Wellgate Newsletter - Spring 2025 by millie.powell

Ne sletter

INTRODUCING OUR NEW SERVICE IN BEXHILL – BUTTERCUP CLOSE!

OUTSTANDING TEAM MEMBER AWARDS

SPRING BAKING COMPETITION

TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

3 / Introduction

4-5 / Outstanding Team Member Awards

6-7 / Operations & Business Development Updates

8-9 / People Corner

10 / Meet Ana Beja - Head of Operations

11 / Quality & Safeguarding

12 / Update from the Finance Team

13 / Spring Baking Competition

14-15 / Quarterly Photo Competition

16-19 / Update from our Services

Welcome to our latest newsletter, featuring news and information about our latest developments and plans for the future.

Although we have grown significantly over the last two years, we have remained true to our shared values, to deliver excellent services, maintain the highest standards and support people to achieve their goals and develop independence. It is a testament to your hard work, passion and dedication that we have delivered so many great outcomes, some of which we celebrate in this newsletter. Thank you all sincerely, it is a pleasure working with you and we could not do what we do without you.

CONTACT

photo competition and we also feature two of our new services, Buttercup Close in Bexhill-on Sea and The Limes in Nottingham.

I want to highlight special recognition to Kay and Lisa, our outstanding employee award winners who have really made a difference in the lives of the people we support and their colleagues. We also ‘meet’ Ana, our new Head of Operations for our services in the North and hear from Nick, Helen, Angela, Caley and Michelle with some important updates.

Thank you for all your exciting news stories and photographs, we have picked the best one to win our new

We decided last year that we would align our pay with the new National Living Wage. This was due to a significant rise in National Living Wage of 9.9% which felt, for the first time in our sector, that pay was being increased significantly above inflation in recognition of the important work you do. Angela has provided an update on pay in this newsletter, but it was encouraging to see that National Living Wage has just increased by 6.7%.

I look forward to seeing you all over the spring and summer months and hope you enjoy this newsletter.

Best wishes,

Alex Seery

OUTSTANDING TEAM MEMBER AWARDS

Congratulations to Kay Smith (Millfield) and Lisa Hogan (Wade Court)

We are delighted to present ‘Outstanding Team Member’ awards to Kay Smith at Millfield and Lisa Hogan at Wade Court.

KAY SMITH Millfield

Kay’s colleagues describe her as a ‘superstar.’ Currently Kay works as the cook at Millfield but has previously worked in a domestic role and as a member of the care team.

She can work effectively across all roles, with empathy and warmth. She covers the service at short notice, creates new menu’s promoting healthy eating and loves preparing everything for a party!

“Kay can work effectively across all roles, with empathy and warmth!”

LISA HOGAN Wade Court

Lisa shows genuine care for our tenants and provides support that is person centred and focused on promoting individual choices.

All the tenants at Wade Court appreciate Lisa’s work, she is a valued member of the staff team who always offers to help others when needed. Lisa even comes in for activities on her day off!

“Lisa is a valued member of the staff team who always offers to help others when needed!”

Caley Somers HEAD OF OPERATIONS (SOUTH)

OPERATIONS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

News from the North!

We are proud to support 66 people across 6 services in the North, delivering high-quality care and support and making a real difference in people’s lives. Exciting things are happening!

The Limes, a registered care home we acquired in March 2024, is preparing for its grand reopening after a temporary closure for refurbishment last September. Our goal is to create an exceptional environment where the people we support can thrive, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back very soon. Watch this space!

We are also embracing innovation and efficiency by streamlining our processes and introducing digital systems, ensuring we continue to provide the highest standards of care and support while operating with greater transparency and effectiveness.

In February, service managers in the North came together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and reflect on how we can continue to improve

the support we provide. The goal that underpins our meetings is always the same: creating services that are the best to live in and the best to work in! Through these meetings, we are fostering collaboration and reinforcing our commitment to continuous development and excellence.

These gatherings have been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing them throughout the year, ensuring that we stay connected, inspired, and always striving for the best outcomes.

A huge thank you to our incredible management and support teams for their dedication, passion, and commitment. Your hard work and positivity are the driving forces behind everything we achieve—we’re building something truly amazing together!

Michelle Bennett BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Introducing our new service in Bexhill - Buttercup Close!

Although a brand-new house, there was lots to do in order to turn it into a supported living service.

This included adding en-suite shower rooms to all the bedrooms and redesigning the ‘open plan’ ground floor into a separate kitchen and lounge so that people could concentrate on cooking in the kitchen uninterrupted. The end result is absolutely beautiful, and the tenants enjoy showing off their new home!

We offered tenants at The Lodge an opportunity to look around as the house was being redeveloped, and three tenants decided that they wanted to move to a smaller, quieter home away from the hustle and bustle of The Lodge.

Moving day was full of emotions, with the excitement of moving to a new house mixed with leaving good friends. Everyone at The Lodge joined for a good-bye and good luck meal (whilst staff were busy running around buying last minute bits and pieces like washing

up liquid). Both houses have continued to enjoy close friendships with their former neighbours, visiting each other for lunch, going to parties and events and enjoying Christmas Day together.

Four months have passed, and the three tenants have settled into their new home brilliantly. Staff have noted that one gentleman has spoken to staff more often in four months than in eight years at The Lodge!

A fourth tenant at The Lodge was initially adamant that he did not want to move away from The Lodge. However, he wanted to help with moving day. Having visited Buttercup Close to unpack boxes he has not looked back! He is now moving over at the end of March.

We are now looking for one final tenant to fill our happy home!

“A huge thank you to our incredible management and support teams for their dedication, passion, and commitment.”

Helen Dyball HEAD OF HR

PEOPLE CORNER

Grow Your Career with Our Talent & Management Development Programmes!

At Wellgate we’re committed to helping our people grow and succeed, and we launched our new development programmes at a managers away-day in London in January of this year.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Our Talent Development Programme is open to all staff, through application, who would like to progress in the company. It has been designed to support our managers of the future to build key skills, boost confidence, and create clear career paths—all while supporting the future success of our business.

Congratulations to our 2025 ‘Talent Team’ Chloe, Jess, Anita, Donna and Terry!

WHY GET INVOLVED IN THE TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME?

• Build leadership and communication skills.

• Gain valuable qualifications with full funding.

• Get ready for future management opportunities.

• Boost motivation, job satisfaction, and career growth.

• Work with a dedicated mentor for guidance and support.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Fully funded Level 3 & 5 qualifications.

• A clear pathway to a management role.

• Salary increases for completing qualifications.

• One-on-one mentorship for support and guidance.

• Extra training opportunities to enhance your skills.

• Management Programme Days for networking and support.

LOOK OUT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY TO JOIN OUR 2026 TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

For our current managers, we offer a Management Development Programme to help strengthen leadership skills and support professional growth through coaching, mentoring, and training.

Key Focus Areas:

• Delegation & time management

• Emotional intelligence & communication

• Strategic thinking & decision-making

• Problem-solving & conflict management

Learning happens through workshops, coaching, training sessions, and mentoring, giving you the chance to connect, share ideas, and grow as a leader.

“Interested in taking the next step in your career? Speak to our HR team and look out for an invitation to apply to join our next programmes.”

MEET ANA BEJA

Explain a bit about your role here at Wellgate?

As Head of Operations North at Wellgate, I lead a team of six service managers across a range of services, from supported living to residential settings, stretching from Nottingham to Sandbach. My goal is to implement positive changes that create the best possible environments for both our service users and staff, fostering a sense of community and wellbeing. I prioritise collaboration and innovation within my team, aiming to enhance the quality of life for residents while ensuring our services are great places to work. Ultimately, my mission is to lead with vision and compassion, making a meaningful impact in all aspects of our operations.

What inspired you to start working in the care sector?

My inspiration to work in the care sector began with my graduation in Psychology and a lifelong desire to support individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. I was fortunate to be appointed as a psychologist at CERCI Lisboa, one of Portugal’s largest and most innovative charities in this field. This invaluable experience deepened my passion for my work and enabled me to advance from a psychologist to the executive manager of the organisation before I moved to the UK in 2013. I had no doubt that I wanted to continue working in the care sector.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy going to the gym, and I try to visit most mornings before work. It’s a great way to start my day. In the evenings, I love to unwind by watching a good series. There’s something special about getting immersed in a captivating story. I also cherish spending quality time with my family and friends. Whether it’s sharing a meal, catching up over coffee, or simply enjoying each other’s company, these moments

Head of Operations

are very important to me. I like to go for long walks, as it allows me to appreciate nature and clear my mind after a busy day.

What is your favourite film and why?

I wouldn’t say I have a definitive favourite film. However, the film I have watched the most times is Dirty Dancing. As a teenager, I would watch it endlessly on my own or with friends, and I even made my mum and my godmother sit through it with me several times. Thinking back on those moments always brings a smile to my face. The combination of the unforgettable music, the dancing, and the nostalgic memories I associate with the film make it a special part of my past.

Who would you like to have supper with past or present, and why?

I would choose Malala Yousafzai. Malala’s life story is one of incredible courage and resilience. Hearing her first-hand account of overcoming adversity would be profoundly motivating and an inspiring experience.

Ana Beja HEAD OF OPERATIONS (NORTH)

Surprise us with a fun fact about yourself.

I’m absolutely hopeless with dates. I’ve got a treasure trove of stories about booking things on completely the wrong days.

There is one I’ll remember forever that happened when I organised entertainment for my youngest daughter’s fourth birthday. We invited all the children from her classroom because leaving anyone out just wouldn’t be fair! Now, at the time, we were living in a flat, so we knew it would be a bit of a chaotic afternoon. But I thought we had everything sorted with someone coming to entertain the kids. Well, guess what? They didn’t show up at the agreed time! In a panic, I rang them and didn’t give the poor lady a chance to say a word before I started sounding like a kettle about to boil over

Once I finally stopped my energetic monologue, she calmly replied, “Yes, you booked, but you booked for tomorrow.” Talk about a slap in the face! So, who ended up painting their faces, dancing, singing, and putting on a show? Yup, yours truly! Turns out, I’m not just a parent; I’m also a full-time entertainer—whether I like it or not!

QUALITY & SAFEGUARDING

Face-to-Face Safeguarding Training Strengthens Practice at Wellgate.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of all our people remains a top priority.

This dedication was exemplified through recent face-to-face safeguarding training sessions, designed to equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to protect people effectively.

Our training sessions provide a valuable opportunity for staff to engage in interactive learning, discuss real-life scenarios, and enhance their confidence in identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns. Unlike online training, these face-to-face sessions fostered meaningful discussions and allowed staff to ask questions in real time, to better understand best practice in safeguarding.

The impact of this training has been overwhelmingly positive, with employees expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to learn together.

Nick Moore HEAD OF QUALITY & SAFEGUARDING

One participant noted, “The interactive nature of the training really helped to reinforce my understanding of safeguarding protocols. I feel much more confident in handling situations that may arise.”

Our continued investment in safeguarding training underscores our commitment to maintain the highest standards of care. Recognising the crucial role staff play in protecting service users we will ensure these sessions remain a cornerstone of professional development within Wellgate.

We are scheduling new courses continually, please look out for your training course booking date and enjoy the opportunity to learn together with your colleagues.

“Our continued investment in safeguarding training underscores our commitment to maintain the highest standards of care.”

UPDATE FROM THE FINANCE TEAM

Angela Clarkin HEAD OF FINANCE

A National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 25+ was introduced in April 2016, having been announced by the Chancellor George Osborne in the 2015 Summer Budget.

National Living Wage Changes

The National Living Wage (NLW) is currently the statutory minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over. This age threshold came down from 25 to 23 in April 2021 and from 23 to 21 in April 2024.

The new rate which will apply from 1 April 2025 is £12.21 an increase of 6.7%. For our staff working 37.5 hours per week, annual gross pay will increase by £1,505.54 and monthly gross pay by £125.46. We will be revising the care and support pay rates in line with these changes and will write to all staff to confirm the changes before 1 April.

“The new rate which will apply from 1 April 2025 is £12.21 an increase of 6.7%.”

SPRING BAKING COMPETITION

INGREDIENTS

For the base:

• 250g/9oz chocolate digestive biscuits

• 80g/2¾oz unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing

For the filling: • 680g/1lb 8oz full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

• 1½ tsp vanilla bean paste • 320ml/11fl oz double cream • 90g/3¼oz icing sugar

• 320g/11½oz sugar-coated chocolate mini eggs, roughly chopped, plus extra to decorate

For the chocolate nest:

• 30g/1oz shredded wheat cereal

• 70g/2½oz dark chocolate, broken into small pieces

• 15g/½oz salted butter

METHOD

1. To make the base, line the bottom of a 20cm/8in spring-form or loose-bottomed cake tin with baking paper and lightly grease the sides.

2. Add the biscuits to a food processor and blend to a fine crumb texture. Alternatively, add them to a food bag, seal and bash with a rolling pin. Pour the biscuits into a bowl and stir in the melted butter.

3. Tip the biscuit mixture into the tin and use the back of a spoon to press down firmly and evenly. Place the tin in the fridge to chill.

4. To make the filling, place the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla and half of the double cream in a large bowl and beat until smooth and thick. Stir in the chopped chocolate eggs.

5. In a separate bowl, whip the rest of the double cream until it forms stiff peaks. Fold this into the cream cheese mixture.

6. Pour the filling into the tin and level the top. Leave to chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

7. To make the chocolate nest, crush the wheat cereal in a bowl and set aside. Set a heatproof glass bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the water does not touch the bowl, and add the chocolate and butter. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted.

8. Pour the chocolate onto the wheat cereal and stir until completely coated. Line a small bowl with cling film and spoon in the chocolate nest mixture, pressing firmly up the sides to create a nest shape. Place in the fridge to chill until solid.

9. When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the tin. Unmould the chocolate nest and place it on top. Fill the nest with mini chocolate eggs, letting some spill over onto the cheesecake before serving.

We are hosting a Spring Themed Baking Competition using the recipe, above! Please send your photos to news@wellgate.com and the winning service will receive a prize! Where there is an opportunity to judge by tasting, it will be taken!

INTRODUCING THE QUARTERLY PHOTO COMPETITION

We are introducing a quarterly photograph competition as we absolutely love seeing and sharing the wonderful photo’s that we get sent, and want to encourage our teams to keep sending more.

This quarter, it has been a very close call between The Old Printers and Wade Court.

Both Services have sent in consistent content and mostly of pretty good quality. We have received a variety of photos from holiday home pictures to tenant activities and even an office revamp! We have loved seeing it all!

However – we can only pick one winner, and this quarter our winner is WADE COURT! We loved everyone dressed up, the Christmas themed table and the quality.

It’s a lovely photo that portrays the atmosphere at Wade Court over Christmas!

CHRISTMAS DAY AT WADE COURT

The Christmas party was a great success. Deborah from Skills received flowers from staff for everything she has done for the service and Service Manager Ceri has a great new mug! They enjoyed secret Santa, karaoke, lots of games and a fantastic festive table of food!