Staff rewarded for 10 and 25 years’ service

IN December, staff and managers gathered at Oak House to say thanks and well done to staff who had completed 10 and 25 years at Autism Together. Our CEO, Sue Stubbs, shook hands with each person and presented them with a certificate, gift vouchers and a thank you letter, before everyone had the chance to mingle and enjoy cake and refreshments.

Dawn Kirby (pictured with Sue Stubbs), Janette Alkins and Julie Logan were all awarded for 25 years’ service.

10 years’ service awards were also given to Hema

Fryar; Laura Edwards; Gaynor Partridge; Gary Pringle; Sandra Gough; Paul McKeown; Neil Burton; Matthew Smith; Joanne Fitzgerald; Annette Letts; Chloe Porshke; David Leece; Paul Edge; Denise Williams; Emma Crabb; Doreen Thomas; Christina Thomas; Marie Bower; Nicola Beamish; Fraser Brown; Joanne Wharton; Denise Gill; Linda Flood; John Benson; Shaun Evans; Sarah Williams; Peter Elton; Neil Murphy and Dean Ravera.

Congratulations to everyone who was recognised for their long service.

WE had a wonderful early Christmas present over at Raby Gardens in December... a new baby alpaca was born!

It seemed fitting that our manger should have a newborn at it over Christmastime, and the people we support decided they would like to name the little guy Buddy - after the main character from the Christmas movie Elf!

Due to the very cold temperatures at the time, the vet recommended we keep mum and baby in their own shed, with a heat lamp and hot water bottles to keep them both cosy.

We’re glad to say both mum Davina and her baby cria are doing very well.

As the weather got a little milder in the week before

Christmas, Buddy was able to explore outside of his shed and get used to his new home. He met the rest of our alpaca herd and was bonding with his big brother, Alfie - who has recovered well from a recent leg operation.

Manager Sarah Nelson over at Raby Gardens gave us more details about the new arrival, saying: “Mum Davina gave birth with no issues.

“Two of the people we support, Mathew and Lynsey, both helped at the birth, keeping Buddy warm with towels, rubbing him and making sure he was alert. They even offered to take their own coats off to put around him.”

Looking good Buddy! We’ll bring you more ‘Alpaca Updates’ soon.