Better Together as QEF and MERU Merge

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) has joined forces with MERU, a children’s disability charity. The move, effective from 1 April 2012, followed discussions between the respective trustee boards and chief executives.

Jonathan Powell, CEO at QEF, commented, “For us the key driver in joining with MERU is to expand the range of services for disabled children and young people as well as to create more opportunities in more disabled people’s lives.”

This merger follows on the heels of another merger for QEF last November when VASD (Voluntary Association Surrey Disabled) became part of the QEF Group. It is part of strategic move by the charity to use its resources and specialist knowledge to impact directly on the lives of more disabled people, particularly in London and the South East where its operations are concentrated.

The number of disabled people QEF supports will rise from around 2,700 each year to over 3,800 and will also give the charity a much stronger campaigning voice in pressing for a better deal on issues directly affecting people’s lives.

Susan Brumpton, CEO of MERU, stated, “The merger will create opportunities for MERU to design equipment for QEF’s younger service users or to use MERU’s workshops for QEF’s work in the re-training and rehabilitation of disabled people. It will also give us the resources to invest in new innovative products and services currently in development.”

The MERU board will cease to exist, but many members will continue to volunteer their expertise through various project committees. MERU will continue to exist as a charity in its own right, designing, developing and manufacturing equipment for disabled children and young people at its site in Epsom. However, support functions will be spread across the QEF Group, making the organisations more efficient and cost effective.
Susan Brumpton will also continue as CEO. The merger will not result in any redundancies but some cost savings have already been made and further efficiencies will be realised as the charities move forward.

MERU designs and manufactures specialised equipment for children and young people with disabilities. The charity provides design and engineering skills to custom-make individual and personalised equipment for children whose disabilities are so complex that no available equipment meets their needs.

Current collaboration
MERU and QEF are currently working together on Try B4 U Fly, a free assessment service so that disabled children and their families can trial the various seating options available on board aircraft, including the MERU TravelChair.

New QEF Shop Opens in Fetcham

Excellent Performance from our Mobility Centre

Each year QEF Mobility Services sends out 100 questionnaires to clients requesting feedback.

92% rated our overall performance as good or excellent
93% rated our assessors’ knowledge and professionalism as good or excellent
92% rated our appointment procedure as good or excellent
91% rated the report content and presentation as good or excellent
90% rated the initial contact with the centre as good or excellent

Here is a sample of comments included on the questionnaire:

An excellent service with a professional and compassionate delivery of the result

The service I received regarding my assessment was excellent.  Everything was executed promptly and professionally and I was made to feel welcome and relaxed.  My assessor – George – was very good at putting me at ease, reassuring and informative.  This experience was much less stressful than I expected. Thank you to all.

A well managed facility with a welcoming atmosphere.

You were all wonderful on site and on the phone.  Thanks so much.  Please continue to assist us and God will bless you all.

I couldn’t have met with more positive or more professional help.  Thank you.

Chris was really great at assessing me, talking me through each procedure, and listened carefully which was much appreciated.

Very good visit, I felt comfortable and at ease. I look forward to coming back and regaining my driving licence.

The whole experience was made very easy for me, for which I am grateful.

I must commend the staff at this centre for making the whole experience calm and comfortable whilst reassuring me throughout.

QEF Vice Chairman in New Year Honours List

Hearty congratulations to QEF Vice Chairman James Wates on the announcement of his CBE award in the New Year Honours List for services to the construction industry and charitable causes. James, who is also Deputy Chairman of Wates and Chairman of CITB Construction Skills, became a QEF Trustee in 2005 and elevated to Vice Chairman in 2006. Since his appointment he has been active on Strategy, Finance and Property Committees and served for a short while as Interim Chairman. His regard for the work that QEF undertakes is very high and his support is very much appreciated.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed CBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours, particularly as it is for contribution to two keys areas of my interests – the construction industry and charity. QEF is a big part of the latter and this award, I believe, reflects the terrific work done by the organisation as a whole”. James Wates

Open Your Garden and Help QEF

New in 2012. We would love to hear from you if you would like to open your garden during the summer in support of QEF. The hard work so many of us put into our gardens can help make a real difference to the lives of disabled people. Whatever the size of your garden, if you can host the afternoon and run a tea and cake stall we would be delighted to support you.

Please contact Rebecca Verran-Mooroogen on tel: 01372 841121 or e-mail rebecca.verran@qef.org.uk  if you would like to register your garden as part of our Open Garden Scheme.

Christmas Trees from QEF

The time is fast approaching when Christmas will be upon us, so here is a message explaining why you should buy a real Christmas tree from us, rather than buying or re-using a fake one.  Apart from the obvious reasons including the environment and saving the planet, as well as the idea that Christmas is rubbish without a real tree (which it is by the way),  there is one you will not be able to ignore.

Yes, that’s right, we have kidnapped Santa and are keeping him locked up in our secret dungeon. The key to free him is hidden in one of our Xmas trees. 

 

 

 

 

So, if you want to save Santa and Christmas you will have to buy one of our trees.  Simples!

We also have an extensive range of rustic decorations, wreaths and festive planters.

So come the festive season visit us in the Horticulture Department, at Leatherhead Court, any day of the week to select a tree and peruse our wares.  You can also reserve your tree and we will have it ready for you on your chosen collection date.

Alternatively click here for an Order Form

And we can deliver…

U-Turn on Mobility Cuts

The announcement that the government has done a U-turn on its decision to cut the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)  is very welcome. Naturally we are very proud to have played our part in delivering the message to parliament.

Well done all those at QEF who were able to take an active role and to all who provided support. 

However, the welfare reforms still provide cause for concern, particularly with the move from DLA to PIP (Personal Independence Payments).  New assessments and extended qualifying periods are currently under criticism which suggests that pressure must continue to be brought to bear on government.

Click on the links to read the BBC, Guardian and Scope reports.

A Big Thanks to Our Bikeathon 2011 Supporters

QEF would like to thank all its supporters involved in making the QEF Leatherhead Bikeathon 2011 such a success, particularly QEF ambassadors Gary Festa and Stan Hetherington, QEF volunteers and the local organisations who were involved on the day.

Fine Fettle – www.finefettle.org
Fine Fettle is a multi-healthcare clinic offering a wide range of therapies.

Bring & Braai – www.bringandbraai.co.uk
Bring & Braai offer a mobile braai (barbecue) service that caters for events from 20 to 500 people.

Cycleworks Leatherhead – www.cycleworks.co.uk/about/cycleworks-leatherhead
Cycleworks has become one of the south’s leading bicycle shops. Run by cyclists for cyclists!

Phoenix Motorcycles – www.phoenixtrainingonline.co.uk/centre-London.asp
Provides motorcycle training with DSA approved instructors seven days a week.

LAM – Eddie Wright and Phil Jabry – www.L-A-M.org
LAM provides advanced motorcycle training in the London, Surrey, Sussex and NW Kent areas to achieve greater road safety for motorcyclists and other road users.

Lowery – www.lowery.co.uk

Sainsbury’s Leatherhead – www.sainsburys.co.uk

St John Ambulance – www.sja.org.uk