Visit our Show Garden at Hampton Court

Spring has sprung, the bluebells are flowering in our woods and we will be exhibiting a show garden for the very first time at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013, which takes place on 9-14 July.

Our Garden for Joy is named after an inspirational, indefatigable and dedicated friend of QEF, as well as celebrating the life changing work which focuses on what people can do rather than what they can’t.  Here we focus on the joys of achieving greater independence, increased mobility, securing a job or realising tiny personal goals.  It will be the first therapeutic garden ever designed completely from the perspective of wheelchair users.

Bringing the garden home

The whole point of the show garden is to take it back to QEF Independent Living Services at Dorincourt, home to 37 severely disabled young people who are looking forward to having their own space to socialise, enjoy quiet areas in the fresh air and show off their plant growing skills to their families and friends on Open Days

For our residents being outdoors, with the ability to easily navigate  around their garden space provides the opportunity to shape and take ownership of their environment.  To take care of feeding and watching the antics of birds and wildlife and growing and nurturing their plants is achievable, therapeutic and enjoyable.

Therapeutic, training and social value

Horticulture and the art of growing things from tiny seeds is a huge and rewarding part of our therapy programme. There is an army of disabled residents and volunteers many from local supportive companies itching to rebuild the show garden back at Dorincourt and develop a thriving horticultural therapy programme.  The rebuild is a key part of the garden and will also involve disabled trainees from QEF Vocational Services who are training for a qualification in horticulture and landscaping.

To visit the QEF Garden for Joy and experience it for yourself , click here to book your tickets from the RHS Hampton Court Palace website .

Hitting the High Notes

Grateful thanks to the Police Unity Memorial Band for a fabulous donation of £1,100.  The Band have been great supporters of QEF and their tuneful efforts are much appreciated.  By all accounts their concerts are extremely enjoyable and the quality of their musicianship very high.  Cue fanfare!

QEF Corporate and Community Manager Sue Pressey joined them with Ashleigh from QEF Independent Living Services to receive a cheque from Band Master Graham.  

ILS Group Home Appeal 2013

Building brighter Futures

We have an exciting new project to build a state-of-the art Group Home at QEF Independent Living Services.

Our existing Group Home houses six young adults and has proved to be a great success.  Due to increased demand and a waiting list for our service; we urgently need additional accommodation, specifically for young disabled adults with very complex disabilities and minimum upper body mobility.

This new state-of-the-art Group Home will consist of five en-suite bedrooms, communal lounge, dining room, kitchen and laundry room.  It will provide a bright living environment for disabled people to enjoy the encouragement of peers who share similar aims.

Sarah, resident at ILS, says, “I have complex disabilities.  I came here from home and school keen to learn to look after myself.  QEF enabled me to experience living in a flat and group home.  i am pleased to say that I learnt skills to enable me to live as independently as I can.  I am looking forward to moving on in the future with all my new skills.”

Group Home key Features

• Designed for young adults with complex disabilities and minimum upper body mobility
• Specialist assistive technology and environmental controls
• 5 en-suite bedrooms
• Communal lounge and dining room
• Ground floor access

Design may be subject to alteration

Our target is to raise £256,250 (indicative costs) to cover build, refurbishment, furniture and specialist equipment including profiling beds, airflow mattresses and assistive technology.  Dependent upon funds raised, building work is due to start late summer 2013.  We aim to open the new Group Home in january 2014.

To learn more about this exciting new development, to help sponsor a room or to make a donation, please contact John Chamberlain, Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Communications on 01372 841127 or email john.chamberlain@qef.org.uk

A gold medal performance for Olympic year!

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) was selected as the Charity of the Year by ExxonMobil’s UK Headquarters for 2012. All the monies have now been counted, and an impressive £9,211 was raised for the leading disability charity working with people with physical and learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries.

A large cheque makes everyone smile
L-R: John Chamberlain (QEF) and Fiona Harness, Sophie Foale and Sharon McAleese (ExxonMobil)

John Chamberlain, Director of Marketing at QEF said:
“Many disabled children and adults QEF work with come from Surrey and the SE so the help received from ExxonMobil has really transformed the lives of local people. The funds raised will make a practical difference helping us purchase essential new equipment such hoists, physiotherapy equipment, walking frames as well as developing new residential accommodation at QEF Independent Living Services. We are very grateful to everyone at ExxonMobil for all their support.”

ExxonMobil staff worked hard organising fundraising events including raffles, collections of household items and quiz events, and even a pedometer challenge.  The pedometer challenge was launched to celebrate the London Olympics and pitted ExxonMobil departments against each other to see which covered the most footsteps in their day-to-day activities.

Fiona Harness, who helped with the ExxonMobil fundraising effort said:
“Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation offers such a valuable service. We were delighted when it was chosen by staff to be our adopted charity for the year.Supporting our local community is important to everyone at ExxonMobil and this is reflected in terrific amount raised.”

In addition to fundraising, a team of employees also used their energy to help QEF’s Independent Living Service Centre restore and improve their pond area for residents, create a seating area and erect a pergola. These activities formed part of the firm’s local volunteering initiative, which each year provides practical support to local community projects.

A Palace Garden for ILS

We are have been celebrating.

Our disability garden proposal has been accepted by RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Show 9-14 July 2013.  More details to follow but what is really exciting is that the garden will be transported to our Independent Living Services at Dorincourt once the Show is over.

QEF Chosen for Guardian Christmas Appeal 2012

We are really excited to announce that we have been selected by the Guardian and Observer to be one of 8 charities chosen to benefit from their Christmas Appeal 2012.  Naturally we are extremely grateful to have been chosen.

” Inspired by the wave of London Paralympics euphoria, we are supporting charities which epitomise that Paralympic spirit.”   “Amid the gloom, our charities remind us what is possible; how, with determination and commitment, we can make autonomy and equality a reality for people with a disability.”
the Guardian

Guardian and Observer Christmas Appeal 2012

ExxonMobil Adopts QEF

John Chamberlain, Director of Fundraising and Marketing (right) receiving a cheque for £871 from ExxonMobil Chairman, Brad Corson, the proceeds from their Staff Summer Olympics Day, held at their Headquarters in Leatherhead.

ExxonMobil have adopted QEF as their Charity of the Year in 2012 and staff are raising funds in all sorts of ways including a Pedometer Team Challenge.

QEF Charity Golf Day 2012

Join us at The Berkshire Golf Club, Ascot on this championship golf course for 18 holes. This event is taking place on 8 November 2012 and includes early morning coffee and bacon rolls served in the newly refurbished club house, a shotgun start on the Blue Course, halfway-house refreshments and luncheon including wine.

The Berkshire Golf Club is home to two Herbert Fowler designed courses laid out amid the extensive trees and heather to the South and West of Windsor Castle.

Fees: £125 per person or enter as a team of 4 for £500.

To book your place please click here.

For more information please e-mail sue.pressey@qef.org.uk or telephone 01372 841223.

We hope to see you there!