ENRYCH Berkshire Philosophy
We believe…
people should not be defined by their disability
they should be encouraged and enabled to reach their potential
everyone should be able to live the lives they want
they should see ENRYCH Berkshire as a stepping stone to a more colourful life.
We support and encourage adults with a physical disability to be active and independent. Members are paired with a like-minded volunteer. We support the partnership, enabling our members to learn something new or enjoy a leisure activity that they could not do alone.
What We Do
Work began in Berkshire with the establishment of the Reading Branch of Ryder Cheshire Volunteers in 2008.
Working in partnership with Reading Borough Council, the Branch began to assist disabled adults in Reading to access leisure and learning activities of their choice through a partnership with a like-minded RCV Volunteer.
In 2010 we established a further Project. Again working with Reading Borough Council, with initial funding from the Department of Health, we set up a Register of Approved Personal Assistants, providing training and support to anyone wishing to become a Personal Assistant for someone with a disability. These Approved PAs were matched with disabled clients referred to us by Reading Borough Council, and the Personal Assistant Matching Service (PAMS) was born.
In 2011 Ryder Cheshire Volunteers (Reading) changed its name in line with the national rebranding of RCV to Enrych, and Enrych Berkshire emerged. Not only did this give us a whole new identity but enabled us to begin to expand our services outside of Reading and across the whole of the County of Berkshire.
We support and encourage adults with a physical disability to be active and independent. Members are paired with a like-minded volunteer. We support the partnership, enabling our members to learn something new or enjoy a leisure activity that they could not do alone.
Enrych Berkshire can be a stepping stone to a more colourful life.
Our Staff
Marie Garland
Co-ordinator for the Volunteer Project
Marie Garland is our Co-ordinator for the Volunteer Project. As a Personal & Biomechanics Trainer and Pilates Coach, she has worked with many clients for rehabilitation purposes and has built on her knowledge of disabilities and injuries. Marie has supported clients and friends, helping them to adapt and build confidence.
Marie looks after the Members and Volunteers who live in Reading and West Berkshire. Working from home in Newbury. Her email address is marie.garland@enrych.org.uk and can be reached on 0118 929 1675.
Our Volunteers
Alan
Age:
67
I find meeting with Steve really fulfilling. We both love music and have other things in common that I think has helped us get to know each other. We certainly find lots to talk about! It has been a real pleasure to meet him.
Taz
Age:
45
Takes volunteer out for walks around the local park. Also the opportunity for Arifa to speak Urdu
Sarah
Age:
68
A great friendship has formed whilst going out for walks with Danni and her guide dog Jo. A shared love of country walks.
Harri
Age:
29
Harri takes Gerard out to garden centres and enjoys fresh air with him. Building a friendship along the way.
Chris
Age:
66
Enjoys heading out for walks with Ian on his mobility scooter and having great conversation together and learning more about the area.
Bianca
Age:
65
Enjoys shopping and cake once a fortnight with lovely visually impaired member
Teresa
Age:
74
Returned to volunteering, looking forward to supporting Sue with her walks
Colin
Age:
37
I'm learning to kayak and also enjoy learning how to create and manage an allotment with Helen whenever it's not raining.
John
Age:
63
As a keen golfer, I enjoy taking Stuart to play golf once a month. Stuart has no sight, I guide him around the course and help line up his shots, along with enjoying his company.
Anna
Age:
45
I work in IT and I'm a keen swimmer and runner. I enjoy waking my 2 x dogs with Robin every week as part of volunteering with Enrych
Andrew
Age:
66
Royals fan. I visit Paul every couple of weeks. Looking forward to warmer weather when we can sit by the river again.
Maureen
Age:
58
My Sighted Guide and support for Alison. Enjoying booking up different activities together eg garden centre, country walks and the theatre
History of Enrych Berkshire
ENRYCH started with one man’s vision – none other than Leonard Cheshire.
A man before his time, Leonard Cheshire was determined to create a society where adults with a physical disability had the opportunity to pursue leisure and learning activities within their local communities in the way that they chose, regardless of their disability. Thus Leonard Cheshire, alongside his wife Sue Ryder, founded Ryder Cheshire Volunteers (RCV) in 1986.
Sue Ryder and Leonard Cheshire
Leonard Cheshire recognised that an individual’s personal and practical needs were often very well catered for by various agencies but little, if anything, was readily available which would enable people with a physical disability to pursue hobbies or interests of their choice.
Starting initially in Wallingford, South Oxfordshire, word spread quickly about the work of RCV, and requests for support in neighbouring areas began to increase. Over a period of ten years, RCV set up ten further projects in Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
Leonard Cheshire’s vision lives on, currently spanning seven counties of England. The charity, rebranded as ENRYCH in 2011, now operates through a number of Branches, providing support for adults with a physical disability in each of their respective localities. Branches are independent charities, affiliated to the national ENRYCH organisation, which ultimately enables us to reach more people in local areas of the country.
ENRYCH is keen to develop and provide a complement of activities which enable people to achieve the outcomes they want, in ways that they choose, whilst not forgetting the heritage of Ryder Cheshire Volunteers.