We are looking for positive stories about the people we support for a new stakeholder newsletter we are launching across The Group in June. Examples include three individuals in Lancashire who ended 2009 with a whole host of personal achievements and successes.

Ian Patterson, Lee Leicester and Mark Henderson (Pictured here (left to right) with SLC Locality Manager, Peter Roberts) live in Burnley in a shared tenancy where they are supported to live active lives in their community.

Mark Henderson was one of the winners of the 2009 SLC Group Art Competition.  The competition was open to artists with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health needs and autism from across services in The North West and Yorkshire. Paul’s design impressed the judges and won him second place in the competition.

This award marks a huge personal achievement for Mark, who has been working with staff over the last twelve months to turn his life around. Peter Roberts, SLC Group Locality Manager, explains: “Last year Mark’s life was very different. He came to live here when things were not going well for him and he was at crisis point.” Mark now attends Burnley College, has joined a performing arts group, is completing a St John’s Ambulance course and is actively looking for a part time work opportunity.

Mark’s determination and effort to turn his life around has certainly paid off and he is very proud of his achievements. Mark says: “I feel very happy at the moment. I am enjoying all the things I am involved with and am very busy. I was made up when I found out that I won second prize in the art competition. The money I won has gone towards my holiday so it’s great news.”

Mark has also spent the last twelve months saving for a holiday to Spain – he jets of in April. “It is my first time on a plane and I can’t wait.  Staff have been helping me save up my money and I have got my passport. The only thing left to do now is change my money – and wait for the day we go!  Mark adds.

Mark’s housemate Lee Leicester has also had a busy year, achieving his lifelong goal of learning to swim. After taking part in swimming sessions at St Peters Centre in Burnley he received his 400 meters award – certifying this fantastic personal achievement. Lee’s swimming training came in handy on a trip to Spain in 2009 where he was supported to go on a summer holiday with his key worker. “I loved it. I have been to lots of different places – Italy earlier in the year and America in 2007.”

When he is not in the water or jetting off on holiday Lee attends ‘Freshfields’, a day service which supports people with training, skills and vocational support.  The main focus for Lee is horticulture and gardening and the skills he has developed there have led to him volunteering at Offshoots, a gardening project housed in the a walled garden in Towneley Park, Burnley. The site had previously been a council depot and tree nursery that had stood derelict for 10 years. As a result of the hard work of volunteers, like Lee, the gardens have been transformed and Lee has really enjoyed the opportunity to get stuck in and give a helping hand to his local community.

Like Mark and Lee, their housemate Ian also has successes to be proud of. Since moving into his tenancy three years ago he has significantly increased his independence.  Peter explains: “Ian was always supported by a staff member when he went out in the community, but after working with staff and developing his independent living skills he now goes into Burnley, on the bus, on his own.” This is a huge achievement for Ian, who over the past three years has greatly developed his confidence and as a result is becoming increasingly independent every day.

Ian’s passion is photography and he has recently completed a course in digital photography. He got the chance to put his new skills into action on a trip to Italy in 2009 - using his digital camera to capture his experiences. Ian is planning on getting some shots of the countryside on his next holiday in Wales, which he is currently planning with staff, later in the summer.

Peter says: “We are all very proud of Mark, Lee and Ian and what they have achieved. Their success is down to their abilities and enthusiasm to get involved in lots of different activities.”

Lee, Marks and Ian’s personal achievements are just some of the countless success stories from The SLC Group that are helping to make our shared Vision of people ‘Achieving their Potential’ a reality.

We want to share good news stories about individuals achieving their potential across The SLC Group. If you would like to share your story with us contact Lyndsay Milne on 01257 246 400 or email lyndsay.milne@theslcgroup.co.uk