As
you may know, each one of our locations chooses to a local charity to support
when they first open. When Beatons Petersfield first opened, they chose to work
with Fitzroy, a charity driven to help transform lives by supporting people
with learning disabilities to do the simple things that make a real difference
to their every day life.
Fitzroy has taken a great opportunity to be
involved again in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, where every
penny raised is doubled. To get the match funding they have only one week to
raise £10,000, which the Big Give will then double.
Fitzroy have been embracing technology and how it is
transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities in some really
special ways. The difference that something as simple as an iPad and a really
great communications app can make is astonishing and wonderful. With the money
raised, they will buy iPads and an unlimited licence to a really good
communications app. Many of the people they support aren’t able to communicate
verbally and they can feel incredibly isolated and out of control of their own
lives.
An amazing app called MyChoicePad uses 4000 Makaton signs and
pictures to help people express their thoughts and feelings. This means they
are able to have meaningful two-way conversations with the people who are
important to them. Fitzroy have been trialling iPads in our services and have seen
some remarkable results. One woman called Bex at their Malvern service was able
to use the app to say ‘mum’ for the first time. You can read more about
her story here.
If we can reach our target we will be able to help
more people like Bex to be understood and heard. This link is where donations
can
be made once the campaign launches https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/fitzroy
Please share it! The Big Give starts at midday on Tuesday 27th November
until midday on 4th December. Donations can only be made between these
dates.
