MyLife News

Our holiday clubs must be the most creative around, with activities including forest school, petting and feeding our farm animals, arts and crafts, make and bake and more. We think that running it is the best job in the world – could YOU be the person to join us? As well as being a great addition to your CV, you get to be part of a fantastic team doing something both rewarding and fun – and you get paid of course!

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Enthusiastic/energetic
• Has experience working with children
• Has experience working with SEND
• Is available during school holidays 9.30am-3.30pm
• Loves being outdoors
• Could help build up an even more successful Holiday Club
• Confident enough to carry out some occasional personal care
• Has a DBS check or is willing to have a DBS check

If you or anybody you know is interested in this role, we’d love to hear from you. Email jobs@my-life.org.uk, quoting ‘Holiday Club’ today!

Here at My Life we pride ourselves on the person-centred way in which our students are able to learn, in an environment that is tailor made to the individual. Khim and Zara are both working towards their AIM award in horse care and as well as learning lots about horses in the classroom, during what we affectionately call “Chester Tuesdays,” they have a wonderful time learning how to look after our resident pony, Chester.

After mucking out, grooming Chester and giving him a health check, every Tuesday Khim and Zara put on his bridle and go for a walk round the track for some exercise and to show him off! As part of their course, Khim and Zara have learnt how to stay safe around horses, how to restrain a horse using a headcollar and lead rope and how to tie a quick release knot. They can confidently use a variety of grooming tools and equipment, follow a good grooming routine and understand the correct nutrition that is needed for a horse of his size and breed.

At My Life Learning students are encouraged to develop the use of their own initiative. Khim and Zara noticed that Chester had some dry, flaky skin. After some research it was discovered that this is a common complaint for horses like Chester, who is a Cob and the correct medication has been found.

This really is a perfect example of the inspiring learning environment that we offer at My Life Learning – Zara and Khim look forward to Chester Tuesdays and will be continuing the good work with him this term!

If you’d like to learn more about the educational courses available at My Life Learning, we’d love to hear from you. Email info@my-life.org.uk today.

As part of the great British Spring Clean our Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates have been doing some volunteering in Standish picking up litter and making the place look tidy. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had no idea how much discarded waste there was until they picked it up!

My Life is an Open Awards Centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which means that we are qualified to take individuals of any ability, including those with disabilities and special educational needs, through the award programme.

We held a presentation on Monday 25th March for families interested in joining our Duke of Edinburgh programme, but don’t worry if you missed it, we’ll be holding another one before the summer.

If your young person is aged between 14 and 25 years old and they’d like to sign up to do their Duke of Edinburgh Award, please contact sian.bint@my-life.org.uk for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling to fill in their PIP application form, bring it to our FREE workshop on Wednesday 22nd May and we’ll work through it together.

The workshop is for individuals, families, carers, professionals and advocates, however, to attend the workshop the person who needs help and support must meet the DWP eligibility criteria.

You must have a long-term health condition or disability and face difficulties with ‘Daily Living’ or getting around. You must have had these difficulties for three months and expect them to last for at least nine months, unless you are terminally ill and don’t expect to live more than six months. You may get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with things like:

• Preparing or eating food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines and treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Engaging with other people

You may get the mobility component of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. If you are unsure if you are eligible, still come along and we will work through this.

To book, phone 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk

With an array of home cooked, locally sourced classics that will take you back to your childhood, The Stable Door Café will be a welcome addition to the North-West’s café scene!

From mouthwatering breakfasts to heartwarming soups, bloomer butties, afternoon teas and succulent Sunday roasts, the café is family friendly and also has a children’s menu.

All delicious dishes are made from ingredients grown on My Life’s farm or sourced within a 20-mile radius and with profits reinvested into the work of My Life, it’s more than the food that will make you feel good.

We’ll keep you updated on all the latest news, including any delicious offers!

The Stable Door will be open Wednesday – Sunday, 8.30am – 3.30pm at My Life, Thompson House Equestrian Centre, Pepper Ln, Standish, Wigan WN6 0PP.

My Life is delighted to be working with Rhona Harkness to deliver Equine Assisted Therapy and Sensory Integration training at My Life on 30th, 31st May and 1st June 2019 from 10am until 4pm.

The three, one day courses are open to all, including occupational therapists, those working with individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as individuals and families. The courses will also be interesting for those who love horses and the great outdoors. Each training session will cover both theory and practical application on My Life’s beautiful 84 acre site in Standish.

About the trainer

An expert in Equine Assisted Therapy and Sensory Integration, Rhona Harkness graduated from Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh in 2002 and has been working with children and adolescents for 15 years, specialising in ADHD, ASD, LD and challenging behaviour for 14 years. Rhona currently works as a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist for MindSenseAbility (MSA), a private practice in the New Forest, and undertakes freelance work for the British Horse Society delivering training on the Changing Lives through Horses Programme.

Course content

Day one:
An Introduction to Sensory Integration in Everyday Life. The aim of this course is two fold; firstly to provide a basic understanding of Sensory Integration; exploring our different sensory systems and how they support us to function in everyday life. Secondly, support to identify potential sensory based challenges and strategies to address these.

Day two:
Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Conditions. This course will provide a deeper understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder and Sensory Integration.

Day three:
An Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies from an Occupational Therapy Perspective. The aim of this course is to provide you with an understanding of how we can work with our equine therapists using the relevant and emergent theories, concepts, and practices to provide therapeutic change in clients.

Venue:

Thompson House Equestrian Centre, Pepper Lane, Standish, Wigan WN6 0PP.

Cost:

£35 per person per day. Places are limited and must be paid for in advance.

How to book:

You can book individual days or all three, online. 

For more information telephone 01257 472900 or email info@my-life.org.uk