Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Acorn Village The rain’s not dampening our spirits as the smiles continue to shine at Acorn Village this summer… Summer 2016 Dates for the Diary.. 26th June 2016
Sunday Service The Oakroom 4pm
9th July 2016
23rd July 2016
The Tendring Hundred Show Teddy Bear’s Picnic 11.30am to 2.00pm
6th August 2016
Acorn Dog Show 10.00am to 3.00pm
Life is for Living! We’ve had a busy social life since our last update in October. It started with Acorn’s Got Talent on 16th October. Residents, tenants and staff blew the audience away with their skills with sketches from Dad’s Army, songs from Cilla Black, Boy George, Michael Ball, Shania Twain (you had to see it to believe it!) to the most incredible Top Gear sketch. Acorn was converted into a 1970’s pub on the 23rd October when Kate Sheffield put on a fabulous 1970’s Evening with music, comedy & pub grub making a whopping £1085. The Christmas Market & spectacular Emerald Forest (photos inside) was heavily supported once more, a huge thank you to everyone involved. We had a stall at the Manningtree Market and the wonderful Carol Service held by our very own Derek. Terry Marston’s quiz was extremely popular putting everyone into the Festive spirit. 2016 brought with it the Riverside Taxi Road Challenge which made an incredible £5,161.00 for Acorn Village. We’ve had a romantic Valentines Disco & Quiz, a week of Easter Activities including a Fool’s Disco, Film Nights, Antiques Day (Thanks to Reeman Dansie), Curry Nights and tenants taking part in the Tour de Tendring & running the 12hr Fitness Challenge. Phew!
Volunteers Hit the Jackpot!! Our volunteers work relentlessly sorting donations,, running the Charity & Book Shops and helping onsite around Acorn. They’ve recently spotted some fantastic items in the donations including…A WW2 Officers Hat which made £77, a 1937 Rupert the Bear annual sold for £55 & two Lord of the Rings figures which jointly made £187!! If you’re interested in joining them on their quest to find more please get in contact.
Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Celebrating sister Ann’s 60th Birthday
The Pride of Essex Past Fundraising Events Celebrating 40 Years of Acorn
Farewell Ray & Heather… After many years at Acorn Village, Ray & Heather decided to hand over the reins and enjoy their retirement at the end of 2015. Ray and Heather retired at the end of December 2015, previous Senior Registered Manager, Michelle Cook, has taken on the role of CEO with their full support. As Acorn Village grew from strength to strength, Ray and Heather were there every step of the way guiding not just the staff but also being involved with local authorities helping to give Adults with Learning Disabilities the voice they
deserve. Over the years they have supported other families with children with learning disabilities providing expert advice and moral support, as well as giving them hope in the darker days when there were limited resources that there is a brighter future for everyone. They never stopped fundraising and raising awareness of Acorn Village, even on their holidays they would be found
Fun at the Fire Swim
Lasting Friendships
Tasty Cakes
Mandy- They’re a lovely couple. I’ve know them a long time you know. I like their dogs Polar and Indi. They worked in Mistley Hall when I lived in the Birch Room (now the Finance Office). They had meetings in the Ash Room. LouiseRay & Heather have supported me at Acorn performances and gave me a standing ovation at the 1970’s
telling the person sat next to them the story of Acorn Village and how it relies so heavily on donations. As they move on to the next chapter of their lives their family legacy will never be forgotten, we thank them for all their dedication over the years and look forward to seeing them regularly at Events and in the Coffee Shop. Here’s what some of our Acorn VIP’s had to say about them…
night when I sung Cilla Black. They said ‘Well Done’ when I was Jack at Jack and the Beanstalk. Heather encouraged me to swim at last year’s fire swim and I did it for the first time. Morag-Heather used to come to my reviews as well as my house for coffee. She also used to bring me coffee at Trinity Tea Rooms. Ray kindly helped me at
Acorn Charity Invitation Shield
the Cottage when it had damp.Heather used to say nice things about my cakes. Susie-Heather used to come to my reviews. They say hello when I see them Peter-Ray used to say nice things to my Mum. Heather liked my mats. They like to talk to me when I see them. Lindsay-They helped me when I first moved here in Jan 2003.They’ve been amazing since & loved watching me at Acorn’s Got Talent.
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Acorn Village Events... We need your support. Can you help us spread the word about our events? Putting up posters around your local area or sharing on Social Media raises great awareness of Acorn Village. Do you have any unwanted gifts that we could use as raffle prizes? We’d love to hear from you! Thank you from all of us at Acorn Village
Sunday 26th June: Sunday Service 4pm (A service of Christian Worship with music from the Sounds Alive band. Service led by our very own Derek, come and go as you please) Saturday 9th July:
TENDRING Hundred SHOW
Saturday 23rd July:
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Saturday 6th August:
Dog Show with Classic Cars 10am to 3pm
Staff Shout Out The care staff at Acorn Village do a tremendous job of caring for adults with learning disabilities. To keep this high level of care our dedicated Training Team support them to gain affiliated qualifications. Well done to the following staff members for completing the following courses since October. Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 2
Charmaine Bartlett, Jacqui Cuffy, Lisa Brundle, Sophie Hollingshead, Richard Howard, Samuel Meachen, Freya Weal, Philip Wilden, Elizabeth Willett, Rachael Trimby, Catherine Brown Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 3
Lee Hynes, Jack Buscall, Victoria Spires, Lisa Davis, Kerry Roberts, Sadie Minter 3
Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Thank You Your support has enabled all of this‌
this‌
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Inside Acorn Village An insight into life at Acorn as we get to know residents, tenants, volunteers and staff over the next few months..
Louise Louise is the Chief Organiser of the fundraising 12hr Fitness Challenge which took place on 13th June this year. This year was the wettest year in its 3 year history but with help from staff members Kelvin & Jackie and her friends she carried on making it another huge success. Louise has lived at Acorn Village for 11 years and says her favourite thing about Acorn is her friends and drama. Louise likes listening to all music, she has an incredible voice and brought the house down singing Cilla Black at Acorn’s Got Talent. Louise loves the Theatre and performing in Acorn productions playing Jack in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and the female lead in ‘Cinderella’. Louise’s favourite food is Hunter’s Chicken and hates brussel sprouts. Louise loves watching Eastenders. Louise likes reading all sorts of books and her favourite author is currently James Pattison. Louise has a very talented guinea pig called Stanley who can climb stairs!
The Creative Craft and Therapeutic Centre From Space projects to Busy Bee’s, Self-portraits to Dream Catchers, thanks to your donations there has been so much activity in the Centre. They have been busy in the Sensory Garden too, with a beautiful flowering piano, donated plants and homemade decorations.
Louise’s favourite movie of all time is The Lion King. The Coca-Cola man makes Louise laugh…
Dionne - Care Support Worker Dionne has worked at Acorn Village for 9 years, she has supported in Oak Lodge, Mistley Wood and Gregory House. She’s been married for 6 years and has beautiful twin daughters Ellie and Emma. Dionne lives in Dovercourt and loves spending time with her family, cooking and doing activities with the children when she’s not at work. Dionne was in a Military Marching Band for 10 years playing the cymbals and base drum and loved it. Dionne is going on holiday to Hemsby with one of the residents and is very much looking forward to seeing him enjoy the trains.
A Tapestry for Julie’s House…by Grayson Perry Acorn Artists made their way to Wrabness to visit Julie’s House for inspiration for a new tapestry. Visit the Creative Craft Centre to see how they are getting on.
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Your Support You’ve been busy raising much needed funds for Acorn Village and we can’t thank you enough… here’s just a little snapshot of some of your fabulous events since October. (Please send us your photos so we can include them in future editions)
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email please e-mail: carly.cridland@acornvillages.com If you would no longer like to receive our newsletter please also email Carly Cridland. Remember you can donate on-line at: https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/acornvillagesltd
If you would like to receive
TRAINING AVAILABLE AT ACORN VILLAGE Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) – 1 Day First Aid at Work (FAW) – 3 Days First Aid at Work Requalification – 2 Days Manual Handling – ½ Day
If
Have you seen the newly
WANTED
refurbished Brighlingsea
Can you help with any of the following?
Charity Shop? The project was
•
Old Amazon Packaging
fully managed by the
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Plastic Bags
volunteers led by volunteer
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Padded Envelopes
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Stamps
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Coins
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Pirate Costumes…
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Poster Paints
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Paintbrushes
Now open 9am to 4pm Homemade Meals, Afternoon Tea, Cream Teas, Picture Gallery & Walled Garden Quality Items at Bargain Prices
Dementia Awareness - ¾ Day
Creative Craft Centre
Mental Capacity Act - ½ Day
Art & Craft made by Acorn Artists
Inclusive Communication - 1 Day
Furniture Store
Acorn Village, Clacton Road, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2NJ Tel: 01206 394124
you to them all.
Coffee Shop
Stress Awareness – ½ Day
Or call 01206 394124
Jacqui Tavner. A huge thank
Visit Acorn!
Coach House Charity Shop
Jacqui.howells@acornvillages.com
Charity Shop
If you would like to receive t
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults – 1 Day
For more information & pricing please e-mail:
Brightlingsea
Perfect for a new home or up-cycling
A Great Way to Support Adults with Learning Disabilities Acorn Village, Clacton Road, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2NJ Tel: 01206 394124
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
‘Life is for Living’ THE HISTORY OF ACORN
You may wonder why and how Acorn Village came into being? ‘Life is For Living’ Written from the perspective of Heather, the daughter of driving founders Denzil and Phyllis Mary Green. A new publication by Tony Tuckwell with assistance from Heather & Ray Ablett giving a frank insight into the life of ‘The Green Family’ who were struggling to find a better way of life for their daughter Ann who had a learning disability. It tells of a huge determination to overcome the difficulties encountered and how they were finally able to create Acorn Village. Acorn Village would be the key to providing a fulfilling and unique way of life for their daughter and many others. The book is dedicated to Ann – Acorn Village would not have existed if it had not been for her. ‘Life is for Living’ will be launched in September 2016. Priced at just £6.00 excluding P & P (UK Postage £3.00) Reserve your copy now by completing the slip below or e-mailing info@acornvillages.com …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. To: Kate Williams. Acorn Village, Clacton Road, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex CO11 2NJ Please reserve me ….. copy/copies. If you would like to pre-pay please make any cheques payable to Acorn Villages Ltd (these will not be banked until the book has been posted). Name…………………………………………………..Email:…………………………………………………………… Address………………………………………………. .Tel No……………………………………….………………….
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Can you help raise funds and display these posters around your area?
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
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Registered Charity Number: 263954
Summer 2016
Brand New Standing Order Form We were asked how people can help and support adults with learning disabilities. As well as running individual events or volunteering we have now created a standing order form for regular donations. Let us know what you think!
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Registered Charity Number: 263954 O
Summer 2016 Charity Number: 263954
Thank You for Supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities at Acorn Village 12