Story
INSIDE Out and about
In the HOT SEAT
Forthcoming free events in and around Bristol
20th May W ildflower W alk Pam Millman from the Bristol Naturalists Society, identifying the wild flowers growing on the Coronation Road riverbank. Meet at 7.00pm at Vauxhall Bridge (Coronation Road side). Finish 9.00pm. No need to book.
Inside Story talks to Rebecca Slinn, who joined the St Monica Trust in 2009 A consultant psychiatrist working in Gloucestershire, Rebecca Slinn joined the Board of Trustees in January last year. In her professional career, she has a particular interest in understanding the mental health problems of older adults and in the assessment and diagnosis of memory disorders, insights that are valuable in enhancing well-being for residents at the St Monica Trust. Rebecca is an active and supportive member of the Care Committee. Four young children under the age of eight and a full time career keep Rebecca pretty busy, although, as someone who loves all sorts of music, she is trying to find a few spare moments to learn the trumpet by way of encouragement for her son. She attends Christ Church in Clifton, supporting many of the activities organised for and by the Christ Church community.
W hat is the m ost im por tant thing about being a Trustee? Being a Trustee does involve a lot of meetings but I must admit that’s not really what gets me excited. What I do enjoy are the many personal interactions I share with staff at all levels and with the residents. They are really rewarding and illuminating.
I think it’s important to be both objective and encouraging and I particularly want to be able to offer my encouragement to the already enthusiastic staff team, to find ways of understanding and improving residents’ mental health in the same dedicated way they do their physical health.
W hat attracted you to the St Monica Trust? It was recommended to me by a friend who worked for the Trust and spoke highly of it. W here do you feel you have m ade a significant contribution? Well, it’s still very early days but I hope my professional expertise has enabled me to make some contribution towards developing care around the mental health of residents, and will continue to do so. What’s so great about the Trust is that it listens to ideas and supports and promotes change. Very early on I made a comment about the need for hoists and I was so impressed with the responsiveness of the organisation in taking action. W hat positive im pact do you think you can bring to staff ? Most specifically, I hope to be involved in developing training for staff, improving skills in the management of mental
health difficulties, particularly amongst our nursing home residents. How do you know if you’re doing a good job? Well, fortunately I’ve had some positive feedback from other Trustees, which is lovely. The real test will be in the future, and even then I’m only one individual, just a small part of a bigger team who together are achieving so much and making the St Monica Trust such a success.
Until 21st May Treasures in Store Bristol Record Office - an exhibition of the archives of Bristol Cathedral and Diocese the culmination of a year long project to catalogue and conserve items many on public display for the first time.
31st May Sum m er Craft Fair A shton Cour t Estate together with a variety of activities in the Stables Block and Courtyard. 10.00am – 4.00pm.
W hat have you enjoyed m ost about your tim e as a Trustee? I’ve learnt a lot about the different services offered and how they are provided and most of all I’ve enjoyed meeting the staff and residents.
1st & 2nd June Hands On…Natural W orld, Bristol City Museum 10.30am – 1.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.00pm - a day of craft and handling activities dedicated to all creatures - great and small. Suitable for children aged 2 – 11 years. No need to book.
W here are the key oppor tunities for future? To be a real centre of excellence for the care of the elderly and to continue to innovate in models of care that maintain residents’ dignity and independence for as long as possible.
14th July Sum m er W alk Lamplighter’s Marsh, Station Road, Shirehampton 6.45pm – 8.00pm celebrating 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, led by Rupert Higgins to illustrate the variety of plants and animals on our own doorstep. Book in advance on 0117 922 3571.
Printed on material made from 80% recycled pulp and 20% virgin fibre which is FSC accredited and chlorine free. PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE THIS NEWSLETTER
The Staff Newsletter of the St Monica Trust Issue Eleven May 2010
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