Meet the Senior Support Workers
We have now appointed three people to the new Senior Support Worker level, who will assist the team leaders with their increased workload. The B&T is giving the three SSWs the opportunity to introduce themselves ...
Simon Fletcher
"I came to Supported Lives in April 2006 and I was lucky enough to get a promotion recently to Senior Support Worker. I can honestly say that this is the best and most rewarding job I have ever done. People that know me know that my main interest other than work is cars and car shows which I regularly attend with my Meriva."
Corinne Wilson
"Hello, I've been with Supported Lives for nearly two years. I really enjoy the work that I do - every day is different! My hobbies include swimming and walking. Fortunately I am able to enjoy both with my clients, who have similar interests."
Sam McNeil
It's Christmas time again!
More than three years have passed since we started providing services to a small group of clients with an equally small band of merry men (and women). We are now regularly providing in excess of 800 hours support every week to more than 50 clients. Our last Adult Protection training was attended by 27 support and senior support workers and all of a sudden, the 'conference room' is starting to look small!
The car park is now complete, which will hold about 20 cars - which reminds me, I must order that clamp!
We are presently looking into the idea of apprenticeships for potential support workers who look right for the job but lack the relevant experience.
The café is running regularly on a Monday lunchtime, where support workers and clients are welcome to the conference room to share lunch as well as news jokes, joys and sorrows. Julie co ordinates this and she is thinking of extending this to another lunchtime (or varying it at least) - contact her via the office for more details.
The financial difficulties now appear to be behind us and things are now on a much firmer footing thankfully.
All best wishes and Peace this Christmas.
John Drury
Who Am I?
Frances Joy
Fran has given us very different Who Am I?. We find out more about her below through the adventures of Bob the Cat.
Frances put this together with help from Gary at Sacar.
Staff Benefits
Some staff have indicated that were not aware of benefits that were available to to the Supported Lives team, so I thought I'd put in a couple of reminders to help.
Contributory pension scheme
This is a reminder that Supported Lives operates a contributory pension scheme for all permanent staff. This means that if you take out the scheme with our group Friends Provident scheme, Supported Lives will make a payment the equivalent of 2% of your salary into the scheme every year.
This will rise to 3% after two years service, 4% after four years service up to maximum 5% after five years service.
If you want details of how to apply to join the scheme, ask Jon or Eileen for an information pack. Note that Supported Lives cannot offer financial advice on this or any other schemes, if in doubt speak to a financial advisor.
Are you in the HSA?
First of all, what is the HSA?
It's a health benefits scheme that Supported Lives joined some time ago on behalf of it's permanent staff. We pay a monthly fee for all permanent staff, unless staff request not to be part of the scheme. (To check if you are a member and therefore eligible for benefits, contact Jon Wright.)
This scheme then entitles you to all sorts of benefits such as: up to £80 per annum towards the cost of glasses; a further £80 towards the cost of dental treatment; plus many other benefits.
For details of the scheme, contact Jon Wright, or ring HSA direct on 0800 072 5840 quoting company reference CC6023. They will send information on the scheme and claim forms. Payment is in arrears and you must show receipts, but the cheque is always very prompt!
Cost of living increase
As you will all be aware, following our financial difficulties throughout 2007, we were unable to award a cost of living increase to staff this year. However, as things are gradually getting back on track, we have decided to announce in advance that we will be making an award of at least 2% in April 2008. If things have improved further than we have forecast, then we may even be able to offer more than that, but I won't make any promises just in case!
And finally...
Thanks once again to you all for your hard work and dedication which has contributed greatly to the turn around in the fortunes of the Supported Lives . Here's to a happy and successful 2008!
Jon Wright
Christmas Drop-in
For families, carers, care managers and anyone else who may be interested in Supported Lives . You will also meet some of the workers from Choice Advocacy with whom we share the building.
Do not look to the skies
For the star in the east to arise
For right before your very eyes
Christmas Cheer, coffee and mince pies
18 December at Supported Lives offices. Best mince pies in town - home made!
John Drury
Can You Help?
We are trying to set up a new group to provide/organise holidays for people with learning disabilities and their carers. In order to do this we need to establish a committee to move things forward.
Will you join in and help us to try to bring this idea to reality? Are you willing to join our committee? We need a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and committee members.
Please contact me for more information on 01274 772 029.
Ann Nunn
A Grand Day Out
Swinsty Reservoir
Swinsty Reservoir is 151 acres (or 866 million gallons) of water held back by a 79ft dam a few miles north of Otley.
More importantly, from the Grand Day Out point of view there is a gentle walk that goes all the way round it. The walk is about three miles long and is fully wheelchair accessible, which also means that the gradients are comfortable for those who don't feel like tackling mountains.
It's a really peaceful, quiet walk often with flocks of geese and other birds. The views are lovely and even in winter you get some beautiful cloudscapes! The only let down is an area near the car park where a lot of pine trees have been felled, but you're soon through that. There are picnic tables at the car park and also about halfway round.
Mark Allison and I visit Swinsty several times a year with our walking group and if we feel extra energetic we can also do part of the circuit of Fewston, which is adjacent.
Unfortunately there's no public transport you need to drive out of Otley towards Blubberhouses and look out for the signs.
Brett
What's The Story? Old Glory
Simon Nunn is well-known around Supported Lives as a traction engine enthusiast. He has a house full of model traction engines, attends several traction engine rallies every year and has many friends in the engine preservation movement.
He's also been a subscriber to Old Glory magazine ("the best-selling steam & vintage magazine") for many years.
Whilst on holiday one of Simon's support workers, Jon Kirkham, took a photo of a steam roller in a remote town in Thailand. Despite his prodigious knowledge of engines Simon was unable to identify it so he emailed Old Glory.
Much to his delight his email was published in the December edition of the magazine.
We're now waiting to see if anyone can identify Simon's mystery roller.
Brett
