Welcome to the Winter edition of the Impact Living 2022 Newsletter.
On behalf of Impact Living, we would like to extend the very best of the season to all our cherished residents, family members, friends, staff, volunteers, and all those who support our charitable work.
As November, Bonfire night and Halloween become just a distant memory and December’s festivities descend upon us; we are reminded of the importance of reaching out to our loved ones and those around us who may be without family and friends during this time of year. Loneliness is widespread issue for so many people during the festive period so a small act of kindness like dropping in for a chat or coffee can make such a difference to that one individual and it will also give you that inner winter glow of fulfilment!
We should also not forget the fabulous work Impact Living; its staff and volunteers continue to undertake whilst encompassing a sense of public spirit and constantly placing our service users’ requirements at the forefront of everything we achieve.
Your abundance of tireless dedication, support and received kind donations particularly through another busy and challenging year are received with gratitude and a massive thank you.
So, as we near 2023, we hope you have a very peaceful and happy Christmas and that your new year is enriched with continued peace and blessings.
Sheffield Shoebox Appeal
Impact once again is so appreciative to the Sheffield Shoebox Appeal teaming together with local companies who collect and distribute donations for Impact and other charities in and around the Sheffield area.
Each year donors decorate a shoebox for either a male or female and include items for an adult, a teen or elderly person such as a pair of gloves, hat, scarf, toiletries, and small treats such as sweets. Each donor is also encouraged to include a Christmas card within the box.
Once boxes have been sorted and checked they will be distributed to one of many providers who help people affected by homelessness in Sheffield before Christmas Day. Here each box can be allocated to an individual where they will be hopefully given a sense of hope and belonging at this very isolated time of year.
For you to get personally involved next year and to make a difference to someone’s Christmas, please follow their Facebook page ‘Sheffield Shoebox Appeal’
Ruby’s Walking Group
Sheffield Support Worker Ruby Brown has set up a walking group for clients to assist with their mental health and wellbeing needs.
The walks have become very popular and Ruby hopes to continue them into the new year.
Art Psychotherapy Project
Earlier this year, Impact was extremely fortunate to receive funding from the Brelms Trust and Sir George Martin Trust, to be used towards art materials for two projects across our sites in Yorkshire. Firstly, Art Psychotherapy for service users in Extra Care referred into this therapy and secondly, an informal arts and crafts sessions open to all service users, either in the form of individual sessions or group sessions.
On 9 May 2022, two Trainee Art Psychotherapy students join the team to work with service users on placement at our Bradford and Sheffield sites who are currently studying at Sheffield Hallam University for their Masters.
Chelsea and Olive expressed a wish to work with adults with severe mental health and complex needs for their fifty days of placement over a period of six months. They provided information about themselves and the role of art psychotherapy to our service users by providing easy to understand leaflets that were translated into Urdu, Punjabi and Polish for those whose first language is not English.
Art Psychotherapy Trainee student Chelsea from Sheffield Hallam University explains:
“Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Art is used as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing. This was a safe space for the service users to explore different art materials and express themselves.”
These sessions proved a tremendous success, and our thanks go out to all concerned.
Weekly Arts and Crafts Activities
Our sites across Yorkshire have carried out these activities. A variety of materials have been used, e.g. acrylic and water paints, flower arranging, colouring books, clay model making, mask making, diamond art, paint by numbers, candle making, decorating photo frames, key rings etc. We have supplied art making resources to service users upon their request, such as the artist set (pictured).
All the artwork created by service users during the Halloween celebrations was displayed at our Greaves Street site.
We look forward to hearing about the success of future sessions.
Wellbeing Space
The Malton site have successfully submitted a funding bid to help create a wellbeing space. By providing this space will assist in providing a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing by allow its clients to feel safe, secure, and free from pressure or judgement.
When it comes to mental health, the ability to escape a stressful situation can be incredibly helpful. By escaping a stressful moment in one’s life to be alone for a few minutes can allow the brain time to relax and recharge. Since stress affects the body in several harmful ways, that brief reprieve can help to improve that client’s health.
We will keep you updated on the progress the development of the new wellbeing space as it is nearing completion.
Christmas Hampers Fundraiser and Bradley’s Music Marathon
We wish to say a massive thank you to Vicki Harrison, Cath Barker, Liz Watmuff and Joanne Patterson from Crofton Court for fundraising and actively collecting donations for Christmas hampers.
Also, a giant thank you goes to Bradley Watmuff for his massive thirty hours music marathon on Friday 18 to Saturday 19 November 2022 between 2pm and 7pm.
Bradley who is 33 years old and a seasoned professional started his DJ career when attending Lister Lane Special School in Bradford now provides DJ backing at weddings and birthday parties. His claim to fame is his very own online radio station ‘My Team Radio’ which unfortunately he has had to temporarily close down however this has not stopped his passion for radio as he regularly has a slot on ‘Sonic Radio’.
On speaking to Bradley about his mega marathon and he said, “It was good but hard work however I had the support of Gemma and Kath over the two days which made it easier”. Through his sheer determination and pluckiness, he continued to play a plethora of music to suit all tastes with requests being received via WhatsApp.
Sterling work for a job well done Bradley for getting everyone into the party mood and we hope to hear from you over the airwaves again real soon!
The £140 raised up to now and hampers will assist in helping Impact tenants throughout Bradford.
Respite Day-trip
During the summer five clients from our Crofton Court scheme took a respite day-trip to the stunning location of Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire which takes its name from the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian monastery now known as Bolton Priory. The weather was beautiful and enjoyed by all.
Winter
Clouded with snow
The cold winds blow,
And shrill on leafless bough
The robin with its burning breast
Alone sings now.
The rayless sun,
Day’s journey done,
Sheds its last ebbing light
On fields in leagues of beauty spread
Unearthly white.
Thick draws the dark,
And spark by spark,
The frost-fires kindle, and soon
Over that sea of frozen foam
Floats the white moon.
Walter De La Mare