gardening - Family Mosaic Care and Support Services

YO U R T W ICE Y E A R LY M AG A Z IN E F RO M FA MILY MOSA IC INSIDE
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editorial
A CHEERFUL
REMINDER OF
YOUR SUMMER
Welcome to this edition of Reachout magazine, bringing you
the latest news about events and projects that took place over
the last six months in London, Essex and the south east.
As winter approaches, how lovely to have a reminder of
summer in all the garden projects right across the regions,
bringing together customers, staff and volunteers to work on
something that will enhance the daily lives of many people.
It’s also nice to get an update on your many activities, trips
and workshops. Personally I’d have chosen Paris over Stubbers
– not up for extreme activity these days!
I was touched by the sense of support common to all the
articles in this edition. It is so important that our services have
a strong sense of community and that people who use our
services and their neighbours come together for fun and to
provide friendship to those who are lonely or vulnerable.
I know many of our staff help you to organise and get
funding for events so a big thank you to them as well.
When I drove through Colchester last night I was shocked
to see that some shops were already decorated for Christmas.
It sent me into a bit of a panic if I’m honest, but it also made
me think about events that were held last year to bring
together people who were lonely during the holiday season.
I expect more events are now being planned and look forward
to pictures and stories in the summer edition of Reachout.
The word on the street is that we can expect bad weather
over this winter. Please make sure that you are prepared. Our
staff will be able to help you by giving information and advice.
Best wishes
MOIRA GRIFFITHS, GROUP CARE AND SUPPORT DIRECTOR
MONEY FOR GOOD WORKS
Each year the Family Mosaic Community Fund sets aside a
pot of money to pay for activities and events that it agrees
will do good for you and our other customers.
If you have an idea for an activity or event like this and would
like to apply for some money to help pay for it, please talk to
your support worker.
Many of the activities covered in this issue of Reachout were
very kindly paid for by the Family Mosaic Community Fund.
contacts
painting
ESSEX REGION
BORING OFFICE
GETS A FRIENDLY
ART ATTACK!
General enquiries
q 01268 498 500
Visiting support services
Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point,
Rochford, and Rayleigh
q 0800 288 8883
Southend q 01702 445 870
Haveringq 01708 776 770
LONDON REGION
Our Southampton office has been turned into a bright, cheerful and
welcoming space with paintings done by customers from all our teams
General enquiries
q 020 7089 1000
Visiting support services
Hackney, Islington
q 020 7241 7940
Hammersmith & Fulham
q 0800 123 1991
Redbridge q 0800 970 8401
Kensington & Chelsea
q 020 7351 2522
SOUTH REGION
General enquiries
q 01273 468 010
 [email protected]
 www.fmcareandsupport.co.uk
Are you
65 or over?
If you feel like
you’re getting a
cough or a cold,
get advice from
your pharmacist
Good outcomes:
beforethe
it Maisee
gets Sheed
Trust
Fund has paid
more serious.
for lots of activities
that do good for you
and others like you
nhs.uk/staywell
3
Leyla Hannbeck,
Pharmacist
Inspired by their visits to
Southampton’s City Art Gallery,
customers spent a day a week
over two months using our
office as an art studio, painting
people or places that mean a
lot to them.
Professional finish
When they finished, staff
picked those best suited to
an office then had them
professionally framed.
The art project was our
answer to complaints from
customers who found our
office too formal. It didn’t feel
like ‘their’ space, they said.
That’s all changed thanks to
our art group. And it’s helped
members of the group too.
They have all learnt different
techniques for painting and
everyone who took part has
been given paints and canvases
so they can carry on painting in
their own home.
‘I enjoyed being in the group
and didn’t want it to end,’ said
Lyndsey York.
Hampshire and West Sussex
area manager Steve Curtis said:
'It's great seeing the art in the
office every day and I am very
keen to see what our
customers do next!'
Wash of blue:
Aimee Harris
Turbulent seas:
Vince Hambrook
Seascape:
Lyndsey York
4
gardening
5
THE CAMOMILE LAWN
XMAS WREATH MAKING:
back by popular demand!
“
It's already a
lovely garden
and this will
make it look
even nicer.
It will look so
much better
than the pots
there now.
- youth
volunteer Gav
dwarf camomile plants to add a
lovely apple smell to the garden
and make it look even better.
Camomile is often used instead
of grass in gardens where it’s
really important to have things
that smell and feel nice.
Martlet House had a party in September
to celebrate our garden project’s first year
's first
to the garden
Toast: here's elba punch all round
m
year - peach
GARDENS OF
DELIGHT AND WHAT A
DIFFERENCE!
So get into the festive spirit
by making something special
with natural materials foraged
outdoors, like evergreens,
holly and pine cones.
To book your place at one of the
workshops or find out a bit more
call Greening Communities officer
Pippa on q07508 875 200.
Digging deep
SALT-RESISTANT GARDEN THRIVES
The garden has bloomed this
year thanks to the arrival of a
sturdy fence to help keep out
strong salty winds blowing in
from the sea off Saltdean.
Salt is terrible for plants.
We also had to pick plants
that would survive in shallow,
chalky soil. We first met
Emma Reeves from Greening
Communities in October 2013.
THERE WILL BE TWO FREE
WORKSHOPS FROM 10AM TO
12.30PM ON TUESDAY 15
AND TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER.
Customers at Flaxmean Court
in Felpham and Churchill Court
in Barnham have been helping
make their gardens nicer, and
even the ducks have a new
house at Flaxmean.
Customers from across north Essex turned up to
Beridge Road in Halstead, near Colchester, to plant
a sweet-smelling camomile lawn this summer
The care scheme won the
‘Halstead in Bloom’ award last
year, which is tough going in a
town full of very keen gardeners.
To keep the standards high,
Greening Communities project
worker Ella Dixon ordered 300
Christmas wreath-making
workshops are coming back
to the Brookside office in
Southampton in December.
Since then, with help from
Emma and a local contractor,
all the gardens around
Martlet House have been
looking much better.
We’re looking forward to
seeing what springs brings.
Thanks to the social inclusion
team for the chocolatedipped strawberries that
made our party extra sweet!
Residents helped plant
a raised bed at Barnham
in July and the garden has
been getting new lawns
and will get close to 100
new shrubs this autumn.
Flaxmean also had a
planting day and bedded in
lettuce, radishes, herbs,
flowers and bulbs over August.
Some new garden furniture
and a memorial bench were
skillfully put together by
Doreen, Alex, Anne and co.
The council is giving the
garden a makeover and
Doreen says it now looks
so nice they were tempted
to camp out in summer.
Thanks to Arun District
Council and Greening
Communities for their
help with the gardens.
Tenants at the Old Dairy in Tunbridge Wells
have been on a chicken-keeping course to learn
more about caring for the hens in their garden.
Allan James Winstanley reports
For the past three years we have kept free-range chickens.
We all help pay for bedding and feed. Bernie, our support
worker, clips the wings and we help clean out their house.
Bernie arranged for us to go on the course at Commonwork
Farm in Chiddingstone in Kent. We learnt the basics of health,
common ailments and how to handle chickens correctly.
We also had a tour of the beehives. A journalist from the BBC’s
Good Food magazine was also on the course. Our chickens lay
eggs every day. It is lovely having fresh eggs. I prefer my eggs
boiled and I also like to make pancakes with them.
6
travelling
7
GARDENERS' BIG DAY OUT
Essex customers who like gardening had a day out
with our Greening Communities team in summer
First stop was the community
gardens at Colchester’s High
Woods Country Park, where
one of our mums accidentally
dug up a toad instead of a
potato. The group later voted
this the best part of the day!
Gardener Wayne took our
group on a tour of the ‘Big
Garden Project’, set up on
wasteland nine years ago.
Local people use the garden to
learn to grow fruit and veg and
volunteer with garden tasks.
One of our group, who lives
nearby and regularly visits the
country park, signed up as a
weekly volunteer.
Next stop was the world
famous Beth Chatto gardens.
The dry garden was inspiring
and the ponds filled with water
lilies and ducks were lovely.
Last port of call for the day
was the café for ice cream.
Hunt the spud: Four year
old Lily in pink with mum
Laura Thomas in red, and
- in the blue top - Robert
from South Close
FLYING HIGH
OVER THE COWS,
SHEEP AND ER...
WALLABIES
BRIGHTON BELLES
Four south London learning disabilities customers spent
a sunny day in Brighton in August. Bridget, Ena, Florence and
Alicia, who use our floating support, met us at London Bridge
station to catch the Brighton train.
After a fish and chip lunch in the sun we walked down to
the beach and had a birthday cake to celebrate (just a bit late)
Bridget's birthday. Alicia, Florence and Bridget paddled in the
sea and took selfies.
ce
n
re
lo
After two hours on the beach we walked along the pier
&F
t, Ena, Alicia
Sunny: Bridge
and enjoyed the buskers and entertainers. ‘It was fantastic
and I had a lovely day,’ Alicia said.
“
Had so much
fun and the
food was nice
Meerkats, otters,
birds of prey, wallabies,
and many different
farm animals greeted
children from The
Pastures on a two-day
trip to Hobbledown
Farm in Epsom
Barrow boy: Jermaine
Thomas picks the easy
way to tour the Big
Garden Project.
'Finding the birds in the
book and the sandwich
in the park.' Lily, age 4,
telling us very clearly and
loudly which bits of the
day were her favourites
ALL ABOARD!
Animal farm: meeting the barn owl
The farm also has lots of
exciting outdoor activities for
children, giving them a chance
to show off all kinds of talent,
with lots of the (slightly) older
children completing a highwire course.
One young girl stood out,
holding her arms wide as
she came down the zip wire
singing: ‘I believe I can fly.’
Every child on the trip took
home a certificate, with their
photo, stating what staff
thought they did best. Their
mums are so pleased they’ve
been showing the certificates
to visiting education staff.
The Pastures is a gypsy and
traveller site where we have
been giving support to the
residents for five years.
Customer Martin Matthews made a flyer to interest others in
his idea of a get together for people with learning disabilities
who use our floating support in Hackney.
The result was half a day floating along the canal to Victoria
Park in two narrowboats, learning how to travel on a canal.
Each boat carried 12 passengers and the trips were
fantastic. Those who went have made new friends and
are now planning more activities together.
PARIS MINI-BREAK
A group who use our
London learning
disabilities services
headed across the
channel for a three-day
mini-break in Paris
‘We got on Eurostar and, my
Seeing the si
heavens, was the train fast!’
ghts: touring
Paris
said Robert Miller. ‘Within 40
minutes we got to the Channel
Tunnel and whizzed through
Tower on foot and went
the French countryside to Paris.' shopping for souvenirs.
For some, it was their first trip
‘I had never been on a
overseas. They took a bus tour
bateau-mouche and loved it,
of Paris, had lunch on a boat
and the buffet,' said Robert.
sailing down the river Seine,
'It rained all day but never mind
explored sights like the Eiffel
and I spoke French all the time.’
8
socialising
9
CELEBRATING SENIORITY
West Sussex clients so enjoyed last year’s health and wellbeing festival they
asked for one every year. So for Older People’s Day we held a mini version
About 100 guest turned up to
the sports and social club at
Middleton on Sea for a vintage
tea, dancing to old classics,
lots of healthy activities and
a chance to pick up new skills.
An invitation to a vintage tea party
at Cranbury Towers in summer drew
in older customers from Hamwic
House and many more who use our
floating support in Southampton
Lots to interest
trie
Some guests
ied
Even more tr
rcises
d seating exe
rcises!
the eating exe
There was a woodwork display,
free books, plants to pot and
flowers to arrange and, at the
art stall, guests learnt how to
start a creative project.
Guess the weight of the
cake and the tombola were
very popular. So too were
the ‘hair and nails’ makeovers
and relaxing Reiki massages.
Freebies for guests included
fresh fruit to encourage
healthy eating. Everyone
enjoyed themselves and a
lovely day was had by all.
Free hairdos went down well
The suggestion of a festival
came from the focus group for
Here to Help, the visiting
support service for older
people in West Sussex.
SUMMER GARDEN PARTY
“
It was a wonderful event and Family Mosaic must
be thanked for its organisation. The staff were
most helpful and all involved had a fantastic time.
CUPCAKES SERVED
UP WITH BINGO
IN SOUTHAMPTON
A huge crowd turned up
for our summer garden
party at Postern Court
and Biddlesgate Court
in Southampton.
A grand total of 76
guests from five of our
schemes for older people
came with family and
friends to enjoy a hog roast
followed by ice cream and
strawberries and cream.
Guests sang along
with ukelele band Uke
Box Glory and a special
charity raffle raised £130
for the Isle of Wight and
Hampshire Air Ambulance.
Guests sipped tea from lovely cups and
saucers specially lent to us for the occasion
and there were sandwiches and fresh fruit to
add a healthier touch, along with the cupcakes.
We also held a class in cake decorating.
Lunch was followed by bingo, which was loved
by the guests who had never before played it especially when they won. Twenty had such a
good time they stayed right to the end. We now
have a new group of bingo devotees!
‘The food was excellent with lots to choose,’
said one guest. ‘The china tea cups and saucers
were lovely, and it was decorated nicely.’
Sugar coating:
older customers
try their hand at
icing cupcakes
WWE ALIVE AND KICKING
WWE wrestling fans Thomas
and Alfie were over the moon
when staff at their supported
living scheme in Douglas Road,
Colchester, offered to take
them to see the WWE live
tour at London’s O2 arena.
Best seats
Staff helped them book really
good seats to watch their
heroes John Cena, Randy
Orton and Paige. Support
workers Marc and Neil went
with them to see the show.
Both Thomas and Alfie are
still talking about their great
evening seeing the WWE live.
Souvenirs: Thomas and Alfie
have added WWE T-shirts
and baseball caps to their
wrestling collection
10
experimenting
ter
brave the wa
to
y
d
a
re
:
p
m
Ski-ju
protecting
STUBBERS
ACTIVITY DAY
KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE IN
AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD
In August a group from five young people’s
schemes in Essex visited Stubbers activity
centre in Upminster. Alfie Wood reports
For some time now Family Mosaic has been proud to be called
a safeguarding organisation. When we talk about safeguarding,
what we mean is protecting people from harm or damage
We were escorted to the
meeting point in hut number
one, divided into groups of six
and told what we would be
doing during the day and how
long we would get on each
activity.
Our Don’t Walk On By
campaign helped staff and
customers recognise the signs
and symptoms of abuse and
learn what to do if you know or
think someone is being abused.
In recent years types of
abuse have changed. More
cases are being reported and
new problems revealed. One is
modern slavery. Another is
people being coached into
terrorism by extreme radicals.
Neither is new but we want
you to know about these
growing risks and understand
how and where they happen.
Packed agenda
group arrive
Going in: our
at Stubbers
The activities were jet skiing,
4x4 driving, rifle shooting and
abseiling. Most were activities
we’d never done before.
We would get 1.5 hours on
each, with 15-minute breaks.
I think the day was a great
success. I experienced new
things and met new people.
I was also proud that I faced
my fears. The 4 by 4 driving
was something I've always
wanted to do and I enjoyed it.
I would like to do it again.
On behalf of Anne Knight
House and myself, thank you
very much to Samantha
Hampshire at Bramble Court
for organising the day and to
the Family Mosaic Community
Foundation for funding it.
NEVER MISS ANOTHER DATE
Personal activity boards are
helping everyone keep up
with their meetings,
shopping trips, housework
duties and other important
dates at Lloyd House in
Stanford le Hope. All our
customers have busy weekly
schedules and the old paper
planner we were using
wasn’t up to the job. So we
agreed that everyone should
have their own board. After
a lot of looking for the right
pictures, cutting them out,
getting them laminated, and
fighting with gridding tape
and velcro, each customer
now has their own board
that they can change and
update when they want.
11
Ready when you
are: Lloyd House
customers Jeffrey
Thompson, Martin
Dunleavy and
Martin Cutts show
off their new
activity boards
MODERN SLAVERY
Modern slavery is the way we
describe human trafficking,
forced labour and people
being forced to work unpaid
in other people’s homes.
All these people are forced
by traffickers or slave masters
to work for no money. They
often live in terrible conditions
and are treated very badly.
We know the problem is
growing every year but it is
impossible to know exactly
how many people are affected
because the victims are
usually kept hidden away.
If you think someone you
have met may be a victim of
modern slavery please contact
the police immediately.
EXTREMIST RADICALS
FORCED MARRIAGE
Terrorist groups encourage
other people to join them by
turning people into ‘radicals’.
Radicalisation is someone
developing an extreme
political, social or religious
view that makes them a
danger to other people.
The government has
strategies to help stop
terrorist attacks and stop
people becoming or
supporting terrorists.
For further information and
advice on how you can identify
the signs or respond to
concerns about someone's
views, please look at www.
preventtradgedies.co.uk
A forced marriage is where one
or both people getting married
did not want to marry each
other but were forced to do so
because of pressure or abuse
from other people.
In the UK this is seen as
violence against both women
and men and a serious abuse
of their human rights.
If you are concerned for
yourself or someone you know,
advice and support can be
provided by emailing
[email protected]
FEMALE GENITAL
MUTILATION
FGM (female genital
mutilation) is a painful and
traumatic procedure, removing
or injuring all or part of the
outside genitalia on a very
young girl.
There is no medical reason
for doing it and it can cause
terrible medical problems.
It is also illegal in the UK but
is still done secretly in some
communities.
If you or someone you know
is at risk of FGM you can find
advice, guidance and support
at www.forwarduk.org.uk
If you have any questions or worries about any of
these things, please talk about it to one of our staff.
GOOD LUCK
DANIEL!
Goodbye to Daniel Hood,
one of our editorial panel
members, whose support
is moving to another
organisation. We would like
to thank him for all his
contributions to Reachout
and wish him well for the
future – good luck Daniel!
A STITCH IN TIME
MUSTN'T DWELL
Sarah, who lived at Pathways for two years,
explains how she made her quilt (pictured)
by John Presley
I started making the quilt
last year after dreaming of
doing it for years but never
having the confidence or
ability.
I told Kate Poyser, the
manager at Pathways in
Bexhill-On-Sea, about my
dream and she said I was
in luck – patchwork quilting
was her hobby.
We decided on a light
pink and blue colour
scheme and over the year
we were able to produce
this lovely quilt.
At Bexhill's sewing shop
Kate showed me the best
width of ribbon and ric-rac
to use. At Pathways she
showed me how to use
bondaweb, do different
stitches and use the
sewing machine.
But what really boosted
my confidence was Kate
telling me ‘imperfections
make a hand-made
patchwork quilt’.
PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS ON PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE SOURCES ✆ 01502 725 832
Sarah is autistic and finds change
stressful. She does voluntary work in
a charity shop and enjoys crafts.
WANTED: SEWING TUTORS
If you’re skilled with a sewing machine or
a dab hand at patchwork, would you be
interested in teaching others?
Learning dress-making skills is one idea that has
come from talks we’ve had with women at The Pastures,
a gypsy and travellers site in Sutton.
The women are keen to find ways to earn a living from
home. As well as making clothes, they could turn their
hand to making curtains and patchworks. Learning how
to measure and cost the work could also help their
reading and maths skills.
So they are keen on the idea and we run a café nearby
that can host the classes. We now have eight women
interested in attending fortnightly classes and one of our
staff is looking for funds for sewing machines and materials.
What we need are teachers. If you are good at dressmaking or patchwork could you donate a morning of your
time? Please email Jacqui Clack at the Sutton floating
support service at [email protected]
Mustn’t dwell
Think – of Good – things
I’ll play
There we are
– uncoil the tight – spring inside of me
No – one here listening
Lets play
That’s a lot better.
My Music and song A relief
My stories for everyone –
parables in themselves
As one went prayed –
Prayest – and pray
Thy creatures and creations
– children –
Thy people’s Lord God
One world – one peace
Thinking of Good things –
make good of the bad
A little sun-loving Toriclity
My girl and all
With a heart full of love
– as the song – goes
Always look on the bright
– side of life – as the song goes
That’s right – keep the home
Hearing the children happy and playing –
what are you doing – You should be praying
That’s right – keep the home
– fires burning – As the song goes
I still have and can play my music.
Some morning physically
– sick with the heartache and pain.
Sit – shaking
Sit and can hardly – move.
My Logo and Aims – Aches and Pains.
Do one's best,
Mustn’t grumble.
Guitars – clothes – documents
– tapes – even Bible stolen/smashed/
mis-appropriated.