ER News February 2023

Welcome & Farewell

Leavers

ESL – TUPE

Ros Hughes

Senior C&S Worker

Anna Marie Smith

Team Leader

Paula Mould – Dom C&S

Irena Kelly – Dom C&S

Amanda Goodwyn – Dom C&S

Terry Pantling – Dom C&S

Jeremy Edwards - Dom C&S

Melina Buxton Service Manager

Donna Ostler - Dom C&S

Emma Allen - Dom C&S

Tabitha Ostler - Dom C&S

Handy Van Service – TUPE

Dorothy Allen – Handy Van Repair Service Manager

Andrew Perry – Handyvan/ Direct Labour Maintenance

A fond farewell to colleagues

February marks a major change to some EBHT Services. After many years EBHT is ceasing to operate both our East Support Living (ESL) support services to our Supported Housing Learning Disability Residents in Poole and our Handy Van Services provided in Bournemouth.

In both instances this sees our staff colleagues transferring to other organisations to continue to deliver these services in the future. Our ESL Colleagues will be transferring to the Minstead Trust and our Handy Van Colleagues to 24-7 Locks Ltd.

Kevin Hodder said “May I personally thank every colleague on behalf of everyone at East Boro, for all of the commitment that you have shown to our customers, our organisation and all of your colleagues over the many years you have all worked for us.

“I wish Mel and the team every success with the Minstead Trust in the future and Dorothy and Andrew the same with 24-7 Locks. Both organisations are very lucky to be receiving such dedicated teams and individuals and I wish you all every success in the future.

“Thank you all again for everything you have done for East Boro.”

Kevin Hodder Chief Executive

Thanks to Pam Palmer, East Boro’s Development Manager, for sharing this recipe for

Easy Banoffee Pudding

Ingredients 6oz Digestive biscuits, 3oz butter, one tin of caramel condensed milk, two bananas, a carton of double cream and chocolate to grate Method Line a flan dish with tin foil. Crush the digestive biscuits and mix into the melted butter. Place biscuit mixture in the bottom of flan dish, press down hard and place in the freezer. Once frozen take out of the freezer and remove the tin foil. Place the biscuit base back in the flan dish. Pour the condensed milk over the biscuit base. Layer sliced banana over the condensed milk. Whip the double cream until thick and place on top of bananas. Grate chocolate on top of cream.

Sounds delicious but you might need to go for a run after eating this, to burn off some of those calories!

Developments in Development Curtis

Fields, Weymouth

East Boro’s Development department are delighted to have completed on the purchase and handover of eight properties from Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd on Thursday 2 February 2023.

The eight properties consist of 4 x two bed houses, two of which are for Shared Ownership and two are General Needs Rented Properties. The remaining four properties are one bed houses and again two of which are for Shared Ownership and two are General Needs Rented Properties. The Shared Ownership Properties will be managed by Aster and Rental properties will be managed by East Boro.

East Boro also hope to complete on a further ten properties during March 2023.

Aster Foundation Easter Egg Drive

The Aster Foundation is hoping to bring some Easter joy to local children by donating Easter eggs to community foodbanks and we’d like you to get involved by donating Easter eggs

You can donate Easter eggs at The Waverley, Weymouth and Faulkner House, Wimborne

Please donate you eggs by Monday 13 March. Thank you.

Have you got a current vacancy in your team that might be suitable for an apprentice?

Myth

You won’t get a good qualification doing an apprenticeship

FALSE: Apprenticeships support individuals to gain a nationally recognised qualification. There are various levels of qualifications. From a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship to Level 4 and 5 Higher Apprenticeships.

Myth

Apprenticeships are only for the younger generation

FALSE: Apprenticeships are for everyone. They can be for both new colleagues starting out in their career or existing colleagues who would like to ‘upskill’.

Myth

Apprenticeships are for people who want to do more ‘hands on’ jobs

FALSE: The apprenticeship sector has many offerings in construction, engineering and beyond but there are also apprenticeships in business administration, marketing, IT and more.

Myth

Apprentices are paid very poorly

FALSE: Apprentices must receive at least the national minimum wage, though many employers, like us, do choose to pay more.

Apprenticeships are a great way to attract new talent, but they’re not just for those new to the workplace. We can use the apprenticeship levy to fund training for new or current colleagues who already have experience, to learn and develop further as part of your team, while working towards a professional qualification.

Jason Coe joined us in 2021 as a plumber. He is now taking on a new challenge and upskilling via a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Apprenticeship.

Here’s what he told us of his experience so far: “I’m enjoying learning again, keeping my mind active and gaining more confidence and knowledge all at the same time. On a personal level, doing an apprenticeship as an older person means I have more focus, understanding and appreciation for the qualification and its potential opportunities in the future.”

And Valdemar Teixeria, desktop support analyst is also learning new skills with an apprenticeship: “As technology advances, it’s forcing us to become smarter about how we defend against cyber-attacks. As a result, I decided to pursue my apprenticeship in cyber security.”

Apprenticeships are not limited by age or types of role - see our piece round dispelling myths. We’re hoping more colleagues will professionalise their skills, upskill and reskill through the Apprentice Levy.

If you would like to know more about recruitment, get in touch with the Talent Acquisition hub at recruitment@aster.co.uk . For more information, contact Jess Scull , apprenticeship partner.

what’s on

Book early as many courses get booked up. If you have any questions, please email EEandOL@aster.co.uk

Introduction to Welfare Benefit

Aster Welcome Day

Managing poor performance

Developing the skills to communicate assertively

Detailed guide to Universal Credit

Active inclusion session

Getting ready to build performance

Learn Over Lunch - building performance

Asters Money Advice Tool - webinar

Leading yourself effectively

UC assessment periods

Knowledge sharing: Being a high performing colleague

Managing poor performance

Radical Candor: Challenging but caring communication

Managing poor performance

Leaders introduction to governance and risk

Getting ready to build performance

after yourself ing Look

Turn on the tunes Music can set the scene whether it’s time to slow things down or when you need a pick me up. So switch on the tunes and sing or dance like no one is watching.

Be kind to yourself

The way we talk to ourselves can have a huge effect on our wellbeing. Avoid belittling yourself with negative thoughts, talk to yourself in the same way that you would with someone you care about.

Let the light in Light therapy really does make a difference by mimicking outdoor light and has a positive effect on our brain chemistry. Look into buying a clinically tested light unit, or open the blinds and curtains and sit in the light.

Reward yourself

Our brains respond well to reward, so plan ahead, think about all of those amazing things that you like to do when the days are longer and diarise them for this year. Plan some great times with friends at concerts, or for a walk in the country.

Avoid the doom scroll When it’s dark outside and boredom creeps in, it’s all too easy to sit on the sofa and scroll through what looks like the amazing life of others on social media. Why not use the time to look into and research things to do with family and friends. Your self-esteem and wellbeing will thank you.

If you continue to feel low consider talking to your GP, and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Don’t forget you have access 24/7 to GP appointments with your Simplyhealth plan. To book an appointment you can call 0330 102 5443 or use the SimplyConsult app (available on the app store and Google Play).

Data protection Meet the IG Team

Helen Sheppard-Karn, IG Lead

Helen has worked in the team since 2017, initially working on the project to prepare Aster for the new GDPR from May 2018, and then developing our wider Information Governance approach. She is a Certified Data Protection Practitioner.

• All aspects of the Information Governance and Data Protection framework.

• Being a privacy rights advocate for all our customers and colleagues

• Ensuring that Aster is transparent and ethical in the way it manages information.