The 30th November marks the end of an era as this is the day Mary Stepin leaves East Boro for her next exciting adventure. To say Mary is going to be missed is an understatement and I am sure you will all join me in thanking her for her handwork, dedication, and commitment to East Boro over the last 19 years! In that time Mary has contributed greatly to East Boro’s achievements and it is impossible to detail her contributions in a single article.
Mary has preprepared countless tender submissions and her time, effort and research has seen East Boro awarded numerous Care & Support contracts over the last 19 years. These contracts have not only significantly contributed to East Boro’s growth and development but have enabled hundreds of vulnerable adults to live independently in safe and comfortable homes with access to community facilities and activities.
Not only has her commitment seen East Boro be awarded numerous contracts, but it has been her leadership and guidance that has made each contract as successful as it could be. I think you will all agree Mary truly has been the face and voice of East Boro’s Care and Support Services and has changed the lives of hundreds of people for the better.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Pandemic changed our lives overnight, we all had to live and work differently, facing huge changes and challenges in our personal and professional lives. Despite her own challenges and fears, she led our care & support teams with courage and professionalism, ensuring that we did everything possible as a company to keep our vulnerable tenants and customers safe. She provided fantastic support to the Care & Support staff teams, undertook care shifts herself, and ensured that there was always sufficient PPE available.
For our customers, many of them the most vulnerable in our communities, she and the team provided reassurance to them and their families, and ensured the ever-changing situation with varying rules and guidelines was explained. The severity and length of the Pandemic couldn’t have been predicted but it was Mary that led her team’s proactive response and unwavering commitment and dedication that meant our care services continued.
All these elements and the many others has enabled East Boro to grow and continue its Mission; Everyone has a home and the related housing support they need. I know I speak on behalf of everyone at East Boro when I say … Mary, we all wish you every success and happiness in your new role and for your future and thank you for everything you have done for everyone at, and connected to, East Boro.
Kevin Hodder Chief Executive
If you would like to contribute to YOUR staff newsletter, email: sue.hole@aster.co.uk
The home of Aster’s discounts, recognition and wellness hub Perkbox has made some changes to their services which we are excited to share with you. On 1st December you will see the introduction of flexi points on the platform. Every month you will receive an allocation of flexi points into your Perkbox wallet to spend on a range of perks at no cost to you. The points can be spent immediately, or you can save them up over a number of months, for perks that cost that little bit more.
Feedback from the colleague survey told us that not all colleagues valued the free perks provided by Perkbox, such as the Café Nero and cinema vouchers. We hope that the replacement of predefined free perks with the flexi points will give you greater choice, so you can pick the things that mean the most to you!
This year East Boro will be increasing it’s contribution to £12pp towards a Christmas meal (not drinks) for all staff members. Whether you choose to go out as a department or a group of co-workers is up to you.
Where and when you celebrate is your choice entirely, all we will need is a list of those attending along with their bank details and a receipt.
Email Cara: clewis@ebht.org.uk
Once your proof of purchase is received, individuals will be reimbursed directly into their bank account.
All colleagues will recieve an email from Perkbox, announcing that flexi points is now live. From 1st December you will need to access Perkbox via https://aster.perkbox.com/
and enter your username and password to log in, or use the Perkbox app and enter the domain name: aster. The FAQs are on the East Boro staff intranet on the Perkbox page.
If you have any questions after reviewing the FAQs, contact reward@aster.co.uk.
Christmas can be an expensive time of year, from the presents to the Christmas dinner.
Top money saving tip: always check Perkbox before making a purchase – no matter how big or small. Whether you’re looking to save on that big Christmas shop, a gift for someone special or a festive meal out there are savings available for you.
Christmas is rapidly approaching and the scammers are out in force. I hardly ever get scam texts but recently I have been inundated.
The most recent was a text from my ‘eldest’ from a strange number telling me he had lost his phone and is using a friends. My eldest is in his mid 30s but I did, for a split second, wonder as I remembered him turning the loss of his phone/wallet/laptop into an Olympic sport when he was at Uni! But yes, it was a scam.
Earlier this year, Action Fraud warned that it had received 1,235 reports of criminals posing as loved ones in need on WhatsApp between 3 February and 21 June this year, amounting to a total financial loss of £1.5m. They have now moved this ‘trade’ to text messaging.
If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding it to 7726 before blocking the number. For more information follow the link.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reportscam
Sue Hole Graphic Designer
Christmas 2022 Opening Times
Friday 23 December 9am to 5pm
Saturday 24 December Closed
Sunday 25 December Closed
Monday 26 December (Bank Holiday) Closed
Tuesday 27 December (Bank Holiday) Closed
Wednesday 28 December 9am to 5pm
Thursday 29 December 9am to 5pm
Friday 30 December 9am to 5pm
Saturday 31 December Closed
Sunday 1 January 2023 Closed
Monday 2 January (Bank Holiday) Closed
Tuesday 3 January 9am to 5pm
