RMBInews Issue 7
Summer 2013
James Terry Court Redeveloped for the 21st century and beyond P4-5
Recipes and Reminiscences
A unique recipe book brings back memories P6-7
www.rmbi.org.uk
Contents
Welcome
2-3
James Terry Court
4-5
Recipes and Reminiscences
6-7
The Friends of the RMBI Charity Ball
8-9
Activities around the Homes
10 -11
Home Improvements at Prince Michael of Kent Court, Watford Residents and staff at Prince Michael of Kent Court in Watford held a special coffee morning on Thursday 29 August to mark a number of developments at the Home. They were joined by members of the Association of Friends of Prince Michael of Kent Court, RMBI Chief Executive David Innes and Colin Harris, Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Hertfordshire. Improvements recently made at the Home include the refurbishment of the main reception, opening out the space to make the area lighter, brighter and more welcoming. The hairdressers and pamper parlour has also been relocated and refurbished, courtesy of a generous donation from The Grand Stewards Lodge. The Association of Friends of Prince Michael of Kent Court have kindly funded a new integrated sound system which has been installed in the main lounge, along with a new hearing aid loop amplifier and aerial for improved sound quality. In addition, a new 60-inch plasma television now gives all residents excellent vision wherever they sit, especially on Film Night. A BlueRay/DVD player and microphones have also been provided. Residents and guests enjoyed canapes and cakes to live piano music. David Innes and Home Manager Elizabeth Corbett thanked the Association of Friends and The Grand Stewards Lodge for their donations, followed by a few words from Prince Michael of Kent Court resident Richard Heap.
2 www.rmbi.org.uk
Welcome to RMBI news magazine This issue of the magazine focuses on James Terry Court, RMBI’s care home in Croydon and its recent official opening following a major three year redevelopment. Our feature on James Terry Court details the major alterations that have taken place at the site. We speak with residents and staff to find out how life has changed and improved in the new Home. In addition, our article Recipes and Reminiscences shares the recent launch of RMBI’s new recipe book at Shannon Court in Surrey. We talk to residents, staff and reminiscence expert Julie Heathcote on the value of reminiscence work and how powerful food can be in recalling long-term memories. On our fundraising pages we introduce the Friends of the RMBI whose fundraising efforts are invaluable, and catch up on the news from their Charity Ball held in June 2013. We also catch up with the latest activities news from the Homes, finding out what residents got up to for the first ever National Care Home Open Day on 21 June and for Dementia Awareness Week in May. For the latest news from RMBI visit www.rmbi.org.uk. Contributions for RMBI publications and website are warmly received at marketing@rmbi.org.uk .
Welcome
Catering Excellence at Scarbrough Court David Innes, Chief Executive
Welcome to this summer issue of the RMBI magazine. As always there is a great deal going on in our Homes, not least of which is the tremendous work by all our staff to deliver excellent quality care for over 1000 residents. They are ably supported in all their efforts by the regional and Head Office teams who are rarely in the limelight but deserve an equal share of the praise. In my introduction to the spring issue, I touched on the final phase of our redevelopment work at James Terry Court in Croydon. Since then, the building works have been completed and we were delighted to welcome HRH the Duke of Kent to officially open our brand new state-of-the-art Home on 24 July. Find out more about the work that was undertaken, and how it is benefitting those that live and work in the home, in our feature overleaf.
Highness for finding time in his busy schedule to attend the ceremony and I know the residents and staff alike thoroughly enjoyed his visit. I would also like to express my thanks to Freemasons across the Province of Surrey and particularly the Association of Friends of James Terry Court who have given so generously to the Home. Finally and very importantly I must thank the staff and residents at James Terry Court for their input and patience throughout this project. Our ongoing programme of building improvements continues across the portfolio and I will update readers on these developments in due course.
The catering team at Scarbrough Court in Northumberland were delighted to receive an award for Outstanding WhiteOaks Contract at the recent Compass Group UK Healthcare Conference. Scarbrough Court has held a contract with catering company WhiteOaks for nine years, with Chef Manager Marie Waters joining the team in August 2012. The Home has made it a priority to develop resident relations and foster a partnership approach, ensuring that the catering services provided meet the changing requirements of residents. Bespoke menus ensure residents have a say in the type of meals they would like offered, which together with a greater focus on residents’ choice and service, has improved resident satisfaction levels. Marie and the catering team at Scarbrough Court were presented with the award by Leon Jones, Group Manager at WhiteOaks, with residents and members of the care team in attendance.
I would like to extend thanks on behalf of the RMBI to His Royal Scarbrough Court catering team receive their award RMBI news 3
James Terry Court
James Terry Court: A Home for the 21st century and beyond
On 24 July HRH the Duke of Kent officially opened a new state-of-the-art care home at James Terry Court in Croydon. Taking over 3 years to complete and overcoming significant challenges, the project has resulted in a beautifully designed, fully-equipped RMBI home which is fit for the future. In this article James Terry Court residents and staff share their experiences of the build and tell us in their own words why it has all been worth it. The RMBI has a historical connection with Croydon since its first care home was founded there in 1850. 130 years later in 1980, RMBI James Terry Court was first opened. Once part of the estate of the Archbishops of Canterbury and later a residential hotel, the former Wareham Grange property was built in the 1870’s as a private residence and converted by the RMBI. James Terry Court became a highly popular choice of care home, delivering excellent care and 4 www.rmbi.org.uk
going on to receive a national award recognising its Gold Standard end-oflife care. Sadly however, the building could not continue to meet the changing needs of those living and working within it. By the turn of the twentieth century a number of rooms had become unusable in the main house; the home had no dedicated provision to meet the increasing incidence of dementia and combined with difficult access
created by awkward levels, James Terry Court was a prime candidate for rebuilding under the RMBI’s Capital Programme. In 2008 the proposal was put forward to redevelop the site and create a unique, contemporary home, retaining its attractive traditional features but truly fit for the 21st century and beyond. Following a competition in which they presented winning designs PRP architects were selected along
James Terry Court
with Croydon-based construction company Mansell, and work began on the site in autumn 2009. The RMBI were determined to keep residents in place during the rebuild. With this in mind, the work was completed in 2 major phases, moving residents into the completed first phase to allow the second phase to be rebuilt and new residents to move in. The first phase involved the creation of a brand new East Wing, providing state-of-the-art facilities and exceeding all the latest government guidelines and legislations on size and accessibility. The East Wing comprises 48 spacious bed-sitting rooms and light, attractive communal spaces for residential, nursing and dementia care. Phase two of the new build involved demolishing and rebuilding the West Wing to provide a further 28 ensuite bedrooms. Every room in the new home has an ensuite wet room equipped with grab rails and adjustable sinks. Phase two also saw the remodelling and refurbishing of the Home’s main building to create 13 independent living flats. 76 year old resident Pat Burchell said, “The building work was taking place right outside our windows. It was impossible to imagine the finished building and it was noisy at times, but we knew it was necessary and we watched with interest”.
Property Director Andrew White says “The work posed some major challenges, including maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality of life for residents living on the site throughout the redevelopment. To satisfy concerns about the potential impact of this much larger home on neighbours, the HRH The Duke of Kent talks to residents central facility of dining room, on his official visit to the Home entrance and main lounge, hairdressers and management was attended by Surrey’s Provincial facilities were built under an Grand Master Eric Stuart-Bamford and extensive garden roof terrace, which the Deputy Provincial Grand Master will be a great asset to residents, Derek Bar. In addition, the event was providing easy level access from the attended by the Mayor of Croydon first floor of both new wings. The Councillor Yvette Hopley; Grand Home also benefits from a ground Secretary Nigel Brown and Grand floor terrace. The new dementia Director of Ceremonies Oliver Lodge wing has its own dedicated secure on behalf of The United Grand Lodge garden with access from both dining of England and RMBI representatives room and lounge. Designed around including current President James the needs of the people that live and Newman, former President Willie work here, the new Home exceeds all Shackell, Chief Executive David Innes expectations”. and RMBI trustees. Freemasons in the Province of Surrey have generously supported the redevelopment work in a number of ways. Springfield Lodge donated £75,000 which funded the building and furnishing of a hairdressing salon and pamper room. In addition, a local ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign raised over £25,000 and The Grand Steward’s Lodge donated £20,000. The Association of Friends of James Terry Court also provides substantial support each year, for example furnishing the new gardens and terraces with furniture, parasols, plants and shrubbery. Surrey Freemasons and the Association of Friends of James Terry Court were duly thanked at the official opening, which
Diane Collins, Home Manager at James Terry Court, said: “Thanks to our new state-of-the-art facilities, we are able to care for residents in a way that gives them the individual freedom to really make the most of their lives. We are indebted to the Masonic community, and particularly the Association of Friends of James Terry Court, whose generous support enables the highest quality of life for our residents.” Since doubling in capacity, the Home currently has vacancies and a small number of flats available to rent. To discuss care needs for yourself or a loved one or to view the home, please contact Home Manager Diane Collins on 020 8774 5921. For apartments, contact Guy Mackey at Chilcott White on 020 8688 4153. RMBI news 5
Recipes and Reminiscences
Recipes and Reminiscences The RMBI recently celebrated the official launch of its unique new recipe book, Recipes and Reminiscences, by hosting a special tea party. Compiled using recipes contributed by residents and staff of RMBI care homes, the recipe book is both an outcome and a starting point for innovative and inspiring reminiscence work taking place in RMBI Homes with people living with a dementia. Recipes and Reminiscences is a collection of over 50 recipes put tastes and trends have changed in together from hand-written notes, Britain over the last 60 years. family recipes handed down from mothers and grandmothers, favourite As well as bringing together residents, recipe cards and from memory. With relatives and staff through the a foreword by food critic and TV collection of recipes, the project presenter Mary Berry, the book spans has generated a host of baking the decades from the 1940’s onwards, and cooking activities across RMBI exploring influences on our food Homes, creating opportunities for from war rationing to the rise of the engaging with local communities and celebrity chef and highlighting how recalling memories of food from
childhood. For the first ever National Care Home Open Day on 21 June, Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in Mid Glamorgan baked two of the recipes they contributed to the book and enjoyed a cookery demonstration of Welsh specialities. Residents at Cadogan Court in Exeter also baked biscuits and cakes from the book, to enjoy at their regular coffee morning. Residents at Cornwallis Court in Suffolk were joined by children from Bury St Edmunds primary school for a baking session and tasting afterwards. Ecclesholme in Manchester also enjoyed a baking class with the resulting sweet treats still warm from the oven on sale at their open day. The launch tea party at Shannon Court for residents and guests including the Association of Friends and Waverley Mayor Councillor Patricia Ellis, was itself an exercise in reminiscence.
6 www.rmbi.org.uk
Recipes and Reminiscences
Care home staff, with support from reminiscence expert and author Julie Heathcote, recreated the different eras featured in the book with costumes and reminiscence areas for each decade, displaying familiar domestic and kitchen objects from the period. Tea was served in a beautiful collection of vintage teacups and saucers; residents recognised and named the various patterns, with one resident identifying her own wedding china! Residents enjoyed baking jubilee biscuits and fruit cake in preparation for the tea party and sampling them on the day, along with other recipes from the book such as spam fritters and tomato chutney (made with Shannon Court’s own home-grown tomatoes), prepared by Shannon Court’s resident chefs. Both in the making and eating, many happy memories of cooking and family meals were discussed. Shannon Court resident Margaret Shepherd acknowledged that although she sometimes could not remember what she had eaten earlier in the same day, “I remember cooking with
my mother like it was yesterday - the smells and sounds of her kitchen have stayed with me, as have memories of baking with my own children”. Dementia affects 820,000 people in the UK. 25 million of the UK population have a close friend or family member living with the the condition. When residents are struggling with their short-term memory, many carers find it beneficial to take them back to a time that is easier to recall. “Reminsicence is a way of valuing what people have done and their own life history and story,” explains Julie. “You’re never going to make them better, but you can impact upon their mood and wellbeing. Talking with people about their memories boosts their self esteem and makes them feel they can contribute.” The RMBI has been developing reminiscence techniques and activities for a number of years, from memory quilts to wedding walls, on which residents hang pictures from their wedding day to encourage conversation. “There are so many different ways that we use
reminiscence to help people connect with positive experiences in their past and promote positive feelings in the present,” says Edna Petzen, RMBI’s Assistant Director of Marketing, Quality and Compliance. “It’s a way of connecting with people that shows what they can do rather than highlighting what they can’t.” Julie helped train RMBI staff in reminiscence work and one of the suggestions coming out of the sessions was to reminisce about recipes with elderly residents. “Most people took to it really well,” says Edna, “and we were inundated with classic recipes.” It was at this point that the RMBI decided to pull together a cookbook structured around the decades most likely to have had an effect on the people in its Homes. “We broke it down into decades and focused on the different types of food and dishes available,” explains Edna. “They’re based on the ingredients that were accessible at the time and really explain the history of the way we eat in the UK and the big influences that have come about in our whole dining experience.” To order your copy of Recipes and Reminiscences visit www.rmbi.org.uk. All proceeds go directly towards activities for residents in RMBI Homes. RMBI news 7
Fundraising News
The Friends of the RMBI 2013 Charity Ball
From left to right: RMBI Chief Executive David Innes and wife Annemarie; Chief Executive of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, Les Hutchinson; RMTGB trustee Robert Chevin and wife Claire; RMBI President James Newman and wife Lesley; Assistant Grand Secretary of Mark Masons Hall Martin Budds and partner Lynne Widdowson.
The Friends of the RMBI held their 41st annual Charity Ball in support of the RMBI on Saturday 8 June. 250 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. Attended by the 2012 - 13 President of the Friends of the RMBI and former RMBI President Willie Shackell as well as current RMBI President James Newman among other distinguished guests, the evening was compared by Roger De Courcey supported by special guest star Tom O’Connor and 8 www.rmbi.org.uk
a 16 piece orchestra. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal of smoked salmon gateaux and champagne sorbet, followed by rack of lamb and finished with creme brulee. Attendees then went on to dance the night away. An impressive total of £1,991 was raised in ticket sales and through the raffle on the night. The Good Neighbour Fund Formed in 1973,The Friends of the RMBI is a small group of Freemasons who raise money specifically for The Good Neighbour Fund and through their efforts and the generosity of the Fraternity, 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 Grand Charity Relief Grant. It can also be used on a discretionary basis to assist those in immediate need. RMBI organises and runs 4 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 or respite for carers in need of a break. The Good Neighbour Lodge In addition, the Friends of the RMBI
Fundraising News
RMBI Festival updates Yorkshire, West Riding raises £620,000 in first year for 2017 RMBI Festival John Clayton, the Provincial Grand Master for Yorkshire, West Riding, announced in May that the total money received in the first year of the 2017 RMBI Festival was £620,000, saying “This is a tremendous total for the first year. I am overwhelmed by the support the Brethren of the Province have given to enable this magnificent start to the Festival”. 1,000 Freemasons in Yorkshire, West Riding have achieved Steward status, having donated £100 to the Festival. In addition, a host of fundraising events are taking place including a Summer Ball in Leeds and a cycling event that will involve Masonic centres and brethren across the Province, to coincide with the start of the Tour de France in July 2014. Planning is also underway for a Festival Banquet in 2017, to host up to 1,200 members and their wives, partners and guests. Freemasons and their dependants in the Province receive over £160,000 per year in funding support from RMBI charitable funds.
Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Festival raises over £2m This year the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire completed their festival for the RMBI in grand style. A series of celebratory dinners were held around the Province to mark the culmination of the festival. Freemasons of the Province and their friends and families raised an impressive grand total of £2,187,169. The RMBI is honoured by the success of the festival and is grateful for this significant contribution to the work of the charity.
run The Good Neighbour Lodge, which was consecrated to support the work of the RMBI. The members do this by visiting the Homes and holding meetings and festive boards there. Male residents are invited to join the Good Neighbour Lodge on moving into an RMBI Home, providing
an opportunity to continue enjoying Masonic activities for those who may not be able to attend external meetings or travel to their existing lodge and would therefore otherwise be unable to take part. The Lodge meets each November at Prince George Duke of Kent Court in Kent,
then in rotation at different RMBI Homes each April and September. Subscription fees are kept as low as possible to ensure all can participate. Additionally, the Brethren’s charitable donations go to the Good Neighbour Fund.
www.FRMBI.org The Friends of the RMBI have also recently launched a new website to support ticket sales for the annual ball, as well as bringing together all information relating to The Friends of the RMBI in one place.
RMBI holidaymakers enjoy a day trip on their holiday to Westclife-On-Sea, funded by the Good Neighbour Fund.
For more information about The Friends of the RMBI and to become a member, visit www.frmbi.org.uk RMBI news 9
Dementia Awareness activities
Awareness raising and open days at RMBI Homes Dementia Awareness Week 19th – 26th May 2013 - RMBI Homes enjoyed a range of activities and events to mark this annual campaign lead by the Alzheimer’s Society, which aims to get people thinking and talking about dementia.
A 1940’s tea party was laid on for residents at Prince George Duke of Kent Court in Kent. Cakes were baked especially for the party from the RMBI recipe book Recipes and Reminiscences and the dining room was decorated in the style of British VE day celebrations with Union Jack flags and vintage china.
Residents at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex enjoyed a range of activities throughout the week, including dressing up for an afternoon of classic films with popcorn and drinks. Residents at Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, Mid-Glamorgan, joined in with a Mad Hatters Tea Party and reminiscence activities including a ‘Memories and Monologues’ talk and games of ‘name that tune’. At Devonshire Court in Leicester, local theatre company 11th Hour Productions performed their 1940’s show Blitz and Pieces for residents, who joined in with familiar war time songs.
10 www.rmbi.org.uk
Residents from Connaught Court in York enjoyed a day trip to the seaside at Scarborough as part of Dementia Awareness Week. Residents reminisced about family trips to the coast over fish and chips and traditional ice creams.
Care Home Open Day
Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in Mid Glamorgan invited a local artist to do a painting workshop with residents including Gwyn Roberts (pictured). The Home also teamed up with Music in Hospitals for an afternoon of singing.
Residents at Cornwallis Court in Suffolk enjoyed a visit from local school children. Together they baked biscuits and cakes 21st June 2013 - National Care Home Open Day aimed to break using recipes from the new down social barriers by inviting local communities into care RMBI cookbook, Recipes and homes to meet residents and staff and show that care homes can Reminiscences. be inspiring places, run by people who really do care.
National Care Home Open Day
Children from the local primary school of St Oswald’s visited Connaught Court in York to entertain the residents, staff and older members of the local community who had come along to support the day.
Singer Sue Barnes performed as Vera Lyn for residents and guests at Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno. Residents joined in with singing war era classics such as ‘Smile’ and ‘We’ll meet again!’. The entertainment was followed by a garden tea party.
Residents at Scarbrough Court in Northumberland enjoyed an Italian themed day. The Home arranged entertainment from the Rat Pack performer, Peter Alan. At lunch time, a special Italian menu was served with authentic dishes.
Residents and staff of Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex took a trip to Hylands Park in Chelmsford. Residents enjoyed feeding the ducks and exploring the parks gardens.
RMBI news 11
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Phone: 020 7596 2400 Fax: 020 7404 0724 Email: enquiries@rmbi.org.uk Registered Charity No: 207360
www.rmbi.org.uk
We are always interested in receiving your contributions to this magazine. Please contact Marketing at marketing@rmbi.org.uk if you would like to contribute to the next issue.