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for previous news pages ) KARATE KID
Karl got into Karate after seeing a flyer offering weekly lessons. Initially lots of other people attended the same classes at TYGA Hackney Karate Club. One by one, people have dropped out, leaving only a hardcore of martial arts maniacs. The system of awarding different coloured belts to martial arts students has its origins in Japanese Judo. As students pass through the ranks taking examinations they are awarded with different coloured belts. Originally there were seven different colours of belt. The final one is a black belt. In the old days the white belt was simply dyed to a new colour. Karl has been attending classes for over a year. Passing the yellow belt exam has been a source of great pride to him. “He really enjoys the Karate classes and looks forward to them every week”, said Frank Hofmann who volunteers to go to and from classes with Karl . “I give him encouragement by shouting and cheering when I am watching him”. Karl will be moving from Hackney to Norwich in July so he can live closer to his mum. 'All inclusive' Karate classes for people with disabilities, friends & family - every 2 weeks on Fridays, 6-7 pm at: TYGA Hackney Karate Club Fellows Court Community Centre Weymouth Terrace E2 Details: Sensai Sam Haynes (07951 745 577) Web site: www.ty-ga.co.uk/ CONSULT US!
The consultants were keen to know what service users think Hilt should be doing, and where they think Hilt could do better. They were asking questions about whether Hilt should look more at Supported Housing, rather than Registered Care Homes, and what new services Hilt should offer. Many thanks to Joanna, Kehinde, Phillip, Colin, Sylvia, Robin, Savaas and Gary for giving up their time to be part of this. If this is something you would be interested in taking part in in the future please let Sarah or Susan know. PLAY TO WIN
A play by One to One Enfield highlighted the issues people face joining sports clubs. Caroline Argent from London Sports Forum was present at the event. She gave a talk and facilitated some group exercises on sports and disability with a strong focus on what people could do to improve services. This included people making pledges to what they can do to improve the service they work in. IN THE SUMMERTIME
Irma, Clare, Derek and Simon had a blast at Alexandra Palace recently. They went up there for a picnic. Along with volunteers, Cheol Hee and Edwina they spent a lazy summer afternoon sitting on the grass and admiring the views.
Cheol Hee and Derek also recently enjoyed a great day out in Southend. It's one of Derek’s favourite places. He likes the glamour and grit of British seaside towns. For Cheol Hee it’s all a new experience. Seaside towns in Korea don’t have the same reputation for kiss-me-quick hats and candy floss as their UK counterparts. Nevertheless Cheol Hee fell for Southend’s charms.“It was amazing” he said. Derek needed no encouragement to agree. GRAND DESIGNS
Chris has been an Outreach service user, and a reggae fan, for many years. He studies computers at college and works on a voluntary gardening scheme every week. His barbeque party gave him the chance to show guests his own garden.
One of Chris’s friends did most of the cooking. Everyone got down to the reggae grooves. Chris was glad to see everyone enjoying themselves in the space he'd created. CATCHING UP WITH CENTRAL STAFF
Their exercise routine involves jogging 3 times around nearby London Fields. “It’s all we can fit in during our lunch break, but it’s enough”, gasped one team member after completing the circuit. “Jogging helps to build team spirit and we can all get some exercise”, added Deputy Manager, Gabrielle Prince. Recently the Outreach Team have been joined by other Central staff members hoping to keep in trim. The joggers have said that they are up for a challenge. If any other Hilt staff teams want to set up a rival jogging team, then this lot are up for a race. “We’re all pretty fit now, so I reckon we could take anyone on” said Syed Ahmed. Watch this space…….. LDAF TRAINING
Congratulations to Gelly, Molly, Pat, Mary, Delia and Grace, who have taken part in a pilot scheme run by Tower Hamlets College and Tower Hamlets Social Services. All have now completed the twelve mandatory units of the LDAF level 2 course. Particular congratulations are due, as everyone met all the deadlines for getting their assignments in on time. Tower Hamlets College are now working out how to offer the next twelve optional units. They are hoping the second stage of the course will start in October. LDAF (or Learning Disability Awards Framework) is a new course developed by TOPSS after Valuing People and the Care Standards Act in 2000. Not many places in the country are offering the course, so Gelly, Molly, Pat, Mary, Delia and Grace are part of an elite group who have completed this far. They will be able to go on and complete their NVQ level 2 in Care using the LDAF as their underpinning knowledge. STEERING THE SERVICE
Ray stood in for Sade during her last period of maternity leave. This time he will have overall responsibility for Domicilliary Care, Housing and the Outreach Service. He will also manage two Hilt projects. |
Karl
of Hilt’s Outreach Service has just been awarded his yellow
belt in Karate.
On
Wednesday 29th June a group of service users were invited into
Hilt Central Office by CIVIS, the consultants who are helping
HILT to work out its business plan for the next four years. 
The
Occupational Team's Shane and John recently provided autism awareness
training for Leisure Connection. They were also involved in a
debate about the problems people with learning difficulties face
when trying to do sports. 
You
may have noticed it’s been a bit warm. Service Users have
been making the most of the summer sun and enjoying some great
days out. 
While
up there they discovered a fair. Everybody enjoyed themselves
on the rides and stalls. Irma and Edwina had a particularly smashing
time on the bumper cars.
The
sounds of Bob Marley provided a great backing track to Chris’s
barbeque party. 
Chris
has put a lot of work into keeping his garden in order, assisted
by his volunteer Franck Ribes (aka French Franck). As well as
Hilt service users and volunteers, Chris invited a lot of his
mates from the local pub.
Keeping
fit is catching on at Hilt Central Office. A group of staff from
Hilt’s Outreach Team have chosen to keep fit together during
their lunch hour once a week. 
Ray
Hill has returned to Hilt to stand in for Sade Kur, in her role
as Service Manager. Sade has gone on maternity leave and is expecting
her third child. We all wish her well.