Phab Awards 2021 Watch a full recording of the event below: Huge congratulations to all those nominees and winners of the Phab Awards 2021. The show was broadcast live from Bancroft’s School and presented by Mik Scarlet with a special message from Phab’s President, Anita Dobson. We are most grateful for the time given freely by the professional production team to put on this event – thank you so much. We also know that there are many unsung heroes within all our Phab Clubs and our thanks go to you all for your commitment, energy and the fun and support you bring to all Phabbers everywhere. The 2021 Winners and Nominees are: Paul Hope Award Craig & Marie Crawford – Leamington Phab WINNERS Kathryn Baggot – Oxford Phab (Special Commendation) Paul Coast – Leeds Phab (Special Commendation) Jamie Lowbridge – Bradford Phab Joe Maynard – Kaos Phab Gill Bond – Bebington Phab John Buckley – Bebington Phab Marc Lowton – Bebington Phab Stacey Nuttall – Oldham Phab Louis Goldberg Award Kelsey Hook – Phab Café/Shop WINNER Luke & Cameron Strickett-Morling - Isle of Man Phab (Special Commendation) Fran Sims – Kaos Phab (Special Commendation) Emma Grace – Kaos Phab Maisie Griffiths – Kaos Phab Lord Morris of Manchester Award University of Bristol Phab
Read articlePhab is delighted to welcome Viv to the team. With over 11 years’ experience in fundraising and corporate partnerships, Viv has worked with well-known national and Bedfordshire based charities. Formerly CEO of the Tourism Partnership in Bedfordshire, a Community Interest Company, she is currently the Chair of the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation and has worked across every aspect of corporate partnerships from events, sponsorship, cause-related marketing to charity of the year. “I am hugely excited to help Phab develop and grow its fundraising programme and very much looking forward to working with everyone in the team.” Viviane Vayssieres - Fundraising and Corporate Partnership Contact:M: 07929 355 541E: viviane.vayssieres@phab.org.uk
Read articleSo many are out and about fundraising for Phab in many imaginative and energetic ways - thank you so much to everyone going the extra mile, literally in many cases, to support all our work. Below are just some of those recent intrepid fundraisers! Jen and Jo are 'Grannies Go Cycling'. These incredible ladies are taking on an epic bike ride from the UK's most Easterly point to the most Westerly point during May, June and July. All to raise money for Phab. They started during the awful weather in May but are going strong and are doing brilliantly. To follow their story on their blog and donate to their page, go to https://www.granniesgocycling.co.uk/449314771 Noah and his family took part in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge at the end of May. Noah was aiming to walk for 100 minutes using his walking frame, his mum Sasha was spending 100 minutes in one session of body combat and his dad James was completing 100 minutes on the spin bike. The Captain Tom Challenge took place on what would have been Captain Tom's 101st birthday. To support Noah and family, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundrai.../SashaAndJamesTilson... And Sam Taylor challenged himself to leave his wheelchair and stand for five minutes twice a day, every day, throughout April. Sam has taken part in the Phab Holiday Projects, both as a participant when he was younger and then becoming a volunteer when he was older. Sam said “Phab is very close to my heart. I have met the most amazing people and Phab gave me the opportunity to achieve things I had never previously thought possible and I want to raise money to help others to do the same.” To support Sam, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samuel-taylor6?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=samuel-taylor6&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=c99860253fd6434abbdeb253473eaaf0
Read articleThe President, Patron, Trustees and all members of Phab send their greatest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and The Royal Family following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on 9th April 2021. Members of Prince Philip Centre Phab Club in Leeds remembered with great sadness, but also with many wonderful memories, the three visits which HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh made to the Club over the years. His Royal Highness had been involved from 1960 when money was raised to build the centre and sports fields for the young people of Leeds. The Phab Club was established when the Centre opened and of course it was named Prince Philip Centre Phab Club. Prince Philip’s most recent visit to the Phab Club was ten years ago, in March 2011, to celebrate the Club’s 40th Anniversary where he unveiled a commemorative plaque and was introduced to Phab members and guests by Mike Ball, Club Chairman and Ann Hart, Secretary. Visiting every table, he chatted informally to members leaving each group smiling and laughing. It is a day they will never forget. Over the years, many Phab members and volunteers have greatly benefitted from the incredible opportunities afforded by the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. Here are some of their stories: “Whilst a member of Epsom & Ewell Phab Club I participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. This was a huge undertaking for me, living with a physical disability, limited strength and walking capabilities. The expeditions were intense but Phab really helped me through it. I learnt circus skills for my Silver and went on to teach others those skills at Phab Club as part of my Gold service once I was old enough to become a helper. It was through my continuing work at Epsom & Ewell Phab Club that I was invited to attend a function for young volunteers. I will never forget that day - I had the honour of sitting next to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh throughout the meal. Prince Philip was charming, attentive and we discussed many things. He was such a gentleman, seeing to my seat himself. What was very noticeable was throughout lunch, he always had a watchful eye on The Queen, seated on the next table along and that, I think, sums up Prince Philip in my eyes - he saw to his duty throughout. I will miss him, no doubt about it. The skills and service I learned through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, supported by my mentor and friends at Phab, had a huge impact in my life. For my Gold service I helped out at the local hospital radio; now I present on internet, community and a South-West London-based radio station. For my Gold physical activity, I was learning to canoe and kayak; I have now kayaked inland and coastal waters around the world. For my residential I went Tall Ship Sailing with the Jubilee Sailing Trust; now I have trained as a watch leader and I lead others onboard the ships, imparting my knowledge and guidance; I have been involved in Tall Ship races and even sailed around Cape Horn, all this stemmed from my experience of the Duke of Edinburgh Award through Epsom & Ewell Phab.” Natalie, Epsom & Ewell Phab Club “I was looking for a residential project to complete my Gold DofE in the summer of 2004. I found out about the Phab holidays via the internet and applied to volunteer at a week-long residential project for disabled and non-disabled young people at Bendrigg Lodge in the Lake District! That project was such an amazing experience I had the Phab bug! I continued to volunteer on projects and joined Lyndon Phab Club in 2009. In June 2014 I started Lickey Phab Club and we are still going strong! Without the D of E award, I would never have found Phab which has given me the opportunity to meet so many people!” Louise, Leader of Lickey Phab Club, Midlands Eloise Doherty first volunteered on a Phab Holiday Project in 2015 at the age of 17 as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. To achieve her Gold Award, she had to complete a residential placement on a shared activity with people she didn’t know, and she chose Phab! She enjoyed the experience so much that she has returned as a Phab volunteer many times and will be taking part again this summer. Eloise said, “it is hard to pick a favourite thing about volunteering, there have been so many special moments. The activities are fantastic – especially the zip wire, but my favourite might be the water fights we have – it is great to see everyone enjoy themselves in such a fun activity. I have made great friends with other volunteers, learned new skills and without doing my DofE I would never have realised the opportunities and fun that could be had through volunteering." Eloise is currently studying Medicine at Newcastle University. “I first took part in Phab in the summer of 2017 as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and since then I have attended many more of the summer residential projects in the Lake District. I am very grateful that I took part in Gold DofE as it opened up lots of opportunities to me, including Phab, that I may not have had otherwise and I have stayed involved ever since. I have made friends that I still keep in touch with now, and Phab has influenced my career choice for the future. I have also developed skills, such as communication and teamwork, that will benefit me throughout my life.” Emily – Phab Residential Project Volunteer
Read articleAs Coronavirus restrictions continue to affect all aspects of our lives, please be assured that we are doing all we can at Phab to keep members, Club Leaders, volunteers and supporters updated on Club news, our holiday projects, holiday homes and challenge events during these difficult times. We are in direct contact with Club Leaders to support them and their members during closures and as they are able to re-open. In the meantime, we know Club Leaders and volunteers are continuing to go to remarkable lengths to keep their members in touch and supported, virtually and in any way they can. Schools based Phab Clubs, including two new Clubs set up just before the first lockdown in March 2020, along with schools holiday projects are largely on hold for the moment. But we look forward to working closely with staff and students again as soon as it is safe and possible for their Clubs and holidays to re-start. Sadly, for those who had been offered places on our own holiday Projects at Phab in 2020, these were in the end unable to take place because of Coronavirus. But arrangements have now been made to deliver the Projects between July and October 2021 and we are keeping in close touch with all the families and young adults involved and with our generous funders too. For those who wanted to enjoy a week or two away at our wheelchair accessible holiday homes at Waterside Holiday Park in Weymouth, we have been so pleased to be able to welcome everyone back as Waterside and other holiday destinations have been allowed to re-open. To book one of Phab's holiday homes in 2021, with special discounts for Phab members, call us on 020 8667 9443. And to find out about facilities at Waterside Holiday Park and what you can enjoy there, just go to https://www.watersideholidaygroup.co.uk/…/we-re-looking-fo…/ . And for those wonderful, Phabkids runners who had the Virgin Money London Marathon 2020 cancelled and are now rescheduled over the next three years, we thank you for your perseverance. Many of you have found very inventive ways of fundraising virtually and a whole guide can be found at Fundraising | Phab kids . We will support you every step of the way! Following the trial event by London Marathon Events at Kempton Park, we are confident and hopeful that this event will go ahead on Sunday the 3rd of October. We are also hopeful that the London Landmarks half marathon on the 1st of August will go ahead too! You are all so important and essential to Phab, so thank you from us all.
Read articleAn exciting initiative at Phab to develop new schools based Phab Clubs led to the opening of two more student-led Clubs earlier in 2020. January saw the start of a Club at Sydenham High working alongside students from Thomas Grant School and Virgo Fidelis School. And in February Framlingham College in Suffolk opened their new Phab Club, Sadly, both these new Phab Clubs had to close their doors shortly after because of the impact of Coronavirus on all our activities. However, we look forward to their reopening some time in 2021 along with other schools-based Phab Clubs and residential projects. Phab Clubs in schools are unique in that students, supported by teaching staff, run the clubs and welcome the guests for all sorts of activities, planning ahead and fundraising for an exciting programme for the year. And parents stay on site, enjoying time together knowing their children are having a wonderful time with other young people. This new and growing programme at Phab to develop Clubs and also residential projects in schools brings young people together, breaks down community barriers, builds understanding and confidence, and enables everyone to just have great fun together. And students take their experience into their future lives and work, including developing new Phab Clubs when they move on to university, volunteering with community based Phab Clubs or on our residential projects, or fundraising for our work. The new Clubs at Syndenham High and Framlingham College build on the experience of Phab Clubs or residential projects already set up in schools. These include St. Helen’s and Merchant Taylors’ in Middlesex, Westminster School and Aldenham School in Hertfordshire, and university based Phab Clubs set up by students at Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham. To find out more, contact Janine at janine.williams@phab.org.uk or phone 01825 749 826.
Read articleJulia Giles MBE has taken on the role of Chair of Phab and is looking forward to leading the Charity through this difficult period where we are all having to adjust to a different way of meeting and keeping in touch. Julia has been a Trustee of Phab and Regional Chair for the South East since March 2016. But her involvement goes way back to 1981 when she volunteered, aged 17, with Epsom & Ewell Phab and during her time at Exeter University when she volunteered at Exeter Junior Phab. She and her family have a huge commitment and passion for Phab and its philosophy of inclusion. Julia and her husband, Adrian, met at Epsom Phab and married in 1985 with several Phab members at the wedding. Their children Courtney, Luke and Zoe Giles have already made huge contributions, not only to Epsom Phab but also by helping to establish and support two of the University-based clubs at Bristol and Warwick and in putting on musicals showcasing the talents of Epsom Phab’s members at the Epsom Playhouse. So Julia is very well supported by her family. And Phab’s new Chair will be very pleased to hear from members and supporters and can be contacted by email on julia.giles@phab.org.uk Julia with her husband Adrian.
Read articleThe club has held a weekly Zoom Meeting on our usual Wednesday nights and manages to keep in regular contact with quite a lot of people through our active WhatsApp group. Anna Harper is a fairly new member of Kenilworth Phab who is missing her friends at Kenilworth Phab so much that she decided to undertake a sponsored, unassisted, mile long, unpowered wheelchair push to raise funds for the two charities which are the favourite activities she misses most - Kenilworth Phab and RDA. Fortunately the weather was kind and through a great effort, Anna managed to complete the challenge - and in the process has raised over £2,000 so far. Anna has CP and uses a wheelchair to get around. Natalie Parr has been in very strict isolation since before the official lockdown started and is still very limited because she is so extremely vulnerable but she has not been idle during her lockdown. She loves painting and many forms of art and craft and has spent a very lot of her time in lockdown painting. She created several oversized pictures to cheer up the new Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham and then went on to make more pictures for the Ego Performance Company based in Coventry. She is a member of a group for disabled people based at Ego. They have now collected her pictures and mounted them in an exhibition at the theatre. Nat has recently started another project aimed at involving many other people who are also isolated because of the virus. Gwen PeatKenilworth Phab
Read articlePhab are delighted to announce that following his retirement in June as Chairman of Phab, John Corless OBE has accepted the role of Patron, succeeding Lord Snowdon who, before his death in 2017, had been Patron of Phab since 1974. Introduced to Phab by its then President Sir Cliff Richard in 1972, John passionately supported the charity’s aim that disabled people should enjoy the same rights and privileges as non-disabled people and has worked tirelessly for their equality ever since. By promoting the Phab philosophy of inclusion so widely, both locally and nationally, he has successfully changed the attitudes of millions in the UK towards disabled people and transformed the lives of many thousands of children and adults who have, and continue to benefit from Phab’s social activities, inclusive projects and support. Throughout nearly 50 years of exceptional leadership of Phab, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2017, John has worked tirelessly to develop Phab’s charitable work. He implemented imaginative fundraising, enabling Phab to offer vital support and guidance to over 150 volunteer run social clubs and projects benefitting over 8,000 members many of whom are disabled and have complex needs. He has been a prime organiser of over 200 events raising large funds for Phab’s work. Empathy with the members is self-evident and he is greatly loved by them all. In 1999 he introduced the annual Phab Awards to recognise outstanding achievement by Phab’s volunteers and members and reward the significant achievements of individuals. He has inspired volunteers who have emigrated, to open clubs, following the Phab ethos of inclusion, in Hong Kong, New Zealand and Israel, spending time with staff and volunteers in Hong Kong during a personal holiday in 2012 to see their achievements and to exchange ideas. He has also mentored organisations from Poland and China who sought advice on the Phab model of inclusion. He was awarded an OBE in January 2009 for voluntary work and has continued to provide outstanding leadership and significant new initiatives for the benefit of disabled children, young people and adults. As Phab’s Patron, John will continue to support all areas of the Charity’s work in England and Wales and we are proud to celebrate his leadership and the significant contribution he has made to Phab for 50 years.
Read articleFor our members and supporters, please be assured that we are continuing to do all we can at Phab to keep you updated on Club news, our holiday projects, holiday homes and challenge events during these difficult times and as lockdown restrictions change, ease and change again. We are in direct contact with Club Leaders to support them and their members during closures and, in time, as they re-open. We send them all our very best wishes and know Club Leaders and volunteers are continuing to go to remarkable lengths to keep their members in touch and supported, virtually and in any way they can. Schools based Phab Clubs, including two new Clubs set up in just January and February, and their holiday projects are on hold for the moment. But we look forward to working closely with staff and students again as soon as it is safe and possible for their Clubs and holidays to re-start. And we are in contact with individual families and those who had been offered places on our own holiday projects at Phab which have inevitably been delayed because of Coronavirus. Plans are in place to deliver these in the New Year and we will be keeping in close touch with all the families and young adults involved and with our generous funders too. For those who had booked a week or two away at our wheelchair accessible holiday homes at Waterside Holiday Park in Weymouth, we were so pleased to be able to welcome everyone back when Waterside opened in July. To book one of Phab's holiday homes, with special discounts for Phab members, call us on 020 8667 9443 and to find out about facilities at Waterside Holiday Park and what you can enjoy there, just go to https://www.watersideholidaygroup.co.uk/…/we-re-looking-fo…/ . And for those enthusiastic runners who had been training so hard to take part in the VirginMedia London Marathon originally scheduled for October, thank you so much for your perseverance and for your flexibility. Many of you took part in the replacement Virtual Marathon on 4th October and others will be taking part in future events. Our Challenge Events Team is remaining in close contact with everyone and we wish you all the very best of luck with your fundraising and your events themselves, virtual or otherwise, when you get there. We will support you every step of the way! 2nd November 2020
Read articlePhab’s 2019 Volunteer Awards Reception took place at The House of Lords, Westminster, on 17th October to acknowledge the outstanding contribution to Phab from 19 very special nominated volunteers. This annual event was kindly hosted by Baroness Campbell of Surbiton DBE who is a Vice President of Phab. And John Corless OBE, Chairman of Phab, also welcomed special guests Lady Irene Morris and Lord Lloyd of Berwick. Three Awards were presented and all the nominees received a dedicated certificate signed by Anita Dobson, Phab’s President, to recognise their individual achievements. A list of Award winners and nominees is given below. John Corless was heartfelt in his thanks when he said, “Congratulations to all the Phab nominees and winners for their outstanding achievements in supporting Phab. We are greatly indebted to our Club leaders and to the hundreds of volunteers whose commitment and devotion enables the Clubs and our holiday Projects to flourish.” Louis Goldberg Award nominees were Olivia Davies, Emily Hover and Jonny Tidmarsh. And the joint winners were Zoe Giles from Epsom & Ewell Phab Club and Bristol University Phab Club and Luke Giles from Epsom & Ewell Phab. They have both volunteered from a young age, including producing various inspiring drama and musical productions with Club members at Epsom & Ewell Phab. Zoe is pictured above receiving their joint Award from Lord Lloyd. Paul Hope Award nominees were Nancy Wiltshire, Steven Shelley, Monica Castro, Katie Leak, Mick Oxley, June Mills, Adam Douglas, Sandra Lacey, Kerry Russ, Steven Swansborough, Rita Welch and Brenda Barnes. And the winner was Ann Hart, Secretary at Leeds Phab Club, who has been with the Club for over 40 years and was awarded an MBE in 2008 for her community work. Ann is pictured below together with her son, grandson and Marilyn Hope. The Lord Morris of Manchester Award, presented by Lady Irene Morris, was awarded to Aldenham School in Hertfordshire which this year delivered its third Phab Weekend at the school with guests supported by students and staff and all having great fun together. The Award was collected by Amina Choudhury and Sharon Toye (pictured below with Lady Morris) representing the Aldenham School Phab team.
Read articleThanks to generous funding from the Edward Gostling Foundation, 19 young disabled people aged 18 to 25 have had the opportunity to enjoy a weekend away together with Phab. Our new “Transition Plus” Project is aimed at young people moving into adulthood and a more independent life, supporting them at a time when life is changing. This special Project took place at Bendrigg Lodge outdoor education centre in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District. Everyone involved had a wonderful time together – choosing what activities they wanted to do, making new friends and just having fun, whilst all the time building their social and practical skills, confidence and self-belief. The Transition Plus Project is a new addition to Phab’s annual programme of Inclusive Living Experience (ILX) Projects for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Altogether in 2019 142 children and young people aged 8 to 25 were involved in Phab’s ILX Projects in the Lake District and the New Forest, enthusiastically supported by 119 Phab volunteers and carers and all having a great time together. “This was my first time away with Phab and I did every single activity - everything was in place to make sure I could participate 100%. I live at home with my parents so meeting new people was lovely and I made lots of new friends.” “Sarah came home full of her achievements and still can’t quite believe she did it! It has given her so much confidence and made her so happy.” To find out more about Phab’s ILX Projects, contact Rebecca Hargreaves, National Projects Manager, at rebecca.hargreaves@phab.org.uk or call Rebecca on 01254 824784.
Read articleLast summer students and staff worked with Phab once again to deliver more exciting Phab Projects at their schools. Merchant Taylors’ and St. Helen’s Schools in Middlesex jointly hosted another residential Phab Week in April and Westminster School their own Phab Week in July – with 57 disabled young people being hosted by 91 students and all having a great time together. And Aldenham School in Hertfordshire welcomed 13 guests in May for a fun-packed weekend when they had a wonderful time with their 42 student hosts. Together they were able to enjoy amongst many other things horse riding, climbing wall, arts and crafts, amazing musical workshops with Electric Umbrella, film making, a London show, and a trip to the London Eye. This is what one mother said to the students and staff after collecting her daughter, “Thank you so much for everything that you do for our children and young adults, I know my daughter had an amazing week, made new friends and did some lovely things. You are a real credit, without your help and commitment there are limited places for our children to go.” Thank you so much to the students and staff involved who work so hard and help to make such a real difference to the lives of all their guests! We look forward to working with all of you again in 2020.
Read articleBBC Children in Need has generously awarded £45,000 towards Phab’s Inclusive Living Experience Residential Projects, being the second round of funding following the amazing three-year grant made to Phab last year. Around 133 children and young people who are disabled or disadvantaged in some way are joining us once again on our exciting and challenging ILX Projects being held at fully accessible outdoor activity centres in the New Forest and the Lake District. Most of the children are aged between 8 and 18, with many having complex disabilities or away from home for the first time – and they are all supported throughout by 114 very special Phab volunteers, carers and staff. The exciting and challenging activities the children and young people take on range from canoeing, caving and cycling to climbing to the treetops and zooming down the zip wire! Whilst having great fun together, the children are building their confidence, independence, practical and personal skills, and self-belief. Families and carers tell us what a real difference they see when their child returns and the impact their time away with Phab has on what they achieve or aspire to at home, at school and in their local community. “Harry now feels there is a whole world out there for him to explore and be part of.” “I loved every second of today and being out of my wheelchair, going on the zipwire and big swing.” Thank you, Pudsey, once again!
Read articlePhab are delighted to have received a generous donation of £2,000 from the Hospital Saturday Fund towards our 2019 programme of Inclusive Living Experience Residential Projects for children and young people. The HSF has supported Phab’s ILX Projects over many years, as well as kick-starting our fundraising campaign for a new wheelchair accessible holiday home to mark our 60th Anniversary in 2017, and they have helped us to make a real difference to the lives of so many children and young people during that time. Each year around 140 children and young people who are disabled or disadvantaged in some way are able to experience an exciting and challenging break away with Phab at fully accessible outdoor activity centres in the New Forest and Lake District, fully supported by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic Phab volunteers. They return home to their families after their time away with Phab with increased confidence, self-belief and independence, having had great fun, made new friends and experienced all sorts of activities - from zip wire, abseiling , canoeing and archery to toasting marshmallows, karaoke and fancy dress party. Thank you to all our supporters who help to make these very special ILX Projects possible!
Read articleOver 250 runners, including many own place runners, chose to run for Phab in the 2019 VirginMoney London Marathon on 28th April, raising funds for Phab whilst achieving that very special goal of taking part in (and hopefully finishing!) this amazing event. After completing the gruelling challenge, the runners were welcomed to Phab’s unique reception area in St. James’ Park with cups of tea, showers and massage on hand to help them recover and celebrate with family and friends. As ever, we are grateful for the huge personal effort and hard work put in by our runners and the generosity of all their sponsors, helping us to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and adults with disabilities. This is what some of our runners said after the race: “The experience I've had with you and the team at Phab as well as the event you guys put on after the marathon is one of the best!” “The Facebook community you have in the Phab Running Group is amazing!” “A huge thank you to you and your team for all your support on Sunday. The welcome we received after the run was so humbling and a memory I will cherish forever. It was such an honour to run for Phab.”
Read article“The experiences that Harriet has at Phab are having a huge impact on her whole development. A huge thank you to everyone who makes that possible.”
“This adventure gave Sarah time to grow and realise that being away from home is normal. So when she gets into her adulthood it won’t be so scary.”
“My daughter doesn’t get to go out to play with the local children and doesn’t get invited to many parties – but all of these things she enjoys at Phab.”
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