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 100th 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
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