During the month of May, at CASBA we have done a 500 miles challenge. 

We are doing this to raise money for our charity, so that people with learning disabilities can live independently and have their voices heard.

We have done some walks led by staff and volunteers. We started off on the 2nd May at Edgbaston reservoir led by Heather. We have also done walks from Sarehole Mill, Monyhull, Manor Farm, Northfield Park, and Cannon Hill Park.
Our parents group led by Tracy did the walk around Northfield Park, it was a great day but very hot.

​On 21st May it was our big walk, Kings Norton to Birmingham City Centre along the canal. This was a big achievement for everyone involved to walk the full route, over 6 miles altogether.

​Cannon Hill Park was our last walk of the month. Some of the group planned to walk around again, but the British weather put a stop to that. They came back to the café soaked, as the heavens had opened. We all sat down together and had a well-deserved hot drink.

​Our Cannon Hill Park was led by the chair of our Ambassadors Martyn.

Some people have done challenges with their families - for example, our Fundraising Officer, Joe, our Trustee Stella and our CEO Ginny. Overall, our challenge has raised £1,964 and we're now on the last day. 

There is still time to sponsor us, the walk challenge has been a big achievement for everyone involved. We all have different mobility levels, but we wanted to take part and raise funds, as we are all proud to work for CASBA. 

I would like to finish by saying thank you to everyone who has sponsored us, for everyone taking part on the walks, for sharing on social media. But also, a big thank you to Joe Peacock for organising the Fundraising event and leading the Tolkien walk. Also, to Sior, Becky, Tracy, Heather and our Ambassadors for giving their time to lead the walks, it wouldn’t have been possible without you.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/CASBA500miles

Jennifer Brown

This is an easy read blog post about some of our recent work.

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​One of our advocates also volunteers at St Germaine’s church.
While she was there, she heard about Household support grants.
Each grant was worth £150.

She realised this would give really important help for our citizens.
She shared the information with other advocates at CASBA.
The advocates told the citizens they work with about it.

Only one person knew about it!
CASBA advocates immediately started filling in forms with citizens, so they could apply for these grants. 
Sometimes they did it over phone and sometimes face to face.

In total, our staff completed over 35 forms with our citizens.
It helped people who were in debt because of high fuel bills.
They could replace essential items like cookers and microwaves.
They were delighted to get this unexpected help.

Suddenly, a friend called one of our advocates to say the grants were closing the next day!
It was her day off, but she decided it was important to spend a couple of hours ringing people and making herself available in the evening to get forms filled in before the deadline.
Our citizens phoned each other so they were ready and knew what information was needed.
That was really good because it made it much quicker!


Not everyone who needed this help got an application in on time.

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​There was very little communication about when they opened or closed.
More support is needed for citizens struggling with cost of living increases.

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CASBA campaigned to stop the government taking away £20 a week from the most vulnerable citizens.
We will continue campaigning for a fairer system.
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p.s.
We have heard that the grant applications are now reopening, which is good, but we don't know for how long.

​Janet is a CASBA Ambassador.
She also volunteers for a housing association care home.


She talks to residents and helps them with refreshments.
The housing association asked her to do some training.


This training was online.



​The training required a lot of reading.
None of the materials were in easy read.
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Anne-Marie is a volunteer at CASBA.
She sat with Janet in the CASBA office to help her do the training.


Each training module was supposed to take 20 minutes.
They did two modules. This took three hours.


Anne-Marie helped Janet to understand what the materials said.
At the end, Janet took a test and passed with very high marks.


She has to complete 6 modules in total.
Anne Marie will support her to do these.
Janet will be able to continue her volunteer placement when she’s done them all.
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We think training should be more accessible, but we help our citizens to access courses when they are not.