Every now and then we organise a popular pamper day for our members in our Coalpit Heath day facility.

It’s a special time for self-care and feeling pampered. Gentle background music, fairy lights and a beautiful scenery on the Television screen touches our senses in many ways while being pampered. The treatments ranged from massages, facial, nails to hair. It’s a relaxing time for experiencing a self-care activity together.

Rebecca says, “I felt relaxed and calm. I loved having my nails done. A very good experience with shots of soft drinks and biscuits.”

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As well as arranging pamper days, our sense of therapy extends to working with Animal Interactive.

It’s an animal encounters company, based in South Wales, with qualified staff who look after and handle wild, but well-behaved animals.

Animal Interactive arrived at Paul’s Place with ten species (at least). Its staff guided the safe handling, fussing and feeding of all things furry to reptiles and minibeasts. A very educating and animal interactive experience. It made us feel warm and smiley.

Paul’s Place member, Dom, says, “I Loved feeling and touching the different animals, especially the snake and meerkat, as they feature in the ‘Compare the Market’ TV ads, they’re so cute.”

Isaac says, “I really looked forward to holding the python. It makes a good day for me when I get to hold a snake .”

Dean says, “I really enjoy it when Animal Interactive come in. I enjoyed holding the skunk. It came up to my neck, snuggled in and wouldn’t let go of my hoodie. Who would’ve thought a skunk could be cuddly.”

Did you know, every July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month. It’s a month-long celebration that recognises the outstanding achievements and contribution of disabled people here and abroad.

During the month we featured a Paul’s Place member and their achievements. We started with our super league Boccia win at Nottingham University on Sunday 14^th July.

We followed our super league win by featuring David.

He lives independently, competes in Boccia competitions nationally and internationally and works in security to spot shop lifters while living with quadriplegia cerebral palsy.

We then highlighted Lisa trying the gym at age 53, and she hasn’t looked back since, despite living with spina bifida.

Disability Pride Month was also our golden opportunity to raise awareness. For example, wheelchairs needing more urgent repairs and the extra cost and planning that disabled people face when travelling or staying away from home.

Disability Pride Month has its own flag. With the following colours:

• Green is for sensory disabilities.
• Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities.
• White stands for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.
• Gold is for neurodiversity.
• Red represents physical disabilities.

We created our own flag, by getting messy with hand paints and using these colours to represent Disability Pride Month.

On Sunday 4^th August, Water Catchment Scientist and Disabilities Inclusion Leader at Jacobs, Bethany Fox, invited us to join its Sports Day for employees.

Our Paul’s Place staff, members and volunteers, Andy Carter, David Morgan and Luke Jones showed employees at Jacobs how Boccia is done with their super league and world champion experiences.

The event showed the benefits of sharing our skills and embracing inclusion. It showed the power of sport bringing us all together.

Team Leader, Andy Carter, says, “It was a fantastic evening and lovely to meet everyone. Our members really enjoyed themselves. They have a real passion for Boccia and love showing the game to others. Our members and volunteers are still talking about the evening. It was lovely to see your colleagues so engaged and willing to learn from us a new game to play.”

Jacobs is an organisation that supports a smarter, connected and a more sustainable world through engineering and science and by working with private and government organisations. It consults and implements projects from its offices throughout the world including Bristol.

The ancient skill of archery is still used today in competitions and for everyone to benefit from the sport. It commands our full attention, strength, coordinator, self-control and confidence.

Paul’s Place member, Andy Batten, had a keen interest in archery. Nine years ago, a trustee at Paul’s Place discovered an archery club called, Cleve Archers. Both Andy and the Trustee joined the club to learn and grow skills in archery.

In 2015, we supported Andy to do the Archery Instructors course at Bath University, so he can teach others at Paul’s Place.

He then contacted Wales Archery, an archery equipment shop. It made archery equipment especially for our members at Paul’s Place, so they can have ago. Andy maintains the equipment with his skills and interest in DIY.

Over the years Andy showed physically disabled adults how to perform archery safely and with the equipment made for us.

He said, “Our members at Paul’s Place can freely try different sports, made possible with the right equipment, which clearly shows what they can achieve.”

During the summer, we took every opportunity to practise hitting a target with our adapted bows and arrows on the grounds at Coalpit Heath Cricket Club.

Our successful funding from the National Grid funded our Support Workers to do the instructor course, so we can offer more archery sessions alongside Andy.

Meet Stephan, who has quadriplegia cerebral palsy. It affects both arms, legs and often the torso and face. Therefore, Stefan needs a wheelchair and a tablet to communicate.

Stefan is highly creative, and he loves an adventure. Stefan doesn’t allow his physical disability to hold him back. Sadly, the world needs to catch up, as more and more disabled people are going out and living life thanks to charities likes ours.

Stefan filmed, edited and directed a film. It asked the question, “How accessible is public transport? The film highlighted some great services while spotlighting where improvements are desperately needed.

Stefan made the film over a few months. The camera followed and revealed Stefan’s first-hand experience in using trains, buses and taxis. Stefan involved his care team, friends, family and the people he knows at Paul’s Place. His brother, who is a journalist, gave further insight of the attitudes, lack of training and key decisions being made without disabled people.

To watch Stefan’s film, please press play below.

To view his other videos, there’s more to come! Subscribe to: ‪@clapworthyfilms9274 on YouTube.

Many years ago, Paul’s Place went fishing. From popular demand, we’re bringing it back.

We partnered with Bitterwell Lake in Coalpit Heath. As well as offering scenic views and a peaceful setting the lake went the extra mile in making its facilities easy to access. The carpark and fishing platform was levelled. There are disabled toilets available. The fishing platform has plenty of space to move around without feeling restricted. The lake also trained our staff to lead fishing sessions, so we can support our members to fish.

The benefits are endless:

• It’s great for our mental health, as disabled adults experience mental distressed almost five times more than non-disabled adults.
• Fishing is calming and relaxing, because it’s our chance to get outside and connect with nature all year around.
• We can fish independently while being supported.

The local community gave us a fantastic response when we asked for the fishing gear we needed. And it was such a relief when we heard our charity qualifies for a free fishing license. This makes fishing even more possible for our members who want to fish.

Matt says, “We can get out into the fresh air, sit there and chill. When we arranged a fishing holiday it was all about catching fish for some people, for others it’s a chance to spend the weekend together.”

We can’t wait to get started and for the lake to show that everyone can fish at Bitterwell Lake.

In the meantime, we had a great adventure sea fishing, with thanks to Wetwheels Solent in Portsmouth. The adrenaline rush of the speed boat and the thrill of catching fish created a fantastic day trip, which we want to repeat.

As you know, we’re moving our services from Coalpit Heath cricket club to Shire Way Community Centre.

This is a massive undertaking for our small charity. It involves a total refit and refurb for bringing the building up to scratch to meet the needs of the adults we support.

The roof was our only saving grace until someone stole much of the lead and caused substantial damage during the robbery. The reality is, we had to act fast to repair the roof before it caused further damage inside. This is such a set back and we feel frustrated and heartbroken.

The community hub we’re trying to create with our members will offer a space to support physically disabled adults with daily activities and vital services. It will also open doors for the local community to get involved, with plans for a community café and an allotment.

Meet Ben Holbrook, an active member at Paul’s Place for over fifteen years while living with Multiple Sclerosis. Ben says, “Our move to Shire Way community centre means so much to us. Our current day facility is great, but we need more space to meet a growing demand for our vital services.”

Ben continues saying, “It’s also our chance to give back by supporting a community café and grow food that will benefit everyone.”

Ben then says, “The local community could meet us and see for themselves what we’re about. They’ll notice we’re not scary or different from them. We breathe the same air and despite our struggles we carry on. It will open a window of opportunities for the community in Shire Way to get to know us, talk with us and include us.”

We have big plans for Shire Way community centre. We can’t implement these plans until we can afford the much needed refit and refurb, made worse by the robbery.

If you’re able to donate, please donate whatever you can, it all makes a massive difference.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/paulsplaceraisetheroof 

Our appeal also made the news at ITV West:

ITV News

Paul’s Place volunteer, Sam Philips, who leads our Life in Colour project, runs his own commercial design and illustration business since 2012. Sam’s commercial business gives him the freedom to volunteer at Paul’s Place. He loves giving our members a creative experience where everyone can get involved.

Sam recently opened and invited our members to his art studio, based in his garden.

Paul’s Place member, Zac, said, “we were free to do what we wanted. Sam gave us the art equipment and then told us to go mental. My painting evolved into a fish by using orange, yellow and pink paint and spray cans. I loved making something from nothing. Art can be a legacy, as it carries on after us. This is why my painting is a gift for someone at Paul’s Place. I’m a writer. So painting is another way to express my ideas. I’m now interested in getting involved in our Life in Colour project at Paul’s Place.”

Visit SJP Studio to learn more about Sam’s Art and Design and Creative Experience Days.

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Is your boss working you too hard? Colleague never offering to make a round of tea? This is your opportunity to lock them up!

We are looking for individuals or teams to take part in our fundraising event with a twist, Jail & Bail!

Come and get locked in the world famous Shepton Mallet prison. Experience a real jail cell, escape room and much more before getting together in a group to raise your bail for released.

This is a great team builder. If you or your team mates are interested please email Kayley (kwaller@paulsplace.org.uk) or call us for more information: 01454 777236

Friday 4th October.

The day looks a little like this:

10am: Arrival and breakfast

10.30am: Trialled, locked up, team escape room, photo opps.

1pm: Lunch

2pm – 5pm ish – Work together to phone/email all of your contacts, friends and family to donate to your Just Giving page and raise your bail.

We loved watching the incredible Paralympic Games in Paris from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September. What made the Paralympics extra special was witnessing the amazing abilities of our para-athletes, many who became disabled later in life. Initially a sport or physical activity was used for rehabilitating or as therapy. However, the competitive nature kicked in leading to winning medals throughout the world and at the Paralympics.

At Paul’s Place, we have members showing the same determination. So during the Paralympics, we highlighted and celebrated our members sporting and physical activity achievements. They found unique ways to master a sport or physical activity. It proved with the right support, it’s possible.

In 2021, we worked with the Yate Outdoor Sports Complex. It supported Andy Gough, aged 53, who’s registered blind with high blood pressure and cholesterol to join assisted guided running. Very timely, when we all needed to get our strength and stamina back after the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Matt Badman, aged 30, has cerebral palsy, which hasn’t stopped him from being physically active and sporty since he was twelve. Matt was introduced to Wheelchair Rugby, which he plays at Bridgewater and Taunton College every Sunday. He progressed into the 4s, which is (the Paralympic level of wheelchair rugby). This means that Matt may compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games for wheelchair rugby.

We then celebrated Andy Batten’s brilliant achievements in Archery before writing about Claire Takle. She overcame her Spinocerebellar Ataxia to compete in accessible horse riding. The condition is inherited. It affects her brain’s ability to tell the rest of Claire’s body how to move and coordinate. Claire progressed in the sport and competed in dressage competitions where she sometimes came first!

Claire says, “I felt very proud wearing the uniform and winning competitions. A great achievement that makes me feel good about myself.”

Our last newsletter featured our physiotherapy group sessions at the Brightwell Centre. Sue Milkins has used her wheelchair for over fourteen years. At the Brightwell Centre she walked along the parallel bars. Sue never thought she could walk again. We’re planning more physiotherapy sessions at the Brightwell Centre from mid-September.

We’re so grateful to Miriam Roberts at MFR Pilates for keeping us mobile and fit with Pilates every Monday.

We ended Summer 2024 with a Summer Party. Our enormous ‘Thank you’ to the John James Bristol Foundation for making it possible.

We encouraged our members to mix and work in teams for winning fun and exciting party games together.

Balls were chucked at staff photos on tin cans, each photograph had a number. The team scoring the highest number won.

We then had four different bowls, which had:

• Cooked spaghetti with oil mixed in
• Jelly
• Marsh mellows
• A squishy stress toy

Our members could only identify the contents by touch and smell.

The final party game tested our memory. We presented a tray of objects, took the tray away, excluded an item before the tray reappeared. Our members had to spot which item was missing to win the game.

We finished with our favourite pinyata game. Building up a sweat while hitting until the pinyata splits to win the sweets inside.

We ended the day with a full and delicious buffet, which had sandwiches, sausage rolls, pork pies, crisps, wraps, fruit, cheese and pickle.

While digesting our buffet lunch we had a fun game of bingo in the afternoon.

A great fun-filled day creating cherished memories. It made our members work with different people, use their senses and skills to perform a task, especially with our hands.

We had a fun-filled programme of summary activities, during the Summer, no two days were the same.

Here’s a flavour of our exciting activities in the sun.

We had a brilliant Willow Trust boat trip, sailing across the Gloucestershire canals.

Paul’s Place member, Dean Graham, said, “The boat was amazing and it was made very accessible. The boat had a lift to the wheelhouse, and then a lift that adjust to the stirring wheel, so we can stir the boat with the captain’s help.”

We also dressed up for an afternoon of musical bingo. Paul’s Place member, Sam Pointer said, “Our patron, Ben Atkinson, joined us. It was fantastic seeing Ben, he wore a funny wig and we won a can of deodorant.”

The great outdoors during the summer was perfect for Warmley Wheelers, where we rode bikes made accessible for us. Melissa Chalklen said, “I love riding the bikes and getting the exercise.”

And we watched a Cricket Match together. The stewards at the Gloucestershire Cricket Ground went above and beyond. The accessibility area had everything we needed for a relaxing day watching Gloucestershire verses Sussex. We had plenty of space and all the facilities were in arms reach.

Our other activities covered:

• a barbeque
• nature walks
• a Slimbridge Bird Sanctuary visit
• Enjoying the beautiful Nailsworth Garden Centre
• bowling at Avonmeads
• in-house cinema with popcorn on wet days

To name a few.

Since our last newsletter in June, we welcomed more corporate volunteers with open arms, who chose us for their ‘give back’ days.

Pensions Consultant at Capita Employee Solutions spent the day with us for clearing the weeds in the garden. We can now smell the lavender, a relaxing aroma, and it was just in time for the summer months.

Paul’s Place CEO, Lynda Williams, said, “Thank you so much for bringing our sensory garden back to life. We really do appreciate all your hard work.”

Stantec Consultancy chose us during its community week. Its green-fingered colleagues cleared the weeds and debris, so we can reach our gazebos more easily. This is vital for some members at Paul’s Place shielding from the sun for health reasons.

Stantec employee, Katrina Wheadon, says, “We had a wonderful afternoon at Paul’ Place, for our ‘Stantec in the Community’ session. We spent the afternoon socialising with the members and doing some gardening, where we cleared weeds and debris from one of their access points. Huge thanks to my green-fingered colleagues and also to Lili Pandolfi and Maddie Notley for organising!”

Alex Paul said, “I just wanted to reach out to say a massive thank you hosting us at Paul’s Place. We had a fantastic time helping such a great charity. It was a pleasure to help with some gardening and chat to the members. We also wanted to give a shout out to the Paul’s Place team who welcomed us with open arms, notably Heather (who was constantly getting us drinks / ice creams!)”

London and Victoria Insurance also chose us for its ‘give back’ day, they said,

“We had a brilliant day. The members were friendly, lovely and it was such a pleasure spending time with them at Paul’s Place.  We enjoyed learning about Boccia, a paralympic sport where competitors can throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball. We never heard about Boccia before. We loved embracing the diversity at Paul’s Place while having much fun at musical bingo. We look forward to getting more involved and supporting this small but vital charity.”

Everyone can benefit from corporate volunteering (give back) days. For more information visit: Partner with Us

However you wish to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. Visit:

Volunteer

If you’re a business or employee, please visit our Corporate Support page:

Corporate Support

If you would like to refer yourself or someone you care for, please email:

info@paulsplace.org.uk

To help us move into Shire Way, donate and fundraise for us, please visit:

Fundraise

Our newsletter, how did we do? Please take a few short moments to give us a score.

Survey Monkey link

If you feel inspired, let’s chat:

• join our team as a volunteer
• choose us for your corporate volunteering days
• fundraise or sponsor us to directly enhance life for physically disabled adults

Contact us