YOUR VOICE WALL

I'm ready to face the world and combat hate crime
Amongst those with disabilities
For I always make the time.

This time is important for one and all no job to
report to big or to small.

Hate crime will not be permitted in our world and all
the hatred will be omitted once and for all

If you commit this awful sin
DONT YOU DARE THINK YOUR GONNA WIN

Life is for living and not for hate crime but most people do it as a job in there spare time.

They have nothing else to do apart from hate crime but little do they know they will end up doing time.
The time they do inside is not be proud about as we with disabilities don't hide.

We fight for recognition these days as we have to but speaking up about it is a long term condition.

A condition that will be around forever but if everybody understood we could work together.

Caroline, Yvette and Jeremy (one of our members) presenting the loan shark project to students in High Wycombe.

“We’ve just had the Your Voice Loan Shark Training, just wanted to say it was absolutely brilliant. All three members of our group learnt from it and were fully focused throughout the whole course. The students’ input was outstanding, the subject provoked some really good discussion and got our students thinking outside the box. It was delivered brilliantly, can you please pass on our thanks to Jeremy, Yvette and Caroline.”
Alan Lawrence

Explore and draw: Each week we have a theme session where we learn about a subject often history or culture. We learn different facts and information and then do a step by step drawing around it.

By building up my confidence I have been able to get employment

How I feel about Coronavirus

1. Scary
2. Nervous
3. Anxious
4. Terrified
5. Unsure
6. Confused
7. Scared
8. Depressed
9. Frustrated
10. Unhappy
11. ANGRY
12. Upset
13. Hopelessness
14. Confusion With The Politician Demands
15. Unhappy With Boris Johnson Way Of Sorting Out COVID-19 Rules.
16. Not Using The Pop Up Hospital For the COVID-19 Patients
17. News On TV Confusing (Always Changing)
18. Super Angry Not Being Able To See Doctor/Dentist If Have An Issue.

How I've had help and deal with Coronavirus

1. Mum Reassurance Constantly
2. Cameo (If it weren't for Cameo Staff contacting me every Monday and Thursday for talks, I don’t know what I would have done)
3 Talent Unlimited every Friday afternoon zoom talks.
4. Friends To talk to and meeting up with them.
5. Talking To Talkback Staff On Monday Is A Life Saver.
6. Talking To another Talkback Staff Member On Thursday Also. Extremely Helpful And Calming.
7. Knowing I Can Call Cameo Staff In the Week If Need To.
8. Talking To Friends On WhatsApp Checking up With Each Other. So Not Feel Forgotten About.
9. Having Talent Unlimited Support Group For Autism And Myself If Needed

I look around keep looking down

There are thunderstorms and raging waves

They say things have changed now

New things to adapt to, a need to change

The battle scene has not changed for me…

The demons still restraining roots, strong like a tree

For you see; I was already in a fight

Oversubscribed support, a dimming light

Falling to my knees trying to back up the other fighters

My own demons are not getting any lighter

It’s getting harder to keep going

Keep on masking, look happy, deception ongoing

Meds ineffective; in a video game would need a revive

But healing character lifeline is doing a skive

“Wait until the pandemic is over” they say

Those taxed to heal NHS face

But things were the same before

Can’t fight with such blunted weapons

It’s time for less red tape don’t you reckon

Rosetta Life is a group of film makers, dancers, writers and musicians who initiate creative partnerships with people living with life-threatening illness, families, carers and friends, to address what most matters and share it with a wider audience.

Accessible Workshop Mother's Day

No need for words, just a picture to make you smile! 

Marcus, Jay and Lewis in the Accessible Workshop.

“If it wasn’t for CAMEO I don’t know how I would have coped”

“Being on CAMEO makes me really happy”

“CAMEO makes me smile“

“CAMEO gives me something to look forward to“

“Really love the group“

“The people are really friendly“

“You just accept us for who we are“

The Big H sits proudly on the rooftop of Kings
The doctor’s teams are waiting as the red phone rings
The Helicopter brings life or death
All the doctors can do is hold there breath

The Helicopter team unload there hold
as the team of doctors
Hear their brief
There is no time to play with grief

Action’s must be taken
for the incident to come by air
It has clearly left everyone feeling very shaken

Doctors & Nurses At fast pace they come
For they all know their patient is number one

Monitor’s bleeping & people weeping
For it’s the family of the sick
The medical teams are working round the clock
They haven’t got time to hear the clock go
Tick Tock TICK

For It’s the Big H that’s done it & possibly saved a life
For that it could be your Father, daughter, son or wife
For The Big H has a name
Its known as Kings Helipad

The Big H wasn’t there for me back in 2010
I ended up having an emergency liver transplant
As my liver had gone bad
The hospital had to work quickly or else it would have been sad

But ‘HEY GUYS’ Im still here to tell the tale & Its all the hard work at Kings that they
saved me & didn’t fail

So the next time you look up
And you see the helicopter fly
Just think & shed a tear
For its the big H thats going to perform

As It has no fear

Our art based virtual sessions have allowed members to join from home and in the groups, a way of all being together. Members love chatting and showing their work to each other. It is amazing how everyone's art skills have developed over lock down. Their drawing has improved, adding detail, and starting to explore other materials. Members have been more confident in their sessions and have had lots of fun.

Alan and Jacqui (staff) with Marcus in the Bucks woodworking group.

Carol is one of the members who have been part of Talkback for many, many years.

She is always looking forward to coming to the weekly group sessions.

When we heard about the lockdown, we all had to adapt and started using Zoom online meetings to keep in touch. Carol was very disappointed that she could not join because she did not have a laptop or internet access.

Her family kindly bought her a laptop and arranged for Wi-fi to be installed at her house.

Carol now enjoys being part of the group again and looks forward to the weekly online meetings.

I am proud of myself.

The world as we know it is a terribly big place
Yet we ALL suffer from Disability Hatecrime which is an utter disgrace
We as a group always have choice and that is to shout at people to hear our voice
Do they understand?
Do they care?
No they don’t
But we despair
Life continues so does hatecrime
Are any of our attackers DOING TIME?
Questions get asked
Answers not told
Will we find out when were too old
Too old to Defend
But not to old to care
But people still watch and stand and stare
We beg for help but no one cares

We all have rights but let’s not be defeated
Let’s catch them out
And let’s not feel cheated
We live in the same society
So lets make Disability Hatecrime
OUR MAIN PRIORITY

Ts’ooana, David and Mark took part in a Zoom meeting with James and Keith from My Life My Choice.

James and Keith told us all about the “We Can’t Wait” campaign on health inequalities.

It is about the fact that people with learning disabilities do not always get the same care

as people without learning disabilities and we all agreed that this should change.

Everyone can help and support their campaign which is on their website.

The pictures show how our members said they feel about being on a health care waiting list for a long time.

Damien walked away with his head hung low. Without looking back at him Harmony gave a kick of her heels, and Tyson cantered towards the boundary line. This moment was painful for her, and as such, she cared little about whether she was seen returning, feeling only a sense of pain for the person she had left behind.

To support our member Nicola, her book ‘Harmony’s Big Decision’ can be bought through these links:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/harmonys-big-decision/nicola-martin/9781789552065

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmonys-Big-Decision-Nicola-Martin/dp/1789552079

1. Helping family

2. Doing shopping for mum.

3. Collect mum medication at chemist.

4. Buy anything else for mum i.e.wool, etc.

5. Taking mum to hospital appointments.

6. Phoning friends to see if they are ok.

7. Shopping for friend who don't have cars to get about. i.e. Facemask

8. Being there for friends who need me when they have an off day. 

9. Friends calling me to see if I'm ok. 

10. Weekly contact with TU Group every Friday. 

11. Talkback calling me every Monday for a chat.

12. A member of staff from Talkback kindly made a facemask for me.

13. Having someone I can count on in times of need, i.e. when I'm stress, depressed, panicky. 

14. Mum being around the corner if I ever need advice, reassurance, and understanding.

15. Talkback calling me on Thursday for Cameo group. These calls are a lifeline to me, having someone to talk to who I trust and know well.

16. Knowing there is someone who understands me and caring to speak about how I feel and not be judged. 

17.Having friends to be there for you when you have an off day and being understood.

18. Having someone with the same interest as myself and to talk about hobbies and the day. Or just to say hello.

19. Having someone there when I have mental health issues. i.e. feeling depressed, anxious, low moods.

Kindness makes me feel cared for: someone there when I need them when my mind takes over and I over think thoughts or have a meltdown and when I get my down day and feel very depressed. By having someone I can trust to talk to who doesn't judge or make you feel you’re wasting their time. Someone who's happy to spend 20 minutes to help me get my thoughts, feelings, or anxiety in order. I find Cameo does that and more. Their group help people with Autism come together and be around others of the same condition. Who understand how you feel and like you quirks and all. Kindness is feeling that you’re part of a group, you’re not on the outside looking in and not understanding what you did wrong. Having true friends who know about your Autism and like you as you are. 

I am thankful for all the help and support I get from TU (Talent Unlimited) and Cameo (Talkback). Also, friends who call and check up on how I'm doing in lockdown. The Coronavirus 19 is very stressful and scary and having someone to talk to about feelings and what going on in my head is a relief. To me they are a very important lifeline with my mental health and wellbeing I don't think I would of being able to cope with this without their help and support.

I am on the Autistic Spectrum. People on the Autistic Spectrum deal with things differently. Since March, with the lock down, I felt like I have been in a cage, not being able to see my work coach so she could help me finish my CV to send out to people to help me find an apprenticeship. Even though I am on the Autistic Spectrum I can still read, write and fill in paperwork like application forms but I need someone to go through it with me, face to face, to make sure I am on the right track and putting the right information in, but with lock down that was not possible to do.

Messy Monday: we use recycled or found materials such as cardboard, plastic bottles, tissue paper, leaves, sticks. This session is to help members to be creative and explore a range of materials.

Talkback Advice Bureau

An update from Your Voice. We have secured funding to facilitate a new project called the Talkback Advice Bureau with its own email address talkback.advice@talkback-uk.com

An incentive to support people who live in the community (25+) to find information within Buckinghamshire,

it can range from support to sort out a mobile phone contract, to finding a new activity group to attend.

The face-to-face part of this project is based in Front Room Café in High Wycombe on a Monday afternoon and people can book a slot to come and chat to us.

The project will also develop an easy read website that will contain websites with a good reputation to provide an easy way to find out the information needed.

This is currently under production and will be added to our own website when it’s ready.

The challenges we do push us to do more

Even though when COVID-19 lockdown started in March I feel I have learned some new skills such as being able to use a program called Zoom so I could contact my job coach and friends. Now that they are slowly letting down on restrictions, I am meeting face to face with my job coach, because now I can put the finishing touches to my cv.

You walk all over me
You talk all over me
You scream all over me
Yet I never speak up
You even manage to talk down to me
You even manage to find time to litter me
You must pay a fine or else you will feel bitter

You share many secrets with me
You may fall down on me
You put many things on me
You may even run over me
You may stamp your foot on me
You may think I feel pain but I don’t

There is a lot of life that a pavement sees
I'm getting old on various streets
I have lines to show
There red in London
There yellow everywhere else

I'm due to be resurfaced soon but the lines will definitely come back plus cracks
Again I will show my age
Except I can’t speak up to indicate my rage

BUT yet you will all the above all over again

The name "Simon" in Japanese is
サイモン (saimon)

The name "Benji" in Japanese is
ベンジ (benji)

The name "Rachael" in Japanese Is
レーチェル (reecheru)

The name "Amy" in Japanese is
エーミー (eemii)

The name "Yvette " in Japanese is
イベット (ibetto)

The name "Dovile" in Japanese is
ドビル (dobiru)

The name in "Krysia" Japanese is
クリシア (kurishia)

Friend names =

The name "Karen" in Japanese is
カレン (karen)

The name "Nicki" in Japanese is
ニッキー (nikkii)

The name "Kayleigh " in Japanese is
ケーリー (keerii)

The name "Jayme " in Japanese is
ジェーミー (jeemii)

The name "Nigel " in Japanese
ナイジェル (naijeru)

The name "Spike " in Japanese is
スパイク (supaiku)

The name "Garfield " in Japanese is
ガーフィールド (gaafiirudo)

The name "Tigger" in Japanese is
ティグジャー (tigujaa)

The name "Gypsy" in Japanese is
ジウプシー (jiupushii)

Take a look on the Anytime Fitness site

My personal experiences affected covid 19.Is my everyday life by not going to New Directions or meeting people at Grange Memory Café on Wednesdays and Tilehurst Methodist church café on Fridays making cards.

I miss not seeing my sister but telephone family and friends. Not buying Easter Eggs also talking to people at the bus stop.

The good thing is I am reading more books. For the first time in lockdown I have learned to use Zoom. I can now do my Maths and English class with teachers from New Directions on line.

On Fridays I do zoom meeting with Talkback. I like to talk to my friends at Talkback which I look forward to every Friday.

Helen recently dropped into the Talkback Advice Bureau (TAB) at the Front Room Café, High Wycombe. She was interested in voluntary work with animals and mental health courses. Amy and Sue researched availability in the local area and found a contact for the local Riding for the Disabled Club, which particularly appealed to Helen, as she used to ride and work with horses when she was younger.

After support from TAB to complete the necessary paperwork to start, Helen was away.

Helen reported back to us about how things were going: 

“It is brilliant! I love telling everyone what I am doing. I feel proud of myself. I also feel more confident and feel I have got more help out there as I have more people to talk to. I always wanted to work with horses, as I love working with animals. It gives me peace of mind. I don’t have to worry about anything, apart from being myself and that’s what I need.”

Albert the Horse

Jeremy was amazing at acting out what is involved in filling out an Annual Health Check questionnaire.  Narrator Sue brought humour to this serious subject.  More about this in the new year.

Losing weight at the first three months of COVID-19 I was not worried about it. Until I weight myself and realise I was putting on lots of weight because of a lot of snacking not eating proper meals and having little exercise because of being in lockdown firstly for the first period of COVID-19. Then continue with little exercise and bad eat afterwards when we were aloud out again.

7 month after COVID-19 started I decided I needed to take some action as I was realised I was almost at my highest weight I weighed some years ago and had gone to weight watchers to lose it. Then I didn't get to my goal of 10st, but I lost 50lbs at weight watcher.

Weighing myself in August 2020 I realise I was heading for my highest weight before weight watchers. I decided enough was enough I needed to change now as I'm getting nearer my 50 birthday and didn't want to be Fat and 50yrs. So I set my goal of healthy eating instead of a diet to train my body to list the fat and become healthy before then. I tried many app as I didn't want to go back to an outside group, I wanted it to do it my way. But most the apps for weight list are for people who live in America, so I found it hard to work out what I was eating and how many calories it was. Until I found NUTRACHECK App which I tried out firstly and was surprised it was an app for UK people with UK foods. It was doing a special offer for beginners of £30 to access the complete app i.e. calories, keeping your weight lost each week, but if I wanted extra help from nutritional nutracheck staff it was extra money which I decided against. I worked out the cost of weight watchers each week when I was doing it £5.95 each week for 52 weeks and this came out a lot cheaper. I've been doing the nutracheck plan of 1200 calories per day for a few weeks and was not losing much weight I was unhappy with it. I was following the calories perfectly. Until my mum spoke to me and said I had to keep an eye on the fat, sugar, carbohydrates and protein in the green to continue to lose weight which I didn't understand at the beginning. 

I have stuck with it with the help and support of my mum also losing weight and have continued to lose weight each week. In the five weeks I stuck by 1200 calories I've lost a total of 1st 3lbs. I'm still learning what right to eat and what's not right. I'm also I huge chocoholic before starting this healthy eating plan and had the biggest surprise of my life I haven’t craved chocolate for those 5 weeks since I started but would constantly with other diets I've tried. I now been on this healthy diet for 7 weeks now and total lose so far is 1st 6lb. I have got another 4st 10lbs to lose till I achieve my idea weight goal. I see this now as a lifestyle change and want to be more healthy in my whole life. I'm not going to give up this and I'm determined to reach my goal on 10st hopefully next year sometime I feel this app has been extremely helpful and help me understand my eating habit pattern also its extremely easy app to follow and will help anyone who wishes to achieve their ideal weight too.

This fantastic logo, designed by one of our Reading members, is being used by Reading Borough Council!

"I would say cycling has saved my life, my soul and my mental health during the corona pandemic.”

When cycling I see people cycling along the road and they say hello to me and I say hello to them. I also speak to people walking and with their dogs.

The fresh air is now better with less cars and buses on our roads. By cutting down co2 carbon emissions making it better for the environment.

Nathan made this as a present for his Grandad who recently gave him some old woodworking tools so this is a thank you for his grandad.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) recently visited Talkback to host an information session for adults with autism or learning disabilities.

The aim was to highlight free, additional services that the distribution operator can offer in the event of a power cut.

Our members found out about the local opportunities and information available to them, including SSEN’s advice on the additional help available through its Priority Services Register (PSR).

By signing up to the PSR, SSEN can target support to its customers during a fault or planned outage to provide access to amenities, generators, and welfare vans.

For blind or partially sighted customers, information can also be provided in Braille or audio CD.

SSEN’s Customer and Community Advisor, Anita Donovan said, “It’s refreshing to be able to work with such a well-established charity as Talkback UK to hold this information session in person. We were able to create a relaxed atmosphere that allowed for easy and informative conversations on the free services that we can offer.”

Customers can qualify if they:

• Are deaf or hard of hearing
• Have a disability
• Live with children under five
• Are blind or partially sighted
• Have a chronic illness
• Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
• Are over 60
• Are categorised at ‘high risk’ and ‘extremely high risk’ of severe illness from coronavirus.

To find out more about the PSR and to register for free additional assistance click here or call 0800 294 3259.

The day started like any other day had started for me, I woke up and did my morning routine which consists of getting dressed. It was when I was eating breakfast that I heard that the whole country was being put under lockdown. OK I will just do what I would usually do when I don’t have to leave the house that way I will deal with this easier than freaking out about it I played games on my tablet for a while before I continued on with my morning routine.

“Hello and welcome back to let’s play the Sims 2 GBA now I know that I haven’t continued this let’s play for a while so you probably thought that I wasn’t going to finish this series. I had completely forgotten about this let’s play and I have just remembered about it and I am completely dedicated to finishing this let’s play” I say when I am sure that I am recording

“Hey I thought that we could” Mum starts and stops on seeing that I am recording “never mind sorry for interrupting” Mum finishes and leaves the room. I continue playing the game and commenting at the same time.

“Ok we have made good progress with this episode so far and this is where the video ends and I will finish this in the next part. I will see you guys in the next video” I voice and end the recording. I save my progress and end the recording. I quit from my recording software and I put away my headset and I made my way out of my room and downstairs where mum is sitting in the living room. “Hey mum what did you want to say?” I greet unintentionally making mum jump

“I was thinking later we could play a board game” mum says

“That’s a good idea, we should do it shall we play a board game at 2pm?” I suggest

“We will play a board game them. You can decide” Mum says my life went like that throughout the entire lockdown only with dad being at home after being furloughed and went back after a few weeks. It felt like walking in a zombie apocalypse when I go for a walk doing my best to avoid other people

Day out Cycling to Windsor

One Sunday over thirty years ago I cycle 20 miles to Windsor with a friend. We started at 8.30 am. After two hours cycling we stop for 30 mins in pub garden sat down and had a drink and some food we buy from shop nearby as the pub was closed it open at 12.00pm.

11pm we get back on our bikes.

We cycle along the country roads. We pass Windsor safari park which now is LEGOLAND.

It took us three and half hours to get there.

We got there at 1 pm.

Lock bike at Train station near Windsor castle.

We meet two friends at Windsor then had dinner.

We left Windsor at 4.00pm and stop after two hours of cycling to go in shop to buy food.

We got home at 7.30pm.

I had cycle 40 mile that day.

Talkback members Jeremy, David, Ben with Yvette supporting were very proud to have been part of this amazing event. We all enjoyed the weekly rehearsals which have improved the members’ memory and confidence. Jeremy, David and Ben are looking forward to start rehearsing again in September.

We have the chance to talk about our problems and share them with others

Yvette represented and promoted Talkback by displaying leaflets for CAMEO and Outreach.

“Lord” Griffiths (as David jokingly calls himself), met Councillor/Deputy Mayor of Reading Rachel Eden.

All the leaflets for CAMEO and Outreach were taken at the end of the day, by fellows organisers and members of the public, so hopefully we will see some new people joining us soon.

During lockdown we were unable to meet with our members face to face.
We had to adapt quickly and find new ways to keep in touch with them.
We discovered and learned how to use Zoom and Teams and arranged online meetings.
Here is a photo of some of the Reading crew during a Teams meeting.
These meetings are enjoyed by all

My Hero

My hero, my hero

Chocolate is my hero

Crunchie, twirl and fudge

To save me, to save me

From all my struggles daily

And help me get out of my grudge…

Éclair, eclair

Why aren’t you there?

When hunger grips me in a tizzy

Crème egg twister

Not for my sister!

Come to me now, I despair

Smooth and silky

Sweet and creamy

The taste I enjoy and like

Plain chocolate, milk chocolate

Anyway up, even a milky bar white

When things are troubled

I love to muddle and sort through the wrappers of joy

Heroes, heroes, chocolate coated heroes

Chocolate is there to enjoy

Chocolate coated Sue

Do you feel that people with learning disabilities are being listened to during this crisis?

Not enough. I have been listened to by Talkback. Other services have not supported me.

We enjoyed the many rehearsals with the supporting professionals which resulted in a show on Valentine’s Day.

Rosetta Life is looking for new members, anyone interested should email info@rosettalife.org or call 07930 239 005.

How dare you target me for I’m no fool
Haven’t you better learn something & go back to school?

Education is important these days but people with disabilities learn in different ways

I never give in to bullies like you just because you don’t understand what I go through

I go through pain and that’s no fun for anyone 
I go through challenges and there all done

My challenge to you today is to realise and be wise
I don’t want to hear loud cries

Those cries of pain from your victims
Those guilty marks that are left by you

Do you feel the pain that I do?
It's not just about taking a pill or two
And hoping the pain will ease

Ask yourself are you pleased with what you have done?
Have you achieved anything?

Those guilty marks are still there
The pain will never go
You may be able to walk away but no-one need know

Life’s busy behind the doors at Kings College A+E
The red phones rung and life just continues
The staff move the patients from trolleys to beds on the count of three

It's then that they start to clinically assess
All the wounds and bandage and dress
They get patched up some of them leave
However some of them don’t and the families grieve

However the staff are amazing both day and night
They take anything in there sight
Everyday’s a journey no one knows where it will go
There accident could be life threatening or just a broken toe

The red phone rings again another case is on its way
The staff don’t let anything get in their way
They do the life saving jobs day after day

Time passes quicker then you think
Some people’s lives are on the brink
Some people may come in and start to feel ill
Yet the doctors and nurses are always there to give them there pills

No thanks gets said but the job is done till the next one comes rushing along
Moment’s later more jolly people come in singing a song
All you can hear is sirens coming towards you
With flashing lights in the shade of blue

The doors get flung open people rushing everywhere
There’s simply no time to stand or stare
Machines go bleep
Doctors assessing patients peacefully asleep

It all happens over again
The red phone rings
This time the helicopter is on the pad
Doctors shout “there’s no time to be had”

Medical team’s shouting the patient’s obs
Everyone knows what’s within there job
Doors rush open
Nurses everywhere
There’s again no time to be had
No time to think or even be sad

Yet you can only do your best
And pray that they do the rest
Just give them time & space to recover
Not forgetting it could be someone’s mother or lover

I went for a ride on my bike,

I didn’t fancy a hike.

The wind in my hair,

Caused people to stare.

I was having so much fun.

Going downhill

Was such a thrill,

Going at such a pace,

I fell flat on my face,

Still, it was fun.

On I still rode,

Until I saw my abode,

Not wanting the ride to end,

I took the next bend,

I could spend all day on my bike.

These words are so painfully strong,
Why can't we all just get along
Every single day in the papers, Or on Tv,
Someone is dead; could have been you or me
The world has become such a violent place,
Now it's all no meaning, we are still all the same,
But many cowardly people play the hate crime game.
We all have abilities and disabilities and issues to raise,

We all do things in our own special ways

This terror needs to stop, this hatred needs to end,
Peace needs to be brought out, the world we shall mend.

Hate crimes are not good for the upcoming years,
The new year isn't for tears, but rather cheers,
The clock strikes midnight ending a year of fear
So now is the time to down your beer
We forget the bad times and remember the good
Do you know what’s happening in your neighbourhood
These crimes we see and hear, are not right,
Forget the dark and stand in the light,
It doesn't matter how old you are,
Make a note to change and do not leave a scar,
It does not take a dollar or coin,
So, don't make it hard, and just join,
Leave the hatred and racism behind
Start all over and be kind

Our Speech is free
So are our dreams
Until It’s to late and we hear the loud scream’s
Could we do anything to prevent it?
Do you think the people meant it?

If that person only had a mentor
They could report it to a 3^rd Party Reporting Centre
If Only they knew before it was to Late
That they had been a victim of Hate
No crime isn’t to small to report
I know you can feel rather fraught
All the paperwork to be filled out
All I want to do is Shout

We are all the same on the inside
Except we don’t want to hide
Why should we hide because of Hate Crime
None of us have the Time

Still Life goes on around us all
No – one stop’s to think

HATECRIME IS ALL AROUND US
AND THAT’S WHAT I THINK STINK’S

Because Jeremy has no laptop, mobile phone or access to the internet, he missed out on meetings on Zoom.

Yvette met with him outside his home so he could join Zoom this week.

By using a mobile hotspot we were able to use the Talkback laptop and connect.

Jeremy really enjoyed seeing and catching with the other members.

Yes, it was cold but at least it stayed dry 😊

Who are you to Judge I’m not in Court
For your action’s to Judge leave me rather fraught
I know you don’t care but others do
That’s why I go round with my number two

For I am number one & don’t you dare forget
I heard you played your joker & lost your bet
You Judged me to soon before your time
In my world we call it Disability Hate Crime

The crime that you just done made a stink
Because you Judged me on how live my life, work & think

So please don’t Judge on how I hear or see
Please don’t Judge on how I walk & my dignity
Please don’t Judge me on my disability
Lets worktogether & understand just you & me

Hatecrime can be done day or night
Anywhere including out of sight
People that commit it take the mick
Frankly I find it rather sick

This hatecrime has to stop right here & now
We as individual’s are going to show you how

We’re not on a plinth
We’re not on a stand
For we all share this fine land

Every hour every day every minute
Someone commits this crime
They think they have got away with it
But now there doing time

Caroline, Yvette, and Jeremy (one of our members) have been performing a short play to explain what a loan shark is and how they work in Wycombe, Aylesbury and Reading.

The performance is followed by a short discussion; then a ‘Can you trust this friend or not?’ game.

Various ‘friend’ scenarios are read out, before we discuss whether that person is a good friend who can be truly trusted or not.

Some comments from the students:

“It made me think I need to be careful who I get involved with”

“I’ve heard about loan sharks, but I didn’t know what it means”

“I thought (a loan shark) was a shark that lent money”

“Not everyone that is friendly is your friend”

Thank you for allowing me to participate in the survey on COVID 19 and people receiving services and on the autistic spectrum.

The black represents the week from 16.3.20 when there was physical light during the day, but mentally and emotionally all I could feel was black.

The yellow circles represent the glimpses of light i.e. The post office re opening after being closed for two weeks Zoom calls.

Visits from my brother and the first time I went to the centre after four and a half months, my life felt as though it had been given back to me as a gift, and last but not least the very kind calls from the staff at Talkback.

I hope you are all well.

Best wishes,