ILECS support local learning disability charity

ILECS visited local learning disability charity Acorn Village in Mistley in July to have a tour of the site and make a donation of specialist kitchen equipment in person. Marketing Manager Lewis Brooks and Director Jayne Cotton met with Acorn Village's Chief Executive Michelle Cooke to donate an RNIB talking microwave, Ucello easy pour kettle, and a talking kitchen scale with an easy pour jug. These will be used at the Strover Centre, the brand new life skills and social space, and will ensure that the workshops that Acorn Village offer are are inclusive as possible.

Acorn Village supports adults with learning disabilities to help them live life to the full, offering high quality care and accommodation within two models of care, residential and supported living services. Combined with their day services and workshops, this means that they can provide support to meet a range of needs within different care packages that are matched to the individual's requirements.

Their accessible facilities include a Creative Craft Centre, charity shop, and coffee shop, all of which allow residents to interact with others and gain work experience while having fun and learning essential skills. Acorn Village encourages people to follow their dreams, whether that is achieving a new qualification, joining a professional choir, a visit to see the elephants at Longleat Safari Park and even a holiday to Paris.

The kitchen equipment that we have donated has been carefully chosen to offer the most benefit. The RNIB microwave announces power and times as you set them, alerts users to the cooking time remaining, and has tactile buttons for ease of use. The easy pour kettle and jug encourage safety with boiling water and minimise spillage of other liquids so that users can focus on their workshops.

At ILECS, our local community is incredibly important to us, and we work hard to support organisations that make a difference to Mistley and further afield. We are delighted to have been able to provide a donation, and look forward to more updates from Acorn Village.

Michelle Cooke said:

"Thank you so much to ILECS for their generous donation of kitchen equipment for The Strover Centre, our new life skills and social space. An interactive Microwave and weighing scales and a kettle that limits the amounts it will pour all ensure that the workshops we offer are as inclusive as possible. ILECS have made it possible for adults with learning disabilities to be as independent as possible when having cooking sessions with us or just making a cuppa and spending times with friends. Being independent increases the self-esteem and confidence of those people using the service. It is support such as this that makes it possible for us to live up to our motto of Life is for Living."