As part of Learning Disability Week, we’re taking a moment to highlight something truly important. The power of being seen and valued.

The people we support are at the heart of everything we do. They enrich our lives just as much as we aim to enrich theirs, bringing joy, connection, and a real sense of community to those around them. They contribute not only to the wellbeing of the staff who work alongside them but also to the lives of their fellow residents every single day.

This year’s theme, ‘Do You See Me?’, is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognition and inclusion. And our answer is a resounding one: yes, we see you, and we value you.

So, what better way to celebrate being part of a vibrant, inclusive society than by embracing one of the world’s biggest sporting events?

On 12th June 2026, Denmead well and truly caught World Cup fever. And what a celebration it turned out to be!

Bringing together Tamarine, Brierwood, and Old Timbers, the day was a fantastic example of what can happen when great people, positive energy, and a shared love of a good party come together. Laughter, team spirit, and celebration filled the air, creating moments that will be remembered long after the final whistle.

It wasn’t just about football. It was about connection, belonging, and celebrating everyone as an important part of our community.

Because when we come together like this, we don’t just watch the world, we take our place in it.

A global celebration, right here in Denmead

The spirit of the World Cup was alive and well, with both staff and our wonderful service users proudly sporting national shirts from across the globe. England may have taken the lead in numbers, but we also saw Scotland, Ghana, Australia, and France represented, making it a truly international occasion!

BBQ… with a twist!

In true British fashion, the weather didn’t quite get the memo… but that didn’t stop us!

Our “indoor BBQ experience” was expertly handled by Kim, Esther, and James, who kept everyone well-fed and smiling. A special mention must also go to Richard, who made several very important kitchen appearances throughout the day, all in the name of ensuring his burgers were cooked just right!

Dedication like that does not go unnoticed…

Games, karaoke and a winning moment

The competition was fierce during our World Cup Flag Bingo, a huge hit with everyone involved.

A big congratulations to Justin, who claimed the full house and walked away with a football drinking cup… which, judging by his reaction, may have been the highlight of his day!

No party is complete without a bit of music, and Denmead did not disappoint!

From start to finish, the karaoke machine was in full swing, with staff and service users alike stepping up to the mic and creating some brilliant moments.

But the real showstopper?

When Les arrived home from day service, he brought the house down with a fantastic rendition of Sweet Caroline. Safe to say, it was the perfect ending, and yes, the whole room joined in!

Celebrating being seen

What truly made the day special was the people.

A huge shout-out to the incredible staff teams across Tamarine, Brierwood, and Old Timbers. Not only did they help organise and prepare the day, but they also fully embraced the spirit of the event, singing, dancing, and celebrating alongside our service users.

That energy, enthusiasm, and genuine togetherness are what make Denmead so special.

Bringing everyone together

Above all, the day was about connection, laughter, and shared experiences. It was wonderful to see everyone having fun, coming together, and creating memories that will last far beyond the final whistle.

If this is how Denmead does the World Cup… we can’t wait to see what comes next!

It was a fantastic day at the first Aging Without Limits Day, hosted at The Veterans Hub Community Café in Portland. It was an uplifting occasion, bringing together organisations, volunteers, and community members with a shared mission ‘to challenge the stigma around aging and tackle social isolation’.

A community united

Despite a breezy start, the weather largely stayed on our side and certainly didn’t dampen spirits. And certainly not with the ‘naafi’ offering hot drinks to all!

In fact, nothing could stop our dedicated knitters, who gathered, needles in hand, continuing their craft with admirable determination and a lot of laughter. They even went out for a ride on the visiting trike; not a stitch dropped!

A busy day

The day was packed with valuable support and expertise from a range of organisations:

• Age UK offered a wealth of information, covering everything from preventing scam calls to coping with bereavement. Their team provided reassurance and practical guidance for the challenges many of us face as we age.
• First Point Dorset were on hand to provide advice on benefits, form filling, and general support. Our weekly Tuesday drop-in sessions at the hub continue to be a vital lifeline for many in the community. It’s free and offers trained support with many things. Visit our site for more.
• Cycling Without Age Weymouth brought along one of their popular trishaws, which quickly became a highlight of the day. Many of us have seen them around town, but getting up close and learning more about the service was fascinating.
• The Veterans Forge showcased impressive examples of their workshop projects and shared information about their courses. Their message is clear: you don’t have to be a veteran to get involved and try something new.
• Zone Fitness were supportive and handed out much appreciated free day passes, so we can all get in shape in their amazing facilities.

Hey Mr Tambourine Man

No community event would be complete without entertainment. And we were lucky to have the brilliant Tambourine Man, whose music had everyone tapping their feet and joining in the fun. Peter, who is a veteran, treated us to a wonderful impromptu guitar session, an unexpected and much‑appreciated addition to the day.

A huge thank you to Sarah Parsons the Ageing Well Lead at Dorset Council, without whom the day wouldn’t have happened. Sarah said: ‘

Rachel Gray and Rebecca Roberts created a wonderful event that both honoured those who have served and highlighted Age Without Limits Day. It was a genuine collaboration between people and the community, and inspiring to see different generations coming together in such a meaningful way.

The Aging Without Limits event was a true celebration of community, connection, and possibility. It showed that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down, it means continuing to learn, connect, and thrive together.

We’re already looking forward to the next one!

“Volunteering at You Trust has provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have had… my increased confidence has also helped me to pursue a new career.”

Tracy is now nearing the end of her training to become a qualified counsellor. A powerful testament to how volunteering can open doors and inspire new directions.

A journey to be proud of

When asked what she’s most proud of, Tracy reflects on just how far she’s come:

“Seeing how far I have come since being a client of the service.”

Her journey can be summed up in her own words:

“From counselling client to peer mentor to trainee counsellor in 3 years.”

Three words that define volunteering

For Tracy, volunteering is:

Rewarding. Supportive. Growth.

A message to future volunteers

For anyone considering volunteering, Tracy has a simple but powerful message:

“You will gain more than you can imagine and definitely more than you give.”

Tracy’s story reminds us that volunteering is not just about giving time. It’s about transformation, connection, and growth. This Volunteers’ Week, we celebrate Tracy and all the volunteers who make a difference every day.

Supporting survivors, building connections

In my volunteer role, I help provide vital support to women who have experienced domestic abuse. This includes emotional, trauma-informed, and practical support within the community. Particularly for those placed in refuge or safe housing.

I’m involved in befriending schemes, as well as supporting pattern change workshops and group sessions run by Somerset Domestic Abuse. These spaces are so important, helping individuals begin to understand their experiences, rebuild confidence, and start moving forward in a safe and supportive environment.

Many of the women I meet have had to relocate suddenly, often leaving everything behind. Some arrive in completely new areas with young families, feeling isolated and disconnected from any support networks. In these moments, simply being there, listening, understanding, and offering companionship, can make a huge difference.

Touching lives through small moments

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding. It allows me to use my own experiences and what I’ve learned along the way to guide and support others.

One moment that stands out to me was recently attending a yoga class with a woman I support. The goal was simple: to help her connect with others in the local community and give her some much-needed time for herself. Seeing her smile afterwards was so heart-warming. It reminded me how powerful even the smallest steps can be in someone’s healing journey.

While volunteering can sometimes be emotionally challenging, especially when hearing difficult stories, these moments of joy, growth, and connection make it all worthwhile.

Empathy and trust

At the heart of volunteering in this field is empathy. Listening without judgement, building trust, and creating a safe space are essential. The people we support have experienced unimaginable situations, and even just having someone who believes them, who hears them, can be transformative.

It’s about empowering survivors at their own pace. Whether that’s encouraging them to try something new, helping them build confidence, or simply supporting them as they share their story. Every step forward, no matter how small, is something to celebrate.

I am so proud of every person I’ve worked with. Their courage, resilience, and determination inspire me every day. At the same time, I’m also proud of myself. For turning my own experiences into something positive and for being able to support others in their healing journeys.

Thank you to volunteers everywhere

Roma’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference volunteers make. Not only in the lives of others, but in their own journeys too. This Volunteers’ Week, we thank Roma and all volunteers who give their time and compassion to help others rebuild, reconnect, and recover.

If you’re considering volunteering, Roma’s experience shows just how meaningful and life-changing. It can be.

Dean stepped into a boxing ring because he had a cause. To raise money for two charities which are close to his heart.

We’re always proud when someone from our team decide to raise funds for us because money we receive helps improves the lives of the people we work with.  Money from fundraisers goes towards improving gardens, day trips, even karaoke parties!

Dean is one of our support workers, and back in April he participated in the Ultra White Collar Boxing competition. Not only did he manage to last his three rounds, but he won his competition. Here are some words from the man of the hour. Thank you very much, Dean!

Training and care

Over the last few months, I’ve trained hard. I did six weeks of intense training at Waterlooville boxing gym. It was under the experienced and tough guidance of George and Nathan Mackenzie. Because of their training, I was able to hold my own and go toe-to-toe for all three rounds. I was really happy that I was able to all three. And it was against an opponent 13 years my junior. He also had a height and weight advantage, too.

Having been a carer for my mum at a young age, care and support work has always been an important part of my life. The work that everyone at the you trust do is incredible. I just wanted to be able to do something that could give a little back.

It was painful but worth it, a great experience and will defiantly do it again all for a great cause. I work for the you trust as a second job and love what i do and watching others who care so much.

I will definitely do this again at the end of the year as the whole experience has been amazing!

A huge thank you to anyone who donated!

Dean’s Boxing Fundraiser is still open if you’d like to contribute. Funds will go towards the YOU Trust and Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

Email: nigel.quelch@theyoutrust.org.uk  if you’d like to help with monatary/material donations.

A big push and loop

The team set off at around 11am, looping their way around the park until midday before taking a well‑earned lunch break in the picnic area. Some people treated themselves to hot dogs and chips from the park food stand, while others went straight for ice creams to cool down in the sunshine.

With clear blue skies above Eastrop Park, many of our walkers weren’t ready to stop there and headed off for even more laps, proving just how committed (and energetic!) they were.

Community connections

One of the loveliest surprises of the day was how many people walking around the park stopped to chat with us about our charity. One enthusiastic member of the public even volunteered her husband to help with gardening. A perfect example of how these events help connect us with the wider community.

A huge thank you goes out to Edward, Cliff, Jane Bellamy, Simon and Oli Maple for helping to set up the gazebo. And for giving us a welcoming base for the day. We’re also incredibly grateful to all the staff and family members who came along to support. A special shout‑out to Mason for capturing the day with some fantastic drone footage! You’ll be able to see that on our channel very soon.

A day to remember

The Big Push was a joyful, welcoming and uplifting event filled with teamwork, fresh air and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success, we’re already looking forward to the next one!

Garden upgrades

We’d greatly appreciate if if you could help sponsor one of our gardens. That might be with money, materials, or even your time helping dig! In particular, we’re looking for:

• Wood
• Soil
• Gravel
• garden chip wood
• Wooden beams for raised beds

This is a great opportunity for local businesses to also get involved! If you’re interested, please email: nigel.quelch@theyoutrust.org.uk.