Chairmans Report

2011

John Phillips Chairman Pictured With

Andrew Turner MP

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• The challenges to our future
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• Over the last year it has been very challenging because funding is much harder to get. Though we have managed up to now to keep going through these crises, though times ahead are going to be as challenging if not more. So I need support from all members and staff to survive the challenges.

Working with other organisations

I think will have to look at working more with other organisations like the ULO (newly named people matters) which I believe the council will support fully. Also working with Isle of Wight Mencap and Haylands farm and Royal Mencap and maybe Links from the health society. I believe this because all funding that will be available will be looking at organisations to be working along side other organisations. I believe this by listening to other bigger organisations who would not be normally working with other organisations but are now being forced to do so to survive.

Our clubs success

I believe the clubs are doing extremely well the numbers are always increasing and this shows the need for what we do and the feedback I receive from parents and carers is always good and people say that we are different and allow people to be their selves. It is VERY important to me that we keep this organisation a user led organisation and the members are the most important thing as they always have been.

Thank you!

• I would like to thank all the people who have given us money and support
• Learning disability partnership board                               
• Mencap  
• V-dubz
• Towrag
• Ryde rotary
• Ryde Lions
• WICF   NHS  RCC
• St Celia's abbey
• And all other people who have donated in any way or form        
•         A BIG THANK YOU ! ! !

• The young people who use use this service get a lot from it, they learn Communication skills And how to interact With each other.They would normally be either sitting at home,or as one member said to me they would be getting into trouble with the “old bill”, otherwise wandering round leaving themselves vulnerable

On Friday nights we run

In pubs and clubs around The island,but because of our success we are finding this very difficult as our numbers rise and some pubs do not understand people with learning difficulties,but we must carry on this good work,as it is obvious that it is a much needed activity and this is shown in the number of people who come to the club

The Friday Club

The Saturday Club

The Sunday Club

• This is used by some very challenging young people,who get a lot of enjoyment from this service, one of the things they get from it is to be able to make mistakes in relationships and friendships in a safe environment, as members have told me, if they kick off because they have misunderstood a situation, they know that there will be somebody who will help them put it right which helps them to communicate with people when they are out in the community

The Quarr Project

• The Quarr Abbey Project as been running for just over a year, it is now ready to take people on personal budgets as we have got a co-ordinator now in post and the land  has been
• well prepared by Roger and his volunteers and has been selling produce to the quarr abbey tea shop.

People First

• People first is an organisation which is independant of Johns club,but is supported by Johns club this is a self help group where round about 30 people come together to support one another in some of the day to day challenges that life puts in front of them, also they learn money skills, sex education , they also do a small amount of campaigning and supporting other organisations in working with people with learning difficulties

Our Transport

• Our Transport to our club and other organisations that may use it like age concern and isle care. Our buses are also for hire to other organisations but they are one of our biggest outgoing costs. But I believe that these are so important to our members to allow them to be picked up and dropped off at their door as our members at night are sometimes vulnerable and we have had situations where waiting at bus stops at night they have been swore at, hit and other nasty things.

We own our club!

Members must be given the opportunity to have control and do as much as they possibly can to run their own club, this as always been a challenge as people on the outside will always be finding reasons why people with a learning difficulty cannot take responsibility.I will always challenge this as due to my own experiences I know people with learning difficulties can achieve fantastic things if they are given the opportunity and the right support to do so

John’s Club Isle Of Wight Is A Registered Charity Number 1130472

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