We had 11 organisations ranging from The Alzheimers Society to Citizens Advice Bureau to SOLLA advice. Each organisation arrived with leaflets, rollers banners and a wealth of knowledge. Families that attended could speak to all the organisations on the day so they obtained a huge amount of information all in one place.

After a slice of cake, we sat down to listen to Nikki Rowe our Admiral Nurse (specialist dementia nurse) who talked through the different types of dementia, the signs, symptoms and behaviours. Nikki was also on hand all afternoon to offer advice and support and to talk to people on a one to one basis.

A great day was had by all. Families had the opportunity to gain some extra knowledge, discover what support is available to them and also to have a look around the new facilities at The Lakes Care Centre.

The awards ceremony recognises employees for their outstanding contribution and for going above and beyond their call of duty in the homes they work in, from the 17 homes run by the not-for-profit care home provider across Oxfordshire.

The Chairman’s Commendations were presented by Don Wood, CBE (OSJCT's Chairman of Trustees) and the winners included:

Jeff Denton, Activities Coordinator at Old Station House. His programme of activities has become well known in the local community and the residents love Jeff and the new lease of life he helps to provide for them.

Lisa Duffy, Home Manager, Stirlings, joined the Trust in 2006 and has covered almost every role possible since that time. She has finally taken on her dream role as a Home Manager and faced several challenges head on with absolute determination to succeed.

Amanda Manning, Carer, The Meadows, transferred to the Trust from Oxfordshire County Council in 2001. An experienced carer, she is always happy to share her knowledge with everyone and is an excellent team member.

Marta Zywiec, Carer at The Meadows joined the Trust in 2006 and her commitment to the home is outstanding; covering extra shifts, working both day shifts as well as the occasional night shift.

Natalie Wilson, Care Leader at The Meadows has been employed at the Trust since 2011. Natalie has been the foundation of the Care Leader team on the residential unit. Initially full time, Natalie moved over to part time when she started her family and juggles shifts to assist the team whenever possible. Until recently she was the lead moving and handling trainer and is happy to share her knowledge with colleagues to support their development.

Patricia Harris, Head Housekeeper at Townsend House is a dedicated and valued member of the team. Her standards of cleanliness are outstanding, and she is a supportive manager to her team and to others working in the home. On many occasions she has volunteered to come into work early and organised evening work for herself where the job at hand could not be done at any other time.  She is an example of excellence!

Vikki Clare, Care Leader at Townsend House has very high standards of care, is passionate about her job and getting it right for residents. She takes on additional duties to support the rest of her team, covering rotas in the absence of the Head of Care and ensuring shifts are always covered. She is a dedicated, loyal and valued member of the team.

Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at OSJCT said "Every single one of our employees works extremely hard throughout the year delivering and maintaining the best standard of care to our residents. This special Trust awards ceremony is the perfect occasion for us to shine the spotlight on our very own stars and recognise those colleagues who have really stood out during the last 12 months. It is great to be able to celebrate the exceptional commitment and commend their hard work at such an important and prestigious event."

The unveiling ribbon will be cut by a 107-year-old resident who has lived through two world wars. The poppies have all been handmade (from paper, clay to knitting) with over 500 created. They will be displayed in the shape of 100 and the remaining poppies will flow out of the 100 to represent the 100th Anniversary of armistice day.

The poppies were made by residents, local organisations (the local children’s nursery and the girl guides) and members of the community. Help for Heroes actively supported and worked with the residents to help make the poppies.

Peter Bartlett, Avonbourne General Manager, comments: “We have had amazing community involvement in the making of the poppies. Including beneficiaries of Help for Heroes who came in and worked with our residents. It was a great day and many stories were shared. The smiles on our residents’ faces said it all and what was a truly wonderful day.”

The local Old Sarum nursery school attended two poppy and coffee mornings at the home, where residents helped the children make poppies. The Trust has also received a very large donation of poppies from the local Girl Guide Rainbows.

In addition, relatives, staff and individuals from the local community contributed by making poppies at home. Our initial aim was to have 500 poppies, but we have surpassed this with all the support we have gratefully received.

Help for Heros, the nursery school, members of the community and OSJCT members and Avonbourne employees will all be present at the unveiling. Matt Levinson from St Francis Church will be doing a reading prior to the 2-minute silence.

BBC Radio Wiltshire and ITN West Country both came to interview her and acknowledge her special day. This included a recording of the cutting of her beautiful cake as well as the reading of a birthday card from Her Majesty the Queen. These recordings were also placed on social media by the programme producers which then spiralled into many members of the public sending heartfelt wishes.

Dorothy was born on 31st October 1911 in Bath and was the youngest of four children.  She had two brothers and a sister and family life was challenging after her father was injured during the First World War and never fully recovered subsequently passing away in 1929 at the age of 51.

Dorothy married her husband Sid in 1941 and they moved from Bath to Corsham due to Sid’s war effort work.  In the early 1950s they took possession of a new council house in Neston Crescent and she continued living there until she was 102. Sid passed away in 1981 after enjoying 40 happy years together.  The couple did not have any children but were always supportive of the other members of the family. Both Dorothy and Sid were keen church-goers and were both confirmed together at Neston in 1960.  Sid sang in the choir and Dorothy joined the Mothers’ Union.  They were a very sociable couple and Sid regularly organised whist drives which they both enjoyed. Sid’s last job was working for the Post Office and Dorothy still benefits from his pension to this day.  Dorothy had been a widow for some time when she became friends with Ernie who had also worked for the Post Office and was a widower.  They found companionship and friendship together and had many happy holidays with the over sixties club, of which Dorothy was the treasurer for over 25 years.  Together, Dorothy and Ernie delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly. There is a certificate in recognition of her commitment to the service that is dated 1998 (when she was 87.)

Dorothy’s niece, Marie Burton, says: “Dorothy was always a very caring person and was ever ready to open her home to members of the family who needed looking after. She remains a happy, friendly and caring lady who would help anyone and I feel proud to be able to call her my Auntie Dolly.”

Angie Williams, Admiral Nurse Team Lead, won The Good Nurse Award which acknowledges the important role that specialist nurses working in the Care Sector have in promoting the emotional, physical, psychological and social health of the people who they support.  Angie has already been recognised for her outstanding patient care by invitation of Buckingham Palace for a reception for frontline nurses on 14 March 2018. A memorable day which included a conversation with HRH Prince Charles who also acknowledged and thanked the attendees for their outstanding contribution to patient care.

From Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury Oxfordshire, Care Leader Tracey Bennet won The Dignity in Care Award which demonstrates the significance of maximising client independence and choice, whilst respecting and maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

Dan Hayes, CEO, comments: “We are extremely proud of Angie and Tracey who very much deserve their award wins and also congratulate Graham Reed who was nominated for The Care Home Chef Award, Jeff Denton for The Care Home Activity Organiser Award, and Marta Zywiec for The Care Home Worker Award. These awards are a wonderful recognition of the talent and dedication by all those in our organisation and the sector as a whole knowing that every individual working in our sector was a winner on this evening.”

For more information on all the winners please visit: http://www.care-awards.co.uk/winners-great-south-east-care-awards-2018-announced/

Skirbeck Court’s residents were treated to entertainment from singer Jeremy Hillyard and enjoyed dressing up with members of the care team and Day Care attendees. The dining room was specially decorated, and the kitchen provided a buffet tea for all the guests

Colleagues at Apple Trees dressed up in ghoulish costumes whilst residents took part in a baking activity, making some delicious Halloween cupcakes. Fosse House and Southfield House both hosted fiendishly good Halloween parties with delicious treats, lots of creative decoration and fun activities.

Meanwhile at Hartsholme House, children visited the home to share in the fun and entertainment was provided by a visiting singer with Halloween themed treats including brains, teeth and ghost sweets!

There was even more fun to be had at Beckside where Activities Coordinator Bridgette hosted a “Spooktacular” quiz posing bewitchingly tricky questions from her spell book for teams of residents, families and volunteers.

It was fantastic to see so much activity and enjoyment in the homes and a devilishly good time was had by all!

The last few days residents of Grace Care Centre have enjoyed the build up to halloween by decorating the homes lounges with ‘spooky’ themed attractions; autumn painted leaves, pumpkin carving, stone washing and painting as well as a GIANT ‘binbag’ spider.

The fun on halloween began at 5:30pm where residents and staff gathered in Grace Care Centre’s Café bar lounge to enjoy entertainment from ‘Ace of Diamonds’ Colin Dymond. Residents were treated to a full magic & ventriloquist act with volunteers coming from visiting family members and staff. Family members were thrilled to see loved ones engaging with new friends and with all the activities that were taking place; with one family member stating, “we haven’t seen our aunt smile and interact with people in a while!”.

“Who doesn’t love a bit of magic” said handyperson Marc who stayed behind after his shift to enjoy the Halloween party themed atmosphere.

To end the night Grace Care Centre’s resident chef bought out a fantastic array of buffet foods for all to enjoy; and of course, they were ‘spooky’ themed.

Some of our residents preferred to enjoy the evening in our Cinema room which was available to all residents all night. After a few recommendations, residents came to a joint decision to enjoy some ‘Carry on Films’ which belonged to one of the residents at Grace Care Centre.

Grace Care Centre residents and staff continue to build strong relationships and we look forward to watching them GROW!

On Thursday 25 October, The Orders of St John Care Trust officially opened its new home in Thornbury, Bristol.

The opening ceremony was led by Mrs Marie Journeaux, President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at The Orders of St John Care Trust and Don Wood, Chairman of The Orders of St John Care Trust.

Mrs Journeaux took a grand tour of Grace Care Centre, accompanied by Chris Bamford Assistant Operations Director at The Orders of St John Care Trust and Jade Manwairing, Deputy Home Manager at Grace Care Centre.  Also joining them were two representatives from Gloucestershire Cricket Club.

During Mrs Journeauxs’ visit, not only did could she see the home and many features, but she was also given the opportunity to meet all Heads of Departments. Mrs Journeaux was able to meet residents involved in a range of activities throughout the home as some residents were involved with baking a cake, flower arranging as well as the use of our Ping Pong table in the Activities room. 

After the tour was complete, all guests gathered in the Marque located in the homes garden, where a commemorative plaque took centre stage. The soft sounding notes of the Harpist accompanied guests as they stood for the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, carried out by Marie Journeaux and then followed by a blessing from The Very Revd Alec Knight.

Celebrations were rounded off with a glass of prosecco and a toast following some well wishes by OSJCT chairman Don Wood, Chief Executive Dan Hayes. Grace Care Centre resident Tony Salisbury, then presented Marie Journeaux with a bouquet of flowers and a friendly greeting on behalf of all residents and staff.

The afternoon part of the opening invited local community members, families and local school children into the garden of the home. Everyone got to enjoy a few ‘fun fair’ type stools such as, Hook-a-duck, Coconut Shy and of course CANDY FLOSS!

A glorious buffet cooked by the Chef and his Kitchen team at Grace Care Centre was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Residents and visitors were also entertained in the afternoon by singer and performer Jessica de Giudici, her style and range of vintage songs suited the day perfectly.

A great day was had by all and we wish Grace Care Centre a very happy future.

There was a whole host of ghoulish goings-on from dressing up, pumpkin carving, making decorations and creating pictures to display around the homes.

Goodson Lodge in Trowbridge welcomed over 40 guests to a party which got underway with apple bobbing and bat hunting.  Children searched high and low for the bats, each of which had a letter on its back.  The challenge was to spell out a Halloween phrase to win a bag of sweets.  Doughnuts on a string also made for a fun, if not messy challenge.

A balloon artist delighted both children and adults alike with his creations, whilst music provided too much of a temptation for many of the residents who danced the night away.  

Competition was fierce amongst the children for the best Halloween costume but order was once again restored when all of the younger guests received a goody bag at the end of the evening.  Safe to say, a good time was had by all!             

 At Athelstan House in Malmesbury, residents were delighted to welcome 20 very special guests from the Messy Miniatures Toddler Group to join in the Halloween fun.

Residents were amazed at the children’s outfits like Frankie, the ghost (pictured).

After lunch, everyone enjoyed a spooky afternoon watching the old favourite ‘Carry on Screaming’.

They concluded that the celebrations really hit the spot as Halloween hadn’t been celebrated in previous years.

At Coombe End Court in Marlborough, residents baked a pumpkin cake, wrote scary stories and took part in a special Halloween quiz.

Elsewhere across the county at Ridgeway in Royal Wootton Bassett, Seymour House in Chippenham, Bartlett House in Ludgershall and Fives Court in Mere, residents, staff and visitors enjoyed dressing up in Halloween costumes and pumpkin carving.

All over the county, residents, teams, families and visitors alike really enjoyed getting into the spirit of Halloween and are already looking forward to Christmas celebrations.

On Thursday 25 October, The Orders of St John Care Trust officially opened its new home in Thornbury, Bristol.

The opening ceremony was led by Mrs Marie Journeaux, President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at The Orders of St John Care Trust and Don Wood, Chairman of The Orders of St John Care Trust.

Mrs Journeaux took a grand tour of Grace Care Centre, accompanied by Chris Bamford Assistant Operations Director at The Orders of St John Care Trust and Jade Manwairing, Deputy Home Manager at Grace Care Centre.  Also joining them were two representatives from Gloucestershire Cricket Club.

During Mrs Journeauxs’ visit, not only did could she see the home and many features, but she was also given the opportunity to meet all Heads of Departments. Mrs Journeaux was able to meet residents involved in a range of activities throughout the home as some residents were involved with baking a cake, flower arranging as well as the use of our Ping Pong table in the Activities room. 

After the tour was complete, all guests gathered in the Marque located in the homes garden, where a commemorative plaque took centre stage. The soft sounding notes of the Harpist accompanied guests as they stood for the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, carried out by Marie Journeaux and then followed by a blessing from The Very Revd Alec Knight.

Celebrations were rounded off with a glass of prosecco and a toast following some well wishes by OSJCT chairman Don Wood, Chief Executive Dan Hayes. Grace Care Centre resident Tony Salisbury, then presented Marie Journeaux with a bouquet of flowers and a friendly greeting on behalf of all residents and staff.

The afternoon part of the opening invited local community members, families and local school children into the garden of the home. Everyone got to enjoy a few ‘fun fair’ type stools such as, Hook-a-duck, Coconut Shy and of course CANDY FLOSS!

A glorious buffet cooked by the Chef and his Kitchen team at Grace Care Centre was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Residents and visitors were also entertained in the afternoon by singer and performer Jessica de Giudici, her style and range of vintage songs suited the day perfectly.

A great day was had by all and we wish Grace Care Centre a very happy future.