David Webster has a wealth of professional experience in supporting adults with learning difficulties in a number of roles. David has a social work qualification and has supported children and adults in both residential and day service provision. David is motivated by working alongside other professionals in a multidisciplinary capacity to provide a more holistic service and improve outcomes for the individuals concerned. David developed a looked after children advocacy service and helped to create a Children in Care Council, giving children the opportunity to meet on a regular basis with service managers and decision makers. Advocacy remains close to David’s heart and is integral to the services he now leads.

David is currently the Services Development Manager at St Helens CDP, with his team he created Buzz Hub. Despite the challenges of the last few years Buzz Hub has gone from strength-to-strength. David is proud to lead a service where the team strives to allow members to reach their goals, fulfil their potential and to meet their aspirations.

Welcome to our Autumn 2020 Newsletter from Arwyn Jones, Chair of the Karten Network Board

First and foremost I sincerely hope you, colleagues, friends, family and service users are keeping safe and well during these unprecedented times.

We entered 2020 but 10 months ago – a sparkling new decade – with high hopes and aspirations. A decade where the pace of technological innovation and creativity would continue to accelerate and bring huge potential and life changing benefits to the community that Karten Centres support across the UK and Israel. Who could have known then how the year would evolve.

Indeed reflecting back on past issues of the Karten newsletter and how all of the Centres have evolved over the years, applying technology with innovation flair, passion, and a commitment to making a positive difference, one can only feel proud and humbled by what has and continues to be achieved.

This year we were hoping to celebrate what would have been Ian Karten’s 100^th birthday, at an event in Birmingham – sadly, but correctly, we have had to postpone that event. But that does not detract from the amazing work being done. Ian would have been immensely proud at how his vision has grown, and reaches so many people in a positive way.  His foresight, energy and passion to make a difference is a legacy of life changing support and services that has already benefitted 1000’s over the last 40 years or so, and with what has been developed, will continue for many years to come.

We all know how immensely challenging COVID-19 has been during 2020, and all the current indicators point to that remaining to be the case for the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding that, it is truly heartening to see how organisations across the Karten Network have adapted to face these challenges, seeking to ensure that they can provide the optimum services and support in a safe yet accessible way.

The Karten Trustees who fund the Network have also had to adapt, not least because revenues into the Trust have been adversely affected, and will likely continue to be so for some time. Despite that the Trustees have committed to continue to support the Network through funding for specific applications, but unfortunately a need for more prioritisation will mean that not all applications can be supported.

However, whilst immensely important, funding is but one feature of a Network such as Karten. One of the core strengths of any Network is the willingness and ability to share and learn from each other – harnessing the creativity and can-do approach that is so evident. Karten I feel is a vanguard in this respect. I would encourage all our centres to continue with that spirit of sharing and collaboration and celebrating the positive impact we are having.

Please take time to read this issue of our newsletter, and also to capture and share with us your stories so that they can appear in future issues. In the meantime please continue to stay safe whilst doing the amazing work you do.

Best Wishes

Arwyn

My name is Massimiliano (Max) Bianconi. I have been working in social care since 2001, accumulating the experience and knowledge that I now use to support others.

I am passionate about social justice and empowering people to live a more independent and purposeful life.

I teach older and disabled people every day IT skills to give them confidence and competence in today’s technological world.

I love to spend time with my family outdoors, climb a cliff when I have the chance and make short videos and films.

I am delighted to join the Karten Network board, and I am looking forward to sharing my know-how in using mainstream technology to make a difference for older and disabled people.

My name is Paul Doyle. I have had the privilege of working in the field of Assistive Technology (AT) for 25 years.

My experience of AT ranges from installing and commissioning environmental control systems for the NHS to managing a multi-centre assessment service providing assessments for students eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

Throughout my career in the AT industry a common and recurring theme has been a lack of formal, accredited education and training for individuals working with AT and users of AT.

Experience has taught me that no matter how good an item of AT is. If it is not implemented and supported effectively by competent and confident teachers’ carers parents etc. the user will not gain the full benefit and of often will abandon their technology.

I have a passion for ensuring that an individual has access to products and services that genuinely enable independence and have been involved in several projects developing leaning programmes for individuals supporting users of AT.

I have been fortunate enough to be involved with industry and Government groups who are charged with representing and promoting AT at a national policy level.

I have also had opportunities to participate in numerous research and development projects with innovative organisations and individuals, this has helped me keep abreast of developments in an ever-changing field and establish interesting and rewarding relationships both in and outside the AT domain.

I very much welcome an opportunity to offer my knowledge, skills and just as importantly my enthusiasm to the Karten Network.

I hope to work with the Karten Network to expand on their offer to the community. For example, I have been collaborating with the Smart Home Industry for a many years and during that period I have learned of many benefits smart technologies can deliver to older and disabled people. 

I see the Karten Centres as an ideal venue for an awareness raising programme, demonstrating smart products and highlighting their features and benefits to users in a supportive and ethical environment.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a national organisation that at its core improves the lot of individuals and look forward to learning how best I can contribute to its future success.