The people we support are all capable of extraordinary things, and they deserve a chance to be recognised for every step of progress they make.

That’s how the OPT Award came to fruition, and its creator Lynda Larke is with us to kick off our latest series of Reasons to Care!

Join us to discover how the OPT Award can help inspire the people we support to achieve the impossible, step outside of their comfort zones, and create opportunities!

This episode covers:

• The introduction of the OPT Award, and the success stories that it’s given rise to

• Educating society about the capabilities of the people that we support across Diverse Abilities and beyond

• How structured support helps people to overcome fears and break boundaries

• The importance of empowerment through recognition

OPT Award

https://www.optaward.org.uk/

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Sports and movement should be for everyone, which is why people like Helen Montgomery are such heroes for bringing sensory sports to life at Langside School!

Mirroring real life events like the football World Cup, Wimbledon and Olympics can be the source of inspiration, creativity and delight for all the children we support - discover how sensory sports unlock doors as Helen joins us on another charming episode of Reasons to Care.

This episode covers:

• The unique, dynamic role of a physiotherapist at Langside vs being a community physio

• Transformative experiences enabled by creatively adapting sports

• The confidence and social development that comes from creating such inclusive opportunities

• Incredible events that Helen has brought to life, like the ‘Langside Olympics’

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Diverse Abilities this year celebrates its remarkable 70th anniversary, and so it’s a joy to look back at how Dorset’s disability charity has grown with the daughter of our Founder!

Diverse Abilities was set up to support Wendy Barfoot’s sister, Marilyn, and Wendy joins us to share the evolution of Diverse Abilities, her growing role in its history, and how our impact has grown from such humble beginnings.

This episode covers:

• The heartwarming origin story behind Diverse Abilities

• How Marilyn inspired a movement that’s grown into a lasting legacy

• Care through the decades, and how it’s changed with the times

• The power of community, and building something incredible together

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Oh what a wonderful time of year to spread love and Christmas cheer, and there’s nowhere more caring and kind than the hearts of our Christmas caregivers.

In one of our most heartwarming episodes of Reasons to Care, we’re celebrating all those who give so much at Christmas time by sharing our favourite stories - from trees carrying on a beloved man’s legacy, to Secret Santa and bauble-swapping shenanigans!

This episode covers:

• Heartwarming holiday traditions with team members and those that they support

• The rewarding nature of how much joy caregivers bring to families at such an important time of the year

• The many incredible ways that those in care can inspire people

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

David Flatman is not only an England Rugby star and pundit, but he’s an incredible ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association, and his story is such a heartwarming one…

Having grown up with a brother who has Down’s Syndrome, it’s a joy to hear him share how the family bonded together to give him a life of fulfilment, independence, and love!

This episode covers:

• The unwavering dedication of parents caring for David’s brother

• Unique and profound bonds between SEN siblings

• Where to find the right support and resources to enable independence

• Redefining our perceptions of a ‘normal’ childhood

  
  

David Flatman: https://www.instagram.com/dflatman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-flatman-5972b517/

Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

There are so many potential stars in the care industry whose only barrier is realising it’s a place for everyone to shine!

Men make up such a small percentage of caregivers in the UK, one of whom is a local favourite in our on-call team at Diverse Abilities, and has been with us for nearly five years now.

With International Men’s Day around the corner, it’s a perfect time to explore his journey into care, and what we can do to encourage more male carers in to the profession!

This episode covers:

• The qualities of a great male carer

• Life in the on-call team

• What we can do to encourage more male carers into the profession

• Unique qualities that men can bring to a caregiving team

Clare Rochford : https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Welcome back to Reasons to Care, and it’s a joy to bring you the first of a new run of episodes where we share the inspiring story of Anne, one of the lovely ladies we care for at Diverse Abilities!

Anne’s story is one of independence and fulfilment, shining a light on the empowerment that our support gives to so many that come to us in adult services, and it’s a pleasure to share her experience on this month’s episode.

This episode covers:

• What a normal week looks like with the support of Diverse Abilities

• The friendships that such support enables

• Anne’s life-changing holiday experience

• How Anne chooses the activities in her life independently

Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

The partnerships that we can make between charities and businesses can transform countless lives, and every piece of that puzzle counts!

We’ve been Colten Care’s chosen charity, which has led to improvements at Langside and beyond, and Jess Farwell’s role in the community is a perfect example of how we can collaborate and achieve so much together.

Jess joins us in this episode of Reasons to Care, where we also bust the myth that caregivers need prior experience, and share more heartwarming notes from our Happy Jar!

This episode covers:

• Examples of community support that Jess has been a huge part of, like their recent ‘Chocolate Elf Campaign’

• The importance of partnerships between charities and local businesses

• Encouraging people to contribute their skills to a fantastic cause

• Transition support for individuals with disabilities from childhood to adulthood services

Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/