This month I’d like to write about something a little different – giving back and the importance of making sure everyone feels valued.

LNPS is, first and foremost, a company that is invested in and empowered by the communities in which it operates.

As individuals, we live, work and socialise in the communities of Newham, Barking, Dagenham, Redbridge, Waltham Abbey, and further afield.

In recent years, our community spirit has led to us to sponsor a variety of local events and organisations, including the business growth category at the Newham Business Awards 2022, new kit for Wapping Youth Football Club and two timber summer houses for nursery and children’s support charity Early Start.

Our latest sponsorship deal is with Bettertogether – Newham, Thurrock and Havering Shared Lives Schemes. Based in Stratford, they offer day support, respite and long-term, live-in support for people who experience dementia, mental ill health and physical and learning disabilities. They work with young people, old people and people who have just left hospital after treatment.

Shared Lives carers share their home and their community with a person who has adult social care needs. Bettertogether matches them to someone with specific needs and who has a similar interests and approach to life. The idea is that they will enjoy living together, with the career providing high-quality, consistent support to help people gain confidence and learn new skill.

Many people report they have done things they have never done before – getting a passport and going abroad for the first time, finding a job, entering college, making new friends, loading the dishwasher, or even getting a kitten. Confidence to do these and other tasks means they will one day be able to move out into their own home and live the life they want.

Bettertogether is always looking for carers. If you are interested, click here.

Being a carer is a very rewarding vocation, but it can sometimes be isolating. Much of the work is conducted on their own and so it is important that Bettertogether hosts events that can bring them together to celebrate and be celebrated.

This is where we come in. LNPS has agreed to sponsor a dinner and disco on the Tereza Joanne for the shared lives carers. Owned by Marian Phillips, previous winner of Newham Chamber of Commerce’s business person of the year, and permanently moored on Albert Island, East London, the Tereza Joanne hosts weddings, corporate events and private events, making it the ideal venue in which to say thank you to the shared lives carers for the work they do.

As an employer, we understand how important it is to make sure your employees feel valued. Many of these carers spend their days working in isolation, so it is vitally important to give them a chance to get together in an informal setting to unwind and enjoy themselves.

As a company it always comes back to community. These are the people helping the most vulnerable people in our community and that is why we are proud to be supporting them.

The dinner and disco will take place on 19^th October, and we hope they have a brilliant time.