At Martha, we are dedicated to creating a more inclusive society, where adults with profound disabilities have the support and environment they need to thrive. But we cannot do it alone.
The generous support of Trusts and Foundations plays a crucial role in enabling us to continue our life-changing work at Martha Trust. Each year, the grants we receive allow us to provide exceptional person-centred care, a tailored communications programme, and enriching opportunities for our residents with profound disabilities. Without this vital support, so much of what we achieve simply wouldn’t be possible.
Below are some of the ways Trusts and Foundations are supporting our work at Martha.
If you are affiliated with a Trust or Foundation and are interested in supporting our work we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Alice Moir, Director of Fundraising and Marketing
Email (icon) alicemoir@marthatrust.org.uk
Call (icon) 01304 610448
Please could we have spotlights on this page for the current appeals that we can change and update.
So spotlight has an image and strapline which you click to give more details.
Activities
Strapline – At Martha we strive to ensure everything we do is inclusive and accessible. We are currently fundraising for two new minibuses.
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At Martha Trust, we take great pride in offering far more than just basic care. Our comprehensive activities programme ensures that residents can lead fulfilling lives, regardless of their disabilities. We emphasise providing a diverse range of internal and external activities, empowering our residents with choice. Every activity is carefully tailored to meet individual needs, resulting in remarkable benefits to their health and well-being. These activities bring more smiles, greater relaxation, and increased confidence, while fostering social skills.
Our specially adapted minibuses and cars enable residents to venture out to shops, local attractions, events, and day trips, as well as attend essential appointments like those with doctors, dentists, and hospitals. These outings allow residents to engage with the world around them and feel an integral part of the local community.
We are also fortunate to have state-of-the-art hydropools at Deal and Hastings, which are a favourite among many residents. The warm water provides a liberating experience, free from the limitations of wheelchairs, and offers a sense of weightlessness. In the pool, residents enjoy play, games, and individual physiotherapy programmes designed by professionals to deliver an array of physical and therapeutic benefits. These sessions are often the highlight of their day.
Communications
Strapline – For most of our residents, who are non-verbal, the communications programme has been truly transformative.
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For most of our residents, who are non-verbal, the communications programme has been truly transformative. By creating personalised step-by-step communication plans, we cater to each individual’s abilities, enabling meaningful interactions and participation in enjoyable activities that promote their health and well-being.
Eye gaze technology has become a cornerstone of communication at Martha Trust. It allows residents who previously had no verbal means of expression to interact with their carers and loved ones through a computer. This technology has brought profound changes to their lives and strengthened their connections with others. However, there is still much progress to be made.
Supporting this vital communications programme relies heavily on fundraising efforts, which are essential to continue enhancing the quality of life for our residents.
Person Centred Software (PCS)
Strapline – Person Centred Software (PCS) system for use across our homes, it has revolutionised our care planning, recording all daily care and enhanced our communication methods.
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In recent years, Martha Trust has implemented a Person Centred Software (PCS) system for use across our homes, it has revolutionised our care planning, recording all daily care and enhanced our communication methods.
The benefits of PCS have been enormous for residents, staff and relatives. The system produces more detailed clinical evidence, detailed recording of accurate and timely care and a variety of valuable reports which are used to identify issues and trends, enhancing clinical care for residents. It also saves carers, admin and nurses time on writing, shift handovers, on care planning and preparation of monthly reviews, whilst providing a robust communication tool for all staff to be fully aware of the care needs of all our residents.
PCS allows relatives the opportunity to have access to information about the daily care of their loved ones, including records of care, photos and reports. The feedback from the relatives has been so positive. They feel that they are involved in their loved ones lives and demonstrates Martha’s transparency and open approach to care.
The PCS system directly contributed to our CQC good rating, with inspectors making the following observation: “staff knew people’s care needs exceptionally well and were able to quickly recognise changes in people’s condition.”
Minibus Appeal
Strapline – At Martha we strive to ensure everything we do is inclusive and accessible. We are currently fundraising for two new minibuses.
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Being part of the Local Community
Our aim is to help residents at Martha, live life to their full potential, and we believe this can only happen when they have full access to the outside world – where education, play, and therapy are combined with social contact with friends, family and the local community.
Supporting residents to the shops, an outing, or to hospital or the dentist presents us with a challenge. The severity of their disabilities means that they need constant attendance and their wheelchairs, which are custom-built to provide support, correct posture, and ensure safety, are not easily transported. Vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements and an integral lift is essential; wheelchair anchor-points and passenger seats have to be both secure and easily and quickly dismountable – and such a specification is beyond the capability of vehicle hire companies.
We have a number of adapted vehicles across our homes. Four minibuses and two single person adapted vehicles. These are a vital lifeline to our residents.
Three of our four minibuses were purchased over a decade ago, two of which desperately now need replacing. We are fundraising to replace the oldest minibus at each home, one in Hastings, East Sussex and one in Deal, Kent.
Cost
With the replacement of two minibuses being a significant purchase for our charity, we are looking to fundraise to secure part or full cost of the new vehicles. Ideally we would love to purchase two brand new vehicles but we are aware this might not be achievable, so we will also be considering the purchase of slightly older secondhand vehicles. We estimate the cost to purchase two minibuses (secondhand or new) will be between £72,800 – £108,000. We anticipate the vehicles being in use for at least 10 years, during which time many hundreds of journeys will be made.