QEF to Benefit from Mindtunes

DJ Fresh unveils his latest ground breaking project: ‘Mindtunes’ Music created using the latest brainwave technology

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In a world first, international music artist, DJ Fresh launches Mindtunes – a break through project where music is created using the latest brainwave technology*.

The Smirnoff Mindtunes project brings together chart topping British electronic music producer DJ Fresh and PhD. Julien Castet, a leading brainwave technology expert, to enable a group of disabled music fans, who cannot play regular instruments, to create a music track controlling musical software with nothing but their mind.

Supported by QEF, The Smirnoff Mindtunes project aims to raise money for the charity through proceeds of the sale of the track.

Brainwave technology (BCI) has many potential applications. The Smirnoff Mindtunes project – the first of its kind – focuses on how this technology can be used to transform brain activity and emotions into music, enabling physical barriers to musical creativity to be broken down. Technology expert PH D. Julien Castet uses an ElectroEncephaloGraphy device (EEG) to measure the electrical activity of the brain, turning brainwaves and emotions into musical beats. In collaboration with DJ Fresh, the beats and sounds are overlaid and produced to create a unique music track.

“Ever since I was a little boy I’ve loved technology and always wanted to work with something cutting edge. What a privilege to be given the opportunity to do just that and collaborate with some truly inspirational people. The power of the brain and this brainwave technology is amazing – to think that Mindtunes was created solely by a group of disabled music fans using only their minds. I am very proud to be part of this project – it just goes to show what people have the power to create if they’re given the opportunity,” says DJ Fresh, who produced the finished track.

This project follows on from Smirnoff’s long history of pioneering innovation and is the first in a series, which will demonstrate how innovation and inventiveness enables us all to realise our creative potential.

Emma Sherwood-Smith, Smirnoff Marketing Manager Western Europe says, “We are very excited to be releasing this brand new track produced by DJ Fresh. Enabling a group of musicians to fulfill their musical ambitions has been an amazing experience. Not only does The Smirnoff Mindtunes demonstrate there is a creator inside each of us, but will also raise money for a charity that helps thousands of disabled people every year realise their true potential.

Jonathan Powell, QEF Chief Executive, says, “Smirnoff Mindtunes is a brilliant project and we are very proud to be a part of it. Giving a group of talented disabled individuals the opportunity to realise their potential and turn dreams into reality has been an unforgettable experience for all. It is the very essence of what QEF stands for and it is very refreshing to see a brand invest so much to offer people the chance to use technology that has previously been beyond their reach. I hope that this is the first of many successful projects and opportunities we have a chance to be involved in – Smirnoff Mindtunes has set a precedent.”

Mindtunes is available for download from iTunes, Amazon and other digital retailers.
Click here for more information.

If you would like to donate to QEF yourself click  Donate to give online.

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.

Donate NOW to become a Founding Friend for our Garden for Joy

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.  

QEF Opens in Walton

“Magnificent!” was MP Dominic Rabb’s  verdict as he poised to cut the ribbon to open QEF’s Walton shop.  He went on to say, “It is beautifully fitted out and has a great display on sale.  I look forward to returning.”  Also joining the celebration were Rob Douglas, QEF Chair, Elizabeth Kennedy, Retail Trading Board member and QEF Trustee, Elise Dünweber

The Walton shop is the fourteenth shop in the QEF chain with two more in the planning.  QEF Retail Trading plays a vital role in supporting the QEF’s work with disabled children and adults.  It relies heavily on a band of dedicated volunteers who ensure that donations are made ready for sale and staff the shops.

If you feel you could help in this way please contact QEF Retail Trading on 01372 843616 or email retailtrading@qef.org.uk

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

UKABIF Campaign for Rehabilitation

Be sure to watch the UKABIF (UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum) campaign film, Life After Brain Injury? Improve Services Now. This film promotes UKABIF’s Manifesto.

Brain injury rehabilitation is excellent value for money and long term high quality assessment and rehabilitation leads to significant cost savings for the purchaser as well as providing the best possible outcome for the individual.  The film is being distributed throughout the rehabilitation services and particularly to MPs involved in the health debate.

Please support this Campaign and remind your MP of the value that brain injury rehabilitation brings.

As well as being a sponsor, much of the footage was filmed at our Neuro Rehabilitation Services at Banstead Place.

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.