EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES / The John Graham Trust Newsletter
January 2015
JOHN GRAHAM TRUST – EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Welcome to ourfirst 2015 Newsletter readers!
Before we start giving you some good news about our local charity, we need to say a Big Thank you to everyone who supported the John Graham Trust in 2014.
As you probably already know, Sainsbury supermarket (Kingsmead, Canterbury) is supporting the John Graham Trust this year 2014 – 2015. This local Partnership started in June 2014 and we are really pleased with the support we received from Sainsbury staff as well as from all the customers meeting with us at the entrance of the shop between September and December 2014.
The John Graham Trust managed to raise more than £3000 already with all the generous donations of our local customers!
Students from the John Graham Centre have been really motivated and willing to come down to the Supermarket every day the Trust was able to fundraise and the commitment of the adults with learning disabilities was absolutely amazing!
We also need to thank local companies who supported the Trust by offering prizes, gifts and entrance tickets to support Fundraising events at Sainsbury and the Christmas Santa Claus Grotto.
Please find at the back of the letter the list of all the local shops and organizations that supported The John graham Trust last year.
We would lastly like to thank all the families of students attending The John Graham Centre, as well as staff working there for their support in local fundraising events, and also all the individuals who have supported the Trust by sending generous donations all year long. The money will be kept and saved until we reach the target of our 2 main projects. (See at the back of the page)
As the John Graham Trust has very strong links with Agriculture, we need to let you know that 2015 is the Chinese year of the Sheep and will start on February 19, 2015 (according to the lunar calendar). The Sheep (Goat) is a Yin energy, a symbol of Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquility. We are hoping that all our beneficiaries will enjoy 2015 year of the sheep and will be living a year of achievement, success and accomplishment!
If you wish to receive more info, subscribe to our futurenewsletters, do not hesitate to contactus. You will find overleaf some dates to keep in your diary if you are willing to join some Fundraising events!
Sensory Room ProjectEnabling adults with a learning disability to develop their skills in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere and learn how to build up their confidence and strengths by attending a regular session in a sensory room.
For More Information
/CONTACT US ON
07936532564
Sensory Room - INFO
A sensory room is a special room designed to develop children or adult’s senses, such as sight, hearing, touch through special lighting, music, and objects. It can be used as a therapy for children or adults with limited communication to help them develop their skills and abilities to cope with their environment and gain more independence. They will be able to express themselves better and understand their environment better. Learning methods of relaxation and a way to cope with the anxiety, hyperactivity and feel better in themselves is the aim.The John Graham Trust is willing to raise £40.000 to support a Sensory room project and reach the target by the end of 2016.
We are hoping to organize several Fundraising Events as well as start applying for grants in order to be able to achieve this project.
The Sensory room will be used by some adults with a learning disability attending the John Graham Centre but will also be open to the public, such as Schools, Care Homes, Day Centres and be available to anyone living in the local community.
Following recent research and a survey involving 100 adults with learning disabilities in the Kent area we came to the unfortunate conclusion that there is very little opportunity for adults with special needs to take part in Sporting Activities. Although, like us all, adults with special needs are very motivated and would love to exercise on a regular basis and develop their skills and strengths to reach a healthy and active life.
Making a dream come true
Making a dream come true for a lot of peoplewith learning disabilities is another project we are going to focus on this year. ‘Building an all- weather pitch in a field at The John Graham Centre would be great as it is difficult for us to do Sport in the community’ says Richard B. (26 years old)adult attending the John Graham Centre.
The Trust is planning to support this project put forward by the students of the John Graham Centre to provide an area for them and others from the local area, to play and practice sporting activities; giving opportunities for fitter and healthier lives whilst having a lot of fun and enjoyment with others in a great social environment is our goal!
Promoting Sport for all!
Adults with special needs would benefit in doing Sport and will participate in a variety of physical activities, socializing with others with energy and reducing health risks due to inactivity.
FUNDRAISING IS FRIEND RAISING
Would you like to support The John Graham Trust through an event? Please let us know if you have any dates and a place in mind? If you are thinking of organizing an event, we would happily join in to support adults with special needs in Kent. We can organize a tombola, bring some animals from The John Graham Centre and raise the awareness to the community about our local charity.WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE JOHN GRAHAM TRUST IN 2014?
Sainsbury Kingsmeadand ASDA (Canterbury)
Lloyd Bank (Gillingham)
Shipp In Pub (Gillingham)
Oast Quilters (EastKent)
Independent Dental hygienist (Gloucester)
Wildwood Park (HerneBay)
Canterbury Cathedral & Canterbury Museum
Kent County Cricket Club
Hare and Hounds Pub (Canterbury)
Leeds Castle and Dover Castle
Quite contrary (Whitstable)
Surmans Butcher (Whitstable)
Smiffies (Whitstable)
Hornby Hobbies (Margate)
Central Park Stadium(Sittingbourne)
Diggerland- KM Charity
Odeon Cinema (Canterbury)
Marlowe Theatre (Canterbury)
Gulbekian Theatre (UniversityofKent)
Photo Evidence (Whistable)
Leisure Centre (Tenterden- Gravesham - Maidstone)
Rare Breed Centre (Ashford)
Londis (Blean)
Print Matters (Canterbury)
Staff and students from the JGC (Blean)
including Janet Plummer and Will lavender
Thank you to you all for supporting our charity by money donation or by sending in prizes, products, vouchers and free entry tickets to be used on Tombolas and Raffles during Fundraising events.
Also thank you to all our volunteers, Trustees and Students from The John Graham Centre who have been involved all year long.
We wish the Trust
an immense success for 2015!
Happy New Year to you all!
The John Graham Trust Team
JOHN GRAHAM TRUST – EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
JOHN GRAHAM TRUST – EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES