Big Top Fun Day Shows Community Caring at its best

Thanks to the generous support of ExxonMobil: QEF clients, trainees, staff and trustees were all able to celebrate its 75th Birthday in Big Top style.

Over 400 people attended the day and enjoyed magic, music and amusements. Fun side show classics included; Ring the Bell, Splat the Rat and Coconut Shy to name a few. Guests were also greeted by a host of circus performers who also entertained on a main stage in a line up that included a bird of prey display and the talented Therfield School Swing Band.

         

The day was sponsored under ExxonMobil’s Day of Caring and saw over 30 staff members work tirelessly to create the day that will be cherished by all.

The day would also not have been possible without the support of the following:
• Andy Cheeseman Productions
• A&M Hawk UK
• Land of Noo
• Leatherhead Fire Service
• Mobile Ark
• Mookie Toys
• Therfield School

QEF Film Release

QEF is pleased to announce the release of a new short film, ‘Without You …’ in conjunction with its 75th year of nurturing ability out of disability.

The film celebrates the successes of four trainees / clients who have used QEF’s specialist services at our four Sites to develop greater independence and to achieve their life goals.

Directed by award winning documentary film director, Richard Blanshard, the film is narrated by Kim Wilde, vocalist and songwriter who is very much remembered for her new wave classic, ‘Kids in America’.  The film has been made with the assistance of the British Film Industry and in particular The British Board of Film Classification.

Click here to view the courage, determination and achievements of Emily, Steven, Ellen and Stephen …

If you are inspired by their achievements, and we’re sure you will be,  please visit ‘Get Involved’ to find out how you can help.

For more information please contact Jan Podsiadly on 01372 841129

Girdlers’ Medallion Award 2010

Driving Ambition Brings Girdlers’ Medallion Award for Stephen

Stephen Wagland’s delight was evident at the recent Girdlers’ Company Prizegiving Ceremony where he was awarded the Girdlers’ Medallion.

The Girdlers’ Medallions are awarded to individuals for being outstanding in their own individual circumstances and who, in the opinion of the Girdlers’ Company would be worthy recipients.

The awards have been given for the last 15 years “to reward and encourage physical, moral and academic endeavour amongst mostly young people.

Stephen’s achievement in not only passing his driving test but also his pass plus has had a significant impact in his pursuit of a place in the Paralympics with World Class Start Squad for the British Equestrian Federation.

 ”My Driving Ambition”

17-year-old Stephen Wagland’s dream is to compete in the 2012 Paralympics.  Stephen was delighted to have recently been spotted by the British Equestrian Federation who have asked him to join their World Class Start Squad which is set up to identify hopefuls for the Paralympics. 

“I believe that each of us shapes their own destiny and I just love the feeling that I have been ‘selected’ for this challenge and that I need to ‘fight’ for my opportunity to shine.  It’s every young person’s dream to represent your country in a sport you love and I could be performing in my own capital city, London.”

Stephen was born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a rare medical condition characterised by short limbs and stature and extreme pain in the hips and the knees.  Difficulty with walking and premature osteoarthritis further impedes mobility. 

“A wheelchair has been my only means of getting around since I was at secondary school and I have always valued my independence.  I remember coming with my father to Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre for advice on how to get me and my wheelchair in and out of the car and then I came back to learn to drive for myself.”

All teenagers want to drive but for Stephen it is crucial.  “It was very difficult at school watching the other children play football and knowing that I would never be able to join in.  It is all too easy to feel isolated and marginalised.  I am naturally very competitive and needed to find a way to express myself and excel at something.  Then, I became involved with horses and, in particular, the art of dressage – it was then that I found my passion and goal in life.”

With support from the Mobility Centre, Stephen was delighted to have passed his driving test in January 2009 and then his pass plus in November 2009 at the Centre and have the opportunity to learn how to drive and become more independent. “My family have been great in ferrying me around over the years but they have their own lives to lead and I will need my own transport if I am to meet the stringent training programme and have a real chance of competing.  Driving and dressage demand many of the same skills – concentration, discipline, awareness and multi-tasking, not to mention the fact that a horse has an extra dimension of having a mind of its own!”

Special Visitor to QEF

The Bishop of Guildford, The Right Revd Christopher Hill visited Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People to get to know the charity and its work more closely.  He was accompanied by QEF’s President, Corinna, Lady Hamilton of Dalzell.

The Right Revd toured all the four specialist sites in Leatherhead, Banstead and Carshalton and was introduced to the work of QEF in support of adults with disabilities.

The highlight of day was a being interviewed by two clients at Neuro Rehabilitation Services’ radio station.  Sean and Mark did an entertaining mock interview with The Right Revd.

Received a suspicious email?

If you receive an email that appears to come from QEF which seems to be too good to be true it probably is!

We are aware that emails are in circulation claiming to be from Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation. Some of them use our logo, address details and registered charity number, all in an attempt to make the email appear genuine.

Usually they advise of a sum of money payable to you in return for personal information such as your bank details. Or, the email may ask you to send a ‘small’ payment to cover the ‘expenses’ of getting this payment to you.

THESE ARE FRAUDALENT, SCAM EMAILS AND DO NOT ORIGINATE FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FOUNDATION.

QEF is an organisation that provides support and training for disabled people.
It does not distribute funds to individuals as suggested by these emails.

What can you do to help?

Should you receive a suspicious email:

Please do not reply as this will verify your email address among lists of thousands of which are used and could result in more mail of this type in your inbox.

Please do contact the relevant Internet Service Provider, as shown in the sender’s address, and report the email, for example:
abuse@hotmail.com
abuse@yahoo.com
abuse@google.com

QEF has alerted various official organisations of this problem and we will continue to press authorities to bring activities of this kind under control. In the meantime, we do assure you that QEF is monitoring this situation but should you have any questions, please contact us on 01372 841100.

QEF Showcase Ability

Countries come together to showcase their abilities

Disabled Clients at QEF’s Independent Living Services in Leatherhead are hosting and starring in an evening of theatrical performances with friends from Greece, Germany and Spain.

The evening is being held to showcase the work of four international organisations, who thanks to the ELDEP project which is funded by the Grundtvig Organisation of the European Union, were brought together and given a platform to express themselves and educate others about their respective countries and abilities.

The ELDEP Project stands for European Learning and Development Exchange Programme. It involves clients with learning difficulties from Germany, Greece, Spain and the U.K travelling to each country to host a week of activities, concluding in a dramatic performance in Surrey.

Cathy Cannon, one of the organisers responsible for the evening taking place, said,
“All the clients that are taking part are so happy, they love being able to participate in something creative. I think this type of activity shows that people can work together to create fabulous friendships and productions, despite communication and geographical barriers.”

One of QEF’s Independent Living Clients, who is taking part in the event, Sarah Mosenthal, said, “ELDEP is wonderful. I have loved working with the other people in all the different countries, and have made really good friends even though we don’t speak the same language. I can’t wait for the show in April!”

The final show to bring all this work together will be on Saturday 17th April at 7.30pm at Esher Church of England High School. The show will consist of short plays of a general 60’s theme performed by each international group and a display of all the work that has been produced throughout.

The performance will be open to the public; Tickets are free although donations are appreciated.

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