The Wilf Ward Family Trust

We’re super excited for tonight’s England Football game! To celebrate, we played a special edition of "This or That" - Penalty Shoot Out style! Watch our players choose between two mini goals, resulting in loads of fun and laughter. A massive thank you to York City Football Club for their incredible support in making this possible! Watch the video and join in the excitement for the game! #EnglandGame #ThisOrThat #PenaltyShootOut #YorkCityFC #WilfWardFamilyTrust

Watch this short film by Speak Up Self-Advocacy about the value that people with lived experience of disabilities can bring to the world of employment. Working is something that gives everyone a sense of independence and confidence. This is why giving someone the right support that encourages growth and independence is so important to help them find a sense of belonging and purpose. For the individuals we support, assisting them to find their niche in life and employment opportunities has given them this newfound freedom, and greater financial independence. By fostering inclusive workplaces and providing the necessary support, we can open doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. #ActiveSupportMonth #WilfWardFamilyTrust #Independence #Empowerment #SpeakUpSelfAdvocacy

At The Wilf Ward Family Trust, we believe in the power of self-advocacy to transform lives. This inspiring film by Learning Disability England and Speakup Self-Advocacy showcases how self-advocacy has empowered individuals with learning disabilities to speak up for their rights and needs, creating meaningful change in their lives and communities. Join us in celebrating the impact of self-advocacy and the incredible contributions of those with learning disabilities to the wider world. #ActiveSupportMonth #Empowerment #WilfWardFamilyTrust #SpeakUpSelfAdvocacy #LearningDisabilityEngland #PowerOfCommunity

Supported Loving is a wonderful example of supporting people to achieve the independence and autonomy to form meaningful relationships. The network was formed by Dr Claire Bates, whose research found that relationships were important to people with learning disabilities, but that they often relied on staff support to begin and maintain these relationships. Supported Loving has been supporting the rights of people with learning disabilities and autistic people and working to identify the barriers they face in having intimate relationships since 2017. Hosted by Choice Support, the network includes people with learning disabilities, autistic people, family members, and professionals from varied disciplines and sectors including social care, the NHS, sexual health professionals, trainers and educators, academics, students and psychologists. The link below contains helpful resources, webinars, blogs, and more. #ActiveSupportMonth #WilfWardFamilyTrust #MakingYourOwnDecisions #Empowerment #Relationships

Here at the Wilf Ward Family Trust, we are celebrating Active Support Month! Here is a wonderful inspiring story from Wouldn't Change a Thing about how supporting someone to engage in meaningful activities can lead to greater opportunities and connections with others 😊 #ActiveSupportMonth #WilfWardFamilyTrust #MeaningfulActivity #Empowerment

We are delighted to share the inspiring story of Lewis and Jason, two remarkable individuals supported by The Wilf Ward Family Trust. Last week, Lewis and Jason volunteered at York City Football Club, assisting in packing memberships in preparation for the Junior Reds launch. The club was thrilled to welcome Lewis and Jason, who contributed significantly to the team. York City FC commented, "It was fantastic to welcome Lewis and Jason, who helped our team as we showed them a glimpse of our working day." This experience is a testament to our strong and developing partnership with York City FC, and we are incredibly excited for the season ahead. As we celebrate Volunteers Week, we are reminded of the many extraordinary individuals who volunteer across the region. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring. We couldn't resist sharing these wonderful photos of Lewis and Jason at the club last week, kindly sent to us by York City FC. At The Wilf Ward Family Trust, we believe in empowering individuals to engage with their communities, fostering inclusion and personal growth. Lewis and Jason's experience is a shining example of the positive impact of volunteerism, and we are proud to support such incredible efforts. Thank you to all the volunteers for your unwavering commitment and to York City FC for this fantastic opportunity. Here's to a season full of collaboration and success! #VolunteerWeek #YorkCityFC #WilfWardFamilyTrust #CommunitySupport #InclusionMatters #EmpoweringIndividuals #VolunteerHeroes #MakingADifference #CommunityEngagement #CelebratingVolunteers

We would like to give a warm welcome to James, who recently moved into one of our Leeds services. Here he is eating one of his favourite meals - fish and chips! In fact, today just happens to be National Fish and Chip Day! National Fish and Chip Day is about giving fish and chips the recognition it deserves and helping to secure its position as the nation’s favourite dish. The event takes place on the first Friday in June every year and has the backing of key players in the industry. It brings together everyone involved in creating this iconic British dish; from fish and chip shops, pub chains, restaurants, retailers, celebrity chefs, to the fishermen and farmers who provide the sustainable and natural ingredients needed to create this nutritionally-balanced family favourite. Will you be celebrating National Fish and Chip Day like James here? Let us know in the comments! 🐟🍟 #FishAndChips #NationalFishAndChipDay #WilfWardAdventures #WWFT

It is with great enthusiasm that we share our appreciation for the My Ordinary Life podcasts by Inclusion North CIC, a series that resonates deeply with our mission and values. The 'My Ordinary Life' podcasts highlight the real-life experiences of individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Through heartfelt interviews and personal stories, these podcasts bring to light the everyday challenges and triumphs of people who, like those we support, navigate the complexities of life with resilience and courage. The narratives shared in each episode echo our commitment to empowering individuals to lead ordinary yet extraordinary lives. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, understanding, and support in helping people achieve their fullest potential. At The Wilf Ward Family Trust, we believe in the potential of every individual, and 'My Ordinary Life' by Inclusion North beautifully encapsulates this belief. We encourage everyone to listen, learn, and share these remarkable stories, and join us in celebrating the extraordinary in the ordinary. #ActiveSupportMonth #Empowerment #WilfWardFamilyTrust #Inclusion #MyOrdinaryLifePodcast #InclusionNorth

Happy Friday everybody! We are delighted to share the news that the awesome band Ultimate Thunder have announced they have an upcoming gig in Millennium Square later this Summer! One of our very talented individuals plays in this band, and we are extremely proud and inspired ❤ This article details how the band were unfortunately turned down for grant bids back in February, but thanks to the power of community spirit, funds have been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to help keep the band keep on following their dreams and ambitions. This success with the crowdfunding campaign just goes to show what can be achieved when communities come together to support one another. Tomorrow, Active Support Month begins! We will be showcasing many success stories - similar to this one - from around The Trust of how extraordinary support can foster greater empowerment, independence and achievement of goals 😊 #ActiveSupportMonth #WilfWardFamilyTrust #DiversityAwareness #Inclusion #Empowerment #Achievements #UltimateThunderLeeds

Yesterday, our CEO Paul McCay had the honour of attending and speaking at the 2024 Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders Conference, organised by Community First Yorkshire. It was a fantastic event focused on leadership, innovation, and professional development. The conference provided an excellent platform to share ideas, learn from each other, and explore new ways to drive positive change. The event brought together a diverse group of people, all dedicated to making a difference. It was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and organisations, and to be inspired by the wealth of knowledge and experience present. A big thank you to Community First Yorkshire for hosting such an impactful event. #OrdinaryExtraordinary #LeadershipConference #Leadership #Inspiration #ProfessionalDevelopment