Issue 1, Spring 2016

BreakawayThe world of

www.revitalise.org.uk• SpringtimeCompetition-winabreak!• Ypres-risenfromtheashes

• FocusonBlackpool• SuperSupporters!

Call 0800 888 501 Quote or visit bullens.com Revitalise

Bullen HealthcareBullen Healthcare has over 150 years’ experience in delivering life-changing stoma, urology and wound care appliances and medication prescriptions to our customers.

• Dedicated personal advisor• Monthly check in and stock check call• Great range of complimentary items• Everything delivered in one go• Dedicated team, 365 days a year• Free cutting, delivery, re-ordering & collection

National Accident Helpline is the UK’s leading provider of personalinjury advice, helping genuine injury victims secure the compensationthey deserve. For free, no obligation advice on making a claim, call uson 01536 486458 or visit national­accident­helpline.co.uk

National AccidentHelpline is proud topartner with Revitaliseon the British CaregiverAward, rewarding anunpaid carer with arespite holiday.

Simplyhealth is in the third year of a partnership with national disabled people’s charity Revitalise, providing funds to enable disabled people and carers to take much-needed respite breaks with the charity, subsidised by Simplyhealth.

Simplyhealth is the UK’s leading health and cash plan provider

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BreakawayThe World of Revitalise

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the very first edition of our new quarterly magazine, Breakaway.

This new magazine will showcase the very best of Revitalise - the fascinating destinations we visit, the exciting things we get up to and the wonderful people - the volunteers, supporters and guests - who make Revitalise so special.

In this first edition we will visit historic Ypres in Belgium, a town risen from the ashes of war, explore Blackpool, the brash, confident ‘Las Vegas of the North’ and take a look at all the extra improvements we’ve made to our centres this year.

What’s more, there is a competition, giving you the chance to win a free holiday, and a tribute to the dedicated people who take on some of the most challenging events in the world to raise funds for our vital work.

You will find all this and more within these pages. I really hope you like the first edition of Breakaway!

Best wishes,

Chris Simmonds, Chief Executive.

Contents4 Breaking News - a look at recent campaigns5 Style Conscious - introducing our new look6-7 Springtime Competition8-9 Ypres - the town that rose from the ashes10-11 Blackpool - the Vegas of the North12 Revitalise People - spotlight on Darren Holloran13 Super Supporters - a tribute in pictures14 Cupcake Cavalcade!15 Puzzle Corner

Carers and Gender Campaign, June 2015

BREAKING NEWS

09:01We present a roundup of recent Revitalise campaigns as we continue to fight to improve the quality of life of disabled people and carers across the UK

Friends of Sandpipers

We are thrilled to announce that a Friends of Sandpipers group has been formed,led by our good friend Brenda Porter. They will help make the centre more widely known in the area and organise fundraising events for Sandpipers.

A Revitalise Christmas Carol, Dec 2015

‘Footie4All’ - access to football, Aug 2015

An accessibility survey of the UK'sPremier League stadiums

Re

FOOTIE4AL

#AccessNowRespite holidays for disabled people and carers

We found that women felt unduly pressured into the role of carer. We thought this was due to gender stereotyping and said it was unfair. We called for more

examination of this important issue and more support - especially through respite provision - for all carers, male and female.

Spearheaded by our ‘Perils of Polling’ video, we campaigned for the right for wheelchair users to vote with dignity and not be forced into postal voting by a lack of basic access.

We took on the Premiership and named and shamed the clubs that were letting down their disabled fans. In September all the clubs agreed to abide by the Accessible Stadia guidelines. Coincidence?

Following the example of the Dickens classic, we asked our guests what they thought the future held. They told us they had never been more worried, so we called for more to be done to support them.

Romance was in the air on Valentine’s Day as we launched our video ‘That’s Amore’, telling the story of Tracey & Carl, who met at Sandpipers. We asked: If Tracey & Carl found love with us, maybe you will too?

Valentine’s digital Campaign, Feb 2016

Revitalise campaigns on behalf of disabled people and carers

STOP PRESS

More info about all our campaigns can befound in the news section of our website.

Accessible Polling Campaign, May 2015

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Style ConsciousBy the end of February 2016, all Revitalise bedrooms will have been fully refurbished using our fresh new colour palette, especially devised to enrich and enhance our guests’ experience. Here we exclusively unveil our new colours and new look rooms.

And keep an eye out for our new ‘Teal’ colour in our publications and on our website!

WHA

T’S

HOT TheRevitalise

SupportFundIntroduced in January, this

fund will, upon application,

make our breaks affordable to

those who need them most.

Morechoicein2016!

New theme weeks, new

excursions, new activities, new experiences. Choice is the

order of the day in 2016!

GettingbiggerThere are

over 500,000 disabled people in the UK who could benefit

from our breaks. We want to

expand to reach out to them.

Ournewmakeover!

We’ve refurbished every single one of our bedrooms to make our guests’ experience even

more memorable. We hope you like our new colours!

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Springtime CompetitionIn the springtime Britain bursts into bloom once more. In the spirit of the season here is a quiz, featuring some of the destinations that may be on Netley’s itinerary this spring, giving you the chance to win a free break at Netley!

This cathedral is steeped in over 800 years of medieval history, and is home to an original copy of the Magna Carta.

Whatchurchisthis?

Whatisinhere?This museum in Southsea is dedicated to one of Britain’s most illustrious fighting forces, whose motto is ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’.

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It was the biggest man-made structure in the world when it was built. They thought it couldn’t, but, as it turned out, it did. What tragedy happened on the night of 14 April 1912?

Whathappened?

This beautiful spot was the inspiration of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, who was a keen collector of plants. It has been famously described as ‘Heaven with the gates open’. But where is it?

Whereisthis?

WhoseHQisthis?

This Surrey Garden is home to some

of the largest plant collections in the

world, but what famous Society

runs it?

If you email the correct answers to our questions to bookings@revitalise.org.uk (or post them to us at the address on the back page) by 4 March, we will put your name into a prize draw. The lucky winner will receive a free holiday at Netley Waterside House on our South Coast Explorer week starting on 2 April!

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YpresThe town that rose from the ashes

hundred years ago the medieval Belgian town of Ypres was the site of some of the bloodiest battles of World War One, leaving this pretty town little more than a smoking ruin. Yet Ypres refused to die. We explore the fascinating history of this latest addition to our itinerary.

A Any trip to Belgium means great food, great drinks and picturesque surroundings. The pretty town of Ypres is no exception, but visitors to this region will find much more to chew over than just the world-famous waffles, for Ypres is a veritable treasure trove of things to discover.

Situated in the west of Belgium, Ypres is a town with a history by turns tragic and inspirational.

In the Middle Ages, Ypres was a flourishing trading centre and its linen trade with England was mentioned in the Canterbury Tales. From early times, the town was fortified to keep out invaders. Parts of the ramparts, dating from 1385, still survive. In the 17th century, French military engineer Sébastien de Vauban completed his imposing set of fortifications.

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But without doubt Ypres is best known for its role in the First World War and the battles that were fought nearby. During the Battle of Passchendaele, Allied forces recaptured Passchendaele Ridge east of the city at a terrible cost in lives. Nearly half a million casualties were suffered by both sides and only a few miles of ground won. The town was left in ruins.

After the war, the painstaking restoration of the shattered town began and brick by brick Ypres rose from the ashes, with the town’s medieval monuments lovingly restored as close to the original designs as possible. Nowadays Ypres is poignantly known as the City of Peace.

We visit Ypres on our day trips to Belgium from Jubilee Lodge. These trips are optional extras to our Summer - Coast & City Explorer + Belgium breaks on 25 Jun, 9 & 30 July, 13 & 27 Aug and 10 Sept (price £60; must be pre-booked, subject to availability & pre-assessment). For more information, call 03033030145 or visit revitalise.org.uk.

In the heart of the town is the ancient market place, site of the Cloth Hall, built in the 13th century and one of the largest commercial buildings of the Middle Ages. Also occupying

pride of place in the centre of town is St Martin's Cathedral, which dates back to 1221 and, at 102 metres (335 ft) tall, is one of the tallest buildings in Belgium.

Inside the Cloth Hall, one can learn more about the town’s tragic role in the Great War at the Flanders Field Museum. Nearby is the moving Menin Gate Memorial, built to commemorate

the British soldiers who fell in the First World War and one of the most visited war memorials in Western Europe. Every evening traffic around the Memorial stops while the Last Post is sounded.

Nowadays Ypres is

poignantly known as

the City of Peace.

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We take a fun-filled trip to Blackpool, the Vegas of the North and a perennial favourite destination for Revitalise’s guests.

One of Britain’s best-loved seaside towns, Blackpool brings a touch of glitz to the North West, with plenty to engross thrill seekers and quiet adventurers alike.

Perhaps the most instantly recognisable symbol of the town is the famous Blackpool Tower. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower and opened to the public in 1894, the tower commands spectacular views of the region from the Tower Eye, the observation deck atop the 158 metre structure. On a

good day the Tower is clearly visible from Revitalise Sandpipers.

Blackpool’s attractions include theatres, ballrooms and the town’s three famous piers, of which North Pier is the oldest and longest, originally staging theatre and orchestral performances. In 2007, Blackpool’s grade two listed Grand Theatre was restored and now has a busy schedule of shows. What’s more, true to Blackpool’s reputation for glitzy entertainment, each

of the North

theto Blackpool

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Blackpool is a regular excursion from Sandpipers and Funny Girls is a popular part of the itinerary (entrance fees apply). For more information, call our bookings team on 03033030145 or visit our website revitalise.org.uk

year the Tower Ballroom hosts a special episode of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Every autumn, the world famous Blackpool Illuminations turn the town into a glittering festival of light, with a jaw-dropping display that stretches for six miles along the Promenade. Any trip to Blackpool would not be complete without taking in the Illuminations and our guests will enjoy a privileged view in comfort from our accessible minibuses. In 2016 the Illuminations will shine for 66 days throughout September and October.

Revitalise’s excursions to Blackpool take in the classic sights of this fun-loving town but also feature a trip to Funny Girls, an evening of classic entertainment with a twist. Funny Girls is a unique and altogether unforgettable experience and has been a Blackpool staple since 1994, so it’s not surprising that this internationally acclaimed and award-winning extravaganza has become a firm favourite on the Sandpipers itinerary. If you are looking for a night of bawdy fun and laughter, then look no further than Funny Girls!

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Can he kick it?My name is Darren. I have an impairment called Stargadt’s

Syndrome, which is quite a rare disease of the retina, and basically it impairs the central vision so you use a lot more of your peripheral vision to try and look forward. I’ve had it since birth. I have my own way of dealing with things, in terms of using a lot of memory to do things, routines are good, stuff like that.

I’d played about with various martial arts in my late teens and my mid twenties and now do Taekwondo. In nine years my daughter Amy and I have gone from zero to second degree black belts. My youngest daughter has joined and she’s now a first degree black belt. I get into the top four in most competitions - unless I’m having a really bad day!

My Taekwondo gives me confidence, but also respect; there’s a lot of integrity in it, discipline. I watch my daughter in competitions; she’ll fight her best friend then have a big hug afterwards, it’s that courtesy and respect you have for each other. It gives you a confidence. It keeps you fit, healthy, in a good mental state.

My visual impairment doesn’t really affect my Taekwondo, I never think about it. It tends

to put off other people more. I’m probably a split second behind my reactions when people come to attack but my reactions are pretty fast so I can compensate.

I was with Pontins for five years prior to Revitalise. I just happened to find a

vacancy for General Manager at Sandpipers in 2001. There was no agenda behind it, I just decided to give it a go. I was there for 14 years and I will have been with Revitalise for 15 years in March this year.

I want to ensure that our guests have the best break possible, on

every occasion that they take one in every location. And to do that we have to make sure our teams are instilled with the right disciplines, the right ethos and the right culture - exactly the values that Taekwondo teaches.”

““The right

disciplines, the right ethos and

the right culture - exactly the values that Taekwondo

teaches.”

Yes he can!Darren Holloran is Revitalise’s newDirectorofOperations.DarrentookuptheroleinJuly2015.

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Super Supporters!Over the years, many thousands of dedicated supporters have run, walked, cycled, swum, skydived and firewalked for Revitalise, as well as baked, auctioned, raffled or just plain donated in support of our vital work. Here is a small pictorial tribute from us, featuring some of our favourite images.

Want to take part in an event with Team Revitalise? Call Abbie Murphy on 02072886874 or email events@revitalise.org.uk

In 2015 we raised £72,793 from our

fundraising events

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C h a m p i o n s Cupcakes!

“I love making cupcakes for our guests on a Saturday. A cup of tea and cupcake is a nice way to settle into your holiday,” says Lynn Greenfield, Catering Manager at Jubilee Lodge. We’ve finally persuaded Lynn to share her favourite cupcake recipe:

With love from Lynn X

Lynn’s famous Chocolate Cup CakesIngredients250g Flour4tbsp Cocoa powder250g Light brown sugar 1tbsp Baking powder50g Melted butter2 Eggs175ml Milk

MethodMix flour, cocoa powder, light brown sugar and baking powder together in a bowl then beat in the butter, eggs and milk. Place into cup cake tin and bake at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes, then remove from oven, allow to cool and decorate.

Chocolate Butter IcingIngredients115g Softened butter225g Icing sugar (sifted)1tsp Lemon juice1tbsp Cocoa powder

MethodPut all the ingredients in one bowl and mix together, then decorate cooled cup cakes. Pu

zzle

Cor

ner

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Puzz

le C

orne

r

Sudoku

Revitalise Wordsearch

QuizHint:The answers to all these questions can be found within the pages of this magazine. Were you paying attention?

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2

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Which iconic Northern landmark is 158 metres tall?

Where would you find the Flanders Field Museum?

What is Stargadt’s Syndrome?

Whose motto is ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’?

In 1912, what was the world’s largest man-made structure?

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BreakawayThe World of Revitalise

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