Investors In People
In April we were awarded the Investors In People (IIP) quality assurance award. This is a national standard for quality assurance and means that we measure up well against some of the best companies around. The strength of the IIP assessment process is that it is all done by an independent assessor talking to our staff, finding out how they view the organisation and how they feel valued, so to come through with such a positive result on our first attempt is particularly rewarding
It doesn't stop there, however! We will continue to use the Investors In People assessment framework to measure our structures and procedures in the future. We will continue to develop both the Carers and Clients Advisory Committee and the Staff Advisory Committee formats to ensure we have good channels of communication with everyone involved in Supported Lives.
We can now add the Investors in People award to the Three Stars for Excellence rating given to us in 2009 and 2010 by the Care Quality Commission, which will give existing and future clients real confidence in Supported Lives to deliver good services via excellent staff and management.
Jon Wright
Who Am I?
Andy Stevens
I've worked for
Supported Lives for over a year. I've really enjoyed my time
here. I've always wanted to be in a job that makes a difference
to people's lives. This job gives me a chance to express myself
and fulfils my need to help people. I also do voluntary work on
Sundays with homeless people. I'm interested in sport activities
like swimming, running, gym, long walks. I have a fiancée in
Bristol who I met online.
It's a privilege to work with Supported Lives and I feel like part of a big family.
Client Advisory Group
I wanted to let you know that the next Supported Lives Advisory Committee Meeting will be on 20 July, 10:30-12:30 at Rebecca House. If you would like to attend please contact me on 01274 377 100.
So far the agenda looks like this:
Coffee and Biscuits
Current issues (finance, staffing, any organisational changes)
Directors' Report
Investors in People
Brochures
Internal network
If anyone has anything they would like to add to the agenda then please let me know.
Emilia
Photo Gallery
We've added a new feature to our website - the photo gallery. We're putting pictures of our clients online so everyone can share in the fun we have.
The gallery is quite small at the moment but you can help it grow. If you have any photos of things you have enjoyed doing with Supported Lives and you want to share them, just get a copy to me via the office. I can cope with digital photos and old-fashioned prints, just make sure you include a brief description of who, where and when.
Here's a brief taster of what you can see online: James and Ian on holiday in Grange-over-Sands; Michael, Mark and Michelle in Bridlington; and Richard at Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire.
Ian and Corinne
Ian
James and his mum, Sue
James
Mark and Michelle
Michelle and Michael
Richard
Brett
Diaries
I'd like to remind everybody about the importance of keeping diaries. These should be filled in by the support worker with the help of the client after each session.
We are changing them at the moment for new ones (2010-2011). Every client should have their own diary, so that we can continue recording on a daily basis. If you have any problems or questions please contact Emilia or Donna at the office.
Emilia
Goodbye
Jenni Galbraith joined Supported Lives almost three years a go as a young rugby playing physiotherapy student who we found out pretty quickly was also a brilliant support worker!
She has made a fantastic contribution to Supported Lives and to the other organisations we work with over the last few years, but most of all to the clients and the families she supported. We know they will really miss her but will join with us in wishing her well in her new job.
Thanks Jenni.
The Management Team
Coffee Morning
Thanks to everyone who came to the last coffee morning, it was great to see so many of you. Special thanks to Libby and Michelle for helping out. The next coffee morning will be at Rebecca House on Wednesday 21st July at 10:30am.
Owen
Client Vehicles
Annual check for insurance etc.
In the near future we will be introducing a check-list to complete for carers and clients who have mobility cars that they allow Supported Lives staff to drive. This will be an annual check where they can confirm that the necessary requirements such as insurance, road tax, MOT, etc. are in place.
The driver of a car is responsible for whether that vehicle is roadworthy while he or she is driving it, but equally the owners of the car have a duty of care to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and legal before allowing them to be driven by other drivers.
Jon Wright
Senior Support Worker Vacancy
We require a Senior Community Support Worker to provide flexible support to people with wide ranging needs and to assist in managing and planning support packages. 35 hours per week, starting at £8.25 per hour.
You will have:
- Experience of supporting people with disabilities (professional, voluntary or family)
- Ability to use computer programmes, email and the internet competently
- Ability to work flexibly within a rota system
- The closing date for applications is Monday 12 July 2010
Please contact Emilia for application details and more information on 01274 377 104.
Help Wanted
Adult siblings of people with autism and high support needs are wanted to help with a research project.
Are you aged 25+ and have a brother or sister with autism and a severe learning disability? If so, you may be interested in taking part in a research project about people with life experiences similar to your own. We are especially keen to hear from adult siblings from the Asian community.
We would also like to hear from male adult siblings who have a sister with autism. The research is being carried out by the University of York.
For more information please contact me.
- Email: rjt102@york.ac.uk
- Tel.: 01904 321 908
Rosemary Tozer
Grand Days Out
Once again we're using the summer Grand Day Out to provide a list of suggestions for things you might want to try over the next couple of months.
I've tried to make the list as accurate as possible but make sure you check the details yourself before setting out - I won't be available to receive complaints!
Cullingworth Gala
11 July
A parade through the village and then the main event takes place at the cricket ground.
Great Yorkshire Show
13-15 July
Agricultural machinery, a greater variety of domesticated animals than you ever thought possible, food halls, sheep shearing, blacksmithing, rural crafts and shopping. Full price is £18 (£21 on the day) but there are concessions for people with disabilities and carers.
Continental Market and Classic Cars
15-18 July
The continental market is on Darley Street and Kirkgate on all four days. The Classic Cars will be on display in Centenary Square on the Saturday and Sunday
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
14-22 August
Over a hundred scarecrows will be on show (or hiding!) all over Kettlewell during the festival. No cost to see the scarecrows, trailsheets cost £1.
Bolton Abbey Kite Workshops
6, 13, 20, 27 August
Make your own kite and have fun flying it. 11am to 3pm outside the Cavendish Pavilion. £2 per kite.
Bingley Music Live
3-5 September
The line-ups haven't been announced yet. Tickets cost £30 for the weekend but there will be a free concert on the Friday.
Lotherton Hall
Various dates
The hall and grounds (situated on the other side of Leeds) are free to people with disabilities. There's a small charge to go in the hall and to park for others. The bird garden is free to all and well worth a visit. There are lots of special events on during the summer but a visit on any day (except Mondays when it's closed) is well worthwhile. Check the website for more information.
Harlow Carr Gardens
Every day
The Royal Horticultural Society's northern outpost, on the outskirts of Harrogate. Wonderful gardens and a great place for a summer picnic. Admission is £7 but carers get in free. The special Victorian evening sounds interesting. Check the website for details and location.
Brett
