CornerstoneNews

www.cornerstone.org.uk

Our Annual Charity Fundraising Dinner sponsored by Optima, BP and Technip, was held at The Marcliffe Hotel on 28 April in Aberdeen. As always the event was well attended by local businesses, with tickets selling out months in advance. The dinner, main auction, silent auction and raffles raised an impressive £49,000 for Cornerstone and the people that we support. The guests enjoyed a drinks reception sponsored by Petrofac and a three course meal followed by John McKelvie who entertained the crowd with a hilarious stand up set of observational comedy. The main fundraising part of the evening was the auction, which was led by Ian Thain and featured some amazing prizes including a boat trip of the North East coast followed by a champagne and seafood dinner, a trip on the Orient Express and a beautiful painting by Kathleen Buchan. Some of the more modest winners on the night took home a Royal Wedding in a Box, an ipod touch and bottles of whisky.

Thanks again to all our sponsors, those who attended, donated items and took part in the auction, we look forward to seeing you all again in 2012.

Jayne Findlay, Regional Director North with guests enjoying the drinks reception

Charity Dinner

Maersk and Cornerstone working together in 2011

We are delighted to announce that Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies has chosen Cornerstone as their Charity of the Year for 2011.

We were nominated by Morag Cormack and Lynne Gray, whose relatives Maureen Skene and Malcolm Gray work for Cornerstone. Maersk staff will be fundraising all year round and every penny they raise will be matched by Maersk.

We had a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session with Mearsk which gave their staff the opportunity to hear more about the work we do. A zumba class and corporate decathlon are just a few of the ideas Maersk staff have had to begin raising money. We are looking forward to working with them throughout 2011 and announcing a fantastic fundraising figure at the end of this partnership.

spring/summer 2011

Cornerstone is working in partnership with Gold Challenge, a two year fundraising initiative geared to get more people involved in sport in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This is a great way to get fit, set yourself personal goals and raise lots of funds for Cornerstone to help the people we support to enjoy valued lives. Perhaps you want to take part as an individual, or set up a team with your colleagues, however you shape your Gold Challenge this is a fantastic opportunity to do your bit for charity and try new things along the way.

Gold Challenge offers a quick and easy registration process on their website and as an individual or team you have the choice of participating in 5,10,20 or 30 of the Olympic or Paralympic sports.

Visit www.goldchallenge.org/cornerstone to register, shape your challenge and start fundraising for Cornerstone. Check out the ‘Where’ section of the website to find participating sports venues in your local area.

Completing a sport will involve either taking a training course (for novices and improvers) or competing in a competitive match or tournament (for the more experienced). A simple scoring system has been established to enable leagues, so upload your achievements on the Gold Challenge website and keep track of your progress against friends, colleagues or other companies.

We have set up a Cornerstone Team for those who don’t want to go it alone. Please contact Vanessa.Smith@cornerstone.org.uk to register your interest. Una O’Keefe a support worker for Cornerstone, has recently completed a half marathon as part of the team, so if you are interested in taking part then get in touch and let us know what sports you would like to try.

Please visit the Cornerstone Gold Challenge page on our website for more information.

www.cornerstone.org/goldchallenge

I am currently in training for the London 2012 Olympics and I think the Gold Challenge is a brilliant way to get everyone involved in the excitement of the games. As a gymnast, I encourage you to give the sport a try as it’s a fantastic way to get fit and have fun, while raising money for a great cause. Daniel Purvis,gymnastic Olympic medal hopeful

Cornerstone News Spring 20113

The annual Cornerstone Cycle Challenge will be launched in June and is taking place with an added twist this year . It will now involve a walking challenge , whereby participants can also log their walking hours to reach the destinations. The theme this year is The Oscars, with each destination relating to a film or movie star. To register your team please contact vanessa.smith@cornerstone.org.uk.

Cornerstone is delighted to be an official charity of the Big Fun Run for a third year. The Big Fun Run is a series of 5km fun runs being staged across the UK. Cornerstone has registered for the four Scottish events detailed below.

Dundee 17 September Aberdeen 18 SeptemberEdinburgh 23 October Glasgow 29 October

Online entries are now open and there is an earlybird discount available until 1st June 2011. To enter, go to the Big Fun Run website www.bigfunrun.com, select Cornerstone as your chosen charity.

Once you have registered, we will then send you a sponsor form and an information pack. Remember to tick the box on the entry form if you would like us to send you a Cornerstone t-shirt. Every runner will receive a medal, a bottle of water and a goody bag.

These events have the potential to raise lots of money for Cornerstone so we would like to encourage as many people as possible to take part. We include hints and tips on how to raise sponsorship in your information pack. It would be great if all runners aimed to raise a minimum of £30 in sponsorship.

If you have any queries or would like more information on the Big Fun Run, please contact Linda Shaw on 01224 256032 or by email:linda.shaw@cornerstone.org.uk.

Cornerstone has linked with Terracycle to promote our Pen Collection initiative. We can claim 2p for every writing instrument we collect, before they are sent off to be recycled into a variety of products. You can create your own Pen Collection by printing out our A4 posters to decorate your box, alternatively you can send your pens and pencils in to any of our regional offices. Contact emma.taylor@cornerstone.org.uk for your pen collection materials.

Come to ColdinghamIf you’re planning a trip away then take some inspiration from Nora and Donna, two ladies whom Cornerstone supports. They enjoyed a short break at a beautiful cottage in Coldingham, a historic village on the South East Scotland coastline. The cottage provided a good base to visit some historical sites over the border such as Alnwick Castle, Lindisfarne on Holy Isle and the nearby town of Berwick Upon Tweed.

The sun shone while they walked around Coldingham and the picture perfect harbour at St. Abbs, and they sampled the food at the local pubs in the village. Both ladies clearly enjoyed themselves especially relaxing in front of the wood burning stove after a day’s sightseeing.If your interested in a visit to the area please contact Susan Upton of Courtburn Holiday Lettings 01890 771266. She is offering 10% discount for bookings 2011/2012 during mid low season, please quote Cornerstone. www.courtburn.com

Why have you chosen to become a Foster Carer?

The idea of looking after children came to me around seven years ago. I was reading a newspaper and read an advert for an organisation recruiting for Foster Carers. Three questions were asked: Do you have a spare room? Do you want to work with children? Would you like to be a Foster Carer? Yes was the answer to all of them and I decided to apply. Unfortunately at that time, the Criminal Justice Offices were located below my flat. The insecurity caused by people passing by the office meant that I was not able to go further with my application.

In 2009, the situation changed. The Criminal Justice Offices moved out and Cornerstone, for which I was working as a support worker, offered me the opportunity to apply to become a Foster Carer.

How many children are you looking after at the moment?

I am looking after 14 children in total. At home I have two spare bedrooms, which means that I can offer respite for up to three children at the same time. The children who share the same room have to be siblings, which means

Focus on Foster CaringCornerstone Children’s Service in North Ayrshire have recently launched a new Foster Carer service and we are looking to attract applicants who would be willing to care for a child for short breaks and respite.

By providing children with a home and supportive environment, fostering can help families who sometimes need a little extra support. Nandra Weideger, 46, offers short term respite to vulnerable children since February 2010. A year on, she has agreed to tell us more about a job she loves.

that I can foster two siblings and a third child, three siblings or two children from different families.

Respite formulas do vary, usually children who come during the week stay over for one night. Children who come over the weekend stay for two nights, Friday and Saturday.

What do you like the most about your role?

I have three children of my own and love being a mum. I have always liked having a busy house where people feel comfortable and welcomed. I also love being at home and doing domestic chores. I actually see my job as an excellent combination of all these elements.

I also really enjoy seeing the children happy and having fun. They can often tell you that they love you

and show you affection. It is very rewarding.

What are the challenging aspects?

For example, I offer respite to two siblings who are constantly quarrelling. It can be challenging to keep the children entertained enough to prevent them from arguing and it certainly requires constant supervision.

I would say that in general I need to make sure I give children clear boundaries and teach them how to behave and respect my home.

There is also of course the first contact with the child. It can be quite tense. The child and his/her family do not know you, you do not know them but still you need to make sure the child will want to come and stay at your house.

How do your family members feel about your role as a Foster Carer? How does it impact on them?

My children were happy for me to become a Foster Carer as they knew that it is what I really wanted. However I remember that my siblings were a bit worried at first with my decision. They were worried that it could be too challenging. They are now convinced I have made the right decision, and my two sisters are even seriously thinking about applying to become Foster Carers themselves.

Two of my children are still living at home. They are 21 and 22 years old, they have their own space in the house and of course their own interests and activities.

During week-ends, the children on respite enjoy playing with my grand-daughter and if we decide to go out and do some activities or visits, my family will sometimes join us.

How do you think children benefit from respite?

Some of the children can experience financial hardship and often do not have many personal possessions, when they come to respite they like having the opportunity to play with new toys, to participate in new activities and to enjoy new experiences. For example yesterday we played badminton and we often go swimming or to the cinema. The children enjoy coming to stay as they can relax and have one to one attention and a break away from their day to day lives which can be chaotic at times.

What are your relationships with the children’s families?

I have a good relationship with all the families. They will not hesitate to phone me if the children will be late or if there is any change in our plans. I am very happy they find it easy to talk to me and I have no problem talking to them. We have an open relationship.

They are very grateful for the help provided and glad to see their children happy.

Which kind of advice could you give to someone who would like to become a Foster Carer?

Foster Carers need of course to love children and have the desire to work with them. I personally find my job very rewarding and fulfilling. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they could bring something to young people’s lives.

Foster Carer fortnight runs from the 16-29 May and is a nationwide awareness campaign created to promote fostering. Add ‘Cornerstone Charity’ on Facebook to follow our campaign.

Greyfriars, a Cornerstone service in Moray, has been successful in gaining reaccreditation with the National Autistic Society. This is a huge achievement which involved a lot of work from the managers and team. The award recognises that the service provides a high standard of care to a person with autism, and that the service meets the needs of the individual.

Autism Award

Top ShopCornerstone staff in Moray organised a pop up charity shop for two weeks in Lossiemouth raising £1101.49 for Cornerstone. Diane Millican, a Support Worker in one of our Moray services took on the task of booking the space, and gathering bric a brac, clothes and raffle prizes from generous Cornerstone services and staff.

Xacquelina Bello, Operational Manager and Jim Cook, Operational Manager Key Account, would like to say a big thank you to all that contributed either through donations or giving their time to volunteer in the shop. The venture was a great success and is something that the team plan to do on an annual basis.

Cornerstone News Spring 20115

Celebrate Aberdeen ParadeCornerstone is taking part in the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade on the 11 June alongside a variety of third sector organisations to mark the European Year of Volunteering and the end of Volunteer Week. We are delighted that BP has agreed to partner us for the parade and will be joining us on the route from Harlaw Academy down to the Castlegate. We will be promoting the Gold Challenge both in the parade and at a stall in the Trinity Centre. If you want to be a ‘Cornerstone Parader’ then please get in touch with sarah.dawson@cornerstone.org.uk.

Dates for your diaryPerth Fashion ShowFriday 27 May

Wig Walk across Erskine BridgeSaturday 28 May

Celebrate Aberdeen ParadeSaturday 11 June

West Dunbartonshire showcaseFriday 17 June

Visit our stand at Aberdeen Highland GamesSunday 19 June

Airdrie Office open dayWednesday 22 June

Airdrie Learning Disability Week Parade Friday 24 June

Glasgow Office West Highland Way Sponsored Walk Saturday 2 July

Visit our stand at Balloch Highland GamesSaturday 16 July

Cornerstone News Spring 20116

We are delighted to announce that TREND Aberdeen, a local lifestyle magazine, has chosen Cornerstone as their nominated charity for their upcoming Life With Style Awards. The proceeds will go towards a Cornerstone project in the Aberdeen area.

A group of staff and managers in Moray are on a sponsored slim to raise funds for Cornerstone. The twelve week challenge involves regular weigh ins with Mhairi Middlehurst the local dietician from the community learning disabilities team and sharing healthy lifestyle tips.

To aid the slimmers in their goal a walking group has been organised meeting twice a week, and walking approximately five miles on each walk taking in many of the trails around Moray. All are welcome on these walks and they are proving to be very popular not just with the slimmers!

Moray TASK group held a party at the Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin to celebrate 21 years since Cornerstone opened the doors to the first service in Moray at Quebec Place. The night was well attended and guests enjoyed a disco, raffle and food raising £700 for Cornerstone.

Moray TASK 21st birthday party!

Moraythin-spiration

The staff, people we support and friends of the Glebefield and Springbank services took part in a ten mile fancy dress sponsored walk from Mintlaw to Peterhead.

Throughout the walk there was support from other Cornerstone services and passers by, whom after the shock of seeing fairies and hippies donated some money to the cause. The walkers also took part in a treasure hunt and were met by a cheering crowd upon their return.

The money raised will enable six people that Cornerstone supports and four staff members to enjoy a weekend trip to Edinburgh to see GREASE the show.

Sponsored Walk

Healthy Working LivesWe continue to work towards the Silver Healthy Working Lives Award and aim to have achieved this by the end of summer 2011. Achieving the Silver Award requires us to evidence that Cornerstone has improved the way it responds to and supports employees with certain health related issues.

We have made a significant investment in training staff to deliver ‘Mentally Healthy Workplace’ training which is designed to encourage good practice in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and assisting people in the workplace when they do have problems. This new training course was launched in April, linking with National Depression Awareness Week. Fully booked courses were run in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Moray. All Managers and Team Leaders within Cornerstone will have the opportunity to attend this one day training event.

Cornerstone has also produced Statements of Intent in regards to healthy eating and physical activity. These are on our Healthy Working Lives intranet page.

Thanks to everyone who is supporting our efforts, other recent Healthy Working Lives activity includes:- Moray walking group members have a spring in their step , the group recommenced their walks in March and are now walking once or twice weekly. New members are welcome- The Aberdeen office held a successful ‘Soup Lunch’ and raised £50 for Cancer Research- In North Lanarkshire some staff took part in a “Get Fit in February” campaign where they kept a record of all healthy activities and healthy eating throughout the month of February- The North Lanarkshire walking group has also recommenced and new members are always welcome

We welcome some new members to the steering group, feel free to contact your local health champion with your comments and suggestions.

North: Louise Malcolm Central: Jillian Hotchkies West: Alison Kenna and Yvonne RobertsonOrganisational wide: Clare Lai

Everybody likes starting the day on a positive note and a healthy breakfast is probably the best way to ensure you are full of energy for the rest of the day. As part of Cornerstone’s Healthy Working Lives Initiative, Coffee Corner is now offering a delicious selection of fruits, smoothies, porridge and toast.

Coffee Corner has invited the nearby Towerlands Nursery to participate in the project. Once a week the children of the nursery come along and savour a selection of fruits and fruit juices, while learning how to behave in an eating establishment.

Coffee Corner breakfast is an excellent way of enjoying tasty food in good company. If you are nearby please pop in and see us at: Coffee Corner, Towerlands Community Centre, Towerlands Farm Centre, Bourtreehill South, Irvine, North Ayrshire, KA11 1PY

Let Coffee Corner Kick Start Your Day

Coffee Corner staff

There are lots of ways you can support Cornerstone

Please visit www.cornerstone.org.uk for more information

Make a donation

Fundraise for us

Become a member of Cornerstone

Visit our social network pagesBecome a Volunteer

Attend Cornerstone events

What do you like about being a Cornerstone Board Director?Being able to give Cornerstone and the people we support the benefit of my years of business experience and being able to contribute to the growth of Cornerstone.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? A pilot (my Dad was in the RAF) but after studying Economics at school, an interest in Finance took hold.

What was your first job? I joined Nat West Bank in October 1973 at the Cambridge branch andremained in banking for thirty six years until August 2009

Who inspires you? Certain sporting people such as Seb Coe, Sir Ralph Fiennes and people that have achieved extraordinary sporting feats.

fJoin us on facebook!

Befriend ‘Cornerstone Charity’ to keep up with all the latest news and events. The page also acts as a forum for staff, supporters and people we support to share photos and stories about Cornerstone.

Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) on 12 Rose St, hosts monthly autism-friendly screenings. The film and the cinema environment are suitable for children with autism spectrum disorders and/or sensory hypersensitivity. The films have no subtitles, are played with the volume reduced and the house lights on low. Children can make noise and move around. Children with other disabilities are welcome to attend the screenings too. The screenings take place on the first Saturday of each month at 12.30pm.

Animals United – 4 June Megamind – 2 July Tangled – 6 August

GFT is offering two cinema tickets to whoever can answer this question: What is the name of Cornerstone’s mascot?

Facebook us your answer or e-mail emma.taylor@cornerstone.org.uk by 1 June and we will announce the winner on our facebook page. Good luck!

Competition time! Getting to know you.... David Nicholson

Cornerstone Board Member

The Glasgow Task Group held an Easter Disco raising £200 for Cornerstone.

On 17 & 18 February North Lanarkshire held two lunches at Coatdyke Church to celebrate Valentines Day. All the managers contributed either by baking, cooking on the day or waitressing. A ceilidh was organised on the first night for the people Cornerstone supports and on the 18th there was a disco.The days were a success and everyone that attended said they had a great time.

Cornerstone News Spring 20118