It has been a difficult year with lots of changes in the wind which is unsettling. Government cutbacks in funding for the disability sector have resulted in five people attending the Beacon losing their funding.
The human cost, in these peoples lives of course, does not show up on the pen pushers desks. They just see with satisfaction, more money in the coffers.
The people who can, have dug deep into very shallow pockets to pay privately. What is their alternative? social isolation, another loss in their lives, and nothing to replace the Beacon.
For others, we approached community groups, private business and family to sponsor a person for 6 - 12 months.
We have managed to keep all our attending people funded. It is a monkey on my back that is draining. I feel saddened that a service that makes consistent differences in peoples lives remains insecure for the future.
We have some new young people keen to attend, and are keeping our fingers crossed that their applications and funding will be approved.
On a more positive note. We now have a great lead lighting tutor, Morry, working at the Beacon. He has enabled people with limited physical ability to experience the intense pleasure of working and mastering coloured glass.
Morry suggested that all the people taking his classes, plus staff, help make a special stained glass window for the Beacon.
We hung it up last week. The suns rays pour through the glass.
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