NEW CENTRE STAGE TRIUMPHS AGAINPage 7

HOLOCAUST SCULPTURE GOES ON DISPLAYPage 5

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HUDSON ROAD AND AINTREE LANE Page 4

Winter 2016 Edition In the

spotlightHudson Road

and Aintree LanePages 4 and 5AND

Winter is nearly behind us and what a busy time it has been for all our services. This newsletter illustrates just how much our service users are enjoying life under the care of New Directions. The stories also show just how pioneering our staff are and how much thought is put into not just caring for service users but how every thought is given to making their lives enjoyable.

Dignity Action Day took place on 1 February and heralds the start of an annual month-long campaign to place dignity and compassion at the heart of care, services and of the communities they service. The National Dignity Council’s core values are about having dignity in hearts, minds and actions, changing the culture of care services and placing a greater emphasis on improving the quality of care and the experience of service users, all of which accurately reflects the ethos and values of New Directions.

New Directions service users regularly take part in special days that support national initiatives in innovative and carefully well-thought-out ways and Dignity Action Day was no exception. Waterloo Park’s creation of a Digni-Tree saw service users adding leaves to the branches on which they had written their thoughts on what dignity meant to them. The tree was designed by Waterloo Park’s oldest regulars, 97-year-old Zena Coffey and her friend Joyce Lynes, aged 96. In recognition of their inspiration they have been chosen to be our cover stars for this issue along with member of staff Jane Bushell.

It is precisely because the Board of New Directions appreciate how much our staff do to provide dignity in care that we want to reward and recognise those that go the extra mile by having our annual Achiever’s Awards. I look forward to seeing you on 16 March at the Ramada in Southport for this year’s big event.

Penelope FellChief Operating Office, New Directions

Having dignity in our hearts, minds and actions

A new look to the Care Quality Forum More than 60 people attended the Care Quality Forum held at the Family Life Centre in Southport.

The event, which took place in November, was in response to requests from service users and carers to know more about the services that New Directions provide. The event followed a different, more relaxed format and guests were invited to drop in anytime between 10.30am and 3.00pm.

There were photographs and multi-media presentations and the stands and displays included goods made at New Creatives, and New Leaf. The All New Directions services were represented with stands hosted by New Directions Managers, staff and service users. Refreshments were provided by the Canalside Café.

The event gave service users and carers the opportunity to have one to one conversations with the New Directions team.

The enthusiastic and highly complimentary feedback included the following comments:

The stalls and presentations were lovely and very informative

It was great to meet service users, managers and staff from other services

The Care Quality Forum is always worth a visit

I loved the presentation on the big screen it was good to see all the activities and the happy faces of the service users

The reablement service sounds very impressive. I hope it would be offered if myself or a relative needed it

The Shared Lives Service is something I will definitely be interested in for our daughter’s future care

The Supported Living service looks very good

The Woodlands service for people with mental health needs looks to be an excellent and much needed service

We plan to hold the next event in April in South Sefton.

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Sandra’s Retirement Went SwimminglyPopular Sandra Wareing (4th from left) has decided the time has come to retire after working for New Directions for no less than 36 years! Sandra says she has always been too busy to learn to swim but with more leisure time she has now decided to take swimming lessons. Everyone wishes her well and looks forward to seeing her representing Chase Heys at the next Olympics.

Say It With Flour!Waterloo Park gave the BBC a run for their money recently when they presented their own version of TV’s Great British Bake Off. Which with tongue in cheek they called ‘Say it with flour’.Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood were otherwise engaged but the day was saved when Melanie Evans took over the role of Melly Berry and Diane Richardson became Digella Lawson.

The two ‘hosts’ helped service users to create a table full of tasty treats including sponge cakes, cream horns and fruit flans - and all without a soggy bottom in sight!

Centre Manager, Roma Harvey, commented: “We hold special events like this throughout the year and this one proved to be particularly good fun for staff and service users alike. And of course, everyone at the centre was able to sit down and enjoy all the goodies that the participants had prepared.”

Waterloo Park day service cares for clients with physical and mental support needs, some with early stages of dementia. Service users are encouraged to continue living independently by getting out and about and generally enjoying life. The service provides essential respite care for families and there are some places currently available. For further information contact Dave Hughes on 0151 934 2572.

Service users who work at the café learn hospitality and customer service skills; what really makes this café unique is the service with a smile approach to looking after customers.

During the run-up to the festive season it was decided to launch a traditional afternoon tea heritage event. And how popular it proved to be with a packed room of happy customers eager to try the tempting fare on offer.

Customers enjoyed delicious homemade sandwiches, cakes and pastries with tea in traditional china crockery.

The event proved so popular that the plan is to make heritage afternoon tea events a regular feature of the cafe calendar in 2017.

This novel development is the latest success for the New Canalside Café where enthusiastic service users delight in learning useful life and work skills including food preparation, kitchen operations and health and safety.

Earlier this year the cafe team celebrated achieving the maximum five-star accreditation as part of the Scores on the Doors food hygiene rating system

Entries in the visitors’ book from the café’s many regular customers praise the ‘lovely food and staff’, its ‘great atmosphere’ and the fact that it is ‘spotlessly clean’.

Well, you can’t ask more than that!

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Enjoying their traditional afternoon tea are: Trish Vaughan, Liz Lane, Lisa Hall, Sue Lane and Lynne Jarvis.

Traditional Afternoon Tea is Served To Delighted CustomersThe 5 star accredited New Canalside Café in Vauxhall’s Eldonian Village is proving a very popular venue.

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Five service users are able to enjoy a full and active life because they are part of New Directions Hudson Road community. The five do have complex support and health needs but enjoy their lives within the warm, homely and happy environment that Hudson Road provides.

Their ages range from 31 to 62 years of age and like any group of people they all have various interests but each has the opportunity to take part in all the very many activities that are arranged for their enjoyment. These activities include a walk to the local pub (very popular), ten pin bowling (good exercise), visiting the cinema (very enjoyable), attending a theatre performance (a real treat) and even watching wrestling (enjoyed by some!) Each is encouraged to make their own decisions as to what they want to do and are supported in whatever they choose.

The five residents are well known and liked in the community and take part in local health and social activities using public transport where and when necessary.

They enjoy a full and active lifestyle strengthened by Hudson Road’s excellent staff team who continue to support their independence. The service users make self-determining decisions and like to be involved in the day to day life of Hudson Road including keeping their home tidy, making their own lunch or helping with the vegetable garden.

Like us all, the service users love holidays and have enjoyed short breaks to Blackpool and London which are talking points for many weeks after the event.

It is no surprise then that the Care Quality Commission has rated Hudson Road overall Good with an Overall Outstanding for care. Virginia Flaherty, Registered Service Manager said “I am extremely proud of my team. Being awarded Outstanding in care is the highest rating we could have received so it makes us very proud to be recognised for what we do which is to give our residents the highest standard of care we can possibly manage.”

Hudson Road staff are a dedicated team who do not look at their work as a job but as something they love doing on a daily basis. They are a team who are devoted to making a difference to the lives of the service users they support.

The Hudson Road team are also proactive in supporting charities and recently Ashley Hutchinson put on her running shoes and a Santa outfit and

took part in the Santa dash in Liverpool. Everyone enjoyed being involved in the Christmas jumper campaign and together they raised £171.00 for Cancer Research.

The team at Hudson Road is constantly praised by both carers and health professionals alike who make positive comments including: -

“All the staff are very active as advocates”. “Always a positive experience

at Hudson Road’. ’It is a home with an excellent quality of life”. “Staff are very attentive warm and homely”. “We are so grateful to all the staff for looking after him”. ‘’Extremely happy dedicated staff team”. Staff very approachable and keep me well informed”. “Hudson Road a god send for people with special needs ‘’

That just about says it all.

Getting involved by cooking up a tasty dish in Hudson Road kitchen is Jill Thompson

Working on the garden project are Michael McHale and Steven Rooney. Staff and service users tend to the garden which has produced successful crops of potatoes, onions, leeks, beetroot, runner beans, peas, lettuce, strawberries and rhubarb. Delicious Jam, pickled onions, pickled beetroot and piccalilli are all made in the kitchen at Hudson Road for everyone to enjoy.

Steven Rooney is a wrestling fanatic. Here he is really enjoying himself at a recent wrestling match.

Pictured out and about in the community are Jill Thompson, Lisa Shearer and Georgina Robinson. They are at the nearby canal which is known for its wildlife and barge moorings.

In The Spotlight:

Pictured getting ready to go out and about are: Caroline Flood with Jill Thompson, centre is Virginia Flaherty with Georgina Robinson and right is Mike McHale with Steven Rooney.

Georgina Robinson and Caroline Flood, Advanced Care Worker at Hudson Road enjoying tea and a chat.

Preparing lunch at Hudson Road are Jill Thompson and Support Worker Mike McHale.

Hudson Road and Aintree Lane

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Service Users look at Aintree Lane as being a home from home. The respite service has 4 bedrooms and these are available for short breaks for people who have learning and physical disabilities.

All the staff aim to make every stay at Aintree Lane something special and it is somewhere where service users have their every need catered for. The service gives them an introduction to enjoyable activities that they may not otherwise be able to access.

A stay at Aintree Lane is fun and we make sure service users have the opportunity to take part in enjoyable trips out. A particular favourite is a visit to the community pub. Eating out, shopping and the local cinema are also high on the list.

What is most important to the Aintree Lane team is that service users have the very best experiences during their stay with the opportunity to take part in whatever activity that will bring them the most enjoyment. In some cases, that may mean they want to simply stay in and watch television with their friends or maybe spend time on the computers. Pamper sessions rate highly with

the ladies and is one of the most popular ways they like to spend an evening.

When a visit is booked at Aintree Lane the team pay particular attention to who is also going to be in at the same time to ensure everybody’s stay is enjoyable and where ever possible service users are with their friends or people with the same particular interests.

Virginia Flaherty, Registered Service Manager at Aintree Lane said “The Care Quality Commission recently inspected our service and we were absolutely delighted to be awarded an overall Good rating. This is a real achievement for the team who work so hard to make a visit here memorable for our service users.”

The service continually receives positive responses from carers and some recent comments are:

‘’All staff are lovely and very easy to talk to’’... “ it is a lovely and safe environment for the clients’’ ... ‘’We are very happy with the service and care provided for our son.’’

Health care professionals are also very

A fascinating sculpture which represents the plight of Holocaust victims has been created by day service users at New Creations.

The sculpture, which was commissioned by the Sefton branch of trade union UNISON, played a key role at local commemorations when it was seen for the first time at the borough’s annual Holocaust memorial service at Christ Church Southport on 29 January.

The haunting bronze-effect sculpture - actually made from papier mache - is known as Out Of The Darkness and Into The Light and features a family of victims in a chilling concentration camp-style environment.

UNISON plans to display the sculpture in a range of settings around the area during the course of this year.

Branch Secretary, Glen Williams, explained that the trade union had been one of the main supporters of the Sefton Holocaust Memorial Project since the earliest days of the initiative more than 15 years ago.

He also pointed out that the link between UNISON and New Directions was particularly appropriate, as groups of people including trade unionists and people with disabilities were among the less-well-known victims of widespread Nazi persecution.

Mr Williams commented: “UNISON is against racism and facism in all their forms

and through our involvement with Sefton Holocaust Memorial Project we want to highlight the fact that the lessons of the Nazi era must never be forgotten.

“The team at New Directions have succeeded in getting this message across brilliantly with the sculpture. It’s a fascinating and meaningful advertisement for the great things that people with disabilities can achieve.”

New Directions Chief Operating

Officer, Penny Fell, added: “We were very pleased to work in partnership with UNISON on this project and everyone is absolutely delighted with the result.

“The service users involved were keen to learn as much as possible about the background to the Holocaust, and their interest in the subject and commitment to the project is clearly evident in the finished sculpture which is outstanding.”

complimentary and one community nurse introduced Aintree Lane to her colleague by describing it as ‘’the Rolls Royce of services.’’ And a social worker recently commented “Aintree Lane go above and beyond their roles.’’ What more can we say!

Haunting Holocaust Sculpture Goes on DisplayStaff and service users from the New Directions creative team pictured with the haunting sculpture are left to right: Gary Mitchell, Elizabeth Challend and John Davies

The Rolls Royce of Services

Hudson Road and Aintree Lane

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Happy Times at Chase HeysThere was a lot of happy ‘goings on’ at Chase Heys during the festive period including a variety of entertainment. Visitors included local school children who turned up to sing carols plus there were many staff led activities including art and crafts, quizzes and Christmas baking. And of course, there was a delicious Christmas dinner on the big day itself and every service user received a special present.

Christmas Jumpers at Hudson RoadSteven Rooney getting into the Christmas spirit at Hudson Road.

New Directions team enjoying themselves at Crosby Lakeside Leisure Centre The New Directions team based at Crosby Lakeside know how to party and they certainly made the most of the festive season.

They started off enjoying a Christmas meal on Friday 9th December with an afternoon of Christmas music and quizzes with friends.

Then on 15 December they had a meal at Waterloo community centre which is charity run and community focused. Inclusion in their local community is very important to the Crosby Lakeside team and they have built up many valuable local friends and connections.

There was also a very enjoyable visit to Sefton Meadows to view the Christmas displays which finished off with a cup of delicious hot chocolate in the café. What more could you want!

There was no slacking though and on Monday 19th December everyone enjoyed a Christmas themed keep fit session with Colette Purcell who is the keep fit instructor who keeps everyone in shape on a Monday at Lakeside.

Dressed in festive outfits everyone had a hilarious time with Christmas themed games and exercises. Who knew you could have so much laughter and fun with a whoopsy cushion as the forfeit for the loser!

Daniel Latimer, Colette Purcell (the naughty elf keep fit instructor) and Rosie Shearwood having a good time.

Christmas Shopping at Park LodgeA highly successful Christmas Gift Market took place at Park Lodge greenhouses in December with the help and support of many of New Directions services.

There was a huge selection of wonderful Christmas gifts on sale all made by service users at New Directions creative skills projects.

Gift ideas from the sewing and soft furnishings team included table runners and cushions, while the woodwork section has chipped in with bird boxes, bug hotels and eye-catching wooden Christmas trees and decorations.

Meanwhile, green-fingered service users at Park Lodge worked on yuletide plants, flowers and wreaths.

Also on offer were delicious chutneys, jams and home-baked refreshments.

If you did not attend this year then look out for the 2017 market and make sure you are there to do your Christmas shopping.

Ponies Teddy and Bouncer – pictured here with New Directions staff – were a big hit with visitors at the Christmas market.

Enjoying Sandbrook’s Christmas party are left to right: Geoff Rigby, Suzanne Holt, Jackie Ross, Paula Scott, Daniel North, Sally Cathrall, Dianne Stokes, Sharon Coleman and Kenny Jones.

The Best Ever Christmas Party at SandbrookA brilliant time was had by all when 45 service users and staff from Sandbrook Resource Centre headed to the lakeside suite at the Floral Hall for their Christmas party.

There were plenty of eye-catching yuletide jumpers on show as everyone enjoyed a traditional three-course Christmas meal with all the trimmings, before partying the afternoon away on the dance floor.

Everyone looks forward to this special annual event but it was universally agreed that this was the best ever and staff were very complimentary about the Floral Hall, the lunch was delicious and the venue’s team went out of their way to ensure everyone had a party to remember.

Festive Fun Time, Enjoyed by All!

Floral Designs at BrookdaleBrookdale service user Mrs Joyce Davies had reason recently to be a very proud Mother.

As part of Brookdale’s service users and carers festive celebration her daughters Louise Jones and Debbie Davies from Utopia Creation Co. performed a spectacular flower arranging demonstration.

The event took place on 15 December and Louise and Debbie very kindly donated their floral arrangements for the Christmas Raffle.

Pictured are Louise Jones and Debbie Davies with one of their festive floral arrangements.

 

A glamorous elf who was a former employee of New Directions, came to call at Chase Heys during the festive celebrations in the form of Liz Bullough who brought along her friend ‘Bouncer’ who is a rescue pony who was greatly admired.

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There was great excitement as the ‘house full’ signs went up outside the auditorium at Bootle’s Space centre for the two-night run of ‘An Evening at the Musicals’ which took place in January.

The fantastic show was presented by a large cast of 50 performers from across the borough who belong to the highly acclaimed New Centre Stage group.

The latest show was a new and demanding venture for the group whose previous popular hit productions have focused on single shows including Grease,Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream coat and Scrooge.

This time round they managed to include song-and-dance excerpts from no less than 13 different musicals into a packed two-hour evening.

Some service users performed famous songs from classic shows of yesteryear like Singing in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and Oliver.

However, excerpts from much more modern shows like Cats, Sister Act, the Lion King and Dirty Dancing proved equally popular with the enthusiastic audience.

It is no surprise that the group achieved their first overwhelming standing ovation at the end of the first night and they thought that was as good as it gets but no – the same thing happened on the second night as well which the cast really appreciated as a reward for all the hard work they had put into the show.

An Evening at the Musicals was directed by Denise Airey with the support of her New Directions Colleagues Veronica Morrison and Pam Pickford.

Denise commented: “The concept of this production originated with the service users themselves. They came up with so many ideas that, rather than focusing on just one show, we decided to include a bit of everything.

“Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of the diverse group of clients who took part, the result was an outstanding success, with everyone involved having a part to meet their needs.”

A Romantic Afternoon

Waterloo Park and Brookdale Resource Centre proved that Valentine’s Day is fun even if you are not in the first flush of youth!

Both services arranged an afternoon of entertainment and the highlights included the chance to hear and join in with some of the great love songs of the last 50 years and at Brookdale these were performed live by popular Southport vocalist, Sophie Bennett.

There was also a delicious Valentine’s afternoon tea which was much enjoyed by everyone and each service user was presented with their own red rose.

Most importantly service users were encouraged to chat about their romantic memories and everyone enjoyed reminiscing about Valentine’s Days they had enjoyed in the past proving that it is a special time of year no matter what age you are.

Congratulations to the Dunningsbridge football team from Bootle Resource Centre.

The talented team played in the F.A. Disability Football League Christmas cup at Greenbank Sports Centre in Sefton Park and finished in 2nd place.

The team brought home the silver medal - what an achievement!

Well Done Lads!

Fantastic Dunningsbridge Win Silver

And the Winners are: Michael Mathieson, Paul Mullins, Billy Mullins, Stephen Watkinson, Danny Jones, Alan Mortimer, Richard Gillette, James Rotherham and Karl Hughes, Advanced Care Worker.

86 year-old Irene Brindle and 88 year-old James Lloyd-Kitchen with Jane Bushell (left) and Anne Jones.

James Ashton in lion costume. Left to right front row: Darren Copeland, Sandra Austin, Jean Dodson, Kate Dwerryhouse, Joy Cornwall, Kathy Duckworth, Thomas Halliwell, William Winstanley, Hilary Clinton, Ian Houghton, Gill Brack Pauline Clinton, Michael Banwell and Natalie Stewart. The rest of the group behind are: Jackie Shacklady, Marie Houghton, Denise Rawsthorne, Patrick Mullen, Ted Middleton, Helen Massam, Angela Nicholson, Steven Syder, Andrea Gillies, John Westwell, Mike Mathieson, Richard Gillette, Emma Kearns, Carl Braithwaite, Daniel North, Colin Ellson, Paul Mullins, Paul Lawrence, Mike Reid, Debbie Jackson, Harriet Gray, Sarah Rigby, James Rotherham, Billy Mullins and Vicky Webb.

Two Standing Ovations for New Centre Stage

NEW DIRECTIONS CAREERSWe want dedicated and enthusiastic people on our team. If you would be interested in a career with New Directions and would like to talk to us please call 0151 934 3726 or visit www.ndirections.co.uk

NEW DIRECTIONS ARE HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED US We care for adults of all ages who have disabilities and older people who have support needs. You will find our services are tailored to meet individual requirements, whether at home, in our support, respite or residential services.

New Directions | The Investment Centre | 375 Stanley Road | Bootle L20 3EFEmail: info-nd@ndirections.co.uk | www.ndirections.co.uk Telephone: 0151 934 2572

NEXT NEWSLETTER OUT IN APRIL

We need your news and stories now. Let your colleagues, carers and service users know all that

you are doing. Email: Dave.hughes@ndirections.org

Who’s going to WIN this year?

The next edition of New and Views will be an awards special covering all the winners at the 2017

Annual Achiever’s Awards on the evening of 16 March.