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KEYRING NEWS IS PUBLISHED BY KEYRING MEMBERS / AUTUMN 2017 / NUMBER 51

Contents
Winning at the Special
Olympics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Editing Group and
Downend Soup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
News from the Trustees. . . . . . . 4
New Services in Warwickshire. 5
Staple Hill Knitting and
Scott’s medal collection and Scott wearing one of his medals
Criss Cross Puzzle. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Winning Silver in the


Henbury, Redcliffe and
Weston Super Mare. . . . . . . . . . . 7
The South West Members

Special Olympics! Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9


Hubs in the Midlands and
South West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
 BY LUCY HADDON Members at work. . . . . . . . . 13-14

Scott Bradley, a KeyRing relay race and managed to secure Chris winning at football and
Member from the Sandwell a silver medal in this event. He is The Armadillo Centre. . . . . . . . 15
Service has recently competed in really proud of this. Train trip & Dave’s Poetry . . . . 16
the Special Olympics in Sheffield.
Scott said: “I am
Scott has been taking part in happy I won, I just
competitions all his life and really have another one to
enjoys them; he can’t see himself add into my collection. I am
stopping anytime soon. looking forward to the 2020
Special Olympics where I will be
KeyRing National Office
Scott spent a week in August competing again. I am looking
2017 at Sheffield University, forward to finding my first home 21 St Olav’s Court
taking part in various athletic with my girlfriend Emma, who Lower Road
events there. During his week was also in the Special Olympics London, SE16 2XB
there, Scott managed to get who won 2 silver medals
Tel. 020 3119 0960
himself 2 ribbons, one in high alongside me. I am also looking
jump and one in 400m. On the forward to making her my wife www.keyring.org
last day Scott took part in the in the near future.”
KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Congratulations
Notices
Congratulations to Martin
Get well soon
Sally’s Success
who has been a KeyRing Get well soon to Ronald
Member for 16 years Wilkins who hasn’t been well,
this year! Martin has an but is now on the mend.
active role in the Henbury
network in planning and
ndwell.
arranging socials. He says Well done Sally is a Member in Sa
“I really enjoy all of our In the last year she has
op
socials I have made many worked really hard to st
so
friends over the years hoarding and has done
s been
through KeyRing”. well that a short film ha
!
made about her progress
ight)
Congratulations Sally (r
ell.
from everyone in Sandw
Goodbye to
Kirsten
Well done to Stephen
Welcome
Weaver from Weston Super
Mare, who has completed
his training as a Quality
Checker and Expert by
Experience.

Jacqui Beere has just


joined KeyRing in Staple
Goodbye to Kirsten Congratulations Hill as our new Community
McConnell our Community
Congratulations to Bella Enabler. She has been
Enabler in South
Edwards from the Henbury working with Members in
Gloucestershire. Kirsten
network. She is now the network and is really
was with us a short time
a KeyRing trustee and enjoying the role and has
as cover before recruiting
will represent KeyRing made herself part of the
Jacqui. Kirsten was bright,
Members on the board. team. Everyone in KeyRing
energetic and caring and
She is looking forward to wishes her well and hopes
we all wish her all the best
the challenge. Bella is also that she continues to
for the future and thank
a part of the People First enjoy the wonderful role
her for her time with us.
management committee. into the future.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

The Midlands and South


West edition of KeyRing
News was edited by...

ANDREW WILSONStaple Hill network.


Andrew has recently been in
hospital but is feeling better. He goes
to Manor Road where he does
Congratulations
cooking on a Monday and talking
to people on Thursdays. He has been in KeyRing Andrew!
for 10 years and is a National Forum rep.
Andrew Wilson from Staple Hill was
IAN HAWKESFORD
part of the winning team at their local
Weston Super Mare network.
Downend Soup event.
Ian has autism and has a really
good memory. Ian is working with
Speaking Up in Weston Super
Mare.

JACKIE THORNEStaple Hill network.


Jackie has worked in the Co-op for
10 years and been in KeyRing for
16 years. On Tuesdays and Fridays
she goes to the walking group and
on Thursdays and Saturdays she goes running
and swimming.

KIM SUTTON Bath network. Andrew and his team. Photo: Tracey McCarthy
Kim has autism and is a National
Downend Soup is organised by Christ Church
Forum rep. She volunteers with the
Downend in Bristol. Local people come along for
Brownies and has just done the 5k Race
a meal of soup. They make a donation when they
for Life Muddy.
arrive. While they eat they hear from three local
STEPHEN WEAVER groups about projects that they would like to win
Weston Super Mare network. some funding for. They can then vote for who they
think should get the donation money.
Stephen helps organise conferences and
parties, and the Weston Super Mare
meetings. He also organises drinks and
Andrew and his team were the winners! The team
meals with other Members. won money for their local community flat, and they
will use it to help people at Christmas.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

News from the Trustees ●● signed the audited accounts


for 2016/17
The last Trustee meeting was ●● discussed the National ●● looked at the annual
on the 30th September. At this Forum workshop on Member Safeguarding Report for
meeting the Trustees: Involvement, which is now 2016 - 2017 and the
going to Members to discuss recommendations on where
●● heard about activities by ●● invited to the meeting the 4 we can make improvements
Members in Frome, Rhyl, new Trustees so they have a ●● looked at the results of
Croydon and Oldham. chance to try it out the Member Satisfaction
●● discussed the new ●● had a report on fire risks for Survey, they would like
opportunities for KeyRing to Members living in tower blocks more Members to take
support more Members following the Grenfell fire part next year.

The Member Satisfaction Survey


This year 473 Members took Some of the
part in the survey. This is things they said
compared to 507 in the last were...
survey.
“I enjoy coming to
KeyRing, meeting
The survey was open to all
my friends, having
Members except the North
a laugh. I’ve learnt
Yorkshire Self Advocates. They
things I’ve never
will do their own surveys later
seen before.”
this year.
“I am always kept
We used an online survey this informed and know
year. This made it much easier to what you say you Members were asked about how they feel about
look at the results. complaining
will do you do.”

Nearly all the Members who did ●● Some people said that there told them about the Member
the survey were happy to give were things that they weren’t Complaints Officer.
their names. This meant that if happy about. If they gave ●● Some people said that they
they said they were unhappy their name, staff have been in knew how to complain but
about something we could contact contact with them to try to they still wouldn’t like to. Staff
them to talk about it. sort it out. have talked to them about this.
●● Some people said they would ●● Some people said that they
Overall 96% said that they were not know how to complain. had made a complaint in the
Happy or Very happy with their Staff have explained the past but that it had been
support. complaints procedure and sorted out.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

New Services in Warwickshire


KeyRing has a number of new services in Warwickshire that are different to our
traditional KeyRing networks.

Community Links Mental Day Opportunities


Health Service Our Day Opportunities Service is a community
This service offers short term mental health support service for people aged 18+ with a
support for up to 6 weeks. learning disability or autism.
The service can:
We provide
●● Give people personalised support
●● Advice
●● Support people to achieve their goals
●● Guidance
●● Help people to be more independent
●● Signposting
●● Support people to get involved in their
●● Making connections with people and
community
communities
●● Support people to go to college or look
●● Focussed emotional support
for a job
●● Personalised support during specific periods
●● Help people to stay healthy
to stop people’s mental health getting worse.
●● Help people to stay safe
We support people through 1:1 support, group ●● Work with people to develop a personal
work and peer support. support plan.

Short Term Support Service


This service is for people This could include people transitioning
who could benefit from from child to adult services, or people
12 weeks of support. experiencing difficulties in a certain
aspect of their life.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Knitting in Staple Hill Criss Cross


The Staple Hill Crafting Bee On page 16 you can read
was started by Angela and Fiona a poem by Dave Pearse.
(CLV) as there wasn’t a local
The Criss Cross puzzle
knitting group. We have met and
made some wonderful friends
below has some of the
and have learnt and taught new words from the poem.
things. Can you fit them in?

3 LETTERS VEG
4 LETTERS EGGS, HENS
5 LETTERS FRUIT, GRAZE
6 LETTERS NATURE,
BETTER
Angela and Hillary
7 LETTERS ANIMALS
We managed to get some funding 9 LETTERS CHEMICALS
from our local council to pay PESTICIDE
for the community room for a
whole year, they even gave us
some extra money for tea and
coffee. We meet once a month
and it is open to everyone. We
enjoy running our group and now
have linked up with the Bristol
Chris’ crocheting
Crafting Bee.

Join the Working for Justice


group!
Are you someone with a learning disability who has been
involved with the criminal justice system?

The Working for Justice group is always looking for new members.
If you are interested contact Neisha Betts on 07736 015 700.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

South West Activities


Members in Henbury, Redcliffe and Weston Super Redcliffe Network
Mare have been organising and getting involved in Cooking Group
lots of projects.
Redcliffe network
have also started
Through the Roof a cooking group
very recently
Colston in the looking forward to our new
which takes place in their local
Henbury network group starting in Bristol. For
community room. With the help
has been involved anyone who would like to get
and planning from our rep Kevin,
with Through the involved with this, it’s welcoming,
we are hoping to make this a
Roof with Disabled Christian social and friendly just visit
regular monthly social following
Fellowship. He says “It has given www.throughtheroof.org.
much interest and positive
me so much over the past 7 years, This is great for meeting new
feedback from Members.
so many lovely people. Through people, just like KeyRing. It’s
the Roof has shown me that God just an extra opportunity to
is all inclusive and I’m especially have fun”. Jay’s Allotment
Walking Group Jay, a Member in
Weston Super
Cathy and Colston walks, treasure hunts/orienteering – Mare, managed to
have also taken an creating detailed leaflets, expanding get an allotment a
active role in their own computing skills and couple of months after applying
creating a monthly meeting Members for a fun active and started working on it straight
walking group in the hope of afternoon. away. Jay thought it would take
meeting other Members from other him a year to clear everything
networks. Both Members have been They welcome everyone and however with much determination
creative and take great pride in look forward to seeing you all at this was completed within a
organising – there are leisurely future walks. couple of months. Jay also built a
shed from palettes, a wood burner
Henbury Network Cooking Group and a hammock.

Henbury Members group has enabled Members to In the spring months Jay started
have started a learn new skills from one another growing potatoes, peas, carrots,
cooking group in a fun and sociable environment. radish, lettuce, cucumber and
within their own It has given Members an much more. Jay learnt to become
network – this takes place in opportunity to plan and budget self sufficient from completing a
Members’ homes. The cooking for meals. course called ‘Incredible Edible’.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

The South West Members’


Conference
The South West Members’ Conference was held at the reps and Quality Checkers were
Mercure Hotel in Bristol on Monday 2nd October. We recognised in an award ceremony
in the afternoon with area forum
had 44 delegates signed up and guests arrived at 10.30
reps Jackie Thorne and Stephen
with the event finishing at 4.00. CEO Karyn Kirkpatrick Weaver leading the announcements
attended along with the Member Complaints Officer, and with support from Karyn
Matthew Herbert and the Quality Lead, Frank Steeples. handing out the certificates.

Bella Edwards and Kim Sutton Feedback forms were completed Going forward this week, the
introduced the morning and the with the vast majority of Quality Checkers are poised for
afternoon sessions and made a delegates enjoying the venue and a week of auditing ahead for the
great double act. the workshops and left great South West with support from the
comments about the lunch. Quality Lead. They will be talking
to Members in other areas to find
A very enjoyable day was had out what they think about their
by all. Our CLVs plus area forum support.

Bella and Kim

Workshops were held in the


morning and in the afternoon and
a hot and cold buffet was enjoyed
by all at lunch.

The workshops that Members


could choose from were:
●● Staying Safe Online
●● Hate Crime & Bullying
●● St John’s Ambulance taster
●● Complaints Officer workshop
●● Quality Checkers workshop
●● Your wellbeing (Being the
Members with their certificates
best you).

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

More photos from the South West Members’ Conference

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Members at the Frome Hub

Hub Stories
who have been told about our
hubs, MPs, other charities, Social
Services and even the Police.

 HUBS IN FROME AND GLASTONBURY & STREET Since we began in April we have
In April this year we started to have Hubs in our Frome and had many different themes to our
Glastonbury and Street networks. This is a new way that we Hubs including an Election Hub,
support people in these networks and it has taken a lot of hard Employment Hubs, Be Healthy
work to get our Members used to them, to find new places for them, to Hubs and Staying Safe Hubs
find the right times to have them as some of our Members work, to find which have all been successful.
ideas for them and to also make them work so that everyone is happy.
Members can also get private
It meant that it was a big change in Frome. These places are in the time with a volunteer at the Hub
for everyone in those networks heart of our networks and by if they need to and we also do
including all of our Members and linking in with them we have been all of the other valuable things
staff but by working together we able to make even more valuable that KeyRing is known for like
have made it work and have had friends who are also helping supporting people with their
great ideas for future Hubs coming people in the community so we benefits, tenancies, letters and
from everyone. can share ideas and can get even other general support too.
more support from them too.
We have found new places Hubs are very new to us in
to support our Members like We have had many different Somerset but we will carry on
The Opportunity Shop in people come to our Hubs making them a great place to get
Glastonbury and Collier’s Court including our Members, people support and information.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Be Healthy The Election


Hubs Hub
 HUB STORIES  HUB STORIES

Every Wednesday in July we held Be On the 7th of June 2017 Frome had an
Healthy Hubs in Frome. Election Hub.

We had lots of information about being healthy, We invited all of the major political parties to
eating the right foods, exercise, mental health come along and we provided lots of information
and also lots of information about contacting to people about what each party was promising
different people to get help or advice. should they get into Parliament.

The Election Hub

Information at the Be Healthy Hub We also told them where their nearest voting
station would be, how to vote and if they
These Hubs were a success with lots of people needed help voting. We even gave them letters
coming to them and finding new ways to be to take to the polling station to tell the people
healthier in their lives. there about what help they would need.

We also had some games and questionnaires It was a great day, lots of people came to us
which were fun to do with Members and the for help and advice and we even got our picture
local people who came along too. taken with one of our local candidates!

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Community Connection
Hubs in Sandwell
The Sandwell service has been up and running now since November 2015.
Members all felt they would like something to do in the day which was
cheap to access and somewhere fun for them to meet new people. This
became “Sandwell pop up hubs”.

We have now got two Hubs run by a KeyRing Thursday Social


Community Living Volunteer. We host
one on a Monday 10am-12pm at KeyRing in Sandwell have been running a
Blackheath Library. weekly social event every Thursday at The
Court Of Request, Oldbury.
We have linked in with This session is also
the community to host attended regularly by a From Yvonne attending
this event at a library group of Members and this session with John she
local to one of the is a growing session. is able to seek support
networks in Sandwell. and advice as well as
Member Jenna Rooney meeting new people and
Member Michael says “Attending these enjoying herself, even
Gilbertson says “I sessions has been We have people meet though she isn’t a full
really enjoy coming helping me build my up beforehand to chat KeyRing Member.
and getting out the confidence and meet and then we have other
house, I have always new people.” people who stay later She says “Its no worry
been a loner but now I and get to know each or no hurry, I like to feel
know I can come down Alan is on the waiting other. Members who comfy and I am here.”
and see people on a list for support. He attend have started to
Monday.” was told about these meet up outside of this Esther Parker, the CLV
sessions and is now event and do their own who runs the Thursday
We have now receiving support at things. social says “I love the
developed a second the Hub from KeyRing Thursday session as
Hub in Oldbury. This instead of being on the This event isn’t just open it is a safe place for
is held on a Friday at waiting list. He says “I to KeyRing Members – Members to attend and
Sainsbury’s Cafe in really enjoy attending we also open it to family share stories and build
Oldbury, again led by this, people are kind and friends. John Kelly, their confidence and get
a Community Living and I know I am safe a Member, attends along together to meet new
Volunteer. within KeyRing.” with his mum Yvonne. people.”

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Members at Work
Lynne “With the support of KeyRing and Donna
my job coach I managed to find
Lynne from the Henbury network a cleaning job and in June 2016 Donna began working at HC-One
has been volunteering in a café I started working for a company care home in Frome nearly 18
based at Southmead Hospital for called ICM. years ago. Being in a paid job has
a number of years. helped her to be more independent.
When I first started working I was
doing two jobs at different places
which took up a lot of time but
now I do one and that is working
as a cleaner in Collier’s Court here
in Frome. It’s a very trusted job as
I am cleaning the building where
Social Services are based so I have
to be on time and look presentable
too.

Earning my own money gives me Donna


the freedom to save up, buy what
Lynne continues to expand her I want and to pay bills out of my “After leaving college, I had a few
role with more responsibilities, own money. jobs, but none of them lasted. I
some of which include being in went to the Job Centre, and they
charge of a stock of both food told me HC-One were looking
and drinks, as well as handling for kitchen staff. It all happened
money and talking to the finance on the same day. I rang up, then
department in the hospital. went for an interview, and was
told I’d got the job. Two days later
Lynne takes great pride in her I started and have been there ever
John
role. Lynne meets lots of new since. I love working at the care
people in her role and feels Some things that I’ve done with home! It’s a full time job. I work 35
this has helped her gain more my money have been great. I went hours a week and it’s in walking
confidence over the years. to Comic Con in Birmingham and distance from my flat.
dressed up as The Flash, I’m going
John to the Bristol Anime convention in Each day the carers tell us what
October and I have just bought a food the residents would like to
John Breaden from the Frome Virtual Reality headset for my Play eat. We take the food and drinks
Network works as a cleaner. Station 4.” trollies up to the dining areas

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

and serve them to the residents. for some of my rent, the bills and
I enjoy chatting to them and food shopping. I’ve been doing my
having a laugh, there are some real flat up, and I’ve been able to buy
characters! some things for it and I also use my
wages to go out with my family and
My favourite jobs in the kitchen are friends too.”
cleaning and cooking, but I only
do the cooking sometimes. One of Cathy
the cooks who used to work there
taught me. I also do the washing up Cathy will have worked at VUE
and put everything away. Cinema for 15 years this year. She
has gained many skills and been
I’ve made some good friends here able to adapt to various roles.
too and we’re arranging a night out
soon. Some of the duties Cathy carries Cathy continues to enjoy her
out are cleaning screens, serving job and is looking forward
Earning my own money means I customers working on the tills as to celebrating her 15 year
can be more independent. I pay well as serving food and drinks. anniversary.

Wordsearch K B K H V R Y H J G D C G L P

F R W A R W I C K S H I R E O
Can you find these
W I U K O M N S S G R V H K I
Midlands and South West
network areas? B S F V F H N O A W R C H R T

SANDWELL M T D B G S C M C F B W E R Q
BRISTOL Y O S A N D W E L L X B G T S
SOMERSET
E L A T F D V R E H T V D S Q
BATH
D W D H H B C S G B C D H Y C
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
WARWICKSHIRE Q D V X R T H E B E C F R H E

W J Y T N B V T Q F Y E G U T

G L O U C E S T E R S H I R E

J H E I P Y E E G V H W D S Y

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Chris winning at Active at the


football! Armadillo Centre
My name is Chris and I have lived in the The Armadillo Centre is a community
Barton Hill Network in Bristol for 3 years. centre in the heart of Yate, South
One of my favourite things is football and I Gloucestershire. The centre hosts a
am a massive West Ham fan! number of different groups and activities
throughout the week all year round.
I go to a disability football team called The Park
Knowle FC. On Fridays we do football training On a Friday between 1.30pm and 4pm there is
which includes a warm up and a friendly match. a social group held which is open to anyone with
autism from across South Gloucestershire and
Our matches
Bristol. KeyRing Members Christopher Teauge
are held on a
and Dave Pearse attend every week, with James
Sunday not far
Howe and ex-Member Steven Draper going along
from Clarke’s
sometimes too.
Village and we
compete against
other teams
from around
the South West.
When we score
more points our score goes up and we win medals
and trophies. Our season starts in October and Heather (Dave’s partner), Dave and Christopher
ends in May each year. There are a number of fun activities such as
We have four teams. One is an adults team, one is pool, table tennis, board games, computer games
a ladies team, one is under 10s and the last one is and regular talks and discussions held by guest
under 8s. speakers each week. The sessions are both fun
and educational and give people an opportunity
This year I won two trophies, one of which was to be in a great space with others who share life
for taking part in the 2016/2017 season and experiences.
my second trophy was for Manager’s Player
2016/2017. I was really happy about the second BASS (Bristol Autism Spectrum Society) run the
trophy as I only thought I would have one! club and offer an excellent one stop shop where
people can talk to the staff from BASS about their
The trophies were given out in a presentation, problems and get advice and support at the same
all the teams were invited. I was a bit nervous time. James Honeyman who runs the centre is
collecting my trophy and my friends chanted my always open and able to help with anything from
name when I was given the second trophy!! referrals to practical help and guidance.

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KEYRING NEWS / AUTUMN 2017 / EDITION 51

Train Trip Dave’s Poetry


Dave Pearse is a poet and Member in Staple Hill.
He recently had some of his poetry displayed in
a Bristol Churches Exhibition at St John on the
Conduit on Nelson Street. One of the poems on
display was called ‘How Much Better’.

How Much Better


How much better the veg from the ground,
Last Summer Chris Teauge, a Member in Yate, Grown nature’s way, not in chemicals bound,
organised a train trip to the Avon railway, a steam How much better the fruit from the tree,
train line kept open as a visitor attraction between Of poisonous pesticide totally free,
Bristol and Bath.
How much better the free range eggs,
Laid by hens free to use their legs,
How much better the beef from the cow,
That’s lived free to graze ‘neath the green leafy bough,
How much better for people to gain,
Their food from methods all free from pain,
No pain for animals, no poison in soil,
Means healthier people – much better for all!

The day was magnificent with glorious sunshine


and everyone really enjoyed being on the train and
feeling like we had all gone back in time. Afterwards
we walked along the track and had some lunch at a
cafe. The people who came were Chris Teauge, Cathy
Brinton from the Henbury network, Paul Richards
from Thornbury, Chris Harris and Rob Absalom from
Barton Hill, Dave Pearse and Chris Thorne from
Staple Hill, and Jenny Wilkins from Bath.

That’s all for this time! Sarah Hatch, KeyRing Or e-mail Sarah at
If you have anything you Living Support Networks, sarah.hatch@keyring.org
would like to see in the 21 St Olav’s Court, Lower For an audio version of the
paper, please send it to: Road, London, SE16 2XB paper phone 020 3119 0960

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