July 2015 Issue 12
Government announcements on the five year delay of the ‘Care Cap’ and the introduction of the National Living Wage will have a significant impact on our sector. Firstly, the delay on implementing the ‘Care Cap’ on the cost of care means the existing funding of care will remain as it is. This is good news given all the potential challenges the new system may have caused that potentially increased local authority funding requirements, for people who had spent in excess of £72,000 on their care.
Mark LLoyd, Managing Director
Secondly, the introduction of the National Living Wage is also good news in recognising the need to increase salaries for many people working in care homes and domiciliary care, but challenging for all providers in bridging what has been estimated to be a £2billion shortfall in the sector. To fund the NLW it will need to lobby central and local government for much needed increased funding to meet the new £7.20 NLW next April. Later in the year we should be able to announce our plans to meet the requirements for 2016.
I am delighted to confirm our success in the award of two new contracts for Avante Care & Support within our registered care services. Firstly, after the planned closure of Sunbury Lodge which will occur later in August, the Royal Borough of Greenwich have confirmed the funding for a new 17-bedded older persons mental health service at Puddingstone Grange. This is excellent news and allows us to retain the core staff group from Sunbury Lodge, some of the residents we already care for and support and provide a new specialist service for older people with mental health needs. We have also been successful with our tender to continue to be a primary provider for the London Borough of Bexley for the delivery of registered care. Under the new contract we will provide 105 placements for Bexley within our 269 beds across our three homes Northbourne Court, Parkview, and Riverdale Court. This is in addition to the Day Care contract we already hold. At the present time we are tendering to remain a domiciliary care provider for Bexley.
Members of: • • • •
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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)
Registered office: De Gelsey House, 1 Jubilee Way, Faversham,Kent ME13 8GD Tel: 01795 597400 Email: enquiry@avantecare.org.uk Web: www.avantecare.org.uk
Our new model of mock inspections is proving to be an excellent quality framework to both assess the performance of our registered care and domiciliary care services and provide managers with learning and good support. Over the course of the year every service will be inspected by the Operational and Specialist Management Team with support from the Quality Team with action plans put in place. In the last month we have received two ‘good’ inspection reports from CQC for Barnetts and Hevercourt. We also know that Amherst Court is being considered for an ‘outstanding’ report which is pleasing to report. Later this year we will be celebrating Avante Care & Support‘s 25th Anniversary as a Charity. Formed in 1990 the Organisation has assisted thousands of people in need of support and care through our older and younger people’s services. Originally named Kent Community Housing Trust with a name change just over five years ago the business has become a well-respected provider across Kent, Bexley, Medway, and Greenwich. We will let you know how we plan to celebrate this landmark for the organisation later in the year.
Weybourne and Barnetts. We wish Ian Chandler, John Hudson, and Vincent Hook (who will act in a locum capacity) every success in their new roles. Beverley Seal who achieved the excellent CQC result for us at Barnetts will be leaving in August to manage a care home nearer to her home. After many years of committed service to Avante Care & Support, Terry Heslington has finally decided to retire and we wish him well for his future.
Our biggest challenge remains recruitment of good staff and reduction of agency staff. This is a common challenge across the sector and one we are looking to address through additional overtime enhancements to our staff in our London Homes and a centralised recruitment team, ensuring we are efficient in recruitment and retention. We are also looking at new working patterns in some of our larger homes starting with Riverdale Court, Puddingstone Grange, Northbourne Court, and Amherst Court. Have a good summer to all our staff.
In the past month we have had three new Home Managers start at Bridge Haven,
Givey.com is one of the largest fundraising websites in the UK. It’s a great website that allows you to donate to Avante Care & Support or help raise funds for our care homes. When you make a donation you can include a website link, image and a message for everyone to see (great if you want to fundraise!).
Residents from Avante Care & Support care homes were thrilled to be invited to the Annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June. The event was held by ‘The Not Forgotten Association’ for ex-servicemen and was attended by HRH the Princess Royal. The Not Forgotten Association’s Annual Garden Party in the presence of its Patron HRH the Princess Royal, was held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 11th June. It was a magnificent event enjoyed by over 2,000 beneficiaries, with war pensioners drawn from all three services, different wars and campaigns from Dunkirk to Afghanistan. Her Royal Highness accompanied by Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence spent over two hours meeting many people during the course of the afternoon.
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The Beating Retreat served as the finale to this wonderful event with the Salute taken by Admiral of The Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Senior President and Commandant General of The Royal Marines.
The association is uniquely privileged to hold a Garden Party annually by kind permission of Her Majesty the Queen. This privilege dates back to the first Royal Patron HRH the Princess Mary who invited 600 seriously wounded for afternoon tea. Elaine Bashford, Activities Coordinator for Barton Court, said: “How amazing it was to be on the Queen’s lawn! Our resident Bert (pictured below) had a chat with Esther Rantzen, Christopher Biggins, and a former REME soldier. He was so chuffed about this! Rene (pictured top) had a chat with a lady from the Airforce. The lady said ‘thank you’ to Rene for chatting with her and gave her a kiss! Which was such a lovely gesture and meant a lot to Rene!”
Bert with Esther Rantzen and Christopher Biggins and Rene chatting with a lady from the Royal Airforce.
To see more pictures please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/avantecar esupport
Avante Care & Support welcomes Vincent Hook as Peripatetic Home Manager at Barton Court and Hever Court Care Home.
1986 Vincent qualified as a Registered Nurse at St George’s Hospital in Tooting before going on to complete a Degree in nursing studies in Northern Ireland.
Avante Care & Support, a leading provider of high quality care homes in Kent and South East London, has recently appointed Vincent Hook to join the team for 6 months as Peripatetic Care Home Manager at Barton Court and Hevercourt care home.
After graduating, Vincent worked as a nurse in Cardiology, Respiratory care and Intensive care at various hospitals in London as well as management positions within a burns centre in West Sussex, a hospice in Clapham and an Oncology centre in Kent.
Vincent, who took up his new role at the end of June started his career as a Health Care Assistant at a hospice in South London in 1982 not long after he left school. In
In 2003 Vincent went into the care home sector taking up a Home Manager role at a 55 bedded nursing home and more recently in a care home in South London.
Upon joining Avante Care & Support Vincent said, “I have always wanted to work in health care because I really enjoy making a difference to people’s lives. I consider it a privilege to look after elderly folk and have really enjoyed working in the care home environment. I believe that a good care home can only be created if everyone works together as one big team all doing their very best for the residents.” Vincent brings with him a wealth of experience and qualifications including his nurse registration, a Degree in Nursing from the University of Ulster, certificate gained in Cardiac Nursing at St George’s Hospital and a Diploma in Business Administration from Henley. Welcome to the team Vincent!
Avante Care & Support say farewell to Julia Schooling, from Pilgrims View who, after 18 years of service has retired. Staff and friends surprised Julia with a farewell tea party and presented her with a gift and flowers in the staff room. Everyone was in tears as they said their goodbyes to Julia. Julia first worked as a Care Assistant at Pilgrims View, moving on to becoming a Team Leader and eventually Activities Coordinator, helping with activities and day trips for the care home residents. Julia said during her retirement she will be moving closer to the coast and spending more time with her husband. Thank you Julia!
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Avante Care & Support adds some Oomph! to their exercise classes. Avante Care & Support has recently invited Oomph! (Our Organisation Makes People Happy!) to train and support staff across Avante Care & Support’s care homes. The training is built around inclusive exercise and activity classes designed specifically to improve the physical mobility, social interaction and mental stimulation of residents, particularly those with dementia. Oomph! classes are innovative and unique built on years of training, testing and best practice. Classes are based on proprietary expert methodology and techniques and backed and endorsed by leading exercise bodies and professionals. The Oomph team aim to put fun and reminiscence at the heart of physical activity, using popular upbeat music, colourful sensory props and powerful themed choreography. Staff from Puddingstone Grange care home, Greenwich, were the first to take part in the two day training programme. The programme taught staff the knowledge to follow exercise routines, to write their own routines and to demonstrate for others to follow, using creative approaches, positive communication and, of course, safety first. Since the programme started fifty-three people have attended an Oomph! session at Puddingstone Grange- this includes, residents, family members, staff members and residents from different care homes! 5
Jo Thompson, Activities Coordinator at Puddingstone Grange, was one of the staff members who took part in the Oomph! programme said “At first we were all a bit nervous as to what we might have to do but once we got into the swing of it we all really enjoyed ourselves. It’s a simple programme but certainly effective when you look at the response from our residents. We were shown how important it is to use imagery within our routines by describing an action like ironing or dusting, this really worked for our residents as it was something they could relate to.” “Oomph! classes are fun, imaginative and entertaining. We’re delighted to be working with Avante Care & Support to stimulate the mind, body and soul of their residents. Our work helps to build confidence, strengthen relationships and create a positive atmosphere that staff and residents really engage with. To see residents’ eyes light-up as they re-discover former passions and skills and get active in the home is absolutely wonderful.” - Ben Allen, Founder and CEO of Oomph! One resident who has recently taken part in the dynamic exercise programme at Puddingstone Grange said “I thought my exercise days had passed but I was wrong! It’s a great way for us all to exercise and we can’t help but all laugh through it together, I thoroughly enjoy it!”
Hevercourt Garden Makeover
The 'Partners' from John Lewis at Bluewater certainly turned Hevercourt's garden green this month. Just after the May Day bank holiday we had 19, (yes 19 volunteers in total) work over three days to help clear, paint and refurbish our garden, all ready for the summer. As you can see it was difficult work, heads down hard at work digging and the result was splendid. “We were fortunate with the weather, the only short showers were just the perfect reason for the odd coffee break where we got to know the volunteers and share information on gardens, plants, residential care, dementia, life and everything else in between.” - Susan Illot, Activity Coordinator. One of the residents made thank you cards for the volunteers and we have invited them back for our strawberry tea on Saturday 13th June. Then to top it all last week when John Lewis's Community Liaison Coordinator came to see what they had achieved, she told us they were still talking about the garden and has promised a team to get the garden ready for winter in the autumn.
“On Tuesday 7th July, staff on the top floor decided to throw a mini party for residents. Bronwyn and Angela got everyone dancing and singing along together to some old favourites, while enjoying some party sweets and treats. Everyone had a massive smile on their face and it was lovely to see.” - Marie Taylor, Activities Coordinator 6
On 25th July, Amherst Court had their annual Summer Fete. “We had a sweet trolley, bric-a-brac, tombola, face painting and many more activities and events. We were very lucky as the sun was shining all day! Residents from all floors came, some with family members and others accompanied by carers. Care staff also came in on their days off to show their support which was fantastic. Audrey was able to get her face painted by our very own Lauren Cane, who ran the face painting stall along with her friend. Everyone enjoyed a traditional BBQ, as well as the cupcakes and fresh pastries. Towards the end of the day the raffle was drawn with the help of our residents, who picked the winning tickets! The day was a great success, and a MASSIVE THANKYOU to all of our volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you!” - Marie Taylor, Activities Coordinator
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Brenda Green was recently awarded for 20 years of service with Avante Care & Support. Simon Doherty, Northbourn Court Care Home Manager, together with colleagues presented Brenda with a certificate, to thank her for her dedicated long service. Brenda was so pleased and talked about loving the job all this time since she began. Brenda has seen a lot of change in the care sector and the organisation over the years. It is a real achievement to remain committed to doing this type of work over such a long period of time and adapting to all the changes. Well done Brenda!
Barton Court Manager, Karan Richards recently said her farewells to everyone at the home. Staff wished Karan all the best in her new venture as she takes her new role as trainer at Head Office. Staff and residents wrote messages on some lovely stones, just so Karan would not forget us (pictured below). A massive thank you to Karan for being such a great manager! You will be sorely missed!!
Last week at Parkview care home (in the Oak dining room) residents were entertained by their good friend ‘East Edna’. Residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed their morning of singing and dancing to their favourite songs. ‘East Edna’ said “I always love to visit Parkview, as I am always made to feel so welcome and I’m looking forward to coming back later in the year!” 8
“Friends from Iceland came over as an exchange to visit Puddingstone Grange Care Home. Our Icelandic visitors are currently studying and working in a ‘Retirement Home’ in Iceland, and as part of their research and studies they visited our home, viewing the home, equipment and speaking with staff and residents. They brought gifts of Icelandic chocolates and a book of Iceland that had a photo of their home. It was a very enjoyable visit and they were very impressed with the home, surroundings and the residents!” - Allison Purkiss, Home Manager, Puddingstone Grange.
Resident Phyllis is regularly visited by her brother Ray at Northbourne Court and best friend Yvonne. When staff at Northbourne Court asked Ray how long Yvonne had known Phyllis he shared that they had all been great friends for over 90 years! Ray, 87 went on to share that Phylis is 95 in July and went to school with Yvonne who is 94. Yvonne has known Ray since he was a baby as they were all next door neighbours in Bexleyheath. Ray now collects Yvonne every week to escort her into Northbourne Court to see Phyllis. Phyllis , Yvonne and another friend all lived in the same corridor in sheltered housing, where Yvonne still lives today. All three ladies mentioned also served in the Fire Service during the Second World War. What a lasting friendship! - Susan Cornwell, Receptionist, Northbourne Court.
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i t r e C rion e h T Barton Court visited the Criterion Music Hall at Blue Town, on the Isle of Sheppey with staff and residents. With plenty of music, food, drink and laughter, everyone enjoyed the afternoon at the restored music hall!
Elaine Bashford, Activities Coordinator at Barton Court, organised a Dementia Champions session at Head Office on 23rd March which was attended by Avante staff members across the organisation. At the end of the session Hannah Piekarski of the Alzheimer’s Society who was running the session asked me if I would be interested in becoming a Dementia Champion, which involves delivering information sessions to enable people to become a Dementia Friend. I said I would ‘give it a go’; this is a voluntary role, which must be delivered in a person’s own time with premises arranged and invitations sent out by the person. However, Avante Care & Support very kindly gave me permission to deliver my first session at the organisation’s head office and in Avante’s time, which was held 23rd June. Three members of the public attended and eight staff members from Head Office; at the end of the session eleven more people became a Dementia Friend. That week the Alzheimer’s Society announced it had reached the milestone of over one million Dementia Friends created since its inception just over two years ago. A few people told me they would have liked to attend but had other commitments so I may, with permission, hold another session at Head Office at some stage; it would help if anyone interested could let either me or Lyndsay Hopper, Marketing Manager know if they would be interested in becoming a Dementia Friend. A Dementia Friend can be anyone, of any age who lives in England or Wales, all they have to do is attend an information session (45 to 50 minutes) and commit to an action, the action can be small, for example (I will wear my Dementia Friends badge) or big (I will volunteer for a dementia charity. - Frances Lake, PA to Director of Quality Standards and Compliance 10
The Willow Day Care Centre held their annual summer fete at the weekend. “Madam Mayor, Anita Walker attended the event and was very interested to see the work we are doing at the Willow Day Care Centre. Her driver, Chris, spent the afternoon taking lots of photos! Our Town Cryer, Richard Spooner, arrived at the fete and was in good voice, introducing the Mayor upon her arrival and announcing (very loudly) the events and activities. The children enjoyed trying on his hat – there is a picture of Harvey trying it on (above). Harvey’s brother Oscar, was intrigued by the tombola, he won some bubbles and was blowing them for one of our Service User, Doreen Kelynack. My team of helpers were fantastic and we raised £180. It was lovely to see our service users with their families, and some from the past who came back to support our event.” - Jeannette Spooner, Day Care Officer.
Eden – A life Worth Living Parkview gets a potted herb garden. This was devised by staff and residents, after Associate Eden training for two Managers; the herbs will be used to add extra zest to the meals of the residents. 11
After weeks of preparation Parkview held their Summer Fete on a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon.
Richard Macintyre, seen here delivering an ’Introduction to Avante Care & Support’ presentation. This is Day 1 of the 3 day, pre-work induction training for new recruits in Bexleyheath.
“We had some volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help us out during the fete. We had a BBQ, tea, coffee and some lovely home-made cakes served in the day centre. We also had a raffle with plenty of prizes, stalls including a tombola, bric-a-brac and good as new clothes. Everyone had a great time, and in total raised £382 .00!” Christine Seffens, Activity Co-ordinator.
Mr and Mrs Muscatt celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary at Puddingstone Grange Top left/right: Jose and Jean with their grandaughter reading a telegram from the Queen. Bottom: Jean dances with her daughter. 12
On September 17th after docking in Santander, Northern Spain, Bill Richardson will begin an 850 mile cycle ride south to Almeria. “I intend to wild camp all the way, staying well away from major roads and passing through small towns and villages, a million miles away from the ‘Costas’ - sheer bliss and a wonderful way to see the real Spain and its people. Riding to benefit charity, it was always going to be the Alzheimer's Society, having seen the devastating impact Alzheimer's disease and dementia can have on people's lives and their families. To find out more or to make a donation please visit my JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/billridesspain2015. There will also be donation sheets available in all homes. Thank you in advance for your support.” - Bill Richardson, Maintenance
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Technician at Bridge Haven.
Facts • Calories burnt per day approx. 4500/5000 • Water drunk per day approx. 5/6 litres • Weight of equipment carried/in trailer approx. 25kg • It's my 61st Birthday on 25th September (I may find a small hostel to stay on this day!)
“I’ve laughed with people and I’ve cried with them, it’s like every job, it has its highs and lows, but I have certainly had more highs than I have had lows and have some fantastic memories of some wonderful people I have cared for.” - Bonnie Huntley, Home carer, Avante Care & Support
Avante Care & Support believe in providing care and support services that put people first and recruit people to join the team who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of those who use their services, by contributing to their health, happiness and well-being. Everything Avante Care & Support do is about putting people first, and that includes delivering exceptional care and support for the vulnerable people in the local communities. Bonnie Huntley has been part of the home care team for over 20 years and was recently recognised and awarded for her 20 years of dedicated service to home care at Avante Care & Support. Avante is committed to developing its workforce to deliver the highest quality services to its customers. Staff undertake qualifications in Health and Social Care, following the dementia pathway, at Levels 2 and 3 and incorporate the organisation’s values and Philosophy of Care. Bonnie joined Avante Care & Support (then known as Care at Home, KCHT) on 4th March 1995 as a home carer. Prior to this she worked at the paper mill in Sittingbourne whilst building up her own business as a green grocer in Sittingbourne. Bonnie built up a successful business which she then sold on and worked for a local fruit and veg supplier, until one day she decided she had seen enough of fruit and vegetables and needed a career change. “My father had been ill the year before and I had spent the last few weeks of his life caring for him which was a tough and upsetting time but something I wanted to do, to be there for him’, says Bonnie. ‘When my father passed I became bored with my current job and knew I needed a change”. - Bonnie Huntley
If you are thinking of a change in career and would like to know more about the home care service please call our Maidstone office on 01622 351166, our Erith office on 01322 344980 or email us at homecare@avantecare.org.uk
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Avante Care & Supports home care team and Service Users were thrilled to be invited to the Annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June. The event was held by “The Not Forgotten Association” for ex-servicemen and was attended by HRH the Princess Royal. Molly a home care Service User (top right photo, in the blue jacket) was so excited to attend the party she told her carer prior to the event “I would really love to go”. On the day, Molly was joined with her home carer Pauline where they chatted and shook hands with the Royals much to Molly’s delight. Pauline commented ‘Molly has joked that she won’t wash her hand now that it’s been touched by royalty!’. The Not Forgotten Association’s Annual Garden Party in the presence of its Patron HRH the Princess Royal, was held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 11th June. It was a magnificent event enjoyed by over 2,000 beneficiaries, with war pensioners drawn from all three services, different wars and campaigns from Dunkirk to Afghanistan. Her Royal Highness accompanied by Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence spent over two hours meeting many people during the course of the afternoon. The Beating Retreat served as the finale to this wonderful event with the Salute taken by Admiral of The Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Senior President and Commandant General of The Royal Marines. The Not Forgotten Association is uniquely privileged to hold a Garden Party annually by kind permission of Her Majesty the Queen. This privilege dates back to the first Royal Patron HRH the Princess Mary who invited 600 seriously wounded for afternoon tea.
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Many thanks to the ladies from the Home Care & Support team who very kindly gave up their morning on Tuesday 21st July, to take part in a mini photo-shoot at the Maidstone branch at Turkey Mill, in their new care uniforms. Following on from the organisations rebrand in June 2015 the home care and support team required their uniforms to be updated to incorporate the brand colours and organisations values.
All home care and support carers have now received their new uniforms and we wanted to see what they looked like! Big thanks to the following care staff for taking part and looking fab in your new uniforms. We know how much some of you hated the camera on the day, but you wouldn’t know it from these pics hey, don’t you all look good! Pictured top: L-R Jane Emson, Susie Simmons, Deann Corker, Pauline O’Leary, Tracy James, Anne Tomlinson, Melissa Smart, Carolyn Baker, Bonnie Huntley and Linda Cherrison.
Avante Care & Support provides care to over 3000 people across Kent and South East London, either through its homecare service or specialist dementia care homes. The home care team deliver care and support directly into people’s homes allowing clients to stay living independently in their own home environment. Home care and support services include personal care, medication assistance, day to day housework tasks and respite care.
For more information about joining the team please call us for an informal chat.
homecare@avantecare.org.uk • Bexley: 01322 344980 • Kent: 01622 351166 16
Stepahead Support was founded in 1995. We have grown from a small service supporting young care leavers in Thanet to the multi-disciplinary service that supports children, young people and families across Kent and Medway. We provide emotional, practical and therapeutic support to young people and families in the community who are finding life’s problems difficult to overcome, or need support to move on in their lives. “The support we received was excellent. It was delivered in a very calm and positive manner and has helped my family situation.” Many of the young people we support have experienced significant challenges in their lives resulting in them having a heightened level of vulnerability. Stepahead provides them with a safe environment to explore their difficulties and identify their strengths, enabling them to increase their chances of leading a fulfilling life. Families in crisis are supported to find solutions to their disagreements, allowing them to improve relationships and enable them to regain a positive family life.
The Rural Youth service provides regular, organised and supervised activities that bring opportunity to have fun, build friendships, take part in sporting activities, undertake learning and offer the chance to try new things. The service operates in Thanet, Maidstone and Shepway for young people aged 11 plus.
Our aim is to enable more children and young people to be nurtured and protected in their own families, through equipping parents and children with the skills to avoid conflict, build and maintain positive relationships and enjoy a stable and happy family life.
This service provides housing support for 33 young people aged 16 – 21, within a supportive environment allowing them to build levels of confidence and resilience that will enable them to manage independently when they move into their own accommodation.
Young Healthy Minds is an intervention service, commissioned by Kent County Council to deliver emotional well being support to children and young people aged 4-18. 17
Stepahead Supports Family Mediation Service supporting Kent’s early intervention services across the county Most families go through difficult times and this can have a negative impact on the relationships within the family and their overall happiness. These difficulties may be as a result of financial hardship, personal loss or trauma, mental health issues, substance misuse or a disagreements regarding behaviours and attitudes. Stepahead Support provides a Family Mediation Service to support families who may be going through difficulties within their family. Since the mediation service started in April 2013, Stepahead has supported 979 families. It goes without saying that the Family Mediation service is a confidential service but at times Stepahead Support have families who would like to show their thanks for the help and support they have received from using the Mediation Service. The following testimonial was written by a family who have asked for their story to be shared. “Our family has recently had mediation with Stepahead Support and we would like to share our experience- Before our family mediation sessions began, our family was on the verge of breaking up, as
communication had broken down between my husband and I and this was having an effect on our children’s behaviour and all relationships within our family household. After seeking help, Stella visited and spent time with us individually to assess what our fundamental issues were and how we wanted our relationship to change for the better. We all had open and frank conversations which seemed to get to the root of our problems. We were seen over 6 sessions and each week our relationship progressed and improved as we worked on the solutions suggested by Stella. Our home life has improved considerably, our relationships have blossomed and our marriage has been strengthened by learning to communicate better. One of the greatest things mediation has brought to our family is self-reflection and the realisation that how we behave has an impact on other family members . We now have some secure building blocks in place and are going from strength to strength with forming good friendships as well as a husband and wife partnership. We are very grateful and fortunate to have been clients of Stepahead Support and our family has been saved from breaking apart.” 18