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Issue No. 5

A very warm (cold) welcome to our winter newsletter which highlights the achievements of the individuals we support and the organisation. Since our last newsletter I am pleased to announce that Hand in Hands have survived a HCC Inspection, been confirmed as finalists in the national Skills for Care Accolades, celebrated being finalists at the HCPA Awards, completed the ice-bucket challenge and welcomed Tiffany into her new home at 170 Mendip Way. Tiffany has made friends with, and is beginning to enjoy a variety of activities with her new housemates, Elizabeth and Sarah. Alex celebrated his 22

nd Birthday and enjoyed a trip to the seaside and Alan and Jeremy visited the local

museum and enjoyed partying at a Motown night. Congratulations to Simon who has now been supported by Hand in Hands for 2 years. Simon plays rugby every week for the Letchworth RFC Bravehearts and has recently enjoyed a boat trip in Cambridge and a snowboarding experience in Milton Keynes. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and welcome any feedback to enable us to improve our practice and continue to deliver a high quality service to the individuals we support.

Michelle

December 2014

Michelle is extremely proud to announce Hand in Hands have been confirmed as one of the three finalists in the

Skills for Care 2014/2015 Accolades, in the category of Best Employer – under 250 staff.

The Accolades are national awards to recognise workforce quality and development. They are not awarded to

individual care workers but to organisations and employers who are committed to delivering high quality care

and developing their workforce.

As well as celebrating best practice, the Accolades provide an excellent platform in which to showcase best

practice to the wider health and social care sector.

Michelle would like to wish Hand in Hands good luck for the final where the winners will be announced at

a gala event in London on 12 March 2015.

Everyone at Hand in Hands would like to welcome Tiffany to Mendip Way.

Tiffany is enjoying her time at Mendip Way and getting to know Sarah, Lizzie

and the staff.

Tiffany is enjoying staying in her new green bedroom.

Tiffany has taken part in community activities on the days she has not been to

college including a visit to Jackie’s Drop In, a dance at Bowes Lyon, food

shopping for the house and a multitude of other things.

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Simon chooses to paint his room blue and green

Simon gets stuck in at rugby training

Simon tries his hand at squash & gym with hoops &

ribbons at ‘dadds club’ in Dunstable

Lizzie gets Ciprian on the dance floor at the Motown Disco night run by Jackie’s drop in

Simon visits the science museum in London

Lizzie at the wheel in the arcade after

bowling

Lizzie swings into action

Lizzie enjoys another Motown

evening

Lizzie has been dancing at 2 Motown evenings. Lizzie has also

been to Hemsby stopping off for a beer on the way back.

Lizzie has also enjoyed going 10-pin bowling followed by a

drive in the arcade afterwards. Lizzie enjoys meeting up with

friends at both Jackie’s drop in and Bowes Lyon weekly.

Simon continues to have a packed and varied week of activities. Simon has been

out for the day in Cambridge and London numerous times. Simon has also attended

‘dadds club’ in Dunstable and now goes Rugby training weekly at Letchworth RFC

for Bravehearts XV. Simon also went to see a Michael Jackson tribute act.

Cambridge on the river

Lizzie in the garden Bowes Lyon

Koi

carp at

Henlow

Snowboarding

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Issue No. 5 December 2014

Alan tries a few

different pieces

of headwear on

at Stevenage

museum

Sarah & boyfriend, Scott,

enjoy the day trip to

Hemsby with Jackie’s drop

in. Pictured on the beach

& playing crazy golf.

At the fair

Alan, Simon and Jeremy show

off their new haircuts.

Alan joins in

belly dancing

at gateway

club

Sarah at the Motown night on Saturday 4th October

Alan sang & danced all night

long at the Motown evening

Sarah enjoyed the second Hemsby trip of the year organised by Jackie’s drop

in. Sarah has also been to 2 Motown evenings. Sarah started a new voluntary

job in October, 3 hours on a Friday at ‘Circles’ café in Great Ashby. Sarah also

joined staff in the ice bucket challenge in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease

Association.

Alan has had a busy few months going to see Michael Jackson and Queen

tribute acts at the Gordon Craig theatre. Alan enjoyed going to both the

Gateway Club in Biggleswade and ‘Elements’ night club in Bedford recently.

Alan has also been to the dentist for a couple of fillings and a polish.

Lizzie

helps

with

Sarah’s

ice

bucket

challenge

Card

bingo at

gateway

club

Alan plays Tennis with

Jeremy at local park

Halloween

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Jeremy at Stevenage Museum Jeremy at the Motown evening in October

Jeremy

finds his

coke

bottle

Alex by the seaside

Just thinking

Jeremy & Alan

show their

moves at

‘Elements’ night

club in Bedford

Alex has recently had his 22nd birthday - 14th November.

Since our last newsletter Alex has also been to the seaside and strolled

along the quiet promenade.

Alex is constantly using his picture board to indicate to staff which film he

would like to watch, when and what he would like to drink or snack on and

when he would like to go out for a drive.

Jeremy has packed things in over the past

few months:-

Jeremy has been to see tribute bands for

Queen, Michael Jackson & Led Zeppelin.

Jeremy has also been to ‘Elements’ night club

in Bedford, Gateway club in Biggleswade a

few times, a Motown Disco at Jackmans

Community Centre in Letchworth, a second

day trip to Hemsby with Jackie’s drop in.

Jeremy played tennis in the park with Alan.

Jeremy plays card bingo at

the Gateway Club in

Biggleswade.

Alex checks

out the girls

garden

‘Mendip Tennis final’

Jeremy v Alan

Ready & waiting

for Led Zeppelin

Happy Birthday Alex

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Issue No. 5 December 2014 Issue No. 5

On Friday 28th

November Hand in Hands attended the Hertfordshire Care Awards at Knebworth Barns, hosted by HCPA in partnership with HCC.

Hand in Hands were very proud to be finalists in the ‘Most Innovative Care Team’ category at the HCPA Awards in November 2014. Unfortunately, we did not win our award but would like to offer our congratulations to all the finalists and winners. We would also like to thank HCPA for a fantastic night and your continued support, enabling us to provide the individuals we support with the quality of life they deserve and we ourselves would wish for.

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Congratulations

to the following staff for

successfully completing;

Health & Social Care Diploma- Level 2

Trevor Gwasunda Joanne Moore

Health & Social Care Apprenticeship -

Level 2

Emily Sheaver

Welcome to the following

new staff members who

have recently joined our

team at Hand in Hands:-

Charlotte Thompson

James King

Happy Birthday in December,

January, February & March

Pupurayi Foto

Nicola Hollands

Simon

Michael Acres

Danford Choto

Donna Matta

Ciprian Dulama

Emma Smith

Anne Chamberlain

Angela Bendon

Sarah

Samantha Martin

Leanne Melvin

Along with many people across the country and the world, Alan and Sarah and a handful of staff at Mendip Way had a lot of fun taking part in the Ice-Bucket Challenge on 30 August 2014 in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Elizabeth enjoyed pouring the water over everyone but when asked if she would like a go replied “not particular”. Well Done to all concerned and thank you for your donations to a very worthy cause.