Vegetarian for Life Awards

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.”

- 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.

“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.”

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.” 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.

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.

Gin

TERESTING

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, violet, Sicilian lemon, and gooseberry (which I can highly recommend) are just a few of the new gin flavours. Along with more seasonal pumpkin spice, candy cane, Christmas spice, sugar plum, rhubarb and ginger, and bramble gin. The presentation has come a long way since the literal ‘bathtub gin’ in the 1700s, too, mermaid bottles, bottles that light up and play music, bits of floating gold leaf; there is even a brand called Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin, alluding to its commercial roots. It is big business for the retailers, event coordinators, pubs and breweries, and distilleries; locally made gin has really taken off as well as more exotic gin from far off climes. Tonic water is catching up with the choice of flavours, too (such as cucumber and elderflower) to compliment the gins.

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.

Gin cocktails have a part fell into a gin vault. Conversely, ‘Beer to play in the national Street’ was produced alongside it promoted the merits of ale. There were love affair with a drink over 7000 ‘dram’ shops in London that has a long and alone, gin was hawked and sold tumultuous history. everywhere, and it was cheap. The death rate exceeded the birth rate as gin rendered men impotent and women sterile. The government raised the tax on gin when it was revealed that the average Londoner drank 14 gallons a year! All that did was push the spirit underground, so the Gin Act of 1736, one of eight, was passed, and no one could sell ‘Distilled Spirituous Liquor’ without a licence costing £50. Consumption eventually began to fall throughout the eighteenth century, ending the ‘Gin Craze’ where a pint of gin was cheaper than a pint of beer. 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

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

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.

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. 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.”

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 strain the bag and get rid

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

Method

Grease two 500g loaf tins for this recipe.

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 Salt 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.

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, 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 loosely) Preheat the oven to 165°c and bake on the middle 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!

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.

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.

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. 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.

1933

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.

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 headlamps, 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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Family Feedback

“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.”

Overall Experience:

5

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

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.

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

Well-being at Well-being at Heart

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.

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.

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, Paul, Says it All

“I owe my renewed quality of life to all staff at Rowan Paul Kearns, Rowan Court resident Court.” “When I moved to Rowan Court Care Home, I was very ill, depressed and had neglected myself with my personal hygiene needs. I was assessed for the nursing unit, as I was not mobilising when at home and no longer had the strength to stand up independently, and I spent three weeks being cared for in bed. I could still eat and drink but required assistance with personal care.

I was assessed for a hoist and could sit out in my chair. Now that I was sitting out in my chair, the Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator would regularly discuss my interests and hobbies with me. After this discussion, I began to participate in Bee-active, a gentle exercise group, every week, which I enjoyed building my upper body strength. The more activities I attended, the more my fellow residents welcomed me as part of their community. And I was grateful to be among companions again, nattering away.

As my confidence grew, I found myself not wanting to stay in bed all day or in my bedroom. I tried to get out and explore the home and meet other residents in the other

suites. I now have an electric wheelchair, which has helped with my well-being as I am now independently moving around the home, introducing myself to new residents and making further friends. My personality began to shine through, and I will be forever grateful for the chat with the Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator, who has helped me gain the confidence to get to where I am today. I am a resident ambassador along with two other residents, and I am very proud to have been given this opportunity. Residents now know that they can come to me with any concerns they may have. I will pass the information on to management. I feel I am almost back to the person I was, and now reside on the residential floor as I no longer require nursing care.

I am proud to say that I can now help in numerous ways; I am involved in recruiting and assisting in interviewing potential new staff. I am also the bingo caller; I chair residents’ meetings, deliver the post around the home and stop for a chat along the way.

I am no longer hoisted and can take some steps whilst transferring from my chair to the bed. I get along with all staff, and we always have a good laugh. When I first came to Rowan Court, I thought about all the different things that were changing for me and all the different sounds, but now the only sound that amazes me is the sound of my laughter, something I thought I would never hear again. I owe my renewed quality of life to all the management, office team and staff at Rowan Court for picking me up and getting me back to the cheeky chap I was before.”

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.

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. 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

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

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

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 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.

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

“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.”

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.

Perhaps the game’s simplicity, its boundaries, leaveyou-wanting-more design and apparent lack of agenda, advertising or attempts at data-mining are key to its success. Where other games and online diversions bewilder you with options, popups and redirects, Wordle seems like an old-fashioned safe haven in the digital age.

Created late last year by programmer Josh Wardle as a gesture to his wife (a sort of digital bouquet), then released publicly, within weeks, Wordle had acquired hundreds of thousands of avid global users, with an online community forming around the daily puzzlers.

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 entertainment at the same time. The true “water-cooler” conversations are all but gone, replaced by exhaustive and forgettable lists of obscure recommendations. Only the very biggest movies, shows and music A research study seem to have everyone on the same page results concluded at roughly the same moment these days – that older adults the rest of the time, we’re drowning alone in who frequently a sea of content, not always certain which island is worth paddling for. With Wordle, play word games at least, everyone is paddling towards the have a cognitive same destination… Mum better get the function equivalent kettle on. to people nearly a decade younger. For some time, we’ve known that “braintraining” activities such as crosswords, wordsearch and sudoku, as well as being good boredombusters, 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 eyeballs. It’s just a game that’s fun.” study results concluded that older adults who frequently 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 According to researcher Anne Corbett, PhD in the in the millions, with analysts speculating that another part subsequent news release, “The improvements are of its appeal is the implicit connectedness we experience particularly clear in the speed and accuracy of their when we play it. Everyone joining in around the world performance. In some areas, the improvement was quite is guessing at the same daily word. That small, unifying 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.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club

Summer Festivals

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.

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.

SEE IT. TRY IT. 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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.”

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”.

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

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 SUIT YOUR RETIREMENT

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

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.

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. Experience an apartment, restaurant-style dining, and Hawthorns’ lifestyle for yourself. Book a trial stay and make new friends*.

HOUSE PURCHASE SOLUTIONS EASY MOVE SEE IF IT’S FOR YOU TRIAL STAY

*Terms and Conditions Apply.

COMPARISON MADE EASY

See for yourself how our worry-free all-inclusive monthly rental compares to your current potential outgoings.

YOUR MONTHLY COSTS

Rent or mortgage

Water, gas, and electricity

Building insurance & Council Tax

Maintenance (roofing, gardening, plumbing & other repairs)

Breakfast, lunch & supper

Laundry

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

Weekly housekeeping

£

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

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

Security/night guard

24 hour emergency aid

Cable TV service

TV licence

Telephone landline and mobile phone

WiFi

Contents insurance Rent

THE HAWTHORNS

Water, gas, and electricity

Building insurance & Council Tax

All maintenance and repairs

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

X NOT INCLUDED

X NOT INCLUDED

✓ INCLUDED

X NOT INCLUDED

Breakfast, lunch and supper

In-apartment or communal area laundry

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

Weekly housekeeping including fresh bed linen and towels

Scheduled local transportation with our own private bus

All activities, trips & events organised by our event coordinator

Staff on hand 24/7

Emergency call system

Freeview TV and in-house cinema

TV licence

Telephone landline and mobile phone

WiFi (communal areas)

Contents insurance

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

Abbey Court

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

Acacia Lodge

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

Acacia Mews

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

Acer Court

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

Acer House

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

Acorn Lodge

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

Adelaide

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

Aire View

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

Albion Court

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

Alder House

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

Alma Court

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

Amarna House

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

Aran Court

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

Ashurst Mews

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

Astbury Manor

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

Avalon Court

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

Avery Park

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

Avonmere

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

Avon Valley

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

Birchmere House

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

Birchmere Mews

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

Birchwood Grange

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

Bourn View

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

Clare Court

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

Clayton Manor

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

Cliftonville

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

Crispin Court

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

Darwin Court

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

Derby Heights

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

Droitwich Mews

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

Dukes Court

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

Elvy Court

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

Edenbridge Manor

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

Glenmoor House

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

Greensand House

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

Grove Park

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

Hampstead Court

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

Hanford Court

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

Hawthorns Aldridge

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

Hempstalls Hall

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

Highcliffe

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

Hinckley House

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

Horse Fair

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

Knowle Gate

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

Lavender Lodge

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

Loxley Park Assisted Living

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

Merlin Court

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

Milton Court

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

Miramar

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

Newcross

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

Pemberley

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

Poets Mews

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

Priory Court

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

Rivermere

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

Rowan Court

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

Scholars Mews

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

Seagrave House

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

Silvermere

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

South Lodge

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

Spencer House

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

St Giles

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

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

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