The post What is Rare Disease Day about? appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>It started in 2008 and has played a critical part in building an international rare disease community.
Rare Disease Day is observed every year on 28th February (or 29th in leap years) – the rarest day of the year.
For more information about Rare Disease Day, please visit:
What is Rare Disease Day? – Rare Disease Day 2024
Rare Disease Day: Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
Meet Dean, aged 42. Dean joined Paul’s Place eighteen years ago and is living with NF1. It effects his hands and face, as well as causing a huge number of lumps inside his neck, hip and legs. The lumps inside Dean’s neck have led to two neck operations around his brain stem and spinal cord. The first operation was a success. But the second operation caused further mobility issues.
People with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) are born with the condition, which develops later in life. It causes (non-cancerous) lumps to develop along the nerves that may cause a range of symptoms.
As a child, Dean was very physically active. He loved running and riding his bike. As an adult, Dean attended college, but found he was getting progressively tired while walking down the corridors. This is when Dean started using a wheelchair and became more and more dependent on using it to get around.
Dean found inspiration and strength in his father’s story, who worked as a lorry driver, but had an accident and sadly broke his back. His doctor said he’d never walk again, but Dean’s father promised he’d walk the next time his doctor sees him. Through sheer determination, Dean’s father surprised his doctor by walking during a follow-up appointment. This inspired Dean to keep fighting to manage his rare disease.
Since joining Paul’s Place, Dean fully embraces the support services offered including the Short Break programme, which were made possible and accessible to Dean. The holidays included sailing, visiting a tall ship and a trip to the sun in Majorca.
Dean also featured in the first ever naked calendar of adults with physical disabilities in 2006. It got attention around the world while helping to raise funds for the much needed extension at Paul’s Place. The photo shoot encouraged Dean to accept and celebrate his body.
Dean uses Paul’s Place three times a week, which support’s him to manage his NF1 condition. The internal tumours in Dean’s right hip, makes his hip stick out, so he takes medication to numb the pain he feels. In 2012, Dean took a turn for the worse. He had pneumonia in both lungs, a chest infection and meningitis. Dean was put into an induced coma and his family were told to prepare for the worse. Dean said, “I pulled through and I’m still here today”.
Today, Dean enjoys the life enhancing opportunities at Paul Place and feels optimistic about the future. Dean’s very excited about the Paul’s Place move from the cricket club in Coalpit Heath to Shires Way Community Centre in Yate. This means, Dean can get involved with growing produce, running a café and serving the community as a community hub.
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]]>The post Easter Raffle appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]> £1 per ticket or
£5.00 for 6 tickets.
Draw to take place 27/03/2024.
The lucky winner will be contacted the same day to arrange collection.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury for donating our prize.
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]]>The post Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium find unique way to support Paul’s Place appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Local Disability Charity, Paul’s Place, receives unique donation from Crematorium’s metal recycling scheme.
Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium in Bristol has found a unique way to support a local charity that enhances the lives of physically disabled adults.
With the consent from families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled and any money raised is distributed amongst Westerleigh Group selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives which benefit the communities they serve.
Thanks to the scheme, Westerleigh Crematorium, which is part of Westerleigh Group, has donated £1000 to Paul’s Place. The charity, currently operating out of Coalpit Heath cricket club, provides social activities that connect people, reduce isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and give people the opportunity to develop new skills and enjoy new experiences.
Head of Fundraising at Paul’s Place, Kayley Waller, said:
“We want to express our heartfelt thanks to Westerleigh Crematorium and the generous individuals and families who consented to participate in the scheme at what is a very difficult time for them. To think of others in their time of grief is remarkable. This special donation will make a huge difference to the physically disabled adults we support at Paul’s Place.”
The national scheme is run by not-for-profit organisation Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and means metal such as artificial hip joints, rods and screws that cannot be cremated are recycled, generating charitable donations.
Metals are recycled with the express consent of bereaved families being the persons entitled and empowered to make this decision.
Shaun Chapman-Young, Operations Manager at Westerleigh Crematorium, said:
“Paul’s Place is a fantastic cause and has helped support families we have cared for in the past. I hope this donation helps them carry on providing the amazing service they offer.’’
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]]>The post Time to Talk Day at Paul’s Place appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>According to the census data in 2021, having a physical disability can increase feeling lonely compared to non-disabled people. The data also showed that the more physical limitations we have the more isolated we feel.
Paul’s Place significantly reduces feeling alone by bringing physically disabled adults together for life enhancing activities, where they can share their wisdom, skills, knowledge and life experiences. We’ll add to our existing activities by launching a new Creative Den project called Life in Colour. The final results could showcase a poem, a song, a performance or a painting.
For instance, the colour green may give members at Paul’s Place a Time to Talk about nature, their worries about climate change or being green with envy. The discussions will then open doors for a creative expression, which may involve leaf rubbings, using stencils, crayons, paints or writing a poem, a script or a song. The final masterpiece will show the journey, and how our members will share and learn from each other. The opportunities to talk and express emotions is priceless. But their creative expressions may lead to an exhibition or a performance premiere.
Mental Health Charities, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness lead Time to Talk Day in partnership with the Co-op. The campaign runs across the UK to support communities up and down the country to have more mental health conversations than ever before. The Time to Change campaign launched Time to Talk Day in 2014, a campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
Two very experienced Occupational Therapist and Artistic Expression volunteers at Paul’s Place will facilitate the Life in Colour project. They said, “the achievements will be endless. The project will show that our members have stories, which are worth sharing through their creative expression, so they can learn from each other and educate the general public.” They continued saying, “our project is about creative expression through art, words and people. It will open doors for sharing our emotions, thoughts and ideas, so we can support each other. We will use the colour spectrum to speak about ourselves in a creative way and share our mutual experiences in life.”
Paul’s Place members, Rebecca, says, “Without Paul’s Place I wouldn’t be here. A week ago, my pain condition was a ten out of ten. I couldn’t eat, sleep or dress myself, which left me feeling tired and exhausted. At times my pain feels too overwhelming. At Paul’s Place I can talk about these issues without feeling embarrassed. I feel safe at Paul’s Place where people understand me, and we can support each other.”
Paul’s Place won’t stop until we see a world that embraces disability and includes everyone, so everyone can live their life to the fullest. With your help Paul’s Place can continue making sure that physically disabled adults are not alone, feel valued and connected. To get involved, please visit: Support us
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]]>The post We welcome, Ben Atkinson, our New Patron. appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Ben was first introduced to Paul’s Place when he came to interview us for Heart Radio as part of Global’s Make Some Noise day (of which we’re a supported charity). We were able to give Ben a flavour of Paul’s Place and our life enhancing activities for people with physical disabilities. Ben interviewed some of our members who explained how much of a ‘lifeline’ Paul’s Place is to them. He heard that not everyone is physically disabled from birth and 80% of disabled people became physically disabled later in life. It can happen to anyone, and without Paul’s Place there’s limited support. Paul’s Place significantly reduces social isolation, and it gives people a chance to live life to the full.
Since meeting Ben, he has kept an active interest in our work and how we’ve made a major difference since we began in 1995. Paul’s Place started with a small group of friends getting together to form a club. At first, the club met once a month, but due to growing numbers over a short space of time, it became a daily facility that now offers our members a chance to:
We also offer a support programme for carers.
Sam attends Paul’s Place three times a week and has been a super fan of Heart Radio since 2003. Sam said, “Ben becoming our patron means a lot. It’s fantastic. I hope Ben can support us in taking our charity, that is a lifeline for physically disabled adults, forward.”
Fundraising and Communications Manager, Kayley Waller, said, “We’re thrilled to officially announce Ben as our newest patron at Paul’s Place. It was a privilege to spend the day with him where he witnessed the impact of the charity. At Paul’s Place, I see our members come to life every day. They feel part of something, they feel connected. It was amazing to be able to show that to Ben. Without people like Ben supporting us, we wouldn’t be able to provide the services we do, we would have to scale back massively, which would devastate our members.”
Speaking about his new role as patron, Ben said, “Paul’s Place is a small charity that I immediately connected with. Seeing first hand just how much the members get from this amazing charity is inspirational and I’m very pleased to be a part of the journey this charity is on. In what will be a big year for Paul’s Place, I’m looking forward with helping the organisation to grow, along with visits and getting stuck in. As well as the odd shout out on the radio for the members too, of course!”
We won’t stop until we see a world that embraces disability and includes everyone, so everyone can live their life to the full. With Ben’s support we can continue our mission to enhance and change the lives of physically disabled adults.
If you would like to donate and fundraise for us, please visit: Get Involved
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]]>The post Our 2023 Highlights appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Therapy through music
Every Wednesday, our members enjoy therapy through Music sessions, where they can express themselves. It’s a chance to communicate through music, when perhaps they can’t find the words. We’re extremely grateful to the University of the West of England (UWE) who supply for our Music Therapy sessions, as part of their Music Therapy course.
Boccia at Paul’s Place
Boccia is a fully accessible sport, and at Paul’s Place our Boccia teams are run by disabled people, with the support of Paul’s Place staff. We have two teams in the super league.
Paul’s Place member, Luke, said, “I’m returning to competitions after taking a year out. We practise twice a week, and we warm up to get our arms ready. When we move to Shire Way Community Centre, we could practise more than twice a week to prepare for national league tournaments.”
On Sunday 3 December 2023, our Boccia teams travelled to Berkhamsted Leisure Centre near High Wycombe. The first team won an impressive two out of three games and our second team won one out of three games. Luke said, “it was all a positive experience”.
Boccia England announced its fixtures for 2024, so stay tuned for our Boccia updates.
We welcomed new members of staff in 2023
Welcome to our team.
To meet whole team, please visit:
Announcing our new patron!
Ben Atkinson
We’re delighted to announce Ben Atkinson, as our new patron. Ben actively supports our vision for a world that embraces disability and includes everyone. You’ll hear Ben presenting on Heart Bristol Radio between 4pm and 7pm with his feel-good tunes. Ben is an experienced voiceover artist for brands such as, Halifax and B&Q, and he regularly hosts lifestyle awards, events and fundraisers.
We’re thrilled to welcome Ben as our new patron.
Disability History Month 2023
This Autumn, Disability History Month, shone a light on Disability, Children and Youth in the past, now and what’s needed for the future. It took place from 16 November to 16 December.
It was a perfect time to interview our members at Paul’s Place. Hannah and Paul described their experiences at school and their recommendations for pupils in 2023.
To read their interviews, please visit:
December was also International Day of People with Disabilities
This day highlights the importance of inclusivity, accessibility and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, while also celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.
Here at Paul’s Place, we live by this ethos every day! Take a look at our impact in 2022 – 2023. You’ll hear our members speak about how important it is to make sure they can enjoy an inclusive world.
Our latest impact report video
Paul’s Place Carers
At Paul’s Place we offer carers a space for connecting with each other. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our wide range of activities this year, including days out and our annual short break.
We send a yearly survey, so carers have a say in type of activities that will benefit them. This Autumn and Winter we’ve organised:
The carers say, “I feel relaxed and rejuvenated”, and “it’s a special time just for us”. We all need a break from the everyday routine, and carers have the same need, so they feel refreshed and able to continue doing what they love.
Here’s our Christmas lunch at The New Inn, Mayshill, which serves gigantic plates of festive food.
Paul’s Place wins coveted funding from Global’s Make Some Noise
Heart radio runs its own charity called, Global’s Make Some Noise. The charity raises funds for small and local charities that tackle:
The charity also supports people with life limiting illnesses, those who are bereaved or people with disabilities with its fundraising activities.
Pauls Place celebrated as one of the charities that Global’s Make Some Noise will support with its fundraising. We will use the funds to launch our own new in-house volunteering service from April 2024.
To read the full article, please visit:
We’re moving
Our charity is based at Coalpit Heath cricket club, and we’re moving into the much loved Shire Way Community Centre. We will breath new life into the building, which has been left untouched since 2022. Our move will open even more opportunities to enhances the lives of physically disabled adults. We’ve actively asked our members (service users) about the floor plans and what our new home should offer. For example, we’re planning a community café, and an allotment where our members will grow produce for the café. It will give our members opportunities to learn new skills, to volunteer and contribute. We’re also hoping to offer space for the public to hire for their activities and events.
To read the full article, please visit:
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]]>The post Disability History Month 2023 appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>For Disability History Month, Hannah and Paul described their experiences at school and their recommendations for pupils in 2023.
Which school did you go to?
Currently, I support disabled children to achieve a great experience in their specialist school. I was at a mainstream school, with thirty pupils in my class and two hundred pupils in my school year.
What was your experience at school?
Sadly, I had a difference experience at school over twenty years ago. I was given extra learning support, which involved a dictator phone, having support with writing class notes and sitting at the front. But the other pupils saw this as having special treatment. So, I was teased for being a teachers pet. However, despite getting teased and bullied, I achieved good GCSEs.
How were you treated?
I was spun around in my wheelchair spitefully. I found the school corridor a nightmare when other pupils were charging passed me from all directions.
What would you say to your mainstream school?
I recommend having disability awareness training for pupil, students, teachers and staff to support creating a world that embraces disability and includes everyone. The awareness training could cover:
Which School were you at?
I was at Claremont School for nine years. It’s a state specialist school for pupils aged from two to nineteen. The school caters for young people with physical disabilities, as well as for profound, multiple and severe learning difficulties. I have gone full circle, by reuniting with classmates from Claremont School when I joined Paul’s Place eighteen Months ago.
What was your experience at Claremont School?
Claremont School prepared me for life. I had a good network of friends. But some pupils had more severe disabilities than me.
How did a mixed abilities class make you feel?
Sometimes, I felt a bit weary, as some pupils had personality disorders. I recommend having personality disorder awareness training in schools, so everyone’s aware, as Claremont School encouraged us to blend in with people, with communities and with the school environment.
What would you say to your younger self?
I think I have done well for myself. I like where I am now and what I am able to do. Be excited about the future.
What would you say to pupils at Claremont School?
Keep talking to people you find interesting. If you bottle-up your thoughts and feelings you will become angry, which is no good for your future. You make you. You can’t change the past, but you can learn to have a brighter future by talking to people.
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]]>The post Financial Wellbeing of Disabled People in the UK appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Steph interviewed Kevin Baker and Shelia Hewett at Paul’s Place on Friday 13 October. Photographer, David Griffiths, joined Steph, who took a number of photographs in our courtyard.
Steph has a keen interest in the issues effecting disabled people unfairly. Therefore, Steph wrote her article following the University of Bristol’s report about the Financial Wellbeing of Disabled People in the UK. The article described the range of finance related barriers people face as a result of differing disabilities.
To read Kevin’s story, please follow the link:
Photo by David Griffiths at davidgriffithsimages
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]]>The post Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Read how our Music Therapy sessions can help members address safeguarding concerns.
Therapy through Music.
At Paul’s Place we’re on a mission to enhance the lives of physically disabled adults.
Every Wednesday, our members enjoy music therapy, where they can express themselves. It’s a chance to communicate through music, when perhaps they can’t find the words. It helps our members to tell and share their personal stories and experiences with each other.
Therefore, at music therapy, safeguarding concerns has been spotted and brought to our attention, which gives us a chance to help our members further.
We have an in-house social worker at Paul’s Place, who manages our safeguarding policies and actions. And we work together to make sure our members are protected from harm, abuse and from being exploited, which can impact their physical and mental wellbeing.
Photo by David Griffiths at davidgriffithsimages
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. So, we’re extremely grateful to the University of the West of England (UWE) for our Music Therapy sessions every Wednesday, which can highlight any safeguarding concerns to us.
Our life changing work relies on your support and donations. From as little as £5 a month can make a big difference for physically disabled adults in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES
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]]>The post Paul’s Place unveils plans for move to Shire Way Centre appeared first on Paul's Place.
]]>Our charity enhances the lives of physically disabled adults, and currently operates out of Coalpit Heath cricket club. We provide social activities that connect people, reduce isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and give people the opportunity to develop new skills and enjoy new experiences.
The much-loved Shire Way Community Centre, in Yate, has sat untouched since 2022 but our charity is going to bring it back to life. The centre will provide space to support our members (service users) with a hub running daily activities and open up numerous opportunities to the local community, with plans for a community café, an allotment where our members will grow produce for the café are just some of our plans. We are also hoping to be able to provide space for the public to hire for activities and events.
Chief executive officer of Paul’s Place, Lynda Williams said:
“Our current home at the cricket club has been great but with growth and increasing demand for our services, we have simply outgrown the building.
We are extremely excited about our move to Shire Way and the opportunities it will create for not only the charity but the residents of Yate.
Our charity’s vision is for a ‘Paul’s Place Hub’. A completely accessible building that will allow us to support more disabled people, in turn reducing isolation increasing opportunities for physically disabled adults to enter employment, become a visible part of the community and live their life to the full.
Alongside our daily activity facility, one of our plans is to set up a community café which will be run by the adults we support. Shire Way will mean we are able to increase the number of activities and programmes we offer as well as the number of members who are able to attend. We really hope the local community will get behind our plans and support us as much as possible”.
We know this will be welcome news for all of our members and carers. There is a lot of work to be done before we are able to move but as with everything we do at Paul’s Place; our members’ ideas, thoughts and feelings will be very much at the forefront of this project so there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved. Watch this space!
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