A community based enterprise run by and for people with disabilities and their families
Purple Umbrella is an exciting voluntary organisation for people with disabilities, their families and support staff who are looking for interesting daytime activities and to build friendships. We are set up particularly to support people with higher level needs, who require one to one support, their families and staff members. Our philosophy is that all our members should have opportunities to lead full and active lives as individuals, and that whether you are a PA/support worker, a family member or carer or the person supported, we are all in a better place with mutual help and support from our peers.
Our board members are all local people with a passion for good support and are
| Tess Reddington, Chair, Parent Carer |
| Jane Greenwood, Secretary, Parent Carer |
| Anja Byrne, Treasurer, Health and Social Care Worker |
| Jan Fitzsimons, Board Member, Development Worker |
| Sandra Kershaw, Board Member, Health and Social Care Worker |
| Claire Cooper, Board Member, Teacher |
COME AND JOIN US
Here at Purple Umbrella, we support each person, regardless of level of ability or disability, to join in, make friends and feel included. Some groups are just for fun or exercise; others provide opportunities to learn new skills or volunteer. Staff and family members too have opportunities for training and developing and together we share best practice. The people we support generally need space and time to settle in, and to be listened to, so groups are small and activities are designed with each person in mind. Before you attend for the first time, we will come and meet with you to talk about what you want to achieve and how you are best supported.
Purple Umbrella’s mission is to enable people who access direct payments and who have quite substantial or specific unmet support needs to lead a full and active life in their community. We do so by providing meaningful daytime activities and opportunities for new experiences, and by ensuring well-trained and motivated staff are always available to support them
GREAT NEWS…
We are really excited to have receiving funding from the National Lottery to allow us to start up our Gardening Project and our Poster Poster and Leaflet distribution round, and funding from Sport England’s Together Fund to develop our outdoor activities Fit ‘n Fun Sessions. The National Lottery funding will allow our members to volunteer and give back to our community and the Together Fund will help keep us fit. Get in touch if you would like join us either to enjoy fit ‘n fun or to volunteer with us either Gardening at the Eccy or making sure leaflets and posters are displayed or available in up to 200 locations across West Lancashire.
ART For ALL
Our Art Group meets fortnightly on Fridays 2 -4 pm at the Ecumenical Centre. We create art that can be kept for ourselves or sold for the benefit of the group.
In December, we held our first and very successful selling event at Tawd Valley Christmas Market and proceeds will go towards more activities for the group. With the help of a graphic artist, designs have been used to create greeting cards. Our first range of cards is available to buy at http://www.thortful.com, and search “Purple Umbrella”. As a co-operative, group members are not just beneficiaries: they are artists and creators. Buying our products are great ways you can support our work.
Art Group size is small so that each person can be properly supported to fully engage, make friends and get the most from the sessions. Activities are tailored to each person’s ability and interests. Sessions are held on alternate Fridays 2 -4 pm at the Ecumenical Centre in Skelmersdale. Its £5 per year to become a member of Purple Umbrella and then the only charge is for a contribution to materials. If you think it might be for you, please get in touch.
KEEPING FIT AND HEALTHY
For many people, isolation can have a severely detrimental effect on health, and our group may be particularly vulnerable. In good weather, we meet at either in Abbey Lane Playing Fields in Burscough or locally for an active day out, to help keep us fit and healthy both mentally and physically. In the colder weather, we meet at the Older People’s Club, Lord Street. . Costs are £2 per session. Get in touch if you would like to join us.
For more information, please email us at sandraanja21@gmail.com Or Telephone Sandra – 07758 079709 or Anja – 07914 842506.
AAC SUPPORT GROUP
(Key Word Signing and Electronic Speech Support)
This group is for you if you use key word signing, or if you support someone who does, either Makaton or Signalong, or you may use an electronic speech aid to help with communication. Whether you use any form of AAC yourself, or you are a support worker/ PA or family member wishing to develop your skills, join us for a fun and friendly session where everyone learns together. We meet on the first Weds of the month, either at the Ecumenical Centre in Skelmersdale or the Older People’s Club in Burscough. New members always welcome but dates occasionally change so please check first being attending. |
FUN AND FRIENDS
A disability needn’t stop you making plans and enjoying yourself. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, you can bet there is someone else who wants to do that too, and you can be sure it will be more fun, and probably less cost, if you buddy up!
Current Opportunities
- Buddy up with 1 or 2 members and their support staff for weekly swimming in private pool
- Join us to plan big days out to look forward to when times are better
- Fancy Coffee and Cake, or a gentle walk in the park: get in touch to arrange a meet-up with other members, and make friends
JOBS, TRAINING AND VOLUNTEERING
Working as a personal assistant (PA) can be a very rewarding career and there are lots of opportunities to progress.
As a PA you’ll work directly with one individual to support them with various aspects of their daily life. This would usually be in their own home, in the community, at leisure or at work, including join in with Purple Umbrella daytime activities. Working 1:1, you get a chance to understand and know how best to support that person, and so you can make a real difference to their lives. Working for a small service doesn’t mean that there is no support. Its likely that support will be just as good or better than working in a large organisation: Staff working for our members share activities and help each other with opportunities for training and mentoring and take pride in being part of a group of professional caring people who look out for each other. By working together, we can all do a better job.
If you’re interested in becoming a PA, we shall be delighted to hear from you.
Members can advertise their vacancies for free here. Any current vacancies can be seen here
FUNDERS
We are grateful to our funders without whom we would be unable to operate
- Peter Lathom Charitable Trust
- Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
- Communication Matters
- WLBC Community Chest
- Active Lancashire
- West Lancs CCG
- The National Lottery Community Fund
CONTACT
Each person who joins us is unique, and for some people, settling in to meet new friends is a big step that takes time and careful planning, for both the person and for their family.
Call or email for an informal chat about what you are looking for and what we can offer. The next step is a visit to ask about how best to support you and what you would like to do. That way you can know us a little and vice-versa.
When you are ready our Membership Form is available to complete. Membership is a nominal £5 per year.
| Treasurer Anja Byrne Tel 07914 842506 anja_byrne@yahoo.co.uk | Chairperson Tess Reddington Tel 07518 347559 tessreddington@gmail.com | Secretary Jane Greenwood Tel 07966 445812 janeyg85@gmail.com |
Email: Contact@purpleumbrella.org.uk
COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIMENTS
We take all complaints and comments extremely seriously. You can be assured that all such communications will be discussed at board level and a response will be provided at the first opportunity. Please address your comments to Tess Reddington who is Chairperson. 07518347559 or contact@purpleumbrella.org.uk. You can also use the contact form here on the website. If you wish to discuss a safeguarding issue, please contact Sandra Kershaw, 07758079709 or email sandracstaff@gmail.com who has responsibility for safeguarding.