Hello, our lovely folks, and welcome back to our much-anticipated next blog. I’ve been enjoying spending time with my daughter Margot and dog, it never ends, though treasure the family times!!!
This blog will focus on the Leonard Cheshire charity, so strap yourselves in and enjoy the interesting ride!
Leonard Cheshire was founded in May 1948. The idea first came about because an ex-serviceman Leonard Cheshire took in a disabled man who was dying. www.leonardcheshire.org
The world was vastly changing after the second world war. The following is quoted directly from the Leonard Cheshire website.
“With no money, Leonard nursed the man himself in his home of Le Court in Hampshire. They became friends and this act of kindness prompted more people to go to Leonard for help. People were keen to share a home with others and support each other.
By the summer of 1949, his home had 24 residents with complex needs, illnesses, and impairments. As awareness of Leonard's work spread, he started to receive referrals.
NHS waiting lists for urgent care
continued with new NHS hospitals struggling to cope with waiting lists of people needing urgent care. Disabled people were at the bottom of the list of NHS priorities at the time. People were often left to manage on their own or to rely on others to help them get through each day.
The growth of services for people with disabilities continued
as Le Court became established, and people started to champion the need for similar homes in their communities. Interest in these services was not limited to the UK. International communities also sought these services. The establishment of Leonard Cheshire as a charity had begun.
By 1955, there were five homes in the UK. The first overseas project began outside Mumbai, India.
The 1960s saw rapid expansion. By 1970 there were:
- Over 50 services in the UK.
- Five services in India.
- Activities in 21 other countries around the world.
Care in the community
By the 1970s, Leonard Cheshire was established as a pioneering provider of care services. They began to diversify and a trial for care in the community was launched on the UK south coast.
The charity now has 6000 paid staff, and 4000 volunteers, and they run supported living accommodations and residential homes. They also have a dedicated YouTube channel. Leonard Cheshire also has a podcast called disability download.
Leonard Cheshire also helps campaign for better disability laws and helps with implementing positive policy and research work to make a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of those of us with unique abilities, though as we at Ethical Recruitment Solutions know, there are many miles to walk before inclusion is there for all.
There will still be barriers, not least by society and prejudicial bias, though as I've often stated in many previous blogs, education is one of the biggest ways that we can break down barriers to a better society and a better world. By talking about disability rights, talking about things positively can lead to big shouts for a change!
In concluding this blog, Leonard Cheshire appears to be an inspiring charity nationally, (throughout the UK,) they seem to do a lot of work in their offices as well as worldwide. At Ethical Recruitment solutions, we think this is an amazing charity, and hats off to all the staff and volunteers who do their best for us in very precarious times.
We love to change lives and feel the vibes!
By Sophia McKie - Head of Blind and DisABLED Development