The event raised an astonishing £1.228.78 !! 

Chrysalis would especially like to Bronja of Wigton, The Greenhill Hotel, our fundraisers and all those involved in organising the event.  Thank you to everyone who supported us by donating raffle prizes or attending on the day.

For details of future fundraising event and further information about how you could help support Chrysalis visit our Getting Involved - Make a donation page  on the website.

Chrysalis is pleased to announce that it has been successful in securing funding from ‘Skills for Care’ to support carers in our local community.

Julie Kemp, our Training and Development, who submitted the successful application for the funding, is now co-ordinating delivery and will ensure that these funds are put to good use.  We will be running taster therapy sessions, bespoke training and support sessions.

The first seminar is being held on 27th March 2013 at Penrith Methodist Church, this seminar will focus on the implications of Welfare Reform Bill, further information regarding this event is detailed below:

Adult Carers Seminar

27^th March 2013 @ 12 noon to 3pm

Penrith Methodist Church

12 noon                Finger buffet on arrival  & view stands on support available in Cumbria

12.45                     Claire Doherty, Chrysalis.  Welcome and opening remarks

13.00                     Judith Wilkinson, DWP.   Update on Welfare Reform

14.00                     Brian Groves, Social Care in Excellence, their role and how to use them

14.20                     Julian Legat, Cumbria County Council, Carers Budget

14.40                     Claire Doherty, Chrysalis.  Closing remarks

15.00                     Depart

If you would like to attend or would like any further information please confirm your attendance to Julie@chrysalis-cumbria.co.uk or alternatively you can contact us by phone.

The Nomads fairtrade clothing range combines traditional Indian craftmanship with fashionable UK designs.  This mixture of beautiful fabric and contemporary design delivers stunning results, but don’t take our word for it come have a look for yourself!

Further information about Chrysalis Wholefoods and examples of some of the Nomads Clothing range as well as information on the other kinds of products we stock can be found on the Chrysalis Wholefoods page.

It was very special this year as we were able to hold the event in our new resource centre at the Meeting Place in Wigton.

Our Chair of Trustees, Gilda Wells, opened the AGM by thanking everyone for coming and gave a brief overview of the year and the agenda for the day.  This was followed by presentations from our members which included The Buterfly Group (well done Alexis!) and also a Gardening Quiz by the Allotment and Gardening Group, where the winning team were presented with a Garden Gnome!

Treasurer, Norman Greggains, gave the financial summary for the year, and as usual votes were taken for the elected board of trustees.

Claire Doherty, Director of Chrysalis, presented the Annual Review and discussed the achievements of the past year such as the wet room, opening the meeting place, the tendering process, not to mention the many achievements made by our staff and members throughout the year.

Deputy Mayor, Debbie Stafford, had kindly agreed to come along to the AGM and took great pleasure in handing out certificates to the members for their achievements.

Once the formalities were over the day closed in the tradional Chrysalis AGM way with a disco and karaoke to celebrate the achievements of the past year!

For anyone unable to attend who would like a copy of the minutes of the meeting and annual report, they are  available by contacting the admin department based at our head office.

We would like to say well done to all the staff and clients in the Gardening Group who have worked really hard over the summer.

From plant to table we have been using the produce that they have grown to cook with, which included making a delicious courgette cake!

That’s why we are excited to announce that work to our new Wet Room facility at our Leaside Resource Centre in Wigton, is now finally complete.

The wet room has a shower changing trolley which enables us to offer showering facilities to people who are unable to use a conventional shower and chair. This, also doubles up as a changing table, again great for those with more complex personal care needs. It is also fitted with a top of the range ceiling track hoist to enable us to offer support for those requiring more intense moving and handling needs.

The space is large and allows plenty of access without feeling too impersonal. It gives us a lot more scope to support a lot more people in a safe and comfortable environment.

We had to go through a full  EU tendering process  and this was our first time so we are thrilled that we were successful!

What this means is that we can continue to provide  packages of  support that are care managed by adult social care as well as all the other methods people can pay for support for example direct payments, privately,  ILF, etc..

We have recently carried out development work at our resource bases in Wigton and have recruited more staff so are well placed to continue to be the provider of choice for adults with learning disabilities in  North Cumbria.

Chrysalis was one of the few, local community groups invited to personally meet Prince Charles at Saint Mary’s Church.

Claire Doherty was accompanied by Dawn Golding, Joan Caulfield, Joan Hetherington, Andrew Studholme and Georgina Cartwright who were the lucky few whose names were pulled out of a hat.

The remainder of the members and staff gathered with the crowds eagerly awaiting the royal arrival and the rain and snow didn’t appear to dampen anyone’s spirits!

Claire Doherty, Director of Chrysalis said, “Prior to his arrival we were all given a briefing about protocol and then waited for HRH to arrive. He first had a tour of the church and the windows before meeting each of the community groups.  He took time to speak to each person and there was a lot of laughter around the room as he joked with people”.

“When he came to our group he greeted everyone and shook everyone’s hand.  He asked what we did and where people came from, and we were surprised he had the time to talk to everyone. He said he was worried about the children outside in the snow, but we said we were made of stern stuff around here!”

“He signed the book in the church and when he had left we were all shown his signature”.

Supported by staff and in partnership with Mobex and NADT (North Allerdale Development Trust) the group will be working together to gain the Conserver Level Award.  The award covers areas such as exploring a wild place, conservation and sharing information.

The group have chosen to use the garden at The Meeting Place near Wigton town centre to create a sensory garden.  The garden will also focus on encouraging wildlife and make it a great place for people to be.

The award will take up to six months to complete.  When completed we are planning to hold an open day so that everyone can come along and experience what has been achieved and see the groups presentations and displays.  We will keep you posted on progress!

The funding has helped purchase essential technical equipment including a laptop and video camera which were needed to produce the short bespoke video clips contained in the e-learning modules.

The modules have just been piloted and have already led to some improvements in service delivery, providing greater flexibility for people to complete learning at a time and place that suits them.  It has also provided a greater awareness into the ways of using intensive interaction methods to support our service users.  Early feedback from people who have completed the e-learning modules has been excellent.