YO U R T W ICE Y E A R LY M AG A Z IN E F RO M FA MILY MOSA IC
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SPR IN G 2017
WORK y4,5
PLAY y8,9
REST y6,7
DINE y10
Off to the office Pack your bags
Pick your party Date with a plate
editorial INSPIRATIONAL STORIES AND KIND GESTURES Welcome to this edition of Reachout magazine, bringing you the latest news from London, Essex and the south east. There has certainly been a lot going on in and around our schemes and services recently and I’m really pleased to see more of you getting involved in the editorial panel. Reachout is your magazine, so it’s important that you have a voice in how it’s put together and what stories are included. With summer around the corner and the holiday season fast approaching, it’s lovely to see some of you enjoying trips around the country. From Blackpool and the Lake District to the Isle of Wight, you certainly are a well-travelled bunch! Summer is also a time to think about staying safe in the sun and you will hopefully take time to read some of the tips dotted throughout the magazine. There are also inspirational stories of people being helped through generous donations from local businesses and the general public. One London scheme is getting a regular donation from a well-known sandwich shop and customers in Essex enjoy for the fifth year the fantastic garage project which donates furniture to help people to set up home. It doesn’t matter if a gesture is big or small, it all helps. Our work is about helping people stay independent, safe and well and yet again this edition highlights the many and varied ways this happens across the organisation. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Have a lovely summer! Best wishes MOIRA GRIFFITHS, GROUP CARE AND SUPPORT DIRECTOR
reachout
EDITORIAL PANEL ❉ Siobhan Malcolm ❉ Brian Harrington ❉ Michelle Thatcher ❉ Allan Winstanley ❉ Danny Moor ❉ Matthew Pickard
STAY SAFE IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER On every page of this issue of Reachout you’ll find a useful tip or some advice for protecting your health during the summer months. Find out more at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ Summerhealth
contacts ESSEX REGION General enquiries q01268 498 500 Visiting support services Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, and Rayleigh q0800 288 8883 Southend q01702 445 870 Havering q01708 776 770 LONDON REGION General enquiries q020 7089 1000 Visiting support services Hackney, Islington q020 7241 7940 Kensington & Chelsea q020 7351 2522 SOUTH REGION General enquiries q01273 468 010 talktous@familymosaic.co.uk www.fmcareandsupport.co.uk
MONEY FOR GOOD WORKS Each year the Family Mosaic Community Foundation sets aside a pot of money to pay for activities and events that it agrees will do good for you and our other customers. If you have an idea for an activity or event like this and would like to apply for some money to help pay for it, please talk to your support worker. Many of the activities covered in this issue of Reachout were very kindly paid for by the foundation.
SHOPPING ONLINE IN BOGNOR REGIS Residents of some of our Bognor Regis sheltered schemes were given a crash course in using the internet in October, with one-to-one tutoring from Craig Lynch from the social inclusion team Our ‘students’ had earlier drawn up a shopping list of the skills they wanted to pick up, from online shopping at the supermarket, calling friends and family using FaceTime, to setting up Amazon accounts so they can shop from the comfort of their own homes.
Bonus point
Not having to walk to the bus stop or carry parcels is a big bonus when
MINDS AND BODIES GET A WORKOUT IN SOUTHAMPTON
Walking on sunshine
Mindfulness teaches you to focus on thoughts and feelings in a good way. Singing is good for mental health and moving can also boost your spirits. ‘I’m walking on sunshine,’ said Kim Spicer. ‘I feel a lot more confident from singing with my friends and making new ones.’ Siobhan Malcom said: ‘I feel a lot happier and I loved making new friends.’
SIOBHAN TAKES HER FIRST TRIP TO LONDON!
your mobility is limited. All the residents appreciated Craig’s support and time, saying he was very patient and helpful.
Craig shows how to do the shopping over the internet
Southampton customers have been giving their minds and bodies a workout at special workshops on mindfulness, singing and movement.
news
Some of the group are from Rumbridge Court. Others use our older person’s service or floating support for homeless people. All have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The workshops were funded by the Family Mosaic Community Foundation.
Our group giving their lungs a good workout
Siobhan by Tower Bridge in London
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‘I was invited to head office in London for the editorial panel for Reachout magazine, writes Siobhan Malcolm. ‘I had never been to London before so Craig Lynch took me to see some of the sights: the Shard, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Thames. I had a good time and met some good people. We had a lovely lunch, there was a great spread. I look forward to visiting London again. The team were great, I love them and the support staff at Rumbridge for making cool things like this possible.’
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For three years we’ve been training some of you to put your valuable experience to use helping others facing challenges similar to those you have overcome. Jamie McGarry finished his training last year and now works for us in south London Tell us a bit about yourself I’m 27 and live in south London. I love seeing my son, watching Crystal Palace Football Club and making and listening to music. How did you come to be a peer support worker? Family Mosaic’s team leader suggested it to me when I was a customer there. I got put on a 12-week course where we learned things like professional boundaries, language skills and practical matters like wellbeing plans. The people on the course were great.
Peer support is important... because you’re an expert from experience so offer the person you work with something unique. The aim is recovery so we focus more on the person and their life and less on medication and symptoms. What words best describe you? Friendly, empathetic and enthusiastic. What advice would you give to your younger self? None - I would let my younger self learn from experience.
Where do you see yourself in five years from today? Hopefully fairly happy and contented. I am studying psychotherapy so hopefully will be practising by then.
On the beat
is stock Jon checks h
Berryfields is where people go to live after a brain injury. The service is designed to build on a person’s strengths, give them a realistic sense of hope and purpose, and help them get a reasonable quality of life.
Doing work helps
A lot find that doing volunteer work helps. But it is a big step, and many things that would not have been a problem
before the brain injury are now a struggle. They may find it hard to do more than one thing at a time. They may be easily distracted by things going on around them. They may get very tired, very easily. When it does work, however, it can give a huge personal boost, helping to build up their confidence and self-esteem. That is how it has been for Debbie and Lawrence.
My pet hate is... Excessive bureaucracy, things like paper work and forms. My guilty pleasure is... Doner kebab
WIVENHOE PAPER ROUND My name is Jon. I moved to Wivenhoe in December 2014. I am quite independent and like going out on my own but find it hard to find things I feel comfortable doing. My staff and I talked about my getting a little job. They helped me volunteer at the foodbank for a few weeks but I decided to give it up. I found an advert in a local magazine for leaflet delivery. I have always fancied doing this. Alison helped me call the company, She answered my questions about the job and told me they would deliver the magazines in a few weeks.
After a brain injury you will have a lot of complex matters to cope with, like how you think and feel, what you recognise (or no longer can) and even how your body works
I had 380 magazines to deliver to different roads in Wivenhoe. My staff helped me find the roads on the computer, printed maps and came with me to deliver the leaflets, to reassure me that I was doing the right roads and not putting them in houses that don’t want junk mail. I went out on my own once I felt confident. When the next month came I got my payment for the first delivery. It felt really good and I let my employment adviser know I had got a little job. I am learning about my local village and finding my way around a lot more now thanks to this job.
We need vitamin D to keep our bones strong and healthy. The best source is direct sunlight. Bare your skin to the sun for a little while on sunny days over summer, but do not over do it.
Debbie, parttime at the PDSA
PEER TO PEER
THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
Headway suggested that volunteering would be good for me, says Debbie. I like to be busy so the team at Berryfields organised an interview and job for me at People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) charity shop.
After-work buzz
I was so happy after I had worked the whole day. It was the best feeling. I can’t explain it – I felt alive again. I even worked on the till, put clothes into sizes and put prices on them. It was the best day since my heart attack. The ladies made me so welcome and I loved talking to them. Working all day was great but wore me out so I now do half a day each week.
5 In 2004 I was on a night out with some friends in Tilburg, Holland, where I was living, writes Lawrence. I was quite drunk when I left my friends to go home. I fell over a white picket fence no higher than my hip, bashed my head on the floor and sustained a severe brain injury.
Sense of purpose
I spent the next six years in hospital and rehab in Holland. I came back to England in 2010 and lived at Berryfields for two and a half years. They suggested I do some voluntary work. I was interested in shop work so went to work one day a week at Oxfam. Now nearly seven years on I have my own permanent home and still get support from the Berryfields staff. I work four days a week in Oxfam and feel like a new man with a purpose in life. Voluntary work has really helped my recovery.
Lawrence, at work in Oxfam
work
Jamie, now a mentor to other young people
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Dark skin needs more time in the sun to absorb vitamin D. Fair skin needs a lot less. You can’t absorb vitamin D through windows as the right rays won’t go through glass.
-air ichelle in mid Alison and M
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On Sunday morning Alison braved a cable car ride over the cliffs at the Needles. Michelle Sibley, reporting on Alison’s holiday on the Isle of Wight, page 7
IN THE PINK AND OVER THE NEEDLES: HOLIDAYS AHOY
es ack right, Jam Regina and, b
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This was my number one holiday and I want to come back for the Blackpool Illuminations. Regina from the Hornsey Lane Project
Day at the circus
In Blackpool we found the ballroom closed so instead went to the circus to see some breath-taking acrobatics. The sun shone on our boat trip but the highlight for royals fan Regina was finding a photo of the Queen and Prince Phillip. Regina and James paid for the entire trip, including costs for staff Ernalee Nelson and Corinna Weber-Gray.
Alison entertained worker Jack on the ferry crossing to her holiday on the Isle of Wight last September, asking nonstop questions about what she would be able to do on her holiday, writes support worker Michelle Sibley On the ferry, we helped Alison up the stairs so she could see the other boats while we sailed across the Solent. Then it was back to the car, off the ferry and on to the holiday site.
Shopping and dance
Regina and James had a grand holiday touring Blackpool and the Lake District in April The house holiday is a very popular tradition at Hornsey Lane where they live. Most go to Norfolk but, inspired by Strictly Come Dancing, Regina and James wanted to see the Tower Ballroom and take a boat trip on Lake Windermere.
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‘Going with residents on a house holiday is always a highlight as I can offer oneto-one care and support,’ said Ernalee. ‘I hope we can continue this tradition.’ James said he didn’t want to go back to London or, as he calls it, ‘The Old Smoke’.
Royals fan Re gina
Spending too much time in the sun, especially if your skin burns, puts you at risk of skin cancer. Stay in the shade when the sun is strongest, between 11am and 3pm.
The next day took us to Ryde for bowling, then to the pier for Alison’s favourite – coffee and cake. We dropped by Newport for lunch and shopping then after a tiring day headed back to Whitcliff Bay to change for an evening at the clubhouse.
Alison and Michelle visit Gods Hill
rest
Regina, James and Ernalee
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Alison danced all night. On Sunday morning Alison braved a cable car ride over the cliffs at the Needles. It was scary but Alison loved it, asked to go again and even bought a keyring souvenir. Later we visited the miniature village at Gods Hill, modelled on the way it looked in the late 1920s. Next on the agenda were cream teas then
Some of our young mums and their children enjoyed a free day out in beautiful Kew Gardens in February It was a perfect day for walking around the gardens and greenhouses looking at interesting and unusual plants from around the world. The children loved the lake and ducks. Highlights were a visit to The Hive, where you can pretend you’re bee in a huge beehive. Also popular was the Waterlily House, which has turtles and fish in the aquarium. We had a lovely lunch in the Kew Gardens café and returned home with very sleepy children. The young mums are two of the young people, who use our floating support in Greenwich. Thanks to Greening Communities, who got the free tickets through Kew Gardens’ community access scheme, and to the social inclusion team, who paid for lunch and the train journey.
back to the lodge to order Chinese takeaways. We all went for a dip in the pool before leaving the next day. Alison drew the line at that but did have a good laugh at us as we slid screaming down the water chute. I think it’s safe to say that Alison and all her staff had a great time on the Isle of Wight.
BEES AND TREES: FAMILY DAY OUT IN KEW GARDENS
One of Kew’s amazing trees
Protect your skin by wearing light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and wear suncream with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 or, if your skin is very fair, sunblock.
DAVID’S 75TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
ALL NIGHT DANCEATHON HELPS PAY FOR SENSORY ROOM
At Crown Court, David is having a good year. He moved out of residential care into his own home - one of his big goals. Now he has celebrated his 75th birthday
Customers and staff held an all-night danceathon in February in a bid to raise enough money to turn space at Mencap’s Braintree offices into a sensory room.
David’s sister Shirley and best friend Geoffrey turned up to help David celebrate his 75th birthday. With support from staff, David took his sister and friend out for dinner at The Treacle Mine, a pub in Grays, Essex.
Money magnet
The event was organised by Braintree Mencap to help kickstart fundraising for the £15,000 it will cost to convert and equip the room at Charles Leek House. Dancing started at the bridge club on Wednesday evening and carried on until Thursday evening at the Gateway Club. Staff and some of our Allen House customers danced right through the night, joined for the odd burst of twinkle-toed fun by customers attending courses at Mencap’s office and anyone else who fancied a turn on the dance floor. All of those who joined in had a whale of a time. David is nonverbal but was quick to put his thumbs up when asked if he was enjoying himself. Staff too had a great time and everyone was pleased to raise money for a good cause.
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Making Easter bonnets after lunch
play
Party dinner in the pub
David is not keen on outings so this was a big achievement for him. After dinner he invited Shirley, Geoffrey and all the staff back to his home for tea and chocolate cake, although David would have been happy to eat all the cake himself. David enjoyed showing Geoffrey around his new home in Crown Court, Tilbury. He moved to Crown Court after his residential care home closed down.
HOEDOWN AT SNOWDOWN Older customers from across East Kent came together for a day of fun at Snowdown Court in spring. And boy can they party! Emma Reeves reports
ay boy David: birthd
David with sister Shirley
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Protect your eyes. Never look directly at the sun. It can burn the surface of your eye briefly, a bit like sunburn. It can also cause permanent damage to your eyes.
The day started at a nice pace, with tea and cakes for guests arriving from Oysters, Coventina, Beaver Court and Paffard Court. After a buffet lunch, it was time to make Easter bonnets. Things then livened up with a singer, lots of dancing, swaying and singing.
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Brilliant fun, friendly day and fab meeting residents from other schemes. Lynn
An air of competition then set in. The winning team for the quiz, made up of residents from two schemes, walked off with vouchers and prizes were given for the winners of the Easter bonnet parade. More singing and dancing rounded off a great day.
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Yesterday was the best party we have ever had. Mixing with other schemes was amazing. We came together like one big happy family. Rose
It was also a day of emotion for at least two residents, one from Holywell. One scheme manager told us that one of her residents came close to tears on meeting up with her sister. Her sister lives at Snowdon, and the two hadn’t seen each other for years.
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There was something for everyone and the support workers made it a great success - the best one ever. Pat
Sunlight reflected on surfaces is also dangerous. You can still get burnt from sunlight that bounces off water, glass, concrete, snow and other flat surfaces.
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dine
re-use
WHAT DO EAGLES EAT? SANDWICHES!
FIFTH YEAR FOR SOFA SAVIOURS
Pret à Manger’s charity offshoot has been donating unsold food to customers at Eagle Dwellings, our scheme for single homeless people in Islington
Looking forward to a free Pret feast
Twice a week, customers and staff pop down to Pret à Manger in the Angel to collect unsold sandwiches, soups and pastries. The food is served up to tenants that evening, with the most in need given first place in the queue. Everyone at Eagle Dwellings has spent time sleeping rough. Even now, with a roof over their head, they can still be short of money for essentials. It is especially hard for those who have only recently moved
in and who are still waiting for their first benefit payment. The Pret Foundation Trust’s generous donation means they don’t go hungry. The foundation also feeds customers of other charities working with homeless people. Eagle Dwellings service manager Sherie Haynes said: ‘Pret is a bit of a lifesaver for some of our tenants. The food is healthy and nutritious and it’s food that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.’
It’s been five years since we set up our Garage Project to put to new use furniture no longer wanted by people living in or near Havering Family Mosaic’s Helen Peters, right, gratefully takes a new donation from Jane Green
WHAT’S COOKING? Young people at Bernard Brett House, Colchester, have taken over the kitchen for their Sunday Roast Club Each week tenants write on the noticeboard what they’ll bring to the next meal and how they will help make the dinner.
Payment in kind
One might bring potatoes and another the stuffing, for example. Anyone short of cash can pay in kind by helping to prepare and cook the dinner and wash up afterwards. Staff tell us the club works so well that each week leaves staff with less to do. The Bernard Brett Facebook page is also busy with talk about the next meal and club members have set up a WhatsApp group.
Mersea Road in Colchester, meanwhile, has a breakfast club run by staff. Every week Dinner gong rings at Bernard B rett day between 8 and 9am young residents drop into the communal room for a light Our roast dinners have breakfast and a chat about been so good. It’s like their plans for the day. a family dinner. Both these services have helped generate a happier atmosphere at the schemes Alice, Bernard Brett House For very little cost, we are getting great results. It was nice. I helped ‘It was a way to learn more wash up, I got to chat about people I live with,’ said to people and we had Matt. ‘I wouldn’t usually get to cake for dessert! spend time with my neighbours. It was really great and we all enjoyed the food.’ Coral, Bernard Brett House
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If you have lots of freckles or moles, you have red or fair hair or you have sensitive skin because of a medical problem, make sure you take extra care to protect skin outdoors.
Can van with the We n le e H d n a Jane
With help from Havering Council, which gives us free use of two garages, we take in items that might be useful to people struggling to furnish their home. We get sofas, beds, pots, pans and lots more. We have even been given an old Family Mosaic We can van which our volunteers use to collect furniture from donors and deliver it to the people who need it. Havering Council also helps by letting us promote the service free on local radio station Time FM. Our clients are very different. We had one who lost everything when the family home caught fire but many more are settling into a new home after living in a hostel or refuge. In our first five years we have helped over 600 customers and we’re seeing no let up in need. Our special thanks to Ben Mole, acting head of marketing at Family Mosaic, for his kind donations over the years. Your support is greatly appreciated Ben.
TERRORIST ATTACK ADVICE
If caught up in an attack
In light of the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge we need to be vigilant and keep safe. Allan James Winstanley offers some advice
If you find an
If you are at a railway
station please do not leave your bag on the platform. It could be destroyed or damaged by the security services.
Do not carry on public
transport any objects that can catch fire, like fireworks or matches.
please co-operate with the emergency services.
unexploded bomb on a beach or field please call the police. They will call a bomb disposal squad who will carry out a controlled explosion.
KEEP SAFE!
Tell your doctor or a chemist if you get a new mole, growth or lump on your skin or a mole, freckle or patch of skin changes in size, shape or colour.
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I really enjoyed it. Everyone got so creative.
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I want to do more glass fusing. It was a really good day.
MONEY
ART MEETS SCIENCE
It always seems sunny when you have enough money, but is somewhat overcast when you have not
Pathways went on two glass fusing workshops in March, reports Kate P. It was really interesting learning the history and science of melting glass together
OR LACK OF IT
When you’re talking about depressions, it’s generally my impression, that all the tribulations are worse when there is nothing in the pot
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When your finances are in the black, you’re no longer on the rack. But once in the red things aren’t so hot When money is tight, it’s a burdensome plight to make ends meet and stop the rot. With the rise of inflation, I ask myself; ‘Is this an indication, that the pound is shrinking, is this some underhand government plot?’ Struggling with the pace, to keep up with the race. Because it comes to my attention whether on benefit allowance or pension, you just can’t hide from the increasing divide, in this land of those who have, and those who have not!
Brian Harrington
First we worked with plate glass. This is what glass windows are made of. We all learnt to cut the glass in various shapes, including circles and wavy lines. We each made a plaque, someone did a cat. We had a bottle alley inspired by Bottle Alley in Hastings, a gym scene and a piece that looked like a modern day piece of art with different shapes made of bold colours. Next was lunch. We had homemade soup and bread and French cheeses. It was lovely. In the afternoon we worked with bullseye glass, which is specially made for fusing. We got really creative and made lots of really different pieces including a name plaque, a spider’s web and insects, a garden scene and a dragonfly. We really enjoyed the day and the results. We would recommend glass fusing to everyone. We had never done it before and some of us are not very arty, but we enjoyed learning and are proud of the things we made. Eight of us went on the glass fusing workshops in Bexhill. They were run by a local lady called Rachel.