Welcome from Moira

Hello and welcome to your Christmas magazine for Peabody Care and Support customers and staff. We’re celebrating the inspiring stories of people going above and beyond in what has been a very challenging year, as well as sharing some of the many creative projects from across our care schemes and communities. You’ll also find tips for looking after your mental wellbeing and some festive games in the lead-up to Christmas!

Contents

Welcome from Moira

Group Care and Support Director

Thank you NHS and our carers

Celebrating the hard work of keyworkers during the pandemic

Pride of Peabody

inspiring and uplifting stories and creative projects from our customers, staff, community volunteers and supporters

Socially-distanced celebrations

Including VE Day and birthdays in our communities

9 Other good news stories 10 A day in the life of one of our carers, Liz 12 Poets Corner 13 Five ways of health and wellbeing at Christmas 14 Festive fun and games

Welcome from Moira

Welcome to our end of year newsletter and what a year 2020 has been!

While it has been difficult and challenging for many colleagues and the people we support, it has also been characterised by selfless commitment, unending resilience and great innovation. I know that many of our lives have changed in ways we could never have imagined but I guess we are all trying to move forward as positively as we can, learning from what has been and preparing for what may still be a tricky road ahead.

In the months since we were all hit by the coronavirus pandemic, our staff and customers have pulled together to keep each other safe and well. Everyone had adapted to help us collectively cope as well as possible. Colleagues and customers have become one community all experiencing the same challenges, fears and worries but most importantly looking out for each other with genuine care and concern.

The pandemic has affected us in many different ways, of course there has been sadness as customers and staff have become unwell and we have lost loved ones who are important to us. But one thing that has remained constant throughout these unprecedented times, is the dedication, passion and commitment of our teams, volunteers and community supporters, working hard to go the extra mile for our customers. It’s been fantastic to see so many practical, creative and fun ideas to support each other, bring people together and keep our customers engaged. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

In this newsletter, you’ll read about the different ways we’ve all been staying safe, connected and supported. I’ve been truly inspired by the amazing stories of people going above and beyond to support others at this time. We know there are more challenges to come. But we are incredibly proud of what our teams and customers have achieved so far, and believe that together we can emerge from this stronger than ever.

I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and I hope that 2022 brings you peace and joy. Best wishes,

Moira Griffiths

Group Care and Support Director