are at the heart of every decision we make at Beaumond House. We know that for many, taking the first step through the door of the hospice can be difficult and so for many people, our support starts before they reach our door. When they do come through our doors and hear the laughter and feel the warmth, many people tell us it was the best decision they made during one of the most difficult times of their lives. Every year we support around 500 patients and families from across the Newark and Southwell area with a team of committed and trained nurses, health care assistants and volunteers who deliver the highest standard of care and support to those who come to us. We have been doing this for the last 30 years and plan to continue doing so whilst ever there is a need for our support in this area.

Many of the children and young people supported by the Children's Bereavement Centre have had their childhood turned up-side down due to the death of a loved one, often one or more parent’s due to an accident, suicide, terminal illness or murder. Life is confusing and frightening for them. The Children’s Bereavement Centre is a unique service in Nottinghamshire where no other dedicated service is available to provide free support for children and young people (aged 3-18 years) and their families who are struggling to cope with the bereavement of someone they love. Children and young people who experience the trauma of losing a loved one are more likely to find it hard to concentrate and make friends, have low self-esteem, experience anxiety and/or anger, are drinking and/or using substances and/or been excluded from school. Bereaved children are extremely vulnerable to mental health disorders as they may be confused and upset by what they are feeling but unable to identify, understand or communicate why. The project will help to provide resources and fund a qualified and experience Bereavement Practitioner who will provide early intervention which is vital to help normalise and communicate those feelings. Children and young people can then adapt more quickly to their loss which reduces the risk of adverse behaviour and mental health problems. This enables children to be happy and healthy, to enjoy their childhood and make better life choices now and in the future.