Zest Spring 2020

For everyone at Voyage Care Spring 2020

Grea t

rea

tog et

exclusive!

Find out who has become Autism Accredited Page 20

Be healthy, be happy!

Get inspired by The Grove Resource Centre as they share their top wellbeing tips Pages 12 & 13 P lus!

60 seconds with our 2019 Learner of the Year, Ellie Tweddle

Read more on Page 14

to

d

her

2

Inside

8

Two more Outstanding services

8

A healthier Easter treat recipe

11

A day in the life of Wendy

16

Esmer House opens their doors

18

16

11

s This issue’s helper

18

Some of the stories in this magazine came from...

Lyndsey IV Compliance Manager North

Morgan & Alex Esmer House We couldn’t have done it without you!

Our cover star this issue is Lawrence from The Grove Resource Centre, along with his Support Worker, William.

Social

Welcome

... to the first Zest of 20

20!

corner

We’re excited to be star ting a new year, and a new decade , as we mean to go on! We’ve alread y had our first Outstanding rating of th e year at Sheringham Avenue. Fi nd out more on page 8.

Our Spring issue is all ab out wellbeing, and it’s pack ed with fantastic ideas! It’s grea t to see how people are taking care of themselves, and I’m really proud of how our teams are supporting he althy minds and bodies.

I hope you enjoy readin g Zest. As always, we’d love to he ar what you think! Get in touch with us at communications@voya gecare.com Happy reading!

Amanda Director of Quality

3

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They are all waiting to hear your story.

Answer s: 1: C 2: B 3: A 4: A

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Get involved and be social!

4

News flash Hot off the press, here are our exciting news stories from the past few months!

John’s weight loss journey After his annual health check showed high blood pressure and cholesterol, John from Broadview was supported by staff to start a weight loss programme.

He’s now 3.5 stone lighter and has lost 12 inches from his waistline!

“Buying and cooking all my food has been great fun and I have learned lots of new skills,” says John.

l ationa Inspir om r f t pos ock The R lf e s im h

John’s s have amazing paid o ff!

effort

Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!

Edward, a person we support at Oakcroft, found it hard to lose weight and exercise. His support worker wrote to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, as Edward is a big fan!

A handwritten letter came through the post, all the way from the US with a signed picture of The Rock inside. Edward was thrilled and is now asking for healthier food choices as “that’s what The Rock would do!”.

5

Steven’s 60th Surprise

Steven from Grafton House turned 60 with style, when staff organised a surprise party! They secretly prepared a buffet and got a huge cake.

There was even a special guest… Andrew Cannon, who met Steven during his week in service in 2019.

Happy Birthday, Steven!

Click here to read more

hive

Stev en surp ’s speci al rise cake

onth M y r o t is H k c la B g Celebratin ad held a Coombe Ro ore In October, Everyone w . y rt a p ry red Black Histo urs and sha lo o c t h g ri b en beautiful, od. They ev fo l a n io it d tasty, tra go players! n o b n a ic a had Jam

lly enjoyed !” a e r e n o y r ll “Eve went so we it , s e lv e s them

Question 1: Who is famous for their “I have a dream” speech?

A: Barack Obama B: Martin Luther King C: Rosa Parks

anager

Georgia, Service M

Our Ethos values are ✔ Empowering ✔ Together ✔ Honesty ✔ Outstanding ✔ Supportive The stories in Zest help to bring these values to life – see if you can spot how for each story!

6

Talking of

h t l a e H l a M ent

We’re going to sign the Time to Change Employer Pledge.

This shows our dedication to changing the way we think and act when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.

A quarter of people in the UK are affected by conditions like anxiety, depression and stress each year, and this figure doubles for people with learning disabilities. It’s really important for us to take action to support better mental health among our staff and the people we support.

We’re already making changes that will help us achieve this aim, and we are creating an action plan that will guide us as we work

towards signing the Time to Change Employer Pledge.

w?

Did you kno

1,400 Over

organisations, employing over

3 million people have already signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge.

Cli re

ick here to ead more

7

Alison shows anxiety who’s boss

Anxiety is our body’s natural reaction to stress, but too much of it can stop us from enjoying things.

See pag e 12 for som e top tip so meditat ion to h n elp you rela x

Alison from 579 Maidstone Road really struggles with anxiety, but with the help from support staff, she’s growing in confidence.

“We introduced Alison into crowded places step by step, with staff members that she felt familiar and comfortable around,” says Support Worker Corrina.

This year was the first year that Alison has been confident enough to enjoy the annual Christmas party, and she spent it dancing the night away!

he shor t T story Vo

yage C are is g the Tim oing to e to Ch sign a n ge Emp Pledge , improv lo approa ing how yer ch men w e tal hea staff an lth issu d peop es for le we su pport.

hive

Alison got her groove on at the Christmas party!

8

Three’s the

We’re delighted to share that we have recently had not one, not two, but three new Outstanding CQC reports!

Th

g tandin e outs

! nt team Derwe

Not only have Derwent Cottage kept their Outstanding rating for an incredible third time, newcomers Sadlers Place and Sheringham Avenue have joined them.

Zest spoke to the teams to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be Outstanding.

Derwent Cottage

time e h t , t A press o t g n i of go orfolk also N DCA ved their achie nding! a Outst ut for o Look y in the stor their t issue nex

Kelly, as the Service Manager at Derwent Cottage, how did it feel to achieve an Outstanding rating for the third time in a row?

“It was just amazing! Thank you to my staff, who put their heart and souls into providing the best possible care and support. The people we support are at the heart of what we do, we are a family and they come first no matter what.”

The inspector showed respect about being in the home of the people we support, and made the staff feel so comfortable.”

Kelly, Service Manager at Derwent Cottage

9

number

Leanne felt consulted during the inspection.

Sadlers Place We no w have 13 Outst andin g or equiv a l e nt servic es ac r the U oss K!

Sheringham Avenue Champika, Service Manager at Sheringham Avenue, you’ve gone from Specialist Team of the Year at the Voyage Excellence Awards 2018 to NAS Autism Accredited in 2019 and now Outstanding in 2020, what’s next for Sheringham Avenue?

We’re having a party to celebrate! After the celebrations, the team will think about working towards advanced accreditation for the service from NAS. It is amazing to be recognised for the hard work that the staff team have put in.

Charlotte, Deputy Home Manager at Sadlers Place, got the news while they were completing an annual service review…

“Family, staff and people we support were all so happy. The staff continue to go above and beyond to ensure that Sadlers Place provides a fabulous life for the people we support, as they’re the ones that truly matter.”

The home deserves Outstanding.

The staff do the very best for us to make sure we live a good quality of life.”

Abigail Click each story to read more

hive

The sho r Derwen t story t Cottag e , S heringh and Sad a

m lers Plac Outstan e were a Avenue d in ll g by rated Cottage , it is the the CQC. For D erwent ir third O What a utstand wonderf in g rating ul achiev ! ement.

10

s ’ r e h Heat to happiness move Back in May 2019, the team at Gresham Court supported Heather to move in to her new home.

After many years of feeling unsettled, the team wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible.

Keeping Heather’s routine the same helped us all build positive relationships.”

James, Heather’s Senior Support Worker

To help her get used to the team, staff started off by visiting her in small groups before the move.

“Keeping Heather’s routine the same helped us all build positive relationships. When Heather arrived, she was so happy to have a place to call her own,” said Senior Support Worker James.

Heather is happ y in her new hom e

With support from staff, she soon started heading in to the local community – going to local groups, and visiting charity shops, which is something Heather has always wanted to do.

Heather is now happy and settled at Gresham Court!

11

A healthier

Easter treat!

Easter is seen as a time to eat lots of chocolate, but too much sugar isn’t good for us.

To make Easter a little healthier, have a go at making our Easter egg nests!

Method:

Ingredients: argarine ✔ 50g low fat m dark ✔ 100g milk or ks chocolate chun n syrup ✔ 3 tbsp golde for natural (try agave syrup sweetness) kes ✔ 100g cornfla for (try bran flakes nch!) cru extra fibre and eberries ✔ 1 pack of blu f low fat ✔ 1 small tub o natural yogurt

1 2 3

ses ✔ 12 cupcake ca

Nutritional value: Kcal 121 Fat

3.1g

Carbs

15.1g

Sugars

9g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

1.3g

Salt

0.3g

4 5

Coat the blueberries in the yogurt and put in the freezer

Melt the margarine, chocolate and syrup in the microwave on a low heat, stirring often Once melted, stir the cornflakes into the chocolate and spoon the mixture into cupcake cases

Make a dip in the middle of the nest and add in your frozen blueberries!

Take a picture and send it to communications@voyagecare.com along with a signed consent form, and enjoy

If making these little treats has made you feel creative, have a go at our competition on page 22.

12 Miriam staying relaxed with a head massage from Devy

Nail painting he feel refreshe lps Saffy d and calm giving George n a go o ti a it med

Be

healthy, hap

From hydrotherapy to mindfulness, the team at The Grove Resource Centre make wellbeing a priority every day.

be

Each week, the people we support at The Grove Resource Centre get involved in hydrotherapy and wellbeing sessions.

“If the activity is new to the person we support, we introduce each element slowly to help them feel comfortable,” said Devy.

Wellbeing Facilitator Devy helps the people we support to relax and be mindful. With hand massages, meditation, nail painting and much more – people we support feel refreshed and calm.

Hydrotherapy is something that Lawrence, our front cover star, absolutely loves. “Lawrence attends hydro three times per week. It provides him with

Lawren ce hydroth loves his erapy se ssions

in the warm g in e b e v lo I ’ gorgeous. in m o lo b ’s water, it why more d n a t s r e d n I can’t u love it!”

I . it o d ’t n people do

Lawrence

2: tion s e ar u Q opul p a s ? ti Wha position … yoga rd facing g nwa Dow at B: do c A: h C: fis

I love Devy, she is the best. I always feel really relaxed after I’ve seen her.”

e t a t i d e m

Learn how to meditate in five easy steps

1 2

Saffy

ppy! an opportunity to be out of his wheelchair and have a sense of weightlessness and freedom that he says he doesn’t experience at other times,” says Care Coordinator Bryn.

The shor t story

The Grove Resour ce Centre focuses on wellbei ng every day.

From hydrothera py to meditation, the team make su re everyone is healthy and happy !

Click here to read more

How to…

hive

13

3

Sit or lie comfortably in a quiet, dark room

Put on some calming music

Close your eyes and breathe naturally

4

Focus on each breath, in and out

5

Repeat daily for around 10-15 minutes!

14

th... s wiwi second th... s ond

sec

Ellie Tweddle

Ellie started her apprenticeship with us in October 2018, and currently works at Bridge Court, Normanby. She was our 2019 Voyage Excellence Awards Learner of the Year too! Zest spoke to Ellie about her experience as an apprentice.

What made you apply for the apprenticeship?

“When I left school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I decided to look for an apprenticeship where I could learn and have a job. I didn’t have any experience or know what it was going to be like, as it was my first job!”

With no experience, you’ve come so far! How did you feel winning Learner of the Year at last year’s Voyage Excellence Awards?

“I was proud of myself…I felt

appreciated collecting my award, it was a great night!”

It was very well deserved!

What would you say to others thinking of doing an apprenticeship with us?

“It’s a great opportunity to start your career off and you can build from it. It offers you a way to earn money while also getting a qualification.

I absolutely love my apprenticeship!”

I never really thought I would be doing a job like this when I was in school, but I love it!”

Ellie

of g her Learner Ellie collectin 19 VEAs 20 e th at d the Year awar

Click here to read more

hi

ive

15 What’s your top tip for looking after your mental health?

“Talk about it to someone. You can go to other staff members or your manager if your mental health is not great. There’s always someone to help.”

Ellie w?

Did you kno

National Apprenticeship Week was 3-7 February 2020.

Lynds ey Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn as you learn. They help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful employee within Voyage Care. We strive to help you achieve not only a fully recognised qualification, but also support and guide you with your goals, aspirations and ambitions.”

Lyndsey, IV Compliance Manager North

You can read more great stories about our apprenticeships by clicking here!

Get in touch

If you would like to be featured in Zest, send your story to communications@voyagecare.com

16

Day in the life…

Wendy has lived at Maeres House for ten years now.

She has been working hard to get fit and lose weight.

Wendy is very happy to have reached her weight loss goal, here’s how she stays healthy…

1

to get up is e m r o f y A n o r m a l d a a lt h y b r e a k f a s t he a n d h a v e m y h u r t . I a ls o h a v e yog o f f r u it a n d e r . at a b o t t le o f w

2

ered and w o h s t e g n I the the day. r o f y d a e r , dressed

3

In the morning I play games such as cards, I also like doing jigsaw puzzles.

17

Que What stion 3: have does Wen dy for br A: fru eakfast? it an yogh urt B d : C: ce toast real

4

for o g I m a 1 1 Around e t t in g g e v lo I , lk a wa ss. a r g e h t n o u t s id e o about k in h t I , t u W h il e I’ m o f o r lu n c h . ve what to ha

5

ck from a b t e g I n e Wh ave a h I , lk a w y m lu n c h n ic e , h e a lt h y d . s a la li k e a p a s t a

6 I g o t o S li m m in ever y wee k g Wor ld , I h ave lost t h r e e sto I a m a ll owe ne now. d one tre at a week!

Do you like caring forWethe environment? would love to hear from you

for our next Day in the life! Email communications@voyagecare.com

18

Opening the door to a

healthy

home

Esmer House are our brand new Prader-Willi service in Mansfield!

Click here for a healthy eating podcast!

hive

Health and wellbeing has a big focus at any of our Prader-Willi services and Esmer House had to fit the bill. Getting the right building to support the new residents with a healthy lifestyle was key.

“We chose a place that was nowhere near fast food restaurants or local shops, but at the same time we’re not in the middle of nowhere,” explains Service Manager Alex.

19 er to sit and A quiet corn smer House E in relax

“There’s lots of different activities for the new residents to take part in – we’re close to a busy community, with a leisure centre around the corner, Sherwood Forest The dining ta bl eating is a bi e and healthy g focus for st aff

around a mile away and a trampoline centre five minutes’ drive away.”

As well as offering activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Esmer House offer support to their new residents with their diets; from working with residents to plan meals, to helping them choose treats within their calorie count.

We’ll be catching up with the Esmer House team when their new residents have settled in!

A

helping hand with…

Having Prader-Willi syndrome means it’s extra important to be healthy, but there are things we can all do to be healthy AND happy!

The Esmer House team shared their tips…

1

2 3

I f you’ve got a sweet tooth, swap your pudding for a low-calorie jelly Build meals out, or popcorn at the cinema, into your weekly meal plan ave fun when H you’re preparing or cooking your food – it’s a big part of your life!

20

Making a dif

Autism Acc The National Autistic Society (NAS) runs a programme called the Autism Accreditation. Only services with a very high quality of support for people with autism are awarded this. Achieving the Autism Accreditation takes a lot of hard work.

We want all our autism services to achieve the

Our 19 NA S Autism Accredited ser vices! ne Road ✔ NEW 351 Maidsto ne Road ✔ NEW 579 Maidsto Road ✔ NEW 74 Sir Evelyn ✔ NEW South View Cottage ✔ NEW Woodrow

✔ Sheringham Avenue – psst… They have also just achieved their Outstanding CQC rating!

8 Read more on page

Autism Accreditation as we think it has a huge impact on the quality of life for the people we support.

“When you visit a service that’s achieved their Autism Accreditation, you can see the difference it has made on the lives of the autistic people living there,” says Raj, our Specialism Implementer.

Click here to read the Appreciate Autism newsletter!

✔ Redcliffe House ✔ The Cedars ✔ BROCS/Acorns ✔ Ross Dene ✔ Wood Dene e ✔ Moorfields Lodg

The team at the NAS Accredited Sir Evelyn Road

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✔ Heath Road ✔ Cecil Road ✔ Smallwood ✔ Langley House ✔ Elmsmead ✔ Harefield Lodge ✔ Falcon Lodge

An ama of our se just ach Autism A c which t total

21

fference:

creditation To p t i p s fo r

anxiety

Ques What tion 4: d stand oes the S fo Natio r in NAS? n al A A) So ciety utistic B) C) Sys Service tem

five

azing ervices h ave hieved th eir ccreditat ion, takes our l to 19!

The work we have done has benefitted the people we support so much, so to get the Accreditation was just the cherry on the cake.”

People with autism can often feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Anxiety can affect anyone from time to time. Raj has some top tips for dealing with anxiety…

1

2

Tine, Service Manager at Sir Evelyn Road Click here to...

Read Raj’s blog on the impact of visual aids in autistic communication in the Appreciate Autism magazine.

3

When your brain gets busy with too many things, concentrate on something like a picture or symbol Make a list of times that you have felt anxious. Next to it, put what you did to calm down. Maybe you can try this again if you’re in the same situation!

If you feel frustrated, try showing your support staff what you mean with pictures

22

Competition time!

Keep calm and get creative We want to hear what rhymes you can write, About health and wellbeing, give us an insight.

From poems and songs to sonnets and rhymes, Send them in, make sure they’re on time!

For your chance to win an Amazon voucher, send us your entries by 1 April.

Check out our 2019 Christmas Card competition winners Winner Congratulations to Sarah from Cordwainers, Voyage Care’s winner!

Runner-up: Stephen from Woodlands

Winner Civitas chose Craig from Ladycroft Respite as their winner Runner-up: Jason from Woodlands

23

Review corner

Jamie’s 15-minute meals

Send your entries.. by email: communications@voyagecare.com by post: Voyage Care, Wall Island, Birmingham Road, Lichfield, WS14 0QP

★★★★★ Janet rated Jamie’s 15-minute meals 5 out of 5 stars!

Janet from Mawney Road gives a review of her Jamie Oliver cookery book – he’s her favourite TV chef!

Janet

Q: What do you like most about the book?

All the colourful and healthy food.

Q: Would you recommend that our other Zest readers read Jamie’s 15-minute meals?

Yes, there are different ways to cook food.

Q: What was your favourite part?

How to get your dinner ready.

Are you a David Attenborough fan?

We’d love to hear a review of one of his TV programmes or books for the next issue of Zest – an environmental special!

r e t s a e

g n i r u Colo fun

Colouring is good for wellbeing! It’s relaxing and can help you to focus on one thing at a time!

Grab your favourite pens or pencils and colour in the pictures below!

Click here for more patterns

hive

1. Exper im with calm ent ing colours wn our o y w a 2. Dr ern here patt

od g is go n i r u o 3. Col indfulness for m

Send us a photo (and signed consent form) of your final pictures to communications@voyagecare.com

Tell us what you think

We would love to know what you think of the new Zest! Send in your thoughts and ideas to communications@voyagecare.com or call the team on 01543 484 528.