JUNE 2017 Issue# 40 The Charity Chat St Bartholomew s Refurbishment CONTENTS Page: Announcements: 2 Kimbrose: 2 Guild House: 3 Magdalen House: 4 Magdalen & Sheltered Trip: 5 Welcome To New Staff: 6 What s On In The Shire?...: 7 Word Search: 7 St Bartholomew s newly refurbished Lounge/Dinner is now back fully operational again, the refurbishment works went really smoothly and ahead of schedule. Special thanks to all the Team for all the help and cooperation and the understanding and patience from all the Residents during the works. GCT is also very lucky to have a great contingent of Contractors, who have all done a great job in their role in the refurbishment. Gloucester Charities Trust Century House 100 London Road Gloucester GL1 3PL Gloucestershire Phone: 01452 500429 Fax: 01452 381611 E-mail: info@gloschar.org.uk
Kimbrose Table Tennis We now have a table tennis table at Kimbrose, as therapy for our members. Research has shown it can benefit those living with dementia and Alzheimer s, this activity helps improve blood flow to the brain, stimulating overall awareness and enhancing the player s motor skills, in doing so supporting the brain to hold back symptoms of Alzheimer s for longer. Richard our support worker had intended to do some warm up practice first, but the gentlemen couldn t wait to start a proper game! Libby s Engagement Birdwatcher We have a very enthusiastic birdwatcher amongst our members. Jimmy enjoys spotting the increasing variety of birds (and the occasional squirrel) that are now coming to the table and prepares them a tempting meal of bread, seeds and mealworms. It is an activity that is giving Jimmy so much pleasure, it s great when you find something that the members really enjoy engaging in and that can then encourage others to take an interest too. Congratulations to Libby Martin, our Head Office Receptionist/Administrator, on her recent engagement! The Trust wishes Libby and Phil a lifetime of happiness. Reward & Recognition Kelly Halford (Magdalen House), Joe Trinder (Maintenance), Dan Amor (Maintenance), 2
Guild House Magdalen and Guild House Visit Residents from Magdalen House came over for a visit to Guild House for the afternoon. It was lovely to catch up together with familiar faces from other joint activities. We had a raffle and a delicious cream tea which was enjoyed in charming company. We also had a lovely cream tea for our residents and their loved ones. We had to squeeze up a little to fit everybody in the Dining Room, but it was worth it to have such a great turn-out. Thank you so much for your support and hopefully we ll see you again next time! We also had a lovely cream tea for our residents and their loved ones. We had to squeeze up a little to fit everybody in the Dining Room, but it was worth it to have such a great turn-out. Thank you so much for your support and hopefully we ll see you again next time! Our Easter Decorations were a joint effort this year, taking several sessions and many hands to finish. Pride of place was our Easter Wreath, and everybody was pleased with the result. 3
Magdalen House Chocolate Fountain Fun Variety is the spice of life so they say and at Magdalen House we aim to vary the activities. This month Nathan and the residents enjoyed tucking into strawberries, bananas and marshmallows dipped indulgently in the gooey chocolate pouring from the chocolate fountain. VE Day Sing-along Another special event on VE Day, May 8 th, was a Reminiscent sing-along that bought back many memories for the residents led by singer Phoebe. Flags were waved as the we joined in the songs of yesteryear originally sung by the forces sweetheart, Vera Lyn, such as We ll Meet Again and the White Cliffs of Dover. The Andrew Sisters featured too with Don t sit under the Apple Tree and I ll be with you in Apple Blossom Time. 4
Magdalen House Amazing Grace/Surprise At Magdalen House we could hear the amazing, rousing sound of bagpipes coming from the garden at St Margaret s Court. On investigation it was The Royal Piper- Robert Cunningham. Rob s grandfather is Derek Etherington, a resident at St Margaret s and Rob was re-tuning Derek s bagpipes for him. Rob very kindly came to Magdalen House to perform for the residents. It was a fabulous, impromptu performance that was enjoyed and appreciated by both residents and staff. Lyn Sheltered Trip On May 15th residents from our sheltered sites travelled to the muddy shores of Weston-Super-Mare. It was a gloomy and windy spring day; the Weston Eye was idling, no donkey rides in sight and the old, derelict pier looked as miserable as the weather forecast... Despite the odds, however everyone seemed to have had a lovely day out! We shall return in September with sunglasses & high expectations. 5
Welcome To New Staff We are delighted to welcome our new Magdalen House Manager, Deb Wilson, to the Team. Deb is a qualified nurse who has a vast array of experience in a variety of care settings and was a Forensic Nurse for a number of years. Deb started working for us in April and has settled into her role extremely well; it feels like she has been part of the Team for much longer. We wish Debs a very long and happy working life with us at GCT! Kelvin Rodway is a new member to the maintenance team and started on 27th March 2017. Kelvin previously worked for RAF Brize Norton. He has many years experience of maintenance and repairs and has excellent knowledge of carpentry etc. Kelvin has settled in well and is enjoying working within the Trust s busy maintenance schedule. Change of Job Role Most of you will know Melanie as the Trust Secretary however we are pleased to announce that as of the beginning of June Melanie will be joining the Housing Team as a Housing Officer. Melanie is looking forward to her new role and the Housing Team are delighted to have Melanie on board and believe she will be an asset. If you have not met Melanie as yet please do introduce yourselves if you see Melanie on site. 6
What s On In Gloucestershire Opera Brava Candlit Gala at Cheltenham College - Saturday 3 rd June Open Gardens Hidden Gems of Lechlade - Saturday 3 rd June Cheltenham Science Festival 6 th - 11 th June Twelfth Night at Over Barn - Wednesday 7 th June 60 s Celebration Tribute Night at Whitemead - Friday 9th June BBC Filming Tours at Gloucester Cathedral - Friday 9 th June Wildflower & Orchid Walk at WWT Slimbridge Wetlands Centre Saturday 10th June Classic Vehicle Day at GWSR - Sunday 11 th June 7
D A T E A C T I V I T Y Thursday 1st* Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Friday 2nd Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Monday 5th SHOPPING (at Tesco), 11am start Lunch Club, St Philip s, 12.30 Tuesday 6th * Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Wednesday 7th * Lunch Club, St Mark s, 12.30 Thursday 8th * Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Friday 9th Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Monday 12th Lunch Club, St Philip s, 12.30 Day Trip: Witley Court, Tearooms & Baroque Church Tuesday 13th * Lunch Club and STORYTELLING, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Wednesday 14th * Lunch Club, St Mark s, 12.30 Thursday 15th * Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Friday 16th Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Monday 19th SHOPPING (Morrison s), 11am start Lunch Club, St Philip s, 12.30 Tuesday 20th * Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Wednesday 21st * Lunch Club, St Mark s, 12.30 Thursday 22nd * Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Friday 23rd Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Monday 26th Lunch Club, St Philip s, 12.30 Day Trip w Art: Portishead Marina & Clevedon Tuesday 27th * Lunch Club with Afternoon Trip, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Wednesday 28 *th Lunch Club, St Mark s, 12.30 Thursday 29th * Lunch Club, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 Monthly Lunch Out with Art: to be confirmed Friday 30th Lunch Club & BINGO, St Bartholomew s, 12.30 * * *) MEAL DELIVERIES ARE AVALABLE ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, & THURSDAYS Activities are open to all Residents on a first come first served principle. If you require assistance a relative or friend should accompany you. TO BOOK LUNCH CLUBS, SHOPPING & OUTINGS, PLEASE CALL HEAD OFFICE on 01452 500429. A deposit may be required for trips. Please pay at Head Office Reception, to Housing Officers or Morten. For further information about individual activities, please see posters on your notice boards. Subject to change 8