Grace Eyre Foundation: Dreams & aspirations
Celebrating 100 years of giving people a voice
The Grace Eyre Foundation, a charity based in Hove but operating across Sussex, is celebrating its Centenary in supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. At Grace Eyre individuals are encouraged to achieve their dreams and aspirations and this is done through the diverse services it offers – Active Lives, Choices, Shared Lives and Grace Eyre Housing. The main aim of the organisation is to promote independence and learning as well as giving people a voice and the ability to develop new networks and friendships.
Since exhibiting in May at People’s Day, where the organisation showcased its archives of the past 100 years, Grace Eyre has been organising events and activities to help celebrate the Centenary. Their next event is on Tuesday 1 October, from 7pm to 10pm, where they are hosting a Shared Lives Carer event in their on-site theatre, the Purple Playhouse on Montefiore Road. This event is to mark the occasion that the Shared Lives Scheme – initially set up by Grace Eyre herself – has been successfully running for 100 years. Grace Eyre, a trailblazing woman for her time, felt that people with learning disabilities shouldn’t be locked up in institutions but should be cared for in a family setting. Today the organisation is still recruiting paid carers who support the people who live with them. Anyone wishing to help them celebrate and to find out more about the scheme perhaps as a career change, can join them for nibbles and drinks. You will also get the chance to meet some of the people who use their services. Plus there will be an evening of carols and mulled wine on Tuesday 10 December and everyone is welcome to join in. Keep a look out on the Grace Eyre website!
Another reason to celebrate: on Wednesday 11 September the organisation launched their Sports for All project at Lancing Leisure Centre. People came from across Sussex to try a range of sports, including table tennis, football and golf. The main aim of the project is to engage more adults with learning disabilities into sports on a more regular basis to improve sustainable health and well-being.
If you would like to be involved please contact Jon Hart, their Sports Coordinator, on jhart@grace-eyre.org
Grace Eyre is also looking for committed and enthusiastic volunteers. Whether it is helping out with their Travel Buddy project, or be hands on at their Learning and Skills Centre in Hove, they would love to hear from you. Volunteering at Grace Eyre is a great way to gain valuable work experience for a local organisation, where you will feel welcome in a supportive and inspirational environment.
For more information please contact Ben Gardiner on bgardiner@grace-eyre.org
For all information on Grace Eyre events and to find out more about the organisation please visit their website: www.grace-eyre.org
