News and Views Spring 2021 - www.ndirections.co.uk - Sefton New Directions
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News and Views Spring 2021 www.ndirections.co.uk
Message from our
Managing Director
Reflection and hope
2020 will be forever remembered for In the last newsletter I talked about
Covid-19. Many of us over recent weeks the tremendous resilience I have
will have reflected on the last 12 months seen from individuals we support,
and everything that our colleagues, their carers and our magnificent New
friends and families have had to contend Directions team who have always put
with. the people they support first.
The country experienced the first It is apparent that Covid-19 will be a
lockdown since the Second World feature of our lives throughout 2021.
War on 23rd March 2020. The impact With rising cases across Europe, we
has been enormous on our ability to must continue to be cautious. However,
socialise, the threat to our physical the development of the vaccine roll-
and mental health and for many - a out programme has given us hope:
personal loss. Mark Fox, Managing Director of
• Hope the restrictions will ease and New Directions.
Over the last year across New we can connect with friends and
Directions we have tragically lost family again.
loved ones, some due directly to • Hope that we can do again what we
contracting Covid-19 and others used to take for granted.
indirectly. This month we have spent
time remembering all those who we • Hope that we will be able to hug our
have lost. loved ones safely.
In the last three months, we have sadly The commitment and determination
lost two team members who have of the teams of our staff, and the
spent their lives caring for others - positive comments of appreciation I
Pauline McCormick who passed away read about them in these pages, are
after contracting Covid-19 and Julie filled with gratitude and hope.
Corbett who passed away following a As we move out of our country’s third
very short battle with cancer. lockdown and into the spring, hope
You will forever be in our thoughts. I gives us strength and perseverance,
know the people you have supported and as individuals receive their second
and cared for will be forever grateful. vaccine we can hope for the best. I am
taking the vaccine to protect those
For the last 12 months, we have been around me.
in a battle against the virus and its
variants. It has at times felt relentless
with little opportunity for a break. Stay safe.
Mark
2 New Directions Spring 2021
LEFT Jedda participating in our storytelling
session on her first week back.
RIGHT Kate Dwerryhouse finally back at the
centre doing some much-missed Tai Chi.
North Hub
reopens its doors
The North Hub in Southport Service Manager Paula Scott said “ Our reopening on March 1st was
became the latest New that staff were really excited at the a red-letter day for the service,
prospect of the North Hub reopening and I know all our staff and all our
Directions’ service to reopen after almost 12 months of pandemic- regulars were thrilled about it,”
its doors at the beginning of enforced closure: concluded Paula.
March.
“ We’re all delighted that we can see This is borne out by comments staff
A phased return is being implemented some light at the end of the tunnel have received from people who attend
to keep the centre Covid-secure with and we’re really looking forward the service and their families.
the normal range of activities being to welcoming some familiar faces
back to the centre over the next few One family member said:
reintroduced over time.
weeks. “ I don’t know what my wife and I
A key element in the reopening has
would do without the North Hub.
been the creation of a two-zone “ Obviously we’ve been providing our
The staff are fantastic and so
system with staff and people who people with one-to-one support
supportive.”
attend the service being based in one over recent months, but now we’re
or other of them, with no crossover finally on the way to the whole Another commented:
between zones. North Hub community coming
together again, and to eventually “ You have been so supportive during
Meanwhile, within each zone social this pandemic. Thank you for
distancing and other infection operating our full range of activities
once more. keeping in touch with us.”
control measures will be used to keep
coronavirus at bay.
Drama group says She explained:
farewell to Veronica “ After such a difficult year I think
our members will want to work on
something light hearted and fun to
begin with, especially as I’m sure
As the number of South Hub it will be some time before our big
regulars returning to the shows can recommence.”
reopened centre increases,
In the meantime, New Centre Stage
staff at New Centre Stage are has said a fond farewell to friend and
looking forward to the time colleague Veronica Morrison who took
when they will be able to plan early retirement recently.
some exciting new drama Vicky Bennett added:
activities.
“ Veronica worked as a Support A fond farewell to Veronica after 38 years
Advanced Care Worker Vicky Bennett Worker at New Directions for 38 with New Directions.
says that she will take the lead from years and was part of the drama
“ We wish Veronica all the very
people who attend the service in team for nine years.
best for her retirement and we
choosing exactly what form these
“ She was a very much valued look forward to having a proper
activities will take.
member of our team who will be celebration of her contribution to
hugely missed by all the people who New Centre Stage - with lots of cake!
have attended New Centre Stage, - once it is safe to do so.”
their carers and our staff.
www.ndirections.co.uk3
Keeping fit at Chase Heys with some
– socially distanced – chair-based exercise.
Chase Heys has played a vital role in freeing
up local hospital beds during the pandemic.
Key Covid-19 role
for Chase Heys
It also gives patients the opportunity “ I’d also like to express our thanks
to complete the remainder of their to the redeployed staff who have
Chase Heys has continued to isolation period in the safe and caring joined us from the Poplars and the
play a key role in the fight Chase Heys environment. North Hub.
to tackle coronavirus by
Chase Heys Service Manager, Nicky “ You have been amazing and we
effectively acting as an extra Maguire, commented: want to thank you for all your hard
hospital ward for the area. work. It has not been easy for you
“ We were delighted that our A Wing
As part of this process the home was passed the inspection with no to change roles and change your
recently assessed by the Care Quality concerns thus allowing us to environment, but we do really
Commission as a designated centre for continue helping out our local appreciate the contributions you
Covid-19. hospitals during the ongoing Covid have made in an exceptionally
crisis. difficult year.”
This means it has been inspected
and approved to admit people from “ This is due to the commitment Many people who have stayed at
hospital who are post seven days from of our front-line care staff and Chase Heys in recent months have
a positive Covid-19 test. cleaning team who have worked written to thank staff for the care they
so hard to maintain the highest received. One wrote:
The patients concerned are given the
support and care they need to recover standards of infection control. “ You have all been so amazing and
while they complete their isolation helped me through what has been
“ It’s thanks to their efforts that
period before returning home or an extremely difficult time in my
Chase Heys has successfully avoided
returning to, or moving into, a care life.”
a major Covid-19 outbreak - the
home. minimum outbreak we did have did Another family member commented
Obviously this service helps to free up not close us for admissions.” about her 90-year-old mother:
local hospital beds for other patients.
Elsewhere at Chase Heys everyone “ Over the last few months you have
is looking forward to enjoying some given Mum a new lease of life. She
better weather and to getting back in laughs and has fun, has made new
the garden and to once again making friends and her confidence and self-
it look lovely for the summer. esteem have returned.”
Nicky Maguire added:
“ It’s been an incredibly challenging
12 months and Jane and I would like
to thank every member of staff at
Chase Heys for their continued hard
work and dedication to the service
and the people we support.
Everyone is looking forward to spending
time in the attractive grounds at Chase
Heys when the weather gets warmer.
4 New Directions Spring 2021
Scrubbing up well This was a national campaign
encouraging people to make scrubs
at the South Hub when PPE was in short supply during
the difficult early months of the
pandemic.
People attending services at When Cathy returned to work she
the reopened South Hub may joined forces with her New Threads
have noticed that staff at the and South Hub colleagues to create
centre have been sporting a makeshift workshop, where so far
some natty new ‘uniforms’. more than 80 sets of scrubs and scrubs
bags have been produced in a specially
The healthcare-style scrubs - which sourced polycotton material that
also have matching scrubs bags - have allows them to be washed in hot water.
been produced in-house by Cathy and Two sets of each item have been
Jacky from the New Threads sewing distributed to staff at the South
and dressmaking workshop, working Hub, North Hub and Hudson Road
with Rose, Pauline and Pam from the residential care home and the response
South Hub. from recipients has been very positive.
Cathy came up with the idea last year Cathy Cunliffe commented: South Hub staff members display the scrubs
when she was off work shielding and which have proved very popular.
decided to use her sewing equipment “ It was great to work with our South
at home to support the For the Love of Hub colleagues on producing the
Scrubs project. scrubs and it was very satisfying for
all of us to make something that’s
proved both very practical and very
popular.”
New Directions competition
Easter bonnet
egg-travaganza
There are some egg-citing prizes to be Entering couldn’t be simpler - just send a photo
won in our first New Directions newsletter of your eggs-citing Easter creation to our
new Communications Officer, Katerina Mabbett, at
competition. katerina.mabbett@ndirections.org.
With Easter fast approaching, we’re asking you to get
Alternatively, you can post your entry snap online on
creative and produce an Easter-themed bonnet that
the New Directions Facebook page.
will make the wearer really stand out from the crowd!
You’ve got plenty of time to create something
Whether it’s a traditional design incorporating Easter
fabulous with the closing date for the competition
eggs and chicks, or a haute couture item that would
being 18th April and the three winners being
grace any catwalk, we want to hear from you.
announced on 20th April.
The first prize winner will receive a fabulous grand
Put your thinking caps – or should we say thinking
mystery prize, with second and third prizes receiving
bonnets – on, get creative and show us what you
Easter hampers including chocolates and other
can do.
springtime goodies.
Warm feelings at
Waterloo Park
Waterloo Park regulars have really appreciated the various items they have received
from the centre during the coronavirus pandemic.
Even though Waterloo Park There were even some beautifully Michelle Colleran added:
has been closed because of the knitted hats and blankets to choose
“ These were enthusiastically
from as well.
coronavirus, staff have kept in received by everyone and went
regular touch with people who Waterloo Park Manager, Michelle down very well. Lots of people
Colleran, commented: commented on how being
would normally attend the
remembered in this way had really
service. “ This was a really excellent project
made their day.”
- we delivered the goodies to our
One of their recent initiatives people from a safe distance and the Waterloo Park has also been receiving
came about thanks to the special response was fantastic - everyone a lot of very positive feedback on
relationship they enjoy with was so grateful. the home-cooked meals it has been
charity Sefton Opera whose volunteers delivering to people during the
often visit the New Directions’ centre “ One lady took to her blanket
pandemic.
to offer massage therapy to regulars. straight away and one of our
gentleman said it felt like One lady - Violet Barlow - said that
Staff at the charity kindly included Christmas! We cannot thank Sefton the support from Waterloo Park has
Waterloo Park people in a project Opera enough and look forward been ‘great’, and she felt that staff
which involved distributing Emergency to working with them again in the had really lifted her mood during
Winter Warmer bags to older members future.” lockdown and the meals were so much
of the community. appreciated.
The bags consisted of lots of fresh Meanwhile, staff at Waterloo Park also
wanted to ‘share the love’ with people The centre also received a compliment
vegetables to make a winter-warming from the carer of Derek Davies who
hearty soup, boxes of cereal, tea who normally attend the service on
Valentine’s Day. attends South hub saying:
bags and biscuits, and a selection of
tinned goods and other store cupboard As a result they produced a range of “ You girls have been amazing
essentials. hand-made cards and home-made throughout and we can’t thank you
cakes to deliver to the doorsteps of the enough.”
people who they support.
Another user of the service, Melsie
Lightwood, said:
“ I would be lost without you girls
and could not have got through this
without you.”
And Mike McGuirk - son of another
regular, Tom McGuirk - said that
whenever his dad received anything
from Waterloo Park such as cards and
cakes it really lifted his spirits, making
him feel he had not been forgotten
and giving him reassurance that
everyone would be back together
one day.
Waterloo Park helped people who normally
attend the service to celebrate Valentine’s
Day with cakes and cards at home.
6 New Directions Spring 2021
Looking back at a
year of Covid-19
evening to support those who have
been bereaved.
New Directions recently
Writing to staff in advance of the
supported the National Day
event, New Directions Managing
of Reflection on 23rd March, Director Mark Fox said:
organised to mark one year
“ This poignant anniversary
since the start of the first signified a moment to remember
Covid-19 lockdown. all who we have lost. My thoughts
are with the families and friends
Staff throughout the organisation
who have lost loved ones.
were invited to take part in the day
which was designed to give people “ There continue to be tough times
the opportunity to unite and reflect ahead, and it is so important that
on the tragic loss of life over the last we take time to reflect on our
12 months, and our collective grief as collective experiences and support
a nation. each other. One of our values is
To mark the day daffodil badges ‘together as one’ and together we Edward and Ruth from Brookdale Resource
from Marie Curie were distributed hope for better times ahead. Centre commemorate those who we have
lost by planting a rose in the grounds of
to all staff members, and daffodils the service.
“ I could not be prouder of our
planted in the grounds of services to
magnificent New Directions team
commemorate those we have lost.
who have looked after our most
Staff were also invited to take part vulnerable through these most
in a one-minute silence at lunchtime difficult of times.” added Mr Fox.
on the day, and to shine a light in the
Boogie on down
with Shared Lives
Shared Lives families were able to boogie
on down at an online disco to celebrate
Valentine’s Day recently.
Staff organised the Zoom event to mark the special day
and were delighted with the turnout, the singing, the
dancing and even some very proficient air guitar playing!
Thanks go to DJ Tracey and everyone Once again there was a great turnout The seminars – which were very well
who attended, some of whom could with first prize going to Stephen G, attended - and leaflet are designed
be seen enjoying a cheeky prosecco second prize to Thomas and Hilary to ease any worries
to get in the spirit of the event. and third prize to Richard, Linda and people may be
Phil. experiencing about
More recently Shared Lives families
the vaccines, and
enjoyed the latest in their series of Elsewhere in the Shared Lives
any hesitancy they
online quizzes with questions this community staff from the New
feel about having
time on such varied subjects as Directions’ service have been
the jab.
general knowledge, foodie facts and hosting online seminars and
guessing the celebrity babies! distributing Easy Read information
leaflets about the Covid-19 vaccines.
www.ndirections.co.uk7
LEFT A wide variety of pancakes
were on the menu at the Woodlands
event.
RIGHT Tenant Nick Palmer cooks
up some tasty treats on Shrove
Tuesday.
Woodlands busy in
spite of pandemic “ Our new arrivals both said they “ Our aim has been to provide each
had never previously been housed tenant with as much or as little
in a better place, or received such individualised support as they
The New Directions’ outstanding support from staff. want, to help them navigate
Woodlands supported living “ Comments like these are a tribute
successfully through what has been
service has continued to an extremely difficult time.”
to the warm welcome and ongoing
operate at full capacity over quality of service provided by the The efforts of staff are certainly
the last few months, despite team here at Woodlands.” appreciated by tenants. KS said:
the coronavirus pandemic. Elsewhere at the service staff continue “ Woodlands staff have helped me to
to work hard on maintaining its Covid- get on my feet and sorted me out.
Liaising with Sefton Council, staff
free status, both through a testing I could not have done any of this
recently organised the emergency
regime and educating tenants about without them – all the team are
admission of two previously homeless
good practice in terms of preventing amazing.”
gentlemen to the 11-room centre in
infection.
Bootle. And SW commented:
They also continue to provide ongoing
The gentlemen have quickly become “ Thank you to all the staff for the
support to tenants on a wide range
part of the Woodlands community, kindness and support you have
of other issues including life skills,
and have provided some very positive given to me while I have been at
general health and wellbeing matters,
feedback about the care they have Woodlands.”
relationships, work, education and
received.
managing finances. Because of the coronavirus there have
Woodlands Manager Neil Willis been fewer social events than normal
“ Obviously the Covid-19 restrictions
explained: at Woodlands over recent months, but
and lockdowns have placed
residents did get together recently in
additional pressures on our tenants,
a socially-distanced way to celebrate
as they have on everyone in the
Shrove Tuesday with a selection of
country,” added Neil Willis.
tasty pancakes.
At Simonscroft one of the gents has been
potting tomato and cucumber seeds
Keeping active with purchased online ready for planting out on
his allotment when spring arrives.
Supported Living At Wavell the men created their own
Valentine’s Day cards, and also took part
in a virtual disco night which was voted a
Since the start of the third great success.
coronavirus lockdown residents at And at Lyra Road one of the gents devised
New Directions’ Supported Living a quiz afternoon for all the houses, and
Service houses in Sefton have managed to catch the Service Manager out
been keeping themselves busy with one of the questions!
with a range of fun activities at Across the houses, as the weather has now
home. started to improve, residents are enjoying
their daily walks and looking forward to the
These activities have included flower Covid-19 restrictions being eased so they
arranging, baking and cake decorating, can get back to the full range of activities
games and various Zoom groups. they know and enjoy.
Residents have been keeping busy during
lockdown with a wide range of fun activities.
8 New Directions Spring 2021
Valentine’s Day spirit
thrives at Brookdale
People who attend a New It’s a system that has worked well for “ Brookdale can provide carers in
Directions’ centre for Sefton the centre since it became the first these households with an important
New Directions’ day service to reopen respite break, so it’s not surprising
residents living with dementia its doors at the end of last October. that so many of our regulars have
proved that age is no barrier returned, and that we’ve received
And encouragingly, the response from
to getting in the Valentine’s such a lot of positive feedback from
people who use the service has been
Day spirit recently. excellent over the past few months:
families saying how pleased they
are that the centre is open again.
Regulars at Brookdale Resource Centre “ Apart from a handful of people,
in Ainsdale enjoyed a day of romance- “ Now we look forward to the
all our regulars have come back
related activities to mark the special day when the service can get
to us,” said Salwa. “And we think
event. completely back to normal, parties
that some of those who we haven’t
and all,” added Salwa.
These included making Valentine welcomed back yet may well return
cards for loved ones to take home, once they’ve had both of their Covid In the meantime families have been
listening to love songs and enjoying vaccine jabs. expressing their appreciation for the
Valentine cakes and chocolate for their services provided at Brookdale.
“ We’ve even been open for new
afternoon tea. admissions during the latest One relative wrote to say:
And although Covid restrictions meant lockdown, which reflects all the
“ The staff are amazing. They are
that staff were unable to arrange hard work that our staff have put in
caring and conscientious with a
the normal party sing-song with an - and continue to put in - to making
very human approach. I would
entertainer, people who attend the the centre Covid-secure.”
regularly phone them for advice if
service agreed that there was still Salwa also believes that the response I was struggling at home and they
plenty of love in the air on the day. demonstrates how much the service were always happy to help.”
Valentine’s Day was another good provided by Brookdale is needed by
And another added:
example of Brookdale’s determination families:
to keep the service as normal as “ Brookdale staff have provided
“ Over the past 12 months or so
coronavirus rules allow. stability and some routine to my
lockdowns and other Covid-19
grandfather each week during
Manager Salwa Moustafa commented: restrictions have been stressful and
lockdown. His keyworker has been
difficult for everyone in the country.
“Our regulars are always up for a amazing getting him doing his
party so it was a shame that once “ However, there has been even more favourite hobbies.”
again we couldn’t organise one of pressure on families living with a
our traditional celebrations with a person who has dementia.
singer.
“ Hopefully we managed to do
the next best thing by providing
a variety of romance-themed
activities for them to enjoy while
staying safe at the same time.”
Salwa explained that to keep Brookdale
Covid-secure the centre has been
divided up into two zones, with staff
and people who attend the service
being based in one or other of them,
with no crossover between zones.
RIGHT Hilda Wheeler takes part in the
Valentine’s Day arts and craft activities.
LEFT Flo Buckley with one of the Valentine’s
cards that were made for loved ones.
www.ndirections.co.uk9
Hudson Road
goes interactive Hudson Road Advanced Care
Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Robinson,
said:
With all the coronavirus “ The various Covid-19 rules and
restrictions Christmas 2020 restrictions inevitably cause
at Hudson Road was very more difficulties and pressures
for us, but our staff have worked
different to the normal festive
tirelessly to ensure that residents
celebrations that staff and are engaged in fun activities and
residents are used to. the day-to-day life of the home.
However, with the support and guidance “ I never cease to be amazed at the
of Operations and the company’s response of our staff team, and how
clinical advisor, staff managed to resilient and adaptable they have
support a home visit for one resident been to the ever-changing situation
to enable him to spend Christmas day we are facing.”
with his family. This wouldn’t have
been possible without the guidance and Speaking about Hudson Road, one
TOP Games of all kinds have proved
support from Michelle and Roz. family member commented: very popular at Hudson Road during the
lockdown.
More recently, with the third lockdown “ It’s amazing how you have
ABOVE Development works are in the
and even more restrictions in place, continued to think of new ways pipeline at Hudson Road when restrictions
planned development works at Hudson to keep us in touch and keep us allow.
Road have been delayed. However, a informed.”
gazebo was purchased to help out with Elsewhere in south Sefton work has Everyone wishes Ann all the best in her
window visits. begun on planning the reopening of new job.
Meanwhile, the recent focus of staff the Aintree Lane respite care service,
Families continue to express their
at the home has been on supporting with staff ‘checking in’ with families
appreciation for the service provided at
the emotional and mental health of who have previously used the service.
Aintree Lane. One family member said:
residents, and finding new ways to More information on this will appear in
the next issue of the newsletter. “ We have really missed the service
interact and engage with them.
and staff.” Another added: “We’re
As part of this process residents have In the meantime the team have
so happy that the service is
the use of a sensory light and sound said a fond farewell to Aintree Lane
reopening.”
space, interactive games and other Advanced Care Co-ordinator Ann Barr
technology to attract their attention who has taken up a new role with
and engage them in activities. New Directions at James Dixon Court.
Sunny side up
in the garden
Another lockdown success for Shared Lives!
Colin and David were supported by their carers with planting
sunflower seeds and spending time in the garden feeding, watering
and nurturing them. This gave them a focus as well as enabling them
to spend plenty of time outdoors.
The neighbours in the road where they live had a competition for the
best-grown sunflowers and green-fingered Colin came second! Well
done to him!
Colin and David pictured with their remarkably successful sunflowers.
10 New Directions Spring 2021Thanks for a gift Shared Lives families arts and crafts over recent months.
certainly know how Kevin even had a go and made his
made with love important it is to keep
sister Karen a tea towel.
busy and have fun during Jean kindly made Shared Lives a tea
towel to thank us all for our help and
lockdown.
support during lockdown.
Jean, Kevin and Linda have found The team at Shared Lives would like
different ways of coping during the to thank Kevin, Jean, and Linda for
pandemic. Jean and Linda (Jean’s making us smile. A beautiful gift
carer) have a shared interest in craft made with love! Thank you!
and have been trying out different
Flashback to before the pandemic when delighted staff from the New
Directions’ Reablement Service and Domiciliary Care Service celebrated a
‘good’ rating for both teams from the Care Quality Commission inspectors.
Tribute to ‘engine
room’ of services
In the December issue of this
newsletter managers of the
Reablement and Domiciliary
Care services paid tribute to
the remarkable work of their
care staff out in the field
during the pandemic.
“ Clearly it’s down to the Assistant to be more than equal to the task,
This time round Manager Lorna Irving Managers and members of the office and as a result they’ve managed
and Deputy Manager Elaine Lock want team to ensure that the people we to overcome all these difficulties
to highlight the invaluable behind- provide care for receive the level of and ‘keep the show on the road’
the-scenes contribution made by the support they need at the time that successfully throughout the last year.
Assistant Managers and the office team they need it.
who are the ‘engine room’ of both “ Working side by side with their care
services. “ However, they play an equally staff colleagues, they’ve ensured
important role in supporting their that the people we support have
Manager Lorna Irving explained: colleagues and streamlining the way continued to receive the care they
“ Our care staff have done a fantastic they’re able to operate, whether need in spite of the worst public
job over the last 12 months, that’s through effective scheduling health crisis for a century. I’m very
remaining as busy as ever and or organising stocks of PPE.” proud of all of them,” concluded
having to cope with a number of Lorna.
And just as the pandemic has made life
additional pressures, not least the more difficult for care staff, so it has *People who use the Reablement and
enhanced Covid-19 infection control for the Assistant Managers and office Domiciliary Care services continue to
measures, and often having to put team: show how much they appreciate the
on PPE and sanitise in the car or on care they receive. One wrote recently:
the doorstep. “Like everyone else, we’ve had to
adapt our procedures in line with the “ You’re such a big help to me. I
“ What these staff have managed ever-changing Covid-19 regulations always look forward to your visits
to do in difficult circumstances has over the last year,” added Lorna. and you always have time for a nice
been little short of amazing, but it’s chat.”
important to remember that their “ However, they have also had to
achievements have only been made factor in the effects of developments Speaking about a family member,
possible by the organisational skills like shielding and self-isolating in another person wrote:
of our Assistant Managers and the terms of both staff and the people “ The jobs you do for her are big jobs
members of our office team.” we support, resulting in significantly that make such a difference to her
more operational changes than environment and her life. She says
Lorna pointed out that these staff play normal, and many of them often last
a vital role in terms of supporting the she enjoys your visits and could
minute. not manage without your help and
people who use the service and their
care staff colleagues: “ Fortunately, they have all proved support.”
www.ndirections.co.uk11The new sensory spa guarantees
New bathroom offers
bathers a VIP experience.
VIP experience
People who attend the Poplars Manager Victoria McTaggart
respite service in Southport commented:
can now enjoy a VIP bathing “ Rose will be very much missed by all
experience. and we wish her a long, healthy and
happy retirement.”
A major bathroom upgrade - delayed
by the pandemic last year - has finally Meanwhile, Beth Delaney has been
been completed and the new sensory promoted from Support Worker to a
spa bath that has been installed Team Leader role. Congratulations! The Poplars is one of the New
features water jets and its own light The Poplars team also report that their Directions’ services that has remained
and sound system. ‘festive foodraiser’ proved a big success open throughout the coronavirus crisis.
These new features will ensure that at Christmas. Victoria McTaggart added:
anyone taking a dip at Poplars in Rather than sending each other cards
future is guaranteed a much more “ It’s been a difficult 12 months but
team members and staff from other thanks to the outstanding efforts
exciting and dramatic experience than New Directions’ services were asked
previously! of our staff team we’ve continued to
to make donations to Southport provide emergency care when it has
Elsewhere at the service there have Foodbank instead. been required.
been a couple of staff changes in The response to the appeal was
recent months. “ I’d like to pay tribute to all of them
excellent. Thanks to everyone who for their hard work, commitment
The Poplars said a fond farewell to contributed towards helping a very and adaptability during this
Rose Diamond who retired after many worthy cause. challenging period.”
years’ service.
Multi-sensory unit
opens at South Hub
A new multi-sensory unit co-ordination to simply enjoying
has been unveiled at the themselves and finding it deeply
relaxing.
New Directions’ South Hub in
Netherton. “ It’s a great new resource for the
centre and I’m sure it will be very
The new facility is designed to well used,” added Christian.
provide a peaceful environment while
stimulating the senses of the people Meanwhile other plans for new
using it. projects are in the pipeline at the
South Hub.
South Hub Manager, Christian Hooton,
commented: Christian and his team are looking to
develop part of the site to create raised
“ The way part of the centre has been beds that will be used to grow fruit,
transformed into this wonderful vegetables and flowers. In time this
new unit is really striking and I’d like area could also be home to some small
to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone animals such as chickens.
who has been involved in the
project. The South Hub team believe the
redeveloped area could help both staff
“ The people who attend the South and people who attend the centre to
The new multi-sensory unit – a great new Hub will get a huge amount of gain a wide range of new experiences
resource for the South Hub.
benefit from it, from developing and skills.
their senses and improving their
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3rd Floor Burlington House, Crosby Road E: info-nd@ndirections.co.uk
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