Empowering people with disabilities...

Who do we work with?

We are ‘pan disability’ – meaning that we work with people with any type of disability – physical, mental or sensory, or any combination thereof and of any severity – from mild to profound.

Historically we have provided a varied programme of fully inclusive and accessible clubs and social activities for disabled children and young people aged between 9 and 25. However, due to developments in our project work, we have recently extended our provision to include younger children from the age of 5 and ‘older’ people over the age 25, with no upper age limit.

Everyone is welcome at Live! and we exclude no one.

Aims and Vision

Mission

We aim to provide high quality learning and recreation activities, which are accessible and responsive to the needs of children, young people and adults with disabilities. We promote integration, celebrate peoples’ differences and recognise and implement equal opportunities throughout the organisation.

We achieve this by:

Putting children, young people and adults with disabilities first by:

Talking and listening to them
Supporting their needs
Communicating with them
Recognising and providing facilities for their specific needs

Providing high quality activities

Positive roles in play activities
Encouraging respect for other people and cultures
Positive opportunities for all
Proactively enforcing an anti-bullying policy

Linking with the community

Support for all their needs

Our Objectives

To advance, promote and encourage education and learning opportunities for children, young people and adults with disabilities to increase their capabilities to make informed choices about their individual lifestyles within their own community.
To provide facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation for children, young people and adults with disabilities in the interest of social welfare with the object of improving their conditions in life.

Our Trustees

Mary Hyde – Chair

Hello, I’m Mary.

It was through Rick that I became involved in Live! several years ago. I am Chair of Live!’s Trustees.

I’m married to Rod and we have two sons, Rick and Robert. Rick is in supported housing in Chester; I think New Scene is possibly his second home!

Rob lives in London with his wife Louise, and two young sons – Olly and Woody.

I have just retired from a primary school in Runcorn, where I was SENCO. This means I’ve now (theoretically) more time for Live! as well as for establishing Chester Care Co-op and playing some golf.

It’s great to be involved in Live! – there is so much going on and people are so happy.

Richard Lewis – Treasurer

I am a trained horticulturalist trained at the prestigious Writtle Agricultural College in Essex in Commercial Horticulture. After spells of working at the government experimental station at Luddington EHS, Stratford on Avon, the ICI orchard Facility at Fernhurst and in Kent as a fruit farm manager I joined the Welsh College of Horticulture in 1986 as a lecturer teaching a wide range of subjects. During my time at the Celyn he set up and ran the “school of practical skills” which provided opportunities and training in land based subjects for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. I moved to Glyndwr University in 2009 and retired as Senior Lecturer in Rural studies in 2018.

Lisa Duncalf

Nichola Burton

I have taught Art and Textiles for 25 years in Cheshire, North Wales and North Yorkshire. Also, I am mum to Isobella, Angel and Verity. I’m originally from Sunderland but have lived in Tarporley since 2002.

Cara Williams

Our Staff Team

Mary Watt – CEO

Karen Bedwell – Senior Coordinator and Play Offer Manager

I started working here January 2000 as a P/T Youth Worker. I gained my Qualification in Youth and Community in 2007 and have never looked back.

My roles here at Live! vary. I am one of the Senior Youth and Community Managers. I am also responsible for the Play and Teenage projects. I recruit and manage the bank of brilliant volunteers we have and I am also the Safeguard Lead for Live!

When I am not busy here, I love spending time with my ever-increasing family. I have two adorable grandchildren, Alfie and Autumn that I just love spending time with. I also enjoy going on my holidays with my husband, Shaun and now we can travel again, I intend to see more of the beautiful world we live in.

Sarah – Payroll & Accounts

I started working at Live part time in 2009, I was later offered the opportunity to become a permanent part of the staff team.

I have been using Sage accounts for over 20 years and now Manage the accounts and the Payroll here at Live!

When I am not working I love to travel, and enjoy spending time with Family.

Andy – Adult Offer Manager

This is my tenth year at Live!, I currently manage the Moving On and Big Live! projects and I am the person everyone goes to for technical or IT issues, “have you tried turning it off and back on again?”

I have been a Youth and community worker for the past 18 years, Managing and delivering a variety of projects for North-West based Statutory and Voluntary sector organisations. From detached street – based projects, youth centres, youth voice and participation work, and a nationally recognised and award shortlisted music project.

Away from Live! I have a young family who keep me on my toes. I am a big fan of all genres of music and collecting vinyl records. I am also a trustee for Northwich and District Youth Centre, heading up their modernisation programme.

Paul – Duke of Edinburgh and cycle project coordinator

Paul is our Coordinator for the Adapted Bikes, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Active Live! programmes.

After working as an Outdoor Pursuits instructor and Youth Worker he joined Live! in 2017.

Happiest either paddling a canoe or climbing a hill his ambition is to help as many young people as possible enjoy the great outdoors…no matter what the weather.

Andrea – Social Action Project Coordinator

Sophie – Youth Worker

Sophie is our lead worker on the Moving On group and the DofE programmes at Live!

She joined Live! in October 2014 as a volunteer and progressed to a member of staff in 2019.

Sophie completed the NCS programme at Live! in 2015 where she met her now husband, Joe, and is currently working towards her gold DofE award too, which why Live will always be a special place for her… like one big family!

When she isn’t working, Sophie likes to collect shoes… she has 14 pairs of Dr Martens! Who needs that many pairs? Well… Sophie does!

Janie – Youth Worker

Zach – Cycle Project Apprentice

Zak is our lead worker on the Adapted Bikes programme.

Having joined Live! on an apprenticeship he became a permanent member of staff in 2019 and has recently completed a national qualification to become a Cycle Mechanic.

A keen cyclist, who rides from his home in Blacon into work each day, his goal is to help as many people as possible enjoy the fun and health benefits of cycling.