Bridge Haven Newsletter

Music therapy

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nce a month Bridge Haven has a music therapy class. The residents at Bridge Haven love music therefore this activity is very much welcomed from all.

The lady who takes the class is called Jane and the residents all really look forward to seeing Jane. Jane sings for residents, they play instruments, they use batons so they can conduct the music, they use plastic plates to make plenty of noise which they enjoy, then some soft slow music for wind down.

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Bridge Haven

Dementia awareness week

2012 www.avantepartnership.org.uk NEWS Summer

s part of dementia awareness week on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society, the clients and staff organised a “Tea around the Piano“ fundraiser at Bridge Haven. Local residents, family and friends attended to support this worthy cause to provide much needed funds and increase awareness.

New Suites New Name!

Pianists included Rita Shrubsole, who played a number of traditional songs and many sang along. Abbie Smith on placement from Canterbury’s Christchurch University played the flute.

The raffle raised £30.21 and the prizes included sherry, scented candles, body wash and perfume.

o m e’ – s i T y ‘M

Irene calls time on care career

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eam leader Irene Birch has decided to retire after 15 years of valuable service at Bridge Haven but a well deserved rest is not on the cards. She has recently enrolled in an I.T course and is thrilled to be going in a new and exciting direction. Staff will remember Irene’s warmth and kind nature to everyone involved with the home.

“I’ll always remember the fun we had“ said fellow carer T Shirley

G Pollard said “She was always very warm hearted“

We all need some…

“Irene was always caring and nurturing to new staff and was very kind to me, I’ll always remember that“ added J Lloyd.

Although she is leaving her full time post, it’s hoped that she may return as a member of the Avante Staff Bank and the home can still utilise her experience but until then we wish Irene all the very best in the future.

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Avante Care and Support had a prime location by the bandstand along with Age UK, the Royal College of Nursing and Canterbury College. In attendance were Home Manager Sue Keiper, Operations Manager

Sophie Murray and care staff Abbie Russell, Ben Field and Tom Pheby promoting the home..

The home supplied a free raffle and cakes to those that attended and the lucky winner of the bubbly was Louise Ward ‘Well done Louise’. Various local groups attended and shared their skills free of charge including a duo called the “Tom Cats” and the master of ceremonies was none other than Anthony Stellon, who’s mother Anna is a resident at Bridge Haven. (winner of the Easter bonnet competition)

3 My time to meet friends 3 My time to have my hair done 3 My time to have a coffee and relax 3 My time to have a day out ‘My Time’ is a short term temporary relief service for your loved one at Bridge Haven, where your loved one will receive specialist care and attention whilst you can treat yourself to a bit of ‘My Time’.

Whether it’s for 2 hours, a full day, an overnight stay or longer we can help.

We supply activities, haircuts, nail treatments and a whole range of other services.

For more information or to book ‘My Time’ online visit www.avantecaresupport.org.uk or call 01795 597431

National Nurses Day at The Dane John ridge Haven were invited to the Dane John Gardens in Canterbury on Saturday May 12th to celebrate National Nurses Day. The event was organised by Peggy Pryer, a great friend and supporter of the home. The whole day was to celebrate the work of the nations nurses, often the countries unsung heroes and the care industry as a whole.

you can both have YOUR tim e

Bridge Haven, Conyngham Lane, Bridge, Canterbury, CT4 5JX We welcome feedback and enquiries about Bridge Haven so please get in touch.

Bridge Haven Conyngham Lane Bridge, Canterbury, CT4 5JX

Members of:

Established 1990. Avante Partnership

• National Housing Federation • The National Care Forum • Kent Community Care Association • IAHSA

A Company Limited by Guarantee (Registration No. 2565021, England) A Registered Charity (Registered No.1002727)

Working with:

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Tel: 01795 597431 Email: enquiries@avantepartnership.org.uk Web: www.avantepartnership.org.uk Registered office: De Gelsey House, 1 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD Tel: 01795 597400 Fax: 01795 597419 Email: enquiries@avantepartnership.org.uk Website: www.avantepartnership.org.uk

As part of the rebrand, The New Close care home Conyngham Lane, Bridge is pleased to announce that it is changing its name to Bridge Haven. In conjunction with the name change Bridge Haven has recently undertaken a whole new refurbishment throughout the home including a new reception area, two new en suite bedroom suites and log cabin facility.

ned beautifully desig s m oo dr be te en-sui

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n May 2012 Bridge Haven opened its doors to visitors to come along and see what the home has to offer. Bridge Haven has recently opened its new Kingfisher and Nightingale suites, boasting beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms specially designed and equipped to provide a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for residents with dementia.

The interior of the suites have been designed to stimulate the senses, particularly through the use of striking and highly original colour schemes and textures. Many of the rooms have an added luxury of patio doors leading out to the secure gardens surrounding Bridge Haven.

Many health professionals visited on the day to enjoy a tour of the home and to enjoy a light refreshment of Pimms and Canapés, as well as a visit from the Sheriff of Canterbury, Hazel McCabe.

The open day also included a prize draw raffle and music which entertained our guests and residents throughout the day.

The Sheriff of Ca nterbury Hazel McCabe visits

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ince the start of the refurbishment at The New Close, Sue Keiper, Home Manager, has insured that all residents and staff have been involved. This included asking the staff and residents to think of a new name for the home. Carer Deena Kuruvilla and Relief team leader Jamie Lloyd were the two staff members who chose the name Bridge Haven. Both Deena and Jamie received vouchers in recognition of their idea. Jamie very kindly gave £30 of his vouchers back to the home’s amenities fund for the residents to enjoy.

A big thank you and well done to both Deena and Jamie.

Bishop comes to Bridge on Charity Triathlon

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Residents soak up the local history of Cathedral

elebrity and comedian John Bishop, embarked on the first leg of his charity fund raiser for sports relief, the first leg saw him run from Dover to the rural village of Bridge.

This was a fantastic opportunity for the staff and the residents of Bridge Haven to rub shoulders with the Liverpool funny man, who was joined by X-Factor host Dermot O’Leary for morale support. Both took a well earned rest, chatted to locals and media and it was during this impromptu stop that our resident Rosemarie Hall got to mingle with the famous.

Carol gets a surprise visit

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or most people a holiday is the perfect time to relax and forget your troubles but for Carol Long, Bridge Haven Volunteer, this wasn’t the case. Her well earned break to Egypt didn’t go according to plan and she managed to break her ankle and also dislocate her knee.

Rosemarie was unfazed by her big moment in the spotlight and had a cuddle with both John Bishop and Dermot O’Leary, before they departed. t takes more than the indifferent British weather to dampen the spirits of the clients or prevent them from taking a trip out. The location was the beautiful Cathedral in nearby City of Canterbury.

Ina Torbett, Rosemarie Hall and Betty Warden were the three residents who visited Canterbury Cathedral accompanied by Nicola Lindstead, Team Leader and Eden Champion and three occupational therapists on placement from Christchuch University. The residents took in the beautiful features of the historical building and were astonished with the vast grounds that the Cathedral is set. With so much sight seeing taking place the residents were asked if they would like a little break to put their feet up and chat about what they had seen over a cup of tea and a sticky bun in Café Rouge in the main town square. This request of course went down well and the whole afternoon was a great success.

Elvis is in the building

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he residents and staff at Bridge Haven enjoyed a star spangled event on May 3rd.

“A day in the USA “ was a celebration of all things American and as well as a buffet with an American flavour, the evenings highlight was in the form of Elvis impersonator – Peter Presley.

Peter is an employee of Jenner’s; the contractors heavily involved with the refurbishment of the homes reception area. Peter, dressed in the trademark Rhinestone suit, ran through the hits that marked the singers 24 year career.

The residents danced to a number of familiar songs and went to bed contented after spending an evening in the company of the King of Rock n Roll.

Nicola Linstead (Eden Champion ) said “It was a brilliant night, everyone was smiling, singing and dancing, we all had a great time.“ Peter had played previously at the home in December as part of the Christmas activities and will return later in the year.

“It was a brilliant night, everyone was smiling,singing and dancing”

Time to blossom in the Garden

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ow Winter has finally retreated, it’s time for the clients to get out in the fresh air and begin replanting in the extensive gardens surrounding Bridge Haven. A few of the residents are green fingered and enjoy nothing more than tending the plants.

This year, the residents have begun work on a small vegetable garden which includes tomatoes, carrots and beans. There’s always plenty to do but enthusiasm is never in short supply when it comes to maintaining the shrubs, bushes and flower beds. The only concern is the variable British weather but Bridge Haven has an endless supply of umbrellas just in case!

Work has also begun in the Orchard, grass seeds have been planted around the new feature - “Gregory’s Tea Cabin“ which will hopefully be completed by July/August. See story “Gregory’s serves up the perfect cuppa”

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ollowing a series of fundraising events and a number of generous donations, Bridge Haven will open its tea cabin July/August.

The most significant donation was from Mrs Gregory, who‘s husband Michael sadly passed away last year.

In memory of Michael, the building will be known as “Gregory’s Tea Room“. The project has been the result of months of planning and was the brain child of Assistant Manager Matt Wood.

The cabin, situated at the rear of the building in the orchard will provide a venue for local community meetings, associated Dementia organisations and of course provide facilities for the perfect summer fete and family gatherings. It also caters for young children by providing an activity area close by.

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John was also later joined by Davina Mc Call, Chris Moyles, Cricket legend Freddie Flintoff and fellow comedian Frank skinner. Rosemarie settled for afternoon tea, biscuits and cake, John may well have wanted to swap places with her at some point.

Gregory’s serves up the perfect cuppa

Carol has made a major impact since joining Bridge Haven and we miss her very much, so we paid her a visit with resident John Martin to her home in Folkestone, to give her a much 26th needed boost and July some flowers. Carol said “I was shocked to see the Girls and John but it was a lovely gesture, I cant wait to get back. I miss everyone so much.“ WeBRIDGE miss you too, get well soon.

26TH JULY

HAVEN LAUNCH DAY Bridge

Haven 26TH official launch day 26th July

JULY Thursday 26th July 11am - 3.30pm BRIDGE HAVEN LAUNCH DAY

26th July

BRIDGE HAVEN LAUNCH DAY

Please come along and see the homes new facilities. Food and 26TH Refreshments provided.

JULY

For more information please call 01795 597431

The cabin was built in conjunction with the major expansion of Bridge Haven, that has seen both the Nightingale and Kingfisher suites renovated and transformed. It’s hoped that Michaels wife, Mrs Gregory will attend the opening of the cabin.

This is an amazing project and shows that the home tries constantly to work with local communities on new ways of providing care for Dementia clients and also uses the surrounding grounds to it’s maximum potential.