Avante Staff Newsletter - August 2019

| AUGUST 2019

SPARKLE AWARDS A SPECIAL VISIT FROM ICELAND ROUNDERS MATCH HEAD OFFICE SKY DIVE FUNDRAISER

THE SPARKLE AWARDS Preparations are well underway for our Sparkle Awards Ceremony on Thursday 9 October at the Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath. We hope to see over 150 residents, service users, members of staff, relatives and Trustees, many of whom will be hoping to pick up one of 16 awards.

We received nearly 500 nominations in the different categories which include Care Home Worker of the Year, Home Care Worker of the Year and Colleague of the Year. Also, there will be awards for kitchen and domestic staff, Registered Managers, Deputies and senior staff, as well as some exciting awards celebrating innovation and personal development. It will be a great

opportunity to recognise and celebrate the excellent work that goes on in all our services and at Head Office.

Often the weather causes us difficulties when we are looking after older and vulnerable people, and we have reported regularly in the newsletter the great efforts of staff trudging through the snow in winter to get to work. But last month, we faced another kind of problem. Soaring temperatures posed a very different but equally testing trial. Any kind of work is hard when the temperature hits 30 degrees plus, but care work is particularly challenging. So I’m very grateful to all of you worked through those testing conditions to make sure our residents and service users were well looked after. It was good to hear about all the ingenious ways you came up with to keep cool, and about

how Amherst Court even managed to organise a game of cricket with residents and staff.

I am very pleased to let you know that we have appointed two new Trustees to the Board of Avante Care and Support.

Sam Houston is Director and Implementation Manager for Jacobs, working on big infrastructure projects for Highways England. He is Australian by birth and has worked in Australia, Africa and Canada as well as in the UK. He is studying for a Masters degree in Business and Strategic Leadership.

Nikki Arjuna has worked at director level in corporate finance specialising in portfolio management with State Street, a large American bank. She is the external advisor to the Investment Committee of a faculty of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and also is the owner of a care home in Chichester.

The addition of Sam and Nikki strengthens an already effective Board and will provide the excellent governance a charity like Avante needs as we look forward to developing our services.

Finally, as always, I want to thank you for your commitment to our residents and service users. You are making a big difference to lots of people as we build communities where everyone has a vibrant and fulfilling life.

Stuart Cross Managing Director Avante Care & Support

On the 9 October 2019 Avante Care & Support will be hosting the Sparkle Awards ceremony.

This will be a fantastic occasion when we recognise, reward and celebrate the hard work of our staff in supporting our residents, service users and colleagues.

1st prize winners for each category will be awarded ÂŁ200 each, and runners up will be awarded ÂŁ100 each.

Nominations have now closed and we will be notifying those that have been shortlisted soon.

Thank you to everyone who has shown support and nominated their colleagues.

A SPECIAL VISIT FROM ICELAND On 15 August 2019, staff from Lögmannshlíð care home, located in the town of Akureyrar, Iceland, visited three of our London care homes in order to find out how Avante has implemented the Eden Alternative. Despite their flight being cancelled and the visit being delayed by two days, staff at Parkview, Puddingstone Grange and Riverdale Court re-arranged plans and made them very welcome.

Following their visit to Riverdale Court, the group said they have taken away many ideas they will put into practice on returning to their nursing home. In particular they were impressed with the sensory room and the fact that the care staff do not have to do the cooking, cleaning and laundry! Sharon Disley, Deputy Manager, reported their comments that Riverdale Court is very homely and relaxed and the staff and residents are lovely.

The group went on to Puddingstone Grange about which they had many positive comments. In particular the shop

in the garden, which opens weekly, selling home-made items, many made by the residents.

At Parkview, our Icelandic colleagues spent time in the home and the day centre. The feedback over lunch was very positive. Their day centre is not set up in the same way, as the day centre is for the permanent residents only.

Invitations for a return visit to Iceland were given!

Communication between us all is important because and we wish to receive your feedback about important issues that affect your working lives in Avante.

In September, all staff with an Avante email address will receive an email at the beginning of with a link to the online survey. We will also arrange for paper copies of the survey to be sent out, so staff who do not have access to a computer still have the opportunity to give us feedback.

Because time is the biggest barrier to participation in the survey, we actively support and encourage colleagues to complete the survey in work time. Of course, you also have the option of completing it at home.

Please complete the staff survey. It is an opportunity to express your views, in confidence, on what it’s like to work for Avante. A high response rate means more reliable and robust results and this will help us to make more informed decisions when the results come out. So please participate!

If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to speak to the Human Resources team.

Learning & Development We continue to deliver a wide range of learning and development with 54 different courses delivered by our

trainers. In the year 2018/19, 736 courses were delivered with 4,665 delegates trained. Compared to the previous year, this is an additional 224 courses (44% increase) and an extra 1,607 delegates trained (53% increase).

We are also pleased to say we have an increasing number of colleagues undertaking nationally recognised Apprenticeships. If you wish to undertake qualification or other professional development, please talk to your manager in the first instance, and we will support you to achieve your personal goals.

BEMIX GRADUATION PRESENTATION On Tuesday 16 July Jeannette Spooner, Day Care Officer attended the graduation presentation for this year’s students with Bemix.

Bemix is a social enterprise in which people with and without learning difficulties and/or autism work together to change lives and society. Bemix run projects which support people to learn skills, gain qualifications and become more confident and independent.

RAISING AWARENESS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS

The event was held at Sun Pier, Chatham, and it was amazing to see how the students have made the most of the opportunities given to them by organisations such as Avante.

We have taken interns from Bemix at The Willows both last year and this year.

In return, we were given a certificate last year, and were presented with a bug house for the garden this year.

Team Avante are preparing to face the Faversham 10K challenge on Sunday 22nd September.

We have chosen to do so for a number of reasons but one of the most important reasons for all of us is to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and help to raise valuable funds to fight for a life unlimited. You can donate on our Givey page www.givey.com/faversham10krunteamavante Any amount you are able to donate will be gratefully received. Wish us luck!

MARY O’CONNOR, HOME MANAGER RETIRES

“I want to thank everyone for the lovely cards with good wishes I have received from Weybourne, Managers and staff at Head Office, they are things I will treasure and will read from time to time.

I have enjoyed my many years working for KCHT and Avante Care & Support. I have seen many changes, I have also seen a number of managers and colleagues who have come and gone, and I also remember those Managers and colleagues who have sadly passed on, but will always be in my thoughts.

I want to thank you all again and I give my very best wishes to you all going forward.”

Mary O’Connor

ROUNDERS MATCH

On Wednesday 24 July, a handpicked team of elite Rounders players from Avante Head Office took to the green at the Faversham Recreation Ground.

Avante Care & Support were invited

by Kesson Physio to take part in a Rounders match with other local businesses including BCD Events, Chavereys and Idea Works.

As the matches came to an end, Chavereys came out as the victors and Avante settling in at 2nd place, only losing to Chavereys! Everyone had a great time, and after the event took some time to relax and to catch a breath.

The Willow Day Centre to Faversham Head Office Jeannette Spooner, Day Care Manager at Willow Day Centre and Lisa Kelynack, whose Mum attends the Willows will leave the Willows at 9.00AM, and hope to arrive at Faversham Head Office after lunch.

To donate please contact:

VOLUNTEERING AT DEMELZA HOUSE Recently Paul Gladstone, Facilities Manager at Head Office volunteered his time at Demelza House.

Demelza believe every child and young person who has a terminal condition should receive the care and attention they need to live the most fulfilling life they can, and that they and their families have the opportunity to build memories, for however long they have together. Paul helped with garden repairs on the grounds of the home and helped to repaint one of their main offices.

SKY DIVE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BRIDGE HAVEN

I have been in the caring profession my entire career - from nursing at the age of 17, to managing care homes, and even to assessing NVQs! I enjoy making a difference in people's everyday lives. I always say that if I can make someone smile that day, then I will go home happy.

Kim Drury, Home Manager, Bridge Haven

I have decided to use the skydive to raise funds that will go towards either a sensory room, or a crazy golf course for the home. I'd love to be able to provide an extra activity for the people that live in the home, and provide a further sense of fulfilment.

“Hello everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read this. Last month, I spoke to my daughter, and she told me that she was backing out of her planned skydive - it turned out it wasn't for her. I, on the other hand, had always loved the idea of a skydive! She was able to transfer the jump to me, and so on the 31st August 2019, I will be jumping out of a plane!

The tandem jump is taking place at Netheravon airfield, with the Army Parachute Association. I will be taken up to 13,500 ft and attached to an experienced instructor before launching from the side of a plane! We will be in free fall for around 45 seconds before the parachute opens and we glide the rest of the way to the ground.

Now, I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself. I am currently the home manager at Bridge Haven Care Home in Canterbury. Our home is part of Avante Care & Support, a not for profit organisation supporting over 1000 older people through our registered nursing and dementia care homes and home care services.

100% of the funds raised will go towards Bridge Haven Care Home. Any amount you are able to donate will be gratefully received, and all of us here at the home appreciate your thoughts. If you are not able to donate, do not worry! A share of this page is also extremely welcome!

Last but not least - think of me on 31st August!�

CELEBRATING 100TH BIRTHDAY Violet Jean Taylor is a Bexley Homecare service user who celebrated turning 100 on the 26th June.

Jean has been receiving care from Avante Care & Support since 2003.

Jean’s regular carers Laura and Bev organised a little celebration for Jean with balloons, cake and all her favourite treats.

Laura and Bev have cared for Jean for many years. Bev also wrote a poem for the special occasion.

RAISE DONATIONS FOR AVANTE CARE & SUPPORT WHEN YOU SHOP ONLINE How does it work? easyfundraising could turn your everyday online shopping into free donations for Avante Care & Support. How? Just start your online shopping first at easyfundraising, then shop as normal. Our retailers will then make a small donation to say “thank you”.

We have 3,601 retailers to choose from and so far we've raised over £25 million for thousands of community groups, schools, sports clubs, small and large charities across the UK. Easy!

Visit:

www.easyfundraising.org.uk 2. Start shopping Visit retailers and then shop online as normal

1. Get started Join for free. Visit the easyfundraising website and choose a cause to support

3. Raise donations Your cause receives free donations

Avante Care & Support homes and services • • • • •

Amherst Court Bridge Haven Court Regis Northbourne Court Parkview

• • • • •

Pilgrims View Puddingstone Grange Riverdale Court Weybourne Avante Charitable Fund

If you would like to find out more about Avante Care & Support please call us on 01795 597400 or visit our website at www.avantecare.org.uk

• Avante Home Care and Support - Kent • Avante Home Care and Support - Bexley