“Make no mistake, we are in a changing environment and we are a changing organisation – but only if each of us is committed to living and learning,” said Chief Executive, Richard Franklin opening Kisharon’s Inset Day.

The event was brought to life by Bill Love, Director of Impact and Delivery at the National Development Team for Inclusion, who challenged Kisharon: “You are on the edge of a precipice – now today we are taking it the next level.”

He warned that loneliness and lack of fulfilment were the biggest perils for people with learning disabilities. Commending Shlomo Weltman, Employment and Opportunities Manager for his achievements in finding work for people at Kisharon, he said even those with complex needs could find jobs, providing first-class support was on hand not only to track down work but also to help with job retention.

Bill said the right support workers were essential for everyone, including children who needed to be supported by those with aspirations for their future. Because then, these aspirations would surely be met.

He urged staff and volunteers to ‘semi-ignore’ a person’s disabilities and see beyond them – and to treat everyone as an ordinary person.

Staff teams agreed that happiness comes from being listened to, leading a happy life and full participation in a community, and came up with ideas for achieving these goals – captured as shown here by artist Beatrice Baumgartner-Cohen of Creative Connection.

Among the participants at the event, Create, Innovate and Inspire, were Trustees and representatives from Barnet and Hackney local authorities.