fundraising@guideposts.org.uk 01993 899 983 www.guideposts.org.uk/donate
Welcome!
With Spring comes the promise of the warmer weather, new beginnings, optimism, and hope. We celebrate this daily in our services, with beautiful creations and new skills learned. The people we support have real life struggles, as you will read in our news: Deborah who was isolated following the death of her mother; people living with long term mental health conditions such as Neil in our football group, and many more. But they find hope, and trust us to guide them on their life's journey, to keep from spiraling into crisis and losing independence. The current landscape for a charity such as ours is not comfortable. As well as the charity's own costs rising significantly, many of the people we support have reduced benefits this year and are already finding that the cost of living means they are struggling financially. We are looking at more ways to make less go further so that we can offer all the support we can. Guideposts are all about people and connections. It is through people's optimism: our staff, volunteers, and the people we support, as well as people like you, who support us, that we find a way through the challenges to continue supporting as many people as possible. Thank you so much for your continued support. Kathryn Courtenay-Evans, CEO
Inside: Latest News & Updates ................................... 2 Outdoor Wellbeing ........................................... 3 Meet Deborah .................................................... 4 Seeing a Brighter Future .................................. 5 Supporter News ................................................ 6 Friendship for All............................................... 7
Spring Highlights
2025
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Together we support people's way to live a fulfilling life.
Latest News
Neil is an individual who lives with OCD, who was the driving force for Guideposts' first football group in 2014. Neil explains how playing had a huge impact on his Mental Health. "Playing Football emptied my busy mind. I could come away from games and training, wash my hands, and it would all be fine. It was such a great time in my life, being able to be a part of something and having that human connection. I got such a buzz from all the other players and supporting other teams and of course winning ourselves! I have greatly missed the support network that comes with the football community."
As spring arrives, we breathe a sigh of relief as it makes going outdoors so much more welcoming. Being outdoors, where nature brings many benefits, is a huge boost across our services. Our accredited training programmes are now expanding to include gardening and woodland management. Taking place at our Outdoor Wellbeing Hub in Oxfordshire and in Gloucestershire, the course includes learning how gardening promotes a healthier lifestyle; how to use produce as part of a healthy, balanced diet; and understanding the positive impact that gardening has on the wider environment; as well as planting, tending and managing nature of course.
Our first Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-informed Forest School sessions for children with mild anxiety were completed last month. It was brilliant to see how their mental health had improved over the weeks. Over the 10 sessions, we noted significant improvements: in the first week intrinsic motivation, and social skills were only observed now and then, but by the 10th session they were much more frequently seen. Further skills developed and achieved included empathy, being self-aware, self-regulating, problem solving, perseverance, and managing risk. One particular child strived each week to successfully master a skill they’d been shown the previous week with great determination. We look forward to the next group, taking their inspiration!
Creativity in Full Bloom
Football frenzy
How you can help
Outdoor Wellbeing
Fiona, Support Worker
A donation of £30 could buy a set of adaptive gardening hand-tools.
Member view: Sowing and Growing
Child feedback
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"Did I make new friends? Yes and no. I learned to work through friendships."
Teacher feedback
New Outdoor Skills Training
The community at our Watford Mental Health Hub are getting into football in a big way! Since Watford FC no less welcomed a group of our members to tour their stadium, and local players held a tournament in support of Guideposts, the power of the "beautiful game" is resonating. It is over 10 years since Guideposts last had an active football team, but now is the time to strike and our members are keen to get active and get fit, to help both their mental and physical health. They have entered the Mental Health World Cup, so have a real goal to aim for in the coming months of training. Our support workers and local volunteers are enabling this amazing opportunity to aim high!
Andy has recently re-joined our “Sow and Grow” group in Hertfordshire. He has episodes of low mood and anxiety, and is diagnosed as 'emotionally unstable'. He can easily be triggered by crowds, or feeling someone is not respectful to him or others, which can lead to angry outbursts of frustration. So he generally avoids people and mainly stays at home with just his own company. Andy told us how this group helps him: “I can connect with the earth, I get pleasure from watching a plant grow from a seed and produce something I can eat, I feel I have been part of the process. I also benefit from being in a group and enjoy talking to the group members here. I can be a bit isolated at home and choose to not go out as get frustrated by the behaviour of others. I also enjoy connecting with nature.'
At our Community Hub in Stroud, our daily groups are now themed around the interests of the members, including a Therapeutic Arts group. They are an extremely creative bunch! They draw inspiration from far and wide, often looking to famous artists. Over recent months: they have been inspired by Tom Wesselmann, Arthur Dove, and Dame Barbara Hepworth amongst others, as well as working with The Wilson gallery, local to the service. Building on the success of their first exhibition in the Hub, we are delighted to have been invited to exhibit at the Star Anise Cafe this month, and later in the year at the prestigious Stroud Valleys Artspace. Look out for information on these exciting opportunities to celebrate the artists' wonderful work.
Guideposts Spring Highlights 202
Member view: How Football helps my Mental Health
How can you help?
Guideposts Spring Highlights 2025
Growing minds
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"B has really grown in confidence, they even want to stand up and talk in assembly"
The whole group are proud to see their artwork displayed.
A donation of £48 could provide activities for a CONNECT group for a month.
New Memorial Page
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Charity Costs
Building on successes
Member Spotlight Meet Deborah
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A helping hand to make your Will
We have just launched a new page on our website to remember people who we have lost from the Guideposts community. Some of these people have been members of Guideposts services; others have supported Guideposts with gifts or activities. We are fortunate to have such a generous, spirited, and committed community. www.guideposts.org.uk/in-memory
My mother passed away in June 2020, she had lived with me and my daughter for 17 years and was a constant companion. We did so many things together and her going left me feeling very lonely. I was introduced to CONNECT by an enabler called Jane. I was made very welcome and everyone was friendly and spoke to me. The first time I went to the group without Jane, Barbara asked if she could sit next to me and has become a very dear friend. We now meet up outside the group as well. There are so many activities, that I hadn't tried before. I have loved decorating bottles with glue and tissue, called decoupage, as well as playing "Boccia" and sewing the group's community quilt. Although my mother was a great knitter, I had never learned. Coming to the group, I was able to learn to to knit, and crochet, although it was a struggle at first. I am delighted to have been able to crochet presents including my granddaughter's baby blanket. Liz who runs the group is caring, thoughtful, ready to lend an ear if needed and goes out of her way to check on each person in the group's wellbeing. The volunteers are also helpful and thoughtful and help to make everybody's experience of the meeting a good one. I am thankful for everything they do. The CONNECT group anniversary fell on a special day for Deborah, so the group also gave her a present that held a lot of meaning. When Deborah was sorting out her mum's things, she came across bags of wool and unfinished knitting, which she brought to CONNECT. With some of the wool, we knitted squares to make up blankets for baby Rhinos. With some extra squares, the group made another small blanket, crocheted flowers on it and edged it with borders that Deborah's mum had knitted. When we presented her with it, Deborah was overwhelmed but happy. Building on our successes with CONNECT groups, we are delighted to have adopted a group to add to CONNECT in Gloucestershire, at Newent, in partnership with the local GP practice. This follows hot on the heels of the relaunch of CONNECT groups in Tewkesbury and Kidlington, which are both growing fast. We are particularly grateful to the Benefact Group whose funding is supporting the development of CONNECT groups.
Seeing a Brighter Future
Looking at shaping how Guideposts supports people, both now and in future, there is a recurring theme: that people with the needs we support are often unseen, and can become isolated without opportunities to engage in any aspect of community life. Our "Never Seen, Never Been" campaign over the last few years has highlighted this particularly for people living with learning disabilities who don't have opportunity for days out and experiences that most of us take for granted. For people with dementia and their carers, and those living with mental health conditions as well, life can become confined to their homes and social circles disappear all too easily. Guideposts does, and will continue, to work to help people find a community where they can thrive, and feel valued. This time last year, we reported that increases in the Living Wage would be good news for our staff, but a struggle for the charity. The struggle continues this year with recent budget changes making it even more difficult for charities to balance their books. Social care public funding is experiencing severe pressure on all sides, which makes the generosity and support of our loyal donors, legacies, and grant funding from Trusts and other organisations ever more important to us. Your support means we can carry on providing vital services. Thank you.
Never Seen, Never Been
If you need to make or update your Will, we have some tools to help you. 1. Our free Guide to Writing Your Will 2. A free, simple to use, and fully checked online Will-making service. Leaving a charitable gift in your will could make a big difference to people's lives in the future, by enabling our services to continue adapting to the needs of people living with dementia, mental health conditions, or disabilities. When making your Will, of course we would be delighted if you include a gift to Guideposts, however large or small, but there is absolutely no obligation. Please see www.guideposts.org.uk/leave-a-legacy or contact us.
“I love going to the group. I have learned so many new skills and arts and gained knowledge on different topics.”
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As we celebrate 5 years of our CONNECT group at Whitminster in Gloucestershire, I would like to tell you how much I appreciate the CONNECT group and what it has meant to me.
Guideposts Friendship For All in Hertfordshire has witnessed some wonderful connections develop. One group meets every Thursday evening. Getting together for activities in the community helps with practising simple tasks like ordering food, paying for tickets, or striking up a conversation. The members gain much-needed confidence in these social situations. The group has some wonderful personalities, and it’s lovely to see the dynamics of the group evolve. Two particular men are autistic, and when they first started attending they shared their interests mostly with support workers rather than talking with other group members. Over time, they have started to ask each other questions and actively listen to one another. Conversations between them are blossoming. For some members, joining this group has been a vital step toward overcoming social isolation. Peter lives alone in a flat, and while he receives assistance from his sister in managing his living situation, he lacked social connections in his area. Since becoming part of the group, Peter has made friends and is able to join in conversations. He has re-engaged in activities he hadn’t been able to participate in for years and has even discovered a talent for golf. His newfound interest provided a significant boost to his self-esteem, as he excitedly exclaimed, “I’m good at that, aren’t I?” Another young man, Paul, recently joined our group. After leaving college, he was feeling very isolated and searching for a way to connect. Though quiet by nature, he has shown great enthusiasm for activities such as golf and pool, and his parents have noted how much he enjoys our outings. It’s wonderful to see him gradually come out of his shell. Making friendships is so important for everyone’s mental and emotional well-being, and the bonds formed in our group not only lift individuals but also lift a burden from their families. Ultimately, what Friendship For All does goes beyond just activities; it’s about nurturing an environment where friendships can truly flourish, and everyone feels valued and connected. We want to provide our members with the experiences they need to make confident choices and build lasting relationships. Every connection we make brings us one step closer to a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone.
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A team effort to improve life for both mother and son
Quick Facts:
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Guideposts Autumn Highlights 2023
“It’s been incredible to see the changes, especially for those who preferred to talk to the support worker when they first arrived.”
Service Spotlight Friendship For All
Supporter news
An unexpected gift
The Joy that keeps on giving
To see Jenkins and many more Guideposts artists on TikTok, find us @GuidepostsUK
Did you always dream of your own train set?
“I’ve watched friendships blossom as our members have started asking each other questions, sharing stories, and really listening to one another.”
Stock photo by Aleksandar Andreev on Pexels
Sarah and Sam's story
Having friendships can make a huge difference to a person's wellbeing. For those who are isolated or find communication difficult, making and keeping friends can be particularly hard, so it is something we aim to cultivate across Guideposts services. We create supportive spaces where meaningful relationships can grow, and continue for the long-term. Friendship For All developed as a service particularly for adults with learning disabilities in Hertfordshire, and has been running for 30 years. We are now expanding to Oxfordshire, developing the Better Connected programme that kept people connected and active particularly through the pandemic.
Raffle Winner!
Helping people with learning disabilities find friendship and social activity
Number of people supported: 177 Number of sessions per year: 550+
Many people have been appreciating the artwork of the talented artists in our services. One particular artist, Jenkins, loves trains and paints amazing train scenes. A supporter on our TikTok channel saw videos of Jenkins and was moved to send him a special present: some extra track and landscape to add to his train set. Jenkins couldn't believe that someone would buy something for him, let alone a stranger on social media. He was truly touched.
A donation of £40 could provide a 2 hour respite session to relieve a family carer.
The first prize in Guideposts Birthday Raffle in December was won by Mary, a member of our CONNECT groups. Mary told us: "I have never won anything in my life! I cannot quite believe that I have won first prize. It has come in handy for Christmas and I am going to treat myself to a facial and other beauty treatments."
Burford Garden Company
Could you help raise awareness of Guideposts? Share this newsletter with a friend or family Request a money-box to collect spare change
We are hugely grateful to everyone who contributed to the Joy of Giving appeal at Christmas. Our service members are delighted to have received gifts, and all they bring. The Joy of wellbeing was truly in evidence last month when the women's group in our Mental Health hub gave themselves some much needed self-care, with a pampering session of manicures and facials. In the run-up to Christmas, the service users embraced the Joy of Giving wholeheartedly, making and giving gifts for some of those who had supported them through the year. The community loved seeing the smiles and feedback on presenting gifts, as well as being able to show their appreciation.
"The team were really touched by the beautiful card and decoration."
Sarah asked us to support Sam to find work, and make new friends. He also had issues with his housing and wanted to live closer to his family. Sam has a learning disability but is very able. He has lots of energy and struggled to fill his time constructively. Sam didn’t react well to being offered support at first, so support worker Cathy had to be very tentative. She started by supporting him in his home to do chores, such as changing his bedclothes, washing dishes, choosing food that would help with his diabetes. Cathy suggested that Sam start attending a group, where he could meet others and take part in organised activities. He started attending the Guideposts Hub in Stroud a few days a week, where he has been supported to make new friends and develop new skills. While he attends there, the CONNECT at Home support has continued. We uncovered that Sam felt disenfranchised and disempowered. He was also dissatisfied with his job, as he felt they took advantage of him. So Cathy has carefully supported him to make decisions that suit him, and work though how they would impact on him. Cathy supports Sam to find meaningful work and visits him weekly to support this process. Cathy supports him to attend both Job Centre interviews, and job interviews themselves, and members of the team attend the gym with him too. He has started the Food Skills programme at the Guideposts Hub and has ambitions to work in catering. All the support provided has created a sense of purpose for Sam. He has lost 3 stone and now manages his diabetes well. Sam has also met someone special, and is hoping it will develop into a romantic relationship, with the support of Guideposts and his family. This has made a big difference to Sams’ self-esteem and self-worth. Sarah reports this has all made a huge difference to her. “Sam is much happier now, which means his calls to me and visits have reduced greatly. I feel so much better, mentally and physically. As I get older, I struggle to provide the support Sam needs. This has made a huge difference to my quality of life.” Sam still hopes to move closer to his family, and we are supporting him with those arrangements, working with the other services who are involved. We can see he now feels empowered and is well on the way to being where he wants to be.
As I get older I struggle to provide the support Sam needs. This has made a huge difference to my quality of life.
Poem by member of Guideposts Coaching Service
For information on how to get involved - whether you want to donate, volunteer, fundraise, or support us at work, get in touch!
My life now is Nature Calm Self care Trying to learn self love Mindfulness Being able to take a step back
What do people get from day services?
Help us to ensure no-one with mental health challenges, learning disabilities or dementia is left behind.
guideposts.org.uk/get-involved fundraising@guideposts.org.uk 01993 899 983
Heaven and hell at the same time Disneyland and a crack den on one path, Everything is both wonderful and s**t.
While many people with learning disabilities live relatively independently and have jobs, many do not, and their needs range enormously from constant one-to-one care, to light care but a need to find more fulfillment than sitting alone watching TV daily. While other forms of care, such as personal assistants, are an option, not mixing with others in a social group can leave people isolated. People with a learning disability are seven times more likely than their non-disabled peers to be lonely and it is a significant driver of poor wellbeing and mental health. Lacking a sense of occupation and purpose can also cause serious problems for people, and day services combat this. They work on building ability and confidence in each individual. This includes developing practical skills, as well as literacy, numeracy, and memory with quizzes and fun activities. One of the most significant benefits of attending a day centre is the ability to make friends in a safe environment. Making new friends can be a daunting prospect, but in day services people with disabilities meet others through shared activities, and can be supported by staff to develop their confidence and social skills. Guideposts currently provides four day services for people with Learning Disabilities, providing a wide range of activities that support life skills as well as social life and daily enjoyment. Art and crafts, gardening, woodwork, and cookery all feature regularly. Outings and day trips are also a big part of our activities. While a paid carer or assistant can take a person on trips, many people with disabilities say they would rather go with friends. Team leader at Guideposts’ Community Hub in Stroud, Rob, says: “Residential homes are focused on making sure people are safe and healthy. They can feed people, manage medication and appointments and keep that person safe, but they don’t always have the capacity to provide activities that help brighten up life. We have the whole day to speak with each person, work out what they want, and then come up with a plan to make that happen. We don’t need to take people to appointments, or do chores. All our time is focused on enriching that individual’s life.”
A donation of £85 could pay to take a group of 5 people with learning disabilities swimming.
Building on the vital importance of community inclusion, participation and connections to improve the lives of those we support.
What about Guideposts?
"My future went sky-high when I found this place. I have made the best friends I ever had. I am happy, and I'm strong.
Why does your support count?
We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
Our support for people facing mental health challenges includes a coaching service tailored to those with Complex Emotional Needs, including Borderline Personality Disorder.
Helping people with learning disabilities feel purpose in their daily life
Guideposts Autumn Highlights 2022
Guideposts Trust Limited Registered in England No 12823661 Registered Charity No 272619 Guideposts Trust was established in 1972 and relies upon voluntary and financial support for its work. General Enquiries: 01993 893560 | Email: info@guideposts.org.uk | www.guideposts.org.uk
What having Borderline Personality Disorder feels like