In the know: www.perthyn.org.uk In the know: www.perthyn.org.ukIssue 17 Winter 2013/14

In the knowPerthyn Belonging

Hello again everyone.

We approach the end of another difficult year in the care sector and firstly, on behalf of the Trustees and all Senior Managers, I would like to thank everyone for their continued hard work and commitment to the people we support.

There have been lots of positive experiences that have enriched the lives of those we work with. In times of budget cuts and pressure to do things in larger groups as a way of saving money, the fact that we continue to strive to see people as individuals and support them in this way, shows that we remain focused on our mission and true to our values.

It goes without saying that I am not that naïve to think that everything in the garden is wonderful and I know that there are challenges faced by staff every day that cause frustration and disappointment. That is why we continue to try and improve and to look for different and better ways of doing things. We will no doubt go through more changes in the next few years but

I know that Perthyn has the right people to take us forward.

I want to say thank you to our current Chair David Lloyd, who is stepping down from this role. Thankfully David is staying on as a Trustee so we will still benefit from his advice and guidance. The Trustee taking over from David is John Lord who Im sure will continue the good Chairmanship shown by David in the last few years.

This time of year is an opportunity for people to celebrate and enjoy themselves in so many different ways and whichever way you choose to do this I hope you have a great time.

Regards, Chris Bennett (on behalf of the Trustees and Executive Management Team)

Chief Executive Update

If you have any comments, suggestions or articles please send them to the address below. If you are sending photo’s please send them as Jpegs.

keli.walters@perthyn.org.uk Or by mail to:Keli Walters, Perthyn Vivian Court, Llys Felin Newydd, Phoenix Way Swansea SA7 9FG

Christmas Office ClosureAll Perthyn offices will be closed on the following dates:25th & 26th December1st January

Congratulations to the following staff who have recently achieved their QCF qualification:QCF level 2 Keith Smith from Beeches Park Powys

(Also nominated by Brecon College for a Student Award)

QCF level 2 Ann Davies from LDO Day Service Llanelli

QCF level 3 Elizabeth Bevan from West Wales

QC

FLynsey Jones Swansea Office AAT

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Contents: Around the Houses The worlds biggest coffee morning National Numeracy Challenge Pension Auto-enrolment Update: Postponement Environmental incentive award scheme Craig Smith out and about Questions and Answers Congratulations to the following staff

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Seasons Greeting to all from Perthyn !

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Gains Avenue, Shrewsbury Jacquie Ralphs, Jade Newcombe and Becky Morris all really enjoyed themselves at a Halloween Party at the White Horse Pub.

Around the Houses

The worlds biggest coffee morning 27th September 2013

On 27th September 2013 the Northampton office organised a coffee morning to help raise money for MacMillan cancer research.

The event was well supported by Service Users and their support staff who enjoyed yummy cakes baked by some of the office staff. A total of just under £100 was raised, from the sale of cakes and coffee and a guess the amount of beans in a jar game.

A big thank you to all those who came to join us.

Congratulations to Jacquie Ralphs!Jacquie Ralphs who is supported in Shrewsbury has been presented with a beautiful crystal engraved trophy and £250 in vouchers for her 15 years’ service at the Mount Pleasant Nursing Home.

Jacquie said she is taking her time deciding what she wants to buy with her vouchers but it will be something absolutely wonderful!

LDO , West Wales NewsThe individuals in both L.D.O and Day Services have decided to put together Christmas Gift boxes for children in third world countries and have linked in with one of the local churches to arrange this. The collection of the gift boxes took place on Friday the 1st November.

£250

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National Numeracy (www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk) is an independent charity that that focuses on adults and children with low levels of numeracy. Their major project is called the National Numeracy Challenge which is a nation-wide drive to support the 78% of the UK adult population with low numeracy skills (at or below ‘C’ at GCSE).

Central to the National Numeracy

Challenge is an interactive website which helps to anonymously assess and improve participants’ everyday maths skills in bite sized steps – building confidence along the way.

The experience of staff in Perthyn will be helpful in developing the Challenge further before the UK- wide launch in spring 2014 - and National Numeracy will really value your feedback.

The National Numeracy Challenge

Pension Auto-enrolment Update: Postponement

The letter also explained what each employee would be entitled to with regards to the future pension provision based on their age and the amount of pensionable pay they earn. Employees currently in the Aegon/Scottish Equitable, NHS or SHPS Pension schemes are unaffected by this postponement.

Any employee who was offered employment or commenced employment from the 1st October should have also received a similar letter with their contract

of employment and other starting information.

All employees should have received a letter with their October payslip informing them that Perthyn has exercised its right to postpone pension auto-enrolment from the 1st November 2013 to 1st February 2014.

The Challenge can be accessed at – www.nnchallenge.org.uk/unisonperthyn1 – and you can feed back directly to National Numeracy after taking the Challenge.

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If you have not received the letter or have mislaid it please contact the Swansea Office on 01792 311980 and a replacement letter will be sent to you.

In the UK it’s common to hear someone say ‘I can’t do maths’ - it has become socially acceptable and unfortunately, for millions of people, a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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Environmental Incentive Award SchemePerthyn are now giving more thought to being green and we are gaining a greater understanding of the impact that we have as individuals and as an organisation on the environment.

Perthyn are now promoting an annual Environmental Award Scheme and we need your help!

We are looking for nominations for an individual whom we support and the member of staff who may have supported/encouraged them in a project to help the environment e.g. started an allotment, increasing recycling etc.

If you are the chosen winner, the person we support and the individual staff member will each receive £50 cash/vouchers**We are also looking at giving an award to the Perthyn office, Day Centre or Residential Service that has achieved the biggest improvement in their environmental impact assessment score.

The winning setting will receive £150 cash/vouchers. A nominated person will arrange a suitable prize to accommodate all who have contributed.**Activities will be monitored between October 2013 and March 2014.

Please send all nominations for the individual award to: keli.walters@perthyn.org.uk by 20th March 2014 Note: include as much information as possible including pictures (pictures of the activity can be taken by a member of the HSE group if required)

** Prizes will be presented at the end of March 2014 to the winner/s.

Sponsored by

There’s nothing nicer than a real good news story to share at Christmas, and for Dawn Wyatt who lives at Ger y Nant in Llanelli, events this year have been a cause for celebration.

Dawn began being supported by Perthyn in 2002, when she moved to Penycoed as part of the Hensol Hospital resettlement and closure programme. Following a short stay at Penycoed she moved into her own home which she shares with one other lady in Llanelli.

Whilst supporting Dawn in her transition from the hospital we learned that she had been there for over 30 years, during which time she had sadly lost contact with members of her family. In particular her older brother Joe and her younger sister Crystal.

Unfortunately, although Dawn’s sister had attempted to make contact with Dawn following her resettlement this hadn’t worked out.

During 2012, Dawn was allocated a new care manager, who was helpful and receptive to the idea of helping Dawn make contact with her family. Through some careful work she made contact and an initial meeting with Dawn’s family took place. At this meeting we learned that unfortunately Dawn’s parents had both passed away, although both Joe and Crystal were really

looking forward to being back in touch with Dawn. So we agreed a date for Dawn to finally meet her brother and sister.

Over the next week, Emma, Helen and the team at Ger y Nant worked with Dawn to help her understand what was about to happen, and on the day of the family’s first visit waited anxiously hoping that Dawn had understood the information we had shared with her.

It soon became clear that Dawn was very aware of what was happening, as she dashed to the window each time a car approached! Eventually the family arrived and Dawn took our hands and went out onto the driveway to greet her brother and sister. Lots of tears and hugs followed! Before Dawn welcomed her brother and sister into her home.

Since this first visit, Dawn has seen her family regularly enjoying their visits and meeting up at her favourite places in Llanelli. From our perspective it was a pleasure and a privilege to part of such a life changing experience for a lovely lady! We would like to send them all our very best wishes as they celebrate their first Christmas reunited as a family.

Helen Rawlinson & Emma Howells.

Dawn Wyatt pictured with her brother Joe and sister Crystal

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Craig Smith out and about

Craig has a real interest in public transport and so staff organised a trip to the Tramway Museum. He enjoyed looking at all the old trams walking around the museum and riding the different trams....many times. Craig had a brilliant day and now has a yearly membership which he is making the most of.

After the success of the Tram Museum, Craig couldn’t wait to go on more trips. Staff organised a full day out at Conkers Discovery Park where Craig rode the train and spent hours interacting with the sensory activities in the discovery centre. Craig is saving up for his next visit to Conkers.

Craig enjoys his weekly film nights at home and so when the opportunity arose to go to an outdoor cinema he was really excited and counted down the days until it arrived. Staff supported Craig to watch Mamma Mia outdoors at Kedleston Hall. Craig and staff sang and danced along to all the songs and enjoyed a late night picnic and a beer. Craig did not want to leave at

the end of the film despite it being nearly midnight!

These activities mark a real milestone in Craig’s support and the benefits are clear. His social skills and confidence have improved remarkably. Craig and staff are now looking forward to planning many more adventures.

Over the summer, Craig Smith has ventured far and wide to access different activities and museums. Three of Craig’s favourites have been The Tramway Museum at Crich, Conkers Hands on Experience and a night at Kedleston Hall’s outdoor cinema.

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Q&AJennifer Jenkins Transition Services ManagerThe best thing about my job is… Every day is different, I love knowing that as a team we have helped the people we support to achieve their goals and aspirations.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would like to learn to fly a plane.

My favourite meal is… My daughter’s Lasagne, Garlic Bread and Salad.

If you could have two famous people to dinner, who would they be? Keith Lemon and Holly Willowbooby (as he calls her) as I think they make a great team.

If you could choose a super power, what would it be and why? I would like to have the power to be a mind reader as that would make my life a lot easier at times.

What chores do you absolutely hate doing?I hate taking my car to the car wash, as easy as it is, I always leave it until it’s filthy.

Favourite song Time of my Life.

What is your ideal holiday location and why? Anywhere in the Caribbean, Sun, Sea, Sand and Cocktails.

Favourite Film Dirty Dancing

Top tips for doing the job well… Learn to count to ten, be able to delegate and always finish the day with a smile J

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Christine Graham Senior HR AdvisorThe best thing about my job is… Having the opportunity to face new challenges. I like the interaction with all people, and hopefully making a positive impact. Everyone is unique. Knowing that you’ve recruited the right person for the job. Problem solving.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play a musical instrument, I only got as far as the recorder in school and drove my parents mad with the noise, so I wasn’t encouraged! Also to make a decent cup of tea, apparently my colleagues at Cardiff say I don’t.

My favourite meal is… Roast beef dinner.

If you could have two famous people to dinner, who would they be? Johnny Depp for obvious reasons. Walt Disney he must have been an interesting guy.

If you could choose a super power, what would it be and why? The power to heal.

What chores do you absolutely hate doing?Cleaning the bathrooms. Ych a fi.

Favourite song Bring Him Home, Alfie Boe & Manic Monday by The Bangles.

What is your ideal holiday location and why? Wherever I’m flying off to at the time! Or New York I’d love to have worked there.

Favourite Film I have lots of favourites. Mystic River - Murder in the First - The Holiday (Romcom). Death at a Funeral, (the British version) it’s hilarious.

Top tips for doing the job well….. Listen, don’t make judgements until you have all the facts. Regular communication with your colleagues, be proactive it saves time. Have a laugh. We are funny people in HR, honest!

Andy Johnson IT DirectorThe best thing about my job is… Well I’m supposed to say the people… but hey, I’m a geek so it’s all the computers ;-) Seriously though, I know everyone says this but it is the variety of things I have to do. Technology is always changing and I love having to keep up with it and finding new ways of doing cool things.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I’m a bit of a musician, I play the guitar and drums (not at the same time obviously) and write the songs for the band I’m in. One of the things I’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t managed to get around to is to play the piano, I can see myself sat at a piano in a dimly lit bar somewhere tinkling the ivories while people enjoy a relaxing drink.

My favourite meal is… I do love a good steak so that would have to be first I think (medium rare, no sauces though), but that would be closely followed by a good spaghetti carbonara.

If you could have two famous people to dinner, who would they be? Hmmm… Jimi Hendrix and Steve Vai, bit predictable as I’m a guitarist but as they would never have met it would be interesting to listen to them.

If you could choose a super power, what would it be and why? That would have to be the power to Fly, that’s got to be the most useful.

What chores do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the bathroom, I’ll do anything else, I just can’t bear it. Apparently though I am also told I am completely unable to see dust…

Favourite song Now that is a tricky one, I LOVE music and have loads of different favourites depending on how I’m feeling. If I had to pick the song that means the most to me, that would have to be Don’t Stop Believing by Journey

What is your ideal holiday location and why? I love hot weather so it would have to be somewhere hot and idyllic like the Seychelles.

Favourite Film Again, there are loads, I love sci fi so maybe Star Wars but probably the most moving was The Green Mile.

Top tips for doing the job well…Be organised, try and stay on top of what’s going on and try and make things easier for people to use.

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