A Charity Fashion Show is being held to support Independent Options on Tuesday 22 November 2011. Click here for full details. The Alexandra Hospital, in partnership with FIZZ , is offering a 'buy on the night' sale of high fashion clothes and accessories at great prices. Tickets are £5.00 and include a glass of wine/soft drink and a raffle ticket.
Independent Options' Chief Executive, Chris Barker said; "We are delighted to have this support from The Alexandra Hospital and I hope that plenty of people will come along and make some good additions to their winter wardrobe before Christmas or choose some presents for family and friends!"
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Wed 26 Oct 2011
Looking for pre-school play activities?
Are you looking for acitivites for your pre-school child with learning disabilities/additional needs? Many of the children we work with in our Children and Family Centre have gone to school so we have places at many of our groups for the 0 - 5 age range. Click here for full details!
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Thu 06 Oct 2011
Support from Stockport College!
Stockport College has chosen Independent Options to be their 'Principal's charity' of 2012-2013. Students and staff will carry out fundraising activities from April next year to raise money to support our services. The College is particularly keen to help us with our fundraising to provide sensory play and other activities within our Children and Family Centre, which relies on charitable funding.
Independent Options' fundraiser, Chris Bryan said: "We are absolutely delighted that Stockport College is supporting us next year. We see it as a partnership arrangement and I will be doing everything possible to support their fundraising activities and help them to help us."
Chief Executive, Christine Barker, said: "We are so pleased that our charity has been chosen. Learning and other disabilities are not always at the forefront of people's minds, but any family can be affected at any time. We know that with the right support, people with disabilities can reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives - and those who love and care for them can cope better with the daily challenges they face. With the support of Stockport College, we will be able to do so much more for young children with additional needs who deserve the best start in life."
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Thu 06 Oct 2011
Staff Abseil for Independent Options!
Four brave staff from Independent Options have done an abseil to raise money to support our services. Roo Lumb, Helen Doherty, Andrea Rowson and Heather Mackay completed the 60 metre abseil challenge at the Trafford Bell Tower in fine weather - and enjoyed their experience.
Roo Lumb said: "It was a fantastic experience, I have done an abseil before but this was the longest one! The view was amazing and it was a great way to have fun while raising money for our services."
Independent Options is currently developing its community fundraising programme with the aim of raising extra money to support people with disabilities and their families. There is a focus on the Children and Family Centre, which relies on voluntary income to provide inclusive play opportunities and support for parents of children with additional needs. Money raised can help to pay for the equipment needed in the Centre and also pays for activities such as 'singing and signing' sensory play and training courses to support parents.
Chief Executive Christine Barker said: "It is really brilliant to see so many of our staff getting involved in fundraising activities. All the money we raise will go directly to benefit people who use our services. I have no head for heights so I take my hat off to Roo, Helen, Andrea and Heather!".
If you are interested in fundraising for Independent Options we can suggest plenty of ideas and support you in your fundraising activity. For further details please visit our Fundraising Events page.
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Mon 26 Sep 2011
Visit from Emmerdale star!
Stockport actor Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesey in Emmerdale, took time off from filming recently to visit Independent Options. Danny’s aunt, Madeleine Hennessy works for us and she invited him to our Children and Family Centre where he joined in a play afternoon with a group of children with additional needs.
Service Manager Nicky Jones said:” We were really thrilled that Danny was able to come along to see what we do and support our work. It was a great afternoon. Danny was fantastic with the children....and I think the mums had a good time too!"
"Danny said: "The charity is doing a fantastic job and it was brilliant to see all the kids having such a great time. The Centre is a really welcoming place and I learned a lot about how they support children and families who are affected by disability.“.
Fri 29 Jul 2011
Fun and games at the Summer Fair!
For the second year running, the Children and Family Centre's 'Little Summer Fair' has been a great success. Thanks to a team of volunteers from Barclays and the efforts of Independent Options' staff and volunteers, local children and families enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games, including face painting, hook a duck, bric a brac and toy sales. Over £500 was raised to support the work of the Centre, providing inclusive play opportunities and family support.
Children and Family Centre Manager Nicky Jones said "We were delighted that so many of our families came along, and we were helped out by a great team of volunteers....and the good weather! We are very grateful to the team from Barclays for helping us and every penny we raised from the event will be used to support children with disabilities and their families."
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Tue 12 Jul 2011
Record Attendance at Feedback Event!
Independent Options recently held its annual ‘Have Your Say’ Party, which enables people who use our services to tell us what they think of their support and how we can improve. A group of people representing all the different services were supported by staff to plan the event and it was very successful, with a record number of 47 people attending.
People enjoyed a lot of different activities, which had been designed to help them give us feedback. These included the ever popular ‘Big Brother Diary Room’, where people talk into the camera and express their views. As usual there was karaoke, which many people enjoy and there was a delicious buffet, thanks to the staff and volunteers who came along and helped us to organise the event.
Chief Executive of Independent Options, Christine Barker, said: "It was a fantastic day with a brilliant atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the information we gained is now being analysed. We will send a summary of the responses to everyone we support and we will also be telling them about improvements we plan to make in response to their feedback".
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Thu 28 Apr 2011
Children and Family Centre Seeking Volunteers
The Independent Options Children and Family Centre is looking for new volunteers to help with the running of groups offering ‘inclusive’ activities for children up to the age of 10 years. These are great fun and run throughout the week all year and are no more than 2 hours long. We actively encourage extended family members to come along and we offer activities for siblings of children who have special needs.
Centre Manager Nicky Jones said: "All of the children come along with a grown-up who stays with them. Our aim is for the parents and carers to have time to relax, have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat with other adults while we offer some fun play time with the children. We have eight brilliant volunteers at the moment and we really rely on them to help us keep things going".
Nicky hopes to build up the volunteer 'workforce' so that the Centre can do even more to support families and children who are affected by disability. Volunteers could help with: - Pre - school toddler groups - Opportunity groups - After school club - Weekend art and craft activities - Movie Mornings - School holidays club
Nicky said: "There are lots of different roles that people can take on from being a general helper in the sessions to helping with activities such as music or arts and crafts. Our volunteers all tell us they have a great time working with us, so that's got to be a great recommendation!"
For further information about volunteering in the Children and Family Centre please go to the Work for Us pages and if you are interested please contact Nicky Jones by phone on 0161 456 6502 or by email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Tue 12 Apr 2011
Awards and celebrations for staff and trustees
Over 50 staff from Independent Options recently joined trustees and senior managers at a special event at the Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport to celebrate their long-service and professional achievements. Chair, Keith Burdett presented awards to staff who, have been with the organisation for at least ten years.
Chief Executive, Christine Barker said: “Compared with similar organisations, we have a very low staff turnover. The fact that so many people choose to stay within Independent Options is a real indicator that they enjoy coming to work, identify with our values and have positive working relationships with the people who use our services. We are really proud of everyone whose commitment we are acknowledging today”
Keith also presented awards to staff who had completed various educational and professional courses ranging from NVQs to Masters Degrees. Keith said: “A key element of providing quality services is having staff who are highly trained and we are delighted that so many of our employees have achieved vocational and professional qualifications”.
The work of Independent Options’ trustees was also celebrated at the event. Trustee, Pauline White, received an award in recognition of her long service on the Board and Christine Barker presented a special award to Keith Burdett to mark his 25 years as a trustee and almost 20 years in the role of Chair.
Christine told the audience that Keith’s contribution to the organisation had not only been a long one, but a special one. She said that, as the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities, Keith has an absolute understanding of the impact that disability has on individuals, families and the community. She said: “He is driven in his desire to ensure that we provide the very best services to people with disabilities and genuine support to their families. Everyone who works with Keith can see how he applies his intellect, honesty and integrity to everything he does on the organisation’s behalf. We all congratulate him on his outstanding commitment over the last 25 years and for his ongoing hard work in the role of Chair”.
Staff and Trustees afterthe celebration and lunch
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Mon 04 Apr 2011
A Day for Celebrating Families
The Independent Options Children and Family Centre recently held two events to introduce families to person-centred approaches for their children. The events aimed to bring children with additional needs and their families together to share experiences and gain information that will enhance their family life.
The events were based on the Celebrating Families Toolkit, which was developed as part of a one-year partnership between Helen Sanderson Associates and MacIntyre, an organisation working with people who have learning disabilities. Using the principles of person-centred thinking, the toolkit offers a practical guide for parents so that they can appreciate each individual within the family and find ways of navigating through life, especially during periods of transition.
The events at the Children and Family Centre were facilitated by Centre staff, Katy Priest (Play Worker) and Rifath Khan (Family Support Worker), along with Rachel Roberts from the Aspirations for Life Project and Susan Camps who has had a lead role in the production of the Celebrating Families Toolkit.
The first event enabled whole families to participate in activities that were designed to help them think about important things in their lives. One activity involved making a ‘person-centred flower’. Each family wrote on the petals of their flower the things that are important to them, things they enjoy doing as a family and the names of other people who are important in their family. On the leaves they wrote different ways they could do the things they enjoy and the ways they can show each other how important they are.
The children also made outfits to express their ideas about their dreams for their future and their families then looked at how they could help their children achieve their aspirations.
The second event was an evening for parents to talk more about person-centred planning and start to think about the future in a positive way. Children and Family Centre Manager Nicky Jones said “These were great events and I think the activities and discussions enabled both parents and children to get in touch with things they had forgotten and express things that were really important to them.”
‘Celebrating Families’ comes to Independent Options
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Mon 21 Mar 2011
World Autism Awareness Day
The United Nations has declared Saturday 2 April 2011 as World Autism Awareness Day to increase knowledge and understanding of autism across the world. In the UK, autism affects as many as 1 in 100 people and many people are undiagnosed, misunderstood and in need of support.
As an organisation that provides support to people with autism, Independent Options is helping to publicise a local event, which has been timed to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day. Stockport Council, NHS Stockport and the National Autistic Society are working together to develop a local strategy for autism and are holding a consultation day for adults (aged 16+) with autism and their families and carers. They are holding a consultation day on Monday 4 April where people will be able to drop in to give their input and ideas about how local services should be developed.
David Little (Director of Services) said: "At Independent Options, we are keen to make sure that the individuals and families we work with know about this consultation event so that they can influence the development of local autism strategy and services".
Poynton Round Table has donated £2,000 to Independent Options to help us support people with disabilities to get out and about in the community.
Chief Executive of Independent Options, Christine Barker said “ We are absolutely delighted that Poynton Round Table have made such a generous donation, which will help us keep our two specially adapted vehicles running next year. We use one to provide weekends away for children with complex and additional needs, giving much needed breaks to families, who can relax knowing that their children are safe with us and having fun. The other vehicle is used by people who come for short breaks at our two guesthouses for people with learning disabilities in Stockport. Providing transport enables our guests to enjoy a wide range of activities that can be difficult to access by public transport”.
Robin Richards, Chair of Poynton Round Table, said “Independent Options is doing invaluable work in our local area to support adults and children with disabilities to have the same opportunities as everyone else and be as independent as possible. We have learned about the different support services the charity provides and these are making a real difference to the quality of disabled people’s lives. We are very pleased to be able to offer this support, especially at a time when all charities are challenged by the economic climate”.
Poynton Round Table will continue to support Independent Options during the coming year. A team of its members is going to help the charity develop a sensory garden that will be enjoyed by people who have complex physical and learning disabilities. Christine Barker said “We can’t thank Poynton Round Table enough for taking on the challenge of giving our garden a makeover. The idea is to provide a relaxing and stimulating space with some raised beds, pathways for people who use wheelchairs, plenty of fragranced plants and maybe a water feature to provide pleasant sounds. The guys from Round Table are going to provide the hard labour and help with the planting, but we will have to come up with the design before they can get started. If there are any budding Alan Titchmarshes or Monty Dons out there who would like to donate some time and skill to help us with this exciting project we would love to hear from them!”
Poynton Round Table present the big cheque! Left to right, Richard Buckle, Robin Richards (Poyton Round Table Chairman), Christine Barker (Chief Executive of Independent Options), Andrew Emerson.
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Fri 04 Mar 2011
We have a new name!
Independent Options' Members, who are all people who use our services, or their families, have recently agreed that our official charity name can be changed from 'Independent Options (Stockport) Limited' to 'Independent Options (North West)'.
The change was made at the end of February 2011 and our name now reflects plans to work in neighbouring boroughs as well as in Stockport. Our children's community support services are already operating in Oldham and we are hoping to take up more opportunities to work in other areas.
Chief Executive, Christine Barker explained "At the moment the majority of our services are delivered in Stockport and, by working with adults, young people and children who live in other local authority areas, we will be able to secure income from new sources over the next three years. This will help us to make sure that our organisation will be financially sound in the longer-term".
Independent Options was set up by Stockport families in 1977 to provide short breaks services, which they desperately needed at the time. Over the years, we have continued to respond to what families want and the organisation has grown and developed. Our plans to extend our work into new local authority areas represent the next stage of our develoment.
Christine Barker said "Our success in Stockport has been built on our ethos of having a very local focus and putting the people who use our services, and their families, at the heart of everything we do. Our new name is a sign of our ambition and desire to take this approach into new places.".
Fri 28 Jan 2011
New group at the Children and Family Centre
The Children and Family Centre is setting up a new group to support parents whose children are affected by Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Family Support Worker, Rifat Khan said: "The group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month and will offer parents the opportunity to get together with other parents who understand the issues they face. People will be able to find out useful information and share experiences in a relaxed and welcoming setting".
Following on from a recent visit from Mark Hunter MP, Nicky Jones has been speaking to Pure 107.8FM about how Independent Options is using the Big Lottery grant that funds the work of its Children and Family Centre.
Pure 107.8 FM broadcasts exclusively in Stockport and adults with learning, physical and/or sensory disabilities have an active role in running and promoting the station. Nicky Jones said: “I was delighted to be able to talk to Pure FM and tell their listeners about the work we do at Independent Options to support children with additional needs and their families. We are keen to take up other opportunities to link up with the local media so that families in Stockport know what we do and how our Centre can support them”.
Visit the Services page to find out more about the Children and Family Centre
Click on the interview below to hear Nicky Jones talking to Pure 107.8FM
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Thu 06 Jan 2011
New Year, New Appointment!
David Little has joined Independent Options as Director of Services. This new post has been created to provide leadership and support to our operational management team who are responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality and cost-effective services. The new role will support the development of new services, especially those for people with Individual Budgets.
David, who has a professional background in learning disability nursing, joins us after ten years of working in the Hesley Group, where he was responsible for the operation of a range of services for people with learning disabilities, complex needs, challenging behaviours and autistic spectrum disorders.
David said "I am delighted to be joining Independent Options at a time when the social care sector is facing great challenges, changes and opportunities and I am looking forward to the year ahead". Chief Executive Chris Barker said: "David's experience and expertise will undoubtedly be of great benefit to our organisation and we wish him well in his post".
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Fri 10 Dec 2010
Sub-Committee Party Time!
People who serve on the Independent Options Service User sub-committee got together with staff for a Christmas celebration after a year of hard work helping with various aspects of running the organisation. Sub-committee members have played an important part in reviewing and amending policies, planning and organising meetings and events and being part of an interview and assessment process for a senior management post.
Some people came in fancy dress so the party was attended by Santa Claus, an Angel and a Clown! It was a great success, with a very competetive Christmas quiz, some impressive kareoke singing and a delicious Christmas buffet.
Independent Options' Chief Executive Chris Barker said: "This sub-committee of our main Board of Trustees is a really important part of our governance structure. It ensures that our services are driven by the views and wishes of the people who use them. We are grateful to all the members of the sub-committee, which meets every two months, and to the staff who support them to participate and enjoy the experience".
In the new year it will be back to business as usual for the sub-committee, an early task being the planning for Independent Options' annual 'Have Your Say' event, which enables people to give feedback about services and put forward ideas for changes and improvements.
Winners of the Christmas quiz, aptly named 'The Best Dressed Team' .
Wed 08 Dec 2010
A new way to support Independent Options!
Independent Options' supporters can now raise funds to support our work just by shopping online. We have just launched Give as you Live, an online shopping App that can turn every pound people spend online into funds to support our work.
The initiative is managed by Everyclick, a well established company with a search engine of the same name, that raises money for charities. From flights to insurance to groceries, when people shop online with Give as You Live they will pay the same price for the same products from their favourite websites. Over 1,000 well-known stores, such as Tesco, are participating, with more joining the scheme all the time.
Independent Options Chief Executive, Chris Barker said: "The beauty of Give as you Live is that our supporters won't need to change their online shopping habits to raise money for us. Once they have downloaded the App, which takes a few minutes, it will appear when they go to their usual websites andthey will be help us raise much-needed extra funds to support our services.
Chris added: "At a time of year when so many of us are using the Internet to shop for Christmas gifts, I really hope that people who are interested in our work will download the App using the icon from our website......and tell everyone they know about this easy way to help us!"
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Tue 30 Nov 2010
A Happy Holiday!
Four people who live together in one of our supported living services recently enjoyed a sea cruise, taking in the ports of Vigo, Lisbon, La Rochelle and Brest. With support from Independent Options staff they planned and organised their trip and reported that they had a very happy holiday. One of the group, Melissa Anderson, said, "We all had a great experience as we haven't done this before. It was the best holiday I've been on".
Chris Barker, Independent Options' Chief Executive, said, "As an organisation we have a lot of expertise in enabling people with disabilities to access holidays of their choice in a huge range of destinations. It is a real pleasure to hear how much this group enjoyed themselves on their cruise and how well our staff supported them".
To read Melissa's account of the cruise go to Stories
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Mon 29 Nov 2010
MP visits the Children and Family Centre
Mark Hunter MP recently paid a special visit to our Children and Family Centre, accompanied by Helen Bullough, Head of North West Region for the Big Lottery Fund. Helen wanted to show the MP how over £288,000 Reaching Communities funding is helping Independent Options to deliver services to vulnerable children and families.
Mark thanked the Big Lottery Fund for funding the Children and Family Centre, which is using the money to provide inclusive groups where children with disabilities and children who do not have disabilities can play and learn together. Our Staff told him about the range of activities for pre-school and school age children up to 10 years including, arts and crafts, imaginative play, sensory play, yoga, ‘singing and signing’, storytelling and computer sessions. He also learned about support the Centre provides to the families of children with disabilities.
Independent Options Children and Family Centre Manager Nicky Jones said “Parents are telling us that the atmosphere we have created here is right for them and their children who have disabilities. Many families are dealing with a great deal of stress and get a lot out of sharing their experiences with other people in similar situations and having support from our staff. We cannot thank The Big Lottery enough for the funding, which is helping us to do such positive work.”
Left to right: Helen Bullough (Big Lottery Fund), Chris Barker (Independent Options Chief Executive), Mark Hunter MP, Nicky Jones (Children and Family Centre Manager)
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Wed 17 Nov 2010
Deputy Chair Appointed
John Woodruff has been appointed by his fellow trustees as the Deputy Chair of Independent Options. As well as stepping in for the Chair, Keith Burdett, he will work closely with the other trustees and the senior management team to make sure that the Charity's strategy continues to deliver high quality support to people with disabilities, enabling them to enjoy fulfilling lives.
"I know from the experience of my sister, Ann, how services like Supported Living and Holiday Breaks give people real independence", said John.
" We are operating in difficult times financially, but we have committed in our recent strategy to modernise our organisation, grow our portfolio of services, within our areas of core expertise, and to diversify our income. I am totally committed to supporting Independent Options to achieve these objectives".
John, who joined the Independent Options Board in 2007 and has a background in business, will step down from his current role as the Charity's Treasurer when a replacement has been found.
John lives in Marple with his wife Debbie and has three grown up children. He pastimes include just about anything to do with music or theatre.
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Tue 09 Nov 2010
Care Quality Commission praises Shared Lives services in England
Independent Options welcomes the announcement today that Shared Lives (Adult Placement) services are providing England’s best-rated form of care, support and accommodation for people with disabilities and older people.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the government’s social care inspectors for England, have released their last ever annual report showing that 97% of Shared Lives schemes met or exceeded National Minimum Standards for “living an ordinary life” in 2010.
Independent Options’ Shared Lives (Adult Placement) services maintained their Excellent CQC rating following a key inspection this year, contributing to the success noted in the CQC annual report. Audrey Wilson (Registered Manager for Adult Placement) said,
"We are proud of our Excellent rated service and we owe so much to the Carers who share their homes and their lives with people who have disabilities. The CQC report highlights that services like ours are only being offered to a fraction of the number of older and disabled people receiving more expensive forms of care in England, such as residential and domiciliary care. We hope that this will encourage local authorities across the country to view Shared Lives as an option for more people who could really thrive by living with a family on a long-term basis or having short breaks with families when they need them”.
With the festive season approaching, the Independent Options Children and Family Centre will be planning its programme of Christmas activities. Centre Manager Nicky Jones said "We hope families will keep an eye on the Children and Family Centre page of the Independent Options website where we will be publishing details of events that are coming up" Visit the page now to find out about 'Peter Pan' at the Plaza! .
Fri 05 Nov 2010
Introducing Groovy Moovers!
A new music and movement initiative, Groovy Moovers, is starting at the Independent Options Children and Family Centre this month. The first event - the Groovy Moovers Picnic - is on 19 November and there will be more events in the coming months. Centre Manager Nicky Jones said, "Our Groovy Moovers activities will be great fun for children who love singing, dancing and generally enjoying music. Although this first event is for pre-school children, we hope that people will look out for details of future events, as we will be catering for all the age groups of children who use our Centre".
Staff and Trustees after the celebration and lunch
