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ecdp extra Winter edition 2013
Contents
Welcome from Mike Adams OBE, CEO of ecdp, page 2
Remembering Dave Matthews, page 3
ecdp news, page 4
Paul Findlay, a Security Technology Manager at Barclays, tells us his story of being wounded in Afghanistan, page 5 and 6
Remap makes a difference: True story of how Remap Essex changed William’s life, page 7
Paul Peterson, Senior Reporter at the Yellow Advertiser, tells ecdp about his career in journalism, page 8 and 9
ecdp member Patsy Riggs shares her lived experience of Ataxia, page 10 and 11
ecdp member John Mason, on why gaining a job through the ecdp Works programme makes all the difference, page12 and 13
Additional information,page 14
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Welcome from Mike Adams
Hello Welcome to the winter edition of our magazine. In this issue, we are launching our new name: ecdp extra
ecdp volunteer Connor McGrath won our magazine naming competition.Connor’s suggestion ‘extra, extra, read all about it!’ struck a chord with what our ecdp magazine is all about. When asked what made him think of the name, Connor told us that his family were ‘a little bit Cockney’ and so the Victorian saying was in the back of his mind. Connor is a fantastic example of how much we benefit from our volunteers at ecdp and the extraordinary value they bring to our organisation.
I hope you enjoy reading this newly titled magazine, and do remember to have your say at the end by giving us some feedback. And congratulations Connor! Mike Adams OBE, CEO of ecdp
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Remembering Dave Matthews
It is with deep sadness that ecdp announced Dave Matthews,
A Board Trustee, passed away on 15 September 2013
Dave had been on ecdp’s Board since 2006 and was a huge part of our history as well as helping us to shape our future. His personal assistant, Carol Bradford, says: ‘Dave’s favourite season was the spring. He loved all the new shoots of fresh green, all the buds bursting into life and waited impatiently for the snow drops and crocuses to pop their heads up and although he insisted that he was in the autumn of his life and was ever optimistic that he was going to live into his nineties, it seems that his winter rolled in too fast.’ ecdp Board of Trustees will hold an annual ‘Dave Matthews Voice Forum’ where disabled people will come together to talk about their lived experience and to inform the work of ecdp.
We hope, in this way, that ecdp will remember Dave in the best way – by putting disabled people’s views at the heart of what we do.
By Mike Adams OBE, CEO of ecdp
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ecdpNews
ecdp launch new support planning web pages.
Since our support planning service wasintroduced to Essex in 2009, we have guided over 1,000 disabled people through thesupport planning process. We cover all of Essex and we will support any disabledperson. We also offer our service to self-funders.Find out more about this serviceon our new web pages at
ecdp’s purchase ledger service exceeds targets
Our purchase ledger service continues to go from strength to strength. In the first six months of this financial year, in excess of 24,000 invoices were processed with a total value of £12.9 million. The service is currently running an error ratio of just 0.16% (0.0016) and although we are pleased to have beaten our target, we are always trying to improve. We have weekly payment runs for all approved invoices received up to the previous Friday, with the current average turnaround time being seven working days from receipt. To maintain this success, we are striving to make our service more transparent to both care agencies and clients alike.
ecdp and Barclays join forces to support local businesses to become more disability confident
In September, ecdp teamed up with Barclays to reach their customers and show them how easy it is to be disability confident. The event included lived experience testimonials from Barclays employee Paul Findlay (read our interview with Paul on page 8), and ecdp Works participants.
Find out more about ecdp Works at
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Paul Findlay, a Security Technology Manager at Barclays,tells ecdp his story of being wounded in Afghanistan
I joined the Army in 2002. I was doing an electrical engineering apprenticeship when the TwinTowers were attacked, and I decided to join up with a few of my friends – we all
felt we wanted to give something back. My first posting involved two operational tours of Iraq , then I decided I wanted to serve in Afghanistan in an infantry role. I was deployed in February 2009 as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force. On 22 May 2009, on a mission in Helmand province, the patrol vehicle I was in hit an IED. I remember the blast and was conscious throughout. I was immediately aware that I didn’t have any feeling below my waist. As enemy fire continued, I went back to the vehicle and tried to pull my driver out.
We were lucky: a rescue operation took us back to CampBastion. I then remember waking up in a hospital in Birmingham. I stayed there for 34 days before moving to Headley Court for rehabilitation. Although the feeling in my left legwas coming back, I was told that thesevere nerve damage in my right legwould take decades to heal.‘I took the difficult decision tochoose elective amputation. Withina few weeks of the operation, I waswalking again.’
In summer 2011, I went on a skillscourse run by the Army RecoveryCapability which Barclays wereinvolved with. I was vocal about how I thought the course should bechanged to make it more relevantto Service leavers.Because of this, Barclays offered mea secondment. I joined the bank inAugust 2011, while my medicaltreatment was ongoing.The secondment gave me thebelief that I could have a secondcareer.It helped to rebuild my confidence,which had taken a
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real knock. In nosmall way, this was down to thementoring and support I receivedfrom my colleagues.I realised that I had
transferableskills from my military career suchas project management, leadershipand teamwork.
Over time, I knew that I could cut it inthe commercial workplace. I appliedfor a job as a Security TechnologyManager in Barclays. I went throughthe full application processes,including several robust interviews. Iwas accepted for the post and havingenjoyed the job for over a year, I amabout to move to another department– the Community Investment Team.My second career is wellunderway.
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Remap makes a difference: True story of how Remap Essex changed William’s life Written by Catherine Coale, William's Mum
William has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and is unable to play many games without my help. As he's got older, being able to play 'kids' games without Mum has become moreimportant to him – especially if it means he can play with his twin brother and older sister whom he adores. William's 5th birthday was fast approaching and the Grandparents were all keen to chip in, so I came up with the idea of an electric car that his brother and sister could drive him around in. But as William is not able to sit without a fully supportive chair, the standard Jeep seats were completely unsuitable.
I contacted Remap Essexand asked if they could help. Martin the Remap Engineer visited and with my help, measured up William in the Jeep. He then designed and built a braced frame thatmounted behind William's seat. The frame supports chest and lap belts and a padded headrest with side pieces. Together with a pommel and foot straps, these help William stay well located.It iswonderful to have a toy where William can get equal enjoyment. Thank you Remap, everything seemed possible with your help!
Find out more about Remap Essex
Visit their website at
Call Peter Livingstone on 01621 855354
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Paul Peterson, Senior Reporter at the Yellow Advertiser,tells ecdp about his career in journalism
Why did you choose to become a Journalist?
It just happened really. I took Media Studies at GCSE and loved it so the natural progression was to study it at A-level and then at degree level. My uncle works at Fords and managed to get me work experience at the company’s in-house newspaper. I absolutely loved writing about Fords’ work in the wider community and even got asked to write an opinion column. I decided that journalism was the profession for me. During the final year of my degree I wrote a few articles for the student magazine. The one I particularly remember was a hard hitting report about the lack of disabled access on the new campus including one article which was called ‘Wheelchair Friendly My Arse!’
After passing the (NCTJ) Pre-Entry Certificate in Journalism I started freelancing. The Yellow Advertiser gave me an interview and I met with the editor and news editor. Theyagreed to take me on and I have been working there ever since.
What’s a normal working day like for you?
At work I have to make phone calls to regular contacts and spend time on the internet in order to find out what’s going on in the local area. Working as a journalist you also have to speak to lots of new people involved in the various stories. I also spend time reading council agendas, speak to the police to see what crimes have been happening, and work with our photographers to arrange for them to take photos and attend events.
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You have covered a lot of news stories over the years. Which has been your favourite?
I was really pleased to be able to use my experiences of disability in a special investigation on wheelchair access in local shopping centres and council buildings. The findings developed into the Access for All Campaign. The Access for All campaign won campaign of the Year at the Shepherd Neame Essex Journalism Awards 2005.
Have you had to overcome any challenges to achieve your goals?
My parents had to fight for me toremain in mainstream education. They had to fight the local education authority to convince them to employ a welfare assistant to support me at school. When I wanted to go and live away at university social services said they could not make adaptations to thehalls of residence. After the first year, I finally convinced them to make adaptations to the halls of residence and lived-in at Barking campus and had a fantastic time.
Feel ready to take a step towards employment?
Find out more about our programmes for anyone looking to build their confidence, gain new skills or search for work
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ecdp member Patsy Riggs shares her lived experience of Ataxia
When I was officially diagnosed with Ataxia in 2004 at the age of 61 years, I was devastated. My neurologist told me that it was 95% certain that I didn’t have MS butI did have cerebellar degeneration. This, he explained, could cause problems with tracking of messages from back brain to front brain. The neurologist assured me thatprogress would be slow. Feeling dazed, I turned to the Internet for further information.‘I found Ataxia UK and on subscribing, was invited to start a local support group. My initial reaction was that I would never have enough confidence to give any commitmentto anything ever again.’ I retired from work as a word processing PA and threw myself into gardening and crochet. The following year, Ataxia UK recruited Tina Thatcher to help set up groups and branches. Tina approached me. I have never looked back. Theopportunity to bring together people with similar symptoms and challenges is a therapy for me too.’
The first meeting of Ataxia UK Ipswich & Colchester Local Support Group was in a well-known hotel but they showed little regard for our needs, so I approached The Holiday Inn, Ipswich. A young lady called Liz soon called me back and we discussed ourneeds. Liz was Manageress of Conferences and Banqueting and was happy to arrange tea/coffee and biscuits. She was also happy for us to meet in the Bar Lounge on aSaturday afternoon. We now have in excess of 50 members.We have varying numbers attending each meeting, as the nature of our condition can prevent commitment to any one day, so this flexible arrangement works very well.
All our meetings there have beenwonderful – The Holiday Inn Ipswich has all the facilities needed by disabled members and the management and staff are eager to please. The Colchester Holiday
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Inn are just as welcoming. My only regret is that I have failed to get access to funding for travelto meetings. Many members are precluded from attending our meetings due to being unable to afford appropriate transport. In my view, support groups are essential to the well being of disabled and elderly people. I do send out an informal monthly newsletter to all members to keep everyone in touch.
Find out more about Ataxia UK Ipswich& Colchester Local Support Group
Contact Patsy Riggs,Coordinator by calling01206 735399 or
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ecdp member John Mason, on why gaining a job through the ecdp Works programme makes all the difference
Before joining ecdp Works (formerly known as the ‘Essex Unite’ programme), 54 year old John Mason was told by his career advisor that because of his age and disability, he was unlikely to find an employer willing to hire him. ‘It was like the experience I had gained in my years of life and work didn't seem to count’. But with his wife working and a new grandchild having been born, John was eager to find paid work. So, John joined ecdp Works. ‘I knew this could possibly be one of my last chances to get back intoa working environment.’ John began his two weeks training at ecdp in preparation for a six week work experience placement.
He told ecdp that a valuable part of the twoweeks training was the help and advice received from his disabled mentor, and the inspirational speech given by ecdp’s CEO Mike Adams. John said the reason the two weeks training was so successful was ‘because the group bonded so well and the tutors and presenters were just brilliant’. After his training John was placed with Greenfields Community Housing at Freeport Braintree.
He told us that this was the best part of the programme as he was able to get back into the working environment. ‘It was mind blowing going through the many programmes on the computer. With the nearly 8,000 properties that they own and look after, you can imagine how many programmes and files there are.’ John liked Greenfields and wanted to secure employment. He saw his chance at Greenfields’ Fifth Anniversary Celebration.
John felt empowered to turn what could have been ‘a lonely and awkward time’ into a huge networking success. With his ‘friendly and outgoing disposition, John was invited to socialise at three different staff tables over the course of the evening and eventually met
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with Greenfields’ CEO. John seized this opportunity and arranged to speak with the CEO the following day. John let him know just how much he was enjoying his time at Greenfields.
‘My manager took me into a side office and said I had done a good job for the various teams I had worked with and they would like to offer me a three month paid post’. John couldn’t be happier. At ecdp, we asked him what was best about having paid work. ‘It’s getting me out of house and away from the TV (No more Jeremy Kyle or Deal or No Deal) also meeting and working with people. Another more obvious one is getting more money. This year we were able to go abroad to see my wife’s family. But most of all, it gives you a sense of purpose.’
‘ecdpWorks is so different because it’s like having an interview that lasts six weeks not just an hour. It means you can show off all the things that you are good at and it also gives the employer a chance to see the real person in action. None of which would happen in a formal interview.’ John Mason’s determination and the support he received from ecdp Works secured him a paid job with a contract to the end of the year. Next year still has its uncertainty, but John’s horizons are now much brighter.
To find out more about ecdp Works visit our website
Call Rachel on 01245 214012
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