Inform Newsletter - May 2015

May 2015 Issue 10

An overview on where we are Key to our success remains our ability to be innovative and adaptable to the changing market conditions presented.

Our success this year in taking on a new younger person’s project in Medway for supported housing I hope will stand us in good stead as we look to develop such specialist services.

Our commitment at short notice in running a step down facility at Bridge Haven care home for hospital discharge, delivered excellent outcomes for people placed with considerable financial savings for the NHS. Our investment in our home care support service to grow our business to enable us to reach more people at home, reflects our wish to diversify and expand Members of: • • • •

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

beyond the provision registered care homes.

of

Our Homes are now operating in the most complex, competitive and some would say the most uncertain care market for decades with the arrival of the new Care Act in 2016.

Our commitment is to invest in our homes with well trained staff teams and leaders, able to attract and market their homes to the local communities they serve.

This year we will see an increase in the number of private referrals into our homes, as we strive to see around half our placements sold to private individuals, with a continued commitment to the local authority demand in the regions we operate in. Many of A Company Limited by Guarantee (Registration No. 2565021, England) A Registered Charity (Registered No.1002727)

our homes will see property investment to ensure we are well placed to attract families wishing to place a loved one.

Innovation also comes in how we deliver care and support with a new operations team now in place to be adaptive and responsive to the requirements of commissioners and inspectors.

We must be a learning organisation with the ability to be flexible, to adapt to the requirements and to deliver proven outcomes to the people we support.

As such policies will continue to be reviewed and where possible simplified with commitment to understanding the challenges faced for staff working in our services.

Registered office: De Gelsey House, 1 Jubilee Way, Faversham,Kent ME13 8GD Tel: 01795 597400 Email: enquiry@avantecare.org.uk Web: www.avantecare.org.uk

Learning and developing our care delivery I wanted to bring you up to date on various strands of philosophy and practice which will help us promote and deliver good quality care, as informed by the requirements of the CQC domains, ensuring our thinking is joined up with delivering a focused approach to care and support.

All our thinking is driving policy change to ensure homes remain marketable and relevant to commissioner needs, as well as continuing to inform our learning from the current round of CQC inspections.

Linked to this will be ‘mock inspections’ by our Operations Team to help support and provide learning to our Homes and Branch Managers awaiting inspections with this programme commencing in June.

We remain committed to the principles of the Eden-Alternative www.eden-alternative.co.uk and

will now apply for the Dementia Care Matters ‘Butterfly Status’ award to confirm ‘exceptional person centred care environments’ through expert assessment, report, and follow up visits by specialist dementia consultants (www.dementiacarematters.com) .

We also want to learn from the experiences of the associated work by Anne Child and Steve Mason at Puddingstone Grange called Project Joy. Oomph! (www.oomph-wellness.org) a leading social enterprise in fun and fitness for older adults will be commissioned to train around 30 staff in new programmes for the homes. Through my ‘Home Life’ (www.myhomelife.org.uk), devised

by City University and Age UK, learning sets have been created for Home and Assistant Managers to evidence skills and competency. These will be planned in 2015.

Immediate priorities for spend in 2015/16 will be for Bridge Haven, Court Regis, and Parkview. However the request for local decoration work required by our MT’s can be found through guidance notes on the shared drive, should staff wish to request this.

Mark LLoyd Managing Director

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ementia related conditions are becoming more prevalent in society today, one reason being people live longer. This doesn’t mean people who live with these conditions shouldn’t continue to live a full and active life, but it may mean extra care and support maybe required to do so.

For over 20 years Avante Care & Support has been a Registered Charity supporting over 3000 older people in our registered nursing and dementia care homes and our home care & support services.

When looking for a care home it is important the home meets the needs of the people who live there.

A home should be warm, welcoming, vibrant, and fun place to live, one that recognizes growth, learning, enablement and inclusiveness should not be a barrier to older age. A great building is an added bonus, but it is what goes on inside the home that really counts.

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Barton Court and Amherst Court, have recently demonstrated this ethos with recent activities.

Due to a raft of events over the Easter holiday the staff and residents from Barton Court on the Isle of Sheppey delayed their Easter egg hunt until Sunday 12th April and invited families, residents, staff and a few furry friends to attend their big egg hunt in the homes garden.

“We are so grateful to have such supportive families who regularly attend and support our events, and Sunday was no different” ‘We had all ages searching the grounds for chocolate eggs! As an extra treat I arranged for a little lamb and chick to visit on the day as I know how much the residents enjoyed their visit before, I think the pictures say it all really’, said Elaine Bashford, Activities Coordinator.

Avante Care & Support recognizes people have individual needs and some aspects of daily life can be more of a challenge for residents, however Amherst Court can also demonstrate the positivity of continued learning and personal growth, with residents having their own allotment which they visit and tend to regularly.

Residents from the home visited their allotment in Chatham, Kent, on Friday 10th April to do a spot of weeding and planting in the spring sunshine.

We try to visit the allotment as often as possible’, says Marie Taylor, Activities Coordinator. ‘The residents really enjoy visiting the allotment. It’s in a great location looking out across Chatham. This often sparks interesting conversations on places where residents used to live, or work’.

Avante Care & Supports philosophy is simple – Overcoming the challenges of loneliness,

helplessness and boredom is the responsibility of us all; Avante Recognises warmth and companionship is essential for wellbeing. This is why relationship centred care is at the heart of Avante’s care delivery.

Avante believes old age should not be a barrier to growth, learning, enablement and inclusiveness.

These values, along with choice and decision making, are fundamental to a meaningful life. They form the strands of the Golden Thread and are 5 woven into each person’s plan of care.

A new small experimental project has begun called ‘Creative Communications’ thanks to a partnership between Amherst Court care home in Chatham, run by Avante Care & Support and funding provided

by Ideas Test.

On Monday, 13 April, Luci and Wendy visited Amherst Court and met 4 of the residents taking part over a cup of tea. They were soon talking about travels and life experiences in South Africa, including Cape Town and Nigeria. Other interests included gardening, feeding birds, singing, painting, drawing and movement for exercise.

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The first delivery session included a mix of men, women and a dog. Pictures of ‘Table Top Mountain’ and ‘Agbokim Waterfalls’ in South Africa were circulated which stimulated conversation.

Luci then delivered a warm up for hands, shoulders, arms and legs.

“I am not very good at art, but I will give anything a go and art is all about taste at the end of the day” Following the warm up, Wendy began to finger cast and curiosity filled the room. The smell and sensation of the alginate became a talking point, including visits to the dentist and having your teeth moulded.

Over the next 4 weeks, Luci and Wendy will be delivering more sensory dance, movement and visual art activities and towards the end some observations from a researcher will contribute to the evaluation.

Luci Napleton

DANCE DEVELOPER AND FACILITATOR

Towards the end of the session, playful peacock feathers and stretchy material along with music provided some fun and laughter.

ednasjourney.co.uk @ednasjourney facebook.com/ednasjourney

Session two included more warm-up exercises to get our bodies moving and drawing with 1 metre pencils. To generate more ‘Creative Communications’ we handed out objects from a bucket and everyone began to describe what they felt or had a story in connection with the object.

creativepeopleplace.info @ideastest

Avante Care & Support, a leading provider of high quality care homes in Kent and South East London, has announced the recent appointment of Allison Purkiss as Care Home Manager at Puddingstone Grange, Greenwich.

Allison, who took up her new role at the end of March, brings with her a wealth of experience in the residential care home sector and has previously worked with Avante Care & Support in 1998 (when it was formerly known as KCHT) as Home Manager at Plumstead Lodge care home.

Mark Lloyd, Managing Director at Avante Care & Support, said, “I am delighted that Allison is joining us as Home Manager at Puddingstone Grange. The care home sector, particularly residential care for those living with dementia, is high in the nation’s consciousness and it is vital that we have the very best leaders to ensure that we can continue to deliver the highest quality of care and support for our clients and their families. I am sure

the whole organisation will welcome Allison’s appointment and wish her every success.”

Allison brings with her over 17 years of experience in the health and social care sector, previously managing homeless family hostels, sheltered housing schemes, care homes for people with Autism and challenging behaviour and care homes that provided nursing and dementia care. When asked what makes a good care home Allison said,

“I think a good care home is a happy care home, where the environment is safe for residents, families and staff” ‘I enjoy listening to people’s views and building strong personal relationships. I feel person centred care is essential as all of our residents are individuals with interesting lives which should be acknowledged. In line with this, staff development is very important and recognising peoples skills and potential are vital’.

Welcome on board Allison! of a good marriage is Bert answered simply, Love and Patience.

On the 25th April Bert and Liliana celebrated their anniversary with a party with family and friends in The Piazza at Northbourne Court.

Congratulations to Liliana and Bertram who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on the 22nd April 2015. Liliana who is a resident at Northbourne Court care home received a card from the Queen to congratulate her and Bertram on their milestone anniversary.

We hope you had a great time celebrating Liliana and Bertram and Congratulations again to you both from all of us at Avante Care & Support.

Liliana and Bert met in Naples, Italy, and married in Italy in 1945 just before the end of the Second World War. Liliana came to England by train in 1946 with her first born with Bert following in 1947. Liliana and Bert raised four children; Pat, Lesley, Angela and Janice and spent many happy years in Albany Park near Sidcup, where Bert still lives today at the great age of 94.

The couple have six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. When asked what the secret

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Great British Care Awards Elaine Bashford, Activity Care Coordinator from Barton Court care home has been honoured at a glittering awards ceremony.

Elaine received the Activity Organiser of the Year Award at the Great South East Care Awards Gala Dinner, held at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton on Saturday 8th November.

Elaine had demonstrated to the judging panel that she can provide a needs led, varied and appropriate programme for those living with dementia in a residential care setting.

Barton Court is a residential care home specialising in dementia care, run by Avante Care & Support.

Elaine who joined Avante Care & Support in March 2012 said “I am absolutely delighted to win this award. It was a great evening and a fantastic feeling when my name was called out.”

On Tuesday 21st April, four of Amherst Court's residents went to the Chatham Central Theatre for an afternoon movie showing.

Marie Taylor, Activities Coordinator, said: 'We went into Chatham and stopped off at Coffee Republic. As we sat outside enjoying our coffee, Betty said “we've got sunshine and entertainment” as a busker was playing a guitar right next to us.

From there we went into the theatre where we had tea, a cake and watched the Some Like It Hot movie. Frank and Audrey said they had never seen it and Yvonne said she had once, many years ago. Betty said

“The last time I came to the pictures was when I was a little girl” Frank said it was a “great afternoon” and Audrey said the “film was perfect”. It was a lovely afternoon, a real change and everyone really enjoyed themselves'!

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“I felt honoured when I learnt that a member of staff from our Head Office had nominated me for this award. To be recognised for doing a job that I love and feel passionate about is amazing” Elaine was shortlisted to the finals of the Great British Care Awards in Birmingham but narrowly missed the winning title.

From all of us at Avante Care & Support you are still a winner in our eyes Elaine, well done and keep up the great work!

The Staff Council is a voice for staff and is the main forum for consultation and formal communication in Avante Care & Support. The aims are to:

Family members from the Willow Day Care Centre have been busy making twiddle blankets for the clients that use the centre.

The blankets are knitted with different types of wool and material and accessorised with zips, buttons, bells and ribbons for the Willows clients to twiddle and hold, most of whom are living with dementia.

Jeannette Spooner, Day Care Officer said ‘The twiddle blankets are brilliant, and our clients love them. The blanket provides a simple stimulation activity for active hands or restless hands, particularly for people living with dementia. The blankets are great for twiddling but also our clients are using them as hand muffs to warm their hands when they come in from the cold’.

The Willows day care centre would like to say a big thank you to all the family members who have made a twiddle blanket for the clients at the day care centre they are proving to be extremely popular.

• Improve the satisfaction that staff get from their work • Provide all staff with the opportunity to influence decisions, which are likely to affect their interests • To review and have input into the development of Avante Care & Support’s employment policies and procedures In talking about being a Staff Council representative, Lorraine O’Donnel from Puddingstone Grange said, “I am a member of the staff council. It is a very enjoyable activity working with our Avante Head Office to improve the workplace. We, the staff group, need to have an input into working for Avante because we are a major part of it and it is by coming together to discuss and find ways of improving pay and working conditions that we can influence positive change”.

We need a volunteer from each of the following areas; Residential Care Homes (Kent and Bexley) and Home Care and Support (Kent and Bexley). If you are interested in joining the Staff Council or have questions, please contact Derek Lindars, Director of Human Resources, on 01795 597400 or you can email dlindars@avantecare.org.uk

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Last week Amherst Court had some fun with an exercise ball in the lounge. All the residents found it hilarious, passing across the room to each other and playing silly games.

Irene was very impressed saying “That’s what you call a ball!”

Everyone should have a Davina yoga ball….they are so much fun!

THE EASTER BUNNIES WERE IN FULL SWING AT AMHERST COURT OVER EASTER! Activities Coordinator, Marie Taylor, said: 'We went to all floors and everyone was presented with an Easter Egg. Everyone tried on the bunny ears and tucked into there eggs!'

AFTERNOON AT THE PUB 'We first visited Nott Cutts Garden Centre in Maidstone for our new garden benches. Amherst Court residents loved looking at all the garden furniture testing the comfort of the benches, Dennis Fletcher thought this bench was so comfy, we just had to have it!

Afterwards we went round the corner for a satisfying pint.’

THE MAINTENANCE TEAM VISITS WEYBOURNE CARE HOME Avante Care & Support's Maintenance Team have been very busy at our Weybourne care home in Abbeywood, London! They have kindly sent us before and after images of their hard work - and we must say that we are very impressed!

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Avante Care & Support welcomes Simon Doherty as Home Manager at Northbourne Court Care Home, Sidcup.

Avante Care & Support, a leading provider of high quality care homes in Kent and South East London, has recently appointment Simon Doherty as Care Home Manager at Northbourne Court, Sidcup.

Simon, who took up his role at the end of February, brings with him a wealth of experience in the Health and Social care sector, beginning his career as a Care Assistant in 1992. Within 6 months as a Care Assistant he realised he wanted to make a difference to peoples live and wanted the qualifications to do so.

After gaining a degree in Psychology and a Diploma in counselling Simon supported people with mental health needs before moving to Wales where he supported families on the prevention of alcohol and substance abuse.

Simon has been managing registered homes since 2001 and during this time has project led the commission of a new nursing home to be designed and built.

Mark Lloyd, Managing Director at Avante Care & Support, said, "I am delighted that Simon has joined us as Home Manager at Northbourne Court. The care home sector, particularly residential care for those living with dementia, is high in the nation's consciousness, and it is vital that we have the very best leaders to ensure that we can continue to deliver the highest

quality of care and support for our clients and their families’.

In Simons spare time he likes to run and has previously taken part in two Marathons, one in Snowdon and the other in Manchester raising over £1200 for the Alder Hey hospital.

EASTER ACTIVITIES AT NORTHBOURNE COURT CARE HOME Residents at Northbourne Court Care Home, Sidcup have been busy preparing for Easter. One resident called Peggy has been busy over the last few weeks making Easter baskets for all the Residents who live on the same suite as herself, The Dickens suite, but also for the adjoining suite, Shakespeare.

Peggy worked hard, carefully measuring the paper, cutting it to size and sticking together. ‘The green paper represents the green hill where our Lord was crucified, the red ribbon wrapped around and crosses on the sides represent the cross and the blood of Christ. The chocolate eggs and small chick in the basket represents new life’, explained Peggy to staff whilst she made the baskets.

Residents on the suites enjoyed receiving the beautifully decorated baskets which became quite a talking point over supper that evening. Other activities included at the home included an Easter Bonnet Parade and raffle.

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Robert Shufflebotham New Outlooks is a care and support service run by Avante Care & Support, which provides support for adults with learning difficulties to live independent lives. Robert Shufflebotham has been a client of New Outlooks for over 10 years, and seven months ago was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Tracy Moss (Keyworker) and the New Outlooks team invited me along to spend some time with Robert and his colleagues. I wanted to have a better understanding of the support that our Keyworkers provide for our clients at New Outlooks. So, on a Tuesday morning we all met at the Eco Shed in Sittingbourne run

by Richard Carrier, a project within the Skillnet Group CIC which believes everyone should work together equally within the community.

Tracy has worked at New Outlooks for over 12 years and during this time has supported Robert for over 6 years introducing him to the Eco Shed project which he thoroughly enjoys.

Robert attends the Eco Shed every Tuesday with Tracy’s support and has clearly gained so much in the two years he has 12 been attending. Robert explained

to me that he likes to be out as much as possible rather than staying indoors at home. Robert is not letting his recent diagnosis stand in the way of life for him.

Robert was keen to show me what he had made which included a bird box, pencil box and bird feeder. Everything that Robert and his colleagues make goes on to be sold at various different outlets across Kent, with the profit from the sales going back into the service to buy much needed materials such as wood and paint.

Projects like the Eco Shed have encouraged Robert to develop his carpentry skills and integrate with new people and make new friends.

“I really enjoy coming here as it feels like I have a job” said Robert on a couple of occasions and I couldn’t help but agree with him. Everyone that attends Eco Shed has a real sense of purpose for being there, an important role within the project.

Health and safety responsibilities are given out at the beginning of the session too with Robert often choosing Fire Warden as his

responsibility. ‘I’ve held a few fire drills since attending this project,’ Robert explained to me.

Throughout the morning Robert and I chatted about his life before using New Outlooks, he shared with me that he was born in Chatham and has lived in Sittingbourne all his life, now living with his brother Clifford.

Previously he lived a short while in residential care but it didn’t suit him and he soon asked if he could move out. Robert struck me as an active man who doesn’t sit still for long, with a positive attitude and he is keen to be involved in whatever activity is available.

New Outlooks supports its clients to live as independently as possible within their local community. The service works in a flexible person-centred way to support individual’s to achieve their desired outcomes. For more information on New Outlooks please call 01622 351166.

Thank you Robert and Tracey for taking the time to spend with me this morning, it was great to meet with you both and spend some time learning about the New Outlooks service.

Lyndsay Hopper Marketing Manager

LOCAL COLLEGE FIRST PROGRAMME (LCP) Meet Gerard and Rosemary, two Service Users who used to receive support through the New Outlooks service. Rosemary and Gerard first met when they joined New Outlooks over five years ago.

Their friendship blossomed throughout the years, attending projects such as the Eco Shed together and day trips out, but they finally decided to ‘officially become a couple” at Avante Care & Support’s Summer Getaway, where they enjoyed a day of entertainment, picnics and outdoor activities at Mote Park in Maidstone.

Three years on and they are still as happy as the day they first met!

Five carers within the Kent Branch of Avante Care & Support have recently secured new positions within the Home Care team.

We would like to welcome, Lynnette Bishop into her new role as a Field Care Officer who is currently enjoying her induction training. Lynette joined Avante in February 2014 as a carer covering the Kent area.

Please also welcome Donna Mann, Nicola Allen and Julie Pilcher who will be joining Glynis Sharp, as senior care workers. The seniors will be working closely with Lynnette to support their colleagues, service users and their families to ensure we continue to provide a safe, effective and caring service.

Best wishes to everyone and enjoy your new role!

In the last two years Avante Care & Support has provided Personal Assistants to support The Local College First programme. The LCF programme is for young adults with learning difficulties who have left school and offers skills for life, work and personal enrichment.

Recently we have supported the students through a transition in campuses from Alma Road in Sidcup to their new campus in Brampton Road Bexleyheath.

During a recent visit to the college to complete some reviews it was evident just how much support the Personal Assistant (PA's) provide the students and how strong the bond is with the students they support. It was clear from the visit that all the students had settled in well and are enjoying their new college surroundings.

We were lucky to visit on a day where a field trip had been arranged and what a lovely day it was! We were able to watch students make jewellery and following this we took part in a trip to the local bakery. We were able to sit outside to enjoy our drinks and chosen cakes and pastries in the rare April sunshine! It was lovely to see the students enjoying their trip knowing that the Avante Personal Assistant (PA's) are playing an important part in making this possible.

I am looking forward to returning to the Learning Centre Bexley in June for the LCF Celebration yearly Awards and feel privileged to be a part of this programme.

Dawn Dwyer Branch Manager

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Stepahead Su ort provide em ional, prac cal and erapeu c su ort young people and milies in e commun who are finding life’s problems difficult overcome, or n d su ort move on in eir lives.

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Emotional Tool box

‘Incredible Me’ is a pilot programme delivered over 10 sessions which has been specifically developed by the Young Healthy Minds service.

The programme is in collaboration with the NHS and the Incredible Years parenting team for children aged 4 - 11 with a pre and post-diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD, as well as those children who are unable to manage their behaviour generally in a safe way. These children can have particular difficulty in understanding and controlling their emotions, especially when those emotions are negative. This practical programme provides some simple strategies to: • Help them to decrease negative feelings and increase positive feelings in their daily life • Help them to identify situations that make them anxious and learn how to perceive the situation differently, thus reducing their level of anger • Support them to recognise connections between thinking and feeling so that they are able to identify the physiological effects of different emotions in their body.

• Focus on their positive attributes and the things that make them happy As the children’s ability to regulate their emotions increases so will their self-esteem be raised, which will contribute to their overall feeling of emotional well-being.

Some of the resources used to facilitate these sessions are;

Body Outlines Using an image of the body allows the child to focus on the different areas, and how that body part experiences and feels different emotions. Once the child can recognise how their body feels when they are happy, sad, or angry for example, they can then start to learn ways to manage their emotions.

The Emotional Toolbox is designed to increase the number of strategies available to prevent and manage negative emotions such as anxiety, anger and sadness. The Emotional Toolbox aims to do two things: reduce the intensity of the emotions being experienced and help the person understand the role thoughts play when one is faced with anxiety-producing situations.

The idea of the Toolbox is to identify different types of ‘tools’ to repair feelings of anxiety, anger or sadness. Categories of tools are identified that repair emotions by quickly releasing or slowly reducing the energy generated by the emotion, changing thinking, or blocking negative thoughts.

“I have enjoyed the art work, and making a ‘calm down’ glitter shaker” Mindfulness Activities Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to, and seeing clearly whatever is happening in our lives.

It will not eliminate life's pressures, but it can help us respond to them in a calmer manner that benefits our heart, head, and body. It helps us recognise and step away from habitual, often unconscious emotional and physiological reactions to everyday events.

Mindfulness activities can be as varied as your imagination- take the time to have ‘mindful moments’ with your child whenever possible.

Some suggestions: • • • • •

One minute of mindful eating during dinner A mindful walk around the house A mindful moment while driving Mindfully brushing your teeth Mindful gardening/cooking/craft time with your child • Mindful patting/grooming of a pet • Mindfully throwing a ball/dancing/moving

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If you would like to donate to Avante Care & Support please visit our website at www.avantecare.org.uk For more information call us on 01795 597400