With the year coming to a close, we wanted to look back at a few of the many exciting moments that have happened within Grace Eyre in 2023.
Don’t forget you can keep up to date with everything going on at Grace Eyre by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter – links are at the bottom of this page.
January
In January, the Our Voices team enjoyed an away day together. Team members Ben and Tessa delivered co-production training to the rest of the group, and the team also focused on their Work Plan.
The Our Voices team promotes inclusion and ensures the voices of people with a learning disability and autistic people are heard and included in decisions about Grace Eyre.
February
In February, we featured Brian and Pauline for Valentine’s Day.
This couple are supported to go on dates and other social events by staff across two supported living services. Last year they spent their first holiday together and they were making plans to go to Disneyland Paris – their first time abroad as a couple.
March
In March, we celebrated Mothers’ Day.
Lucy and her daughter recently moved into a new Grace Eyre Housing property. It’s Lucy’s first home and she looked forward to getting settled.
April
In April, we ran an accessible local election hustings, and we also had a visit from two local police officers who joined us for a cuppa at Grace Eyre. They wanted to build trust with the local community and want the people we support to feel comfortable with speaking to the police.
May
In May, we took part in the annual Artists Open Houses.
Our exhibition featured a diverse range and style of work, all made by artists with learning disabilities from across our organisation.
Here’s Sue, one of our Montefiore Artists, on a visit the Open House one weekend.
June
In June, we met Shannon and Sarah during Shared Lives Week.
They are part of our unique Shared Lives community supported by their Shared Lives carer to compete in horse carriage racing.
They regularly go to the stables, care for the horses, prepare equipment, practice for competitions and spend time outdoors being active.
July
In July, we said NO to ticket office closures!
Grace Eyre’s Ambassadors protested against proposed rail ticket office closures at Brighton and Worthing stations. They encouraged people to add their names to our letter of objection, which we sent on 26th July.
In an amazing win for disability rights, the Government scrapped its plans to close ticket offices in November.
August
In August, as well as taking part in Brighton Pride once more, we enjoyed a wonderful production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Active Lives Performance Group. The show was a great success and highlighted the many and varied acting, dancing, and singing talents that individuals in the Performance Group have.
September
In September, we thanked all our #TeamGraceEyre heroes who took part in the London to Brighton Cycle Ride.
Our 20 fabulous riders collectively raised over £5,400!
October
In October, we celebrated the 110th anniversary of The Guardianship Society.
The Guardianship Society was set up on 1st October 1913. This was the start of what is now the Grace Eyre Foundation.
You can learn more about the history of Grace Eyre and people with learning disabilities on our Sharing Our Voices website.
November
In November, we met Zena.
Zena is one of our Montefiore Artists. She was over the moon that her design had been chosen for Grace Eyre’s staff birthday cards.
December
In December, as well as enjoying this year’s Grace Eyre Carol Concert, we were delighted to be chosen as one of Brighton & Hove Buses’ Santa Bus charities.
Grace Eyre staff members volunteered on the bus twice. Everyone had an amazing time!
Charity of the year
We were also the Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association’s Charity of the Year in 2023 – thanks BHEAA!
And lastly…
We give a special mention to Jonny who retired from Jubilee Library, Brighton in July after 16 years as a Library Stock Assistant Volunteer. His colleagues at the library were very fond of him and his work in the CD and DVD section was very much appreciated.