10 year celebration

Some words from supporters and friends

Jennifer Parder Lennox, Lady in Waiting at Balmoral Castle

“Her Majesty was most interested to hear of the services offered by this organisation, and pleased to learn that you will celebrate your tenth anniversary with a party on 3rd September. The Queen is glad to know of the valuable contribution made in your local community by Working with Words, and hopes that the anniversary party will be a very happy occasion for you and all your guests. Her Majesty sends her congratulations and good wishes to all of you.”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

“I congratulate Working with Words and their supporters, trustees and customers for the work and support they offer to people with learning difficulties in the London Borough of Greenwich. This is essential and important work as life and work skills will assist the service users to play their full part in the community on an equal basis”

Nick Raynsford, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich

“Many congratulations to all those who have contributed to the past 10 years’ achievements of Working with Words. Working with Words has made a real difference to many people’s lives and its 10th anniversary is an occasion for real celebration.”

The photo shown Nick at Working with Words with one of our service users, Wendy Ellen

Angela John, writer and Patron of Working with Words

“I spend my time writing about people in History. I’m working with words and, in many ways, living in the past! Working with Words is very much about the present and future. Its appeal is that it not only trains people with learning difficulties to acquire many different skills with words but it also helps other organisations to think more carefully about how they communicate, encouraging them to use words wisely. So there's a lot to celebrate in this anniversary year. Those three letters WWW can be used in many ways: Woolwich Works Wonders, Workers will Write and World Wide Web, to name a few. They all link to Working with Words and I wish you a wonderful way ahead. So there’s a lot to celebrate in this anniversary year. I wish you a wonderful way ahead. Happy Tenth Birthday!”

Kalle Hogh - Outreach development worker 2004 - 2008

“I was worked with people with learning disabilities in Greenwich for 4 years and I met a lot of great people here. I learned a lot form people with learning disabilities about how they want to live their lives as independent people, and how important it is to them to be asked about their thoughts and opinions about most of the same things as everyone else with or without a disability. At Working with Words I met workers and staff who spent a lot of time and energy and worked hard to help people like me and big groups and businesses make the information they give out easier to understand. This is not an easy job and there are many people and groups who should be thinking more about the way they can make information easier to understand not just for people with learning disabilities but everyone. Congratulations to Working with Word for all the good work they have done so far and good luck with everything in the future”.

Phil Coombs - manager of Working with Words 1998 - January 2002

The Words – 10 Years

• Susan Tilbury
• Gillian and Wendy
• Trevor McMullen
• Simon Watkin
• Michael Pavey
• Mark Hughes and Marc Prince
• Carol and Julian
• Elsie
• Sue
• David and Jerry
• Rowena
• Jimmy and Richard
• Howard
• and Keith.

"There are so many people to name and to thank. Without those people, our volunteers and all our supporters there simply wouldn’t have been any ‘Words’. I am proud to have been a part of it and wish I could have been with you today. Good luck and best wishes."

Phil.

Dominic Cooper - TV and cinema actor

"Happy 10th birthday Working with Words - keep up the good work"

Councillor Paul Webbewood, Middle Park and Sutcliffe Ward

“Can I send my best wishes for the success of the event and for the next ten years.”

Jimmy Proudlock, one of the founders of Working with Words

"Has it really been 10 years!? - had a look website to see all the good things. Send a big hello to all and congratulations for the anniversary from me! I'll be thinking of you all at 3pm on Wed. Brought back good memories... take care and all the best, Jimmy"

Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People

"..I am pleased to offer my congratulations as Minister for Disabled People to this important service provided for the local community. One of the Government's aims is to ensure that disabled people have greater access to meaningful long term employment with career progression and choice.

"I therefore fully support Working with Words which, as a provider of education training and life skills, plays a valuable role in enabling learning disabled people in the Greenwich Borough to find employment and lead more independent lives. This makes an important contribution to the Government's strategy to improve disabled people's experiences and life chances"

In memory of Howard Goble

"We would like to thank Howard for his massive contribution to the development of Working with Words. His wide knowledge, calmness and lovely sense of humour will be remembered. Thank you."

Richard Blows, WwW trustee board member 1998 - 1999

"To everyone at Working with Words, I just wanted to wish you all a very happy tenth birthday. Keith may remember me as one of the people involved in the early days when I was working for Woolwich Development Agency and I am really thrilled that the organisation has gone from strength to strength.  I hope the next ten years are an even bigger success - 'the Words' was definitely one of the best projects I have been involved in my various roles, before and since. Keith, perhaps you could give my regards to anyone else from the first couple of years that is at the celebration today. Very best wishes, Richard"

AGM at Working with Words, 1999