Hi, my name is Phoebe and I would like to please take this opportunity to talk to you about a wonderful local charity, Enrych Oxfordshire, and the amazing work that they do. The reason I want to share this with you is because I know first-hand what impact the amazing work that they do has, because I was fortunate enough to receive support from Enrych Oxfordshire as a young adult and I am now a Trustee.
Enrych Oxfordshire
Enrych Oxfordshire was established 35 years ago by Leonard Cheshire and Sue Ryder. Since then, the charity has been enabling adults with a physical disability, including myself, to enjoy leisure, learning and sporting opportunities.
Living with a physical disability is not easy, and there are aspects to daily life which are affected, that other people who do not face these may not even think about. Aspects like having to plan every journey before even leaving the house, ensuring that venues are accessible and considering that there are transport options which suit individual needs. For many, these aspects are often overwhelming and can lead to social isolation and loneliness. That’s where Enrych Oxfordshire steps in to support our members.
We offer support to our members through a number of different avenues, and these include:
Enrych Support
Enrych Interact
Enrych Connect
Social Events
Volunteer Partnerships
I was really fortunate to benefit from the Enrych Support service, which pairs members up with volunteers who support them to be able to engage in learning, leisure or sporting opportunities of their choosing. Through the support of my volunteer, I was able to go to the cinema, play crazy golf and go out for meals without the support of my family. Over time, this helped me to gain confidence, independence and continue to build on my social skills. Through the support I received from Enrych Oxfordshire, both from my volunteer and the wonderful staff, I continued to grow and develop as an individual. This helped me in other areas of my life, such as in employment and gradually I needed their support less and less.
After a few years away from the charity, I decided to volunteer with Enrych Oxfordshire, offering phones calls to individuals facing loneliness, during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected disabled people. Following this, an opportunity came up for a Trustee position, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the role. It is a great privilege to be able to be a Trustee of this wonderful charity, and to support them in continuing to reach individuals who find themselves in similar positions to the one I found myself in as a young adult.
Climb Everest Challenge
We recognise that our members can often feel isolated from society, and this can affect how they feel about themselves. That’s why we have created our very own challenge in order to raise awareness of the wonderful work Enrych Oxfordshire does and to help raise funds for this wonderful charity, but more importantly to support our members to get active in a way which works for them.
As a team, we will work together to cover the distance of Mt Everest, which is 5 and a half miles. Each team member will cover a distance which feels comfortable for them and will do so in a way in which works for them, whether that be walking, wheeling or even swimming. We believe that every movement made will count towards our goal, whether that be 1 meter or 1 mile.
On Thursday 15th September, will be holding the main event at Horspath Athletics Track, however, we want to ensure all our members can participate and so some of the team will be participating virtually, in order to better suit their needs. You can monitor our progress on the website here.
We absolutely believe in recognising each individual and celebrating their own individual achievement! Please, if you can, we would greatly appreciate any donation you feel able to give. Our vitally important work is funded by grants from Trusts and Foundations and community fundraising. Please, let’s continue to enrich the lives of adults with physical disabilities and in doing so, enriching our own.
To sponsor this exciting challenge, please use the Just Giving button below...
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