It was with immense sadness that we announced the unexpected death of Jon Prior, SoLO’s Treasurer Trustee.

Jon joined SoLO as a financial consultant to cover the maternity leave of its Finance Manager, Lesley Beer.  As a Chartered Accountant, who was offering consultancies to various companies, Jon supported SoLO’s finance department on a part time basis and ensured all financial functions were conducted appropriately. 

Jon willingly accepted an invitation to become a Trustee of SoLO in 2018 and served in the capacity of Treasurer.  He brought to the role sound financial knowledge and experience to guide the Board in making sound financial decisions to discharge their responsibilities as the governing body of SoLO responsible for the charity’s finances. 

During the last 6 years Jon has been so committed to SoLO, giving freely of his time to both review its accounts and support development of the staff team.  During the Pandemic his essential catch phrase was ‘Cash is King’, highlighting that an organisation cannot function without a healthy bank balance to meet its commitments.  He was not averse to taking risks where necessary to achieve SoLO’s developments.  

He has been a much-valued colleague and friend to members of the Board, and staff with whom he worked, a great sounding board at times of making difficult decisions.  He was someone not afraid to challenge but in the nicest possible way with his good sense of humour and positive view of life. 

He will be greatly missed by all those at SoLO who knew him and we give thanks for his life and contribution to SoLO. 

At his funeral it was highlighted the value he got from being a SoLO volunteer and how much SoLO meant to him.  The family honoured Jon’s memory beautifully, by requesting donations for SoLO, in his memory, which raised £1145 ensuring that his legacy of kindness and generosity continues to make a positive impact.

Have your say!

SoLO’s Adult Services are for Adults (including those currently at college) with a learning disability diagnosis. We help them explore their potential by providing support in various ways, encouraging independence, and building friendship groups. 

This survey is for us to gather input and opinions from our members and potential service users regarding SoLO Adult (16+) Drop-in Services. We want to know what you would like to be seen within a new SoLO Drop-in Project. 

Click here to complete the survey

We encourage parents/carers to support with completing this where applicable. 

If you have any questions about completing the below survey before you begin, please email olivia.dance@sololifeopportunities.org 

Centurion Running Club, based at North Solihull Sports Centre in Chelmsley Wood, raise £800 for SoLO as part of the club’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.

Last year Centurion Running Club challenged its members to collectively run 50,000km. The group smashed this target by October and by 31 December reached 59,000km. Funds were raised through sponsorship, donations, and the sale of the club’s 50th-anniversary t-shirts.

“On behalf of SoLO, I’d like to say a massive well done and thank you to Centurion Running Club for supporting SoLO as part of their 50th-anniversary celebrations. Collectively running 59,000km is a fantastic achievement for all the runners involved and we’re really grateful to you all for raising money for us in the process“.

Lesley Beer, CEO

About Centurion Running Club

Centurion Running Club was started in the 1970s by John Walker as part of his mission to make running more accessible to the masses. The club now was over 100 members and they welcome runners of all abilities to join. The group meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18.30 outside North Solihull Sports Centre. Learn more.

A 6-week course designed to provide 14-19 year olds with practical sessions that promote independence.

In January, 12 members joined us on our first Independent Living Programme, a course designed to help teach new skills and support independent living.

“I love coming because of the people here, making friends and cooking the food here with everyone else”.

Participant

Across 6 weeks, participants attend weekly sessions that take place at our Walnut Close base in Chelmsley Wood. Each session lasts 2.5 hours and during this time the group cover a new theme.

Themes covered include:

The course costs £37.50 per person and is suitable for individuals with mild-moderate learning disabilities. Attendance of all 6 sessions is mandatory and places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

If you’re interested in finding out more or would like to register interest for our next course please email Teri.evans@sololifeopportunities.org.

We are delighted to announce that we have been nominated as Solihull Chamber of Commerce Charity of the Year.

Becoming Charity of the Year is fantastic news for SoLO as it will enable us to raise our profile within the Solihull business community as well as receive vital support from the Chamber’s fundraising activities, all of which will enable us to help facilitate further growth.

Jan Prior, chair of SoLO, said: “We’re so pleased and thankful to have the support of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce following a long, hard journey through a pandemic, when staff have gone above and beyond to ensure its members continue to receive their activities and breaks“.

Samantha Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber, said: “Solihull Chamber is incredibly excited to announce SoLO as its newest Chosen Charity. The aim of this partnership is to support charities doing meaningful and impactful work in and around the Solihull area and it is already clear from conversations with Jan that there is a lot of passion behind the work taking place at SoLO. We are very much looking forward to engaging the business community in supporting their mission to provide quality services for people with learning disabilities.”

The Charity of the Year partnership will run until March 2023.