A busy March day at the allotment

It was a glorious day for gardening, with blue skies and warm spring sunshine, the perfect weather for getting stuck into some hard work at the allotment. The team included AW, AB, DaE, P, TG, and DK, with support from Anthony, Lisa, and Louise.

veg growing in a bed

We began by gathering tools, with AW and P taking the lead on loading them into the minibus. Once at the allotment, everyone quickly got to work. P focused on weeding to make space for more potatoes, while AB and DaE prepared the soil and planted two rows of carrots and one row of swedes. AB also kept the plot neat and tidy throughout the day with additional weeding.

soil with plant labels

Later on, AB and AW teamed up to collect plastic waste and tidy up the site, while DaE continued planting. Over in the polytunnel, DK and Lisa were busy sowing seeds for cucumbers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, marigolds, and a few flowers with names tricky enough to need pronunciation guides! The warm tunnel is ideal for germination, so we’re hopeful for a healthy crop.

Seed tray with seedlings starting.

In the afternoon, the group came together to discuss the plot’s plans, what to plant next and how to maximise the space. With tools packed and everything cleared up, we headed back to Enablement Care.

soil in a seed tray with seedlings starting to show

Back on site, the last task was unloading and returning tools before everyone sat down for a well-earned lunch. AB helped set the table, and the group enjoyed pizza, pies, and Coca-Cola, with sponge and custard to finish.

It was a brilliant day of productivity, socialising, and teamwork. A highlight was seeing AB receive a well-deserved shoutout on Facebook and a certificate from our manager, April Parker, in recognition of her volunteering. It was a proud moment and a great confidence boost for her!

Two gardening club members

A big thank you to Lisa and Louise for their continued support, and to everyone who contributed to such a positive and productive day. The allotment is looking better than ever, and we’re excited to see what we can grow next.

The allotment club group of participants

A Walk Around Chatsworth House Grounds

Recently our walking club enjoyed a three-mile walk around the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth House. The route included a steep climb to the Tower via uneven steps, which proved challenging for some. While the fitter among us reached the top with ease, others took it at a more relaxed pace, with plenty of breaks to enjoy the scenery. The views from the top made the effort worthwhile.

At the Tower, we discovered a painted hidden rock on top of a brick shed, marked #NorthumberlandRock. We’ll rehide it during another walk to continue the fun for others.

The walk took us along peaceful footpaths and past waterfalls before looping back to our starting point. We ended the morning with coffee and cake at the café—a satisfying finish to a lovely outing.

Great company and good weather made for a memorable day. Until next time!

If you’d like to join Walking Club, please speak to your Community Support Worker or give us a call on 01623 397750.

A Festive Success at This Year’s Christmas Fair!

Santa Claus interacting with attendees at a lively Christmas celebration, with festive decorations, including a bulletin board and holiday posters, in the background.

What a fantastic turnout we had at this year’s Christmas Fayre! A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event – you made it truly special.

We’d also like to give a big shoutout to Santa and his naughty elves for bringing some festive cheer (and a few giggles!). Of course, none of it would have been possible without the wonderful people who worked so hard behind the scenes to make it all happen – thank you for your dedication and effort.

A special highlight this year was seeing some of our service users getting involved with their own stalls. They sold some incredible handmade items, including cakes, book Christmas trees, and adorable hedgehogs. It was wonderful to see their creativity and hard work shining through.

The day was a team effort, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who contributed. Thank you all for making this year’s fair such a success – here’s to even more fun next year!

Making Christmas Stockings at the Community Hub

We had a fantastic crafting session where everyone got into the festive spirit! Two of our service users proudly displayed their handmade Christmas stockings, which they lovingly created during our crafting workshop. Each stocking was unique, filled with creativity and cheer, perfect for adding a personal touch!

Fun at The Towers Disco

Two women seated at a table at The Towers Disco. One is holding up a pair of toy handcuffs and smiling, while the other woman, in a white and pink fluffy jacket, smiles beside her. The background shows other attendees near the bar area, enjoying the event.

Our service users recently had a fantastic time at The Towers Disco! With great music, laughter, and plenty of dancing! We look forward to more fun evenings like this!

Stay tuned for the next event, and don’t forget to join us next time (speak to your Community Support Worker about this)!

Two women seated at a table at The Towers Disco. One is holding up a pair of toy handcuffs and smiling, while the other woman, in a white and pink fluffy jacket, smiles beside her. The background shows other attendees near the bar area, enjoying the event.
Two women sitting closely together at The Towers Disco. One woman with short grey hair and a beige cardigan has a serious expression, while the other, wearing glasses and a blue cardigan, hugs her with a smile and holds a bag of crisps. Empty glasses and table markers are visible in the foreground.

Staff Member of the Month is Back!

The image depicts three abstract figures in different colors (green, blue, and teal) representing people, positioned side by side. Above their heads are three yellow stars, with the middle star larger than the two on either side. To the right of the figures is bold blue text that reads "STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH." The design conveys recognition and achievement.
The image depicts three abstract figures in different colors (green, blue, and teal) representing people, positioned side by side. Above their heads are three yellow stars, with the middle star larger than the two on either side. To the right of the figures is bold blue text that reads "STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH." The design conveys recognition and achievement.

We’re excited to announce that Staff Member of the Month is back! 🎉

This is your chance to nominate someone who has truly shined over the past month. Whether it’s their hard work, positive attitude, or just being an incredible team player, we want to celebrate them!

Here’s how it works:

  1. Nominate (via Planday) at least one person you believe deserves recognition.
  2. Share a few words about why they should be celebrated.

The two staff members with the highest votes will receive a voucher and certificate, which will be presented at our next staff meeting.

Let’s show some appreciation for our amazing team!

2024 CCT Community Enablement Team Staff Survey

staff survey 2024 text within a circle
staff survey 2024 text within a circle

As we prepare for the staff meetings coming up in October 2024, we’re taking a moment to prioritise something essential to our success as a team – your voice.

Please spare just 5 minutes of your time to fill out our Employee Satisfaction Survey. This survey is designed to gather your honest feedback about how we’re doing as a team and how we can continue to grow and improve. Whether you have thoughts on your role, the support you’re receiving, or ideas for boosting team spirit, this is your chance to share.

Your input will be vital in shaping discussions in the upcoming staff meetings, ensuring we’re all working towards a more positive, productive, and engaging work environment.

https://forms.office.com/e/ft0ABcaAqu

https://forms.office.com/e/ft0ABcaAqu

BIIAB E3 Certificate in Foundation Learning and Employability Skills

🚨 New Course Alert! 🚨

Join us every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for an amazing opportunity to boost your skills! We’re offering the BIIAB E3 Certificate in Foundation Learning and Employability Skills. This course, led by an expert tutor, Kirsty, and will run from September 19th, 2024, to June 5th, 2025.

📚 Course Details:

Guided Learning Hours: 90 hours

Dates: 19th Sept 2024 – 5th June 2025

Time: Thursdays, 9am – 12pm

Address: 8 Brook Street, Sutton in Ashfield (next door to Clement Taylors)

Please note: This course is exclusively available to our residential and community service members. To secure your spot, speak to the people who support you, and they’ll add you to the list. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait!

⏰ Reminder: Arrive 10 minutes before the course starts to settle in.

#EmployabilitySkills #LearningJourney #FoundationLearning #ATTFE #CET

🌿 Join Us for a Week of Fun and Activities! 🌿

We have some exciting events lined up for our service users this week! If you’d like to attend any of these sessions, please call us at 01623 337750.

Monday: Gardening Club
📍 Location: The Allotment
📅 Time: This morning
Get your hands dirty and enjoy the fresh air with our gardening club. Message us if you’re interested in joining!

Tuesday: Walking Club
📍 Location: Pleasley Vale, Archaeological Way
📅 Time: Tomorrow
Join us for a lovely four-mile walk around Pleasley Vale. It’s a perfect way to stay active and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Wednesday: Cooking and Woodworking at The Hub
📍 Location: The Hub
📅 Time: Wednesday
Join Cayton and Mathew as they cook delicious chicken curry and Eton mess. We’ll also try to squeeze in some woodworking. Don’t miss out on this fun and creative session!

To join any of these activities, please call us at 01623 337750. We look forward to seeing you there!

#TogetherWeCan #cctcommunityenablementteam