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Send us your Hft 60 memories at www.hft.org.uk/shareyourstory and we'll add them to this wall for everyone to see!

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Caroline’s Cheshire ‘Walk & Talk’ raises over £4,000 for Hft!

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Caroline’s Cheshire ‘Walk & Talk’ raises over £4,000 for Hft!

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Caroline, who we support in Cheshire, raised over *£4,000* for our charity after embarking on an eight-mile hike to celebrate Hft's 60th birthday! https://www.hft.org.uk/blog/cheshire-walk-raises-over-4000-for-hft/

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Richard in his role as best man at Sharon's wedding

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Richard Houston Cosgrove was the first person to move into Frocester Manor (Hft's first service) and support worker Sharon had the pleasure of being his key worker for 12 years - he was even the best man at her wedding!

Richard, who had the nickname 'Cossie', was very proud to be the first and this detail was listed on a plaque outside the manor. Though Richard has since sadly passed away, he has been laid to rest in the old Frocester church, at which you can be buried only if you have lived in the parish.

Richard's mother later wrote his life story describing how, despite the limited opportunities available to people with a learning disability at the time, she was determined to get him an education and make sure he could live the best life possible.

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Making memories with Hft - Graham's Soaring 60 skydive! 💜

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Making memories with Hft - Graham's Soaring 60 skydive! 💜

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Graham (husband to Hft's PR & Media Manager Val) and son-in-law Joe completed their Soaring 60 skydives for Hft’s 60th anniversary celebrations on 16 October, jumping from 14,000 feet into a blue sky and under enjoying perfect conditions!

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Making memories with Hft - Graham's Soaring 60 skydive! 💜

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Lyndsay who works at Hft Cheshire and Merseyside, has raised £750 through her adrenaline-fuelled #Soaring60 skydive and through a local Walk & Talk challenge alongside colleagues, people we support, friends and family!
You can still donate to Lyndsay’s fundraising efforts by visiting JustGiving and searching for Lyndsay Gittins

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A lovely message of thanks to our supporters from Martin Clunes

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A lovely message of thanks to our supporters from Martin Clunes

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We simply couldn’t have reached our landmark birthday without the support of some very special people…YOU! Here’s one of our Patrons, Martin Clunes, who had this message for our wonderful supporters...

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Hft support worker Marika has completed her #Soaring60 skydive in celebration of our 60 year anniversary!

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A word from Hft Patron Griff Rhys Jones!

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A word from Hft Patron Griff Rhys Jones!

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Hft Patron Griff Rhys Jones shares his thanks with our supporters for the Hft 'Thankathon' ahead of our 60th celebrations

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40 years of support from – and for – Hft

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40 years of support from – and for – Hft

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As part of our #Hft60 celebrations, Mike Stiff has kindly shared some of his family's memories covering the 40 years we've supported his son James - and the 40 years that they've supported us!
www.hft.org.uk/blog/40-years-of-support-from-and-for-hft

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40 years of support from - and for - Hft

As we've shared before, James, who is supported by Hft in Herts & Essex, is part of a family of Hft Heroes, who have collectively dedicated a huge amount of time and energy for our charity. Mike, Heather, Sarah and James Stiff have collectively raised thousands of pounds of donations, and acted as ambassadors for Hft, promoting our work and helping raise our profile.

As part of our #Hft60 celebrations, Mike has kindly shared some of his memories, showing just how much James has achieved over the past 40 years, including newspaper clippings, 'big cheques' and a recognition from Buckingham Palace!

As Mike says, as well as the physical endeavours that James has gone through and the achievements that he's accomplished (such taking on a sponsored cycling challenge from Lands End to John O'Groats!), he's also displayed an amazing amount of dedication and concentration to see them through each time - all to raise money and awareness for Hft.
Huge thanks again to the whole family!
If you enjoyed reading Mike, Heather, Sarah and James' contribution to our #Hft60, why not take a look at the other stories that others have shared, and perhaps share your own?
Visit the #Hft60 memory wall

Intrepid teenager takes a 15,000 feet leap of faith in aid of charity

Charity's housing staff rally together to improve facilities

Pat and John's memories of Hft

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40 years of support from - and for - Hft

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As we've shared before, James, who is supported by Hft in Herts & Essex, is part of a family of Hft Heroes, who have collectively dedicated a huge amount of time and energy for our charity. Mike, Heather, Sarah and James Stiff have collectively raised thousands of pounds of donations, and acted as ambassadors for Hft, promoting our work and helping raise our profile.

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Watch Devia's dare-devil descent for our #Soaring60!

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Watch Devia's dare-devil descent for our #Soaring60!

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“Equal parts of exhilarating, terrifying and unforgettable!” are how Hft's Chief Charity and External Affairs Officer Devia Gurjar described her #Soaring60 skydive, which she completed on Saturday 24th Sept!
Check out the video at: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6980208164470177793

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On Saturday, Devia Gurjar - our very own dare-devil Chief Charity and External Affairs Officer - jumped out of a plane above Peterborough, all to raise funds for Hft as we mark our #Hft60 anniversary. She says the dive was "equal parts of exhilarating, terrifying and unforgettable!" "What better way to mark my one-year anniversary at Hft than to celebrate the life changing work we do and jointly mark 60 years of Hft?" If you'd like to contribute to Devia's sponsorship, you can do so at https://loom.ly/6uZe2sU - and there's still time to sign up to do your own Hft Soaring 60 Skydive - find out more at www.hft.org.uk/soaring60

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On Saturday, Devia Gurjar - our very own dare-devil Chief Charity and External Affairs Officer - jumped out of a plane above Peterborough, all to raise funds for Hft as we mark our #Hft60 anniversary. She says the dive was "equal parts of exhilarating, terrifying and unforgettable!"

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“When I am in the ring I feel like my disability has gone away and I can do everything.”

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“When I am in the ring I feel like my disability has gone away and I can do everything.”

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Finding the right hobby can be life-changing – as Shaun, a person we support in Sheffield found out when he took up boxing with the help of his support worker!
https://www.hft.org.uk/our-services/stories/shauns-boxing-success

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Remembering when Henry and Becky invited the Prime Minister to #WalkInOurShoes

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Remembering when Henry and Becky invited the Prime Minister to #WalkInOurShoes

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As part of our 'Walk in our shoes' campaign, two of the people we support hand-delivered a pair of customised shoes to Prime Minister Teresa May in 2018, with a request that she invite MPs to 'walk in the shoes of someone with a learning disability' www.hft.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/walk-in-our-shoes

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Huge thanks to 16-year-old Becca Randolph from Chaffcombe who raised more than £750 as one of our #Soaring60 skydivers!

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Liam enjoys a drop of cider at a local pub

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Liam - one of our Luv2meeU club members - shares his thoughts on why he'd recommend the friendship and relationship service that to others! 💜 https://www.facebook.com/Hftlearningdisabilities/photos/a.10151233216845530/10160804560075530

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For a number of years before the Covid-19 pandemic, Hft ran a popular accessible music festival in Sussex, with learning disabled people, their families and carers coming together with hundreds of other people from the local community to enjoy a weekend of live music, camping and fun!

Special provisions for people with learning disabilities included an accessible campsite, fully accessible facilities and access to designated chill-out areas away from the main crowds.

Did you join us at CoreFest? Leave a note in the comments!

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2018-07-10 11:27:55

Staged in the grounds of Hft Sussex Orchards in Walberton, CoreFest is a free two-day inclusive music festival for all. People with learning disabilities, their families and carers came together with hundreds of other people from the local community to enjoy a weekend of live music, camping and fun.

This year's sell-out festival line-up included a range of highly popular bands to appeal to all tastes, from Michael Jackson and Kylie tribute acts to local favourites Murdoch's Crazy Eyes, Iron Tyger and Delta 7. Other entertainment included magic shows, circus skills workshops, aerial acrobatics, bouncy castles and animals from RepTylers Mobile Zoo.

Special provisions for people with learning disabilities included an accessible campsite, fully accessible facilities and access to designated chill-out areas away from the main crowds.

Hilary Harris, a guest from Brighton, said

"It has been the best weekend. It's been brilliant to see people of all ages and abilities enjoying themselves together in the sunshine. We'll definitely be back next year."

Hft Sussex supports around 100 people locally, offering person-centred services ranging from residential care to supported living at home - from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. The festival helped raise more than £5,500 to support their work.

Hft's Divisional Fundraising Manager Jodi Harford said

"CoreFest is really important to Hft Sussex; not just because it helps us raise valuable funds and awareness for the charity, but because so few festivals like this exist. We feel strongly that people with learning disabilities should be able to enjoy live music and the festival experience alongside everyone else; and CoreFest enables them to do just that. Thanks to everyone who came along this year - we look forward to seeing you again in 2019."

Next on the agenda for Hft Sussex is the return of their popular We're Going on a Bear Hunt family fundraising event on 8-9 September 2018 at Hft Sussex Orchards, Eastergate Lane, Walberton BN18 0AE. Visit the Bear Hunt page for information and tickets.
Notes to editors
For further information please phone 0117 906 1697 or email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Hft is a national charity that creatively supports more than 2,200 adults with learning disabilities across England and Wales to live the best life possible. Services range from residential care to supporting people to live independently in their own homes - from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. Hft also helps people with learning disabilities to take part in daily activities, make friends and develop relationships and to find work.

Established in 1962, Hft is funded in two ways: through local authorities, who fund vital support services, but also through donors, supporters and volunteers who enable us to find new ways to help more people to thrive rather than just get by.

For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk

Location: Hft Sussex

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Popular inclusive music festival attracts record crowds

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2018-07-10 11:27:55 Staged in the grounds of Hft Sussex Orchards in Walberton, CoreFest is a free two-day inclusive music festival for all. People with learning disabilities, their families and carers came together with hundreds of other people from the local community to enjoy a weekend of live music, camping and fun.

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As their contribution to our #Hft60 memory wall, Mark's nephew, Frazer, and mother, Marian have kindly shared their appreciation of the support provided to Mark by his support team, both over the years he has been with Hft, and more recently following the passing of his father

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Cecilia shares her feelings about the support Annette has received over the years for our #Hft60 celebrations - thank you Cecilia!

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"My sister Annette has been supported firstly by CARE, then Self Unlimited and now Hft for the best part of 60 years. Annette was one of the first few ...

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You can find out more about how Project SEARCH supports young adults who have a learning disability or autism at www.hft.org.uk/projectsearch

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Pat and John, whose daughter Kathy is supported by Hft in Gloucestershire, share their memories of Hft as part of our #Hft60 anniversary celebrations. Read their story at www.hft.org.uk/blog/pat-and-johns-memories-of-hft

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Beryl shares her thoughts on the support her son Mark has received from Hft

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Beryl shares her thoughts on the support her son Mark has received from Hft

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"We were fortunate to be guided to Hft when our son had reached an age long past schooling when he needed the stimulus and purpose it would have been so difficult for our family to provide, to enable our son to benefit from all the varied opportunities and encouragement that Hft have been able to bring to his adult life.

"For that we will be forever thankful. Both our son Mark and ourselves as a family have shared highs and lows and happiness and sadness but through it all, Hft have been there. A sense of purpose and fulfilment alongside the opportunities our Mark would never have known."

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An event being held in the grounds of Frocester Manor

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Minette Marrin, sister of one of the people supported by Hft in our earliest days, shares her memories of what life at Hft was like at the time - and how many of the ideals and intents have remained the same...

https://www.facebook.com/Hftlearningdisabilities/posts/pfbid02whSEUEkwnrq182xHnZU3TTGGcqAoXHvG5KJw6J4cQaPL7ZqUx7FiTr5V2f5CbTj7l

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Get involved in a Walk & Talk event this September!

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Get involved in a Walk & Talk event this September!

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Join us for a Walk & Talk this September to celebrate 60 years of Hft while connecting with others in your community to help combat loneliness and isolation :)
www.hft.org.uk/walk&talk

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Martin shares his reasons for supporting Hft

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Martin shares his reasons for supporting Hft

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A black and white photo of Andrew Collinge

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Andrew Collinge (Two times British Hairdresser of the Year!) shares his memories of Hft for our Hft 60…

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Andrew Collinge (Two times British Hairdresser of the Year!) shares his memories of Hft for our Hft 60…

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www.hft.org.uk/blog/an-interview-with-andrew-collinge-for-our-hft-60-celebrations

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Reflections on 60 years of Hft from Richard Barber

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Reflections on 60 years of Hft from Richard Barber

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How and when were you introduced to Hft? What is your connection to the charity?

My family's association with HFT goes back nearly 58 years, when my sister Lucinda came to Frocester Manor as one of the first girls to enter the new Home Farm Trust (Hft's former name) in 1964. She has been secure, happy and wonderfully cared for ever since.
How did you feel when your family first started receiving support from Hft?
Our whole family was thrilled to know how happy Lucinda was at Frocester after some difficult times at one of her previous schools. My parents had organised her placement, with enthusiastic support from the County Council of Derbyshire where our family lived.
How is your sister Lucinda supported today?
Throughout the 58 years that she has been with Hft, Lucinda has lived an active and engaged life. She has made numerous friends down the years with staff and residents alike, including her long-time boyfriend Robert who was in the first cohort to come into Hft at Frocester in 1962. She moved from Frocester to supported living at Ryeford Court in 2018, and now goes into Stroud every week with Robert for shopping and lunch, together with their wonderful carer.

At 76 years old, while now wheelchair-bound, Lucinda fully retains her unique personality, with unquenchable curiosity, trenchant views, conducting correspondence with her family and friends far and wide and living a fulfilled life supported by the Ryeford staff in ways that are beyond praise - and often beyond the call of duty.
Why do you still support Hft? Why do you think organisations like Hft are so important?
The number of people in the country with learning disabilities is growing and placements to help them live fulfilled lives are in very short supply and in great demand.

My family's involvement with Hft goes back to the 1960s when my father played a significant role in Hft's early days, supporting Frocester Manor through its perilous beginnings and raising most of the funds to start a new Hft service at Fairthorn in Sheffield. So my brother Nicholas and I are keen to continue our family's tradition of support, both because of our sister Lucinda and also because, throughout its history, Hft has so wonderfully fulfilled our founders' inspiring vision of supporting people with learning disabilities to live the very best life they can.

The story of these 60 years should be read with gratitude by the families whose relatives today are supported by Hft; with admiration by future generations of Hft families; and with inspiration by the wider public to know how determination, care and an inspiring vision can overcome seemingly insuperable odds and really change people's lives.
Do you have a positive story of the support Hft have provided that you would like to share?
In 2010, one of the people we supported was Peter at our Bishop's Stortford service. He had a sunny personality and among his favourite things in life were meeting people, wearing different hats, listening to Gilbert & Sullivan and marching up and down.

One day there was a large regional staff meeting at Bishop's Stortford. Half way through the meeting, Peter marched slowly past the window wearing a cowboy hat. The meeting was momentarily diverted. A few minutes later he marched slowly past in the other direction, wearing a Native American headdress. The meeting began to falter.

A minute or two after that, Peter came marching slowly back again past the window, this time sporting a policeman's helmet and also wearing a rather outsize jacket belonging to one of the people at the meeting. The session broke up in helpless laughter. Everyone knew that it was due to Hft that Peter's personality and sense of humour could flourish so happily throughout his lifetime.

Peter died in 2012 at the age of seventy-seven; at that time he was the oldest person in the country with Down's Syndrome.
Could you sum up Hft in a few words?
Hft remains as committed today to its founders' core values as they were 60 years ago, namely:

Putting the best interests of the people we support at the centre of everything they do, and supporting them to choose how to live their lives to the full;

Creating the best possible working environment to motivate, train and retain happy staff;

Encouraging people at all levels to be open with their ideas, comments, suggestions and criticisms, and being responsive to these;

Giving central importance to the involvement of families.

With these values, Hft continues to fulfil its founders' vision to remain far into the future at the forefront of organisations which ensure happy, fulfilled lives for everyone in their care.
It's our 60th anniversary this year; do you have a celebratory message for the people we support and our staff?
Everything you do in Hft stems from the quality of the staff, and your devotion to supporting every one of our relatives throughout the Covid19 crisis has been beyond praise. Your selfless dedication has drawn our admiration and gratitude in equal measure. We feel so lucky in having such devoted, hard-working and selfless staff members to carry out all that you have done in this time and we are thrilled to share your 60 th anniversary celebrations with you. We shall continue to support your work in every way we can and every Hft family sends you all a very sincere Thank You, hoping that you will wish to continue to develop your careers with Hft.

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How and when were you introduced to Hft? What is your connection to the charity? My family's association with HFT goes back nearly 58 years, when my sister Lucinda came to Frocester Manor as one of the first girls to enter the new Home Farm Trust (Hft's former name) in 1964.

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A photo of Frocester Manor in Gloucestershire - Hft's first residential care service

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Founded by pioneering families 60 years ago, at Hft we understand how important it is to work in partnership with the people we support - and those involved in their lives.
Margaret Bailey, Roy Newton Baker, Frank Evans, Winifred Lavender, Douglas Martin, John Tanner, Rev. John Way, and George Wilson were the original families who subscribed to create the Home Farm Trust (Hft's original name) in 1962.

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A photo of Linda, showing off her book: "My Collection of Poems"

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Linda - Hft's resident poet - shares a poem she wrote for our 50th anniversary celebrations!

Here is my ode to Hft,

A selection of verses of how it came to be.

It was started by parents in 1962

You can imagine then there was plenty to do.

Our earliest friend was Richard Cosgrove, how super

Others followed, Jim, Sandy and Ian Cooper.

Then Shelagh and David came onto the scene

With Caroline and Lucinda we could see that they were keen.

We started with cows, pigs chickens and sheep,

Which we fed daily as it was them we wanted to keep.

We grew our own vegetables to eat and to sell

So as you can tell, we were doing quite well.

We used to have a big steam rally, with bands and entertainments,

The people who attended it were friends, staff and residents.

Now there’s discos, to the loud music we’ll dance

Singing Karaoke if we get the chance.

We really enjoy meeting in our Craft Shop

Because it is our favourite place to stop.

There are puzzles and games the residents play,

Then with Lin there are lovely clothes we have made.

Well, our long standing staff, they ebb and they flow

When new faces come, the old faces go.

A new door opens when another one’s closed,

Hft’s evolving I suppose.

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Formerly a Preparatory School, Hft's Old Quarries service opened its doors to 16 young men in 1968 - just six years after Frocester Manor opened, and next door to Hft's Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal!

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A photo of HRH The Princess Royal at an event in Cornwall

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HRH The Princess Royal - our royal patron

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HRH The Princess Royal - our royal patron

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In 1982, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal honoured Hft by accepting an invitation to become our Royal Patron. Since then, HRH has made many visits to our services, conferences and fundraising events, helping to promote the charity and champion the rights of the people we support.

"When the Princess Royal got involved, people said ‘Ah OK, the charity must be alright!"

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Ronnie Corbett CBE introduced Hft's 2014 Annual Review

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Ronnie Corbett CBE introduced Hft's 2014 Annual Review

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In 2014, we were lucky enough to receive a unique introduction to our Annual Review from none other than Ronnie Corbett CBE, who was an Hft patron at the time!

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Hft Annual Review 2014 - Foreword by Ronnie Corbett

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People came from far and wide to Hft's annual Fête at Frocester, which was held in the Manor’s extensive gardens, and to which every family brought their products, expertise and energy!
Stalls would be set up across the lawns selling local goods, clothes, shoes, cakes and drinks, and games would be set up for the children, all helping to raise funds for the charity.

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In April 2013 Hft merged with Self Unlimited - a charity with a very similar ethos and history, to create an organisation that supported almost 3,000 people with learning disabilities across the country.
Self Unlimited's founder was in fact Peter Forbes - Hft's very first Registered Manager at Frocester Manor!

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This September, you could be one of Hft’s 'Soaring 60' skydivers.  Help us celebrate our 60th anniversary by jumping for our jubilee: www.hft.org.uk/get-involved/events/hfts-soaring-60-skydive

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