prayer diary - livability.org.uk · one of the specialised services livability offers is acquired...

Passion for community+ Your church+ Good news− Isolation− Deprivation+ 97 cups of tea

Prayer diaryMay/Aug 2018

32 Livability Prayer Diary May-Aug 2018

People’s lives do better when they are connectedDear Prayer Supporter,Every day at Livability, we see how the little steps and actions that people take can really add up to a more included and supported life. Both personally and professionally, people’s lives do better when they are connected.This is true for an individual like Darren (see real life stories, p4), whom Livability has supported to live more independently, increasing his life skills like cooking and accessing public transport.It’s true for communities like Poole, Dorset, where Livability is partnering with other agencies to beat social isolation and help to make deeper connections in the region.

In this season’s prayer diary, we consider and celebrate the value of communities working together. From marathon runners, dementia inclusive church groups, employment support services and more… it all adds up. Thank you for praying.Mat Ray Head of Church Partnerships

About LivabilityLivability is the disability charity that connects people with their communities. We tackle social isolation and the barriers that can cause this in the lives of disabled and vulnerable people. Through a wide range of disability, education, training and community services, we promote inclusion and wellbeing for all. Inspired by our Christian ethos, we work to see people take part, contribute and be valued.We put the elements in place that all add up to connected lives and communities.

Many of the stories mentioned in this booklet are available on our charity blog. Make sure you visit at: www.livability.org.uk/blog You can also follow our story on our social media channels, using LivabilityUK

Friendship+ Connections× Happiness


News and real life storiesWorking through the local church, our disability services, with community partners and healthcare providers, enable the people we serve to live more connected lives and create stronger communities, every single day.

Introducing Livability's new CEO Livability has made a new CEO appointment at the charity. Helen England, previously Director of Strategy, Organisational Development and Workforce at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, will be the charity’s next CEO. Helen will succeed Dave Webber, who retires as CEO

from Livability in May, following six years in the role and a total of fifteen years with the charity.

Darren’s storyDarren uses Livability’s services in Llandudno for a couple of hours each day, to support him with the tasks involved with running his own home. Delivering the local paper, and volunteering in local shops and the hospital café are just some of the ways that people supported by Livability play a part in their community.

Ivan’s storyIvan manages Livability Dolphin Court, our residential care home in Southend, which is home to 16 disabled adults. What makes it all add up for Ivan? ‘For me, the best thing about working at Dolphin Court is the staff team and seeing individuals go from strength

to strength.’ Ivan, who recently won a Livability staff award, has inspired staff and residents to take part and contribute, wherever they can.

Ability SundayLivability has announced the date of 9 September for this year’s Ability Sunday – an all-inclusive day that welcomes the gifts of all.Livability is calling churches UK-wide to join together and mark out this as a special day in their community. With a focus on disability, the day is about celebrating the gifts of everyone and working for inclusive and accessible church.Building on broader work and training from Livability about accessible church, Ability Sunday provides churches with information on inclusive church as well as tools for an accessible service. This includes a sermon outline and notes – based on a Biblical theme. www.livability.org.uk/abilitysunday


MayThank you for being a Livability prayer supporter – your prayers are greatly valued and impact the people we support in our frontline services. This month, we would like to focus prayer on mental health and living with dementia, both growing areas of our work with churches and communities.

6 May – Making memories together When Mary, who has lived at Livability Brookside for 50 years, was diagnosed with dementia, manager Diane Cannas wanted to make sure she didn’t lose her connection with those around her. Staff and residents worked together on a memory book, celebrating Margaret’s rich life as part of a caring community. Let’s thank God for every initiative across Livability that enriches life for those living with dementia.

13 May – Mental health awarenessLast year we prayed for supporter Pete Thompson, who raised funds and awareness for Livability and mental health by running 44 marathons in 44 days in 44 countries. Now Pete is to run the 2,000-plus-mile route of the Tour de France, again in support of Livability. He starts on 19 May – let’s pray for safety, success and far-reaching impact for Pete’s amazing endeavour.

20 May – Keep talking about dementiaAs we start Dementia Action Week, please pray that our new free resource ‘My Faith Matters’ on spiritual wellbeing for people living with dementia will have a powerful effect on many people’s lives. You can download My Faith Matters from 21 May at: www.livability.org.uk/MyFaithMatters

27 May – Lifting the Lid on mental healthWith one in four people experiencing mental illness in the UK each week, Livability has launched a free resource – Lifting the Lid – to help small church groups use the Bible as a guide to emotional and mental wellbeing. Please pray that this resource will serve to connect churches more closely to people living with poor mental health. Take a look at www.livability.org.uk/liftingthelid

Pop-up prayers Since our mental health resource Lifting the Lid was launched in the New Year, it’s already been accessed by 1,500 people. Says Livability’s Mat Ray: ‘If there was one overwhelming message I heard from Christians who struggle with poor mental health, it would be 'talk to us!' I hope that this resource helps to lift the lid on stigma and silence.’ Let’s pray that thousands more churches will use Lifting the Lid in 2018.

Prayer+ Focus× Impact

Why is our work needed? Fewer than half of people with dementia (47%) feel part of the community. This figure drops considerably as dementia advances. (Alzheimer’s Society)


JuneAt Livability, we see what great care looks like every day through the work of our staff and volunteers. Our staff, and the families of people we support, tell us that caring is hugely rewarding, but also demanding and potentially isolating. We’ll concentrate our prayers this month on all who are in a caring role, whether paid or unpaid.

3 June – Life after injuryOne of the specialised services Livability offers is acquired brain injury rehabilitation at Livability Icanho. Icanho’s expert staff work closely with the client’s carer and family to support them as they adjust to life after an injury to someone they love. Please pray for connections with others to be made and not lost, for every client and carer in contact with Livability Icanho.

10 June – Remember the carersAs Carers’ Week highlights the role of the 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, let’s pray for the state to put more value on those fulfilling a caring role. Please pray for God’s blessing on all Livability initiatives and resources that support carers through their church or community – see www.livability.org.uk/services

17 June – A boot camp volunteer group that saved the dayA local exercise ‘Boot camp’ club, recently sprang in to action to help staff and users of Livability’s wellbeing discovery centre. The site’s utility vehicle was stolen, leaving local site work, upkeep and maintenance in this rugged area difficult to manage. The 40 strong team of volunteers turned up to help dig ditches, clear pathways and fill potholes. Their caring actions have really turned a minus to a plus. Give thanks for the care of volunteers in the life of our charity.

24 June – Caring above and beyondLivability’s 2,000 staff consistently go the extra mile to ensure the people we care for can take part, contribute and be valued in their community. Please give thanks to God for the outstanding care staff provide across our services, supporting disabled and vulnerable people in residential settings or in their own home, through education, and through spinal and brain injury rehabilitation.

People+ Support× Rewards

Pop-up prayers Take time to pray for the people that use our services and their networks of support. Pray that these communities of care continue to thrive and be a place where everyone can share their gifts.

Why is our work needed?8 out of 10 carers have felt lonely or isolated as a result of looking after a loved one.(Carers UK)


JulyLivability works hard to enable people who want to work to find a job, whether paid or volunteering. This month we celebrate with people we support who have overcome barriers to get into the workplace – and we pray that disability will cease to be a barrier to employment in UK society.

1 July – Journey to workAs we mark Disability Awareness Day UK today, let’s remember Livability’s work in employment support. Over the years Livability has worked with a wide range of people looking for self-employment opportunities. Our experienced team has helped to launch over 150 businesses. Please pray for lives changed this year as people successfully find a route away from isolation and into employment through the charity’s work

8 July – Local heroesThe local paper in Llandudno drops through letterboxes thanks to a hardworking delivery team from Livability Conwy’s day service, which supports people with intellectual disabilities. Distribution manager Steve Bridge praises the team’s ‘excellent’ work. Let’s thank God for all the ways that people supported by Livability contribute to their community through their work.

15 July – Building futuresLivability Ucan is helping people to pursue vocational paths, enjoy new skills and access new employment opportunities in the Dorset region. The project is part funded by the European Social Fund and The Big Lottery through Building Better Opportunities in Dorset. UCan is based on the belief that ‘you can’. You can 'you can' - learn something new, get trained, grow confidence, and take the next step. Please pray for those that choose to explore the service.

22 July – Let me inAccessibility for everyone was paramount when Livability designed their national office in North Greenwich, so that everyone can contribute. Sadly this is not the case for many places of work, despite the recommendations of the Disability Discrimination Act,

with inadequate space or lack of facilities remaining a barrier for disabled people. Please pray for significant progress in this area in the UK.

29 July – Finding a vocationLivability invests in staff like Emily, who joined one of our residential homes as a care worker. With no previous experience, she quickly showed a natural vocation for her role, and 18 months on, the home’s manager is looking for promotion opportunities for her. Let’s pray for gifted staff to join Livability’s services that are currently recruiting.

Pop-up prayers Please pray that more job opportunities will open up for the people we support, providing more ways for people to connect with their community.

Ability− Barriers× Support

Why is our work needed?Raising awareness of disability in the workplace is vital. 1 in 5 employers say they would be less likely to employ a disabled person (Papworth Trust)


AugustAt Livability, we are passionate about supporting the physical, mental, spiritual and social wholeness of the people we serve. We’ll pray this month for opportunities for rest and relaxation – and breaking down some of the barriers that result in poorer wellbeing for the people we serve.

5 Aug – Fun in the sun‘People come back revitalised, talking about everything they’ve done when they return from holiday,’ says Theresa Fry, deputy manager at Livability Netteswell Rectory, home to nine disabled adults. Friends at this service like Steph and Penny choose to go away together, supported by staff, ‘because they really like each other’s company,’ says Theresa. Please pray for a boost in health and wellbeing for everyone in the Livability community embarking on a holiday, and their carers.

12 Aug – Ways to wellbeingFinding different ways to grow wellbeing is vital to good health and life outcomes. People’s lives and wellbeing do better when they have the chance to connect with others. Livability Holton Lee provides a wide range of activities that help people relax. From birdwatching to horticultural therapy and ceramics, let's thank God that the Holton Lee environment has something to offer everyone.

19 Aug – Change is requiredIf you’re on holiday or having a day out, you probably take access to a public toilet for granted. But for many of the people we support, using a public toilet is not an option – they need a better equipped facility like those provided by ‘Changing Places’ toilets. Please pray that local communities see the need to work together and provide many more of these facilities.

26 Aug – Conversation startersDorset is a popular holiday destination, but life can be challenging for older people who live in the county, where social isolation is a concern. Please pray for Christian agencies, including Livability, and churches in Poole who are working together through the Poole Conversation partnership, to connect older people with activities and friends near their homes.

Pop-up prayers A recent study of 5,000 adults suggests a person’s happiness is dependent on the happiness of those around them. If you are happy, you could be increasing the happiness of your neighbours by 25% - one great community benefit from taking Livability’s The Happiness Course. Let’s pray that many communities will benefit from The Happiness Course in the coming months.

Why is our work needed? Of families with disabled children, over 80% report that they cannot afford days out and 65% feel socially isolated. (Contact a Family)

Passion+ Opportunity× Wellbeing


How your support helpsWe’re so glad that you’re part of the praying community that supports Livability’s work. Would you like to deepen your connection with Livability? Any support you can offer will help us connect disabled and vulnerable people with their community so that their lives, health and wellbeing do better.There are all sorts of ways to join in.

Donate: Make a one-off or a regular donation. Whatever you can give will enable Livability to impact the lives of the people we serve.

Volunteer: Volunteer at one of our services, join a local Friends Group to help us raise funds, or get active in your community or church. Whatever your reason for volunteering, we want to hear from you.

Share your story: How are you reaching out to others and tackling isolation? What are you doing to grow community connections and boost wellbeing? Send us your stories about what’s adding up for you in your life and community. We may feature it on our charity blog and social media channels.

Become a church or community partner: Livability works with local churches and community partners as key agents of local change. If you’d like to get active in your community – contact us today to find out how you can become a partner.www.livability.org.uk/joinin

Ref PD 05/18

With new data protection regulations becoming law in May 2018 we want to provide extra information to ensure you are fully aware of how we may use your data and your rights. We value your vital support and want to ensure all our supporters are protected and informed.

We may process your information for communicating to you about our work via newsletters, fundraising appeals and other charitable activity via channels indicated by your preferences above. We promise to keep your details safe and secure and to hold your data for no longer than 5 years without renewing your permission – for further information, please read our privacy notice at www.livability.org.uk.

Your rights under the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) entitle you to request a copy of any information we may hold about you or to update any inaccurate information we hold about you. If you have a complaint regarding the use of your data that we cannot satisfy, you can contact the Information Commissioners Office at www.ico.org.uk

You can change how you hear from us at any time by contacting us on 020 7452 2121 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or email: [email protected] or writing to us at Livability, 6 Mitre Passage, London SE10 0ER.

Yes! I want to know more about Livability.Please keep in touch with me by:

Post Email SMS Phone

Title: First name:Surname:Address: Postcode:Email:Church name:

Mobile number: 0 7 I am over 18 years old

I’d like to find out more about: How my church can respond to dementia How The Happiness Course could bring hope to my community How to encourage my church to welcome and include disabled people How Livability’s training can help my church’s community projects How my church can support Livability

You can also visit our website www.livability.org.uk to find out morePlease return this form to:Livability, Communications Team, 6 Mitre Passage, London SE10 0ERThank you for your support

Contact us:Mat RayPray for Livability Editor6 Mitre Passage, London, SE10 0ERTel: 020 7452 2000Email: [email protected]

www.livability.org.uk LivabilityUK

Livability is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in England and Wales. Charity No: 1116530 and Company No: 5967087. Registered office: 6 Mitre Passage, London, SE10 0ER.

With thanks to Nancy Honey for some photos featured.

prayer diary - livability.org.uk · one of the specialised services livability offers is acquired...

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