Focus Birmingham

TLC Lottery Anniversary Super Draw!

Celebrate with us by entering our Anniversary Super Draw for a chance to win £2,500!

Ticket Deadline: 24th October 2024
Draw Date: 25th October 2024
🎟️ Buy your tickets now: https://tlclottery.co.uk/superdraw

All players must be aged 18 or over and live in Great Britain. Underage gambling is an offence.

🌟 Help Us Support Individuals with Additional Needs in Birmingham 🌟

We're working with the DWP Birmingham-Solihull to gather vital information on services that help people with additional needs manage, get to, and stay in work. Your input can make a difference! If you're involved in adult social care or provide 1:1 support, we want to hear from you.

Please take a moment to fill out this important survey https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=6fbxllcQF0GsKIDN_ob4wzkS1wsPG8NLlUu6X7H8QeFUQ1dGMTZWN0tWUjdDRjRKVjQwVU02VERPSCQlQCN0PWcu

Together, we can ensure that everyone has the support they need to thrive in the workplace. Thank you for your participation!

forms.office.com

One Donation, TWICE the Impact!

Pledge today and donate during BIG GIVE The Christmas Challenge week (3rd Dec - 10th Dec) to see your generosity multiplied!

When you pledge £100 or more, Big Give will match your donation, doubling the impact by the end of the challenge.

Support our cause by making your pledge now until the end of August.

To pledge, please visit https://community.biggive.org/s/pledge?campaignId=a056900002TPSUEAA5

For more info, please visit https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/the-big-give-christmas-challenge-pledge

🌟 Wellbeing Day - September 27th! 🌟

We're excited to announce that our Wellbeing Day is just around the corner!
Your health and happiness are our top priorities, and we'd love to hear your thoughts to make this day truly special.

Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey and share your ideas on how we can make Wellbeing Day an event to remember. Your feedback is invaluable!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xFWpqfTI70OpFnRSQ7FWK0mfMejMJGdIpbdxgdm_XOFUNUlUNFpXQTkyVjVFNkwwNkhHQUpPVTZBQS4u

Thank you!

forms.office.com

Support Focus Birmingham and make lives better this Christmas.

One donation: Twice the impact!

Make a difference in the lives of those in need this festive season. Your donation of £100 or more will be matched by The Big Give , meaning your generosity will have TWICE the impact.

Pledge today until the end of August to help us succeed in our campaign. Together, we can make lives better!
To pledge, please visit https://community.biggive.org/s/pledge?campaignId=a056900002TPSUEAA5

Will you join us in spreading joy and support?

For more info, please visit https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/the-big-give-christmas-challenge-pledge

Residents at Millward were delighted to find that Claire Sisks Blind Content Creator and Disability advocate was on today making her Friday Night Fajita Traybake. Representation on daytime television and an opportunity to break down myths about cooking and sight loss.

Who will be trying Claire's recipe this weekend?

https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/claire-sisks-friday-night-fajita-traybake

Claire Sisk’s Friday Night Fajita Traybake Claire Sisk’s easy traybake method, there's no faffing around with multiple pans,

Throwing it back to our Focus summer fete! Congrats to all the prize winners and a huge thank you to everyone who attended and joined in the fun games we had lined up. Hope you're enjoying your prizes!

We appreciate all your incredible support, helping us raise over £2,000.

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Strictly Come Dancing has announced its first-ever blind contestant – Chris McCausland! This ground-breaking moment is a huge step forward for inclusivity and representation in the entertainment industry. 🎉💃🕺

Chris is truly showing the world that vision impairment is no barrier to pursuing dreams and reaching new heights.

Let's all cheer Chris on this incredible journey as he dances his way into our hearts and breaks new ground on the dance floor. 🌟

Read more about the story below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39kklz2nzxo

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Chris McCausland and JB Gill announced as first two celebrity contestants Chris McCausland, who lost his sight in his 20s, is the first celebrity to be unveiled for the show's next series.

The people we support at our Complex Needs Service enjoyed a relaxing time outdoors with the wonderful people from Soundabout, experiencing a nature-based sensory music session.

Everyone loved the sun and the music, as seen in the pictures!

Happy Friday! Our Complex Needs team celebrated their annual day service sports day. Highlights included thrilling races, team games, and amazing sportsmanship.

Everyone had a great time and did so well 🥇🥈🥉🏆

An exciting workshop for blind and visually impaired!

International Festival of Glass is running an accessible events which includes 2 free glass workshops for blind and visually impaired participants being taught by Julie Coakley, a blind glass artist. If interested, please visit below link to register.
Glass workshop 1: https://ifg.org.uk/product/3-dimensional-drawing-with-glass-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/

Glass workshop 2: https://ifg.org.uk/product/working-in-monochrome-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/

Festival Access page: https://ifg.org.uk/access/

Exciting news! Mattel has released a new Blind Barbie, promoting inclusivity and representation. 🌟
It's heartening to see toys that reflect the diverse world we live in, helping every child feel seen and valued.
"Because Barbie can be anything"

Today the people we support have squeaky clean, bright, shiny cooking equipment ready for their baking session. Big thanks to Macphersons Appliances Harborne for their super generous donation of a dishwasher for our specialist kitchen in our Complex Needs Day Service.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SIGHT VILLAGE CENTRAL!!

We are thrilled to once again be part of sight village! if you are planning to attend today or tomorrow, come and talk to our amazing sight loss support team!Come and say hello us at our stand and grab some fantastic freebies!!

Get ready for an exciting day as we approach our annual Focus Summer Fete!

Enjoy amazing activities, thrilling games, interesting stalls, and delicious food. Fun for everyone! Join us tomorrow and support your local charity at our fundraising event.

See you there!

We were thrilled to have join us at our Complex Needs Services! The people we support absolutely loved listening to soothing music and exploring a variety of musical instruments.
for visiting us!

D - 3
🌞🎉 Come meet Prancer the Alpaca! 🎉🌞

We are excited to announce that Prancer the Alpaca will be joining us at the Focus Summer Fete on July 6th 2024.

Prancer will make a special appearance between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM, so make sure to be there for some alpaca fun! Don't miss this unique opportunity to meet Prancer and enjoy a wonderful day at the fete.

See you there! 🦙✨

🎟️ Grab your raffle ticket for the Focus Birmingham Summer Fete on July 6th!
🎉 Lots of exciting prizes await! Don't miss out!
1st Prize : £60
2nd Prize : £25
Other:
Travel Bright 3 Vision Aid pocket light worth £35

Gift vouchers from exciting restaurants such as Akram, Alicia's Micro Bakehouse, The Plough Harborne and Qavali

🎟️ Get your raffle ticket now at https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Event/focus-summer-fete-2024 and enter to win! [Raffle tickets are also available at the entrance on the day and at the Focus reception]

Remember, you have to be in it to win it! 🌞

🎉 Ready for Focus Summer Fete! Only 5 days to go for a fun-filled day at Focus! 🥳

Come meet Prancer the Alpaca and bunnies!
Enjoy dance demos
Try different games
Learn from the West Midlands Fire Service
Treat yourself to yummy food
Browse and shop through a variety of stalls!

🎟️🐾💃🚒🍔🛍️

🌟 Deafblind Awareness Week 🌟

This week, we shine a spotlight on the experiences and challenges faced by those living with deafblindness. At Focus Birmingham, we are committed to supporting individuals with combined sight and hearing loss, helping them to lead full, independent lives.

Deafblindness is more common than many realize, and it can significantly impact daily life. But with the right support, people with deafblindness can achieve amazing things! We have collaborated with BID Services to provide support, guidance and information.

🙌 Join us in raising awareness and understanding of this unique disability. Let's work together to break down barriers and create a more inclusive community.

💙 How can you get involved?

Learn more about deafblindness and share your knowledge with others.

Support the programs and initiatives that empower individuals with deafblindness.
Volunteer or donate to help us continue providing essential services. To donate, please visit https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/donate/donation/5/SinglePayment

Together, we can make a difference. Let's amplify the voices of those with deafblindness and ensure they are heard and seen.

📢 Job Opportunity: Deputy Day Service Manager at Focus Birmingham 🌟
Are you a dynamic and organized individual with a passion for making a difference? Join the Focus team as a Deputy Day Service Manager and help empower people with care and support needs to live life to the fullest!

Key Responsibilities:
Assist the Day Service Manager in ensuring safe, personalized care.
Line manage a dedicated care team.
Collaborate on recruitment, onboarding, and training.
Maintain high standards in care planning and documentation.
Liaise with supported individuals, families, social workers, and health professionals.

📅 Closing Date: 5th July 2024 (Midnight)

To learn more and apply, please visit our website https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/deputy-day-service-manager

Focus Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all community sections, irrespective of race, colour, age, gender, sexuality, or disability.

Join us and be part of a fun, passionate, and dedicated team!

🎉 Join us for a fantastic Summer Fete and Fun Day on July 6th from 11am to 3pm at our site in Harborne 🌞

Expect fun for all ages with exciting activities like a bouncy castle, guess the name/weight contests, arts and crafts, body glitter, henna tattoos, and more! 🍔🎨🤹‍♂️ Enjoy delicious food and a variety of games. Don’t miss out on this day of family fun and community spirit!

📍 Save the date and come make some unforgettable memories with us!

At our Complex Needs Services, our recent art session has been bustling with creativity as everyone worked on something special for Father’s Day.

It was a joyous experience for all, filled with laughter and artistic expression that surely made this Father’s Day memorable!

🌟 Happy Father's Day to a True Hero! 🌟

At Focus Birmingham, we celebrate the incredible fathers/ father figures of children with complex needs. Your strength, patience, and unwavering love inspire us every day.

Thank you for your tireless dedication and for being a constant source of joy and support. Your journey is extraordinary!

Happy Father's Day! ❤️

🚨 Exciting news for !

An expanded audio descriptive commentary service will be available throughout the tournament, bringing blind and partially sighted fans closer to the action in Germany. 🏆🎧

Millward place, our supported living facility in King’s Norton has a vacancy coming up soon. The specially adapted apartment is on the first floor, accessed by stairs.

If you or anyone you know might be interested, and have a support package which has been assessed by the local authority, call Lisa at Millward Place now 0121 451 1131

Please visit the link below for the criteria https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=30041216-a2c6-4ef4-9452-3849cb43087e

Marc Reeves, newly appointed Chair of Trustees for Focus Birmingham has sent an open letter to all parliamentary candidates in the forthcoming General Election on behalf of the charity. We want to ensure the needs of the people we support are put front and centre in this General Election campaign so that together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of people with disabilities, ensuring that Birmingham remains a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive no matter their needs.
https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Blog/the-general-election-an-open-letter-to-all-parliamentary-candidates-from-focus-birmingham

Diabetes Awareness Week! 🌟

At Focus Birmingham, we're dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those living with diabetes. Join us in spreading the word and supporting the diabetes community. Let's make lives better together! 💙

Visit as they share important information, tips, and personal stories regarding diabetes making it easier to understand, more manageable, and much less daunting.
https://www.cuppasquad.org/
💙