Springhill Care Newsletter February 2015

We make finals at

the double

Springhill Care Group has made

it through to the finals of two

categories in the prestigious

Red Rose Awards.

We have been shortlisted for the Health and Care Business of the Year as well as Large Business of the Year, and follows success in scooping two awards in last year’s event, the Customer Services Award and the Health and Care Award. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to take place on March 12 at

Blackpool’s Winter Gardens when approximately 1,000 representatives of the county’s business community will recognise the best in class. The Red Rose Awards are judged by panels made up of independent business experts and sponsors from across the region. Ken Nolan, chairman and founder of the Springhill Care Group, said: “I'm thrilled that we have made it through to the finals again of a major business awards. This is a credit to everyone at Springhill Care and all the staff should be proud that we are consistently recognised at this

level.”

Birch Green Care Home

wins local competition

Birch Green has won a competition run by local supermarket Asda which will help

with funding for our activities.

Last year the Asda store on Ingram Road in

Skelmersdale agreed to support Birch Green by offering shoppers the chance to donate their shopping tokens.

A number of local good causes and organisations were given the chance for shoppers

to contribute, with the winner – the one with the most shopping tokens – receiving a donation from the supermarket.

Now it has been revealed that Birch Green has won, and will receive a cheque for £200 which will go into the care home’s residents’ fund.

The fund is building up nicely thanks to donations, activities, and sales from the home’s dementia bistro.

We’d like to thank all the shoppers who chose Birch Green to support with their tokens. The money raised will go to a great cause, supporting our residents with

activities.

Pamper session

Carla from the Body Shop paid us a visit here at Birch Green last week – and what a treat it was.

She brought with her a range of lotions and potions to

pamper residents and leave them feeling relaxed and

rejuvenated.

Classical music was played in the background as residents enjoyed hand massages, which added to the

tranquil atmosphere.

It’s important to have a bit of ‘me-time’ and we’re thrilled to say Carla will be visiting us every two weeks

for a lovely pampering session. Thanks Carla, we are really looking forward to next time.

To read more of Birch Green Care Homes recent news articles, please view our

website www.birchgreencare.com

Farewell to Ann

We said a fond farewell to a very valued member of staff at Birch Green this

week.

Our lovely Healthcare assistant Ann Williams worked her last shift on

Tuesday as she prepares to take up retirement.

Ann was surprised with a presentation

of flowers by her colleagues and residents, and there was a tasty buffet

and cake too, in true Birch Green style.

Having been part of our team for

almost two years, Ann will be greatly missed.

During her time here she has been well-liked by everyone, having shown a

great deal of compassion in her role.

Thanks for all your hard work Ann.

Everyone at Birch Green wishes you much happiness in your retirement, and

we hope you keep in touch.

February events at Birch Green

Please telephone the home for more info - 01695 50916, or email info@birchgreencare.com

Thursday 5th February

10am

Body Shop pamper session (upstairs)

Wednesday 11th February

2:30pm

Church service with Monica

Saturday 14th February

Valentine’s Day Love is in the air at Birch Green

Couples wine & dine with a love song afternoon

Sunday 15th February

2:30pm

Live entertainment with Kevin Mulvaney

(upstairs)

Thursday 19th February

10am

Body shop pamper session (down stairs)

Tuesday 24th February

2:30pm

Live entertainment with Tina Riley

(down stairs)

Andy

entertains us at Riversway

Nursing Home

Popular entertainer Andy Tee visited

Riversway recently to sing songs for our

residents.

The maracas and tambourines were

quickly handed out and

many of our residents began to join in and sing

along.

Andy is one of our favourite entertainers

and when he visits, everybody has a great

time. This visit even saw a number of relatives

attend to join in the fun. Thanks Andy!

(Photo: Robert)

Residents

make a

splash at aquarium

With the weather being

so cold and windy lately, a trip to the Bristol

Aquarium was in order

for some of our residents, where they

sought solace in the underwater world.

There were a host of

colourful creatures to

look at, with clownfish, stingrays, octopus and

seahorses to name just a few. Residents even

came face-to-face with sharks during a stroll

through the underwater tunnel.

Ellice, Brian, John and

Lynda got involved with feeding time, helping

aquarium staff out as they gave the stingrays

their lunch.

Everyone found the

aquarium a very relaxing, therapeutic

and warm place to be – very comforting given

the wintery weather outside.

A trip to the

theatre

Residents of Riversway enjoyed another

fabulous day out during the Christmas period,

when we took a trip to the theatre to see a play

with a festive theme.

Plenty of laughs were

had as we visited the The Tobacco Factory

Theatre in Bristol to see Mrs Gerrish’s Grotto.

The play is set in the 1950s and is about the

landlady of a bed and breakfast, who decides

to open her doors over the Christmas period,

with humorous consequences.

Everyone had a fantastic

time, enjoying a great

mix of comedy and songs from the post-war

era, which brought back a few memories for

some.

To read more of Riversway Nursing Homes recent news articles, please view our website www.riverswaycare.com

Bon voyage, Teresa

It was a day tinged with sadness for

everyone at Springhill on Thursday, as we said ‘bon voyage’ to Teresa Dean, a very valued member of our

team.

Teresa has worked on the reception desk for three years, but is now moving to Qatar to

be close to her family who live over there, including her new

granddaughter Eva, who is six months old.

Teresa was presented with gifts from all her colleges, by Donna

Briggs, Managing Director and everyone commented on how much she will be sadly missed around the home, although

we are pleased to see her embarking on a new chapter in her life.

Some of the comments Donna received for

Teresa was that she is a great front of house person who always greets you with a

smile. She is polite and helpful,

and a great person to be around.

Teresa said: “It’s been a great experience working at Springhill. I have made so many good friends,

and I am going to miss the residents and my colleagues so

much.” “Because of this, it’s both a sad

and happy time for me, but I look forward to seeing everyone again

in the future when I come back to England on my holidays.”

Good luck Teresa, and don’t forget to keep in touch.

Loyalty rewarded at Springhill Care Home

We always say ‘people are at the centre of everything we do’ – and that counts for our team of hard-working staff, too.

This sentiment was highlighted recently as we marked the anniversaries of

two long-serving members of staff, Adele Thorpe and Adele Gibson. Adele Thorpe began working for Springhill 20 years ago. Since then, she

has worked on reception and is now at the centre of the home’s admin team.

Originally employed as a kitchen assistant, Adele Gibson has been getting up at 4.30am, six days a week for 15

years in order to run the early breakfast shift, something valued by the extra early risers at Springhill.

The ladies were presented with flowers by Springhill

director Kath Parkinson, who said: “Adele Thorpe is a pivotal part of our administrative team and the person to go to if you need

to know anything. Her friendliness and ability to keep a cool head no matter what makes her an invaluable member.

“Adele Gibson has a hugely important role, assisting residents who prefer to wake up for breakfast a little earlier than conventional – even if it’s just for a cup of tea and a

chat.

“With the changes seen at Springhill over the past 20 or so years along with the challenges faced by the care sector, long-service and loyalty is invaluable.”

Everyone at Springhill would like to say congratulations to the ladies, and wish them many

more years of happiness working as part of our team.

To view more of Springhill Care Homes news articles, please view our website www.springhillcare.com

Photos from around the group from our

social media pages

We had a lot of birthdays in January... Brian who is supported by Affinity celebrated his

40th birthday.

Audrey at Birch Green celebrated her 89th birthday

Dolly, who also lives at Birch Green, had a big party for

her 90th birthday.

Gwen, who lives at Springhill Care Home, celebrated her 92nd birthday.

Edna celebrated her 86th birthday at Birch Green Care

Home with cakes, baileys and fizz.

Many happy returns to you all, we hope you all had a lovely day!

We value your feedback Whether residents, their families and friends or our staff members, we like

to hear what you have to say about the way we work, and importantly, act

upon your comments or concerns.

Many people already provide us with valuable comments through letters, e-mails and

cards which we are proud to receive, and we have also been

encouraging people to add comments to

the www.carehome.co.uk website – a ‘Trip Advisor’ for the care

home sector or through NHS

Choices .

We have also used regular one-off surveys, focus groups and meetings to gather

feedback on what is working well and what can be improved.

Recently The Care Quality Commission (CQC) introduced a new inspection process

which will collect survey data from residents, relatives and staff and social and

healthcare professionals prior to an inspection visit

(Visit the CQC website for further details)

Due to this new process being introduced, we are

formalising the way we collect information and have worked in partnership with an

independent company to develop surveys relating to each of our homes which will be

available online.

There are a number of ways to access these surveys – on-line or by printing them off,

and our staff members will have a hand held tablet available to enable people to fill in

the questionnaire at their leisure.

We would appreciate your help and we will encourage people to fill these

surveys in at any point in time.

These surveys are not intended to replace a simple conversation, so don’t forget, our

managers also welcome comments and suggestions in person. Any concerns or issues

that require immediate attention, please raise with the general manager or a senior

team member.

Sign up for our next e-newsletter If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please send your email address

to info@springhillcare.com or ask at reception for further information.

We need your help...

We need your help with stories for our social media pages, website’s and local press.

If anyone has anything they would like to share, please contact Christine Stevens on the details below.

Also we would like to ask all our staff and relatives, who engage in social media, to like & share our Facebook pages and to follow us on twitter, so you can see what’s

been happening / what’s going on in each of our homes – spread the word!! You will find all our social media details.

Thank you

Affinity Supporting People – www.facebook.com/affinitysupportingpeople

Birch Green Care Home – www.facebook.com/birchgreencarehome

Riversway Nursing Home – www.facebook.com/riverswaycarehome

Springhill Care Group – www.facebook.com/springhillcaregroup

Springhill Care Home – www.facebook.com/springhillcarehome

TWITTER - @Springhill_Care / @AffnitySupport

© Springhill Care

This newsletter is from Springhill Care Group Limited.

Registered Office:

11 Cannon Street

Accrington, Lancashire BB5 1NJ

T: 01254 304500 F: 01254 304531 E: info@springhillcare.com W: www.springhillcare.com