Advocacy Service
Providing individual independent advocacy to people with physical and sensory impairments in the City and the County; also to people with learning difficulties in the County
Updated on 21 June, 2011
Alternative Day Services
Based in community settings in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Alternative Day Services meet every week with activities planned and guided by group members; for disabled people aged 30 – 65.
Contact 07912 480 951 (City Groups) or 07912 480959 (County Groups)
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Arts & Crafts Club
The Arts and Crafts Club sessions take place every Thursday.
mosaic’s Arts and Crafts Club started in 2007 with Arts Council funding; the Club proved to be a great success because there were a lot of disabled people who wanted to improve their skills in arts and crafts, who wanted to meet up with like-minded people and who wanted to have the benefits of working with a professional artist. Once the funding finished in April 2009, mosaic decided to continue this service and enable disabled people to use their direct payments or personal budgets to pay for a place at the Arts and Crafts Club. This has worked really well.
The Arts and Crafts Club meets on a Thursday morning between 10am and 1pm. It now meets at Tudor Centre, Bewcastle Grove, Leicester.
Members of the Arts and Crafts Club use a number of different methods to develop their art work with the help of the professional artist. Some members have displayed their work at exhibitions and have sold pieces of work, others just enjoy visiting the exhibition. There is also the opportunity to to have work on display at Oak Spinney Park.
We have also run an Art Group on a Monday for people with learning disabilities. We have had to stop this group for the time being because members do not have Personal Budgets yet and thus the Group is unfunded. We want to get this group started again so if you know someone with learning disabilities who wants to join an art group and has a Personal Budget, or is willing to finance themselves, get in touch with Katie Barradell on 0116 2318720 or the Development Worker on 07912 480 954
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Bungalows at Overstrand
Two fully furnished, spacious bungalows set in the grounds of Overstrand Hall near Cromer, Norfolk, available all year round to hire on a self catering basis.
The bungalows provide a holiday, or respite, in a totally accessible environment.
Bungalow One is now called The Fairway, Bungalow Two is called The Links. The Links has a ceiling track hoist and an electric bed. They both cater for between 4 and 6 people but are the same price no matter how many people are staying. Booking for the new season starts in december – when the date is set we will post it on the website. Bookings are always taken on a first come first served basis. During high season bookings are only taken for one week at a time. At other times you can book for a fortnight. For further information call us on 0116 2318720.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
ColtonCare@mosaic
Want to personalise your care needs? We can offer temporary or permanent staff to support you.
ColtonCare is a domiciliary care agency registered with the Care Quality Commission. It offers personalised support to meet a customer’s needs. ColtonCare offers temporary or permanent experienced staff who are all subject to a rigorous vetting procedure including an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. The areas we can support people with are:
- Personal Care
- Support with Medication
- Respite Care
- Shopping Service
- Domestic Service
- Sitting Service
- Live-in Carers
- Dog Walking
- Community Activities
- Health needs
- Leisure and Social Opportuntites
- Support in Education and Work
- Travel Training
- ….and much more
ColtonCare@mosaic is part of our service development which is looking at working with the Government’s “Personalisation Agenda.”
Traditionally, disabled people have had no choice about who provides their care. The Personalisation Agenda is about disabled people having choice and control over the services they use; ColtonCare@mosaic is delivering a flexible service which is tailor-made to suit each individual customer.
ColtonCare@mosaic offers customers the opportunity to negotiate and buy a flexible package of support using Direct Payments, Individual Budgets, Independent Living Fund and Access to Work monies.
Do you know why we call it ColtonCare?
Colton Street was the road on which the Guild Hall (our original home) was built. We wanted to “preserve” some of our history.
If you want to personalise your care needs contact Michael Brittain on 07792 702299 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We can offer temporary or permanent staff to help you.
Updated on 1 November, 2011
Counselling Service
mosaic offers a free, professional counselling service where counsellors are supervised by a trained supervisor.
mosaic’s Counselling Service developed from the Antenna Service which was founded in 1995 as a result of the hard work of Wendy Bonser and the Leicestershire Disabled Support group (which has now disbanded).
The key features about mosaic’s Counselling Service are:
- It is free
- It operates on a first come first served basis
- It can take place in someone’s own home rather than having to go to an office – although you can choose wherever you want to receive counselling.
- It is not time limited
- It is carried out by trained volunteers
- It is open to all disabled people but not to non-disabled people or carers, paid or unpaid, unless they are a disabled person themselves
If you want counselling from mosaic all you have to do is to ring us up and tell us (or you can get someone to do it on your behalf).. We will send someone out to your home to talk to you about the service (and our other services). We will ask you why you want counselling and what you want from it. This is what could be called an ‘assessment’.
If after this you still want to receive counselling from mosaic then your name will be put on our waiting list. People are only put on the waiting list if they themselves want to receive counselling no matter how much someone else thinks it is a good idea. It is always difficult to say how long you will have to wait because it depends on how quickly other people finish their counselling.
If you want more information or to request counselling contact Barbara Howard on 0116 2318720.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Cre8ing Opportunities
Cre8ing Opportunities is a new service which brings together a number of different elements.
The purpose of cre8ing Opportunities is to look at new and imaginative Services that people can “buy” with Direct payments or personal Budgets. Cre8ing Opportunities encourages staff and customers to “think outside the Box”
The different parts of Cre8ing opportunities are:
- Arts and Crafts Club which meets every Thursday from 10am to 1pm at the Tudor Centre, Bewcastle Grove, Leicester. For people with any disability, just a love of art
- Panache (or the Loughborough Group) which meets on a Friday at St Peters Community Centre, Storer Road, Loughborough from 10am to 3pm, for people with any disabilities
- 9teen which meets on a Monday at 2 Oak Spinney park, Ratby Lane, Leicester LE3 3AW. This is a small group of young people with exceptionally high levels of physical care needs. The facilities at oak Spinney Park meet the needs of the members of 9teen
- Wednesday Group meets, not surprisingly, every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm
During college holidays Cre8ing Opportunities will develop activities if people want. If you are interested in any of these opportunities contact Katie Barradell on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Who you need to contact for:
- Art and art-related activities – Barbara Howard
- One to one service and Communic8: Joan Rowbottom
- County Social Groups: Barbara Howard
- Daytime Options For Disabled People: Nikki Sellars and Janice French
If you would like more information, please contact one of the following persons as above, at mosaic on 0116 2318720 for further details. Alternatively you can email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Checks
mosaic acts as an “Umbrella Body” to carry out Criminal Record Bureau Checks for other organisations.
The process is simple. You provide us with the information we need:
- full Name
- all previous names
- date of birth
- national insurance number
- place of birth
- driving licence number
- passport number
- current address (5 years worth of addresses)
We provide the forms. The Criminal Records Bureau charge £44 for an enhanced CRB check and mosaic charges £10. Since we started providing this service in 2004 we have never put up our administrative charge. CRB makes no charge for volunteers so the charge is £10 (i.e. just our administrative charge).
mosaic specialises in working with disabled people who are employees using direct payments or with small voluntary organisations, although we do work with larger national organisations.
For more information about mosaic’s service contact Barbara Howard on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To book an appointment for a CRB check call Hannah Clarke on 0116 2318720. We can invoice organisations for payment or receive cash/cheque payments on the day.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Exercise Groups
The Exercise Group enables disabled people to learn all different aspects of exercise, meeting individual needs.
Learn how to warm up and cool down before and after exercise, do basic stretches and toning exercise, learn how to box-ercise, fun games to music, improve upper body structure and self esteem, but also it provides a fun and friendly environment whilst keeping fit!
What support is provided?
This group has a trained CRB checked fitness instructor, plus a Development Worker, to assist and support during the exercise and additional staff support support depending on the numbers attending and their needs.
Where is the Exercise Group?
The Exercise group is based at mosaic’s new building 2 Oak Spinney Park, Ratby Lane, Leicester Forest East LE3 3AW. it’s an accessible building which has a ceiling track hoist and accessible disabled toilets.
Time and costing of the group
The Exercise Group runs from 12 to 2pm – there is an hour for warm up and exercise and personal consultation, with a healthy lunch afterwards. The cost of the group is £5.00 for the Exercise Group and £3.00 for lunch. This can be paid on a weekly basis or by direct payments each month which will be billed by mosaic.
Transport/Travel
Transport is not provided but you may be able to use Direct payments or your Disability Living Allowance towards the cost of Transport.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Friendship Groups
Small groups for under 30’s, meeting in the evening and weekends doing lots of different things.
What are the Friendship Groups?
Working with mosaic, Services for Young People (SYP) realised there was a need to provide support to young people at evenings and weekends. Many young people would like to be more socially active. The group undertakes new experiences/activities and through this friendships can be formed. The groups are encouraged to organise their own programme of activities with an emphasis on learning new skills, promoting independence and developing confidence. Friendship Groups offer a wide range of activities for a range of prices from bowling to football, from theatre to karaoke.
What support is provided?
2 – 3 support workers, depending on the size and the needs of the individuals within the group, to assist with any personal needs or to support individuals during the activities. We can also help to arrange transport.
Where do Friendship Groups meet?
Friendship Groups are very versatile; they meet at different venues throughout the City and County. The group of young people who attend are encouraged to take part in the organising of the timetable of activities e.g. concerts, restaurants shopping etc.
Do I have to pay to go to the Friendship Groups?
The cost of each Friendship Group is based on the cost of the activities that particular day and the hourly rate of pay for the support workers needed.
If you receive direct payments this can be used to pay for your Friendship Groups and help towards your transport costs and support needs.
Young people who are not already receiving Direct Payments, or need further advice or clarification on the above can contact Services to Young People on the number below:
Contact the Team Manager, Rachael Moore on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Independent Life Project
The Independent Life Project provides twenty-four hour support to disabled people living in three housing developments in Leicester.
The three housing developments are:
- Harrison Court, Packwood Road, Stocking Farm, Leicester (including Flat 7)
- Pelham Way, Welford Road, Leicester
- Ashthorpe Road, Braunstone, Leicester
At all three locations the Support Service provides support workers who are on site twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. There is a “sleep in” support worker on duty at night.
The support workers provide personal care and domestic assistance as part of a defined care plan and will respond to emergency situations.
Disabled people within the project are tenants in their own right.
De Montfort Housing Society own the developments at Harrison Court and Pelham Way. The development at Ashthorpe Road is owned by Places for People.
The Independent Life Project is funded by Leicester City Council Adults and Communities Department.
This means that people covered by the twenty-four hour Support Service have to have their care needs assessed by Leicester City Council social worker.
The main benefits of Independent Life Project are:
- Having a Support Worker on duty and on site for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year
- Having someone to call in an emergency who will know what to do and who to contact
- Having regular support built into a Care Plan
- Someone to advocate for you if that is what you want
- Support with ‘minor’ emergencies e.g. if a light bulb goes, a support worker will be there within minutes to replace it
- Regular meetings between tenants and mosaic to discuss the support services provided.
The Independent Life Project is registered as a Domiciliary Care Agency with the Care Quality Commission. If you want to see the latest report produced by the Care Quality Commission then you can view it on the CQC website
If you want to know more about the Independent Life Project, or the housing developments, please contact Michael Brittain: 07792 702299
Alternatively you can e-mail the independent life project team members at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Flat 7
Have you ever thought about independent living but would like to try it first?
Or maybe you would like to develop your life skills before moving in on your own?
mosaic: shaping disability services can give you the opportunity to experience living on your own.
Flat 7 is a fully accessible, furnished ground-floor flat with two bedrooms, lounge, spacious kitchen and bathroom with bath and Chiltern shower.
It is situated at Harrison Court on Packwood Road, Stocking Farm, Leicester.
This is a block of fully accessible flats for disabled people.
Flat 7 is owned by De Montfort Housing Society, but mosaic: shaping disability services are responsible for managing Flat 7, taking bookings and providing support. It is funded by Leicester City Council Adult and Communities Department.
Twenty-four hour support is provided to all tenants at Harrison Court and this also includes emergency support for anyone booking Flat 7. However we may be able to provide support with some care packages.
The Support Service is registered as a Domiciliary Care Agency with the Care Quality Commission. This means we have to work to the standards set by the Care Quality Commission.
Your Social Worker will draw up a care plan for you before entering Flat 7 and will negotiate with mosaic the amount of support mosaic staff will provide over and above emergency cover. If you need extra support your Social Worker will arrange it.
A Social Worker or Occupational Therapist can book Flat 7 for anyone who would like to try out independent living with or without a carer. You may also be able to use Flat 7 for alternative respite care or to move out of your present accommodation for a short period while an adaptation is carried out on your property.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Information Service
Aims to provide up to date information and advice on any topics relating to disability
Information service & helpline 0116 2314425
Helpline times: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
mosaic’s Information Service aims to help you by giving you access to information which is accurate, relevant and up-to-date, and which is presented in the form you need it.
Who is the service for?
The Information Service is aimed at:
- Disabled people
- Carers and family members
- Anyone working with disabled people
- Anyone with and interest in disability issues
What areas do we cover?
We aim to provide information on any topics relating to disability, including:
- Access
- Benefits
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- Independent Living
- Leisure and Travel
- Transport and mobility
If we do not have what you are looking for we promise we will do our utmost to find it!
what services do we offer?
The Information Service includes:
- A direct help line for advice and information (formerly the DIAL Leicestershire help line)
- Benefits advice including help with forms and appeals
- Outreach workers who can visit you in your home
- Support to help you access the service you need
- Advocacy service
- Speakers of Hindu, Urdu, Punjabi and Gujarati
- Information fact sheets and leaflets
- Tribunal Support if your benefit application has been turned down
All our printed material is available in large print, or via email.
mosaic’s factsheets
mosaic’s Information Service produces and updates a series of fact sheets on a variety of subjects which are of interest to disabled people.
If you want a fact sheet you can ask for a paper version or it can be emailed to you.
For more information contact Debbie Farrar on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
All our services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL
And what about our newsletter?
mosaic news is a 20 page newsletter which is published six times a year. The newsletter tries to offer information that is of interest to disabled people. We encourage disabled people to write articles and letters for mosaic news. The mosaic news has articles about what is happening in mosaic but also articles that are more generally of interest to disabled people. If you want to receive a newsletter just ring and ask for your name to be put on our mailing list.
The Newsletter is FREE but donations are always welcome. If you would like to donate, you can now do so online as mosaic has been fortunate enough to register with Charity Choice Online Donation Service. It couldn’t be easier to make a donation from your own home. This is what to do:
- Click here to go to the Charity Choice website
- Click on “donate now”
- Click on the left “Charity Choice Directory Online”
- For a quick keyword search type in “mosaic”
- mosaic: shaping disability services will appear.
- Click on Donate Now and make your generous donation.
Please don’t forget to tick the box if you are a tax payer, for mosaic to reclaim tax on your donation.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
PAT Testing
Portable Appliance Testing
If you run an organisation or business or are an employer in your own home using Direct Payments or Personal Budgets you know that health and safety law means that you have to have your plugs tested on a regular basis to ensure they are safe. This includes kettles, computers, hoists etc
mosaic can now offer this service. The cost is £1.00 per plug plus mileage. For further details contact Hannah Clarke on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Sailability
mosaics’s Sailability project aims to give disabled people the opportunity to sail a dinghy or learn how to sail a dinghy.**Please note that Sailability is cancelled at the moment due to Canadian Pond Weed**
At present mosaic has four 303 Access sailing dinghies, three with twin seats, one of which has a servo assisted unit to help with steering. Our other 303 Access dinghy is a single seater. The dinghies are for use by people with disabilities who would not normally have access to a sailing boat. We also have a hoist to enable people with mobility problems to access the dinghies. The project is open to anybody with a disability aged 16 and over and groups associated with people with disabilities. We must state that there is a weight limit for the twin seat dinghies of 90 kilos or approximately 15 stone.
Where do sessions take place?
The boats are based at John Merrick Lane, Watermead Country Park, Wanlip. Unfortunately mosaic cannot provide transport, therefore participants will need to provide their own transport to and from the lake.
The Sailability sessions are on a Tuesday afternoon from April to October and are dependant upon weather conditions.
Sailing is based at John Merrick Lake, Watermead Country Park, Leicester.
Will there be experts on hand?
Yes. We have several Royal Yacht Association qualified, voluntary sailing instructors who will give one-to-one instruction. Activities are covered by third party insurance.
Is there a cost to me?
There are 2 ways of paying. The first is that you pay a subscription of £45 for the season, (this guarantees your time-slot every week) plus you will be billed £2 for every session you have sailed. The second way of paying is £6 for every session you have sailed, you will be billed at the end of the season. With this second method you will not be guaranteed the same time slot each week. The first method of payment works out cheaper for regular sailors. A free taster session is offered for those people who are unsure about how they will get on, or whether they will enjoy it.
What do I need to bring with me?
Some waterproof clothing is essential: e.g. a cagoule and waterproof leggings. Additional warm clothing and a woolly hat are advisable on cooler days, as it can be cold on the lake. In hot weather, a sun hat and sun cream. There is no food or drinking water at the boat compound, therefore it would be advisable to bring some food and drink with you.
Are there accessible toilet and changing facilities?
There is an accessible portaloo at the sailing base and there are accessible toilets and shower facilities in the park a two minute drive or a five minute walk away, depending on mobility. The changing room is based in the compound and is accessible to wheelchair users, there are no shower facilities at the sailing base.
There is a wheelchair accessible pontoon and a hoist for getting on board the boats. The boats can be sailed single-handed or with an instructor on board.
How do I book a session?
Sessions are on Tuesday afternoons, commencing in April and run until October. You can book sessions from 1 March
A session lasts an hour and includes pre sailing checks and getting on board the pontoon with the use of the hoist if required
For more information on dates and a booking form contact Suzy Smalley at mosaic on 0116 2318720. Alternatively you can e-mail Suzy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
You can download our brochure here
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Self Directed Support Service (SDSS)
With knowledgeable Advisors and Payroll Staff, SDSS is able to support people who use Direct Payments, Individual Budgets, Independent Living Fund or Access to Work monies, (personal budgets) to arrange and manage their care needs.
SDSS was set up in 2009 after our contract to provide direct payments support in Leicester was awarded to another provider. In line with the Personalisation Agenda SDSS offers independent support for disabled people in Leicester, Leicesteshire, Rutland and Wandsworth who receive Direct Payments, Personal Budgets, Independent Living Fund or Access to Work monies.
Support available includes:
- Employer support
- Employment law
- Employee recruitment
- Staff management
- Health and safety
- Statutory Payments and Duties
- Expenditure Budgetting
- Insurance information
- Financial monitoring
- Moving and Handling training in your own home
- Arranging agency care
- Third Party management
- Payroll and PAYE
- PAT Testing within your own home
In addition we are now able to offer a Provider Managed Account or a Complex Provider Managed Account. This is can be paid for through your Direct Payment or Personal Budget
For more details about our service and costings contact Haydn Paul on 0116 2318720 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Services for Young People
Provides support and activities to all disabled young people aged between 12 and 30 years who live in Leicester and Leicestershire. Includes Tuesday Rendezvous, Friday Verve, 1:1 work, and an advocacy service for disabled children living in residential care in Leicestershire.
Friday Verve
What does Friday Verve do?
The group works toward organising their own programme of activities and workshops with an emphasis on learning new skills, promoting independence and developing confidence.
Recent projects have included:
- Youth Web Project – Working with Soft Touch Community Arts Co-op, Verve is one of seven youth groups in Leicestershire involved in this unique project. The group has designed a website telling people about issues which are important to them through photography, creative writing, animation and poetry. You can visit the website at www.youth-web.org.uk
- Alternative Therapies – group members had the opportunity to have “taster” sessions where they found out more about a range of relaxation techniques and therapies
- Arts ‘n’ Crafts – working alongside a local artist, group members have organised pottery and papier mache sessions, where everyone created original and exciting pieces of work
Who can go to Friday Verve?
There are up to 11 places for County residents available to young people between 16-30 years who have a physical impairment and/or a sensory disability and who need moderate to high levels of support.
Priority is given to young people from the Countesthorpe, Hinckley and Market Harborough areas.
What support is provided?
There is a group facilitator plus three support staff to assist with any personal needs or to support individuals during activities. We will also provide transport.
Where does Friday Verve meet?
Friday Verve, until recently met at Countesthorpe College. Friday Verve has now split into two groups – one meeting at Walter Charles Centre in Wigston and the other temporarily at Oak Spinney Park.
Do I have to pay to go the Friday Verve?
Group members pay £5 per session which goes towards any activities, workshops or events the group organises. Group members can either bring their own lunch or buy lunch.
If you are interested in finding out more about Friday Verve contact Rachael Moore at mosaic on (0116) 2318720, or ask your social worker to contact us for more details.
Tuesday Rendezvouz
Tuesday Rendezvous is an alternative day service provision for young disabled people supported by mosaic: shaping disability services
Where does tuesday rendezvous meet?
The group is based at The Guildhall in Leicester and meet on Tuesdays from 10am – 3pm. The group meet 48 weeks of the year. The advantage of the Guild Hall is that it is:
- A central location
- Accessible
- Housed a kitchen area
What do the tuesday rendezvous group do?
The group is based within the city, allowing group members to get out and about and to access local community facilities. Rendezvous’ weekly programme is developed from the ideas of group members.
Recent planned activities have included a trip to Skegness. visit to Tigers Rugby Ground, sports & Leisure activities.
What support is provided?
There is a group facilitator plus support staff to assist with any personal needs or to support individuals during activities. Transport will also be provided.
Who can go to tuesday rendezvous?
There are 12 places available to young people between 16 – 30 years who have a physical and/or sensory disability and who need moderate to high level of support, 9 places for city residents and 3 for the county.
What will it costs to attend tuesday rendezvous?
Group members pay £5.00 per session which goes towards any activities, workshops or event the group organise. Due to the ‘mobile’ nature of the group, there are no set arrangements for lunchtime. Group members can bring their own lunch from home or support will be available to enable individuals to buy their lunch.
If you are interested in finding out more about Tuesday Rendezvous contact Rachael Moore, Co-ordinator mosaic on (0116) 2318720 or ask your social worker to contact us for more details.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Social Groups
Stuck at home? Want to make new friends? Live in the County? Then Social Groups may be for you.
Since 1975, mosaic has supported a number of social groups in the County. Some have closed since that date e.g. one in Birstall but other new ones have opened. Some have been around since 1975.
All the groups are run by their members; no paid staff are involved although some may offer a volunteer an honorarium for their work. Each group is independent of mosaic in that they have their own bank accounts, raise money themselves for activities, develop a programme of activities and agree ‘subs’ if agreed. They meet on different days in different types of venues. The funding mosaic gets from Leicestershire County Council covers transport to the groups.
The groups are an important part of the services we have developed. A lot of group members say that the groups are the only time they have to get out of the house and meet other people and make friends. Most people find that attending a group reduces their reliance on other services offered by Adult Social Care.
Currently we are fortunate to have Barbara Harding working as a Project Worker for all the groups – not as an organiser. Barbara can help groups with finding funding and recruiting new members.
The current groups are:
- Fairfield meets on a Monday in South Wigston
- Fleckney meets every other Tuesday
- Great Glen meets every other Thursday
- Lutterworth meets every other Monday
- Endeavour Group meets in Desford
- Melton usually meets on a Thursday but is having a break
- Spinney, the newest group, meets every other Wednesday at Oak Spinney Park
For details about Social Groups contact Barbara Harding on 0116 2318720
“Pooling” your Budgets
mosaic runs a number of services where people meet together on a regular basis. Currently these are funded as groups but over the next few years disabled people who attend group will be assessed by a social worker. The result will be that people will probably be offered a Personal Budget. If you want to meet with other people on a regular basis you might want to “pool” your budget with other people. Currently these are the groups that we offer (there may be others in the future).
Monday
- A group meets at St Albans Church in Leicester. Currently this is funded by Leicester City Council.
- 9teen is a group for three young people from the Transitions Team in Leicester who have high physical care needs and meet at Oak Spinney Park. Individuals fund this through their Personal Budget
- Arts and Crafts Group has been meeting at Cross Corners Community Arts centre. This group has stopped for the time being but it is one which we want to start again once we have some new members. Members will fund this through their Personal Budget
- A group meets at the Palace in Ibstock funded by Leicestershire County Council
- The Exercise Group meets at Oak Spinney Park. Individuals fund this through their Personal Budget
Tuesday
- Tudor Centre in Leicester is a group that is funded by Leicester City Council
- Sapphire meets at Brockington Community College in Enderby funded by Leicestershire County Council
- Rendezvous meets at the Guildhall in Leicester for people aged 16-30 and is funded by both Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council
Wednesday
- A group meets at the Guildhall funded by Leicester City Council
- The Woodgate Group currently meets at Oak Spinney Park but is looking for another venue. Individuals fund this through their Personal Budget.
Thursday
- The Arts and Crafts group meets at Cross Corners Community Arts Centre from 10-1. Individuals fund this through their Personal Budgets
Friday
- Friday Verve meets at Walter Charles Centre and is funded by Leicestershire County Council
- A Second Friday Verve meets at Oak Spinney Park until another venue is found.
- The Loughborough Group (Panache) meets at St Peters Church Hall on Storer Road. Individuals fund this through their Personal Budgets
In addition, at weekends and some evenings we run Friendship Groups. There is a programme of events and people chose what they want to do. Friendship Groups are funded by an Individual’s Personal Budget. For a programme and more detail about these contact Rachael Moore on 0116 2318720
During the summer we are offering activities to young people who usually attend college during the week. This would also be funded by an Individual’s Personal Budget – for more detail contact Katie Barradell on 0116 2318720
While all the groups in mosaic work with different groups of people, of different ages in different locations funded in different ways they have one thing in common – the groups are planned by group members. Core to these groups is the fact that they are user-led; the groups ‘belong’ to the members. The staff facilitate what members want. The groups are open to people with different levels of personal care support needs. Being either based in the community or using community facilities makes a big difference to what can happen. Where attendence at a group is funded through direct payments or personal budgets and you want to try out a group you are entitled to one free Taster Day, after which you start paying.
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Sunbeam Narrowboat
Sunbeam is our fully accessible narrowboat used exclusively by disabled people and groups.
Our qualified volunteer skippers and crew members accompany all trips to enable you to enjoy a narrowboat experience. The boat can take up to 12 passengers with a maximum of 4 people who have to travel in a wheelchair. The usual day on sunbeam starts at 10am with a return by 4pm. A stop on the way for lunch (usually a pub lunch) is an enjoyable part of the trip. There are 4 trip options from Wanlip where our boat is moored.
Please download our brochure for more information (Please note that this is a large file and may take a while to download)
The history of Sunbeam
‘Sunbeam’ came into our possession in 1978. She was then lengthened, and an electric lift and ramps were installed to enable disabled people to get aboard. We run day trips from April to October along the river Soar in Leicester, starting and finishing at a pub called the Hope & Anchor. In the 2009 season we celebrated our 40,000th passenger since the project began, in fact during the 2009 season itself, ‘Sunbeam’ went out 117 times carrying approximately 1,714 passengers, the majority of whom were disabled. It is important to know that while mosaic manage the boat it is entirely run by Volunteers who Skipper and Crew ‘Sunbeam’. We have 40 Volunteers who are involved with ‘Sunbeam’ and the time and energy they give is absolutely amazing.
I would particularly like to acknowledge what has been done by our Volunteers over this winter period while ‘Sunbeam’ has been out of commission. Due to the popularity of ‘Sunbeam’ she has been worked particularly hard over the last few years and as a result has taken a few knocks and was looking very tired and ‘battle weary’ (that’s a polite way of putting what she really looked like!). Sadly, around this time, one of our Volunteer Skippers passed away and the family very kindly asked that donations from the funeral be given to ‘Sunbeam’. This was the start of what has become a somewhat major project.
As a charity, mosaic was not fortunate enough to have enough money to put together with the money from the funeral to have ‘Sunbeam’ repainted and a new more suitable toilet fitted; these were the main things that needed urgent attention, so we set about trying to attract some funding. This then led to us, myself and some of the Volunteers, having a meeting and making a ‘wish list’, just in case we had some money left over (ever hopeful!). The estimate for our original wish list came to almost £11,000! So, the Volunteers went on a mission! They slowly but surely persuaded several people to either part with money or give us a discount on things we needed, such as paint. The next problem we had, as so often happens in these cases, is that as we started having the work done, more problems came to light. We have ended up having to replace all the windows and radiators, amongst other things, that hadn’t featured on our original wish list. Consequently the Volunteers have met with the challenge and persuaded yet more people to part with their money – and in this economic climate, that’s no mean feat! So far over £13,000 has been raised, and spent (with still more to go)!
But it doesn’t stop there! Not only have the Volunteers raised this money, and persuaded people to give us discounts, they have also been very ‘hands-on’. While Sileby Mill Boatyard have done the outside things and more specialised work, the Volunteers have stripped, tiled, varnished, cleaned, painted and any number of other things on the inside. They truly are remarkable!
We take great pride in ‘Sunbeam’ and she gives so much pleasure to so many people with disabilities, but she is nothing without the dedication of our fantastic Volunteers. In these times of difficulties and uncertainty there are wonderful people out there who willingly give one of their most valuable assets – their time, for the benefit of other people. This should really be celebrated.
You can download our brochure here (Please note that this is a large file and may take a while to download)
You can download our booking form here
Updated on 5 September, 2011
Visiting Service
Disabled people can receive a regular visitor in their own home.
Visitors are volunteers or students who will visit on a regular basis, as the person wants. Often people living in residential care have no friends or relatives and want a visitor to combat the social isolation they feel.
Vistors will call, listen, chat, have a cup of tea, go out with you, help with a hobby – anything you want.
If you are interested in having a visitor contact Joan Rowbottom on 0116 2318720 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Updated on 5 September, 2011