Avery Life Issue 7

A family business, GFF was started in 2007 by Greg Forino. In addition to commercial properties, we specialise in residential flooring, operating from our Stansted showroom and Northampton office, catering for all residential requirements.

We are delighted to have been involved in the completion of the recent project, Avery Park as well as major refurbishments to South Lodge, Miramar and many more within the Avery family. In addition to these refurbishments, we also take care of the general day to day replacements within the care homes.

We work directly with our selected manufacturers to offer the best flooring at the best prices and opt for sustainable companies wherever possible. Some of our preferred suppliers include Ted Todd Wood Flooring, Jacaranda Carpets, Westex Carpets, Kahrs Flooring, Cormar Carpets, Amtico, Karndean, Crucial Trading and many more.

We are proud to have an excellent reputation with building firms, architects and private customers throughout the UK and Channel Islands, supplying and installing top-quality flooring products with a strong focus on friendly and efficient customer service.

“ FROM

Karndean

Combining the dramatic effect of texture and colour tone, Karndean recreate the timeless elegance and authentic appearance of natural materials such as slate, marble and timber in a range of vinyl tile and vinyl plank products. Karndean Design flooring is committed

Jacaranda Carpets

Jacaranda Carpets

make beautiful carpets and rugs, with an eye always on ethics and the environment. Boasting some of the most striking and innovative handwoven carpets and rugs on the market, each one produced on traditional

DOOR

Based in Bishops Stortford, GFF Bentley & Howell Contracts is a leading provider of bespoke project

to environmental and social practices throughout the product life cycle, and ensure recycled materials are used wherever possible. They proudly boast that all their products are now manufactured phthalate-free (except recycled content.)

Islands and Europe, GFF returned to its roots to expand company has become a trusted name within its sector, and carries an impressive portfolio of brands and projects under its belt.

Priding themselves on executing projects with the client’s budget and style in mind at all costs, they ensure that no task exceeds their abilities and no client is disappointed.

“A FULL TURNKEY SOLUTION WITH ONE SINGLE

POINT OF CONTACT.”

Whether you’re getting creative with a new build or committing to the refurbishment of a listed building, Shortgrove Renovation & Construction Limited can provide a solution to any challenge that you might encounter along the way

wooden looms in India, Jacaranda Carpets textures, along with the skill and precision of the weaves, is what makes them stand out from the crowd.

With over 50 years of experience within the construction industry, Shortgrove Renovation & Construction has earned their salt as one of the most reputable service providers

Kährs Flooring

solutions to their construction queries throughout the entire cycle of their project.

With a strong and expansive team of craftsmen and project managers behind them, Shortgrove Renovation & Construction can guide you through a variety of different services to transform your property:

Home Automation

When it comes to managing your home, there is no simpler solution than home automation, especially when it’s executed by Shortgrove’s trusted supplier, Tillman Domotics. The two companies work hand in hand to install discreet and innovative technology into a client’s home, transforming the security of the property while never deducting from the overall appearance of it, even within listed properties where antiquity must be preserved.

Kährs has been working with wood for more than 160 years. One of the oldest yet more in novative manufactures of engi neered wood floors in the world, Karhs have been trying, testing and succeeding when it comes to flooring for generations and generations, yet their goal has always been the same; how to make their floors even better looking, stronger, easier to install and more sustainable.

Offering a range of bespoke systems, Shortgrove can offer more than you could ever imagine from cinema installation and remote , Shortgrove o

Another of Shortgrove an innovative and global gym provider renowned for their of encouraging passion for high quality exercise equipment is infectious, and Shortgrove work alongside Escape Fitness to provide their clients with the luxury of exercising safely and e from the comfort of their own home.

Ted Todd Wood Flooring

The UK´s leading wood

And what home is complete without somewhere warm and bubbly to relax at the end of the day? If you’re looking at add something special to your property, look no further than Shortgrove’s luxury spa and steam room designs. From bathtubs to saunas, Shortgrove’s network of reliable providers will ensure that you’ll be able to experience the highest calibre of at-home relaxation possible. What may appear to be a luxury, might just end up being an essential!

company; great designs and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability is at the core

socially environmentally respon sible production

cladding.

floor

of Ted Todd’s brand. This British-based manufacturer is committed to the

of high-quality wood floors and wall

Heading Towards a New Year

year, we have another ending to tell you about – a happy ending and heartfelt goodbye to our muchloved Chief Operating Officer, Sharon Winfield, who is heading into retirement. Sharon has been at the head of Avery Healthcare since 2006, overseeing the development of systems and processes and directing operational efficiencies through strategic planning. Her leadership skills were invaluable as the pandemic struck. She has calmly but efficiently led Avery through the most strenuous of challenges, especially during the early days of the pandemic when care home providers were left to develop our own guidance to support staff and protect our residents. With the support of her operation team, Sharon directed focus and resources and was acknowledged by winning the Knight Frank Healthcare Hero Award 2020 in recognition of her continuous hard work.

After such a long career in the care sector, Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect and look back on what Sharon has achieved. She shares a message with us, “You have all been a huge part of my life, and I will miss you all, but I know that you will continue to do what you do with passion for each other and our residents. I’m handing the baton to Lisa Soper, and I know you will support her in the same way you supported me.”

eight years, so we have robust processes. Teams and residents will continue to live our #OneFamily values of being proud of our work, supporting each other and caring to all.

We have many accolades to be proud of from the last few months. Once again, we have gained the Top 20 Care Home Award and added the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer to our list of achievements. The homes have been busy stepping up and out during the summer, walking a massive 700 miles, beating our target of 500 miles thanks to some very keen residents and staff! And we have continued our commitment to the Care Workers’ Charity by taking part in their annual trek, and fundraising challenge by the Avery chef team donned with chef whites, hats and wooden spoons. You can see how they got on in this issue of Avery Life.

Please join me in wishing Sharon all the best. As we raise a glass, or perhaps a warm glass of mulled wine to toast her successful career, myself and the team will be heading full steam into the new year to continue the journey of Avery with the opening of a number of homes next year. We certainly have exciting times ahead.

Lisa S.

Soper, Chief Operating Officer, Avery Healthcare

Lisa

& Screen of Stage Titan

Sir Anthony Hopkins is best known for his chilling Silence of the Lambs performance and broad film and stage career. The two time Academy Award winning star, is also a creative genius in other forms, extending his artistic talent to writing, directing, composing and painting. In this issue, Nicola McGeorge, investigates what makes the Welsh Legend tick.

The son of a baker, Hopkins grew up in the grey and dreary suburb of Port Talbot, Wales. As a child he often felt isolated and lonely. ‘I wasn’t very happy in school, I was a bit of a loner. I used to go off into the fields and up the mountain.’ He admitted to the New York Times, ‘I come from a strong, butch society. We were in the war and all that. People didn’t waste time feeling sorry for themselves. You had to get on with it. So my credo is get on with it. I don’t waste time being soft - life’s too short.’

Hopkins had early ambitions to be a concert pianist but didn’t believe he was good enough. At age 18, he joined a YMCA dramatic club and went on to receive a scholarship to the Cardiff College of Music and Drama, ‘I became an actor by default, really. I was hoping to take a scholarship in music. But I ended up as an acting student, so I’ve stuck with that for the last 50-odd years,’

He went on to spend two years with the Royal Artillery, before moving to London to begin training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and making his professional debut in 1960. After taking the world of stage and film by storm he moved to the US. When asked why he relocated to America he told the Telegraph ‘Many people talk of London as being the heart of the swinging 60s. It wasn’t for me. What I remember is the grey mist hanging over the Waterloo Road on a Wednesday afternoon. It was so depressing I moved to the land of Donald Duck.’

Lights, Camera, Action

In a career spanning over six decades, Hopkins has earned numerous awards and accolades. He landed his breakthrough film role in 1968, as Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn’s megalomaniac son in The Lion in Winter. But it was in 1991 that the actor, now well into his fifties, achieved the A-list stardom he had long desired with his haunting performance as the notorious psychopath Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, resulting in an Oscar and being voted by the American Film Institute as the most memorable onscreen villain of all time.

In 2021 he made history by becoming the oldest person to win an Academy Award for acting. Accepting his second Oscar win for his work in The Father, he sent a message to his fans from the Welsh countryside saying, “Here I am in my homeland in Wales and 83 years of age. I did not expect to get this award.’

The performer admitted that his late father Richard, who had died in 1992, had inspired parts of his scalding performance as a man stricken by dementia, in this exceedingly clever and polished drama.

The Remains of the Day, 1993

Legends of the Fall, 1994

The Silence of the Lambs, 1991

The Lion in Winter, 1968

Sir Anthony explaining he is still acting because it ‘keeps me out of trouble’, adding: ‘I don’t want to sound heavy about it but it’s the only thing I know how to do. I don’t know how I became an actor. I had no intention of doing anything, really. But it’s something that’s in my blood now.’

Back to the drawing board

In 2005 Hopkins added a new role to his substantial résumé, that of a painter. His wife, Stella, encouraged him to paint after finding a collection of his ‘old scribbles’ shortly after they were married. His first exhibition went on display in Texas and since then his paintings have made their way into fine art galleries across the world.

His style often has a surrealistic feel, which he describes as a creative movement exploring dreams and the unconscious mind through art, poetry and film. ‘I don’t feel that I have to prove anything. I don’t think there’s any meaning in it. I just paint. I discover as I go along and I don’t analyze, I just go for it.’

Recently Hopkins stepped into the Metaverse. His debut NFT collection ‘The Eternal Collection’ sold out in under 10 minutes. The thought provoking series features 1,000 original cinematic art pieces inspired by the actor’s award-winning career.

‘NFTs are a blank canvas to create art in a new format,’ Hopkins told reporters during an online press conference. ‘They offer an incredible opportunity to connect with an audience in an entirely different way… I’m probably the oldest guy in the NFT community and on social media, which proves all is possible at any age.’

Always composed

Despite composing music all his life, it wasn’t until 2011 that Hopkins finally had his deepest dream fulfilled; to have his music played for a live audience. Dutch violinist, Andre Rieu, played Hopkins’ ‘And The Waltz Goes On’ at the prestigious Belverdere Palace in Vienna. Hopkins was 19 years old when he originally composed this piece.

‘My interest in music started when I was four years old. My parents bought me a piano and I had an instructor. By the time I was 10 I was playing Beethoven and Chopin. I used to play Beethoven over and over to the point that my father asked me to stop. Once he asked me, ‘What are you playing?’ And when I responded ‘Beethoven’ my father said, ‘No wonder he went bloody deaf!’”

Hopkins said: ‘For years I mused and dreamt about turning my scribbled thoughts and bursts of melody into pieces of work to be performed by a full orchestra, and to see this dream turn into a reality is something I treasure very much.’

His late father Richard, who had died in 1992, had inspired parts of his scalding performance as a man stricken by dementia, in the exceedingly clever and polished drama The Father.

“I’m probably the oldest guy in the NFT community and on social media, which proves all is possible at any age.”

Green green grass of home

Wales is still very close to Hopkins’ heart and he often admits to being obsessed with his childhood. He likes to open up Google Maps and tour the streets of his hometown “I’ll start at my grandfather’s house, go up Caernarfon Road, then I’ll travel all over Port Talbot. Wales is a recurring theme of mine for everything I do; painting, music, my dreams...’

In 1998 he donated £1million of the £3million needed to aid the National Trust’s efforts in buying parts of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and authoured Anthony Hopkins’ Snowdonia, which was published in 1995.

Hopkins also contributed toward the refurbishment of a £2.3 million wing at his alma mater, the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, named the Anthony Hopkins Centre which opened in 1999.

During the pandemic, as soon as travel restrictions allowed, Hopkins headed back to his place of birth. Fans were able to follow his welsh adventures on Instagram which included visiting his old school, Cowbridge Grammar School. He also posted a picture of him in Wales alongside pictures with him and his parents from 1942 and 1947, with the caption: ‘You can take the boy out of Wales, but you cannot take Wales out of the boy.’

Keep the faith

The star has previously opened up on his battle with alcoholism and credits Alcoholics Anonymous with saving him. Hopkins said: ‘Booze is a wonderful way of checking out. It has an instant effect - that’s why we do it. In my case I had these peculiar conflicts - I didn’t feel I fitted into my own skin. I felt deeply guilty and ashamed and not worthy of the luck I’d had as an actor.’

His addiction quickly got out of hand. Turning up drunk or hungover, he became difficult to work with. He described himself as ‘disgusted, busted and not to be trusted’. After waking up one day in a hotel room in Arizona, having blacked-out and with no idea how he got there, he realised he was in serious trouble.

‘I had a wake-up call. I was heading for disaster. I was drinking myself to death. I thought I’ve got to stop this because I’m either going to kill somebody or myself. My life, from that moment on, took on new meaning.’

He sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous and has never looked back. On his 45th year

of sobriety he reached out to fellow alcoholics. In a video shared via Twitter, he urged: ‘Hang in there. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.’

Going viral

The Meet Joe Black actor has become an unexpected viral sensation posting a mixture of spirited and charming videos on social media, melting the internet’s heart along the way. During the pandemic he kept fans entertained with short motivational speeches, singing with his rescue cat, showing off his garden of flowers, taking on various dance challenges and even challenging Sylvester Stallone to a fist fight.

Hopkins told PEOPLE that he wants to ‘have a good laugh’ with his fans. ‘People seem to respond to my weird sense of humor,’ he said. ‘Because that’s all we can do — let’s try and have a good laugh. Let’s try and keep our spirits up. I try to communicate with people saying, you know, let’s try and enjoy it, and have some fun. Just enjoy it,’ he added. ‘My life has been blessed, you know, but people really suffer pain, and I know people who are very lonely. And I wish I could do more, but I do the best I can. So that’s my purpose on social media, just to give a message and say, ‘Hey.’

The simple life

When Hopkins isn’t working on a movie, he can be found at at home with his wife, Stella, pursuing pleasures that have nothing to do with his acting career. Whether it’s reading, binge watching Mob Wives, practicing Brahms on the piano or spending quality time with his cat. ‘I keep it simple. I love it. It’s a great life. And to be able to express things, I try not to take myself too seriously, I

hope I don’t.’

‘I keep it simple. I love it. It’s a great life. And to be able to express things, I try not to take myself too seriously, I hope I don’t.’

A festive film can make you feel warm and fuzzy inside when it’s cold and dark outside. There is nothing like sticking on a classic flick, with a tin of chocolates in your lap, a mulled wine in your hand, and the lights of the Christmas tree illuminating the room. This selection is guaranteed to help you get in the Yuletide mood, whether you’re watching them for the first time or they are on your annual holiday must-view list.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

It’s an oldie but a goldie! James Stewart plays businessman George Bailey in this fantasy drama, and Donna Reed plays the role of his wife. It is set in the fictional town of Bedford Falls, where George is saved from the despair of financial ruin by an angel named Clarence (‘Attaboy, Clarence!’). The way the stunning final scene leaves you feeling is unparalleled. The entire town shows up in support of George and his family, singing ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ around the piano, which segues into ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and if that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you are made of sterner stuff than my granny’s Christmas pud! Famous quote: ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.’ Magical, just magical.

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

This is a romantic comedy and another angel-themed film - what is it about people in the 1940s and angels? This one is called Dudley, played by Cary Grant; no list of classic movies is ever complete without him. David Niven is Bishop Henry Brougham, who, alongside his wife Julia (Loretta Young), is trying to raise money to build a new cathedral. Henry prays for divine guidance, so the suave Dudley appears, but there is friction between the Bishop and the angel as his charms are working a bit too well, plus he redecorates the Broughams’ Christmas tree, and no one likes that (my sister used to do it to me). It all comes good on Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day.

Scrooge (1951)

It’s hard to know where to start with this one, as there have been so many screen adaptations of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (1843) over the years, but Alastair Sims embodies the role of Ebenezer with spite and misery. Rather than regurgitate the plot, which we are all familiar with, here are some recommendations for variations of the cautionary tale. There are two films from the 1930s, the one starring Seymour Hicks as Scrooge is particularly atmospheric. Scrooged (1988) is a comedy, modern retelling of the story, with Bill Murray playing TV producer Frank Cross who replaces the Scrooge character. For the grandchildren, as some of these give quite a fright, there is The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), which is a fun way of introducing them to the story; as is Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), and at only 26 mins long it is ideal for small grandchildren. Although this is a list of films, the BBC mini-series version from 2019 starring Guy Pierce is an absolute must.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

A man named Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn) finds himself in demand as a New York department store Santa after taking the place of an intoxicated man dressed as St. Nick in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A subsequent court case questions his mental health after Kris repeatedly tells all and sundry that he is the real deal. An eight-year-old Natalie Wood co-stars as Susan, the little girl who was told not to believe in fairy tales by her mother, but Kris emphatically tells her that he is Santa Claus. However, she loses faith in him when he can’t get her the house she wants (and they say kids nowadays expect too much!). Susan’s dream comes true eventually, and Kris is proven to be… Well, I’ll let you find out for yourselves if Father Christmas exists.

There is a 1994 adaptation of the film starring Richard Attenborough, which is highly recommended. Especially the colourful Thanksgiving Day Parade, Dickie is always a joy to behold too.

White Christmas (1954)

That old crooner Bing Crosby is in Technicolor, in fictional Pine Tree, Vermont on Christmas Eve, doing what he does best. Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney also star alongside him in this Christmas musical and miracle, as you don’t often see it snow right on cue for the holidays anymore. Two former soldiers become a song-anddance act and fall for a couple of sisters doing the same thing. Holiday Inn (1942) is very similar to White Christmas, both star Bing Crosby, although this time he is with the iconic Fred Astaire. Irving Berlin composed the soundtracks; the plots involved an inn and a song-and-dance act, and the quintessential yuletide tune ‘White Christmas’ featured in both. They are set in New England, with Holiday Inn in Connecticut. They were even filmed on the same Paramount set.

Cosy Reads

book, here’s our selection of the best page-turners. Sit back, relax, and get stuck in.

The Prince’s candid memoir shook the world from the moment the cover was released, and the news has instantly turned the 38-yearold royal into a best-selling author. With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a story of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief. These emotional words will give readers a glimpse into what life was really like for Prince Harry growing up in the royal household. The book will focus on his moving personal journey from the trauma of losing his beloved mother at such a young age to healing and becoming the husband and father he is today.

Set in 1967 Iowa, nursing school roommates BettyKay and Kitty don’t have much in common.

BettyKay, a farmer’s daughter, has risked her family’s disapproval to make her dreams come true away from her small country town. Kitty grew up in the city and has always relied on her beauty and wit to get by and to hide a devastating secret from the past that she can’t seem to hide from. Despite their differences, the two share a determination to prove themselves in a changing world, forging an unlikely and powerful bond. Before their first year of studying completes, tragedy strikes, and the women’s paths are dispersed. But against all odds, a decadeslong friendship forms, with the two at each other’s side through love, marriage, failure and death, from the jungles of Vietnam to the glamorous circles of Hollywood. Until one winter night, their relationship arrives at the ultimate crossroads.

Spare by Prince Harry

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

The season of reading is upon us. There is nothing quite like enjoying a good read curled up in the comfort of your home. From emerging to established authors and from novels to royals, we’ve got you covered. So, if you’re in the market for your next

An inspiring follow-up to her critically acclaimed, #1 bestselling memoir Becoming, the former First Lady introduces The Light We Carry; an inspirational volume of personal insight and wisdom, aimed at highlighting the complexities of relationships, communities and identity for everyone in today’s highly uncertain world. Michelle believes we can all lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change. Michelle offers readers a series of fresh memories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can enhance the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the practices and values she has developed to successfully overcome various obstacles that helped her continue to “become.”

In 1900 Sardinia, a young woman’s remarkable talent with a needle earns her the role of seamstress for a wealthy family. Inside this privileged world, a million miles away from her own humble beginnings, the young talent quietly takes measurements, sketches designs, mends hems and becomes privy to whispered secrets and stories of all those around her. The Seamstress of Sardinia transports us to a society harshly divided by wealth and shaped by passion, hope, ambition, and love.

Ticket to the World is Martin Kemp’s time-warp trip down memory lane, reliving that truly unforgettable decade; a joyous, nostalgic celebration of 80s culture from one man at the centre of it all. The 80s transformed life as we knew it. Music, style and culture exploded in a haze of dayglo colour. There were hardships, but there were opportunities too. Martin Kemp lived through them all and helped to shape Britain’s last real youth movement. Ticket to the World recalls what it was like to lead the New Romantics, stay up all night at the Blitz with Sade and Boy George, travel the world with Spandau Ballet and contribute to the era-defining Live Aid all told from someone who lived the 80s life to its fullest.

As shattering weather and rising sea levels cause devastation in Florida, a powerful hurricane approaches a small town on the south-eastern coast. Kirby Lowe, an electrical line worker, his pregnant wife, Frida, and their two sons, Flip and Lucas, prepare for the worst. When the boys go missing just before the hurricane hits, Kirby heads out into the ferocious winds in search of his children. Left alone, Frida goes into premature labour and gives birth to an unusual child, Wanda, whom she names after the catastrophic storm. As Florida continues to collapse, Wanda grows. This is a story full of hope and resilience, following one extraordinary woman’s life as she navigates the uncertainty and brutality of a rapidly changing world.

Ticket to the World by Martin Kemp

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

The Seamstress of Sardinia by Bianca Pitzorno

A KING SIZE

Change

King Charles III is the oldest person to ascend to the British throne at 73 years of age. After the New Elizabethan Age, we have the Carolean era, derived from the word Carolus, Latin for Charles. The last time we had a King Charles was during the Restoration of the Stuarts (1660 – 1685). The King before The Merry Monarch was his father, Charles I, who was the victim of regicide (killing of a monarch or sovereign). He was executed by beheading in 1649, following the second English Civil War and the

infamous gunpowder plot. All these explosive events led to Oliver Cromwell becoming Lord Protector for five years until his death in 1658. Our new King has fierce competition from his namesakes concerning carving out his reign as the most memorable Carolean period in history.

Now that a King is officially reigning over us, there will be many changes to items in our everyday life. A different profile will be on our money and stamps, and a new royal cypher will be on our post boxes,

passports, military uniforms and liveries. Our national anthem has had to change its lyrics too and you might have noticed newsreaders adapting to saying, ‘His Majesty the King’. All of these are superficial changes, of course. The biggest changes will be from within the Palace, autonomous changes from Charles himself. There is already talk of a slimmed-down monarchy and a less ostentatious coronation. Although there are rumours that the King will wear around £4 billion worth of regalia as he is anointed on 6th May 2023, the golden jewels part of the ceremony will be shortened,

stripping back the pomp and fanfare. Charles will be the 40th monarch formally crowned at Westminster Abbey, a tradition spanning 900 years.

The Prince’s Trust is a global network of charities founded by Charles in 1976 after completing his Royal Navy duties. It came from an idea to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people, which has involved many famous names throughout the years, including Idris Elba, a goodwill ambassador for the organisation, who previously received a grant to help

him train as an actor. There is also Charles’ history of environmental activism; long before we had heard the words ‘sustainable’ and ‘grass-fed’, he was already supporting organic farming and taking action against climate change. At the time, it was a popular notion that the former Prince Charles was a new-age eco-warrior

for talking to his plants. The press thought he was “positively bonkers” at the time, but he has since been vindicated and noted as a much more positive “pioneer”.

The gardens at the King’s 900-acre Gloucestershire estate, Highgrove House, provide the produce for his Duchy Originals range, sold through Waitrose. Charles

The biggest changes will be from within the Palace, autonomous changes from Charles himself. There is already talk of a slimmed-down monarchy and a less ostentatious coronation.

has spent hours tending to the Highgrove gardens with great passion, installing an organic farm there. The gardens are open to the public, welcoming visitors all year round, with tours including the Chelsea award-winning Carpet Garden. There is also a Highgrove cream tea in the Orchard Room and an Estate Shop selling artisanal crafts exclusively designed for Highgrove. The money raised from the tours and shop is donated to The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund. An interesting fact is that ownership of the Highgrove estate has been passed down to Prince William but is still leased to King Charles.

In a tradition dating back to 1917 and the reign of King George V, telegrams were sent from His Majesty to mark 60th wedding anniversaries and 100th birthdays. Buckingham Palace now sends thousands of birthday cards annually to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthdays, and 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries, and any thereafter. Ruth Park-Pearson was one of several Second World War veterans to receive good wishes from the new king on her special day. Born in Glasgow but now residing in North Yorkshire, Ruth served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (popularly known as the Wrens). Many of Ruth’s six children, 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren joined her for the centennial celebration. The photo featured on the new cards is of a smiling Charles and Camilla, taken in 2018 and the greeting reads, “My wife and I are so pleased to know that you celebrated your one hundredth birthday on 21 October 2022. This brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion.”

Aside from Charles’ designs for a modern monarchy, we are seeing a more human public persona and enjoyed his sense of humour on many occasions when he shared a joke with Camilla or laughed with his beloved sons and grandchildren. Charles has been captured, on film, erupting into fits of giggles at the horse racing with his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, often pointing something out to be amused at. We rarely witness glimpses of a senior royal doing what comes naturally, but under King Charles III, the future royal family looks likely to be a tailored version of the world-famous Institution.

Sponsors

Disability Bowls England

Avery Healthcare is delighted to announce a new partnership as they become a proud sponsor of Disability Bowls England.

Disability Bowls England (DBE) was originally formed as part of the Stoke Mandeville Games, later becoming what is known today as the Paralympic Games. Established in 2004, DBE was launched as the coordinating body for bowlers of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory or learning disabilities.

Sharing the same ethos of inclusivity and diversity, their main objective is to improve the condition of life for those living with disabilities and to facilitate their participation in the sport. Delivering an England-wide co-ordinated programme of activities and events, they engage and re-engage specifically with disabled

people in the sport of bowls, often utilising specialist equipment and mobility aids to help participation. Outcomes for individuals are of improved self-esteem and well-being.

Today the organisation has 465 registered members and 170 Member Clubs, which comprises of bowlers with a range of impairments, each with their own individual challenges to overcome to allow their involvement in the sport. The promotion and demonstration of adapted bowling aids is allowing individuals with a range of complex physical and sensory challenges to engage and re-engage in bowling activities.

Practical demonstrations of specialist equipment and enlisting the services of facilitators have aided novice and established bowlers’ participation and offered solutions to a range of participation challenges. Not only does the organisation provide some amazing community work with local bowling clubs, but they also have a well-developed team that represents England on an international level. 2022 has been a successful year for the team, picking up accolades at numerous competitions.

Right on the MONEY

Many of Avery’s residents witnessed the reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II commence in 1952 and so were pleased to be a part of her platinum jubilee celebrations earlier in the summer.

As part of their celebrations, residents at Dukes Court Care Home in Wellingborough were delighted to receive a Jubilee-inspired ‘Museum in a Box’, loaned to them by The Royal Mint for a recent reminiscence

When Britain adopted a decimal currency in February 1971, it was a momentous event for the whole country, with every man, woman and child having to change how they used money. The reminiscence box contained support materials, replicas and original objects from the time, with each object fitted with a special microchip which, when placed on the box, played audio clips specific to that object - a fun activity, giving those who lived through this momentous chapter an opportunity to look through them together and discuss their memories of the

The items included a half-crown and a farthing, and residents of the home, Maureen and Richard, told everyone how they were given a penny farthing to buy sweets when they

History of

The manufacture of coins (minting) began at the end of the second century BC, with early coins cast in moulds, later struck by hand in a process that would continue to be used for the next 1500 years.

The Roman conquest ended the production of Iron Age coins. At the end of the third century, a mint (an industrial site used for manufacturing coins), the earliest recorded in the capital, was established in London. After the Romans had left Britain, continuous production began at the time of Alfred the Great (871-899).

During this time, there were about 30 mints in Britain, increasing to more than 70 during the reign of Aethelred II (978-1016), mainly in the south of the country, with most market towns having their own. By the time of the Norman Conquest, the number of mints had declined, and from the early 13th century, minting was confined to London and Canterbury.

Minting moved to more secure quarters within the Tower of London by 1279, where it remained for 500 years and where minting processes were mechanised in the 17th century, which improved the appearance of coins and made them more difficult to counterfeit.

The Tower, however, was cramped, and its conditions were unsuitable to accommodate the machinery. The decision was made to move The Mint to a new building at Tower Hill, which was completed in 1809. Following a trial run, new steam-powered machinery was approved, and in 1812 the keys of the old Mint were handed over to the Constable of the Tower.

During the 1880s, the factory buildings were extended and modernised with new coining presses and melting and rolling capacity increased. Electricity took the place of steam, and renovation became a continuous process whilst The Royal Mint attempted to cope with an enormous increase in demand.

The need to rebuild or relocate The Royal Mint became abundantly apparent when the striking of hundreds of millions of coins in readiness for decimalisation in 1971 was required.

The need to rebuild or relocate The Royal Mint became abundantly apparent when the striking of hundreds of millions of coins in readiness for decimalisation in 1971 was required. In 1967 it was announced that a new Royal Mint would be built at Llantrisant, near Cardiff, in line with government policy of transferring industry from the capital to areas in need of development. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened it in 1968. Production was moved from Tower Hill to Llantrisant, with the last coin, a gold sovereign, struck in London in 1975.

More recently, with the use of cash declining, a large proportion of the The Royal Mint’s output is of commemorative coins and memorabilia struck to mark significant events and anniversaries, such as the medals for the 2012 London Olympics.

Now, new coins featuring the portrait of King Charles have been revealed. As with previous British Kings, and unlike the Queen, he wears no crown, and following centuries of tradition, the monarch faces left – the opposite of his predecessor. The coins will first be sold to collectors by The Royal Mint, with the 50p coin available for general use before the end of 2022, distributed according to demand by banks, building societies and post offices. They will co-circulate with coins featuring the late Queen, so those 27 billion coins we know so well will still be accepted in shops for some time to come.

Celebrating

Avery’s Care Homes

2022 has been an incredibly busy year for the Avery Healthcare Group as it continues to expand and the portfolio increases. The team are delighted to announce the opening of four brand new additions, due to open during the winter months.

A warm welcome awaits new residents at Hampstead Court in London, Greensand House in Surrey, Bridge Manor in Wolverhampton and Lady Jane Court in Leicester. The new care communities offer the best in residential, dementia and respite care in luxurious surroundings, and are an impressive addition to the Avery care homes portfolio.

Each home boasts spacious, light and airy en-suite bedrooms, equipped with a resident interaction nurse call and information system for peace of mind. There is plenty of space within the bedrooms for personal keepsakes, photographs and trinkets, all of which are encouraged in order to make settling into the new home environment as seamless as possible.

This year has also seen milestone celebrations take place for 2 homes, Glenmoor House in Corby and Scholars Mews in Stratford-upon-Avon, both celebrating anniversaries since opening their doors.

Glenmoor House celebrated its 25th Anniversary in style on the 25th of May. Residents enjoyed glasses of fizz and live entertainment from performer Neil. The event was opened by the town crier, Cllr Anthony Dady, who presented Head Housekeeper, Maureen Sombach, with a long service award for her 25 years of service to Glenmoor House – a remarkable achievement! Maureen, now 60, started in October 1997 within six months of the home opening and said, “I love working here; it’s brilliant. Every day there’s something different. I’ve met beautiful people while working here, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone”. All of Maureen’s children have worked in the care home at one point, and three continue to do so.

Scholars Mews celebrated its 10th Anniversary in style on the 31st of May with an afternoon tea party for staff and residents. A presentation was held for three long-serving staff members, including Team Leader Barbara Manktelow, who has worked at the home for over eight years. Barbara stated: “I am very fond of the residents; they make my day, and that is why I have stayed all these years.” Karen Lynes, Team Leader, has also worked for the home for over seven years. Karen said, “I enjoy working alongside amazing people, and seeing the residents happy makes it all worthwhile.” Both Barbara and Karen received a basket of personalised gifts and flowers.

James Chamberlain, Maintenance Manager, has been with the home for over six years. James received a voucher for a meal out and stated, “I have worked with some amazing people and cared for some amazing residents who make it all worthwhile when walking in the door every morning.” In the afternoon, staff and residents enjoyed entertainment from singer Jessica Jaques, who performed a great selection of songs from the 20s to the 60s. Residents and staff danced and sang along, and all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon - they were still talking about it several days later!

Hampstead Court Greensand House

Bridge Manor

Lady Jane Court

Season’s Greetingsfrom aroundthe(snow) globe!

By Rachel Carr

While wrapped up in our festivities, it is easy to forget that the rest of the planet celebrates Christmas too. Albeit in a very different way from the one we know. It is always fascinating to see how other folks entertain themselves, how their culture copes with in-laws and packed stores, and how they navigate the season. Here’s how our fellow humans do Christmas…

Japan

Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner in Japan is a tradition which dates back to 1974. It was a marketing idea that filled a void as there wasn’t tradition before. Unsurprisingly, it is unique to Japan, and the KFC restaurants dress the company mascot, Colonel Sanders, up in a Santa outfit. Also, lights! They are everywhere. Obviously, they don’t have to deal with city councils worrying about energy bills!

Merry Christmas in Japanse: Merīkurisumasu

New Zealand

Christmastime is during the summer months for New Zealanders, so traditions centre around having a casual cookout. The barbie or grill is fired up for seafood, seasonal vegetables and meat. Carols are sung in Maori and English. The Christmas tree they sing around is a coastal species called Pōhutukawa. It blooms bright red in December, which is sort of Christmassy.

Ukraine

Cobwebs and spiders are the order of the day in Ukraine. Reminiscent of Halloween rather than the festive season, but it is believed that they bring good fortune. As the folktale goes, a widow was too poor to decorate her tree, so later that night, a spider spun a web around it so when the children awoke the next day, it was all sparkly and glittering in the morning light. That’s why the people of Ukraine put spider ornaments and webs on their Christmas trees. Following the Julian calendar, Ukrainians celebrate their yuletide on the 7th of January, in line with Eastern Christianity. Father Frost (Did Moroz) replaces Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas (Svyatyy Mykolay).

Merry Christmas in Ukrainian: Shchaslyvoho Rizdva

Austria

The antithesis of Father Christmas lives here. Krampus cuts quite a figure roaming through the streets of Vienna. He comes for the children on the naughty list and originates in Germany from the word Krampen, meaning claw. Son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld; Krampus is part of the winter solstice pagan ritual. He is hairy with cloven hooves, horns, fangs, and a long pointy tongue, and he rewards good behaviour, but if the children have badly behaved, they have to face him, and it won’t be for a lump of coal either.

Merry Christmas in Austrian: Frohe Weihnachten

Venezuela

You have to get your skates on for Christmas in Caracas! No, really. In the week leading up to Christmas, Venezuelans attend a daily church service called Misa de Aguinaldo (Early Morning Mass), but in the capital, it is customary to roller skate your way there. So many people join in with this practise that the roads are closed until 8am, ensuring the worshippers’ safety.

Merry Christmas in Spanish: ¡Feliz Navidad!

Senegal

Catalonia

Welcome to the Catalonian tradition of caga tió or defecating log. Locals draw a face on a wooden log, pop a jolly hat on it, and then spend the next two weeks ‘feeding’ it nuts, fruits and sweets. The entire family gathers on Christmas Eve to beat the log with sticks whilst singing a song that goes a little something like this, all together now – ‘If you don’t poop well, I will beat you with a stick.’ They also put defecating ceramic caganers (figurines), with trousers around their ankles, in nativity scenes; they are usually well-known characters, often drawn from the news.

Despite being a Muslim country, Senegal can’t get enough of Christmas. City squares are adorned with lights; shop fronts are stuffed with tinsel, snowflakes are glued to windows, and nutcrackers are on countertops. It may be 26ºC outside, but that doesn’t stop people from donning Santa (Pere Noel here) beards and heavy red jackets. Although Senegal is 95% Muslim, Christians live here, too, and both coexist peacefully. In a show of West African unity, they celebrate each other’s holidays. Senegalese Muslims treat it as a commercial and secular holiday. Even the mosque in the capital, Dakar, has a giant Christmas tree.

Christmas is Cancelled!

That was a familiar phrase I used to hear as a kid, and I even use it myself when M&S sells out of their Rudolph the Reindeer cheesecake. Well, technically, Christmas never began in some countries. Out of 195 countries, only a handful don’t celebrate Christmas. Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Somalia, and Tunisia are some counties that do not recognise the holiday.

Merry Christmas in Catalan: Bon Nadal

Merry Christmas in French: Joyeux Noël

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Asteroids...

coming soon to a planet near you

By Ian Greenland

It’s not really sporting to kick someone, let alone an entire species, when they’re down, but then if you’ve always got your head in the clouds (or several million miles above the clouds), you might at least trip over them....

Sensing a fleeting gap in the doomsday news cycle, astronomers have helpfully announced the discovery of a gigantic asteroid hurtling around the sun whose trajectory intersects our own Earth’s orbit. The space rock, dubbed 2022 AP7 is estimated to measure between 1.1 and 2.3km in diameter – let’s assume it’s the male scientists who’ve exaggerated its actual size. It’s the biggest of three “rather large” bodies discovered by a team from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington who used the ominously-monikered “Dark Energy Camera” in Chile to search for asteroids interior to earth and our nearest-passing planetary neighbour, Venus. Ignoring the generally perceived wisdom of not looking into the sun, the researchers were forced to contend with its obliterating glare in their efforts to observe orbiting matter, utilising two ten minute windows of “twilight” each night to accomplish their goal.

the threat of being hit by the next energy bill more real and pressing than a mile-wide asteroid from outer space.

Below the alarming headlines, in far smaller print, reassurances have been given that we face no immediate danger of impact, the asteroid’s elliptical orbit around the sun keeping it anywhere from three million to 600 million miles away from our home. Nevertheless, three million miles is a mere whisker in interstellar terms and the probability of a collision will increase as our orbits gradually draw us closer together. The scientists are currently unsure just what that risk factor will be a century from now, though more earthbound concerns have most of us wondering how the hell we’re going to get through winter without having to burn chair legs, the threat of being hit by the next energy bill more real and pressing than a mile-wide asteroid from outer space. When talk of Armageddon comes up, it’s worth remembering we’re currently experiencing our 6th “extinction level event”. (Seven if you include the Truss premiership...)

Due to its magnitude and relative proximity to Earth, 2022 AP7 has been categorised as a PHA – a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid - the biggest of its kind observed in eight years and amongst the top 5% ever discovered. Of course, competition for eyeballs online is fierce and most people won’t get out of bed metaphorically-speaking for a “PHA” announcement, hence the far more clickbait-worthy “Planet-killer” headline currently doing the rounds. Any hurtling rock with a diameter above 1km is defined as such, the resultant fires, tsunamis and sun-blocking dust clouds and pollutants a legitimate threat to life as we know it. Just ask the dinosaurs....

Whilst there are five previous mass extinctions to choose from, the worst occurred some 250 million years ago when 96 percent of marine species and 70 percent of land species died off, taking millions of years to recover. The scientific consensus has the PermianTriassic mass extinction occurring as the result of a massive, long-standing volcanic event which released huge amounts of carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere. Of course, these days we don’t need nature to generate enough carbon to shuffle us off – we’ve got cars, planes and iPhones - so the race is on to see if we can beat 2022 AP7 or one of its hitherto-unobserved buddies to the punch.

Alas, the Holocene mass extinction of species we’re currently experiencing (and have been for several thousand years...) is fully attributed to human activity, from the over-hunting of the megafauna around the end of the last ice age to the vast deforestation and ocean acidification we see as a result of our reliance

on heavy industry and mega-farming. With this current “event” affecting myriad families of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, fungi, fish, insects.... the rate of species extinction is estimated at anywhere from 100 to 1000 times natural background extinction rates. Frightening and sobering as that may (should) be, the fact it is number six offers some kind of comfort that the biodiversity we appear to be losing will recover if we can just get out of its way long enough to let it.

There are no easy solutions, but never underestimate the ability of science to surprise and empower us, be that through advances in renewable energy, compostable packaging, cultivated meat or vertical farming. Any one of those might eventually help avert ecological disaster, though it doesn’t get more on the nose than flying a spacecraft into an oncoming asteroid.

In October NASA announced

When talk of Armageddon comes up, it’s worth remembering we’re currently experiencing our 6th “extinction level event”. (Seven if you include the Truss premiership...)

the success of their mission to alter the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos by intentionally targeting it with a speeding spacecraft. The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission craft, having left Earth some ten months earlier atop one of Elon Musk’s reusable SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, collided with Dimorphos at around 14,000 miles per hour, subsequently shortening its orbit interval by approx 4% and representing the first-time humanity has purposefully altered the course of a celestial object. Though the asteroid in question was of no threat to Earth, the proof of concept may provide some reassurance to those who’ve watched Armageddon one too many times.

Whilst fascinatingly, flag-wavingly audacious and no doubt requiring a level of planning, precision and scientific expertise belied by headlines such as “NASA successfully crashes spacecraft into asteroid”, the cynical amongst us might still note that Dimorphos, though no mere pebble, had (prior to its fender bender at least) a diameter of around 165 metres - just one tenth of 2022AP7.

….we’re going to need a bigger ship.

Step Up Stay Up &

Falling is not an inevitable part of getting older and it can be prevented, however, it is a common problem among ageing adults with almost 50% of community-dwelling older persons admitting to fear of falling, and even higher for those with a previous history of falls.

A fall can affect a person’s physical, psychological and social well-being. This can result in avoiding everyday activity, leading to social isolation and increasing fragility. The Avery Falls Prevention Programme provides information to residents and families to take positive action and to identify the factors to consider in reducing the risk of falling.

“At Avery, we promote people to live as independently as possible and look at the person as an individual, taking into consideration how they want to live their life, encouraging them to stay active, eating well and staying hydrated. Staying active, of which walking is one aspect, helps muscle strength and balance to be maintained, which naturally lends itself to staying on one’s feet.”

- Julie Spencer, Avery’s Care and Quality Director.

Throughout September, residents and staff were challenged to walk 500 miles for our Step Up and Stay Up campaign to promote the Avery Falls Prevention Programme. Willing professionals, relatives and visitors were also invited to join in and donate their miles. Eager to participate in the challenge, residents at Seagrave House in Corby enjoyed the fresh air as

they strolled around their garden, with family and friends accompanying them, tracking their steps together.

At Dukes Court and Hempstalls Hall, residents ventured to their local parks. Residents at Hempstalls Hall said, “It was a beautiful walk, and the weather was on our side!” Before long, staff and residents smashed the 500-mile target, increasing to 5000 miles. We are delighted to share that we also surpassed this new target, walking 7014.68 miles overall!

In good spirits, residents and staff at several Avery homes showed off their moves as they joined in with a collaborative dance to The Proclaimers - I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) song to celebrate their success in this challenge. Visit the Avery Healthcare YouTube channel to watch the full dance video.

Step Up & Stay Up

Working proactively together to prevent falling.

Medical Conditions

Consider long and short-term medical conditions such as Parkinson’s and infection, bone health including fractures and Osteoporosis,and memory problems.

Hearing & Vision

Have regular hearing and sight tests and ensure the correct hearing aids and glasses are worn.

Medication

Ensure medication is taken at the correct time, and check whether this may cause drowsiness or dizziness.

Continence

Try to avoid rushing and be aware of and use accessible toilets. Consider medications that may increase urgent toilet use.

Foot Health & Footwear

Wear safe and well-fitting footwear, and consult a chiropodist about foot problems which may be affecting balance.

Physical Activity & Mobility

Maintain and improve physical activity where possible by walking and attending exercise classes.

Environment

Adjust the layout of the room, so that this is free from hazards and well-lit.

Fear of Falling

Continue to improve and maintain confidence, learning from previous falls.

Eating & Drinking

Eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Assess, plan and act to reduce fall risk factors.

WINTER NOT-SO WONDERLAND

As winter sweeps through our land, turning everything crystal white; it is noticeably quieter as people hibernate, glad to hunker down for the night. The fresh air stings our cheeks with a frosty scent, while darkness creeps in around late afternoon and seems to stretch on forever as we await the first signs of spring. During this season, the months have the illusion of being longer than usual, and there is nothing to punctuate the days as they turn into weeks. The landscape looks dead and colourless; the autumnal shades a distant memory. So, what is there to do to keep us buoyant through the winter?

In a worrying new report from Age UK, more people over the age of 60 are suffering from depression and anxiety than ever before. Although it is a perennial problem, it’s magnified by the winter months, and Seasonal Affective Disorder is very real as it is easier to feel isolated during sunless days and long nights. While depression and anxiety have to be treated by a medical professional, there is help and advice if you are feeling hopelessness and despair, or you might know someone who is; it’s always a good idea to check in on friends, neighbours and family members. There is now a larger ageing population, which will only increase, and it is estimated that 25% of seniors are living with mental health issues which are severe enough to require intervention. The pandemic has exacerbated the emotional state of the elderly, turning it into a hidden epidemic because stress-related illnesses are usually associated with the younger generation. Talking about emotions doesn’t often happen freely, and it hasn’t been normalised in the over-60 demographic yet, as they are generally considered more stoic.

Loneliness feels worse in the winter, and with recent lockdowns heightening the issue, it is easy to get stuck in a rut and shut down. Feeling marginalised by technology is a common problem, but it expands our world if we embrace it as we all crave human connection and companionship, texting and video calling are at our fingertips, so we can all stay in touch. Owning a device allows us to indulge in silly videos on social media, listen to music and podcasts, and download digital jigsaws, puzzles or colouring apps. Wrapping up and going for a walk is exhilarating in the cold months; it blows the cobwebs away, and it is interesting to see the changes to the natural landscape, too. It is also a way to talk to and connect with people; just a simple ‘hello’ can lift our mood. Looking after our physical self

will improve our mental well-being, and a healthy diet will work wonders. Superfood smoothies are a tasty treat to enjoy between meals, and they will boost the immune system with all their antioxidants. Hygge is the Danish way of life, creating a cosy environment with candles, natural elements such as plants, textured layering of clothes and bed linen will make the home a comforting and happy place.

Creating and sticking to a routine is another way to combat boredom. Incorporating a new hobby or interest into that routine is guaranteed to activate the brain juices, stimulating positive, feel-good hormones, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Arts and Handicrafts - They can be in any form. Drawing, painting, knitting, cross stitching, or macramé; try them all!

Writing - It’s good exercise for the mind and can order your thoughts. You don’t have to share your work with anyone, it can just be for you.

Genealogy - Here is where you could go down a metaphorical rabbit hole and lose a few hours. Who doesn’t want to find out if they are related to royalty?

Bird Watching - It is relaxing observing our feathered friends. It is also interesting to learn about the different species and their habits.

Adult Learning - A hobby to get your teeth into, and there are plenty of subjects to choose from, plus it is good to meet people with the same interests. A report in The Guardian shows that learning delays the onset of Alzheimer’s, while a social network and leisure pursuits help seniors with longevity.

A loss of pleasure in activities, a persistent low mood, tearfulness and irritability could all be signs of a mental health issue, so it’s prudent to talk to a G.P if you are experiencing this.

The Silver Line Helpline: call free on 0800 470 8090. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., 365 days a year.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is very real as it is easier to feel isolated during sunless days and long nights.

Jo Crossland, Head of Dementia Care, has developed ReConnect, a comprehensive memory care strategy, which includes a bespoke, 5-stage training pathway for staff and works with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that best practice in dementia care is reflected in all areas. Here, she talks about her PhD research.

Dementia Care Research Project

Background

I began my caring career as a teenager in the local nursing home in the Yorkshire Dales where I grew up, going on to qualify as a registered nurse, always with the intention of returning to the care home sector. During this time, my grandad also developed dementia, and although it’s over 28 years since he passed away, I have never forgotten the devastating effect that dementia had on our family. Although I don’t think I ever had a formal plan, my family’s experience has largely shaped and guided my career for over 30 years in various roles in the field of dementia care across the health and social care sector and in higher education. I believed that my academic learning was complete after studying a BSc and an MSc in dementia studies over a decade ago. However, an ongoing need to understand more about how we can support families, particularly during the transition to a care home, led me to finally admit that a PhD was the next natural step for me.

Although care for people with dementia has improved significantly over the last few years, family members caring for a relative with dementia at home still don’t always receive the help they need. When a decision has been made that a person with dementia can no longer safely remain at home, families are tasked with finding a suitable care home, often at short notice and frequently amid a period of additional stress, for example, due to further deterioration in their relative’s health. With support particularly lacking during this time, there is little wonder that families frequently report this being a period of immense emotional strain.

Before we can understand the type of interventions that care homes could put in place to support families during this period, we must first understand much more about how different family members experience this time of transition. This includes understanding the type of support individuals within a family unit believe would be most beneficial to them and understanding whether support needs change at different times during this trajectory.

Approach to Dementia Care Research Project

Existing research identifies that many family members feel unprepared for their relative moving to a care home. Research also identifies that families can experience a range of emotions, from a sense of relief that their loved one will receive the care and support they now need to feelings of guilt. Previous research studies that have explored family member experiences leading up to a relative with dementia moving into a care home universally recognise the need for information and support at this time. Reflecting on this existing body

Jo Crossland, Head of Dementia Care

Research identifies that families can experience a range of emotions, from a sense of relief that their loved one will receive the care and support they now need to feelings of guilt.

of research, my study focuses on identifying the type of information and support that family members identify that they need during the moving-in period and in the early weeks and months of their relative living in a care home.

I am focusing my study within three care homes in the Avery group. For the past six months, I have been interviewing staff and families to understand their first-hand experience. Although my role as the Head of Dementia Care involves me having regular contact with staff working in our homes and, in some instances, with families, to make sure that my research is as unbiased and impartial as possible, I am following well defined and very clear ethical guidelines to separate my two roles; employee and PhD researcher.

Dementia Care Research Project - Initial Findings

I have been fortunate that all of the participants I have interviewed for my research study to date have been very generous in sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Staff members that have been interviewed also recognise the huge impact that pandemic Covid restrictions have had on family members.

As one staff participant commented:

“I try so hard to allay their [family members] fears because they are often so worried and even frightened about leaving their loved one with us. And during the pandemic, it was even worse because visiting was restricted. It was just awful.”

A number of staff also talked about some of the preconceptions that family members can have about care homes:

“I know that we had to restrict visiting during the pandemic, but it’s surprising how many [new] family members believe that we have all sorts of rules and regulations that they have to follow. We spend a lot of time reassuring new families that they can visit whenever they want to and that their relative can continue to do what they’ve always enjoyed doing, even if we have to adapt stuff a bit.”

Family members who have agreed to take part in my study have spoken about the mixture of emotions that

they have experienced during the period of their loved one moving into a care home:

“It felt a bit unreal, you know? Like we were on this journey that we’d never made before, and we didn’t know where it would end.”

was awful… I mean they [participants’ parents] always said, ‘don’t you put us in a home’, and yet here I was.”

“The guilt

“The guilt was awful… I mean they always said, ‘don’t you put us in a home’, and yet here I was.”

It has been very clear from the interviews that I have undertaken so far that staff are committed to wanting to support families in the best way possible during what they recognise is often a very emotionally challenging time.

Intended Outcomes of Dementia Care Research Project

As well as analysing my existing research data, I plan to continue collecting more data during interviews with both existing and new participants over the coming year. Once this data collection part of the

research study is complete, with support from my PhD supervisor and the Director of Studies at Leeds Beckett University, I will continue to analyse the evidence to identify important topic areas and themes. From this, I will use my findings to make recommendations about how care homes can improve the support offered to family members when a relative with dementia is moving into a care home.

Once my PhD study is completed, I will work with a group of colleagues and, where possible, with family members at Avery Healthcare to develop an intervention that staff can access in our homes to support families during the period of their relative moving into their new home. A number of key points are already emerging from listening to participants in my study that will be crucial in making sure that any intervention or supportive resource has the best chance of meeting the needs of families during such an emotionally challenging time:

It must be easy for staff to access and use without needing significant additional training

It must take into account that different family members often have different needs and preferences for support

It must not assume that family members understand how a care home works or the support that is offered.

As one family member that I spoke to commented:

“I wanted to care for them [participants’ parents] forever, you know? And here I was, moving them into a care home. And I had no idea how things worked. You know, it was all very new to me. They [the staff] were so good and said whatever questions you have just ask. But that was just it. I didn’t know what I was supposed to ask. I was totally in the dark.”

I hope that the intervention that I develop at Avery will go at least some way into making, what is often a very obscure path, clearer and less arduous.

“I hope that the intervention that I develop at Avery will go at least some way into making, what is often a very obscure path, clearer and less arduous.”

Meaningful Activities

At Avery Healthcare, each care home is run with a real sense of family within the care communities. Residents create strong friendships with not only their peers but also with the care team surrounding them. This enables staff to discover more about individuals’ likes, interests and life stories from earlier in their lives.

The rich, strong bonds between staff mean they gain a genuine interest in what makes their residents happy and what they enjoy doing. The dedicated Avery wellbeing teams passionately make meaningful activities and incorporate them into the fun-packed weekly activities calendars.

Meaningful activities, referring to physical, social and leisure activities, are tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each person in a care home setting. This can range from cultural pursuits, crafts and day trips to light exercises such as walking and gardening.

On 15th September, five residents from Aran Court in Birmingham visited the Royal Air Force Museum located in Cosford to discover incredible stories of those who have served in the RAF, along with a fantastic display of aircraft, including the world’s oldest Spitfire, iconic cars, models, tanks, and exhibits, all housed in wartime hangars.

One resident was particularly excited about the trip. Getting up earlier than usual he was ready and waiting to go before anyone else. Edwin, aged 101 years old, worked as a flight engineer from 1938 to 1945, flying Wellington and Lancaster planes. Many of the items on show at the museum brought back memories that Edwin happily shared with the group, including detail about the uniform he wore. He couldn’t stop smiling when they were invited behind the scenes to look at a Wellington plane currently being restored.

Katie Griffin, Aran Court’s Well-being Co-ordinator, is hoping to take him back to see the aircraft once the restoration has been completed in October following his 102nd birthday. When asked his thoughts on the outing, Edwin said, “I’ve had an amazing day. I am so grateful to you for taking me and giving me the opportunity to see those planes. I’m glad I got to share part of my life with you and my friends. I am looking forward to returning when the Wellington is finished.”

Sticking with the aircraft theme, over at Droitwich Mews in Worcester, resident and Concorde enthusiast Anne, often shares her stories about the aircraft with her fellow residents, regularly expressing, “A dream of mine would be to go and see a Concorde up close.” The topic especially excites her as her brother was an engineer who built one of the planes in the 1960s.

With Anne’s birthday in May, a memorable trip to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford was the perfect surprise, allowing her to board a Concorde and learn more about the fascinating aeroplane. As she stepped foot inside, she breathtakingly said, “I never thought I would be doing this after all these years!”

Back on the ground, resident Audrey, from Edenbridge Manor in Kent, expresses her passion for floristry as she possesses a flair for the skill. She is a keen member of the home’s Flower Arranging Club and will often produce some beautiful pieces which are proudly displayed throughout the building.

The team at Edenbridge Manor have been supporting their residents to give back to their local community. On 30th September, Audrey was pleasantly surprised to find out that she would be volunteering at a local florist, Lucie Mason Flowers, for the day.

The day involved Audrey crafting some beautiful bouquets for customers’ special occasions, and it’s fair to say that the team at Lucie Mason Flowers were incredibly grateful for her help and were blown away by Audrey’s amazing skills. They even offered her a full-time job!

ALFAHOLICS GTA-R 290

The Italian Job

By Ian Kuah

Bringing the iconic Alfa Romeo GTV into the 21st Century

They say you should never meet your heroes. When I finally got to drive a 105 Series Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV in the early ‘80s, I realised that maybe there was more than a little truth in this old adage.

My first GTV drive left me torn between joy and angst. The bark of the charismatic 1,962cc twin-cam motor up front and the gurgle of its two Weber 40 DCOE carburettors was pure aural delight, while the 130 lusty horses pushed this pretty little Italian coupe along as rapidly as I had expected.

However, even driving with due respect for my friend’s cherished machine, it was clear that the Alfa’s mechanical grip on the tarmac was not in the same league as its punchy motor.

And then one day in 2016 whilst trawling through various used car ads for 105 Series Alfa Romeo GTVs, I noticed the ‘Alfaholics’ name coming up frequently in relation to suspension upgrades. I Googled Alfaholics and found their comprehensive website.

The name of their founder, Richard Banks, rang a bell. On making contact I realised that we were both students of the same Police Class One driving instructor, the legendary John Lyon, and that Richard and I had met on a High Performance Club event in the early ‘80s.

In the interim, Richard bought, sold, tuned and raced 105 Series Alfas, and in 2000 he set up a company specialising in their revival and improvement. The same bug subsequently bit his two sons, Andrew and Max, who later joined him in a family business motivated by their shared addiction for classic Alfa Romeos. The ‘Alfaholics’ name is thus wholly appropriate.

The cornerstone of Alfaholics is a mail order business selling OE parts for Alfa Romeo models. But as tuning and racing these cars became a serious hobby, bespoke improvements for the classic Alfa Romeo models slowly found their way into their growing mail order catalogue.

The restoration and road and race tuning of customer cars to concours standards followed, but as Max explained, “To maintain our quality standards we never undertake to restore and build more than 10 cars a year.”

Engine tuning parts for the Nord twin-cam, which powers all the 105-Series cars in 1300, 1600, 1750 and 2000 form, follow traditional lines. But while Alfaholics

still provides OE and tuning parts for clients all over the world, their more recent conversions focus on the later TS Twin Spark motor.

There is a good reason for this. The classic Alfa Romeo parts bin is pretty comprehensive, and some later components are a relatively easy swap for owners on an upgrade path. In this case the Twin-Spark motor from an Alfa 75 is a relatively easy upgrade path for a 105 Series car, and offers far more tuning potential.

By 2015 Alfaholics was extracting a reliable 225hp from the 8v 2.0 litre Twin Spark motor in GTA R 240 guise. However, the next step was going to be the critical one in terms of output, cost and complexity.

Displacement was increased to 2.3 litres using lightweight forged high compression pistons married to a bespoke billet steel crankshaft by Carrillo rods. The single mass flywheel is half the weight of the original.

Alfaholics have their own CNC machined single throttleper-cylinder intake manifold and throttle bodies with integrated fuel injection rail and carbon-fibre intake trumpets, with combustion controlled by a MOTEC ECU.

On the other side of the ported, polished and gasflowed big valve cylinder head the engine spent gases exit through a lovely set of long tube headers crafted from marine 304 grade stainless steel and mated to a free flow sport exhaust. The result is a 240hp at 6,950rpm, with 199 ft-lb of torque at 5,000rpm.

At this point, the eagle eyed will be asking why the car wears a GTA-R 290 moniker? The 290 refers to the horsepower-per-ton of this 830kg flying machine, which was previously dubbed GTA-R 240 when powered by the 225hp 2.0 litre.

“To maintain our quality standards we never undertake to restore and build more than 10 cars a year.”

The Alfaholics lightweight parts consists of bespoke carbon-fibre bonnet, boot and doors, and lightweight interior. Other parts to emerge from this weight reduction fetish are the lightweight door cards, bespoke drilled boot hinges and drilled door catch plates. This car even has titanium front suspension wishbones, wheel nuts and bolts, which slice around 3.0kg off each front corner.

Bodyshell stiffening is always good for handling, especially when the car wears grippy modern rubber. To this end the GTA-R 290 benefits from the bespoke Safety Devices bolt-in 6/8-point full roll cage with removable sidebars, which significantly bolsters

Alfaholics also commissioned 20% thinner 4.0mm glass to save a total of 2.5kg high up in the car. An added plus is the fact that the new laminated front windscreen has an integral heating element.

Max lapped the Nürburgring in 8 minutes 15 seconds with the car in GTA R 240 form, and weighing 890kg. This time already puts it on par with much more powerful modern machinery, and in its latest lighter and more powerful 290 guise it should be significantly quicker.

structural rigidity and provides occupant safety during its regular racetrack testing sessions.

And of course it helps to see where you are going at night in a car this fast, so while the 7.0-inch Wipac headlamps look stock from the outside, they throw modern high intensity xenon beams down the road.

A nice set of alloy wheels always makes a car, but when you are dealing with a classic you have to be very careful to keep things looking period.

Alfaholics decided that the factory 14-inch GTA style was optimal and so had it re-cast in 7.0J x 15-inch diameter to suit modern rubber. On Max’s car, these are shod with 195/55R15 Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R rubber.

The larger wheels and tyres require the Alfaholics reproduction

pressed aluminium 1967 Homologation GTA rear bubble arch flares for clearance, which allow an increase of up to 15mm in the rear track.

Keeping the much more powerful car tied down nicely are the most extreme components from Alfaholics menu of suspension upgrades. Unsprung weight is significantly reduced by swapping out the big, heavy factory springs for bespoke small diameter coils that mate to the OE wishbones with an adaptor. The previously mentioned titanium wishbones further lower unsprung weight.

The key to curing the Alfa’s wayward handling lies at the rear. The Alfaholics modifications replace the factory cast iron upper reaction arms with their own aluminium ones fitted with spherical bearings that allow the axle to articulate properly over bumps.

Rose joints allow the axle to move vertically but not laterally, which all but eliminates the “will it, won’t it?” sideways movement that saps driver confidence in fast bends, especially ones with bumps. In conjunction with an aluminium T-bar, lightweight trailing arms, adjustable dampers and bespoke camber and toe settings these alterations transform the Alfa’s handling and grip.

The Alfaholics lightweight parts consists of bespoke carbon-fibre bonnet, boot and doors, and lightweight interior.

A lightweight propshaft and rifle-drilled half shafts take power from the gearbox to the rear wheels via a mechanical copper sintered plate limited slip differential.

A corollary of the larger wheels was the space to fit modern brakes with a twin master cylinder and no servo to rein in the performance of an engine producing nearly twice the power of a factory fresh 2000 GTV.

These consist of 300mm vented floating front discs clamped by Alfaholics bespoke billet aluminium four-pot callipers for road use or a six-pot version for the track. For fanatics of low unsprung weight, the Superleggera version features an even lighter version of these six-pot callipers, mounting bells and brackets that save a further 1.5kg per corner.

At the rear, 267mm discs are clamped by new alloy billet callipers each 1.5kg lighter than the stock iron ATE item, while the Superleggera version shaves off a further 0.4kg per corner.

Blip the lightweight aluminium accelerator and the revs rise and fall rapidly. The positive gearshift action tells you that the long lever in your hand is the window to a piece of precision machinery, requiring just a deft finger and wrist movement to find each ratio.

With its low weight and strong torque the GTA-R 290 can be driven around in a fairly high gear without protest from the drivetrain, while the strong torque curve allows you to make good progress with the rev counter needle never exceeding 5,000rpm.

When you want to get a move on the long stroke motor is happy to sing for its supper. The lightweight internals and lightweight flywheel help the engine soar to 7,000rpm with gusto, the rich, multi-layered soundtrack and old school mechanical feel of the controls conspiring to deliver a driving experience that is deeply satisfying on several levels.

On narrow country lanes the classic Alfa’s petite size compared to obese modern cars is a revelation, and you can place the car with room to spare. In the first sequence of bends the rear axle of the Alfaholics car felt properly tied down, working nicely in concert with its incisive front end. The updated chassis ensures that handling, grip and the powerful engine are all reading from the same page.

The original Alfa GTV did not fully live up to my expectations 40 years ago. However, by merging ‘70s character, feedback and communication with 21st Century levels of precision and dynamic ability, Alfaholics has created a modern classic to covet.

COVID-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop. We need your donations now more than ever to help continue our life-saving research. Donate now at cruk.org/donate Together we will still beat cancer

brighter Writing futures

Poverty has a devastating effect on children. But it doesn’t have to be like this. A gift in your will could transform a child’s life.

Imagine that. You could give children a vital lifeline and stop poverty from damaging the life chances of a generation.

Help give vulnerable children a safe and happy childhood.

Write a will.

Transform children’s futures. actionforchildren.org.uk/avery

Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092. Company no. 4764232. © Action for Children 2020. 1510.

Everybody has a hard-to-buy-for person in their lives. How can you be sure that a teenager is pleased with their present, or how do you make a child’s face light up? Luckily, Avery Life has a few ideas up its sleeve. The gift options are out there; you just need to know where to look. Happy shopping!

What do you Meme?

Card game based on internet culture; for that meme-mad teen (try saying that after a couple of sherries!).

STUCK ON YOU

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette

You cannot go wrong with one of these. There are plenty of choices from the ever-popular classic Naked palette range to collaborations with Robin Eisenberg for more adventurous colours. Vegan palettes available. House of Fraser, Boots. From £26.00 to £46.00

Oliver Bonas or Menkind £30.00 Sony

For Teens

Smiley Face Slippers

These fluffy mule slippers come in a range of colours. They are so cute and cool that a teenager will relish wearing them, especially with the ultra-soft wool lining and rubber sole. Etsy.com £15.97

Smyth’s Toys £14.99

Space and Stars

Discovery Kit

This educational gift has five science and craft activities to help children learn about the solar system. There are 16 fun fact cards to help nurture the career of the next generation of astronauts. yippeeadventures.co.uk £15.95

Martin Small Dog Toy

Martin is knitted from organic cotton, wears a striped top, and has stitched features. He has soft floppy ears, so is very tactile and is suitable for the age of 0+ months. merimeri.co.uk £34.00

Personalised Wish Story Book

This is a unique gift for little ones to treasure as a keepsake. The character is based on your grandchild or whomever, and there are rhyming verses with beautiful illustrations. It comes in a hard or soft cover. You can even personalise the message on the inside of the front cover. There are various skin tones and hair colours to choose from, and they will be followed on their adventure by either a unicorn or a dragon. It also makes a nice Christening present. Letterfest, notonthehighstreet.com £23.00 + £6.00 for a hardcover version

An Interactive Glow-inthe-Dark Dream Cloud Pillowcase

Children can get creative at night by drawing on their pillowcases with no mess! It comes with a Glow pen, and the pillowcase is machine washable. As the glow fades, so does the artwork, leaving a blank canvas to start again. T-shirts are also available. This should keep them amused and concentrating quietly for a few hours. Illuminated Apparel, notonthehighstreet.com £15.95

Personalised Animals

Hooded Cotton Towel

The 100% cotton towel with a hood is available in various animal styles. Choose from a pastel bunny with floppy ears, a lion with a looping mane, a cute panda, a cuddly bear, or a cheerful wide-mouthed frog. Their name is embroidered in a fun font, and there is an option to have it neatly presented in a gift box. Suitable from newborn to 3 years. Studio Hop, notonthehighstreet.com £25.00 + personalised from £8.00

This festive season, treat your loved ones to an affordable spa experience – right from the comfort of your home! The brilliantly British 7th Heaven products are herbivore to the core and creature kind – and have been for over 35 years - as certified by the Vegetarian Society and Cruelty Free International.

Relaxing in a Winter Wonderland

Festive-up your skincare with the 7th Heaven Winter Wonderland sheet mask range. Whether you prefer a soothing reindeer, nourishing elf or hydrating penguin, these masks are suitable for the Christmas-obsessed aged 8+. The perfect accessory while you watch your favourite movie, put up the decs or to pop into your Christmas Eve box.

Available in-store at ASDA, £2.99 each

‘Tis the season for gifts

If you can’t decide which mask to choose, this Pamper Hamper of essential beauty treats is just what you need. Includes some of 7th Heaven’s most popular mud and easy peel-off masks to provide your skin with endless pampering. Grey felt cube and soft blush cleansing cloth included.

Available at Argos, £11.00

Everything you need for a pore-fect pink pamper

Combining classic 7th Heaven masks with the new Barbie™ collection with all the accessories for the ultimate pamper night! The Barbie™ Pamper Hamper includes 6 face masks, pink applicator, cleansing face cloth, headband and exfoliating brush packaged into a felt cube.

Available at Very, £19.99

Think pink!

With Barbiecore sweeping the globe, there is no better time to Be Good to Yourself with the latest 7th Heaven x Barbie™ collection. With Pink Chocolate, Pink Neon, and Pink Rose masks to choose from - embrace your best you, with a radiant complexion!

Available in-store at ASDA, £2.99 each

Give the gift of relaxation

The 7th Heaven x Barbie™ Gift Set includes the full 7th Heaven x Barbie™ collection, with three vegan face masks suitable for ages 8+, an applicator and cleansing cloth – all presented in a beautiful pink cosmetics bag!

Available at Argos, £12.00

Mumsnet is the UK’s biggest network for parents, with around 7 million unique visitors per month.

that won’t break your Resolve Resolutions

By Rachel Carr

Everyone has heard of the adage ‘New Year, New You’. It is starting to grow old and tired. Every January, millions of us vow to change an undesirable behaviour or break a bad habit. Usually, this wears off after a few months or less. Then, we feel as if we’ve failed when in reality, we are putting pressure on ourselves to achieve goals just because of the date. What is preventing us from putting good habits into practice at any time of the year? The new year is, traditionally, a time for reflection and contemplation, which leads us to wonder how we can improve our existence. It is also the right side of Christmas to begin something new, as the festivities bring on bouts of overindulgence with money, food and drink; it is the wrong time for a change. The 1st of January seems like an arbitrary date, but psychologically we see it as a fresh start.

The tradition of resolutions has religious roots. The Romans would make promises to their two-faced (literally, it wasn’t because he was one for gossip) god Janus, from whom the month of January gets its name. One of those faces was for reflection, and the other was for looking forward to new beginnings. The Romans would offer sacrifices to be granted a good year ahead of them. Throughout history, resolutions have adapted depending on the era and society. In Medieval times, knights took the ‘peacock vow’ to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry. In the 1940s, people promised to change their disposition or go

to church more. However, the origins of new year’s resolutions go back over 4,000 years. The ancient Babylonians would make vows to their pagan gods. They were an agricultural society, so they would promise to return borrowed farming equipment and pay their debts, not in January, but in mid-March when the crops were planted during a massive 12-day festival known as Akitu. They wanted the gods to look upon them favourably for the rest of the year. Not only were they different resolutions from our own, but they were also made for other reasons; in today’s societies, they are more about self-improvement.

Rather than stick to clichéd resolutions and make promises to yourself because you feel obliged to for the sake of the date, maybe it is time to come up with more manageable ideas. Something that you won’t find tedious and that you don’t necessarily have to start immediately. That way it will relieve the pressure and give you something to look forward to. Joining a book club to help you meet new people, and read more, is always a worthwhile pursuit; you can be as involved as little or as much as you like. You could vow to send more handwritten letters by snail mail. People tend to forget that it is a pleasure to be able to write on a beautiful piece of paper with a quality pen. If you haven’t got a writing set, put one on your Christmas list! The anticipation of a return letter arriving beats the instant gratification of a text message. Another idea is to try a new food every week. It will broaden your palate and help you discover new recipes, bringing a bit of excitement to an everyday necessity. New experiences can start at any time of the year.

The Romans would make promises to their twofaced god Janus(...) One of those faces was for reflection, and the other was for looking forward to new beginnings.

Goal setting has greater success in smaller measurements.

The most popular resolutions are giving up smoking, losing weight, joining a gym, and eating healthily. All of those things are important to our health and general well-being. Others include sorting out finances, taking up a hobby, spending more time with friends and family, and travelling more. Sometimes multiple combinations of these. They are valuable uses of time, of course, and can aid our emotional state, but goal setting has greater success in smaller measurements. Although losing weight or getting fitter are excellent choices, the same goes for quitting an unwanted habit or cutting back on overindulgence; the trick is to think about what you want to achieve long-term and to manage expectations. That way, there is more chance of successfully reaching your goals. Setting up a realistic routine by outlining a plan will help you keep track of your progress. Writing it down will encourage you to begin the lifestyle change. Just not necessarily at the stroke of midnight on the 31st of December, but you will feel empowered by

setting the thoughts in motion. It is also important to remember that if you have a bad day, for example, you have an extra glass of wine or you don’t make it to that exercise class, you haven’t failed, and you should not give up. It doesn’t mean you have to throw away the whole year because of a slip-up. Don’t think of it as starting again; pick yourself up and carry on.

Going the Extra Mile

Arriving earlier than usual this year, the Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) Going the Extra Mile week was celebrated in true Avery fashion between 18th – 22nd July. The festivities challenged people to complete as many miles as possible to raise funds and awareness that will support the financial, professional, and mental well-being of social care workers by making grants, signposting to resources, and providing access to services. Mileage can be racked up in any way imaginable, and throughout the years, we have seen some clever ways of doing this by our residents.

This year was certainly no exception. As proud gold sponsors of the CWC, Avery is delighted to announce that they raised £4,500 by the efforts of residents and staff once again ‘going the extra mile’. Astbury Manor in Bracknell chose an alternative way to complete mileage by crafting a mile-long paper chain. They took to Facebook to show off their impressive creation and asked visitors to help by adding to it during their visit.

With temperatures reaching a scorching 40°c in some parts of the UK on the second day of the celebrations, donning bright orange clothing, chefs Robbie and Suzanna went above and beyond to provide thirst-quenching drinks, juicy fruit platters and delicious ice cream sundaes for Hertfordshire’s Acacia Mews staff and residents, to raise funds for the worthy cause.

Avery is delighted to announce that they raised £4,500 by the efforts of residents and staff once again ‘going the extra mile’.

At Alder House in Nottingham, staff members stuck to tradition as they wheeled out the bike machine and brought out their inner Chris Froome, to cycle 100 miles between them. Although they had very tired legs by the end of it, there was a great sense of relief and accomplishment to have completed their goal whilst raising money.

Hawthorns Aldridge in the West Midlands collected money from an array of activities, including raffles with excellent prizes up for grabs, hook a duck and a 15km bike ride plus 5km run from Well-being Coordinator, Steve. What really topped their efforts was staff members braving the stocks to be foam pied by residents.

Avery

Continuing the fundraising fun on the 16th of September, Head of Culinary and Hospitality, Simon Lawrence and a team of six enthusiastic chefs, aptly named ‘Scrambled Legs’, took on this year’s trek in the Peak District to fundraise for the Care Workers Charity.

Dressed in chef whites and hats, kindly donated by partners, Fair Kitchens, Scrambled Legs set off from Hope Valley to begin their 25km foot-slog through the

The two groups have collectively raised an impressive £1,517 towards the group’s donation.

beautiful scenic route of the Peak District. Joining them along the way was eager Home Trainer, Aga and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Katie, from Darwin Court.

In good spirits, the teams had lots of fun throughout their trek, including hiding in bushes to capture the perfect photo. Together the two groups have collectively raised an impressive £1,517 towards the group’s donation.

Reflecting on the challenge as they crossed the finish line in Castleton with very fragile legs and a glass of fizz in hand, Simon said, “It was a very proud day with a great sense of achievement and friendships formed. We have all enjoyed representing Avery as OneFamily and are ready for the next challenge. Perhaps Kilimanjaro next!”

Avery Recognised Within TOP 100 Apprenticeship

Avery Recognised Within TOP 100 Apprenticeship

Employers 2022

Employers 2022

We are delighted to share that Avery Healthcare has been featured in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2022. Developed by the Department for Education in partnership with High Fliers Research, the national league table recognises England’s leading apprenticeship employers for their overall commitment to employing apprentices, their creation of new apprenticeships, the diversity of their new apprentices and the progression of their apprentices onto further apprenticeships and employment.

Avery’s Learning and Development Director, Shelley Parker-Wain, spoke of the recognition: “We are proud to welcome and support individuals into new apprenticeships, helping them build knowledge and skills in a number of different roles, which reflect our #OneFamily values.”

To attain the ranking, data shows that 7.3% of Avery’s employees were apprentices in March 2022, and 225 individuals began apprenticeships with us between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is designed to enhance an individual’s confidence, developing their existing skills and knowledge. Combining practical workplace training with study, apprenticeships lead to industryrecognised qualifications, as you learn at a pace suited to your individual needs, with support from a mentor and experienced staff members.

Avery Partners with Qube and The Prince’s Trust

At Avery, we are pleased to partner with Qube Learning and The Prince’s Trust to participate in the Health and Social Care Futures scheme funded by the Government’s Health and Social Care Department.

The Prince’s Trust helps 11-30-year-olds build their confidence and skills to support them in jobs, education and training. The Health and Social Care Futures Fund offers a variety of interventions for young people as part of the recruitment programme, ranging from interview preparation and short courses to helping to build knowledge and skills in a range of health and social care roles.

Through this partnership, many Avery care homes offer opportunities for individuals up to the age of 31 years to join the scheme, with support from a dedicated tutor throughout the application process.

Successful individuals help our teams deliver care to Avery residents in a safe, caring, supportive and inclusive environment for both residents and staff. There is a range of apprenticeship vacancies available, including Sous Chef, Head Housekeeper, Well-being and Activities Assistant and Kitchen Assistant roles.

Poetry Workshops

Dilys, Beryl, Pauline and Ruth, residents at Hempstalls Hall in Newcastle-under-Lyme, enjoyed a Poetry Workshop on the 4th of August with Birmingham poet Mandy Ross and Terry Heath from Staffordshire Libraries.

Mandy brought along a range of household objects and asked each resident to choose the one they felt was of interest to them. Beryl picked up the paintbrush and spoke about her time as a pottery painter. Dilys chose shoe polish as it reminded her of helping her father polish her brother and sister’s shoes when she was younger – there were six of them! Dilys also spoke

about working in a nursery, where she taught children English as a second language.

Ruth chose the cotton reel as it reminded her of her love of cross-stitching in her spare time, and reminisced about her time working as a Primary School teacher, singing along to some of the songs she taught the children. Pauline went for the measuring cups as she enjoyed cooking for her husband and two sons.

Mandy made notes throughout the discussion and put together a poem with a verse, including words from each resident. Have a read of the poem below:

The Sounds of Memory

by Beryl, Dilys, Pauline and Ruth - after reading Pleasant Sounds by John Clare -

Quiet concentrating work of the freehand paintress decorating plates with colourful flowers, leaves, trees and grass. The soft clink, one by one, of a dozen plates, carefully stacked to dry, then one by one, onto the wheel, the quiet scraping slap, mixing a little pot of precious paint. Dipping the human hair paintbrush for a gentle slosh in the turps, then sh-sh-shhh, rubbing it dry between your palms, ready to paint black around the edges, till into the roaring kiln, it’s fired to gold. The clock on the desk ticks the time, sponging and knifing the pots to smooth the seams, lifting the big board onto your shoulder, a pile of sample pots for costing, how long they took on the floor, the girls laughing, ‘Don’t go so quick, Pauline!’ Imagine the clatter and smashing if you dropped them! Never! It’d come out of your wages. The owl and the pussycat… Silent discipline in the classroom. The look. They knew. Very strict. So it was a quiet classroom? Not really. We sang folksongs, hymns, Morning has broken, like the first morning, Blackbird has spoken… And at home, the hush of embroidery and cross-stitch, quiet needlework framed on the wall. Small children in the nursery school, with lots of opinions, and all worth listening to. Songs and chanting to learn counting and English for new arrivals speaking Urdu. And longer ago, the swish of the brushes and smell of the polish, sitting on the floor, shining all the shoes with Dad, a big family, lots of shoes, and talking all the while.

at Hempstalls Hall

Looking back through the poems they had created together proved to be an emotional experience for residents...

The group also read an ancient Chinese poem titled: Friend Prepared a Chicken with Millet’. Mandy asked the residents what they thought a similar poem about Hempstalls Hall would contain. They discussed the variety of food they have, their beautiful gardens and the surrounding local area. These ideas inspired the following additional poem:

Here at Hempstalls

by Beryl, Dilys, Pauline and Ruth - after reading My Old Friend Prepared a Chicken with Millet -

On Saturday, we look forward to Sunday, when Dave the Chef prepares a lovely roast with creamy mash, and there’s always a choice; here at Hempstalls, where the red-brick six towns – seven really – girdle the walls, and the green Staffordshire countryside stretches beyond.

We look out of the window to inspect the summer garden, remembering the Jubilee garden party and a visit from Elvis. He did his best, singing Tom Jones. Wait until Christmas. There’ll be singing around the big tree. And we look ahead to next spring when we’ll enjoy the daffodils, flowering again like old friends.

Terry and Mandy

Berni Williams, Well-being Co-ordinator at Hempstalls Hall, described the poetry workshop as an invaluable experience. Residents recalled memories of their careers through discussion, laughing at each other’s anecdotes. Working in a smaller group helped to increase their confidence, and Pauline was praised for her reading voice. Remembering all they had achieved over the years made them realise how important their roles were, increasing their self-esteem.

Looking back through the poems they had created together proved to be an emotional experience for residents, as Beryl proudly showed her verse to her daughter, who took a copy away to be laminated. Ruth felt an immense sense of achievement, and Dilys looked forward to sharing the poems with her family. When she received her copy of the poem, Pauline was moved to tears, saying it was “beautiful”. She was rereading it the next morning!

Berni also noted how the workshop was helpful as a part of Life Story Work with residents who are living with dementia.

Utilising everyday household objects has the potential to unlock many memories for people living with dementia

At Avery, Life Story Work is central to our ReConnect strategy. Knowing more about a resident’s life story can help team members engage with them in a meaningful way. By understanding previous interests, hobbies and routines, staff members can create and maintain opportunities for positive engagement.

Jo Crossland, Head of Dementia Care, said: “The poetry workshop was a fantastic experience for residents with dementia living at Hempstalls Hall. Utilising everyday household objects has the potential to unlock many memories for people living with dementia, and as seen in this example, can lead to very powerful creative outcomes that have a range of positive impacts on well-being.”

Berni and the Well-being team at Hempstalls Hall look forward to working with Mandy again, using poetry and literature as a basis for meaningful engagement.

Hempstalls Hall in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Proud to support the care sector

AVERY’S CHEF ACADEMY:

The Key to Chef Success

At Avery Healthcare, we are proud to offer chefs the opportunity to join our Chef Academy and enrol via an apprenticeship route in partnership with Hospitality Industry Training (HIT). The content of these courses offers everything required to gain skills, confidence and growth.

Our Head of Culinary and Hospitality, Simon Lawrence, explains: “The development and building of career pathways are key in strengthening, rebuilding and recruiting a brigade of talented chefs. We are also keen to develop the Head Chefs of tomorrow – our Sous Chefs and Commis Chefs, whilst also offering advanced learning courses for experienced Head Chefs.”

As the leading specialist training and apprenticeship provider for the UK’s hospitality and catering industry, we are delighted to have partnered with HIT, who provide support with a range of workshops and training days to offer interactive learning, networking, team building, food tasting and live demonstrations. The courses will help build confidence and develop knowledge and skills relevant to chefs’ career paths through various practical sessions.

Fire Up Your Chef Career with an Apprenticeship

To carve out a successful career as a chef, you will benefit from both culinary experience and industryrecognised qualifications. An apprenticeship provides invaluable real-world experience and the skills and knowledge you need to climb the career ladder, opening a wealth of career opportunities.

Why enrol on an apprenticeship with Avery’s Chef Academy?

Specially designed by experts in the industry, chef apprenticeships aim to create a generation of culinary stars. You will earn a wage whilst you learn, boosting your career potential as you progress from an entrylevel position, and guiding you through the core elements to become a fully qualified and capable Head Chef.

Enrolling on an apprenticeship with Avery’s Chef Academy will give you real-world experience as you learn from experts first-hand in a working kitchen environment. You will learn the best ways to communicate, work around others and develop your skills with an industry-recognised qualification reflective of your experience.

Opportunities to meet and engage with industry experts and professionals will allow you to share ideas and boost your understanding of key areas, including preparation and cooking, flavour profiling, dish composition and seasonality.

Top of the hierarchy

Our chef academy offers a range of apprenticeships and training workshops to supplement the programme. Whether you are a trainee, intermediate or experienced chef, there is always an exciting opportunity to expand your skills.

Level 2 Apprenticeships

The Level 2 Commis Chef and Production Chef apprenticeships are extremely popular amongst chefs who are in the early stages of their careers. These apprenticeships provide first-hand experience working in a professional kitchen environment, learning new skills, and gaining confidence in your abilities.

Level 3 Apprenticeships

Aimed at more experienced chefs looking to progress into a more senior position, the Level 3 Chef de Partie and Senior Chef in Production Cooking apprenticeships can help to hone your skills, increase your knowledge, and take on additional responsibilities in roles such as Head Chef or Sous Chef.

Level 4 Apprenticeships

Even those at the top of their game can continue to learn! The Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef apprenticeship has been developed for experienced chefs who wish to move into a role focusing on developing dishes.

How do I apply?

To apply, please complete an apprenticeship application form, which can be obtained from your Regional Training Officer if you are already an Avery chef. If you would like to come and work for us, let us know when you apply.

Group Five-Star Hygiene Rating Achievement

Avery has achieved a five-star rating from the Food Standards Agency across all our care home locations for the second time.

Environmental Health Officers from the Food Standards Agency are responsible for carrying out measures to protect public health and support health and safety. Based purely on unannounced visits, a five-star award from Environmental Health is the highest achievable level.

Led by Head of Culinary and Hospitality Simon Lawrence and Regional Culinary Manager Gareth Cartledge, a first-class hygiene and food safety culture has been instilled alongside a benchmark for highquality dining within the care sector.

Simon stated: “It is paramount that a consistently high level of food hygiene and safety is maintained when working alongside our residents. At Avery, this is delivered through leadership and teamwork. Our Culinary Team have done a great job to achieve this, and we are immensely proud of them all.”

From cosy crumbles to retro roulades, we all like a bit of comfort food this time of year, and what is more comforting than a bit of nostalgia in cake form?

Dessert, pudding, afters, second course or sweet treat, call it whatever you like; our culinary lives would be dull without them. Certain puddings will remind us of our childhood, maybe yours is a Swiss roll or jam rolypoly, an apple pie, or it might be a rhubarb syllabub or the dreaded semolina or tapioca from your school dinner days. Desserts from yesteryear are back, but with a contemporary twist. It may be the difficult period that we are living in at the moment, the politically unstable, pandemic-fatigued, strike-stricken times that are making us turn to food which evokes feelings of nostalgia, so where best to turn than to the seasonal flavours of desserts just like Granny used to make.

One of Britain’s oldest recorded desserts is the bread and butter pudding, dating back to the 1700s. It has endured the test of time, with restaurants putting it on their menus and supermarkets stocking ready-made versions on their shelves. Then we have the humble crumble, which became popular during World War II. Rationing was in full effect, and a lack of ingredients meant a compromise and no pie crusts, so the pie was modified into a crumble. Like pies, crumbles can be sweet or savoury, and there are so many fruits

and endless combinations that can make the perfect crumble. Treacle tart is Cockney rhyming slang for sweetheart, and sweet it is. It makes your teeth hurt just by looking at it! It fell into favour at the end of the 1800s. The original recipe predates golden syrup; in the 1600s it was made with black treacle, considered medicine and thought to be good for the blood and used in antidotes for poison. Its predecessor is a sweetmeat cake made with candied fruit, or crystallised peel, and roasted hazelnuts.

A trifle is an easy layered dessert to make, and it also comes with options. Boozy, chocolate, zesty or fruity, there is a flavour for everyone. Although it is an English dessert first made in the 1500s (the word coming into the vernacular a couple of centuries later), the name derives from the French for truffle, meaning something of little importance – which is not how we would describe trifle! It was popular during Victorian times and a cultural staple of the 1970s. Although it is not without its controversies, trifle snobs will not include jelly or ready-made custard; there are also heated debates around the alcoholic varieties, connoisseurs swear by sherry, but others like to deviate with brandy, port or Amaretto.

These types of desserts don’t have to be dated or passé, as their flavours and ingredients are continually evolving. Why not add some ginger to rice pudding or ice cream and make it into an Artic roll, or create a pumpkin trifle for a more autumnal feel?

Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with

Bailey’s

Ingredients

1 brioche loaf or rolls

300ml of milk

300ml of double cream

100g sultanas (or dates)

2 eggs

3 egg yolks

40g caster sugar

20g demerara sugar

6 tbsp Bailey’s

Preheat the oven to 180C/360F/Gas 4.

Butter an oven-proof dish

Tear the brioche and spread it with butter, overlapping with the sultanas in the dish.

Beat the egg yolks, eggs and caster sugar until creamy, and mix in the cream, milk and Bailey’s or Irish cream liquor.

Submerge the bread with the mixture, and allow 20 mins for it to soak in.

Sprinkle the demerara sugar and bake for 35-40 mins, after putting the dish in a baking tin half filled with water (bain-marie) for a smoother texture.

W i nter

Throughout November, Avery Healthcare focused on Nutrition in Winter, sharing tips and ideas for healthy eating during the colder months. Emilio Pascucci, Head Chef at Astbury Manor Care Home in Bracknell, and Tomasz Milewski, Head Chef at Droitwich Mews Care Home in Droitwich Spa, shared some of their favourite winter recipes, including a range of delicious vegetarian options. We also shared some top tips and ideas, including the benefits of batch cooking, how to incorporate beans and pulses into winter dishes, and the importance of winter-warmer recipes.

Head of Culinary and Hospitality at Avery Healthcare, Simon Lawrence, enjoys the seasonal variety, “Autumn and winter are a perfect opportunity to prepare fresh and wholesome meals to support your immune system to help fight any winter colds and viruses and keep our energy levels up. There’s an abundance of versatile, seasonal produce available at this time of year for main courses and, of course, desserts and plenty of opportunities to get creative and revive or spice up some old classics.”

Continuing to eat a range of well-balanced, healthy meals during the winter months ensures we have the essential nutrients to support our immune system and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, plums, parsnips, mushrooms, leeks, and courgettes, can be combined with a range of carbohydrates, such as whole-grain bread, sweet potatoes, rice and pasta.

Eat Your Way to a Warmer Winter

As the winter months are now upon us, you may wonder how to keep warm besides snuggling into a cosy blanket. Evidence suggests that foods that take longer to digest can help to raise your body temperature due to the heat produced as food metabolises. To aid this process, try to eat foods high in healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates, as these are more complex and take longer to digest.

Foods to Eat to Stay Warm

Begin your day with cereal for breakfast, such as oats, wheat or porridge, a great source of fibre. Little ones can enjoy warm milk on their cereal.

When it comes to lunch, soups are an excellent option for a winter warmer, especially if they can contain a range of pulses and vegetables.

If you fancy a snack, fruits such as bananas, kiwis, apples, and plums are all in season during the winter months. Bananas are a good source of magnesium, which can help to maintain your body temperature. Other foods to consider incorporating into your meals include red meats, a source of iron, and vitamins, which help support a strong immune system. Sweet potatoes or roasted butternut squash are also packed full of nutrients and can be added as an accompaniment to various dishes.

Batch Cooking

Batch cooking involves larger amounts of food and storing it for later use, ensuring you have healthy and nutritious meals ready when needed.

Less Time Spent Cooking

Batch-cooking meals allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and reduce the number of times you need to use the oven or other kitchen appliances, helping to keep energy costs down.

Minimal Waste

To batch cook doesn’t mean smaller portions. It’s a great way to minimise food wastage and maximise the nutrients in fresh produce as you’re cooking and storing vegetables straight away instead of allowing them time to wilt before cooking.

You’re also more likely to buy only the required ingredients rather than extra items you may not use, saving money in your weekly food shop.

Reduced Cost of Meals

Buying ingredients in bulk is often cheaper, particularly if you can make use of supermarket deals and discounts. You can use these in batch cooking or prepare individually, store, and later defrost for use within various meals, such as the starting ingredients for chilli, spaghetti bolognese and cottage pie.

Increased Variety

Not all meals lend themselves to being frozen, but many hearty and traditional meals work for batch cooking, such as curry, slow-cooker meals, stews, pasta sauce and pies. Whilst you may not have the

Top Tips for Batch Cooking

Portion food into appropriate sizes, single servings or enough for the whole family to avoid waste.

Note the date of your prepared meal on the storage container. Most soups and stews ought to be eaten within three months, but cooked meat can last up to six.

Ensure the meal is thoroughly cooled before freezing.

You can defrost the meals in the microwave before cooking, but try to plan ahead and defrost them in plenty of time by putting them in the fridge the night before serving.

time or energy to cook each evening, setting aside some time each week for meal planning ensures you have a variety of meals to enjoy. There’s nothing more satisfying than a nutritious, pre-prepared meal with minimal effort!

Cooking with Beans and Pulses

Whether you are cooking on a budget or looking to try something new this winter, pulses, including beans, peas and lentils, can be a great choice to help you bulk out your meals, eat healthily and save money. They are also a great meat substitute and can be added to a range of vegetarian dishes, ensuring those of us who are vegetarian or vegan or want a meat-free meal maintain a balanced diet.

What are pulses?

Pulses include beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas and can be enjoyed on their own or as an accompaniment to other items within a dish. Not only are they high in protein and fibre, but they also contain vitamins and minerals, as well as other antioxidants, which help to boost our immune system.

As one of the highest-fibre foods, pulses contain a mix of proteins and fibre, which are digested slowly, helping you feel fuller for longer.

How can I incorporate beans and pulses into my winter dishes?

There are many ways to cook with beans and pulses, as these can be added to a range of soups, chilli and curry dishes. These winter warmer dishes are packed full of healthy vegetables and beans, giving us the nutrients needed to sustain us throughout the colder months.

As part of our Nutrition in Winter Campaign, Emilio, Head Chef at Astbury Manor Care Home in Bracknell, and Tomasz, Head Chef at Droitwich Mews Care Home in Droitwich Spa, also shared some of their favourite vegetarian recipes: Roasted Red Peppers Soup, Italian Tricolour Salad, and Star Anise Plum Sesame Crumble with Chantilly Cream.

Visit the Avery website news page for more information.

riends orest

By Ian Greenland

As we ease into November, memories of one of the driest, warmest UK summers on record fog around the edges like the condensationcovered windows we now stare wistfully through. Light levels drop, temperatures plummet, tans fade and spirits sag. Whilst millions of us silently commiserate, figuratively tightening our belts against soaring energy bills, whilst preparing to literally loosen them again come Christmas, our diminutive cousins rejoice, embracing the cold and the damp and the dark like tiny Gollums as they raise their heads above a mulchy parapet and invite a downtrodden populous battling a cost of living crisis to spin the wheel of chance - eat a handful and you may receive a totally free, tasty, nutritious hit... of course you might critically poison yourself, or spend the next six hours seeing faeries whilst really connecting with some early Pink Floyd

For clarity (largely my own!), it’s good to point out that mushrooms are the fruiting bodies or reproductive structures of a larger fungus, typically representing a very small percentage of the organism as a whole, like pears on a tree.

Fungi are more genetically similar to humans than plants, consuming nutrients through organic matter, not photosynthesis, absorbing oxygen and expelling CO2.

The organism in question is the humble mushroom, and whilst “cousin” may have been a stretch, fungi are in fact more genetically similar to humans than plants, consuming nutrients through organic matter, not photosynthesis, absorbing oxygen and expelling CO2. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some glow in the dark, others reproduce more after lightning and some were even worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, though let’s face it, they loved a good worship.

It’s the fungus’ underground mycelial network, consisting of millions of nutrient-absorbing, threadlike hyphae which support the sprouting, sporespreading mushrooms we instinctively yank the dog away from on Autumn walks. So vast can these underground networks grow that fungi are amongst the largest life forms on Earth, with a honey fungus in the Malheur National Forest of Oregon considered the world’s largest organism by area. Spread over an incredible 2384 acres, this record-breaking Armillaria Ostoyae, discovered in 1998 is estimated from its size to be 2400 years old, but could well be more than three times as ancient. Though this particular shroom causes Armillaria root disease, responsible for killing large tracts of conifers in North America and Canada, mycorrhizal fungi can be incredible symbiotic partners to our arboreal friends, interacting with plant and tree roots and providing nutrients. Their mycelial network even facilitate the sharing of nutrients and information between different species of flora, warning interconnected trees of droughts, diseases and other imminent natural threats and allowing their hosts to redistribute resources for the greater good. Dubbed “The Wood Wide Web” in 1997, this extraordinary network may not boast the connection speeds we’ve become accustomed to online but it’s undoubtedly more wholesome.

Speaking of which, mushrooms (those which don’t kill you) are a relative super food, free from fat, cholesterol and gluten and, due to their high water content and low energy density, low in calories. With more than 2000 varieties of mushroom classified as edible, they range from “Yum! - That’s actually better than a real burger” to “Get it away from me. That’s not food. What the heck?!...”

Wherever you fall, they form a cornerstone of many a healthy diet and are the only non-animal food product with high levels of vitamin D, a potential primary dietary

So vast can these underground networks grow that fungi are amongst the largest life forms on Earth.

source for vegans and vegetarians and something the British population at large desperately needs come the gloomier months.

Mushrooms can lay claim to the “fifth primary taste”, going beyond the more familiar sweet, salty, bitter or sour as they bring “umami” into the mix. A taste described as savoury or meaty, though generally characterized as mild or subtle, it is both lingering and quite literally mouth-watering in its promotion of saliva. Research studies with umami revealed its addition to low-salt soups increased their popularity and taste rating amongst participants whilst lowering the resultant salt added by up to 25%. As such, the umami taste, and by virtue our mushroom friends, have been recommended as potentially beneficial to certain demographics, such as the elderly, whose taste and smell sensitivity may have been adversely affected by age, an effect often exacerbated by medications. Where this impairment can lead to poor nutritional choices and subsequent ill health, umami may have the answer, evidence suggesting it not only promotes appetite but may contribute to satiety.

Furthermore, research shows mushrooms may be particularly useful in the fight against age-related illness, containing as they do extremely high levels of ergothioneine and glutathione, important antioxidants which help our bodies battle oxidative stress. This form of tissue damage degrades and destabilizes cells, causing ageing and increasing the likelihood of cancers, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. The study, conducted at Penn State and headed by Robert Beelman Ph.D. concluded mushrooms contain these vital antioxidants in exponentially higher levels than any other food in the chain, suggesting around five button mushrooms daily would provide the body its recommended dose of ergothioneine.

So there you have it. Even if, like my ironically vegetarian fiancé, you wouldn’t previously let a mushroom past your lips, perhaps you’ll now consider one in your shopping bag... or even, as your shopping bag. Companies such as Ecovative are already growing 100% compostable packaging from mushroom mycelium and agricultural byproducts. Whilst similar to styrofoam in application, it takes just 45 days to compost, rather than 500 years to biodegrade - and it feeds, rather than poisons its environment as it does so.

Mushrooms might just save the world.

Their mycelial network even facilitate the sharing of nutrients and information between different species of flora, warning interconnected trees of droughts, diseases and other imminent natural threats and allowing their hosts to redistribute resources for the greater good.

Secrets of Blue Zones 9 Longevity

By Elissa Goodman

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica Ikaria,Greece

Someone recently asked me where I want to go on my next vacation and I told them any one of the five Blue Zones. “Blue Zones” are the five places in the world where people live the longest. They include the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. We stand to learn so much from the locations where longevity reigns that visiting the people and learning more about their culture sounds pretty fascinating to me. We live in a society where, for the first time in many generations life-expectancy is decreasing in some areas, including South America. In some of these places this generation is expected to live shorter than their parents for the first time ever, and in some areas as much as a five year drop in life expectancy could be seen.

Learning what we can from parts of the world where longevity seems to come more natural is crucial in a world where our environment and lifestyles are more toxic than they were in previous decades. In general, we over consume, we’re lonelier than ever, our sense of community is lacking, and we are less active.

National Geographic Fellow and Best-Selling Author of The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner has done extensive research on these Blue Zones. Along with his team of researcher’s, Dan determined that the people in each of these places have nine attributes in common with each other that are associated with their impressive longevity. This group of lessons has been coined the term Power 9 and they quite possibly could be the very attributes to work on to add years (and quality!) to your life.

Natural Movement

In each of the five blue zones, people are not known for their high intensity workout programs. Instead, they live in cultures where natural movement is extremely common. Their environments encourage them to move often throughout the day without them even thinking about it. They do not have technological conveniences for yard work, so they literally get their hands dirty and tend their own gardens. They live in mostly walkable areas and choose using their body as a mode of transportation on a daily basis. The lesson for us is to get up from our desks and evaluate how we can add more movement into our lifestyle – a walk during lunch or perhaps an outdoor hobby.

Purpose

People in the longest-living areas know how important it is to live for something bigger than themselves. In Okinawa, there is a word “Ikigai” and in Nicoya there is a term “Plan de vida.” Both of these words translate to “Why I wake up in the morning.” I think so many of us have lost our sense of purpose and, clearly, that can be detrimental

Okinawa, Japan

to our health. Self-care, practices of gratitude and journaling can all help us to connect to our why and our purpose.

Down Shift

Dan Buettner’s term “Down Shift” refers to how the people of the Blue Zones manage stress. Each culture addresses stress uniquely, but they all do it differently than many of us. They have a means of shedding their stress, rather than plowing right through or ignoring it. Okinawans take time each day to do a sort of meditation to remember their ancestors. Ikarians prioritise naps. I cannot think of one stress reducer that the majority of us do daily, but I do love the idea of adding in 20-30 minute naps or meditations. Even soaking in the tub after a long day or having a relaxation ritual can go a long way.

80% Rule

In terms of the 80% rule, Okinawans have a mantra that is said before meals that reminds them to stop eating when they are 80% full. They know that

ceasing to eat before they are completely stuffed could be the difference between staying at a healthy weight and gaining unnecessary weight. In all of the Blue Zones, people eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and then do not eat again until the following morning.

Plant Slant

Not surprisingly, the people around the world who live the longest adhere to mostly plant-based diets. 95 to 100% of dietary intake comes from plants. Staples of the diet are whole grains, nuts, and tubers. Meat is eaten, on average, only five times per month in Blue Zones and fish about twice per week. The main part of most centenarians’ diets is beans like fava, black, soy and lentil. Eating this way is manageable for all of us. I recommend trying out plant-based in steps, first committing to eating this way for lunch, then M-F, and eventually plant-based eating can become the norm with exceptions 1-3 times per week.

Research shows that happiness, loneliness and even obesity are contagious.

More surprisingly, in these communities, moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers, but consumption is moderate at 1 to 2 drinks per day (Sardinian Cannonau wine is best). The trick is to stick to one or two glasses of red wine a day and enjoy it with family or friends, not as a solo activity. After thinking about this, it might be the socialising part of the drinking that makes it so beneficial!

Belong

Many of the centenarians that Buettner and his team interviewed also belong to a faithbased community. It does not matter what denomination they are; it only matters that they have a relationship with a community that supports them. They also put their families first. They make sure any older family members are kept in their homes with them and they commit to one life partner. The longest living people are also part of social circles that support their healthy lifestyles. This makes sense since research shows that happiness, loneliness and even obesity are contagious.

Loved Ones First

A common theme in Blue Zone areas is an emphasis on family connection. Children spend time and care for aging parents/grandparents. Committed, long-term relationships with one partner are common. Spending time with children and grandchildren and living close by is also the norm. While this may not be an option because of distance, it is important to note the difference familial relationships make. Working to cultivate your family connection (or creating your “friends are family” group where you are) can go a long way.

Right Tribe

Social circles that support healthy behaviours are key. In each community there is a support system, meals are prepared together, time is spent together, and communities are often active together. It does in many cases still “take a village”! It can be a little more difficult in our busy lives to build up the right tribe, but if you do a little research you will find wellness events being put together all over the country. There are hiking clubs, yoga groups, and running clubs – take a little time to seek out your community and if you can’t find one, why not build one?

If you want to live as long as you can and have quality of life, take a page out of Dan Buettner’s book. Ride your bike to work when possible, instead of taking the train. Spend time journaling to determine what you want your true life’s purpose to be. Take up yoga and meditation as a means of reducing your stress levels. Try not to eat large meals for dinner and limit your snacking before bed. Move towards a plant-based diet. Become a part of a community and be sure to stay close to loved ones who have a healthy impact on you.

DON’T GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD

Socialising is an essential part of our lives and dramatically impacts mental health. Our traditional social networks may not be as strong as we age, but the Hawthorns independent living communities strive to create the perfect social and vibrant atmosphere where it is easy to gain meaningful companionships, whether with staff members or fellow residents.

The Hawthorns in Braintree, Clevedon, Eastbourne and Northampton provide all-inclusive retirement living. The friendly community of like-minded people, and your own apartment where you can come and go as you please, is the perfect balance to make new friends whilst still living independently.

Restaurants are filled with chatter at mealtimes, where three courses are served at lunch and dinner, and a continuous supply of refreshments, fresh fruit and tasty home-baked cakes are available throughout the day for a social gathering in coffee lounges. All four Hawthorns locations are recipients of the prestigious Hospitality Assured award for first-class services.

A daily programme of activities and events keeps your mind and body active and supports you in staying healthy. Well-being Co-ordinators arrange a wide

variety of stimulating and engaging social events alongside cultural and sporting pursuits daily. Weekly exercise classes include Yoga, Pilates and Tai-chi, and, of course, the salon is where pampering happens and is a much-loved part of residents’ social calendars.

“There comes a time in your life when changes in lifestyle and circumstances enforce a change of direction. I spent one-month sampling the lifestyle at The Hawthorns with little expectation that this would be my choice for the future, but I was completely converted by the end of that time.

The management and staff cannot do enough to make this a great experience – the entertainment and activities, menus, housekeeping, and maintenance all contribute to our unique retirement living. There is always a member of staff to advise or assist with absolutely anything. The surroundings, inside and out, are exceptional.

Perhaps the greatest benefits are having my independence and the freedom to live my life the way that I wish but having support and friendship at hand. So many pressures and cares have been lifted.” - Barbara Brown, the Hawthorns resident.

The Rose of the Shires

Facilities at the Hawthorns Northampton include a games room, indoor bowling, treatment room, nail bar, hair salon, cinema and gym. The sociable community has a bistro and coffee lounges for residents to meet or spend time relaxing with the daily paper, and for those looking for more structured activities, a Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator listens to resident requests and personal interests to organise classes and clubs on-site, as well as trips out on the minibus to local attractions.

Experienced General Manager, Sarah-Lou Haskins, speaks of the Hawthorns, “I am honoured to be here with our residents in what is their home. Throughout my career, I have loved meeting new people and learning about different cultures and ways of life. It is a privilege to see residents embrace new things, learn a new skill or craft, and enjoy each other’s company at the Hawthorns”.

Sarah-Lou, born and raised in Bath, Somerset, trained as a dancer and worked with choreography teams for some great British holiday parks before finding her sea legs and boarding the cruise ships of P&O, where she travelled worldwide. Following this, her career led her to the hotel and hospitality industry.

“Hospitality is my passion which reflects the Hawthorns’ customer promise”, says Sarah. “Our hospitality assured accreditation renewal reinforces our commitment and noted the exceptionally wide, thoughtful and fun range of activities available and that the culinary team offers a wide choice of freshly prepared and well-presented food’’.

The Hawthorns is a landmark retirement living community on the western approach to Northampton. The historic town has many places of interest to visit and a rich history, including being host to the Battle of Northampton in 1460 at the site of Delapré Abbey during the War of the Roses civil war period.

Recent events at the Hawthorns include a Mamma Mia experience with the piazza transformed into the Bella Donna hotel from the Greek island of Kalokairi and live entertainment including songs by ABBA, traditional tea dance and afternoon tea, and an autumn festival with apple scrumpy, pulled pork rolls, pumpkin pie and a musical performance by a traditional folk band. Speaker Diane Simpson, a handwriting expert who has worked on high-profile criminal investigations, including that of Peter Sutcliffe, was also a much-anticipated recent guest.

For more information, visit hawthornsretirement.co.uk or call 01604 684920 to request a free information pack.

RIGHT-SIZE YOUR RETIREMENT

Live safe and well in the comfort of your own luxury studio, 1-bed or 2-bed apartment at The Hawthorns, a warm and friendly rental retirement community for the over 70s.

One simple monthly fee includes home-cooked, quality dining, housekeeping, property upkeep, and utility bills with no worry of property purchases or exit fees.

SEE IF IT’S FOR YOU TRIAL STAY

Experience an apartment, restaurant-style dining, and Hawthorn’s lifestyle for yourself. Book a trial stay and make new friends.*

ONE MONTH RENT FREE

Enjoy your seventh month at The Hawthorns on us. Celebrate the beginning of your free month with a complimentary bottle of champagne. We’ll have one on ice for you - cheers! *

EASY MOVE

Enjoy a worry-free move with £1000 from us towards your packing and moving costs so you can settle into your new apartment with minimal stress.*

Call today to book a safe, guided in-person or virtual tour

Abbey Court

1 Heath Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS11 7AD

T. 01543 277358

Acer Court

172 Nottingham Road, Nuthall, Nottinghamshire, NG8 6AX T. 0115 977 7370

Acacia Lodge

90A Broadway, New Moston, Manchester, M40 3WQ

T. 0161 688 1890

Adelaide

35 West Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4BE T. 020 83043303

Acer House

141B Milton Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 8AA T. 01934 637350

Acacia Mews

St Albans Road East, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 0FJ

T. 01707 278160

Alder House

172A Nottingham Road, Nuthall, Nottingham, NG8 6AX T. 0115 975 8110

Aire View

29 Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3ED

T. 0113 388 5440

Alma Court

2 Heath Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS11 7AD T. 01543 273860

Acorn Lodge

132 Coventry Road, Nuneaton, CV10 7AD T. 02476 642680

Albion Court

Clinton Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, B18 4BJ

T. 0121 554 7261

Aran Court

Braymoor Road, Tile Cross, Birmingham, B33 0LT

T. 0121 770 4322

Ashurst Mews

Northampton Lane North, Moulton, Northamptonshire, NN3 7RQ

T. 01604 493233

Amarna House

Rosetta Way, Off Boroughbridge Road, York, Yorkshire, YO26 5RN

T. 01904 798509

Astbury Manor

Crowthorne Road North, Bracknell, RG12 7AU

T. 01344 359100

Avalon Court

1 Glendale Way, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9YQ

T. 02476 470246

Avon Valley

Tenniscourt Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 4JW

T. 0117 428 8800

Birchwood Grange

177 Preston Hill, Kenton, Harrow, London, HA3 9UY

T. 020 83851115

Butlers Mews

Ridge Drive, Rugby, CV21 3FE T. 01788 727001

Cliftonville

Cliftonville Road, Northampton, NN1 5BE

T. 01604 238850

Avery Park

231 Rockingham Road, Kettering, NN16 9JB

T. 01536 851745

Birchmere House

1270 Warwick Road Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LQ T. 01564 732400

Avonmere

339 Badminton Road

Downend, Bristol, BS36 1AJ

T. 0117 9579210

Bourn View

47 Bristol Road South, Bournville, Birmingham, B31 2FR

T. 0121 516 3500

Clare Court

28 Clinton Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, B18 4BJ

T. 0121 554 9101

Birchmere Mews

1270A Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LQ T. 01564 732660

Crispin Court

385A Stone Road, Stafford, ST16 1LD

T. 01785 785900

Bridge Manor

Mary Bond Court, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire, WV5 8DA

T. 019 029 44001

Clayton Manor

Rood Hill, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1YZ

T. 01260 299622

Darwin Court

Wissage Road, Lichfield, WS13 6SP

T. 01543 250824 averyhealthcare.co.uk

Glenmoor

Hawthorns Braintree

Meadow Park, Tortoiseshell Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1TD T. 01376 335500

Hawthorns Clevedon

18-21 Elton Road, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 7EH T. 01275 790060

Hawthorns Eastbourne 4 Carew Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2BF T. 01323 644111

Hawthorns Northampton Weedon Road, Upton, Northampton NN5 4WR T. 01604 684920

It can be difficult to know where to start when choosing an estate agent.

In winning Feefo’s highest service award in 2020, we have received in excess of 500 five star reviews from verified customers.