We believe in kindness

The Oaklea Trust is a registered charity with its reason for being to support individuals and communities in need. In essence we believe in kindness. Kindness? What is kindness? Oaklea Director, Sue Green has written this blog spot to tie in with a campaign in Cumbria about being kind to one another. “Kindness starts with caring —being tenderhearted and compassionate toward others. Take a look at what, according to Scripture, accompanies true kindness: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another.”

“Oaklea at its inception was created to support people with learning disabilities……

Therefore it is with distress that we learn of the news of events that have been taking place in an establishment for people with learning disabilities in the North East of England. In 2011 a BBC Panorama investigation revealed horrific abuse at the Winterbourne View Assessment and Treatment Unit (ATU) for people with learning disabilities and autism. Now, eight years later, Panorama has revealed evidence of abusive treatment of vulnerable patients at another ATU, Whorlton Hall in County Durham. The hospital is one of a number of such units in England that provide care for people with learning disabilities and autism. Many are detained under the Mental Health Act. We need to be supporting and working with people as fellow human beings to whom we show kindness. How do we do that at Oaklea?

Seven Keys to Citizenship –Moving Away from an Outcome Culture and Embracing Citizenship

There are often times when organisations change, evolve and embrace new directions. Oaklea and Right2Work have always been able to embrace such change quickly and as a result have always had a positive impact on the lives of our customers and learners. We are about to make a change that moves us a step away from an outcome culture to one that embraces the principles of Citizenship. This is to reflect how the social model of disability has moved on and how it is as important to give as it is to receive in a society.

There are seven keys to citizenship and they are universal, i.e. applicable to all

Following the theme of giving being as important as receiving, Oaklea has been involved in a Cumbria wide kindness campaign. Have you been following the #Neighbourliness and #Kind Cumbria campaign on twitter and Facebook?

One of the individuals that Oaklea supports, due to a health condition, has been very reliant on a local paramedic team and wanted to ‘give something back’. He arranged with his Oaklea team member to ask the NHS colleagues how he could offer a gesture of kindness. Subsequently he has purchased for them bundles of goodies which they can enjoy in between their calls.” (more on this story here… Kindness – Several good turns)

In what ways can we show each other kindness? Keep a regular eye on our social media to find out how you can get involved -as we regularly post examples of the work we do, how it impacts others and how kindness is central to what we do.