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Gardening Club – Clearing Weeds and Nettles!

It was another productive day with AW, AB, TG, Lisa, and Anthony. We made significant progress in clearing the thick weeds and nettles along the walkways, making the area much more pleasant and safer to walk through. Lisa, AB, and TG helped plant radish seeds in the raised beds and harvested some lettuce for Wednesday’s salad. AW prepared a small plot and planted sweet corn, while AB prepared the ground and planted two courgette plants.

We wrapped up our efforts at Enablement Care, where we recharged with a delicious lunch of meatloaf and dessert.

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Save the Date for Brierley Park!

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 30th!

We are excited to start a new tradition! We invite all service users and residents to Brierley Park for an afternoon of games and a picnic.

We’ll be using public transport, so feel free to meet up and join us for the journey.

More details will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

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Walking Club Ventures to Dovedale!

The weather was perfect today for the walking club’s excursion to Dovedale. After applying plenty of sunscreen, we set off on our walk. Some group members were initially apprehensive about crossing the stepping stones over the river. Still, their worry quickly turned to excitement once they successfully made it across and realised what they had accomplished.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, we enjoyed a delightful picnic prepared by Donna, our wonderful cook at Enablement Care. The picnic featured delicious sandwiches, refreshing soft drinks, and a much-needed sugar boost from some biscuits. The scenery was breathtaking, making for a thoroughly wonderful day out.

Dovedale is certainly a place we would love to revisit!

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Gardening Club – The Plot is Flourishing!!

We had a fantastic time at the gardening club last Monday. We spent the morning at the allotment, where our plot is flourishing, and the plants are coming up beautifully! The weather has been warm and sunny, so we provided cold drinks to keep everyone cool. Lisa and April tended to our raised bed, planting beetroot, while Andy prepared the area and sowed turnip seeds. There was a wave of excitement when we discovered a perfectly formed baby cauliflower. It’s wonderful to hear the enthusiasm from our service users as they see their hard work paying off and witness the fruits of their labor.

We’ve made our first harvest of the season, gathering a small crop of potatoes and three lettuces for the kitchen. After lunch, the gardening club shifted to enablement care. Our service users, AB and AW, helped some residents get involved, planting beetroot, carrots, and lettuce in the wheelchair-friendly raised beds. Others watered the potatoes, strawberries, and planters. We wrapped up the day with a well-earned rest and a large glass of cherryade.

A big thank you to all our service users and our wonderful Lisa for her dedication and commitment. Well done, everyone!

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Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is an annual event in the UK that aims to foster conversations about mental health. The week serves as a pivotal time to discuss, destigmatise, and develop an understanding of mental health issues.

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health concerns everyone, from young children to adults, and encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The way we think, feel, and behave in daily life is intricately linked to our mental health. Yet, despite its importance, mental health often carries a stigma that prevents many from seeking help.

Mental Health Awareness Week is vital because it:

Raises Awareness: It helps to break down societal stigmas and encourages open conversations about mental health.

Promotes Education: The week is an opportunity to spread knowledge about mental health issues and the available support systems.

Encourages Support: By highlighting resources and sharing stories, the week fosters a supportive community for those affected by mental health issues.

Steps to Support Your Mental Health

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, here are some small, practical steps you can take to improve and maintain your mental health:

  1. Regular Exercise: Physical activity is a significant booster for mental health. It releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. Even a short walk can increase your mental alertness, energy, and positive mood.
  2. Balanced Diet: What you eat can affect your brain chemistry and, consequently, your mood and mental health. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains can help stabilise your mood and energy levels.
  3. Adequate Sleep: Sleep and mental health are closely connected. Ensuring you get enough restful sleep is crucial for both your physical and mental health. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a restful environment in your bedroom.
  4. Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help you maintain a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Meditation helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and enhances overall well-being.
  5. Social Connections: Socialising is not just about fun; it’s vital for mental health. Connecting with friends and family can provide emotional support, reduce stress, and strengthen your sense of belonging and self-worth.
  6. Professional Help: Seeking help from a professional is a sign of strength, not a weakness. If you’re struggling, therapists, counsellors, and psychologists can provide support in managing your mental health. Mention your worries to your GP.

Encouraging Others

While taking care of your mental health, encourage others to do the same. Share what you learn about mental health, offer a listening ear to friends and family, and promote mental health resources in your community.

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that mental health is as important as physical health. It’s a time to reflect on our mental well-being and take active steps towards maintaining or improving it. Let’s use this week to educate ourselves and others and make lasting changes that will benefit our overall health and happiness. Let’s talk, listen, and promote healthier lives together.

You can find out more from the Mental Health Foundation by clicking here.

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Person Centred Awards May 2024

Again, massive CONGRATULATIONS to Catherine, community support worker and Melissa, night care worker, who celebrated their achievements on the 1st of May 2024.

Catherine, your colleagues said that you were committed to the people you support, nothing is too much trouble, you always strive to make sure that goals and outcomes are achieved.

Melissa, your colleagues said you were an all rounder, you lead a shift as a shift lead should, you have the residents best interest at the heart of what you do.

We are proud to have you on the team!

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Community Hub Open Day Success!

The community hub open day was a lovely, successful event. Throughout the day, we engaged collaboratively with attendees to discuss their preferences for the services provided at the hub. This interaction offered valuable insights and fostered a shared vision for future projects.

We were also pleased to generate ideas for the upcoming summer fair in July. This promises to be an exciting opportunity for further community involvement and enjoyment.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the calming atmosphere of the hub and expressed enthusiasm for the new projects. Many are looking forward to regular meet-ups, and they valued having a welcoming space available during times of anxiety.

The hub will be open on Wednesdays from the 8th of May 2024.

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Celebrating Person-Centred Care 2024: The votes are in!

Thank you to all who attended the staff meetings at the back end of last month.

During this time, you were all asked to nominate a staff member who you felt deserved a special mention for their commitment to the people we support, dedication to the company and an overall team player.

We can now share with you all that the votes have been counted, and it was inspirational to read the words you all said about one another.

It was a close vote!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Catherine, community support worker and Melissa, night care worker. Your colleagues had wonderful words to say about you, and we, as a management team, can say the same.

Catherine, your colleagues said that you were committed to the people you support, nothing is too much trouble, you always strive to make sure that goals and outcomes are achieved.

Melissa, your colleagues said you were an all rounder, you lead a shift as a shift lead should, you have the residents best interest at the heart of what you do.

Congratulations to you both!

Please come to the office on Wednesday 1st May at 645pm to celebrate your achievements.

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Celebrating Person-Centred Care 2024: A Message to Our Wonderful Staff

In our ongoing commitment to foster a culture of recognition and appreciation, we’re happy to announce the initiation of the 2024 Person-Centred Care Awards. This initiative is designed to spotlight and recognise our staff members’ dedication and exceptional work, who are at the heart of providing compassionate and individualised care to our residents and service users.

A nomination box will be present during our staff meetings, inviting each team member to nominate a colleague they believe embodies the principles of person-centred care. This is your opportunity to shine a light on a colleague’s hard work and dedication.

We ask that you accompany your nomination with a few sentences explaining why this person deserves recognition. This could be an account of their compassion, innovative approach to care, or unwavering support of residents, service users and colleagues.

After all meetings have concluded, we’ll tally the votes. The staff member who receives the most nominations will receive a special gift and a certificate in the first phase of the 2024 awards, marking their outstanding contribution to person-centred care.

The Person-Centred Care Awards are more than just a gift; they reflect our collective values and commitment to recognising our staff’s incredible work. By nominating a colleague, you acknowledge their excellence and help us to foster a culture of appreciation and mutual respect.

We encourage everyone to participate enthusiastically in this process. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and compassionate care that define our team. 

Stay tuned for updates and the stories of our nominees and winners, which we’ll share in our upcoming blogs, our website, and social media. Let’s make the 2024 Person-Centred Care Awards memorable and inspiring for everyone involved.