Who The Organisation is
Middlesbrough Life Services CIC (MLS)is a Community Interest Company based in The Langridge Initiative Centre in Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough. The CIC was established in November 2018 by two local women Tracey Gunn, Lisa McCallay, then were joined by Jamie Leigh Watson in 2021. All Directors have a background in Health and Social Care all four are passionate about making a difference in Middlesbrough.
Our board of Trustees includes local people and Councillors who share our objectives of ensuring people are aware of and connected to support mechanisms within their own Community. Working together we need to increase the capacity, choice and availability of Community support enabling individuals to identify and access facilities themselves.
Our amazing team of paid staff and volunteers ensure that our Centre operates a daily program of activities, ranging from arts and crafts workshops through to life and social skills classes, animal care classes, Drama group, Reading groups, gardening groups, swimming classes, IT Classes and many many more. Not only do these provide a valuable social outlet for our Service Users but help to boost both their social skills and confidence. We also have our very own centre minibus, which allows us to do pick up and drop off for the members. We also organise days out and trips locally.
The Langridge Initiative Centre is at the heart of the Berwick Hills Community, there is a large central space and café with a seating area. We are delighted with the buildings and outside areas but what happens here is truly inspirational. It is a place where people become artists , writers, cooks, singers , dancers, bakers, pool champions, gardeners, keep fitters, computer geeks, tool refurbishes … the list is endless.!!!
Our key focus is to promote the well-being and inclusion of people in Middlesbrough and will always begin with the assumption that the individual is best placed to determine what constitutes their own well-being. MLS work in a people centric manner, promoting the independence, inclusion, and well-being to achieve good quality outcomes for individuals through our commitment to partnership working.
MLS ensure people are aware of and connected to support mechanisms within their own Community.
Education and Social Hub
MLS it is a place where people with differing needs can come to spend the day learning new skills and establishing friendships. It is a safe space where people can learn to grow and flourish. A warm, inclusive social space where people be themselves without fear of judgement or disapproval. MLS work with the ethos of providing a safe, nurturing, supportive environment where people can learn to set their own boundaries and develop their practical and emotional skills.
Our members attend cooking classes held for them in the kitchens at our Community café. Not only do they learn a valuable skill which can enhance independence, but friendships are established helping to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Members also are able to grow food from seeds in our gardens and polytunnel and then use the produce to cook a meal.
Our therapy Pets are cared for by the people who come to MLS using the skills they have learned in the animal care classes. Spending the time with our pets seems to reduce stress, anxiety and depression and encourages playfulness. MLS work in Partnership with White Cross vets in Colby Newham, who, recognising the benefit of pets donate free health care and top tips to us.
MLS see first-hand what people can achieve in the right environment, given time and support.
Our vision
Our vision is to build the centre to a thriving Hub for Berwick Hills and the surrounding areas.
A world where people with additional needs are included and valued in in society.
We provide a warm, friendly and safe environment for local residents, children and families, our members of our Day Service and visitors
Education and Social Hub – Sam’s Centre
Our key focus is to promote the well-being and inclusion of people in What we intend to do
Sam’s Centre is a place where people with differing needs can come to spend the day learning new skills and establishing friendships. It is a safe space where people can learn to grow and flourish. A warm, inclusive social space where people be themselves without fear of judgement or disapproval. We work with the ethos of providing a safe, nurturing, supportive environment where people can learn to set their own boundaries and develop their practical and emotional skills.
Fundrasing
Middlesbrough life Service’s fundraise in many ways. We all work so hard from staff and service members, to pull together to raise money to put back into our service and into our local community. From Sky dives, Fun days, Sponsered walk and so much more.
Laundrette
A large number of heavy duty commercial washers and dryers are located at the centred which clean clothing,linen and duvets of any size. It is open to use for service members and the local community
Credit Union
Representatives from the Pioneer Credit Union are based in the Langridge Initiative Centre each Wednesday morning 9am .
If you live in the Middlesbrough area then you can join us and take advantage of our savings accounts and low cost loans as well as many other benefits.
What we intend to do
The Langridge Initiative Centre will continue to provide the best service with the utmost respect to our service users, employees, volunteers, partners and those in the Community that we serve.
Our vision is to build the centre to a thriving Hub for Berwick Hills and the surrounding areas. We excel at high quality care delivery and management. This means we make important investments in our brand, in our operations and in our employees and volunteers who deserve to be rewarded for un-matched service and dedication.
What makes our staff different is passion. We go above and beyond the standard service to make personal connections with people that can make all the difference in wellbeing. At the Centre we believe that, for services to be effective, they should be based on sound values and principles and an understanding of the fundamental and individual needs of people.
At the Centre we believe that, for services to be effective, they should be based on sound values and principles and an understanding of the fundamental and individual needs of people.
