Dear Des,
Thank you for your involvement in our
Multi-cultural Day.
Our pupils enjoyed taking part in your
workshop and benefited greatly from this.
We hope that you will be willing to
participate in this event at a future
date, perhaps during next session.
Yours sincerely
Val Waddell
Multi-cultural Day Co-ordinator
Earnock High School
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Dear Des,
Yet again,
our Limbs with Attitude event on Sunday
proved to be a great success with both
our amputees and their families and friends,
and I would like to thank you for helping
to make it possible. I was sorry I didn’t manage to any of your sessions,
especially as I heard a few stories about
too much energy and strange tingling sensations! – may
be next time lucky!
So once again, on behalf of everyone at
the Murray Foundation and all of the participants,
many thanks for helping to make Limbs with
Attitude such a great day.
Best Wishes
Susan
(Susan Shaw MBA, MBAPO)
The Murray Foundation
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TAIJI (Special Needs)
Auchentibber is a Resource Centre accessed
by adults with varying degrees of learning
disabilities, and for several years has received
tuition in Tai-Chi from tutor Des Lawton.
This activity has proved to be both popular
and beneficial to the Service Users of Auchentibber,
resulting in development in many areas.
Tuition in this ancient art has been extremely
popular and some of the benefits are: -
Development of dexterity and motor skills.
Enhanced memory.
Flexibility of movement.
Team building and consideration of others.
Development of an awareness of safety for
themselves and others.
The activity has appeared to have produced
a calming effect on those who may present
a challenging behaviour.
Tai-Chi has been very successful in all
aspects and those involved are ever keen
to continue and develop their knowledge.
Ruth McCafferty
Day Centre Officer
Auchentibber Resource Centre
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TAIJI (Special Needs)
Throughout the two years that I have supported
service users attending the Tai Chi class,
run by Des Lawton, all service users have
found this activity most enjoyable. Des has
an excellent relationship with the service
users and makes each individual feel at ease.
Des has observed the service users and from
this has been able to understand what each
service user can or cannot do and, as a result,
he introduces other movements which the service
users find easier to understand and are more
able to follow.
I feel that all service users took an instant
liking to Des due to the expert way he conducted
and expressed himself during each class.
All service users felt at ease with Des and
their confidence grew with each class that
they attended. The service users really look
forward to attending the Tai Chi classes
and are always very enthusiastic. Everyone
comes away from the class feeling relaxed,
happy and with a great sense of achievement.
Des is accepted readily by both service
users and staff alike and I have no hesitation
in recommending Des to work as a Tai Chi
instructor with adults with learning difficulties.
Signed
Stephen Scott (DCO)
Buchanan Street Resource Centre
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TAIJI (Special Needs)
The service users from Cathkin Resource
Centre (now Lifestyles) have been accessing
the Tai Chi class for at least the last five
years. I have spoken to the service users
and staff to see what they feel they attain
from Tai Chi. It was felt that balance, co-ordination,
and relaxation were all beneficial to our
group members. They appear more relaxed as
the Tai Chi they have learned enhances gentle
and controlled breathing techniques in a
calming atmosphere.
Interaction in a community-based resource,
following the instructor, promotes turn taking
and makes the service user gain more confidence
while participating in a physical activity,
in a group setting. Tai Chi is also beneficial
to our service users in the way that it highlights
the importance of their senses such as visual,
hearing and touch which are used throughout
the Tai Chi programme.
Our staff and service users, throughout
the years, benefit from this programme in
many ways.
Many thanks
Agnes Harvey
Day Centre Officer
Cathkin Resource Centre (now Lifestyles)
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WOMENS' SELF-DEFENCE
“Very good course – has made me consider my surroundings on a night
out and my abilities to get out of a situation.”
“Gave
confidence so as not to be fearful and
that you do not need to use brute force.”
“The
course has given me confidence to defend
myself.”
“Excellent
course and the instructor was very informative.”
“The
use of circles and the analogies used made
me remember things easier.”
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TAIJI (Educational)
Dear Des,
Thank you for your excellent contribution
to our event. I hope you enjoyed the day;
the pupils certainly did. I also hope the
event will continue in our new school, Calderside
Academy, which we move in to in August. If
so, I will be in touch next year!
Regards,
Val Waddell
Multi-cultural Day Co-ordinator
Earnock High School
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