RMBI NEWS Issue 10 • Summer 2014
Sensory gardens P6 – 7 Awareness week and Open Day P8 – 9
Caring is our way of life
www.rmbi.org.uk
Welcome
2-3
Activities Coordinators’ Conference
3
Refreshing the RMBI Brand
4
Introducing the Advice and Support Team
5
RMBI’s Sensory Gardens
6 -7
Awareness Week
8 -9
New Day Service at Barford Court
10
Fundraising
11
Welcome to RMBI News In this summer issue of RMBI News we highlight exciting changes, such as our brand refresh and the combined Advice and Support Team, as well as bringing you up-to-date with recent care home events. Our first article on page 4 introduces the RMBI’s brand refresh, and shows how we have updated our values and logo to reflect the organisation as it is now and as we move into the future. On page 5 we introduce the new combined Advice and Support Team – an invaluable service which offers enhanced support and guidance to Almoners, individual Freemasons and their families. Our sensory gardens are illustrated in our feature on pages 6 – 7. Aimed to stimulate all five senses, they are inspiring places providing both activity and relaxation for residents.
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Over the last few months we have opened our doors to residents’ families and people from the local community for enjoyable events which raise awareness of our care homes and issues affecting older people. Read about these fun activities on pages 8 – 9. Finally, on page 11 we catch up with recent fundraising activities. For the latest news from the RMBI visit www.rmbi.org.uk. Contributions for RMBI publications and website are warmly received at marketing@rmbi.org.uk.
Enjoy the issue.
David Innes, Chief Executive Welcome to our summer issue of RMBI News. As we have been enjoying this year’s long evenings and warm days, we focus in this issue on our sensory gardens – therapeutic oases, with the smell of lavender and roses, the texture of soft grasses, bird song and wind chimes, home-grown produce to grow and eat, all beautifully designed to stimulate the senses and encourage residents to engage with their environment in a positive way. As a charity, we have made significant changes in recent years to the way we operate and to our philosophy of care, and we felt it was equally important to make sure that our brand kept up-to-date with these developments. The RMBI brand reflects our strategic direction and is integral to communicating the values and qualities of our organisation. From the logo to our values, you can read all about the changes in this issue.
Society’s Dementia Awareness Week. All RMBI care homes organised entertaining and informative events for residents, their families and the local communities, raising awareness of what we do.
I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the National Care Home Open Day and the Alzheimer’s
David Innes Chief Executive
A tribute to Andrew White It is with great sadness that the RMBI reports the passing of friend and former colleague Andrew White, in May this year. Andrew was the RMBI’s Property Director from 2003 until his recent retirement in September 2013. During his time at the RMBI, he managed and developed the RMBI’s property portfolio of 18 care homes. He was in charge of the five-year Capital Programme, overseeing a £40 million budget of building and maintenance work to ensure the Homes are attractive, safe and pleasant environments for those who live and work there. Among his key achievements for the charity, Andrew oversaw the rebuilding of Scarbrough Court in Northumberland which reopened in 2008, and the £12 million redevelopment of James Terry Court in Croydon 2010 – 13. Andrew enjoyed meeting residents in our Homes and took a great interest in their life stories and experiences, and their needs in later life.
Following his retirement from the RMBI, Andrew returned to higher education and started a BA (Hons) degree course in animation at the University for the Creative Arts in his home town of Farnham. Andrew was also writing a novel which is being published in his memory. Andrew is survived by his wife Sarah, his three children Will, Becca and Zoe, and three grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by RMBI staff and residents, and all those fortunate enough to have known and worked with him.
Strengthening activities in our Homes: Activities Coordinators’ Conference Activities Coordinators throughout the RMBI’s care homes came together for a conference on 11 June at Devonshire Court in Leicester. The day was an opportunity to network, share ideas and be inspired. Following a welcome by Chief Executive David Innes, the day kicked off with an update on the RMBI’s care strategy, discussing our care philosophy and the role of Activities
Coordinators within it. The Activities Coordinators Toolkit was introduced – a new resource developed to equip them in their communication and promotional activities in the Homes and in the local community. The day ended with an Open Forum where participants shared what they had learned and been inspired by during the day.
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Refreshing the RMBI brand
Communicating our values and qualities: Refreshing the RMBI brand The RMBI has made significant changes to the way we operate and to our philosophy of care. We felt it was equally important to make sure that the RMBI brand is kept up-to-date with these developments. A strong brand is integral to communicating the values and qualities of an organisation, and the RMBI is no different. It is what distinguishes us from other providers and enables us to create a recognisable image. So exactly what has changed? Our values Our values permeate everything we do. We wanted our new values to express our strategic direction. We have built on the words our staff use to describe our organisation and which reflect how we behave. The new values work together and are designed to be future-proof, down-to-earth and achievable. Our values are: Personal, Professional, Supportive, Learning, Respectful and above all, Kind.
commitment to providing quality care to older Freemasons and their families, emphasising they will not be forgotten in their old age. The oak represents the RMBI’s extensive experience in the care industry for over 170 years. Various aspects of the flower, for example the petal, have been used as a key design feature for the RMBI and are used in our publications and materials. The new logo:
Looking at these in more detail, each value expresses the following ideas: • Personal: person centred care, emotional. • Professional: best-practice, expert, serious. • Supportive: community, enable, commitment. • Learning: a focus on innovation and training. • Respectful: individual’s dignity and Freemasons’ heritage. • Kind: compassionate, caring and warm. We also have a new strapline, which sums up what we are about. It will be used in all communications: Caring is our way of life
The RMBI logo
Although the logo may look the same at first glance, small enhancements have been made to the colour pantone to create a softer and warmer use of the corporate red. We have used grey for the word lettering instead of the strong black, again to promote the caring nature of our business.
The most notable change, perhaps, is the RMBI logo. It has always been significant to the core values of the charity. The forget-me-not flower has a long history with the charity and in Freemasonry. To the RMBI it represents our ongoing
You will also see in this redesigned magazine that we have introduced a new graphic treatment, which aims to create a fresh look to the design of all RMBI resources and materials.
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Advice and Support Team
Supporting Freemasons and their families This year saw the RMBI Care Advice Team and the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys Welfare Team merge to form a combined Advice and Support Team. Invaluable help and support
A seamless service
The Advice and Support Team provide a free, independent and confidential service to Freemasons and their families on behalf of all four central Masonic charities. They offer guidance and support – and they are also able to give advice about the services offered by the four Masonic charities and by statutory and voluntary agencies.
Since the two teams merged, the staff have been learning one another’s roles to make sure they can provide a more comprehensive service to Freemasons and their families. We are already seeing advantages for users of the service: the team can now handle more cases than before, they are able to resolve cases quicker, and advisers are easier to access because there are more of them to cover England and Wales.
No query is too big or small. Whether you, or someone you know, is struggling with a short-term financial setback or with severe health issues that are making it hard to cope, the Advice and Support Team are there to help.
Accessible to all The service is open to everyone, whether you are an Almoner supporting members of your Lodge or Province, an individual Freemason, a wife or partner of a Freemason, or the children or grandchildren of a Freemason. As long as you have a Masonic connection you can use the services of the Advice and Support Team. As well as providing information and support to Almoners, the Advice and Support team work directly with individuals who need assistance. The team knows a lot about what support is available to help you through tough times and can work with you to explore your options, signpost you to other organisations and services, or just be there to listen.
Get in touch To find out more about how the team can help, please get in touch.
Call: Email: Visit:
0800 035 60 90 help@freemasonrycares.org www.freemasonrycares.org
“The Advice and Support Team staff are friendly, knowledgeable and compassionate. I am extremely appreciative of the support, help and guidance they have given to me.” Mrs Bridge, Worthing.
The Advice and Support Team are committed to making sure you get the help you need, when you need it. You can be confident that their advice and support is clear, professional, confidential and impartial.
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RMBI Sensory Gardens
Stimulating the senses: RMBI’s Sensory Gardens We have been introducing sensory gardens into many of our Homes. Sensory gardens are designed to stimulate all five senses and they are especially therapeutic for those with disabilities, such as visual impairment and dementia. The physical environment plays an important part in the health and wellbeing of our residents. In particular, when cognitive function, mobility or the senses are impaired, the physical world can seem unfamiliar, restrictive and isolating. In order to address this, we have created tailored sensory spaces in our care homes to encourage residents to engage with their environment in a positive way which enriches their quality of life.
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We have worked with landscaping specialists, including Ward Associates, which has links with the University of Stirling’s leading dementia centre, to develop a garden blueprint that invigorates the senses and provides outdoor space for recreation and leisure activities. Now many of our Homes have their own sensory gardens.
Sensory gardens are more varied and stimulating than traditional gardens. Designed to engage all the senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch – the nostalgic fragrance of lavender or roses, the sensation of soft meadow grasses and the sound of birdsong that they encourage, can all be extremely powerful for residents.
Sensational scent To help with visual impairment colours, shapes and special features have been introduced to help create a wonderful visual environment. The sweet peas at Connaught Court, York were a great hit; not only bright and never-ending, but the scent was sensational, bringing back memories of so many past summers and gardens.
Fresh home-grown produce Herbs and vegetables are sown in the gardens so that the residents can taste fresh home-grown produce. The garden at Connaught Court, York, has lettuce, beetroot and herbs which the residents have been enjoying immensely. To encourage interaction amongst the residents, the sensory garden at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Essex, includes raised flower beds and hanging baskets so that people have easier access to them. The residents relish helping to choose seedlings, plant them and watch them grow.
Prize-winning gardens
To aid hearing, wind chimes and water features have been introduced into the gardens, as well as textured paths that create noise when walking on them.
Our gardens have become prize-winners too. Queen Elizabeth Court care home in Llandudno won second place in the Excellence in Horticulture category of Llandudno in Bloom. Their special sensory garden is filled with carefully chosen flowers, herbs and grasses to stimulate all the senses.
Plants with different textures have been used so that people can touch and feel the varying types of plants available. Homes have been careful in ensuring that prickles or thorns are planted away from the paths.
The gardens are designed to have interest all year round, and to be accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, with level surfaces and handrails. Covered seating areas allow residents to shelter, rest and relax. The gardens have had a real positive impact on the residents; they are now able to enjoy fresh air and nature in a safe, tactile environment.
“Outstanding resident care is the only priority when it comes to maintaining the garden. It’s nice to win awards, but at the end of the day it’s the residents’ garden. It’s here to benefit them.” Says Alan Roberts, the horticulturalist at Queen Elizabeth Court.
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Awareness Week
Opening up: Dementia Awareness Week and the National Care Home Open Day RMBI care homes have welcomed visitors in for two popular awareness events. In May the RMBI supported the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week with a range of exciting activities. Then, on 20 June, we welcomed people from our local communities to see what the Homes have to offer and to take part in a number of events, including a 1940s vintage tea party.
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Dementia Awareness Week: 19-25 May 2014
National Care Home Open Day: 20 June 2014
The theme of this year’s Dementia Awareness Week was ‘Opening Up’, encouraging people to talk about dementia. This was a great opportunity for our care homes to engage relatives, staff and residents in awareness-raising activities relating to dementia, while demonstrating our expertise and positive work in this area.
RMBI care homes embraced the 1940s vintage tea party theme for this annual open day, now in its second year.
A 1940s-themed coffee morning led the way at Prince Michael of Kent Court, Watford. Cakes were provided from the RMBI cookbook Recipes and Reminiscences, with staff dressed in 1940s clothes. Other events included an entertainer who sang songs from the 1940s and 50s, and a BBQ to raise money with a raffle for the Alzheimer’s Society. At Shannon Court, Surrey, the Alzheimer’s Society visited to share knowledge with residents and staff; with relatives and local visitors joining them in the afternoon for tea. Zetland Court, Bournemouth, had a talk by Dementia Champion and Home Manager Debbie Powell and held a 1940s street party. Baking was a popular focus. Both Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Essex, and Prince George Duke of Kent Court, Chislehurst, Kent, held baking sessions. Ecclesholme, in Manchester, organised both jam making and cheese and wine tasting sessions. Many of our care homes put on reminiscence events. Prince George Duke of Kent Court, in conjunction with Bromley Museum, had a ‘Seaside Days Out’ theme, with ice creams and lollies served as part of the refreshments. The Home also organised a tea dance, with guests from Farringtons School. Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Essex encouraged guests to join them outdoors. A Dementia Walk at Highland Park was organised for residents and families, together with other local care homes. Designed to raise awareness of dementia in an entertaining and positive way, everyone was very impressed by the range of enjoyable and informative activities.
At Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, Mid Glamorgan, residents were treated to a full day of special events. The morning began with a painting class, led by local artist John Morgans. Later, making the most of the glorious weather in the newly transformed garden, residents, visitors and family members enjoyed a glass of Pimm’s with a recital by Music in Hospital performers Catherine Handley and Huw Chidgey. For Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno, a notable visitor was local MP Guto Bebb, who spoke with the residents and toured the Home. The 1940s theme began with a showing of the classic film ‘I Was Monty’s Double’, followed by a chance to explore an extensive collection of memorabilia, keepsakes and period newspapers, which prompted numerous conversations and recollections of the past. At Cadogan Court in Exeter the warm and sunny weather formed an ideal backdrop for a barbeque and a variety of stalls and activities for residents and visitors, who were also entertained by local performers. The opening of the new Reminiscence Room launched the activities at Prince George Duke of Kent Court in Kent. The room, filled with items donated by residents, relatives and local businesses, provides an area for contemplation and sharing of memories for residents at the Home. Members of the Farringtons School choir performed classic songs from the 1940s. The residents’ then shared their recollections from the past with the school children, who were fascinated at the thought of growing up during wartime. In the afternoon, residents, staff, relatives and local businesses took part in a nine-hole putting competition organised by the Home. They were also joined by local Age UK members. Many of our care homes provided a 1940s cream tea for residents and visitors. At The Tithebarn near Liverpool, teas were even served by staff in vintage attire. The perfect end to a wonderful day.
“Now in its second year the National Care Home Open Day initiative has become a key part of our events calendar. It is a great opportunity to build on our relationship with the local community and show the outstanding level of care that our Home has to offer.” Says Louise Baxter, Home Manager at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex.
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New day service at Barford Court
An alternative to long-term care: New day service at Barford Court Recognising the varied needs of older members of the Masonic community, we have been looking at alternatives to long-term residential care. We realised that some of our care homes have spare or underused space, and that this could be used to offer a day service – where people can come for daily support while still living in their own homes. A pilot day support scheme at Barford Court, Hove, has now opened to establish if there is demand for such a service. Barford Court had an existing part of the Home that was underused – a number of separate but linked rooms, which could provide an overall capacity for 20 people at any one time. After much planning over the winter of 2013–14, the day service is now up and running. The aim is to help people remain active and independent. Barford Court provides a friendly environment where guests can relax, socialise and enjoy themselves, while boosting their confidence and developing new skills through stimulating activities. Open seven days a week, with guests able to attend for a few hours or a full day, one day a week or any combination of days, it means that families can also have a break from the responsibility of caring and supporting an older relative at home. The facility is clean, spacious and has access to a lovely outside garden area. Healthy and nutritious meals are available, and guests are able to have assistance with a shower if they need it.
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The day service is staffed separately to the main Home. The staff team have undertaken intensive training to enable them to support people with a diverse range of needs at a level that is appropriate to them as individuals. If this pilot scheme is successful, we will consider whether this model of care can be replicated elsewhere – not just at our existing Homes but perhaps in the heart of Masonic communities, such as in underutilised Masonic centres. This could enable us to offer services in areas of the country where there is currently no RMBI care provision. Barford Court day service is open seven days a week: Monday to Friday 8.00 to 19.30, and Saturday and Sunday 10.30 to 16.00. If you would like to join, please get in touch at barfordday@rmbi.org.uk. We can arrange to meet you at your home or at Barford Court to learn more about you, your needs and interests, to ensure that our day service is right for you. Referrals can also be made by families, carers and health professionals.
Fundraising The Friends of the RMBI held their 42nd annual Charity Ball in support of the RMBI on 14 June. 170 Brethren, partners, friends and supporters came together for a special evening at the 5-star Grange City Hotel beside the Tower of London, with a champagne reception and dinner followed by entertainment, music and dancing. This year the President of the Ball was RW Bro Ian Yeldham, the Provincial Grand Master for Suffolk. The evening was supported by a splendid cabaret performance and a 16 piece orchestra. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal and went on to dance the night away. Over £3,500 was raised in ticket sales and through the various raffles on the night.
Friends of the RMBI Formed in 1973, the Friends of the RMBI is a small group of Freemasons who raise money specifically for the Good Neighbour Fund. Through their efforts and the generosity of the Fraternity, they have to date raised over half a million pounds. The culmination of each year’s fundraising activity is the annual Charity Ball.
RMBI Holidays The Good Neighbour Fund is a special fund used primarily to provide holidays for recipients of the Freemasons’ Grands Charity Relief Grants. It can also be used on a discretionary basis to assist those in immediate need. The RMBI organises and runs four annual holidays to Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Westcliffe-on -Sea and Llandudno, offering places to 70 Freemasons and their dependants each year. These UK holidays can offer a breath of fresh air and a change of scene, rest and relaxation, a chance to meet new people and respite for carers in need of a break. For more information about The Friends of the RMBI and to become a member, visit www.frmbi.org
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Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Phone: 020 7596 2400 Fax: 020 7404 2427 Email: enquiries@rmbi.org.uk facebook.com/thermbi twitter.com/thermbi
www.rmbi.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 207360