September 2014

Well Done Dynamos!

A HUGE well done to ‘Future In this issue: Directions Dynamos’ for completing  Fundraising Stories the 60 mile to Blackpool  I Care Ambassadors News

Bike Ride!! So far they have raised  A Fond Farewell to Lizzie over £300 for The Christie.  Summer Fun Stories  Flu Mythbusters! See the full story inside!

Well Done

Dynamos!

Manchester to Blackpool Sponsored bike ride.

A HUGE well done to ‘Future Directions Dynamos’ for completing the 60 mile Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride!! So far they have raised over £300 for The Christie.

On Sunday 13th July 2014 The Future Directions Dynamos, a Team made up of people we support (Matthew, William and Graham) staff and managers (Peter, Pete, Didmus, Karen, Lee, Rachel, Nancy, Sammy and Andy), began our cycling challenge to ride from , Manchester to the Promenade in Blackpool.

The twelve strong Team set off at 9.25am crossing the finish line at 6pm. It was a challenge for all team members, building individual strength and determination to ensu re that everyone was able to realise their goal and potential.

There was lots of encouragement from individual team members to ensure that everyone was able to reach the finish line. This was verbal and physical encouragement, advice, sharing food and refreshments to ensure each Team Member had the energy to finish the ride. Team Members also provided support and encouragement to other riders on the day.

As a Team we have asked for sponsorship for The Christie so that they can continue to support people to survive and / or live as fulfilled lives as possible with cancer. It is not too late to sponsor the great achievement of the Dynamo’s. Visit: www.justgiving.com/teams/futuredirectionsdynamos

Peter was able to ride steady and provide quiet encouragement to team members throughout the ride.

Pete was Matthews cycling partner, with support from

Peter, Sammy and in the latter stages of the ride Rachel.

Nancy was chosen by William to partner him through

the final stage of the ride.

William was the designated speed setter, providing motivation and speed throughout.

Matthew was the gent providing support, encouragement

to others and thanks to all marshals along the route.

Rachel was our steady rider, organised and provided

everyone with energy replenishment throughout.

Didmus partnered with both William and Graham during the ride.

Andy was the powerhouse providing a push for team

members when their legs began to slow ensuring that all were able to finish.

Karen and Lee partnered riding at a steady pace which ensured that they were able to finish the ride.

Graham was organised and ready for any eventuality.

He was the slow steady rider who kept a steady pace

throughout.

As Team Leader and organiser Sammy-Jo, organised the practice rides, ensured that everyone was prepared, supporting team members through the ride and ensuring everyone was alright. Her goal was to ensure that everyone was able to cross the finish line.

Thank You for raising

£74

Strawberry Tea for Breast Cancer Care

Thank You to everyone at Marle House for raising £74 for Breast Cancer Care in 40 minutes! We had a lovely afternoon tea with delicious cakes and cups of tea in vintage china cups!

Also a big Well done to Thistle Green for having a tea party, raising £30 and to Beechwood Avenue for raising £308.81

Beechwood Avenue

Kate, Shirley and Carole from Beechwood Avenue held a "Strawberry Tea" fundraiser in aid of Breast Cancer Care in August. With the support of their P.As they asked local businesses to donate to their fundraiser and they had a really good response from quite a few. Donations came from their hairdresser, nail salon, local supermarket, garden centre, E.D.I, Future Directions and further afield from a restaurant they go to regularly and a wholesale warehouse where they bought a few cakes for the event. On the day the attendance was absolutely wonderful, non-stop for over three hours. There was a Tombola and every ticket won a prize, a Grand Raffle with some wonderful prizes (sorry if you didn't win), a ‘Guess How Many Bon-Bons’ were in a jar and endless cups of tea, coffee, juices and a lovely scrumptious choice of cakes, served with either cream, jam or ice-cream. There was also a nice supply of sweets and balloons for the children. The ladies were overwhelmed with all their guests, friends, ex P.A.s and neighbours. It was a lovely day for everyone and it's still being talked about in the weeks since. The nicest part of the whole event was the amount raised for a good cause, £308.81p which has now been received by the charity. An acknowledgment arrived and a lovely certificate for their achievement, which has been framed and taken a pride-of-place. The ladies want to convey a HUGE THANKYOU to everyone who came/supported them. Kate, Shirley, Carole & Staff xx

Summer Stalls

Leyland Festival

Lucy and Julie introduced Future

Directions CIC to the people at the

Leyland Festival. It was a great day!

Our drive to get more people aware of Future Directions continued throughout

the summer via carnivals, festivals and

other public events.

Rachel and Carol at Joanne and Jacinta meet the Festwich Mayor at

Rochdale Riverside for Disability Awareness Week

Wendy, Jenny and Paul at Pennington

Flash

Well done Jacinta for climbing Ben Nevis in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

Jacinta says: “Of all the fundraising I have

taken part in over the years this fundraising event is the one I feel most passionately about. Two thirds of people are cared for in the community by their families saving the UK £8 billion pounds. The Alzheimer’s Society provides huge support to the person with dementia and their families to minimize the impact it has.

Please help me support a much needed and dedicated charity in their vital work as pressure increases on current health and social care services coupled with a projected increase of one million people having dementia by 2021″ Jacinta climbs Jacinta has surpassed her £1000 fundraising target, great news! Ben Nevis!

Would you like to know more about becoming a Dementia Friend?

Come along to one of our information sessions at Marle House. All sessions are: 12:30pm – 1:30pm.

Friday 26 September, Friday 03 October, Friday 10 October, Friday 24 October and Friday 31 October At the time of press, Future Directions have recruited 55 Please email Abbi: Dementia Friends! Let’s keep [email protected] to let her know which session you would like to going to reach our 100 target! attend.

May peace be with an

Angel "Elizabeth"

Elm Road recently lost Lizzie.

Pat, Lizzie's sister, has kindly agreed for us to share a lovely speech that Carol Cronshaw read at Lizzie’s funeral.

Thank You Pat.

On behalf of myself and like don't you?” Typical sibling would say " Our Lizzie Drip". everyone from Elm Road, it is a behaviour but sweet just the This saying always baffled me pleasure and an honour to share same. They all made me chuckle and I never understood where it a short tribute of Lizzie's life and I still forget which sister originated from until I asked Pat whilst living at Elm Road. likes what and so on, but we all one day and she said it was a Lizzie came to live at Elm Road have our individual likes and character from the telly!!! with three amazing individuals- dislikes. Howard, Lizzie’s Brother-In- Pauline, Val and Lewis. It is a Lizzie's sisters gave Law, Elm Road’s very own "Alan very happy environment and unconditional love, compassion, Titchmarsh", you are so home to be at with plenty of devotion and lots and lots of committed and respected for laughs and smiles!!!! time to their special little giving all your time and hard Lizzie was a beautiful lady to all sister. work spent in the garden getting her friends and family and a Everyone at Elm Road met stuck in whilst the women special gift to close family, Lizzie only last July but because chatted with Lizzie, we all thank especially her "big sisters", her family visited that often we you and appreciate how beautiful Lynda, Jenny, Christine and Pat, got to know all the wonderful the garden looks. Lizzie would not forgetting their "other memories and stories not only by love it!!!!! halves", nieces and nephews. photographs or memorabilia Not forgetting, Lizzie was a They were Lizzie's rock and (especially if a city fan ) that huge city supporter, went to Lizzie was theirs and all equally Lizzie collected over her sixty numerous matches and collected shared lots of quality moments amazing years, but they were everything Lizzie wanted to buy individually and together as enjoyed to the fullest by all over the years, she achieved sisters and a family. those in Lizzie's life. many milestones, dreams and I giggled at times because I too Lizzie will always be goals throughout her life, a very like Lizzie am the youngest of remembered as "little legs" by lucky, special person to be eight siblings and I grew up Michaela, "little doll" by me, around in such a short time, we around them sharing likes and "Lizzie loo loo" by Janet and all all used to say it would have dislikes just like Lizzy and her other things by all. been nice to meet Lizzie sooner siblings. An example of this is Lizzie celebrated her 60th as she was a joy to know. taste in music and if Lizzie was Birthday with a party at Trinity Also many thanks to all health like me, yes I enjoyed other Church and our garden has professionals involved in Lizzie's peoples' music but sometimes I generously received donations care, Gatley district nurses, Dr just couldn't stand it. Little for a sensory garden for Guduzo, for the kindness of things like this I saw when they everyone at Elm Road to enjoy, Lizzie's minister Louise who visited Lizzie, and one would say, done by Lizzie's amazing family came to pray with Lizzie many " oh let's listen to this Lizzie" and all their hard work focusing times during her last days and or "that's enough of that on getting it done. It will always for anyone not mentioned. rubbish Lizzie, this is what you be a constant reminder of as Pat Carol Cronshaw (P.A. Stockport)

Elm Road’s Sensory Garden In Memory of Lizzie

Family and Friends Meeting

As discussed at the last family meeting, we are hoping to create a family consultation group to give the board an Trip to Blackpool idea of a family’s point of view. The next meeting will be on Sat 27th Geoff and Patty enjoyed a trip to September 2014 11am – 1:30pm at Blackpool over the summer. Marle House and lunch will be provided.

They went to Fleetwood on the tram Please let us know if you are planning to where they stopped for an ice-cream attend by contacting Rachel Wilkes on on the front. 01254 821 732 or e-mail: [email protected] Back in Blackpool they went to the . new wax works ( which is definitely worth a visit if you’re planning a trip to Blackpool yourself) and then we ‘Autumn’ all enjoyed fish and chip supper by Stephen before walking along the promenade. Taylor Everyone had a brilliant time!

Katie and Matt from Warrington

Rugby Players, a Grease Disco and a photo with the vicar!

During Matt’s weekly visit to his local leisure club he bumped into two Warrington Rugby Players and had his photo taken with them.

Katie dressed as Sandy on her way to a Grease Katie goes to Church every Sunday, here she is themed disco hosted by with the Vicar from Warrington Parish Church. Mencap.

Peter from Tudor Hall had seen a picture of a desk with lots of drawers and secret drawers which he wanted. The original desk was around £800 but staff supported Peter to look for one in second hand shops and he eventually found this one.

He is absolutely thrilled with it and couldn't wait to show everyone. He is now waiting for an old fashioned swivel chair to go with it.

The Signing of our First Rochdale Individual Service Fund (ISF).

A great achievement for all involved!

Our Voices,

Our Choices, Our Freedom! A national event organised by CHANGE and LUMOS. CHANGE is working to free people with learning disabilities from institutions both here in the UK and in Europe. LUMOS is a charity set up by J.K. Rowling which works to get children out of institutional care across Europe. This event was an opportunity for people with learning disabilities to get together and plan what actions they want to take to Government.

Daniel (pictured above) was a key speaker at the event. He talked about his personal experiences and explained that when he was young he was told that he was going on holiday, however he was actually taken to an institution where he spent the next 10 years of his life. He talked about his experiences of living in the institution and the lack of freedom he had. He also talked about living in the community and explained that although his life isn’t 100% he’s got a lot more choice and control over his own life.

It was great to see so many people turn up, and the positive energy in the room was breath-taking. It was proof that people with learning disabilities really do have a voice! Search on Twitter for: #voiceschoices Autism Friendly Autism Cinema Screenings

Every month, Cineworld, ODEON, Showcase and Vue cinemas show a different film from a selection of new releases and classics including Pixar animations, Disney adventures and many more. Films are suitable for all ages. Visit the link below for more information and to book your tickets. You can also telephone: 0300 303 9062 http://dimensions-uk.org/support-services/autism-care/autism-friendly-screenings/

Geoff’s Trip to

Coronation Street

Geoff is a big Coronation Street fan so he was supported to book a visit to the Coronation Street Tour.

Geoff had a great day with support worker Stuart.

Geoff said the best bit was pulling a pint in the rovers return!

featuring bars, dance floors and more top quality entertainment! The Premier ‘Inclusive’ Club Night for people with Learning Disabilities & Friends!

Please contact Nicky Walsh if you would like tickets: 01254 821 729 or email: [email protected]

Karaoke! As Rosemary’s social club is no longer running due to the fall in numbers attending, she still likes to keep the friendships she built with the regular members that did attend, so with support from her keyworker Anne Phillips, Rosemary and the other ladies decided to have a karaoke and coffee afternoon on the Bank Holiday. Invites were sent out and everyone who attended had a good few hours socialising and enjoyed their cakes and coffee whilst being entertained mainly by Steven as he loves to hog the mike on the karaoke and is a really good singer.

Rosemary is now working on fund raising for the Macmillan coffee morning on 26th September, she has managed to get 3 of the local superstores to donate a cake each and is currently selling raffle tickets for these. Invites have been sent out for the 26th 11.00am-3pm and everyone is welcome and there will be cakes baked and available to buy on the day, anyone is welcome to bake cakes on the day and bring them to sell, anyone wishing to buy raffle tickets can contact Anne Phillips and we will get them to you if we have missed you on our travels with them.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

There is a Macmillan Coffee Morning taking place at Moor Lane for all FDCIC service users, their friends and family and FDCIC staff. 26th September 11.00am -3.00pm.

Come along! it is a great opportunity for everyone to catch up.

Sponsored Head Shave

In July Fred Burton from Worksleigh St did a sponsored head shave on behalf of Dr Kershaws Hospice in Oldham, so far Fred has raised £220 but still has a few people to collect from. Fred has only recently moved into Worksleigh St so wanted to get to know his new neighbours so helped to organise a community event and invited neighbours to join us for the day and watch the headshave. Fred laid on a bit of food and some of the neighbours contributed bits and a bouncy castle was accessed for a very small donation cost from Mary Planner based in Middleton. Fred enjoyed the day and meeting new people and was happy to give back something to the community in his fund raising event. Fred is still happy to receive any donations people would like to make.

Come and meet new people, see old friends and have some fun.

Marle House: 22nd September (Monday) and 15th November (Saturday) 1.30pm – 3.30pm Rochdale: 26th November (Wednesday) 2.00pm – 4.00pm Warrington: 11th November (Tuesday) 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Marle House: Oldham Broadway Business Park, Broadgate, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9XA Rochdale: Heywood Baptist Church, Heywood, OL10 1LE Warrington: 11 - 13 Wilson Pattern Street, Warrington, WA1 1PS

Contact Kim Barrett at Marle House for more information: 01254 821720

By recycling all our used paper with ShredIt, Marle House has helped the environment by saving 41 trees in 12 months!

For more information:

Future Directions CIC have 5 Ambassadors up to press – Stephen Gray and Sarah Brierley from Hollybank, Wendy Mellor from Poppyfields, Jacky Watson from Barathea and Carol Cronshaw from Elm Road. Adult social care currently employs around 1.5 million people and is driven by significant changes in demographics and the way services are being delivered across England. The number of jobs could increase by up to 1 million by 2025 so finding, keeping and developing enough workers to meet the current and future demand continues to be a huge challenge. Many people are not aware that there are a wide range of career opportunites within social care and the postive impact their role has on the lives of other people which is why Skills for Care are supporting a range of employers and partnerships across England to deliver the I Care...Ambassadors service. If you would like to become an I Care Ambassador please contact Lucy Benson on 01254 821659.

News ‘Working In Social Care’ Presentation

In July Future Directions went to two events at Manchester Town Hall where Carol Mitchell from Skills for Care did a presentation around working in Social Care, what’s involved, myth busting etc. Two of our I Care Ambassadors, Sarah Brierley and Stephen Gray, attended with her to answer any questions that the Job Centre Plus Advisors may have. Lucy and Matt from HR did the same at the second event. The feedback was very positive and the Job Centre Plus Advisors all felt that they knew a lot more about working in the Social Care sector by the end of the day. This was the main aim for the events so that Job Centre Plus Advisors can talk to potential candidates and advise them about the work involved in working in the Social Care sector.

Plato

Plato have offices in Stockport and Ashton-under-Lyne and they host ‘Back to Work’ programmes for people that may have been out of work for some time. At the end of the course they can achieve a BTEC Level 1 – ‘Preparing To Work In Adult Social Care’. Future Directions staff: Suzanne Ryan, Janet Graham, Jillian Graham and Carol Cronshaw (I Care Ambassador), have attended many sessions over the year to talk to the course candidates about Future Directions CIC and the job role of a Personal Assistant. We have issued application forms to people who were interested in the role.

Independent Living Family Fun Day

Wendy Mellor (I Care Ambassador) attended the event with Paul Lord and Jenny Dixon at Pennington Flash in August. www.skillsforcare.org.uk/icareambassadors

Healthy people don’t get seasonal flu.

The reason that free flu jabs are offered to staff is because anyone can pick up the virus. Generally, 15-20 per cent of the population gets flu each year - healthy people included! If you can catch flu, you can pass it on to those who are at more risk of serious illness annually.

Having flu is Flu is a mild The side effects just like having illness so I of the a heavy cold. don’t need to vaccination are be vaccinated. really bad.

A bad bout of flu is much worse than a

heavy cold. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and sometimes severely. They For the majority of people who catch it, For the most part, side effects of the include fever, chills, headaches and flu is simply unpleasant. For some, seasonal flu vaccination are mild or aching muscles, as well as a cough and however, it is much more serious. often non-existent. They are usually a sore throat. So, you’re likely to spend Globally, seasonal flu accounts for about slight soreness around the site of the two or three days in bed. If you get three to five million cases of severe injection and occasionally some aching complications caused by flu, you could illness and between 250,000 and of muscles or a slightly raised become seriously ill and have to go to 500,000 deaths. temperature. hospital.

Once you've I’ve had the flu If I missed having already this autumn, the flu jab in had the flu so I don’t need the vaccine, you're vaccination this year. October, it's too protected for late to have it

later in the year. life. You do need it if you're in one of the risk groups. As flu is caused by several viruses, you will only be protected by

the immunity you developed naturally The viruses that cause flu can change against one of them. You could go on to It's better to have the flu vaccine as every year, so you need a vaccination catch another strain, so it’s soon as it becomes available, but it's each year that matches the new viruses. recommended you have the jab even if always worth getting vaccinated before The vaccine usually provides protection you’ve recently had flu. Also, what you flu comes around. Since we don't know for the duration of the flu season that thought was flu could have been when flu will strike, the sooner you have year. something else. the vaccine the better.

The flu jab The flu jab can It hasn't been isn’t safe. give you the properly tested.

flu.

The risk of having a serious The injected flu vaccine that is given to The seasonal flu vaccine is one of the (anaphylactic) reaction to the seasonal adults contains inactivated flu viruses, so safest vaccines in the world and is given flu vaccine is less than one in a million. It it can’t give you flu. Your arm may feel a to millions of people in the UK each is much less than the risk of getting bit sore where you were injected, and year. The specific strains of flu that are seriously ill from having the flu itself. If some people get a slight temperature included may change from one year to you have a serious allergic reaction and aching muscles for a couple of days the next but that does not affect the (anaphylaxis) to hens' eggs or a previous afterwards but this is simply your safety of the vaccine or change it in any seasonal vaccination, you may still be immune system responding to what it other way. able to be vaccinated, but under thinks is an attack from flu. Other specialist clinical supervision or have an reactions are very rare. egg-free flu vaccine.

I’ve heard the I can’t have the Vitamin C can vaccine doesn't jab because I’m prevent flu. work. pregnant.

No, it can’t. Many people think that taking daily vitamin C supplements will stop them getting flu, but there’s no Studies show that trivalent seasonal Pregnant women should have the flu evidence to prove this. influenza vaccines give about 70 to 80 vaccination at any stage of their per cent protection to healthy adults pregnancy. Importantly, having the against infection by influenza virus vaccination when pregnant helps strains that are well matched with those protect their baby from flu over the first in the vaccine. This is thanks to the work few months of life. of the World Health Organization and others who help ensure the closet possible match between the vaccine and circulating flu strains. Flu Jab You’re Future Directions will be infectious after offering all our staff flu jab vouchers. Please contact having the jab, the admin team at Marle so you shouldn't have House before 31 October close contact with anyone 2014 if you would like a for a period of time after voucher. Vouchers will be you're immunised. given out in November. Marle House Tel: 01254 821 720.

The vaccine won’t make you infectious Service users are a priority to anyone, so it’s safe to carry on as group and will be able normal. to get the jab from their GP.

As part of a new exciting project, we are When writing your ‘Reasons to Care’ asking if you could spend a moment to statement(s) please think about: collate your thoughts about your:  The job you do now.  Previous care jobs. ‘Reasons to Care’..  Have you been or are you a Please could you email as many of your carer for a family member? ‘Reasons to Care’ statements that you can  Experience you have gained think of to: through training e.g.; gaining a [email protected] Nursing Qualifications. By sending me your statements you will also be  And also how your job helps helping Future Directions CIC I Care the people you care for. Ambassadors with their great work By sending FDCIC your ‘Reasons to Care’ statements you are agreeing that Future Directions CIC can publish them on the These will be used on Social Media and the FDCIC website. internet and in print, spoken and digital form. (And possibly in advertising and marketing material)

What is the tool? How to use the ‘Important To?’

This is a simple tool, but probably the Tool most important tool that forms the The ‘important to’ section must include backbone of any plan. It’s about what the person perceives as being ensuring the support is based on what important to him or her. really matters to the person, from the Don’t forget to include ‘must not have’s and person’s point of view. It sorts out things to avoid’ what must or must not be in a person’s It must not include what is important for life, the non-negotiable or what makes others; this will probably sit in the ‘what we a person content and fulfilled, from need to do to support a person to be what support is needed around healthy and safe’ section, for example: keeping a person healthy and safe. taking medication, eating a healthy diet. Getting the balance right is The more detail that is included in this section the better support a person will

vital. receive. Using the single word ‘pub’ doesn’t give enough information. Does the person like to go for something to drink or eat, what Contact Kim Barrett for more do they like to drink or eat, what time of day information: 01254 821 466 do they like to go, is there a particular pub they like, how often do they go, who do they Celebrations like to go with? Places Information from other support planning tools eg. ‘good day / bad day’, ‘relationship circles’, what’s working / not working’ can Things also provide information about what it’s important to the person. Activities ‘Important to...’ forms part of any one page profile, a person centred plan and review and a team plan. Follow this link to see Michael Smull explaining how ‘important to’ should be Possessions used http://youtu.be/VDqERIxM4HM People Routines

and Rituals

What is the tool? How to use the ‘Good Day / Bad

This is a tool used to explore what Day’ Tool makes a good day (what needs to be Support people to think about what makes present in a person’s daily life / what is the very best day / worst day. People can use important to a person) and what makes sticky notes throughout a day as reminders. a bad day (what needs to be absent). The more detail that is included the more It helps to identify what needs to useful it will be to help recognize what is change to have more good days and important to a person. fewer bad days. Questions to consider:- From this, next steps can be developed. When do you smile? What do you like to do? Contact Kim Barrett for more Where do you like to go? What do you like to information: 01254 821 466 eat and drink? What gets on your nerves?

How can ‘good day / bad day’ tool be used in the work place?

Supporting to develop a one page profile for service users or staff – this tool can be used to start thinking about what is important to a person (what makes a good day) and where support might be needed (what makes a bad day), to have more good days. From this an action plan can be developed.

At team meetings – what does ‘good day / bad day’ tell us about what is important to individual team members and the team as a whole? How can the team support individual members to have more good days at work? This can form part of a person centred team plan and helps team building.

As part of a person centred plan – this can be used for different parts of the day or different days of the week; for example, a week day going to a day centre or a weekend day at home.

At a tenant’s meeting – what makes a good day / bad day for individual tenants living together. This is a good opportunity for people to listen to each other and work together to develop actions and rules for the home.

What is the tool? The ‘what’s working / not working’ tool is one of the most common tools used in person centered approaches.

It helps people analyse what needs to be kept the same and what needs to change, then identifying next steps.

Questions you could ask when using the tool.

What do you want to keep doing?

What do you want to nurture?

What areas of your life make you happy, content and fulfilled? What areas of your life generate your motivations, passions, interests and enthusiasm? What areas of your life do you feel are missing.

What do you want to change?

How can ‘what’s working / not working’ be used in the work place?

 As part of a person centred review – it is helpful to first look at what is important to a person and what best support looks like. From this the ‘what’s working / not working’ tool can be used to consider these areas from different perspectives e.g. service user, family and others. Actions are then developed.  After completing a one page profile to identify next steps and start a person centred plan.  At team meetings – this could be a standing agenda item. From the list complied, as a team agree upon the top three most important issues and priorities to maintain ‘what’s working’, or to change ‘what’s not working’, within the workplace or within the staff team.  At a tenants meeting – to gather different service users perspectives and actions changes needed with their home.  As part of a person centred supervision – to ensure a two way process and develop a person centred culture. Contact Kim Barrett for more information: 01254 821 466 

For us, there is no better praise than being recommended by you as a great company to work for. And so, Future Directions are introducing a scheme to say thank you for recommending us as a good employer.

If one of your friends or family are appointed, you will receive a £25 high street voucher once they complete 3 months’ employment with us.

All they will have to do is, at the interview panel, when asked where they heard about the job, tell us that you recommended us.

If they are appointed to our bank, you would be eligible to receive your £25 voucher once they have completed 400 hours working in any of our houses.

‘Recruit a Friend’ and receive a £25 High Street Voucher

01245 821 406 (VOIP 3046) Manc/Stockport/Warringon/Halton

01254 821 408 (VOIP 3408) East Lancs

01254 821 410 (VOIP 3410) Rochdale

01254 821 409 (VOIP 3409) OnSenior Call Managers Emergency Mobile Telephone Number: 07966 872 322

07791 505 930 Please Remember - 'Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility.'

All staff working for us are able to join the lottery scheme. Your contribution is taken from salaries each month by ELFS (our partners at East Lancashire Financial Services). Please contact Charlotte Ellwood on 01254 732227 or alternatively please email her at: [email protected]. You have to be in it to win it!

Reminder regarding completing and submitting bank timesheets

Late, illegible or unsigned Bank Timesheets can result in delayed pay.

Despite regular reminders about ensuring that bank timesheets are fully completed, signed by the staff and appropriate managers and submitted no later than the 1st of the month, some people continue not to follow these guidelines. Please ensure that:

 You write clearly, in block capitals  There is a signature for each shift by the keyholder to confirm that you worked the shift (note that booking number is no longer required)  You sign the sheet at the bottom  The form is authorised by a Team Manager or Network Manager  The sheet is at Marle House no later than the 1st of the month  You submit your timesheets on a monthly basis for payment – this is required to help with budgeting and it is unacceptable to send them in months late or keep hold of them and submit several together.

Note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your timesheet is appropriately signed off and at Marle House by the deadline – if you just leave it in your manager’s tray, it may not reach us in time. Any forms that are ineligible or not signed in the relevant places will be returned to you, the likely result of which would be a delay in payment until the following month.

Future Directions CIC Working Towards Independence

All Service Users, Families, Staff and Commissioners received a letter informing them of the important news regarding Future Directions CIC working towards independence from Calderstones NHS Foundation Trust. You will notice no changes on a day to day basis. It will allow us greater freedom to progress towards our ambitions of becoming a well-known provider of quality services to people with complex needs. Free Adult Cycle

Training Transport for offers a range of FREE training for adults living or working within Greater Manchester. Courses are held at a range of venues and 1-2-1 training takes place at a location of your choice. www.cycling.tfgm.com

Courses Include: Learn to Ride: For complete beginners, or people who can already ride a bike to a basic level, but want to do it with added skill and confidence.

Road Rider Ready: Aimed at fairly confident off-road or recreational cyclists who are not so sure about cycling on the road.

On the Road: Aimed at adults who already have (on the road) cycling experience and might be thinking about commuting by bike.

Basic Cycle Maintenance: Teaches the basics of the bike, from how various parts work and what tools you need to maintain them, through to making emergency roadside repairs such as mending punctures.

Intermediate Cycle Maintenance: This full day course is aimed at community/workplace cycling champions. You should have a pre- existing interest in cycling/bikes and already be reasonably confident in looking after your own bike and carrying out basic procedures such as puncture repairs. More Information: Visit: www.cycling.tfgm.com Tel: 0300 123 1675 Email: [email protected]

*WIN* ONE EXTRA

DAY OF ANNUAL

OutstandingLEAVE! contribution award We all know how expensive the cost of child care can be. Future All staff are eligible to be nominated for this award. They must demonstrate initiative, Directions have teamed up with a exemplary individual achievement and company called Fideliti to help by contribution in their work, showing offering staff the opportunity to outstanding performance in their job role. purchase Childcare Vouchers. The prize is an extra day of annual leave! You will receive an email with the At present, your salary is subject to tax and nomination form attached (paper based National Insurance deductions. Under the houses will receive a paper copy) and these are the criteria for you to consider: childcare voucher scheme you are able to take a portion of your salary as childcare vouchers  How has the employee improved the life of which are not subject to tax and National the person / people they support? Give Insurance deductions. This allows you to save specific examples. money on the cost of your childcare through  How has the employee gone the extra mile within their workplace, which is above and your tax and National Insurance savings and is beyond the normal job role? You may need referred to as a ‘salary sacrifice scheme’. A to refer to job description and specification. Childcare Voucher Scheme is offered as a  How has the employee supported and benefit via your employer. This can help you encouraged the individual to have more choice and control in their life? make savings of up to £933 for low rate tax  How has the employee supported the payers, or £625 for high rate tax payers. It’s individual to be valued members of their easy to do, flexible and convenient. community?  How has the employee promoted teamwork For more information, including an and inspired excellence in others? information pack and frequently asked questions, please visit the Fideliti website The prize will be a ‘Holiday Voucher’ entitling www.fideliti.co.uk, or you can contact them you to one day’s annual leave. You will also get a letter from Director of Operations Paul Lord, a on 0800 288 8727 or [email protected]. certificate, photo and recognition in this newsletter! You can register online for Childcare Vouchers at Forms will be accepted at any time and must be www.fideliti.co.uk/employeeregister. submitted to Kim Barrett. The nomination form will be taken to the The employer code that you will need governance meeting every three months; January, April, July, October. to register is FUT1402.

Business Updates

Preston: We are now supporting a 22year old lady who lives in her own home. This is a service that we took on in an emergency situation due to the current provider being unable to continue providing her with support.

Rochdale: We continue to express interest re various pen pictures (mini tenders). We have recently been interviewed to provide a service for two people who are getting married next year. We are now in the process of showing them property options.

Salford: We submitted an application to be on the Framework on 28th February 2014. Still waiting for the outcome.

Trafford: We are currently in discussion with Trafford Commissioners to develop a 4 bed registered nursing home. Three individuals have been identified from inpatient services to move in to this property. The service will provide a step down from secure services to move on to supported living or independent living in the future. It will have nursing and additional professional support which will be bought in (OT, psychiatry and psychology). the project plan has been developed and meetings are booked. We are working with a housing provider to identify a property in the Trafford area. This project remains on track with now four people identified.

Leicester : We applied for their supported living framework and have been successful.

Lancashire : Still waiting for an outcome for a tender for Home Care services for individuals with physical disabilities. Lancashire are reducing the number of providers from 120 to 20 larger providers. However feedback was very good and we have submitted a tender for Lancashire Care for step down services. We have been shortlisted and awaiting further information. We are also looking to provide a two person residential service in Whalley.

Stockport: We have submitted a mini-tender for four supported living houses, awaiting an outcome.

Tameside: we submitted a tender for 4 young people in transition to provide supported living services in March 2014. The decision has been delayed and we are still awaiting the outcome. We are currently completing a tender in Tameside for young adult services – 5 flats new Charter Housing.

Rochdale: We are now on the framework to provide services to people with physical disabilities and acquired brain injury – supported living and or outreach services.

Wakefield: We completed a tender for 15 supported living services in this area. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful.

Contact Us

Future Directions CIC Marle House, Oldham Broadway Business Park, Broadgate Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9XA

Telephone: 01254 821 720 Email: [email protected] www.futuredirectionscic.co.uk

Award Submissions Support Future Directions has completed their submissions for 3 awards. Fingers crossed! Worker/PA Sessions

Great British Care Awards

Submitted for: The ‘Putting People First’/Personalisation Award Support Worker Sessions for the Autumn will be taking place on the Skills for Care Accolades following dates at Marle House: 14th October Submitted for: 10.00am – 12.00pm Best Recruitment Initiative Our entry highlighted that we put service users at the heart of 20th October recruitment. Giving meaningful choice and control over who is 2.00pm - 4.00pm recruited to support them and we have created a wealth of partnerships with a range of private, public and third sector 31st October organisations in addition to using values based recruitment methods in 10.00am - 12.00pm the recruitment and selection process to deliver person centred services. Please can Team Managers ask a member of staff from one of their “My Wife and I are truly grateful to Future houses to attend this Session with Senior Managers as this is their Directions not only for the professional care they opportunity to raise issues or concerns provide for our son, but for their innovative with them. What is most useful is if the staff team approach to the recruitment of his care staff and forward any questions to their involving him in the process.” Stephen McEntee representative and then the staff member can feed back after the meeting. Most effective new approach to integration Please email: [email protected] and innovation with the name of the staff member Our entry highlighted SPICE, signing up to ‘I Care Ambassadors’ who will be attending one of the above scheme to promote careers in care, staff volunteering as Dementia sessions and also the date that they Champions and running Dementia Friends workshops open to staff want to attend. and service users.