Press

Press Release

'Tis the season: United Response launches first Christmas Appeal in York

The national disability charity United Response is launching its first ever Christmas appeal today in York.

The appeal hopes to raise the necessary funds to buy equipment for 'Krumbs', a café run by United Response in the centre of York. Krumbs provides training opportunities for people with learning disabilities, helping them gain the skills and experience they need to work in the catering industry.

Many people with learning disabilities prefer to use pictures to communicate instead of words. To help the Krumbs students take down customer orders quickly and easily, United Response wants to buy an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) system for the café. The hand held EPOS machine will show pictures of everything on the menu and students will be able to take an order by simply pressing a button.

To celebrate the success of Krumbs, which has been open for over 9 years and has become a very popular lunchtime spot, UR is also launching 'Yorkshire's Favourite Christmas Recipe' competition to give people the opportunity to try out 'Krumbs' for themselves. People are being asked to send in their all time favourite Christmas recipe. It could be a recipe they have come up with themselves or a secret Christmas pudding recipe, which has been passed down from generation to generation. All recipes will be judged by the students and staff at Krumbs, with the top three entries winning a lunch for two at the café in the New Year.

Diane Lightfoot is the Director of Supported Employment at United Response. She said:

"Krumbs is a great place for a good home cooked lunch or a mince pie and a coffee. But we know that not everyone in York knows that and that is why we are launching 'Yorkshire's Favourite Christmas Recipe' today, to give readers/listeners an opportunity to try out Krumbs for themselves.

"But Krumbs does more than just serve up great tasting food. It also provides opportunities for people with learning disabilities to gain skills and experience first-hand what it is like to work in a bustling city centre café.

"Many people with learning disabilities want to work, but aren't always given the opportunity to do so. Through Krumbs, United Response is working to change that. And our Christmas Appeal will mean students will have the opportunity to develop even more new skills. The EPOS machine may sound like a simple idea. But for someone with a learning disability it really can make the difference between being able to work or not.

"Christmas is a great time for giving and we hope as many people as possible will get behind the Krumbs Appeal and literally change the lives of people in their community."

To find out more about the Krumbs Christmas Appeal and how you can donate, please go to

www.unitedresponse.org.uk

or alternatively you can make a donation in person at Krumbs café in Tanners Row, York.

Nominations for 'Yorkshire's Favourite Recipe Competition' should be sent to ‘Yorkshire’s Favourite Christmas Recipe’ Competition, c/o United Response, 113/123 Upper Richmond Road, Putney London SW15 2TL or emailed to . All entries should include a name, address and daytime telephone number. The competition is open to everyone and entry is free. Recipes must be received by the end of the day on 14th December 2006.

United Response is a national charity working with people with learning disabilities throughout York.

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For more information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or email

Notes to Editors:

United Response is a national charity offering skilled care and support to adults with learning disabilities or mental health needs across England and throughout York.  It builds its care and support around each person, providing everything from 24-hour care to helping someone living in his or her own flat to get a job.