We recently entertained Dr Ravi Paul from Zambia as a result of our connection with Dr. David Percy who has been a school trustee. David works as an adviser to THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust) and Ravi is the only psychiatrist in Zambia where there are 13.2 million people. Ravi was very excited by the work in the school and in Liaise and wants to develop the school in Lusaka using the same positive supports individualised philosophy.

We want to do the work so it does make a difference – so Marion is currently in Zambia to see the school and the scope of the training we need to give to help them. This will be similar to the work that the Loddon School has been doing in Romania and Azerbaijan for many years.

An exciting challenge to support children who really need something better. We will send more information as we make progress and want it to be a real success story in a very poor part of the world.

Marion Cornick, Managing Director of Liaise Loddon, Founder & Chair of Trustees of the Loddon School and President of Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club has been recognised as a Local Hero on the WRVS Gold Age Power List.

The WRVS Gold Age Power List is recognition of the people who are making extraordinary achievements and inspirational contributions in the later decades of their lives. The list celebrates 66 people over 66 from the worlds of arts, sports and adventure, science, public service and business. It also recognises local volunteers who continue to make invaluable contributions in their local communities every day.

This list includes a many very influential people such as The Queen, Delia Smith CBE, Lord Robert Winston, Sir Tom Stoppard, Germaine Greer, Dame Shirley Williams, Michael Palin, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Paul McCartney. It is an honour to see her name alongside them.

We are all extremely proud of her achievements and it is fantastic to see her recognised for all the work that she has done over the years and continues to do supporting children and adults with autism along with their families and also for the time and energy that she puts into the Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club and as joint Chair of the Basingstoke Disability Forum.

Well Done Marion!

Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a small, committed team are necessary. Experience of working in a health/social care setting and knowledge of learning disabilities would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Overview

Work is going well on our new house in Romsey, with the builders who worked throughout the Christmas period – even in the snow! The work is on schedule for the end of this month. For more information about this exciting new home click here or contact us.

Unfortunately, Homelands, a home owned by The Loddon School also had to apply for planning permission, but their application was denied, despite the house being used for 13 out of the last 17 years as a children’s home. The School will be appealing this decision and The Loddon School will not see the children homeless but will ensure they are living together whatever the outcome. A facebook cause has been set up to show support for these 4 children who will have to find somewhere else to live. Click here to join the cause.

http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/drumming-to-eradicate-polio-1048

This week we have just bought a new house in Romsey, just a couple of miles up the road from  our other local house, Timaru. The builders have already moved in and are busy fully renovating this property into what we hope will be a fantastic home for 5 individuals.

The house is in a wonderful rural location with a lots of space around the property itself. It also benefits from only being a couple of miles from Romsey and Southampton, meaning that there is good access to local community facilities as well.

We are aiming to have the house finished and registered by April 2011, so we have a busy few months ahead of us. This is not just with all the building works, but also recruiting and training up to 30 new staff members and working with local authorities to get to know those young adults who will live there so we can create environments that will meet their needs. So, a busy but exciting time for the company.

If you would like to find out more about this new house, contact us and we will be pleased to share our plans and developments.

This month we are joining many other local groups in Basingstoke for the Annual Disability Awareness Day. Come along to Festival Place where you will find advice and information from a range of organisations supporting disabled people.

When: 20th October 2010, 9.00am to 5.30pm
Where: Porchester Square, Festival Place, Basingstoke

For more information please contact us directly or  The Basingstoke and District Disability
Forum on disabilityforum@voluntaryservices.com / www.voluntaryservices.com