Avery Life Issue 5 by Icon Publishing

TALKING TO YOU NOT ABOUT YOU

A WHOLE NEW

WORDLE HOW TO AGE

BRILLIANTLY

GRAND

PARENTS IN WAITING

DOWN TO

MARGATE

DURING &

AFTERLIFE

RICKY

GERVAIS

ADVICE | HEALTH & WELLNESS | ENTERTAINMENT | NEWS

Welcome to the New Avery brand A standard definition of branding defines it as “the act of giving a company a particular design to advertising its products and services.” It is the physical ‘thing’ people see when engaging with a business and is usually seen in marketing brochures, websites, signage, product packaging and so on. Modern marketers now look at branding as a holistic opportunity to showcase a business and extends much further than tangible marketing collateral. Developing a brand, particularly for a business such as Avery in the care home sector where emotions are at the forefront, includes developing customer service, reputation and responsibility to residents, their families, our staff, healthcare professionals and sector excellence. It also has the role of creating a memorable impression and a

platform to communicate to customers what to expect from a company. It can be one of the bases on which the business is represented and how it wishes to be perceived. Head of Marketing and Recruitment for Avery, Jo Wright, explains, “Our people, Avery staff, residents and their families are the backbone of the Avery brand and the most important part of our business. We wanted the marketing side of the brand to better reflect the quality

of care in our homes and be something we are proud of.” Avery has three treasured company values: Proud, Supportive and Caring. Through the use of colour, icons, photography and tone of voice, the team have created a new brand identity within its brochures and marketing collateral that embraces these values and gives new families a better representation of what to expect from the organisation. Jo continued, “The process of creating the new brand identity included engagement with a branding specialist and feedback from over 100 people to find the right feel that best resonated with different target groups. It was also important to create an identity that helped us stand out in the market whilst being unique and timeless. We hope you like it. Please feel free to provide us with feedback by emailing marketing@averyhealthcare.co.uk. The new Avery brand identity will be rolledout during 2022 and will soon be seen on all communications from the care provider.

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We work directly with our selected manufacturers to offer the best flooring at the best prices and opt for sustainable companies wherever possible. Some of our preferred suppliers include Ted Todd Wood Flooring, Jacaranda Carpets, Westex Carpets, Kahrs Flooring, Cormar Carpets, Amtico, Karndean, Crucial Trading and many more. We are proud to have an excellent reputation with building firms, architects and private customers throughout the UK and Channel Islands, supplying and installing top-quality flooring products with a strong focus on friendly and efficient customer service.

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Offering a range of bespoke systems, Shortgrove can offer more than you could ever imagine from cinema installation and communication systems to CCTV and remote monitoring. When it comes to security, Shortgrove offer a bountiful selection.

Gym and Spa Another of Shortgrove’s trusted suppliers is Escape Fitness, an innovative and global gym provider renowned for their motto of encouraging their clients to escape their limits. Their passion for high quality exercise equipment is infectious, and Shortgrove work alongside Escape Fitness to provide their clients with the luxury of exercising safely and effectively from the comfort of their own home.

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HappyHomes

I am delighted to welcome you to the fifth edition of Avery Life which shares some hot topics of interest and insight into life in Avery care homes. We have started the year by deep diving into our recent resident survey results. Resident satisfaction feedback plays such a valuable role in assessing and improving the quality of long-term care in our homes. Satisfied residents are not only happy, and proof that good care is being received, but residents who feel heard and acknowledged are also an asset to our communities and can make a difference to the overall feel of a home.

This year the Avery resident survey had a 57% response rate from residents, much higher than we have seen previously and higher than sector averages of just 35%. The secret to success was holding a ‘Champion Workshop’ to choose a representative in each home to encourage individuals to take the time and reply to the survey. The feedback we have gained has been invaluable. The big wins of the survey were overall, Avery care homes are a happy place to live, management is visible and always have time to listen, residents are confident that complaints will be addressed, the food is well served, and staff are caring, supportive and proud. Areas to focus on and improve are bringing back the much-missed links with the community that were paused during Covid-19 restrictions and getting back 6

to normal life. Residents enjoy being involved in planning activities and choosing places to visit, so they are excited to be planning events again. The staff, too, cannot wait for business-as-usual to take centre stage once again. I think I am safe to say that residents, their families, all staff, and the whole country are ready for the new beginnings that Spring brings. Once again, my heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has soldiered on once again through the Omicron strain of the pandemic. We start the Spring with a fresh new brand identity. If you would like information about any Avery homes, please do not hesitate to get in touch and request a free enquiry pack. In this edition, you will also find stories about life in our care homes, including how we give back to our communities via a Kindness campaign and the many activities we get up to daily. You will

find a focus on a home, an introduction to our Head of Culinary and Hospitality and a technology update that explains some of the ways we use tech to support tasks. If you are interested in living in the Hawthorns independent living apartments, please read on. All that remains for me to say in this edition is to settle down with a cup of tea, and I hope you enjoy the read. All the best,

Sharon

Sharon Winfield, Chief Operating Officer, Avery Healthcare

CONTENTS

| And the award goes to... Ricky Gervais.

| The films that helped to shape cinema as we know it today.

| Ageless Beauty.

| What Does Menopause Mean for You?

| Exclusive Interview with Guy West.

44 | Easter Around the World. 40

| Care Home Tech Update.

76 | The Power of Pets.

48 | Vegetarian for Life Awards.

78 | Down To Margate.

is produced by:

86 | Power Couple: Paul & Sandra Tripney. ®Care Home Publications Limited

FOR ALL ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: andy.clark@carehomepublications.com

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And the award goes to ...

RICKY GERVAIS Born 25th June 1961, this perennially popular English actor, comedian and writer (not forgetting global ambassador for animal welfare) recently drew the curtain on his award-winning Netflix series After Life.

Photo courtesy by Meredith Jenks /Trunk Archive

The comedy/drama, a sublimely-performed, titled Armageddon. Gervais reflects; “I’m treating it long-form rumination on grief, resilience and like it’s my last show ever”. The set focuses on the foul language at once showcased the frailty end of days and how civilisation will destroy itself of existence and encouraged its audience to either through media stupidity or climate collapse... experience each day to the full... something we perhaps both. A staunch atheist, Gervais has always can all relate to, especially in light of a global been fascinating for the way his impatience, cynicism pandemic which hit pause on so many of our and occasional forays into nihilism rub up against his lives. Arriving from relative obscurity with a roar optimism and genuine love of life and nature – When (and more than a few knowing looks to asked to name his greatest achievement, he camera), Gervais’s hit 2001 mockumentary “You won’t responded “Working my way up from nothing sitcom The Office redefined the comedy burn in hell. without punching anyone in the face.” game whilst perfectly satirising the newly … and his greatest regret? emerging reality TV format, creating But be nice “That I didn’t punch more people in the face.” anyway. ” a gold standard at home in the UK and When quizzed on his most marked spawning a long-running, mega-hit characteristic, he responded, “I’d like to say American version. Following his early success it’s my intelligence, wit, integrity, and charm. But with the celebrity-endorsed media-skewing it’s probably for others to decide. They’d say cocky, Extras, Gervais (and writing/directing outspoken, troublemaker”. partner and all-around tall person Stephen Merchant) had truly arrived. His sold-out Away from work, he’s a recent convert to veganism, stand-up shows, including Animals, Politics citing his burgeoning influence with a younger and Fame simultaneously established audience demographic (15 million Twitter followers) as him as a prodigious stage talent, whilst crucial to the future well-being of animals. His disdain his production work and acting kept his towards bullfighting, puppy farms, animal testing and industry profile at a high, occasionally trophy hunting are well documented. Gervais recently courting controversy for his outspoken made headlines when he took a sideways swipe at approach to humour and what is and the head of the Catholic church, Pope Francis, who’d isn’t acceptable to joke about (most controversially branded people choosing to keep pets stuff is apparently!!). Despite a rather than to have children as “selfish”. The star and storied career spanning two his long term partner Jane Fallon have no children decades, nothing could have but share their home with feline fur baby “Pickle”. prepared him for the success Branding the Pope’s opinions as “ridiculous”, fans may of After Life. With a worldwide have been clamouring for Gervais to settle things in audience of over 100 million, the boxing ring once more, following his charity bout it remains Gervais’s only with Grant Bovey some years back, but we won’t dalliance into a third series, hold our breath on that one. For his part, Gervais has much to the delight of fans never expressed disdain for children themselves, just who couldn’t get enough of the expectation that everyone should want them or the mesmerising tightrope act it be as excited about them as parents themselves are. managed to walk between tragedy When asked what his idea of perfect happiness is, the and comedy. Regardless of whether comedian says, “Playing with a dog.... And we’re both you cried tears of hilarity or sadness, it’s very drunk”. likely you cried. Especially when Gervais all-butconfirmed there wouln’t be a fourth season. The Not content with some mild pope bashing, Gervais courted perfect ending to season three left little room for more (mock) outrage by decrying the Queen’s new year’s honours list, stating that the gongs should not be handed that to be a credible proposition. out to celebrities merely doing what they already love The recipient of an impressive array of Baftas, (and being paid handsomely for), but rather awarded Emmys and Golden Globes for his sophisticated to citizens making a daily difference for less salubrious mix of insult-laden, observational comedy and accolades, such as health workers and care home staff! genuine, insightful human drama on both stage and screen, the star is now set to return to As if we didn’t love him enough already! stand up with his latest offering, the aptly-

All time There’s no time like the present to enjoy some of cinema’s finest. Each of our picks delivers a heavy dose of nostalgia and are definitely some of the best classic movies to grace our screens. Expect heart-warming comfort, big laughs, and pulse-pounding suspense. These films helped to shape cinema as we know it today.

The Wizard of Oz

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr Year: 1939 There’s no place like home, and there is no classic quite like Dorothy’s adventures in Oz. An absolute masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz, follows Dorothy Gale as she is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. Joined by Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion on an epic adventure, the three find themselves on the run from the Wicked Witch of the West and all her schemes. Described as ‘the most influential movie of all time’, this fantastical tale will win over even the most cynical of viewers.

Casablanca

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains Year: 1942 A love story you will never forget. Set in the early years of World War II in Casablanca, this tale follows an American living in the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city. Rick Blaine’s nightclub is an oasis for refugees despite continuous warnings from local authorities. When his former love begs him for help to escape to the US with her fugitive Resistance leader husband, Blaine must decide which will win: his heart or his head. There’s a reason this is still touted as Hollywood’s greatest romance.

Gone with the Wind

Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Hattie McDaniel Year: 1939 Adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell and set against the backdrop of the Civil War, this award-winning classic focuses on the indomitable Southern Belle, Scarlett O’Hara. Whilst containing some problematic themes and images, it was one of a kind in its day in terms of scale and the vast number of people involved in the production. Winner of the Best Picture Academy Award as well as first Academy Award to be given to an African American for Hattie McDaniel’s best supporting role, Mammy. 12

All time Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Mickey Rooney Year: 1961 Possibly Audrey Hepburn’s most famous movie, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, sees the iconic starlet play Holly Golightly. Based on the book by Truman Capote, the film follows Holly, working as a high-end escort and in search of a wealthy man to marry but when she meets an aspiring writer, her plans begin to change before her eyes.

West Side Story

Starring: Rita Moreno, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, George Chakiris Year: 1961 Directed by choreographer Jerome Robbins and Sound of Music director, Robert Wise. Capturing the racial tensions of the time, West Side Story follows The Sharks and The Jets battle it out on our screens in this modernised take on Romeo and Juliet. In the middle of the chaos, Tony and Maria meet and fall in love and force everyone to reconsider what all the fighting is for. With some of the best music and lyrics of the era, this musical is one to enjoy over and over again.

The Godfather

Starring: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton Year: 1972 There’s really nothing quite like Francis Ford Coppola’s portrayal of the mob family of Don Vito Corleone. A chilling to the bone, action-packed story that’s you can watch time and time again. Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone, the head of a crime dynasty, is grooming his hesitant son to take over the family business in a study of morality, loyalty and honour. It’s a fascinating saga that will impress every audience. 14

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Nothing beats a

GOOD BOOK The season of reading is upon us. There is nothing quite like enjoying a good read en plein air. From emerging to established authors and from short stories to politics,

we’ve got you covered. So, if you’re in the market for your next book, here’s our selection of the best page-turners. Sit back, relax, and get stuck in.

Little Wing by Freya North Little Wing is a powerful story spanning multiple generations. In the 1960s, a pregnant 16-year-old Florence Lawson is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK. Years later, Nell Hartley and Dougie Munro are both at critical moments in their lives when their three paths cross. Between Camden, Colchester and the Outer Hebrides, the three story lines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought. Little Wing is a novel about resilience, forgiveness and the true meaning of family, about finding one’s place in the world and discovering how we all have a purpose.

Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King By the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of Writers & Lovers, for the first time, Lily King shares ten of her finest short stories exploring desire and heartache, loss and discovery. A bookseller’s undeclared love for his worker rises to the surface, a neglected teenage boy finds much-needed support from an unlikely pair of college students, a girl’s loss of innocence at the hands of her employer’s son becomes a catalyst for strength and confidence, and a proud nonagenarian rages helplessly in his granddaughter’s hospital room. Romantic, optimistic, viciously raw, and scathingly honest, these stories all relate to King’s enduring subject of love.

The Last Suspicious Holdout by Ladee Hubbard This collection of stories about the black residents in an unnamed “sliver of Southern suburbia” in the years between the beginning of the Clinton administration and Obama’s election. It’s about racism, the war on drugs, class and struggle, but at its heart, it’s a portrait of a community. In this fearless and, at times, funny collection, Ladee Hubbard transcends stereotypes to provide a fuller portrait of black American life and its undercurrents. Though their finances, occupations, and businesses may be vulnerable to forces they cannot control, the neighbours in these tales bravely confront the realities of their lives and firmly believe that hope is not a promise but a choice.

Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes Twenty-five years after the release of Rachel’s Holiday, Marian Keyes has returned with Rachel in this hilarious and touching sequel, Again, Rachel. In her 20’s, Rachel Walsh was a total mess. Now, after a spell in rehab; she is living her best life! She has found love, has a family, the picture-perfect job as an addiction counsellor and life couldn’t be any better. That is until an old flame rears his head and throws her perfect existence into disarray. She is about to discover that things can change no matter how old you are, and perhaps it’s time to think again.

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka Turning the serial killer narrative on its head, this irresistible intense thriller, Notes on an Execution, is a poignant, profoundly compassionate tale of resilience. On Death Row, murderer Ansel Packer contemplates his last hours, but we learn about what kind of man he really is from three women pivotal in his life. His mother, Lavender, a seventeen-year-old runaway, his wife’s twin Hazel who watches Ansel steal her sister away, and Saffy, the detective, brings him to justice

Managing Expectations by Minnie Driver This is a collection of delicately fashioned, comical and heartfelt essays, described as a ‘tell-most’, in which Minnie Driver uses her formidable storytelling skills to examine and understand her lessthan-ordinary life. Minnie shares poignant, candid and honest stories of her unconventional childhood, the shock of fame, motherhood, love, success, failure, the power of sisterly love, and the loss of her beloved mother. In her own words, it’s about how things not working out actually worked out in the end and how reaching for the dream is easily more interesting, expansive, sad and funny than the dream itself coming true. 17

Life’s too short to wear boring shoes Interview by Nicola McGeorge

Born and bred in Northampton, the historical centre of the British shoemaking industry, childhood friends Mark Jeffery and Guy West launched their eponymous Jeffery-West label over three decades ago. The brand is renowned for its expert craftsmanship and signature indie Rock and Roll influences and boasts a celebrity clientele that includes David Beckham, Javier Bardem and Noel Gallagher. In this EXCLUSIVE interview, we talk to Guy West about his love of maverick hell raisers, python boots, classic cars and, of course, his hometown.

When did your love affair with shoes begin? I was 15 years old and heavily influenced by punk, the tail end of disco, new romantics, suedeheads. I bought a pair of shoes and customised them to reflect my style and personality. This was the start of my love affair with fashion and shoes.

What prompted you to launch your own label? Mark, my business partner (whose father ran a shoe factory,) and I have been friends since we were 13. It wasn’t long before we started brainstorming about creating our own shoe label, which would mix traditional Northampton manufacturing with our own unique style.

At 17, we started buying end of lines from the local Northampton factories, including Mark’s own father’s, customising the shoes and selling them at various local markets. We went on to launch Jeffery-West in 1987, creating a twelve-piece Jeffery~West sample range. The rest, as they say, is history.

How would you describe your brand? We wanted create our own unique version of Goodyear Welted Footwear and I like to think we succeeded. We certainly changed the Northampton look and will continue to do so. It was always our aim to create a very specific handwriting. Mark and I really are shoe people, and that’s what was important to us – getting that handwriting correct. We have a fiercely independent look seamlessly stylish, meticulously crafted footwear, designed in Northampton.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Well, we are still here after 35 years; that has to be an accomplishment in itself. I think our biggest accomplishment is the stand-alone store at Piccadilly. Prior to that, we only sold to other stores, and they will only showcase part of your collection. When it’s your own emporium, it gives you the opportunity to tell the whole story, from the interior design to the staff and even the music. It gives our clients the complete Jeffery-West experience.

How has your work evolved over the years? What have been the biggest lessons you’ve learned since launching your brand? Similar to an amusement arcade coin cascade machine, it’s forever changing. We add different forms whilst remaining true to our core. We have incorporated more casual styles over the years, using innovative new materials.

Patience, it takes time to build a brand. Do not underestimate your own design. Have faith in your own gut and vision and stick with it. 20

Who buys your shoes today?

What trends will we be seeing in 2022?

We are fortunate to have a loyal customer base. They tend to be independent men, confident individuals— those who don’t toe the line. We design shoes for men who have the confidence to embrace their look, being a bit flamboyant in a carefree way. Our wearers continue to tread between rogue and respectability.

We will see a shift from sportswear, moving back into formalwear as people start to socialise again.

What fascinates you right now, and how is it feeding into your work? I have a great interest in the history of the London club scene, and this can be seen in my current work. The characters of the clubland - the 70’s Playboy at Tramp; the Blitz Kid Dandy; the Wag club Soul Boy; the Hacienda Raver, most iconic fashion trends over the past decades have been born on the dance floors of legendary nightclubs.

Are there any materials that you would like to explore further? I am very interested in the new technologies, such as lab-grown leather and mushroom leather. Neither are at the level we would need just yet, but I am keeping a close eye on them.

Who would you choose to wear your next collection, dead or alive, and why? Maverick hell raisers of the highest calibre, which it’s impossible to be now, so I would have to go with someone who is no longer with us. 21

Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Peter O’Toole or Oliver Reed: On-screen, they were stars. Off-screen, they were legends! They were truly the last of an iconic breed.

Why was it important to you to launch a vegan range? A lot of our customer base is now vegan, certainly in California, about 35% of under 30s are, and we have a loyal client base there. More and more people were telling us that they used to wear and love our shoes, but they had turned vegan and couldn’t wear leather anymore. It was important for us to adapt and offer an alternative.

What’s next for the brand? We are looking to open a new store either in London or Europe. It’s been very difficult over the past few years, but we are looking forward to adding a new showroom to our brand.

What shoe staples would you recommend? Definitely at least three pairs of Chelsea Boots, two pairs of Monk Strap, and a handcuff trim loafer for summer.

What advice would you give to women and men when buying shoes?

Personal Motto:

All or nothing

What is the best moment of the day? No day is the same in my line of work – it can be very diverse. However, I do love it when the new collection arrives. Up until that point, it has all been drawings and prototypes, so to see our vision become a reality is always a great moment. I usually mutter a ‘thank goodness’ and breathe a sigh of relief.

What else do you love apart from shoes? I enjoy board sports - snowboarding, wakeboarding and longboarding. I own a few classic cars and regularly take part in the meetups. I love socialising and meeting new people from all walks of life.

Don’t just read magazines and follow the trends. Try to let your footwear reflect your personality, and don’t be frightened to make a statement.

If you hadn’t been a shoemaker, what would you have been?

What footwear would you wear on your last-ever night out?

I was accepted into the Navy and would have been a diver. I have really learned to appreciate free diving in my later years. If not the Navy, then I have always fancied being an auctioneer.

Monk Strap python boots. 22

What books do you currently have on your bedside table? Tales from the Colony Room, an oral biography consisting of previously unpublished and long-lost interviews with the characters who were central to the scene at one of Soho’s most debauched haunts I am about to re-read J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece Lord of the Rings. Having been a Tolkienite since I was a child, I am looking forward to diving back in.

Is there any type of clothing that you avoid wearing? Sportswear!

What are some of your favourite trends in the last 50 years in fashion? The Peacock Revolution paved the way for men to dress differently with the development of bold styles and colours. Fashion started to break out from the mould enabling men to exercise their freedom of selfexpression through their style. I also appreciated the fashion influence from early Brit Pop 90’s bands such as Pulp and Suede; they offered more eccentric representations of Britishness. Jarvis Cocker with his thrift store retro suits, while Suede frontman Brett Anderson took a more androgynous approach, mixing tight leather jackets with a bare chest or blouse. A decade later, you could see Anderson’s influence on Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of The Libertines, who went on to serve as muses to fashion designer Hedi Slimane.

What’s your personal motto? All or nothing

What do you love about Northampton? It has been the undisputed centre of traditional shoemaking for several centuries. I, of course, also love the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, which is home to one of the largest collections of shoes and shoe heritage in the world. I was heavily involved with the 1999 Lottery Bid for the initial museum renovation, and then took a keen interest in the spectacular recent redevelopment. The museum’s shoe collection has continued to be an enormous influence on our designs over the years. It is a great resource that ought to have wider recognition.

www.jeffery-west.co.uk 23

Ageless

Beauty All the serums, peels and lifting creams in the world will only get you so far in the everlasting pursuit of youth – don’t let your makeup sabotage the effort. We asked professional makeup artist, Nicola McGeorge, to share her tips and tricks for achieving a youthful appearance.

It’s all about the base For me, 70 per cent of a great makeup look is down to the right skin prep. Prepping the skin ensures a perfected canvas and helps makeup perform better. If you take the time to do this, you will need less coverage, and as we mature, less is always more when it comes to makeup. After cleansing, run First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads over your skin. They exfoliate and brighten to perfectly prep skin for a smooth makeup application.

Smart coverage Take a tissue and dab off any excess moisturiser. Using a damp Beauty Blender, take your foundation of choice and bounce it across the skin. Start in the middle and work outwards, so there is less product on the outside of the face. I would opt for a more moisturising foundation for mature skin to add a healthy glow and even out skin without building up a heavy layer. I favour Chanel Vitalumiére or Face Atelier Ultra Foundation. Concealers can be tricky to apply; many formulas sink into crevices, emphasising every fine line. To keep concealer from drawing attention to wrinkles, apply it only on the inner halves of your under-eyes to cover up any darkness. I am personally not a fan of primers, preferring to use multi-tasking skin care, such as the cult French moisturiser Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. Thanks to its glow-giving finish and miraculous ability to make makeup stay put, it can be found in most celebrity makeup artists’ kits. Spend the time to really massage the moisturiser into the skin, giving yourself a mini facial. This ‘wakes up’ the face, reduces puffiness and boosts circulation. Remember, the better the skin, the better the makeup will be. Next, apply the super hydrating Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment, which doubles as an under-eye makeup primer. The eye cream grips makeup to stay in place all-day. Don’t forget to prep your lips. Exfoliation can make all the difference for a younger-looking pout. Buff lips daily with a clean toothbrush or a damp cloth, which removes flakes and boosts blood flow. Then coat lips in a thick layer of Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to lock in moisture, fill lines and boost fullness.

Give us a lift Move onto brows whilst giving the skin care time to really sink in and work its magic. I like to focus on the brows first, as they really help frame a face and, when done correctly, can lift the whole eye area and take years off you. After brushing the hair upwards, create feather-like strokes to fill the area with the long-lasting super fine pencil, Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil. Keep brows in place with Benefits 24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel.

If you have darkness under the eyes, colour correct this area with a thin layer of a Bobbi Brown Corrector, then stipple your concealer on top. Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer is a great budget option. NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer and It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer are also firm faves. Set this area with a clean fluffy brush sprayed with Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray. Give yourself a mini faux facelift using the power of light reflective formulas. Brush YSL Touche Éclate onto frown lines, tops of cheekbones, outer corners of eyes, brow bones and temples of the forehead to get the maximum anti-ageing effect.

Pump up the volume

Next, we want to create the volume and plumpness of youthful skin. I tend to skip contouring on cheekbones as that hollows out the face, which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve for mature skin. If you feel your jawline is starting to sag, you can run a little Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream along this area, which will help reduce the pouch. Highlight the areas you want to bring out or forward. Using fingers, apply a cream, non-glittery highlight such a Living Luminizer RMS Beauty on the high points of the cheekbone (stay away from any fine lines as it will only emphasise them.) Cream blushes add a glow to the skin. They’re easy to use and can double on the lips as well. Dab a little Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush onto the apples of the cheeks to create a healthy, youthful flush. Go for warm pinks, apricots, or bronzes since they create less contrast. Set the t-zone with a dusting of By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder, a finely milled powder. I use powder very sparingly as it tends to enhance lines, preferring to use setting sprays instead to keep makeup in place.

The eyes have it You want to open up the eyes and make them look as big as possible. Start with a lid primer to even out the upper eyelid, creating a bright-eyed look that lasts all day. Press a soft brown kohl liner in between each lash along the lash line to add definition, bringing the look of lush and full lashes even before mascara. Blend the liner up at the outer corners with a Q-tip or flat eyeliner brush to reverse droopy-looking lids. Follow with your eyeshadow of choice - opt for cream shadows or tints and stay clear of anything with a shimmer or sparkle in it. Curl lashes; this is very important as it opens up the whole eye area. Apply waterproof mascara to avoid the dreaded panda eye look. Take the nude Diorshow Khol 529 eyeliner and trace your lower waterline. By doing this, the whites of your eyes will appear slightly extended, therefore creating the illusion of wider looking eyes. If lashes are particularly sparse, you can add a few individual lashes to the outer corners, which will really lift the eye area.

Kiss me quick Prevent feathering and make your lips look fuller with a lip liner. You can balance the shape by using a lip pencil in a ‘your-lips-but-better’ shade. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat pencils can always be found in my kit.

Dark shades can be unflattering on mature skin because lips get thinner with age. Extra lipstick migrates; instead of applying colour straight from the tube, apply with a lipstick brush. Choose a moisturising lip colour. For older women, it’s important to look for a formula that’s more hydrating to ensure smooth, even coverage. 26

Seal The Deal Gives the skin a radiant finish by misting it all over with a hydrating setting spray. Spritz your face in first an “X” motion and then a “T” shape. Now, you’re all set—literally.

The CHANGE By Victoria Wood

Menopause is receiving a lot of noise in the press of late and is fast becoming more of a buzzword than a taboo subject. An influx of information is being made widely available, which can be both helpful and confusing.

What Does Menopause Mean for You? Let’s go back to basics and get a clearer understanding of what our bodies (and minds) are really going through during this milestone in female life.

What Happens During Menopause? As with any stage in life, one comes to a close, and another commences…the menopause is no different. When the menstrual cycle comes to an end, menopause begins; our bodies resist producing as much oestrogen

and we no longer release an egg once a month. Doesn’t that make it sound straightforward?! It is a time of hormonal change which varies from woman to woman. The ‘typical’ age of menopause comes somewhere between 40 and 60, the average in the UK being 51. The statistics are wildly variable as one per cent experienced it before the age of 40. Medical conditions or treatments can also cause early-onset, e.g. hysterectomy, removal of the ovaries, breast cancer treatments, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Down’s Syndrome, and Addison’s Disease. 28

“So many women I’ve talked to see menopause as an ending. But I’ve discovered this is your moment to reinvent yourself after years of focusing on the needs of everyone else. It’s your opportunity to get clear about what matters to you and then to pursue that with all of your energy, time and talent.” — Oprah Winfrey

in far greater difficulty in conceiving. This puts a great deal more pressure on and adds to the stress if it feels like time is running out, which doesn’t help the situation. This could be the moment to seek help, find out what you can do for your body to promote the best chance of conception, and what your options are as your estrogen levels begin to drop.

What Will I Feel Like During Menopause? There is such a variety of symptoms that it can be said that menopause is different for each individual; it depends on which you present most and for how long, but the general consensus is that some or all (or possibly none!) of the following symptoms will be apparent during most menopausal women at some point. Hot Flushes. These are one of the most common symptoms of menopause; sudden outbreaks in upper body heat in any area from the face, neck and chest which progresses upwards or downwards. Again, there are many variations, and we all experience these differently at different times, if at all. A hot flush can be uncomfortable and . Not just physically but breaking out in a hot sweat and having flushed cheeks can be visibly noticeable when out in public which can be unwelcomed and possibly embarrassing. It is also possible to have the opposite and suffer from cold flushes or chills. In many women, the flushes finish once menopause passes, but they can continue for years afterwards. Night sweats are another common symptom, causing disrupted sleep patterns and uncomfortable sleeping situations. Vaginal Dryness. Discomfort, itching, and vaginal dryness are common during menopause. This can cause chafing and painful intercourse, so lubrication through moisturising or medication can help to soothe and ease the dryness. Lack of Focus. Many women report that they have trouble focusing, maintaining concentration and difficulty with memory during menopause. Keeping up with a brain training programme can help with physical exercise and active social life.

The initial signs of menopause are experiencing periods less regularly. This doesn’t necessarily mean they slow down gradually to a stop. Some women have more frequent periods, some less, and some experience periods that are heavier or lighter than usual. The sex hormones are changing, so our cycle and rhythm change with it.

Lower Fertility As we near menopause, the possibility of pregnancy is reduced. The slowing down of our menstrual cycle as we approach the end of our reproductive lifespan can result

Body Changes. There are physical changes that may occur around the time of menopause; these can also be put down to the time of life or lifestyle but are still worth noting as possible symptoms or effects. These include general weight gain, especially in the abdominal area, changes in hair thickness, volume, colour and texture, tenderness and reduction in breast size, and urinary incontinence. Reduced Sex Drive. As sex hormones change, so does the libido. Menopause can cause some women to experience a lull in their sex drive.

Mood Swings & Anxiety. Hormonal changes during menopause can disrupt our emotions and affect our mood. Feeling low, irritable, and upset during menopause is quite common. These feelings can cause anxiety, distress and depression. If this happens and feels uncontrollable or isn’t seeming to pass, it is advisable to speak to a doctor to discuss the best action.

How to Handle the Menopause Understanding the science behind menopause can absolutely help to manage it; knowing what is happening to your body and emotional state and why can aid in getting a handle on things. “I am feeling like this because…” can be a far more empowering situation to be in than going in blind. Research can improve your grasp on the situation and help predict the kind of experience you could be prone to. One of the best ways to manage menopause is to maintain a healthy lifestyle; eating whole foods, nutrient-dense meals, cutting down on any sugars, salts and processed foods and sticking to fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, greens, protein and fibre, sleeping a good eight hours a night, staying hydrated - at least eight glasses of water a day, and regular exercise are all imperative to keeping yourself at your strongest. The emotional side can also be kept in check by following these guidelines, but more can be done here to create a balanced, healthy person. Meditation, stretching, taking ‘me’ moments, looking after number one is essential. Having dinner with a loved one, laughing with a friend, having a long hot bath, whatever it is that keeps you happy, do it! When we are physically and emotionally strong, we can take on anything life throws at us, including menopause! There is medication that can help manage menopause symptoms if you are suffering, a doctor may prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This usually comes in tablets, patches placed on the skin, gels,

or implants that help relieve symptoms by replacing oestrogen in the body. There are also vaginal oestrogen creams and lubricants that can alleviate vaginal dryness. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is also a helpful tool to help with mood and anxiety caused by menopause. CBT is a psychology-based discipline that offers insights into our relationship with our emotions, habits, attitudes, behaviour and perceptions. It can help with personal growth and dealing with trauma. CBT offers personal development by analysing ourselves and learning how better to handle life situations. Ask for help! It isn’t the first thing many of us do, but reaching out and asking for help can be handy or managing any difficult life situation. Menopause can be challenging physically and mentally; having any form of therapy is a very positive step to finding your balance and power to work through it. We don’t have to struggle alone; sharing our feelings and troubles greatly aids the process.

Risk of Health Conditions It is known that the hormonal changes we encounter through menopause may play a role in increasing the risk of specific health issues. Menopause itself doesn’t cause these conditions, but the alteration in hormones can have an effect. Cardiovascular Disease; the strong decline in oestrogen can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Breast Cancer; some types of breast cancer are more likely to occur post-menopause - hormonal changes seemingly increase the risk. Osteoporosis; Bone density and strength decrease with osteoporosis. A doctor may recommend taking vitamin D and calcium to help with bone strength if this occurs. 30

There are three stages to menopause; perimenopause - the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of our reproductive years; menopause - see above, and postmenopause - the years following the menopause. However menopause affects you, be sure to keep yourself as healthy as possible, be aware of the changes occurring, ask for help if you need it, and share your journey - this is not something you need to endure alone!

“If you deal with it in a healthy fashion then I think you come out the other side a better person. I’ve got so much more energy now than I ever had in my early 50s before the menopause.” — Julie Walters, actress

Avery Healthcare

PROTECTING YOUR

Loved Ones

We all want to be treated with dignity and respect and have the freedom to make decisions about our own lives.

‘absolute’ in that they can never be taken away. Others are known as ‘non-absolute’, which means they may be restricted or limited in some situations.

The belief that human beings should have a set of basic rights and freedoms dates back many centuries. In the UK, human rights are protected by The Human Rights Act, which provides a framework that ensures basic principles including dignity, fairness, respect, and equality are applied to every citizen in the country, including people living in care homes.

To mark Human Rights Day, which is recognised worldwide every year, Jo Crossland, Avery Healthcare’s Head of Dementia Care, worked with colleagues to develop an information booklet explaining how the Human Rights Act applies to residents living in care homes.

The Human Rights Act was introduced in 1998 with two main aims; to bring the rights of the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law and help create a culture of respect for individual human rights in the UK.

“In total, there are 16 key rights set out in The Human Rights Act. Some are of particular relevance to people living in care homes. As well as highlighting the importance of Human Rights for everyone, we wanted to make sure that our staff understand how to respect the Human Rights of our residents every day”, said Jo.

The Act contains key rights, otherwise known as Articles. Some of these key rights are known as

The booklet is widely available in all Avery care homes for residents, families, staff and visitors to access. 32

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Join Our Team Our ambition is simple. To provide the very best care and a fulfilling life to all our residents within a warm and friendly community - the most important part of this aspiration is you! We are seeking high-quality people to join our enthusiastic and dedicated team. Whether you join as an experienced professional or this will be your first job within the care sector, we are committed to your continual learning and development, regardless of role. • Care, Senior Care & Well-being • Office Support & Management • • Catering, Housekeeping & Maintenance •

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Health and Social Care Futures Fund: Avery Partners with Qube and The Prince’s Trust

Avery Healthcare is delighted to have been asked to partner with Qube Learning and The Prince’s Trust to participate in the Health and Social Care Futures scheme funded by the Government’s Health and Social Care Department. The Health and Social Care Futures Fund helps ensure sector employers are provided with the support needed to fill their vacancies. The Prince’s Trust helps 11-30-year-olds build their confidence and skills to support them in jobs, education, and training. The Health and Social Care Futures Fund offers a variety of interventions for young people as part of

the recruitment programme, ranging from interview preparation and short courses to helping to build knowledge and skills in a range of health and social care roles. Through this partnership, many Avery care homes can offer the opportunity for individuals up to age 31 years to join this scheme, with support from a dedicated tutor throughout the application process. Successful individuals will be helping to support the team in delivering care to Avery residents in a safe, caring, supportive and inclusive environment for both residents and staff. The Health and Social Care Futures Fund is an exciting development, and we look forward to welcoming and supporting young people into their new roles as they begin their careers in health and social care.

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Training for Success

Apprenticeships offer both knowledge and practical based alternative to university and a fast route into a career of choice, providing several great tangible benefits whether an existing employee or a recent school leaver. Avery’s apprenticeship programme is available to all staff, regardless of age or role and are designed to enhance an individual’s level of competency and confidence by developing their practical skills and knowledge. Each Apprenticeship programme has a standard linked to a specific occupation – these are rigorous, challenging and require the apprentice to undertake a minimum of one year’s training followed by a Situational judgement test & EndPoint Assessment (EPA).

Avery’s Director of Learning & Development, Shelley Parker-Wain, works alongside three partner organisations to deliver apprenticeships across the group. Together, the partnerships provide workbased qualifications for Avery staff at all levels. From Level 2 apprenticeships for staff new to health and social care to advanced apprenticeships for managers and deputies, all are offered at lower right through to advanced levels to suit the individual’s job role.

“Work-based apprenticeships enable staff to develop whilst working in our services and are a fundamental part of our staff development. With this new and extended knowledge, our residents and relatives can be confident they will receive high-quality care,” says Shelley. “Our organisation also sees benefits from recruitment and staff retention by offering such a range of apprenticeships in the business”.

Avery Healthcare

Shelley Parker-Wain

Over 300 staff members have now completed or are in the process of completing an apprenticeship programme, including The Adult Care Worker, Customer Service and Business Administration, Hospitality and various advanced management qualifications. One such staff member, Ann Njoroge, is completing a Level 5 in Operation and Departmental Management qualification. She says, “Having the opportunity from Avery to complete this course shows the organisation’s commitment to developing their staff. My manager is very supportive and allows me to use what I am learning in practice. I know I can always seek advice and guidance about my qualification from her”. “My tutor is brilliant; she understands my working environment and that I am on the road a lot, so is very flexible on our meeting times.” Ann continues. “I feel better equipped and therefore more confident in my role. The fact that it relates to what I am doing daily makes it very relevant to me and impacts on my practice positively”.

When asked what she would say to anyone considering taking on an apprenticeship, Ann says, “Go for it! It’s a lot of work and requires dedication, but it’s worth it!”. Simon Lawrence, Avery’s Head of Culinary and Hospitality, has completed the Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management, “Shelley talked me through the course and gave me an overview of the content; she was full of encouragement and gave me the confidence to enrol on the course. Qube were brilliant, very flexible, thoughtful and accommodating. My course tutor was exceptional, and I thoroughly enjoyed our thought-provoking meetings. The course has been a massive benefit in many ways. In particular, understanding and managing a variety of situations. It has supported my development, helped me gain a promotion, and given me the confidence to present strategies and projects managed with enhanced details and in professional formats.”

Avery Healthcare

Wastewater-based Epidemiology Residential Care Trial 20/30 Labs are delighted to announce our collaboration with Avery Healthcare Group for the trial of a new approach to infection control through the analysis of wastewater in residential care and assisted living facilities. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a relatively new approach utilised to give comprehensive health information on communities. WBE has been used to help monitor the circulation of poliovirus for decades and more recently as an early indicator for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in communities. While SARS-CoV-2 is primarily thought of as a respiratory virus, it also affects the digestive system. SARS-CoV-2 can be shed in the stool of individuals up to 3 to 5 days before the onset of classic symptoms as well as in asymptomatic individuals. Wastewater monitoring detects signals from the infected population, regardless of symptomatic status. WBE in England currently covers around 70% of the population, supporting the national response to COVID-19. The trial is sponsored by ACE (Accelerated Capability Environment) and EMHP (Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection) and closely monitored by the DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care), Home Office and ASC (Adult Social Care).

EMHP’s innovation partner, ACE selected 20/30 Labs as the commercial partner to deliver this trial, in October 2021. Zoe Laughton, Managing Director of 20/30 Labs, says: “We are privileged to be working with Avery and the government on a project that has the opportunity to impact the future of infection control in communities significantly. This project perfectly embodies 20/30’s ‘more than a test result’- a key goal of our business is to add value to our customers and the patients and communities they serve; our passion for infection prevention and control, our drive for innovation and our expertise in environmental microbiology and clinical PCR.” Sharon Winfield, Chief Operating Officer of Avery Healthcare, says: “This trial is an important part of Avery’s commitment to excellence within the care home sector. We hope to lead the way with 20/30 Labs, the DHSC and UKHSA to implement innovations in virus-control to keep our residents, staff and families safe.”

Avery Healthcare

Care Home Tech Update In addition to its marketing leading surroundings, Avery Healthcare has embraced new technologies to support its objective of providing sector-leading programmes in resident services and wellbeing. The latest tech-instalment is an extensively adapted digital nurse-call system that helps everybody out in the home. The system was extensively adapted by the Avery IT team and ENS, the leading supplier of integrated nurse-call systems in the UK. Its impressive interface can become part of a canvas of extra items to support residents’ well-being and life in the home. A bespoke, large format design layout is user friendly and integrates a chat option where residents can directly chat and video call on the home’s own platform. Staff benefit from quick integration into electronic medication information, electronic care plans and well-being data. Much more than a nurse-call system, it goes as far as being an on-demand food ordering system too. The aim is to give residents menu choices in advance of mealtimes so they can choose their meal from the comfort of their own room and at their convenience, rather than waiting for someone to take their order verbally. This has had the benefit for some residents who like to advance plan. Others enjoy using the system to browse menus with their visiting family and friends. The system does not replace face to face ordering or being able to change their mind at the time of dining but simply gives an added element of control to those who prefer it. Further adaptions by the team have included resident well-being activity monitoring which can be added directly into the system, thereby freeing up admin time for the care team. The Maintenance and Housekeeping teams also benefit by being able to add their room checks to the system promptly.

Avery Healthcare

Undisturbed Sleep Continuing with the Tech-Update is a system called Acoustic Monitoring that ‘listens’ for sleep disturbances in the night and alerts carers. Traditionally, acoustic monitoring has been used to enhance person-centred care, reducing the number of carer disturbances to residents’ sleep time and providing a more normalised at-home sleep experience whilst maintaining high levels of safety. Avery care homes use the system to understand residents better. In one example, a non-verbal resident was sleeping more during the day and awake, exploring his environment at night. Hourly night checks were invasive of this resident’s privacy. Using acoustic monitoring, the team built a broad picture of the resident’s patterns and routines, which led to better support of his needs during the night and insightful information for his family, who were worried about his sleeping throughout much of the day.

Visiting App Services for our residents’ families have had a tech boost too. Topaz machines, installed during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist with temperature checks and hand sanitiser, now have an Avery Visiting App service linked, allowing families and friends to book their visit via an App and then quickly book in on arrival at the home.

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he Wo t d n rl d ou r A

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ight Parades By Rachel Mary Carr

With Easter coinciding with the beginning of spring and our thoughts turning to chocolate eggs, bunnies, family get-togethers and all things pastel-coloured, the United Kingdom is just one of 95 countries worldwide that celebrates Easter. Many people and cultures observe Easter as a religious festival, which, of course, it is, with the celebrations reflecting Christianity and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Still, each country has its own rituals and traditions. In Britain, there are church services and Lent, alongside non-religious ceremonies such as the Easter bunny and egg hunts but they change depending on which part of the world you are in. For example, the Easter bunny is swapped for an Easter bilby in Australia, a marsupial native to that country.

GERMANY Easter is recognised as the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, as in most European countries. However, the Germans have Easter egg trees (Ostereierbaum), where public trees are decorated with pastel-coloured eggs for all to enjoy. In the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, a passion play is performed every 10 years, depicting the life and death of Christ and commemorating Him for sparing the village from the plague in 1633.

FRANCE The French celebrate with literal eggs rather than chocolate ones; in Haux, on Easter Monday, chefs cook an enormous omelette that uses thousands of eggs in the main square and serve it to the locals. The tradition began when Napoleon demanded a large dish of eggs for his soldiers when they passed through the countryside, and the dish has been getting bigger and bigger ever since. One year, they used 10,000 eggs! Beat that (pun intended)! Remy Gabalda—AFP/Getty Images

BERMUDA Easter is altogether more relaxed on this tropical island. Good Friday is spent on the beach flying kites to represent Christ’s resurrection; the kites come in all shapes and sizes, some homemade, some store-bought, and some so big that it is a two-person job to keep them airborne. Hot cross buns and fish cakes are the plat du jour to keep the Bermudians’ strength up for all that kite flying activity.

SPAIN Easter parades in Spain are based on religious scenes from the Bible; in almost every town, people are dressed in costumes and hooded robes in processions of live music. The celebrations last for seven days during the final week of Lent, known as Holy Week, or Semana Santa; the most famous parades take place in Seville and Granada. However, the procession of Verges isn’t typical of the rest of Spain; the villagers celebrate an ancient dance of death (La Danza de la Muerta), which derives from a 15th-century poem. The villagers don skeleton costumes and, while carrying scythes, ashes and clocks, perform to the beat of a drum. The dance represents the final judgment and going to heaven, hell, or purgatory. At family get-togethers, Spanish pastries such as torrijas and pestiños are consumed.

PHILIPPINES To recreate the suffering of Jesus, devout Catholics, mainly in the north, offer themselves up to be crucified. Thousands will turn out to watch the re-enactment despite being condemned by the Catholic church. After having two-inch-long nails driven into their palms and feet, they will only be relieved of their cross when they feel that they have atoned for their sins. Selfflagellation, with bamboo sticks tied to a rope, is used by other penitents. 45

ITALY Easter parades and celebrations are nationwide in Italy; large crowds carry a statue of Jesus or His mother, Mary, in processions taking over the streets. Dishes vary depending on the region, but eggs, Easter pie and lamb are popular.

MEXICO Different regions of Mexico have varying traditions. There are physical re-enactments of Holy Week in the Taxco region, where people are very devout. Burning of Judases, made from papier-mâché, are blown up with fireworks, but some regions prefer more low-key events, such as a silent procession or visiting 12 churches in 12 days.

Happy Easter! Spanish ¡Felices Pascuas! French Joyeuses Pâques German Frohe Ostern Italian Buona Pasqua Filipino Maligayang pasko Swedish Glad Påsk Danish/Norwegian God Påske

SCANDINAVIA Easter in Scandinavian countries is more of a random affair; in Sweden, children dress up as witches on Easter Sunday and go from door to door asking for treats, which is usually synonymous with Halloween. It is to stop the witches from coming back from Blåkulla after partying with the devil. They also burn large bonfires to prevent them from returning, just to make sure. Norwegians prefer a murder mystery at Easter; sales of crime novels triple over that period, with Norwegians going to their hytter (cabins) for Easter. In Denmark, Easter involves a lavish lunch, including fish alongside more traditional Easter fayre and schnapps (aquavit). Sending a gækkebrev, an anonymous rhyming poem (fool’s letter) cut out of white paper to represent a snowflake, is popular among Danes; these are usually sent with the first flowers of spring which, in Denmark, is a snowdrop. 46

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Vegetarian for life Birchwood Grange Takes the Double at the Vegetarian for Life Awards This year marks the sixth Vegetarian for Life Awards for Excellence in Care Catering, and the team at Birchwood Grange Care Home, Harrow, stole the show! With more vegans and vegetarians moving into residential care every year, this annual award recognises those pioneering the way in modern care catering. Champa Misty, Vegetarian Chef at the home, won the coveted Vegetarian Care Chef of the Year award. Announced by television and radio presenter, property expert, and writer Jasmine Harman, she said, “Our winner is really going the extra mile to make their vegan and veggie residents excited about dinner time. Champa leads a small team serving up delights in an Asian veg kitchen for over 70 residents. She leads with a smile, a love for cooking and an abundance of positivity. Champa actively encourages vegetarian choices and provides hands-on support. Throughout the challenges of the pandemic, Champa and her team have shown positivity and a cando attitude to make the meals and service as beautiful, authentic and flavoursome as possible.”

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Delighted with her recognition, Champa commented, “Many of my traditional recipes have been passed down through generations of my family. I love to cook them for our residents, and I am thrilled that they are being rewarded in this way.” The Birchwood Grange culinary team were also awarded The Beulah Charity Trust Special Recognition Award to top off the day. The award goes to a special someone (or team) who strives to make the UK better for older vegans and vegetarians.

In Other Awards News… Avery Healthcare has been selected as a finalist in the Residential Care Provider of the Year (large group) category at the 2022 HealthInvestor Awards. A prestigious accolade, the awards are assessed by a panel of high profile, independent judges and celebrate excellence and recognise innovation in the independent health and social care sector. The awards ceremony will be celebrated on the 8th of June, with more than 1,200 sector-leading guests attending at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London.

Led by Head Chef Champa and Kitchen Manager Juan Lopez, the Birchwood Grange team daily provides traditional international dishes. They have a real passion for food, actively encourage vegetarian choices and support their teams with a hands-on approach. Announced by comedian, actor, writer and film producer Dave Spikey, Dave said, “This year’s winner has strived to make its care establishment a better place for vegan and vegetarians. The winner caters to the Indian / Asian community and boasts one of only a handful of vegetarian care kitchens in the country. For 23 years, its head chef has taken great pride in producing Gujarati cuisine, assisted by three valuable team members. Local produce and spices from local markets are just one brilliant aspect of their work, involving the local community as much as they can. The residents are also involved in food preparation, just as they would be in their own homes. A huge congratulation to this year’s winner.” Avery Healthcare’s Head of Culinary and Hospitality, Simon Lawrence, was on the edge of his seat, watching the virtual award ceremony from his own kitchen table and was delighted with the result. “It is incredible for the Birchwood Grange team and Champa to have won two awards this afternoon, and not for the first year either! The passion and attention to detail that the team put into their diverse dishes to accommodate our residents so that they don’t have to give up their life choices because they have moved into care is astounding. To view the virtual awards ceremony in full, please scan this code! 49

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Spotlight on Head of Culinary Simon Lawrence is the Head of Culinary and Hospitality at Avery Healthcare. A longstanding employee of the Avery Group, his career has developed in line with the company’s growth and moved from being Head Chef at one of the homes through to Executive Chef and then Group Culinary Manager. He qualified as a chef in the Armed Forces at the age of 16 and spent several years travelling the world serving in the Royal Navy. Moving into civvy street, he began working as a Head Chef in several highend restaurants and then went on to run his own business. Simon leads the culinary staff and provides handson support and advice to the Avery and Hawthorns Group in food safety, chef development, recruitment, menus and recipes that enhance the resident dining experience. He has been instrumental in supporting and guiding many of Avery’s chefs to win various accolades at the annual National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Awards and Vegetarian for Life awards.

arthritis or a stroke. Cognitive illnesses, including dementia, can also cause a person to have difficulty processing their environment or cause problems with sequencing and coordinating actions. Traditionally, this has resulted in residents being served ‘finger foods’. Not only are these types of dishes generally nutritionally inferior to the standard fare, but they also risk stigmatising a resident by providing a visual reminder that the individual is different to others. We’ve worked as a team to find a way to ensure that every resident living in the Avery care homes can enjoy nutritious, appetising meals and snacks every day by turning traditional favourite dishes such as roast dinners into easy-to-eat cutlery free portions. We’ve had great success already with residents gaining weight where appropriate and enjoying meals again.”

“Maurice’s diet intake increased because of using the cutlery free meals. Being an independent gentleman who was unable to use adapted cutlery, the cutlery free meals ensured Maurice was able to enjoy mealtimes and maintain his dignity and independence.”

What has been the highlight of the last 12 months? “The rollout of our Cutlery Free Dining programme. Through years of experience working in the sector and feedback from residents and my teams, we know that the dining experience can be a difficult event for some residents who struggle to manipulate cutlery due to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease,

- Alma Court Care Home.

Are Vegetarian and Vegan meals catered for? “Absolutely. They are not only catered for but are a passion of many of the Avery chefs. Our chefs provide a first-class vegetarian and vegan menu at all homes, with some homes even having dedicated vegetarian kitchens due to resident demand. The veggie focus also considers religious and cultural dietary needs and resident dining preferences and awareness. We have just spent the last year working with the Birchwood Grange Care Home team to champion vegetarian and vegan dishes for the elderly within Asian culture. 50

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“We’ve had great success already with residents gaining weight where appropriate and enjoying meals again.”

They have just won the Beulah Charity Trust Special Recognition Award from Vegetarian for Life.”

Right-hand man Gareth Cartledge has been by Simon’s side for over two years. Starting his Avery career as Head Chef at one of Avery’s newest care homes, Avon Valley, Gareth quickly became Regional Culinary and Hospitality Manager. He now supports culinary, and housekeeping teams with support visits, communications, suppliers, recruitment, budgets and even covers shifts in our kitchens if required.

What are Avery’s care home kitchens like? “We are very fortunate to have state of the art kitchens in most of our care homes, and new chefs are delighted when they join us. I’m a real believer that a happy kitchen makes happy food. We’ve joined the #FairKitchens movement, which promotes a positive working environment reflecting values, people and communities. I’m passionate about our workplace and work hard to create a more resilient and sustainable place to encourage other chefs to join us in the future.

What’s coming up in 2022? “OLIO’s Food Waste Hero Programme is my next project. Food waste is one of the biggest problems facing humanity today, with 30% of greenhouse gases caused by the food system, and I’ve learned that throwing away just five meals is the same as driving 30 miles! We are working with OLIO’s Food Waste Hero Programme, a free app that connects neighbours and businesses with volunteers so that surplus food can be shared. I’m really excited about the positive difference we can make to our local communities.”

Having started as a kitchen assistant and working his way up, Gareth has worked in healthcare catering for the entirety of his 21-year career to date. He has also been a winner and runnerup at The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year finals. “I was never in any doubt that I wanted to work within the care sector”, says Gareth. “My Mum worked in care, and I knew that it would be more rewarding than standard hospitality catering. I find working in care catering keeps my skills more rounded. We need to understand variations of diets such as dysphagia and projects include Avery’s Cutlery-free dining initiative, and supporting through chef and housekeeping forums.” One of Gareth’s more recent projects has been supporting a change to a new chemical supplier for kitchens and housekeeping teams, supporting contracts and homes with ordering portals, and training to aid a smooth transition. 51

GinTERESTING Gin was once known as Mother’s Ruin. For a time, it was predominately drunk by women, with the gin epidemic such a problem that babies were neglected, daughters were sold into prostitution, and wet nurses gave it to infants to quieten them down. In 1751 William Hogarth even

produced a print named ‘Gin Lane’ depicting a woman falling down drunk with ulcerated legs while her baby

was formed for medicinal reasons, too; when the British Royal Navy travelled to the colonies, they took quinine as it was known for its anti-malarial compounds; it was subsequently dissolved in carbonated water to help with the bitter taste, tonic water gave gin a new lease of life. Gin diversified into different types for different palates; it can be citrus, peppery, sweet or bitter. There is also sloe gin, which is made by infusing the fruit of the blackthorn (sloes); although neutral spirits and flavourings are used too, it is possible to use other fruit such as damsons. Gin is used as a base spirit for martinis, and Pimm’s is also a gin-based liqueur flavoured with citrus and spices. The juniper berry is the only botanical in all gins, but there are more flavours and brands than ever. Since the tipple’s renaissance earlier this century, gin palaces and festivals are popping up all over the place. Many retailers sell merchandise with gin slogans, and a plethora of gin inspired products, greeting cards with ‘Let the fun be gin’ on them are commonplace, and the flavours of gin liqueurs and flavoured gins have increased over the past few years. Supermarkets, offlicences and department stores have whole sections dedicated to the many flavours and brands (old and new) that have crept onto the shelf in an array of eyecatching bottles. Since the industry has expanded, there are plenty of new and innovative ways to tickle our taste buds; peach, blood orange, Gin cocktails have a part violet, Sicilian lemon, and gooseberry fell into a gin vault. Conversely, ‘Beer to play in the national (which I can highly recommend) are just Street’ was produced alongside it love affair with a drink a few of the new gin flavours. Along promoted the merits of ale. There were with more seasonal pumpkin spice, over 7000 ‘dram’ shops in London that has a long and candy cane, Christmas spice, sugar alone, gin was hawked and sold tumultuous history. plum, rhubarb and ginger, and bramble everywhere, and it was cheap. The gin. The presentation has come a long death rate exceeded the birth rate as gin rendered way since the literal ‘bathtub gin’ in the 1700s, too, men impotent and women sterile. The government mermaid bottles, bottles that light up and play music, raised the tax on gin when it was revealed that the bits of floating gold leaf; there is even a brand called average Londoner drank 14 gallons a year! All that Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin, alluding to its commercial did was push the spirit underground, so the Gin Act of roots. It is big business for the retailers, event co1736, one of eight, was passed, and no one could sell ordinators, pubs and breweries, and distilleries; locally ‘Distilled Spirituous Liquor’ without a licence costing made gin has really taken off as well as more exotic £50. Consumption eventually began to fall throughout gin from far off climes. Tonic water is catching up with the eighteenth century, ending the ‘Gin Craze’ where a the choice of flavours, too (such as cucumber and pint of gin was cheaper than a pint of beer. elderflower) to compliment the gins. Gin wasn’t always the scourge of society; it started as a medicinal drink. As far back as 70AD, juniper berries were paired with alcohol; back then, they were soaked in wine. The Benedictine Monks of Italy began to put the berries in distilled alcohol around the 11th century. Although gin is a British favourite, Holland is credited as the birthplace of gin; it became widespread in Britain thanks to William of Orange and the Glorious Revolution in the 17th century. The herbal properties of gin helped promote it as a medicine for gallstones, stomach and kidney ailments, and gout. Tonic water

Gin cocktails have a part to play in the national love affair with a drink that has a long and tumultuous history. Some supermarkets have started selling ready-mixed gin cocktails. Bottles of a negroni, gin sling, Tom Collins, and gin gimlet are now seen as classy, elegant and glamourous tipples. Gin is also being added to another popular drink – prosecco, for a gin fizz. With mulled gin coming onto the market at Christmastime, it seems that gin has many tricks up its sleeve as it keeps reinventing itself.

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100 of the Royal British Legion Launches As a part of the Royal British Legion’s Centenary, the Cooking With Heroes: The Royal British Legion Centenary Cookbook launched in October 2021, highlighting the contribution made by the Royal British Legion and by the British Armed Forces over the last 100 years. Avery Healthcare was delighted to support the cookbook by featuring their own chef’s recipes in the ‘Taking care with your food’ article, which can be found on page 114. The book is written by serving military personnel and veterans to mark the centenary by celebrating 100 regions in which the RBL has operated – from Antrim to Australia, Guyana to Glasgow, Swansea to Singapore. An authentic and delicious recipe particular represents each region in that part of the world, as well as a profile of a regional hero whose valour, conduct and commitment deserve to be remembered. In honour of the cookbook release, Avery Healthcare offered residents, relatives and chefs the chance to win one of the books and some sweet treats by recalling their favourite childhood food memories, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Entries in the form of poems, videos, recipes and stories came flooding in, and with the tricky job of judging whose entry was best was Avery’s Head of Marketing, Jo Wright. She was so blown away by the amazing submission that she decided to crown them all winners! Submissions included Hempstalls Hall resident’s Margaret, Colin, and Betty’s poem, “When I Were a Kid”, inspired by memories of food rations when they were children during the post-WWII era.

When I Were a Kid When I were a kid I’d ask my mum, “What’s to eat.” She would say, “There’s not much today.” She would do her best to fill the plate. Then we’d excitedly wait for someone, anyone to call with a treat at the garden gate 54

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Head Chef Adam Haigh at Aire View Care Home in Leeds received one of the prized cookbooks for his entry of reminiscence of a delicious malt loaf. Talking about his childhood, Adam said, “When I was younger, I would be fascinated by cooking and spending time in the kitchen with my Grandparents. I have fond memories of learning how to cook from my Grandad and making malt loaf, which is one of the first recipes I ever made growing up.

To this day, 25 plus years later, I still use the exact same recipe and have prepared this for our residents, which got the thumbs up all around.”

Follow the recipe below to make Adam’s malt loaf.

Every Sunday, I would assist him with making a fresh loaf using traditional methods by hand. I don’t think he would be too pleased if he knew that today I use a stand mixer and dough hook instead! When the loaf was cooked and cooled down, he would cut a huge wedge and smother it with loads of salted butter, served with a nice cup of tea.

Ingredients 25g unsalted butter 1tbsp brown sugar 4tbsp malt extract 2tbsp black treacle 350g strong white flour 100g wholemeal flour 5g salt 2 packets fast action yeast 230g sultanas 250ml warm water with a tea bag and stra in the bag and get rid

Method Grease two 500g loaf tins for this recipe.

the length of the prepared tin. Place each tin into a large bag so the bag won’t touch the dough and tie at the top to prove for 2 hours until the dough has risen above the tins. (You can also cover with lightly oiled cling film loos ely)

Add butter, sugar, malt extract and treacle in a small pan over low heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved well and put aside to cool. Mix the two flours together in a bowl. Add Sal t on one side and yeast on the other. Add the sultanas and then pour in the cooled mix from the pan and the warm water and bring them together until all well combined.

Preheat the oven to 165°c and bake on the mid dle shelf for about 35 minutes. Be careful when taking the loaf tins out of the oven, and brush with a little more malt extract. Once cooled, slice and serve with proper butter!

Dust the work surface with flour and knead the dough for 3-4 minutes. Then divide the dough into two equal sizes and roll to a sausage shape,

Head over to the news pages of the Avery website to see the complete list of winning entries, read the stories and learn about their authors: averyhealthcare.co.uk/company-news. 55

GRANDPARENTS

-in-waiting-

With any friendship circle, there will be peer pressure, no matter the age. Just when you think feeling left out is behind you, you reach the ‘grandparent’ stage of life, when which direction your adult children are going in becomes a topic of conversation among your friends and relatives. With more people deciding not to start a family or putting off starting a family until later in life because they are either travelling or they are establishing their career, becoming a grandparent is no longer a given. There are varying reasons that the children of the baby boomer generation remain childless. Housing issues, broken marriages, waiting for the right person, a desire for freedom or just a dislike of children. Some parents might be perfectly happy and content with these decisions, but it is a hard reality to accept for others. The questions that people get asked about their offspring’s baby plans, the photographs of grandchildren that their friends like to share and the constant chatter about a little one’s playgroup performance can magnify the bereft feelings that those wanting, and waiting, to become grandparents are experiencing.

Would-be grandparents, sometimes inadvertently, put pressure on their children to give them grandchildren. Sometimes the pressure is overt, with disinheritance threatened if the bloodline is ended. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2020, the UK birth rate declined by 4.1% from 2019. Total fertility rates reached a record low decreasing by 1.58 children per woman, despite an expected Covid lockdown baby boom. Paradoxically the pandemic could be partly to blame as people tend not to reproduce during difficult times; hardship, anxiety and insecurity will make people rethink life-changing decisions. In pre-pandemic times women were fearful about their earnings when putting their careers on hold to have a baby; there were also more opportunities than previous generations had, leading to different choices. There was once a belief that when you had children, this inevitably led to grandchildren. There is no longer that guarantee.

Becoming a grandparent meant all of the fun and no responsibility, but this is changing with grandparents now doing the ‘school run’, storing toys and accessories at their house to make handover time easier, as more parents are working full time and going back to work earlier. Childcare is an extra expense that many grandparents are happy to take over for free, but it may well end up costing them, not just financially but their hobbies, interests, or even hours out of their paid jobs. Grandparent envy can leave potential grandparents with feelings of isolation and disappointment as they might be the only ones out of all their acquaintances who don’t have them. Like motherhood, grandparenthood is a club to which the majority belong, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fulfilled life without grandchildren. Many of the ageing population have taken on extra responsibilities when their child’s marriage has broken down, so they subsequently end up parenting as much as an absent full-time partner.

There was once a belief that when you had children, this inevitably led to grandchildren. There is no longer that guarantee.

Aspiring grandparents have reported a profound emotional impact when faced with the prospect of never having that role fulfilled. It has been suggested that the full benefits of becoming a parent cannot be reached until children become parents themselves. Feelings of loss, grief and envy are common when grandparents-in-waiting see their friends and relatives enjoying a close bond and relationship with their own grandchildren; when the topic of conversation turns to grandchildren, it can leave those without feeling alienated. The Office of National Statistics reveals that one in five women reaches 45 without having children. Online forums are awash with posts, mainly from women desperate to be grandmothers; GransNet user ‘WaitingGran’ started a thread about how to broach the subject with her two married sons, which prompted a raft of posts with advice ranging from leaving the subject well alone to having a ‘general conversation’ about the topic. At the same time, ‘Dawn22’ stated that she was finding it difficult to even be around her next-door neighbour’s grandchildren, while ‘Farmor15’ replied that her friend became an ‘adopted’ gran to a family with no grandparents.

Top Tips The first step to assuaging any yearnings is to realise that the decision is out of your control; once that is realised, you can develop acceptance. Offering to babysit for friends or family can be rewarding; there are always people who need help. A voluntary role can also be a rewarding experience, helping children in different settings.

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ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE:

Born from Heritage From its very earliest days, Rolls-Royce has attracted free spirits, creative minds and those who seek to challenge established conventions. Though from entirely different backgrounds, our founders both refused to be bound by the norms and expectations of early 20th Century society. It was their courage, vision and willingness to push boundaries that made them who they were – and our company what it is today. These wonderful historic cars are perfect examples of how that rebellious spirit infuses our brand story and continues in the modern era with our Black Badge products. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The desire for self-expression is fundamental to the human condition. It is one of the principal reasons clients are drawn to Rolls-Royce, which offers matchless opportunities to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible and challenge established convention. Our Black Badge series of motor cars captures this spirit in extremis. And today, we look at how individualism, iconoclasm and even outright rebellion pervaded the marque’s history from its inception and continues to inform the unique offer Rolls‑Royce extends to its contemporary clients. Although their backgrounds could hardly have been more different, the company’s founders both successfully challenged norms and conventions that might otherwise have bound them to unthinkable mediocrity. 58

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Although their backgrounds could hardly have been more different, the company’s founders both successfully challenged norms and conventions that might otherwise have bound them to unthinkable mediocrity. Henry Royce overcame poverty, deprivation and a lack of formal education to become a world-class engineer who created ‘the best cars in the world’, eventually being ennobled for his achievements. Cambridge-educated The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls was born an aristocrat: he could have chosen a life of ease, indolence and privilege but opted instead for the grease, grime and frequent peril of early motor-racing and aviation, becoming a leading pioneer in both fields. Today, we would call them ‘disruptors’ – outliers, visionaries and subversives who shape the world by doing things in ways no one else ever dreams – or dares – to try. It is no wonder then that the marque has always proved so beguiling to others who share their rebellious nature.

1933

The Black Badge family of Rolls-Royce motor cars, launched in 2016, is the ultimate expression of this spirit of individualism, self-expression, creativity and iconoclasm. And while clients have a virtually unlimited choice of exterior finishes, one colour above all still consistently exerts a special fascination and powerful allure when applied to our motor cars – just as it has throughout the marque’s long history. Black. The colour black has long been associated with power, strength and authority. It is intense and substantial. Black also speaks of elegance and confidence. Over the decades, there have been many notable examples of bespoke Rolls-Royce motor cars finished in black. Each of the following examples, spanning more than 30 years, has a unique place in the marque’s history and demonstrates how its owner took the allblack theme in a unique and memorable direction.

Phantom II Continental (94MY)

In 1930, at the personal request of Henry Royce, designer Ivan Evernden penned an experimental Phantom II Continental, designated 26EX, explicitly designed for long-distance Continental touring. It had a short chassis and close-coupled four-seat saloon body, with the two spare wheels mounted vertically behind the luggage compartment for optimum weight distribution. The coachwork, erected by Barker & Co, sat on a sub-frame designed to cope with sustained high speeds and powerful braking forces. On its first outing, Evernden and Don Carlos de Salamanca drove the car to a concours d’elegance in Biarritz, where it won the Grand Prix d’Honneur. Following this victory, Rolls‑Royce decided to launch a ‘series’ model with the same mechanical attributes and overall coachwork dimensions as 26EX, giving coachbuilders and owners scope to accommodate their own taste in design. The first such car, 94MY, built in 1933 for a Mr Samuel Coxhill, has bodywork known as an ‘Owen Fixed Head Coupé’, a specialism of London coachbuilder Gurney Nutting. The adjustable front bucket seats, twin windscreen wipers and flush-fitting direction indicators behind the side windows were all unusual for the period. They intended to make long-distance Continental touring more relaxed.

Designer Ivan Evernden declared: “It is the criterion of a good car that one can drive it the whole day long and at the end feel fresh and relaxed enough to enjoy dinner”. At that time, the vast majority of Rolls-Royce coachwork was finished in either black or shades of maroon or blue, so dark as to almost seem black. 94MY was ordered in black with “special brown leather, piped in light brown, carpets and headlining to tone, and woodwork to be highly polished veneers”. Combining high performance with superlative comfort and a unique personalised finish, if any 1930s Rolls-Royce could lay claim to embodying the spirit of today’s Black Badge, it is this one. 59

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1960

Phantom V (5AT30)

The Phantom V was launched in 1959 to replace the venerable Silver Wraith. A much larger car, it was intended primarily for chauffeur-driven use, and all but a very few bodies were of limousine design. Most were finished in black and used either on formal occasions or for private use by members of the wealthy establishment. One exception was 5AT30. Delivered in September 1960, its proud owner was HRH, The Duke of Gloucester, the third son of King George V and Queen Mary, and uncle to HM Queen Elizabeth II. The body was based on coachbuilder James Young’s PV15 design, today regarded as among the most elegant on the Phantom V chassis. Although about as ‘establishment’ as it’s possible to be, His Royal Highness clearly had strong ideas about what he wanted in his Phantom V. His most obvious departure from the accepted norm is the paint combination of matte black to the horizontal surfaces and gloss black on the vertical planes. Other Bespoke items include a much smaller-than-standard backlight, large fog lamps, door-mounted driving mirrors, sliding shutters to the rear windows and two Stephane Grebel spotlights. The front of the car is dominated by Lucas R100 head-

lamps, in place of the usual faired-in headlights. The Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, though supplied, was not fitted, her place taken by the Duke’s mascot of an eagle in flight. And perhaps for the first time in the marque’s history, the chassis card states that the car was supplied with ‘an umbrella in holder’ – a standard feature on today’s Rolls-Royce motor cars. On 30 January 1965, the Duke and Duchess were travelling home from Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral when the car skidded off the road and down a shallow embankment, turning over three times and landing on its roof! None of the occupants suffered a serious injury, and such was the resilience of the James Young coachwork that 5AT30 was rebuilt and continued to render sterling service to its owner for years to come. 60

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1964

1965 – Phantom V (5VD73) this remains unproven, but could easily have been later additions; likewise, a rear seat that, according to many accounts, could be converted into a pull-out bed.

In 1964, The Beatles stormed the world with A Hard Day’s Night. As a gift to himself, John Lennon ordered a brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom V from R. S. Mead of Maidenhead in December. As one might expect, the specification was highly individual: he wanted the car not just to be black, but black everywhere, inside and out, including all the brightwork that would normally be finished in chromium plate or stainless steel. The car, built by Mulliner Park Ward, was duly supplied with all-black gloss paintwork, including the wheel discs and bumpers. Only the iconic Pantheon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot retained their conventional chrome finish at the marque’s insistence.

Such bold, imaginative and unconventional choices are entirely consistent with Lennon’s status as one of the 20th Century’s greatest cultural innovators. Quite apart from changing the face of popular music forever, he’s also credited with being among the first non-athletes to wear trainers as footwear, away from sporting grounds, much like the streetwear phenomenon that pervades the catwalks and boardrooms of the 21st century. In a photograph of the Fab Four taken in 1967, Lennon is wearing what appears to be a pair of Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoes – still one of the most desirable designs from ‘the brand with three stripes’ more than half a century later. Later, the car was repainted in a game-changing, vivid psychedelic electric yellow, embellished with flowers, Romany scrolls, and zodiac signs. It is wholly unique, indelibly identified with its owner and, in certain quarters, generated its share of controversy – perhaps the perfect encapsulation of the Black Badge spirit.

It was also one of the first cars in Britain to have blacked-out windows, made from darkened, reflective Triplex Deeplight glass, 3/16” thick in the rear doors and 3/4” in the rear quarter lights, backlite and division glass – but not, as one might suppose, solely for reasons of privacy. “People think they’ve got black windows to hide. It’s partly that, but it’s also for when you’re coming home late,” Lennon told a Rolling Stone interviewer in 1965. “If it’s daylight when you’re coming home, it’s still dark inside the car – you just shut all the windows, and you’re still in the club.” The interior featured black Bedford cord cloth and black nylon rugs in the rear compartment and black leather in the front. There were electrical aerials for a radio, a Perdio Portarma television set, and a seven-piece set of black fitted luggage. Legend has it that the car also had a record player, radio telephone, fridge, writing table and red mood-lighting:

That unquenchable spirit continues to be expressed in new and dynamic ways through the ever-evolving Rolls-Royce Black Badge family. 61

Clayton Manor

Listening Improvements A long-established staff team allows Clayton Manor Care Home in Cheshire the breathing room to deliver excellent care whilst continuing to innovate and make improvements year on year. This year, the team has excelled by listening to feedback and making changes while leading Avery’s well-being strategy within a nursing environment.

Clayton Manor Care Home provides residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. It operates over two floors – Woodlands on the ground floor, having 33 general nursing beds, and Springfield on the first floor, which has 17 beds. The Parklands residential dementia suite on the first floor has 25 beds. All three suites have a suite manager who leads the team and oversees the clinical management of the area. The team is led by the deputy manager, the overall clinical lead, and the Home Manager, Sally Latham, a Registered Nurse with Master’s level training in dementia studies. The home has an excellent history of innovating year on year through a system of communication between staff, residents and their families that leads to a continuous flow of change and improvements. Their agile environment is made possible because of an impressive long-serving staff base, some of whom have been at Clayton Manor since the 1990s, with most of them being qualified nurses. The team are highly experienced and form part of the established feel of the home. Everyone visiting for any reason always comments on the lovely atmosphere, which is partly born from the long-standing team. They know the residents well and anticipate the needs and emotions of residents due to the relationships they have built up over the years. Coaching new team members as they join Clayton Manor and helping all to settle and receive support means a positive experience for all. It maintains the circle of positivity in the home. 62

Clayton Manor

Innovations The home is always looking to improve its offering to residents and staff. All suites have regular meetings with the manager with an ongoing improvement plan to ensure the implementation of ideas. Let’s look at some of the recent examples of what has been discussed in resident meetings and the steps that were taken:

Request: The residents requested an increase in menu variation of cutlery-free food to improve choice, particularly for residents who have difficulty manipulating cutlery and find it hard to sit long enough to eat a full meal and those who are nursed in bed. Outcome: High-quality dining is essential within Clayton Manor Nursing Home’s Well-being strategy, and investment has continued in chef and sous chef training with innovative programmes to support residents with specific dietary and dining needs. The Cutlery-free dining programme is for residents who find manipulating cutlery difficult, or even impossible, to maintain independence and dignity whilst enjoying the same dishes. Extra choice and delicious treats were added to the menu. In addition, the Cutlery-free Dining programme is integrated into existing audits which enables the home to measure the impact of increased menu choice by providing qualitative and quantitative information, including narrative feedback from residents, families and staff, as well as quantitative data including measures of weight-loss or gain for individuals and overall resident well-being.

Request: Larger, easier to read menus Outcome: Creation of larger print menus for tables for residents in the nursing suite to help those nursed in bed or who have difficulty reading smaller print choose their meals with more ease.

Request: More sensory equipment

Outcome: Reconfiguration of existing activity room into a multipurpose room inclusive of sensory equipment for anyone needing a quiet or sensory-stimulating space.

Communication

Family Feedback

Communication with relatives is excellent, with regular update emails from the home manager and an open-door policy. The home completes daily ‘Take 10’ meetings and weekly clinical risk meetings, which enhances the quality-of-care delivery and, therefore, the well-being of residents living at the home. A range of monthly clinical audits is completed focusing on best practice, national guidance and legislation that evidence compliance and are supported well by the wider team to maintain clinical excellence.

“In this very difficult time it has helped my family enormously to see our loved ones enjoying and joining in the social activities. The imagination and creativity are marvellous and to see all the smiling faces is wonderful. The response to our enquiries has been exceptional and very informative giving us peace of mind. Thank you to all staff.”

All new initiatives are cascaded to the team via “flash” meetings, supervisions, and daily catch-ups. The home has a consistently good occupancy, with new residents often choosing to move in via word-ofmouth reputation.

Overall Experience: 5

Avery Healthcare

SPREADING JOY FOR RANDOM ACTS OF

----- WEEK -----

Random Acts of Kindness Week runs from the 13th to the 19th of February, with Thursday the 17th being Random Acts of Kindness Day. Aiming to spread positivity and joy to all those involved, the initiative encourages individuals and groups to practice acts of kindness and maintain kindness as part of their daily lives. There are many ways to take part, ranging from paying a bill for the person in line behind you to complimenting someone or giving up your seat on a busy bus. However you choose to get involved, the main aim is to make kindness the norm. Avery care homes got involved with the Random Acts of Kindness movement by participating in a Well-being and Kindness campaign throughout February. Ahead of Random Acts of Kindness Day, the residents at Dukes Court in Wellingborough

connected with members of their local community. Accompanied by Simon and Louise from the Wellbeing team, residents went out, and about to their local park, where they presented local dog walkers with gifts of cards, daffodils and dog treats. Recipients included local dog walkers Lisa, Natalie, and her two youngest children, who happily accepted their gifts. Residents left everyone smiling with their acts of kindness, and they got to engage with members of their community throughout the day. This story is inspiring for us all and an excellent example of how acts of kindness can be extended to the local community. The staff team and residents at Astbury Manor in Bracknell got together to discuss how they would define an act of kindness, with the outcome

Avery Healthcare

These community acts of kindness will allow the residents to build strong positive links, helping them give back to their local community. described as ‘incorporating friendliness, generosity and consideration of others. Keeping these values in mind throughout Random Acts of Kindness Week and in the future will help ensure that kindness continues to be the norm. Many of our residents have been dedicating their acts of kindness to Avery’s staff. Residents at Acer House in Weston-super-Mare took the opportunity to present dedicated staff members with gifts of chocolate and flowers, and those at Adelaide in Bexleyheath happily presented staff with chocolates in recognition of all their hard work and care. It is also important to show appreciation and kindness towards those around you, and with this in mind, the residents at Acacia Lodge in Manchester wrote compliments for each other. These messages highlighted how much they enjoy spending time with one another, building special friendships full of laughter and smiles. It is often simple gestures such as these that can mean the most to those around us – acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can go such a long way and create a lasting impact. Unleashing their creative side, the Aire View in Leeds residents crafted paper hearts and luggage labels,

adding kindness quotes beneath them. They gave the paper hearts to staff members before hiding the luggage labels around the home for people to find throughout the day. This act of kindness brought a smile to all those involved, with the crafts being a great way to relax and socialise with others. Those at Droitwich Mews in Droitwich Spa didn’t delay getting their exciting plans underway, with residents choosing to extend their kindness and fulfil a monthly ‘community act of kindness’. Each month, residents will work with a group in their local community. In February, residents hosted a quiz evening for their local church group to kick-start the initiative. These community acts of kindness will allow the residents to build strong positive links, helping them give back to their local community. Residents have further plans underway, including creating a virtual choir in partnership with a local school and hosting a virtual book club with a nearby nursery group. These stories are inspiring to us all, and continuing to engage in random acts of kindness such as these from day to day will help to ensure that kindness becomes the norm for everyone, everywhere. 65

Well-being at Heart

Avery Healthcare

The physical, psychological and emotional well-being of Avery care home residents is paramount to each individual’s care plan and something that Avery places at the heart of its care. The homes use a well-being measure and model to evaluate residents’ overall well-being and address any areas that residents might benefit from the change. This could be through engaging with people, places, hobbies, pastimes, and meaningful connections that ensure social, physical and physiological needs are identified and supported. The teams also look to find that ‘extra something’ personal to an individual and genuinely make a difference.

Well-being Activities Residents Love

Virtual zoo tour with a picnic in the cinema room Dog and horse racing Blackpool illuminations and a fish and chip supper eaten out of the paper Pottery sessions Horror movie club complete with nibbles and refreshments Fishing Shopping Resident expert/ambassador Painting

The Rowan Court Care Home team is a shining example of well-being in action. The home offers nursing, residential, dementia and respite care and has developed an excellent reputation with families and professionals across Staffordshire. The home is founded on Avery’s principles of compassion and high quality, delivered by a dedicated staffing team that understands the value of keeping residents physically and emotionally engaged. They are supported by a wide community of local groups who are fully involved in various activities.

The Importance of Community Links Maintaining ties with the local community is important to support residents’ independence, choices and sense of identity. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, Rowan Court Care Home continued with its local connections, including working with the local college students to create memory boxes for reminiscence activities, online exercise classes with their trusted exercise instructors from Bee Active Group and a city-wide campaign at Easter to give back to their community by collecting donations of Easter eggs and delivering them in the ‘bunny bus’, also known as the home’s mini-bus, to disadvantaged children and food banks. What sets the team apart is that all through 2021, the national picture continued to concentrate on meeting 66

Avery Healthcare

care needs and keeping residents connected to families and friends. Still, Rowan Court refused to let continuing restrictions dampen spirits or for wellbeing to take a back seat. The dedicated Well-being team focus on its use of alternative therapies, making the most of its facilities and finding inspiring, person-centred activities to deliver daily experiences. An excellent example of this is using music as an alternative therapy. One gentleman was a semiprofessional drummer and hadn’t played for a while. The home sourced a complete drum kit, and he is now in his element, playing along whilst listening to and watching big bands. In feedback from the home, they said, “This has done wonders for him and made him so happy to continue a hobby. It has given him so much to get up for in the morning.”

Resident,

l, PauA ll

Says it urt resident

Paul Kearns, Rowan Co

ty of “I owe my renewed quali Court.”

life to all staff at Rowan

air, which has helped suites. I now have an electric wheelch pendently moving with my well-being as I am now inde self to new residents around the home, introducing my ality began to shine and making further friends. My person l for the chat with the through, and I will be forever gratefu or, who has helped Well-being and Activities Co-ordinat re I am today. me gain the confidence to get to whe

s very ill, n Court Care Home, I wa “When I moved to Rowa personal glected myself with my depressed and had ne unit, as I sessed for the nursing as s wa I s. ed ne ne gie hy had the at home and no longer was not mobilising when t three en sp I ependently, and strength to stand up ind nk but dri bed. I could still eat and weeks being cared for in personal care. required assistance with my chair. ist and could sit out in I was assessed for a ho ll-being out in my chair, the We g tin sit s wa I t tha w No cuss my ator would regularly dis and Activities Co-ordin ssion, I cu dis with me. After this interests and hobbies e exercise in Bee-active, a gentl began to participate upper I enjoyed building my ich wh , ek we ery ev , group more my activities I attended, the body strength. The more unity. mm d me as part of their co fellow residents welcome s again, be among companion to ul tef gra s wa I d An nattering away. ng to stay I found myself not wanti w, gre e nc de nfi co my d As om. I tried to get out an dro be my in or y da all in bed the other meet other residents in explore the home and

two other residents, I am a resident ambassador along with given this opportunity. and I am very proud to have been come to me with any Residents now know that they can s the information on concerns they may have. I will pas back to the person I to management. I feel I am almost tial floor as I no longer was, and now reside on the residen require nursing care. p in numerous ways; I am proud to say that I can now hel isting in interviewing I am involved in recruiting and ass bingo caller; I chair potential new staff. I am also the t around the home and residents’ meetings, deliver the pos stop for a chat along the way. some steps whilst I am no longer hoisted and can take . I get along with all transferring from my chair to the bed h. When I first came staff, and we always have a good laug the different things that to Rowan Court, I thought about all different sounds, but were changing for me and all the is the sound of my now the only sound that amazes me ld never hear again. laughter, something I thought I wou all the management, I owe my renewed quality of life to for picking me up and office team and staff at Rowan Court p I was before.” getting me back to the cheeky cha 67

SPRINGTIME AT DOBBIE’S SEASONAL GARDENING TIPS As the weather gets warmer and our hedges and trees burst into blossom, it is always a busy and exciting time in a gardener’s calendar with sowings underway, new pot and border schemes to plant and longer daylight hours to enjoy it.

TERRACE GARDEN Spring is a great time to refresh your tubs and baskets, pulling up any tired winter bedding plants that have come to an end replacing them with a cheerful display of colourful spring bedding plants such as Pansies, Violas, Bellis and Polyanthus. Alpine troughs are easy to look after and make an attractive feature on the patio, from where you can admire their miniature plant forms close up. In spring, there is a whole host of lovely plants to choose from in a myriad of colours, together with a range of suitable troughs to suit your garden style. Top-dress your chosen planter with alpine grit to show your plants to the best effect. One of the most economical ways to fill your tubs and baskets with colour this coming summer is to grow your own bedding plants from young plants, ordered now for direct delivery to your home. Plant up immediately into small pots and grow in a warm frost-free greenhouse or conservatory ready to plant out when all risk of frost is passed.

Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser, lightly forked into your borders per the manufacturer’s instructions - great for feeding all your hungry shrubs and roses. Remember to include your trees and hedges too. If there are evergreen trees and shrubs that need relocating to a new home, spring is the perfect time to move them, so long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Complete any pruning of summer flowering shrubs, such as Buddleia or Lavatera. Early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia can be pruned if needed once flowering has finished. Continue to plant new container-grown hedges, trees and shrubs to add key structural elements to your garden. See our comprehensive range of British grown trees available online for direct delivery from the nursery to your home www.dobbies.com

Later in the month plant up hanging baskets with summer flowering tub and basket plants, growing on under protection ready to put out when all risk of frost has passed. During springtime our stores are stocked with a wide range of British grown quality plants for you to choose from that will put on a fabulous flower display all summer long.

BEDS AND BORDERS Weeds will be starting to appear with the warming temperatures. The easiest way to control them is to hoe them off, applying a thick layer of mulch over the surface to help keep any further weeds at bay. Mulching with organic matter such as garden compost also locks in moisture and, over time, helps to improve the soil whilst also giving plants a well-needed boost. 68

HOW TO PLANT BULBS IN POTS Planting bulbs is a simple but very rewarding process. You don’t even need a lot of space to grow them – lots of varieties grow well in pots and hanging baskets so that you can add bulbs to any garden. There are also dwarf and trailing flowering varieties that are more suited to pots and baskets.

SHOPPING LIST

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

• • • • • • • • •

• Check the planting depth of your chosen bulbs • Fill your pot to this depth with peat-free multi-purpose

Flowerpot 30cm+ deep Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost Your choice of summer-flowering bulbs Hand trowel Horticultural grit Bulb starter Gardening gloves Bedding plants Watering can

• • • •

compost Place your bulbs onto the soil, making sure that they are not touching and the pointed end is facing upwards For instant colour before your bulbs flower, plant the top of your pot with spring-bedding such as pansies and violas Water well and move to your preferred spot in the garden Fill your pot to the top with compost

My mum was visiting recently, and over a cup of tea (likely her 4th or 5th), she became particularly animated whilst recounting her new obsession, an online game called Wordle. Despite her enthusiasm bubbling over as she began to relay the rules – essentially Hangman meets Mastermind (the 70s code-breaking game, not the TV show with the gloriouslymonikered Magnus Magnusson) - she assured me I needn’t worry, it wouldn’t be getting out of hand (I was more concerned about her caffeine intake...).

inadvertently gambling away the house we grew up in or providing her bank details to cyber ne’er-do-wells. The biggest insights any would-be hackers might gleam would be purely Freudian as Wordle players get six attempts to guess at a mystery five-letter word, plucking their first choice from the ether, before receiving small prompts from the game on subsequent guesses. After each attempt, the game reveals whether the letters guessed-at feature in the correct answer through colour coding. Green means a letter is correct and in the proper position. Yellow represents that letter features, but in a different place, and grey means that letter doesn’t feature and can be discounted from future guesses.

“I think people kind of appreciate that there’s this thing online that’s just fun... It’s not trying to do anything shady with your data or your eyeballs. It’s just a game that’s fun.”

The game is played from a web browser – there’s no app to download, no registration required, no password to remember, a fee to pay or prizes to chase. She was genuinely thrilled she wouldn’t be

Having had a stab myself whilst researching this article, I can attest to Wordle’s wholesome simplicity and addictive nature, the refreshing caveat to that addictiveness being all players are limited to just one game per day. No disappearing down the rabbit hole with this one (unless you really like to ponder before guessing) – each day, just one new word comes online at

feature is particularly poignant at a time when so many of us are feeling isolated or alone. Even pre-pandemic, streaming and on-demand content were breaking some of the innate social bonds we form through experiencing Perhaps the game’s simplicity, its boundaries, leave- entertainment at the same time. The true “water-cooler” you-wanting-more design and apparent lack of agenda, conversations are all but gone, replaced by exhaustive advertising or attempts at data-mining are key to its and forgettable lists of obscure recommendations. Only the very biggest movies, shows and music success. Where other games and online A research study seem to have everyone on the same page diversions bewilder you with options, at roughly the same moment these days – popups and redirects, Wordle seems like results concluded the rest of the time, we’re drowning alone in an old-fashioned safe haven in the digital that older adults a sea of content, not always certain which age. who frequently island is worth paddling for. With Wordle, play word games at least, everyone is paddling towards the Created late last year by programmer Josh have a cognitive same destination… Mum better get the Wardle as a gesture to his wife (a sort of digital bouquet), then released publicly, function equivalent kettle on. midnight, so once you’ve played for the day, you’ll have to find something else to do – like telling your son... or your readers.

within weeks, Wordle had acquired to people nearly a For some time, we’ve known that “brainhundreds of thousands of avid global users, decade younger. training” activities such as crosswords, with an online community forming around wordsearch and sudoku, as well as being good boredomthe daily puzzlers. busters, are beneficial for cognitive health. In 2019, In the words of Wardle, “I think people kind of appreciate researchers found that participants over 50 who regularly that there’s this thing online that’s just fun,” he said. “It’s played such games enjoyed improved performance not trying to do anything shady with your data or your during memory, reasoning, and focus tests. The research study results concluded that older adults who frequently eyeballs. It’s just a game that’s fun.” play word games have a cognitive function equivalent to In late January, its creator announced he had reached an people nearly a decade younger. agreement to sell the game to The New York Times for a reported seven-figure sum. Its user base is said to now be in the millions, with analysts speculating that another part of its appeal is the implicit connectedness we experience when we play it. Everyone joining in around the world is guessing at the same daily word. That small, unifying

According to researcher Anne Corbett, PhD in the subsequent news release, “The improvements are particularly clear in the speed and accuracy of their performance. In some areas, the improvement was quite dramatic — on measures of problem-solving, people who regularly do these puzzles performed equivalent to an average of eight years younger compared to those who don’t.” Habitually playing number and word games are firmly associated with improved cognitive health, keeping brains working better for longer. An even more recent analysis from the journal Neurology concludes that living a “cognitively active lifestyle”, including regular gameplaying, could delay the onset of conditions such as Alzheimer’s by five years. Listening to music whilst you exercise your grey matter has been shown to provide an extra health (and mood) boost, and if you really want to push the boat out, sing along, preferably with others. University of Pittsburgh scientists researching data yielded from nearly 1500 participants discovered that active music participation could deliver a “small but significant positive outcome on cognitive health and sharpness”. In terms of cognitive health, the benefits of music participation are seen to be about on par with those stemming from regular exercise. So, whether you hurdle, Wordle or yodel, ultimately, your brain will thank you... although if you plump for the last, the neighbours may not. 71

Heather Shielding at home May 2020

To save lives tomorrow, we need your help today COVID-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop. We need your donations now more than ever to help continue our life-saving research. Donate now at cruk.org/donate Together we will still beat cancer

Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). © Cancer Research UK 2020.

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SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE In a rare instance, an item can increase in monetary value, but items are a sunk cost, so you won’t make any money back. The only value they have is what they add to your life; bearing this in mind can help you make a rational decision on what to throw away.

Everyone has heard the adage – a tidy home is a tidy mind; while decluttering your house is good for you, why stop there? Have an online clear out, sort out your wardrobe, redefine your boundaries while you’re at it, spruce up your diet, and brush up on your finances. It is liberating to get rid of physical clutter, you find things you forgot you had and make room for something you really want, but mental and emotional clutter can hamper your everyday peace of mind. A spring clean doesn’t have to be done all at once, as a hasty decision on what to throw away can cause regrets later, and never get rid of anything before you are ready. Decluttering can be an emotional process, especially if you have been holding on to things for far too long or for sentimental reasons, but it is addictive once you begin. The best rule of thumb is to sleep on it if you aren’t sure. The secret is to ask if an item brings you joy, is it useful, and can you live without it? Things that don’t add value to your life, whether emotional or practical, need to go. In a rare instance, an item can increase in monetary value, but items are a sunk cost, so you won’t make any money back. The only value they have is what they add to your life; bearing this in mind can help you make a rational decision on what to throw away. A good place to start with a physical declutter is your wardrobe, going by clothing type. Clothes that don’t fit anymore or that you haven’t worn in years can be put to better use in a charity shop; that way, several people are benefitting from your items. The charity will make some money, and someone will pick up a new bargain. Another way is to give one item away every day if you are hesitant or afraid of change.

In your home, shelves, windowsills, and countertops are a clutter magnet; after they have been cleared, they are easier to clean and will have a more practical use too. It is natural and habitual to hang onto items that people have gifted you, but they aren’t always what you want. Never feel guilty about getting rid of a present if it has served its purpose or had its time or maybe the gift just wasn’t ‘you’ in the first place. Everyone’s home has something of their personality stamped on it, so if the things surrounding you don’t reflect who you truly are, it is time to let them go. We only have so much storage, after all. A digital declutter can be just as conducive, too. Sometimes, it is time to hit the unsubscribe button to put a stop to those emails that you never open; that way, you can read and see the important emails when they come through. Deleting emails when you have a spare five minutes will create more online storage space and increase the speed of your device. Muting, blocking and unfollowing people and organisations if you are not enjoying the content anymore is okay; you don’t have to engage with toxic or negative people either; that is what those buttons are there for. Facebook friends that you haven’t seen for several decades and

are fed up with notifications about every aspect of their life can be muted; that way, they don’t have to know, and no one’s feelings are hurt. Be honest, not brutal. You can also refresh your profile pictures and make the most of your bio – the social media equivalent of a first impression. Setting boundaries can be a little more difficult; it depends on how assertive you are in the first place. It is healthy to voice what you find acceptable; you need to find your own boundaries and realise it is okay to say what makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes you might need space or time to yourself; when that is violated, resentment can build. It’s good to become comfortable with saying ‘no’; that way; people do not always expect you to be available; no one wants to spend their time continually doing things that they don’t want to do. The same can be applied to finances; some people will always ask to borrow money; while it isn’t easy to talk about money, it is better than lending it and not getting it back. Conversations with differing views are occasionally awkward. Sometimes it is best to avoid dodgy topics as they can turn into a heated argument if the person you are conversing with doesn’t respect your views or boundaries. It doesn’t take much for emotions to spiral out of control, and spring cleaning your life helps you regain a sense of control.

The Power of Pets We are a nation of pet lovers. There is a wealth of research highlighting the numerous benefits our furry companions can have for our psychological and emotional wellbeing. Animals can become a source of support throughout our lives, and as we grow older, the unconditional love and friendship that our pets offer remain just as important. At Avery Healthcare, we strive to be ‘Pet Friendly’, with many services having their own animals. We also work in close partnership with schemes such as Pets As Therapy (PAT) to welcome a range of dogs, cats and other animals into our homes to interact with our residents.

What Is Pet Therapy? Pet therapy involves using animals as companions to improve emotional, social, and cognitive well-being through regular interactions. Often, this is through the animals visiting settings, including care homes and engaging with both residents and staff. Our residents often have visits from a variety of furry friends, including a range of reptiles and creepy crawlies who visit with Zoolab, as well as dogs who visit from organisations such as the Greyhound Trust. Many of our homes also hatch chicks and ducklings during the spring. Interacting with the animals offers our residents numerous benefits – improving well-being, lowering stress levels and increasing their physical activity levels. 76

The Benefits of Pet Therapy Pet therapy for care home residents plays an important role in reducing stress levels. Animals have been shown to have a calming effect on people, with studies showing that therapy dogs can positively impact our mood. As visits from the pets become more regular, residents can build an emotional connection with the animal, looking forward to their next visit. Retirement can impact mental health, and it is normal for many individuals to experience feelings of loneliness or anxiety. Research has found that pet therapy can improve mental health: spending as little as 15 minutes with an animal can boost serotonin levels – our ‘happy hormone’. This, in turn, encourages the positive health effects of reducing feelings of stress and lowering blood pressure. Regular visits from the animals can encourage our residents to build a strong emotional bond with them. Pets can be a soothing presence; they become friends to confide in when needed and listen without judgment. Pet therapy also helps increase social involvement amongst residents, boosting their confidence as they interact with each other and the animals, which can help reduce loneliness.

Pet Therapy at Avery Avalon Court Care Home residents receive regular visits from therapy dog Molly, who is adored by staff and residents alike. Molly has become a friendly face for the residents, who all look forward to her next visit. Newcross were recently paid a visit by the Lollipop ponies, who they were glad to welcome back into their home. The ponies brought joy to all the residents; their faces lit up with happiness, and the experience has given the residents and staff memories to cherish for a while. Over at Lavender Lodge Care Home, the residents have also had a visit from therapy dog Fred. They were delighted to welcome their fluffy companion, and the residents’ happiness shows the positive impact that pet therapy can have.

Feeling brave, Horse Fair Care Home residents recently welcomed Zoolab to visit with their reptiles and creepy crawlies. Amongst a range of positive impacts, pet therapy helps residents boost their confidence and face their fears. Residents held a range of animals, including a tarantula, bearded dragon and a giant African land snail. This brought the staff and residents together as they encouraged each other to overcome their fears, with plenty of support and smiles. We look forward to future visits from our furry friends and seeing the fantastic photographs which capture these occasions and the happy emotions felt by all so well. 77

Down to

Margate by Victoria Wood

Seated at the most south-easterly point of England is the little-known Isle of Thanet, once (but no longer) separated from the mainland by the Thames-fed, Wantsum Channel. The Isle comprises a plethora of seaside and farming towns and villages oozing with attractions, charm, culture, nostalgia, history, natural beauty, and cracking beaches! Margate is perhaps one of the most famous of the cluster of towns, having had many a tourism heyday stretching from the 1730s bathing and fresh-air health frenzy to the railway lines extending down from

London to bring weekend, seaside relief to city folk. The mods and rockers frequented the promenades when not parading in Brighton, and the swinging sixties saw the biggest bands of the moment - yes, even The Beatles, gracing the stages such as the Winter Gardens or Dreamland. And now, the Covid induced stay-cation development has brought many a British tourist down to the sunny sands of Margate once again.

Kingsgate Castle, Broadstairs, ALAMY

Dreamland The theme park on Margate seafront has always drawn in crowds, and since opening as Dreamland in 1920, it has long been a landmark on the South East coast. The funfair boasts a wooden roller coaster, The Scenic Railway; built initially and first opened in 1920, it was, and still is, one of the main attractions alongside the ‘Big Wheel’, a towering ferris wheel that lifts you to the best views over the sea, town and beyond. Having undergone a multimillion-pound refurb, Dreamland has plenty of rides to suit all ages and a huge outdoor stage and arena, often host to performances, concerts, and events, plus an indoor roller skating rink and arcades.

Old Town & Harbour Dreamland is not the only place that has had a facelift in Margate; there are plenty of boutique inns, B&Bs, luxury hotels and guesthouses dotted around the area for your visit. The restaurant and bar scene has also become quite impressive; the harbour arm is host to a row of new establishments, and there are some delightful little tea parlours, quirky shops, vintage clothing, and buzzing hangouts to be found in the old market town. You can still, of course, get your classic take-away fish and chips in a bag and sit on the harbour steps to watch one of the epic Turner sunsets. 80

Beachside Fun & Local Landmarks The sand is fine and golden in this region of South East England, and all the beaches in the area are a popular destinations during the summer months. Most are lined with the iconic beach huts that the English seaside is renowned for and have beach cafes, kiosks, restaurants and pubs within walking distance. The main sands of Margate are home to its own little fairground and traditional donkey rides for children. They are overlooked by countless bars, restaurants and arcades, as well as the iconic clock tower and, more recently, the Turner Centre. During his visits to Margate, world-renowned artist JMW Turner was particularly enthralled and inspired by the sunsets. The Turner Contemporary art gallery is therefore aptly situated at the edge of the harbour, where the views of said sundown’s are at their finest. Here you can experience a variety of installations, expositions and activities. Many famous artists have exhibited here since its doors opened in 2011. 81

Charles Dickens was another frequent visitor to Thanet, known to have stayed in Bleak House (known at the time as Fort House). His holiday home atop the cliffs in Broadstairs, overlooking the main beach, was where he penned the infamous tale of David Copperfield and apparently Bleak House, thus inspiring the name change. This is now a museum open to the public. The famous Shell Grotto and historic Margate Caves are definitely a must-see while you’re in town too.

Shell Grotto

Neighbouring Attractions Proximity to London is another strong feature for Margate, now only an hour and three-quarter train ride away. Go seaside-town hopping and soak up the pleasures and treasures of nearby Ramsgate and its marina, Broadstairs for its beaches and folklore, Whitstable for local lobster and oysters, and the neighbouring city of Canterbury for some serious historical culture. Think impressive cathedral, cobbled streets, tilted Tudor houses, Shakespearean theatres, colleges and universities, and authentic ducking stools over the weeping willow-lined river. Juxtapose this alongside modern (and vintage) high-street stores, boutique hotels, bars and restaurants, and you’ll have an idea of what a day out in Canterbury could look like. 82

Golf Lovers There are plenty of golf courses to choose from in the area, including North Foreland, Westgate and Birchington, Manston, St. Augustine’s, and Stoneless. Just on the doorstep is the worldfamous St. Andrew’s Golf Club in Sandwich (only 15 minutes from Margate), where the 149th Open Championship was recently held. You can also choose from five mini golf and adventure golf courses in and around Thanet; Quex Adventure Golf, Strokes Adventure Golf, Lost Island Adventure Golf, Lilliput Mini Golf, and Rascal Bay Adventure Golf.

Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club

Summer Festivals Back in Margate, some summer festivals are gaining quite a following, such as the Margate Soul Festival (5-7th August 2022), where the heady vibes and music spill out onto the promenades and terraces along the main beachfront along with all the revellers. You’ll find live acts and DJs at various stages across the town’s venues throughout the weekend. Broadstairs Folk Week (5-12th August 2022) pulls in countless folk musicians and acts, all performing live (day and night) in many a bar and bandstand throughout the town.

So get down to Margate and celebrate its rejuvenated British cool. Soak up the retro seaside kitsch at the original holiday destination of England.

S E E I T. T R Y I T. LIVE IT Live safe and well in a luxury studio, 1-bed or 2-bed apartment at the Hawthorns, a warm and friendly all-inclusive rental retirement community for the over 70s. • Includes quality dining three times daily, housekeeping, property upkeep, and utility bills • Full calendar of events, exercise classes, day trips and activities • Cinema, library, hair salon, therapy room and short mat indoor bowling • Staff on hand 24/7

Call today to request a free information pack 0800 0125260 | hawthornsretirement.co.uk

Braintree, Essex | Clevedon, Somerset | Eastbourne, Sussex | Northampton, Northamptonshire

The Hawthorns

Power Couple Married super-duo Paul and Sandra Tripney have proven themselves as driving forces of innovation for Hawthorns independent living communities for more than ten years.

create new initiatives for their residents, with the sole aim of making life at the Hawthorns a joy for all that live there. They have exceptional enthusiasm and passion for providing a quality service.”

Paul and Sandra oversee the Braintree community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a supportive management team. “It’s the business philosophy of putting our retirees first and aiming for 100% resident satisfaction that has appealed to us throughout our Hawthorns career,” says General Manager Paul.

Positive comments from residents and relatives alike are never far away for Paul and Sandra. Relative Steve Austin says, “My mother in law moved into the Hawthorns in May 2019. This life-changing move has enriched all of our lives so much that it often brings out happiness and positive emotions when we visit. The Hawthorns is quite simply the most wonderful place for Grace to reside. Every aspect of day to day living is just perfect. It is a privilege for Grace to live there. I once told Paul that Grace loves watching football, and he said, “Leave it with me”. A few weeks later, Sky football was being shown in the cinema, and now Grace attends almost every match - sometimes three in a row on Sundays! We are a very satisfied family indebted to Paul, Sandra and the fantastic staff at the Hawthorns. It is a privilege for Grace to live there and a delight for us to visit and know Grace is happy and safe and sound”.

Deputy Chief Operating Officer Lisa Soper comments, “Paul and Sandra are first-class managers and lead by example. They are passionate about the Hawthorns and the development of community and intergenerational links. They are always seeking to

Multi-award winners Paul and Sandra are no strangers to success. The Hawthorns Braintree was recently awarded Countywide Winner: Excellent Customer Focus at the Essex Business Awards 2020. Established 23 years ago, the awards are a local

Having spent three years at the Hawthorns Clevedon in several positions, the couple relocated to the Hawthorns Braintree in 2012 for temporary Assistant Manager assignments while awaiting visas to work for the Hawthorns original parent group in the USA. Plans soon changed, though, and they stayed in Braintree, becoming General Managers in 2015. They still hold the helm there, a testament to the outstanding contribution and dedication they continue to demonstrate.

platform for celebrating the area’s very best business successes. The Hawthorns was recognised for being dedicated to achieving excellence with a customerfocused approach. 2019 saw the couple, alongside their dedicated team, accredited with the prestigious Hospitality Assured Award, all thanks to their remarkable level of service in their all-inclusive lifestyle. Hospitality Assured is the national quality standard created and licensed by the Institute of Hospitality, specifically for customer-led, service-orientated, hospitality-focused businesses. The process enables and encourages companies to look at their operation through the eyes of the customer at every level of the organisation, identify what is great about the customer service and what could be improved. This respected award looks at the excellence in the overall establishment. It supports services at a specific site, delving into the services from the front of house, food and beverage, culinary and housekeeping services. It focuses on the standard of front-line service delivery and compliance with legal and regulatory best practices, with the report for the Hawthorns Braintree noting that “The Hawthorns is headed by a team of dedicated, passionate, resident and employee-focused leaders. The managers and service heads lead by example, are fully approachable for all and fully exemplify The Hawthorns brand values.”

“We liken the Hawthorns to being one big happy family” so successful if it were not for the hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment of our staff who continually deliver an outstanding service for our residents, always with a smile on their faces; we liken the Hawthorns to being one big happy family.” Paul and Sandra are keen runners and have participated in half and full marathons for the Hawthorns Braintree’s nominated charity of the year on numerous occasions. Aside from the Hawthorns and fundraising for charity, Paul and Sandra have a tremendous passion for scuba diving. Having been fortunate enough to dive worldwide, they delight in sharing their experiences and underwater photographs with residents after each new adventure.

Paul commented, “We are always absolutely delighted to be recognised by local and national accrediting bodies, but we would not have been

FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS TO S U I T YO U R R E T I R E M E N T Hawthorns’ retirement communities for the over 70s offer certainty, safety, easy planning, and flexibility. Now has never been a better time to consider renting. Instead of tying up money in a property purchase, residents decide to adopt the Hawthorns’ model that provides a unique, open, and genuinely all-inclusive package with no hidden extras. Working with leading house-purchase and moving support partners they can help you unlock your dream retirement living lifestyle and apartment. Hawthorns’ retirement communities provide a unique, open, and genuinely all-inclusive package with no hidden extras. No stamp duty, service costs, maintenance charges or exit fees • No long-term commitment – just 30 days’ notice Maintain financial flexibility over your capital and assets • Avoid the restrictions of a property purchase

HOUSE PURCHASE SOLUTIONS We can signpost you to reputable house-buyers who can provide a flexible home buying solution that guarantees a quick sale with no chain, no inconvenience of viewings, no estate agents fees and a smooth move at your own pace.

EASY MOVE Our specialist moving partners provide bespoke support to relieve the emotional and physical demands of moving. They provide sensitive, practical ‘hands on’ support for your move including change of address and utility notifications, sale of furniture, arrangement of removal companies, and moving day support.

SEE IF IT’S FOR YOU T R I A L S TAY Experience an apartment, restaurant-style dining, and Hawthorns’ lifestyle for yourself. Book a trial stay and make new friends*.

*Terms and Conditions Apply.

Call today to request a free information pack 0800 0125260 | hawthornsretirement.co.uk

COMPARISON MADE EASY See for yourself how our worry-free all-inclusive monthly rental compares to your current potential outgoings. YOUR MONTHLY COSTS

THE HAWTHORNS

Rent or mortgage

Rent

✓ INCLUDED

Water, gas, and electricity

✓ INCLUDED

Building insurance & Council Tax

✓ INCLUDED

Maintenance (roofing, gardening, plumbing & other repairs)

All maintenance and repairs

✓ INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch & supper

Breakfast, lunch and supper

✓ INCLUDED

Laundry

In-apartment or communal area laundry

✓ INCLUDED

Daily refreshments (tea, coffee, juices, biscuits, fruit, etc)

✓ INCLUDED

Weekly housekeeping

Weekly housekeeping including fresh bed linen and towels

✓ INCLUDED

Transportation (your car, insurance, repairs, petrol & oil)

Scheduled local transportation with our own private bus

✓ INCLUDED

House-owners association (fees, club, dues, etc)

All activities, trips & events organised by our event coordinator

✓ INCLUDED

Security/night guard

Staff on hand 24/7

✓ INCLUDED

24 hour emergency aid

Emergency call system

✓ INCLUDED

Cable TV service

Freeview TV and in-house cinema

✓ INCLUDED

TV licence

X NOT INCLUDED

Telephone landline and mobile phone

X NOT INCLUDED

Telephone landline and mobile phone £ WiFi

WiFi (communal areas)

Contents insurance

Total

Total for your apartment

✓ INCLUDED X NOT INCLUDED Contact your preferred service for apartment availability and pricing

A Warm Welcome Awaits Avery Healthcare offers a safe and supportive environment where residents can flourish, make new friends, maintain contact with their local communities and live a life of possibility. Our philosophy of care is to give each resident a home and lifestyle that supports their need for care and safety, along with their cherished goals and aspirations. We know that resident well-being and quality of life are more than just the care they receive, but the relationships they develop, their surroundings, interests, and overall stimulation level. Therefore, our holistic programmes are based on our values of care, honesty, credibility, innovation, and support to promote a sense of well-being for all.

As a premium care provider in the senior living sector in the UK, with over 60 care homes and several more developments soon to open. The overall sense you experience when stepping into an Avery home for the first time is a feeling of calm and warmth, coupled with beautiful design and décor. Our reputation for delivering high-quality homes with imaginative design-led solutions and richly furnished interiors has resulted in continued investment and a strong position in the care sector. Our residents are proud of this.

Avery takes great pride in the first-class care and quality of its environments. As sons and daughters themselves, the teams ensure a care and customer experience is one that we all seek for our loved ones. Avery provides a safe, stylish and warm welcome. Residents receive a complete person-centred service delivered by professionally trained, enthusiastic and caring home teams, from Carers to Catering and Housekeeping. Studies have shown that the quality of the environment has a significant effect on personal happiness and well-being. We strive to deliver excellence to you and your loved one at all times.

Find Out More Come along and see our beautiful homes for yourself. Visit us and talk to our staff, residents and family members to get a real sense of our communities. The Avery team is on hand to support you with your journey into care, from explaining funding options and how the assessment and move-in process works. We are here for every step of your journey.

0800 012 9113 averyhealthcare.co.uk Avery Healthcare Group 3 Cygnet Drive | Swan Valley | Northampton | NN4 9BS

Find your Care Home

Abbey Court

Acacia Lodge

Acacia Mews

1 Heath Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS11 7AD T. 01543 277358

90A Broadway, New Moston, Manchester, M40 3WQ T. 0161 688 1890

St Albans Road East, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 0FJ T. 01707 278160

Acer Court

Acer House

Acorn Lodge

172 Nottingham Road, Nuthall, Nottinghamshire, NG8 6AX T. 0115 977 7370

141B Milton Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 8AA T. 01934 637350

132 Coventry Road, Nuneaton, CV10 7AD T. 02476 642680

Adelaide

Aire View

Albion Court

35 West Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4BE T. 020 83043303

29 Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3ED T. 0113 388 5440

Clinton Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, B18 4BJ T. 0121 554 7261

Alder House

Alma Court

Amarna House

172A Nottingham Road, Nuthall, Nottingham, NG8 6AX T. 0115 975 8110

2 Heath Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS11 7AD T. 01543 273860

Rosetta Way, Off Boroughbridge Road, York, Yorkshire, YO26 5RN T. 01904 798509

Aran Court

Ashurst Mews

Astbury Manor

Braymoor Road, Tile Cross, Birmingham, B33 0LT T. 0121 770 4322

Northampton Lane North, Moulton, Northamptonshire, NN3 7RQ T. 01604 493233

Crowthorne Road North, Bracknell, RG12 7AU T. 01344 359100

averyhealthcare.co.uk

Avonmere

Avalon Court

Avery Park

1 Glendale Way, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9YQ T. 02476 470246

231 Rockingham Road, Kettering, NN16 9JB T. 01536 851745

339 Badminton Road Downend, Bristol, BS36 1AJ T. 0117 9579210

Avon Valley

Birchmere House

Birchmere Mews

Tenniscourt Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 4JW T. 0117 428 8800

1270 Warwick Road Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LQ T. 01564 732400

1270A Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LQ T. 01564 732660

Birchwood Grange

Bourn View

Clare Court

177 Preston Hill, Kenton, Harrow, London, HA3 9UY T. 020 83851115

47 Bristol Road South, Bournville, Birmingham, B31 2FR T. 0121 516 3500

28 Clinton Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, B18 4BJ T. 0121 554 9101

Clayton Manor

Cliftonville

Rood Hill, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1YZ T. 01260 299622

Cliftonville Road, Northampton, NN1 5BE T. 01604 238850

Crispin Court

Darwin Court

Derby Heights

Droitwich Mews

Wissage Road, Lichfield, WS13 6SP T. 01543 250824

Rykneld Road, Littleover, Derby, DE23 4BU T. 01332 540060

Mulberry Tree Hill, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 8QS T. 01905 958716

averyhealthcare.co.uk

385A Stone Road, Stafford, ST16 1LD T. 01785 785900

Find your Care Home

Dukes Court

Elvy Court

Edenbridge Manor

159 Northampton Road, Wellingborough, NN8 3PN T. 01933 445690

200 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1QA T. 01795 437449

Mont St Aignan Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 5EG T. 01732 927469

Glenmoor House

Greensand House

25 Rockingham Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 1AD T. 01536 205255

West Avenue, Salfords, Surrey, RH1 5BA T. 01737 933011

Grove Park

Hampstead Court

Hanford Court

Hawthorns Aldridge

48 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0HJ T. 020 3822 0040

Bankhouse Road, Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8EN T. 01782 645140

Erdington Road, Aldridge, West Midlands, WS9 8UH T. 01922 452087

Hempstalls Hall

Highcliffe

Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 9NR T. 01782 349320

Whitchurch Road, Witherwack, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 5SX T. 0191 516 0606

Hinckley House

Horse Fair

Knowle Gate

Lavender Lodge

Horse Fair, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 2EJ T. 01889 571980

1331 Warwick Road, Knowle, B93 9LW T. 01564 332233

10 Bruntile Close, Reading Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6P T. 01252 517569

averyhealthcare.co.uk

100 Grove Lane, Headingley, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS6 2BG T. 01132 789612

Tudor Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0EH T. 01455 639710

Milton Court

Loxley Park Assisted Living

Merlin Court

Loxley Road, Sheffield, S6 4TF T. 0114 2321583

The Common, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1JR T. 01672 512454

Tunbridge Grove, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes, MK7 6JD T. 01908 699555

Miramar

Newcross

Pemberley

165 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6PX T. 01227 374488A

378 Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton, WV11 1RH T. 01902 866890

Grove Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 3HL T. 01256 632000

Poets Mews

Priory Court

Rivermere

2 Cherry Avenue, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21 6DY T. 01275 404840

Priory Road, Stamford, South Lincolnshire, PE9 2EU T. 01780 766130

64-70 Westerham Road, Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2PZ T. 01732 748400

Rowan Court

Scholars Mews

Seagrave House

Silverdale Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 2TA T. 01782 622144

23-34 Scholars Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HE T. 01789 297589

Occupation Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 1EH T. 01536 270400

Silvermere

South Lodge

Spencer House

St Giles

Redhill Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1EF T. 01932 576650

307 London Road Leicester, LE2 3ND T. 0116 2748000

Cliftonville Road, Northampton, NN1 5BU T. 01604 619960

122 Tile Cross Road, Birmingham, B33 0LT T. 0121 770 8531

averyhealthcare.co.uk

Hawthorns Braintree Meadow Park, Tortoiseshell Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1TD T. 01376 335500

Hawthorns Clevedon 18-21 Elton Road, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 7EH T. 01275 790060

Hawthorns Eastbourne 4 Carew Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2BF T. 01323 644111

Hawthorns Northampton Weedon Road, Upton, Northampton NN5 4WR T. 01604 684920

hawthornsretirement.co.uk

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Do you have questions about dementia?

11 11 5 1

For information about dementia and dementia research contact the Dementia Research Infoline on: infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org 0300 1115 111 (9-5pm Monday to Friday) www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/

Registered charity numbers - 1077089 & SCO42474

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7 STAGE Deep Cleaning Process 1. Complete 360-degree audit 2. Extraction of loose soil and debris 3. Pre-treatment of surfaces 4. Agitation of fibres 5. Hot water extraction 6. Liquid Evaporation from surfaces 7. Odour elimination and Air purification

We perform our 7 stage cleaning processes accross surfaces and throughout the air at a time to suit you.

03452 999 999 support@24nrghealthcare.co.uk www.24nrggroup.com

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Avery Life Issue 5

Articles inside

Vegetarian for Life Awards

The films that helped to shape cinema as we know it today.

What Does Menopause Mean for You?

And the award goes to... Ricky Gervais

Ageless Beauty