Apple Trees was recognised as ‘outstanding’ in care and across the rest of the board with a ‘Good’ for services of safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, and being well-led.

As a Trust we are delighted by this recognition and thankful for all the hard work delivered by our colleagues to ensure this independently endorsed success. The knowledge that our residents are happy and receiving the best possible care with individual needs being met.

Louise Kirk, Area Operations Manager for Apple Trees, comments: “The team at Apple Trees has excelled in the care domain to achieve this result. Everyone always goes above and beyond their roles to ensure the residents living in the home receive excellent positive outcomes. The team has an inspirational leader in Denise Booth whose dedication and innovation has put Apple Trees in the forefront of specialist dementia care. The home has also been recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society in being a pivotal member in developing ‘Lift the Lid on sex and intimacy.”

Quote from the CQC report on the service provided by Apple Trees:

“Staff went above and beyond to ensure people received excellent care that was individual and important to them. During the inspection, staff consistently demonstrated a clear understanding of the provider's values of providing high standards of compassionate care, this was seen in the delivery of care and how staff talked about their work. They also showed great respect to people. A staff member said, "The residents live here it is their home, we are just visitors." Staff spoken with told us how they regarded people they cared for as 'extended family'. Feedback from people who used the service and visiting relatives, echoed this sentiment. Staff were consistently described as "excellent", staff go "above and beyond" and "I regard staff as my family."

On 2nd of May, the staff and residents of St Wilfrid’s Priory were honoured to host an amazing individual; Tracey Stemp. Over a period of 12 months, Tracey completed 12 marathons raising money for the residents at St Wilfrid’s. Tracey managed to raise an amazing £330 for the residents.

“It is such an amazing thing that Tracy did for our residents. I am proud to know Tracy and proud to be part of such an amazing local community.” – Rachel Staker (Home Manager).

It was a wonderful morning filled with smiles as Tracey spoke with the residents and showed off some of the medals she’d won at the marathons. She talked to residents about her training and the importance of training physically and mentally for the marathons.

We at St Wilfrid’s can not thank Tracey enough for this donation. It is with great pleasure that I announce what that kind donation is going to be used for. After a meeting with the residents and some wonderful ideas put forward. It was decided that the money was going to be used to buy a record player. We at OSJCT know just how important music is to our residents and the positive effect it can have on our residents.  

If you have any vinyl records from the 50s onwards and would like to donate them to St Wilfrid’s please feel free to get in contact.

The Lakes Care Centre in South Cerney held an Easter egg hunt, inviting along the local children and setting up clues around their beautiful garden for the children to find. The Lakes were delighted that some 2-day old lambs from a local small holding were able to come along. The children loved being able to interact with the lambs and feed them, they were so soft! The Lakes also had Ralph the rabbit for the children to hold and stroke.

After plenty of running around the garden clue hunting everyone finished off with a drink and some cake. The residents at The Lakes loved seeing all the children having such a great time and made sure the children all left with a goodie bag!

In South Gloucester, Thornbury saw residents from Grace Care Centre taking time to hide as many eggs as they could around the town, these included messages instructing the finder to bring their winning eggs to the home to claim their Prize! Throughout the long Easter weekend residents welcomed children and family members for their very own egg hunt amongst some of the biggest Tulip flowers ever seen.

Everyone was especially surprised when the Easter bunny made a visit to share the ‘EGG’citment with everyone. With the amazing weather bringing itself out from behind the clouds, everyone was treated to a few ice creams and cones made to order.

Edwardstow Court Care Centre in Stow-on-the-Wold hosted an Easter fun day with an egg scramble, a golden egg hunt and lots of garden games! Edwardstow welcomed the winners of their colouring competition from Stow Primary School to collect their prizes which were presented by our residents. The children loved having the garden to run around in and everyone was keen to find a golden prize egg! When it got too hot outside everyone came in for drinks and cakes or sat to do some colouring, before leaving with a goodie bag.

Monkscroft Care Centre in Cheltenham enjoyed an Easter themed visit from Encourage Animal Therapy. Everyone enjoyed meeting the lambs, one they named Shelley after the road that Monkscroft is on. The residents also enjoyed hugs from rabbits, guinea pigs, and even a Bearded Dragon named Spyro. Shelley was the star of the afternoon, her ‘Baa’ was heard throughout the building!

Twelve residents enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon at the museum along with a number of students from the school, who were invaluable in helping the residents to look around the museum.

The Natural History Museum contains some amazingly interesting fossils and stuffed animals, along with a substantial collection of skeletons of prehistoric animals. The interaction between the ages in such a historic setting was not only apt but a wonderful learning experience for all. On particular show were snake-skins and elephant teeth which were presented by Susan Griffiths from the museum opening a topical discussion.

Paul Lucas and Lottie Allen, activity coordinators at Marston Court, commented: “A big thank you to Magdalen College and to the Natural History Museum for welcoming us so readily. It was not only an informative but fabulous time for everyone. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the familiarity and strengthening of the already existing bonds with Magdalen College pupils.”

Over 90 guests attended our 2019 Employee Awards ceremony, an annual event which recognises care home and support team members for their work achievements.

Kerry Dearden, Deputy CEO, was our master of ceremonies and Dan Hayes, CEO, performed the opening address and Lucy Holl, Trust Operations Director, concluded the awards with the closing address.

Qualification Achievers

Certificates were presented by Sue Lane, HR Director, to our employees who have achieved qualifications in: Business & Administration, Health & Social Care, Leadership Management of Care Services, NVQ in Housekeeping, NVQ in Kitchen Services, Diploma in Team Leading, Moving & Handling Trainer, and Care Certificate Mentoring.

This year’s awards were presented by Jill Hughes, Trustee and HM Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, to:

• Young Carer of the Year – Anne Courton, Digby Court
• Carer of the Year – Emily Grech, Digby Court
• Leader of the Year – Shelly Perry, Whitefriars
• Hospitality Award – Vanessa Burrows, Whitefriars
• Unsung Hero Award – Fosse House Team
• Activity Co-ordinator of the Year – Susan Mottram, Whitefriars
• Volunteer of the Year – Ann Brown, Ermine House
• Homes (Support) Employee of the Year – Lisa Lawlor, Gregory House
• Office (Support) Employee of the Year -  Stuart Furnish, Eyre Court
• Newcomer of the Year – Nuti Miscoci, Boultham Park House

The Long Service Awards were presented by Don Wood CBE, Chairman of the Trustees. These included:

25 Years

• Gill Cooch, Skirbeck Court
• Barbara Gilbert, Whitefriars

30 Years

• Sarah Porter, Gregory House

35 Years

• Jacqui Luke, Fosse House

The Nigel Stourton Employee of the Year Award was presented by Toby Dennis Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, to a team this year due to the sheer volume and outstanding quality of employee nominations for the home. The winner of this award is Boultham Park House.

Caroline Dunagan, Assistant Operations Director - Lincolnshire, said: “Our Teams play a critical role in providing our residents with the highest level of person centred care, and to value that contribution we bring them together to celebrate their successes. This special event gives us the opportunity to show gratitude for the commitment and hard work undertaken throughout the year, and above all making a true difference to our residents’ lives.”

Following the presentations, a buffet lunch was served and an opportunity to socialise with colleagues and enjoy this personalised and dedicated event.

Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at OSJCT, comments: "All our employees work very hard and are committed to reaching and maintaining the highest standard of care for our residents. The award ceremony provides special recognition to those instrumental to the Trusts achievements, made more special by the fact that they have been nominated by their colleagues. It is delightful to be able to celebrate individual successes together and I feel lucky to be associated with such wonderful people.”

During the talk, Dr Matthew Scroggs introduced himself and what his practice in Woodstock does. He explained what parts of the body benefit from chiropractic treatments and he demonstrated a range of stretches and exercises that can prevent and manage back pain, one of which was the ‘superhero’ pose in which you go on hands and knees and then stretch out opposite arms and legs.

Admin Assistant Sophie Washington said of the talk: “I found it useful and it has made me think about how important it is to take care of our backs. I will be doing some of the stretches Dr Matt suggested.”

Spencer Court Home Manager, Anna Odeyemi, said: “It is important for our team’s health and wellbeing to learn the best exercises and techniques that will help prevent back pain. A career in care means being very active so, along with the wide range of training provided by the Trust, it can be useful to have a third party like Dr Matthew explaining the benefits of different techniques.”

If you are unable to join us on 8 May, please call 01666 848000 to arrange a visit.

Due to the opening of the new dementia household, we are delighted to be recruiting for new members to join our team, including nursing, care and housekeeping.

If you would like to know more and to apply, please visit: www.osjct.co.uk/careers

Children from Witney and Barton enjoyed Easter egg hunts and Easter bonnet competitions, put on by Madley Park and Townsend.

In Banbury, Larkrise held an Easter Fete with pony rides and a ventriloquist singer. A local playgroup came into the home for an Easter egg hunt and created some beautiful Easter crafts with the residents. Larkrise’s talented chef also made some beautiful homemade Easter eggs for each of the residents as a special surprise.

Chilterns Court in Henley invited Millars Ark mobile farm into the home and residents enjoyed seeing the lovely animals they brought in.

At Stirlings in Wantage the home had an Easter party which included a soul and jazz singer, an Easter bonnet competition, a guess the weight of the Easter cake competition and an Easter egg hunt. 

Along with a competitive game of Easter bingo with chocolatey prizes, Marston Court in Oxford got baking and made hot cross buns. They also attended a performance of an Easter play at a local church. The play, called 'The Three Gifts', was written by one of the home’s brilliant residents, Sheila Brinkworth, so it was a very special moment when residents and the team saw it brought to life on stage. The play was then performed a second time at the home for family and friends during an Easter coffee morning.

Some living eggs arrived at Westgate in Wallingford: residents were delighted to watch them hatch and see the fluffy chicks emerge from their shells. This, along with their Easter quiz, egg hunt and Easter baking meant that the home was feeling very seasonal and ready to enjoy the sunny Easter weekend.

First up on the day was the homes Easter Egg Scavenge, many of the homes residents grandchildren, friends and further family took part in hunting for the colourful eggs in the sensory garden.

Chloe’s farm came to visit too with lambs, baby chicks and rabbits for everyone to see. We had cakes with refreshments and Easter Arts and crafts in the dining room.

Such a lovely sunny afternoon to celebrate Easter with our loved ones.

For years resident Tony, who lives at Grace Care Centre; has nurtured his love for classical music, so much so, that he informed the team at Grace Care Centre in an ‘All About Me’ session.

When Tony decided he wanted to go to the Opera, as he hadn’t recently been, this gave the team at Grace Care Centre the green light. Situated within a few minutes’ drive from Bristol City is Bristol Hippodrome, which meant getting to the Opera with Activities Coordinator Emma was no trouble at all.

‘Un ballo in Maschero’ presented beautifully by the Welsh National Opera.

Residents living within any OSJCT Care-home are supported with ‘All About Me’ sessions to enhance not only our residents experience whilst staying with us, but to help us understand everyone within our homes.

“I had a wonderful time, I used to enjoy the Opera with my mother growing up in Wales”

Bristol Hippodrome boasts over one hundred years of history and entertainment, it is a superb venue which illustrates the height of Victorian architecture. A real treat for any who visits for the Opera or any show.
 
Tony can usually be found spending his days helping other residents in the Care Home either pushing wheelchairs on trips or helping with activities; he has made some strong friendships with both residents and employees, due to his kind nature.