March/April 2013 www.hevercourt.org.uk
Managers Introduction Welcome to our first newsletter of 2013. May I start by introducing myself, my name is Beryl Richards and I am the newly appointed Home Manager at Hevercourt. I have worked for Avante Care & Support for over 27 years in various management posts. New Management and Activity Team My appointment became permanent in February 2013 and our Assistant Manager post was filled in October 2012 by Michelle Davidson, a long serving member of the Hevercourt Team. Another change to our team structure is the increase in Activity Coordinators. Please look out for Penny, Terri and Susan. Residents and Relatives Our first Residents and Relatives meeting was held on 5th February 2013 and minutes of the meeting are available on request. We aim to hold meetings on a regular basis; and envisage about every 4 to 6 weeks, all would be welcome to attend.
Nutritional Changes Over the last few months at Hevercourt we have recently reviewed meal times to meet the needs of our residents. Upon the review the main meal of the day is now being served in the evening with a lighter lunch served in the day. The results have been very positive in many ways but one particular change has been a noticeable difference in behaviour patterns with residents becoming less restless in the evenings and more active in the day. The lunchtime menus have been changed to include a buffet style three course lunche, which includes soup, a salad bar with a selection of fresh produce on display (thus allowing our residents to make personal choices), followed by fresh fruit salad, mousses or jelly desserts. The evening meal is now a two course dinner served between 5pm 7pm. The change of practice (driven by resident choice) provides residents with additional time to socialise, relax and enjoy their evening meal time.
Activities
P
enny and Sue are devising a proactive activity programme; as some of our residents are less able to go out, we want to bring the outside to them. We plan to turn the garden into a sensory garden with scented plants, wind chimes and other features for residents to enjoy. We also plan raised flower beds, where residents can plant, grow, pick and use, such as salads, herbs, vegetables and fruit, along with flowers as well. We are introducing more sensory activities for the less able such as Sensory cushions, taste and smell and sight and sound.
We have already had themed days for everyone such as Burns night celebrations and Chinese New Year. We shall also be celebrating St. George’s Day and Easter, where we will make and decorate the home accordingly and have appropriate food to celebrate the occasion. Details will be displayed within the home and all visitors will be more than welcome to join us.
We are also going to reinstate the trolley shop, selling sweets and toiletries too!
Friends of Hevercourt
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n the past we used to have a great ‘Friends of Hevercourt’ group but over the years it has fallen by the wayside. It is our aim to start a new group and we have a few volunteers already, but ideally we need more. We will meet perhaps every 6 weeks or so (time to be decided upon people’s preference). The aim would be to suggest and help with fundraising and help decide how the money could be best spent for the benefit of residents. If you are interested please contact Penny, Susan or Terri.
t t nn mee n i a t r nm Ente
E nter tai
try to provide and invite W eentertainers to the home at least once a month but professional entertainers can sometimes be expensive.
Does anyone know anybody or any organisations that may be interested in visiting the home to perform? Ideas for entertainment could be someone who can play an instrument, sing, perform magic tricks or anything else that would entertain the residents? Please ask at your local church, your children’s/grandchildren’s dance or drama group, schools, clubs etc. Our goal is to make life better for our residents but we need your support. Staff are already coming up with great ideas but more ideas and inspiration would be very much welcomed.
Fund Raising
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e would love to raise extra funds to provide additional treats for residents, especially on Birthdays, at Christmas and for regular entertainment so please do take part on our fund raising events, every little helps.
Donations
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e are not necessarily asking for money, rather ideas or items that we could use and sell.
We were thinking of for the garden, seeds, cuttings/seedlings or fruit trees, chimes, fountains or anything on the lines of sensory/scent/touch. Jam jars for making preserves/pickles or anything that goes with this process. (This is very popular with our residents and can sell the end results at fetes and fairs to). Items that could be used in reminiscence or sensory sessions.
Final Note Please remember this is your newsletter, if you would like to have articles published, like your favourite recipe, poems, or memories, all are welcome for inclusion. We would like feedback from you to, be it positive or negative.
Cedric Frederick - Chief Executive
Hevercourts As a charity, Avante Partnership is Forthcoming Events ‘apolitical’ in that we operate outside All of Welcome politics, working for the benefit of our service users with whichever political Friday 29th March 2013 party is in control at a national, regional Good Friday, hot cross buns & a fish supper or local level. Sunday 31st March 2013 Easter Bonnets & Easter Treats
Monday 1st April 2013 Easter with a French Twist “Poisson d’avril” Tuesday 23rd April 2013 St. Georges Day celebration party
Cedric Frederick Chief Executive
recently Kaylea alongside the All other activities and entertainment will More be advertised on has the been frontworking door and Chief Executive’s PA, Karen Flynn, where she has been notice board, aslearning they occur. about the organisation as a whole. One of Kaylea’s many tasks was to help with this edition of Avante News which she has really enjoyed.
Members of:
Established 1990. Avante Partnership
• National Housing Federation • The National Care Forum • Kent Community Care Association • IAHSA
A Company Limited by Guarantee (Registration No. 2565021, England) A Registered Charity (Registered No.1002727)
Working with:
Working with:
Registered office: De Gelsey House, 1 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD Tel: 01795 597400 Fax: 01795 597419 Email: enquiries@avantepartnership.org.uk Website: www.avantepartnership.org.uk