Oaklea Newsletter | Summer 2019

Home with a ‘real sense of family’ elcome to the latest For those working in Branching Out - our the social care Wnewsletter for Oaklea sector they will be aware of & Right2Work (R2W). the challenges of customer There are many challenges and opportunities vacancies. for us over the coming year ranging from the To address this, a year ago development of #ProjectEdenside, to the we started to produce a opportunity to expand our work into Yorkshire. template for Oaklea properties We have a particular focus on the further - both to promote them and development of Children’s work within South to raise awareness among key and Eden. Also our offer to elderly influencers - notably in adult people within North Cumbria. We are also social care teams etc. We’ve just focused on the delivery of work for people with produced our latest brochure to learning disabilities within Northumberland. promote one of our properties Our newest venture within R2W (Community - this time an Oaklea home in Works) gives strong opportunities to Ulverston, South Cumbria. It will develop the skills of our learners, whilst be used to promote an existing providing a valuable repair and maintenance vacancy at the property. service for the local community. One of our challenges is to move our head office to a new site within by the end of the Summer. This will provide an improved working environment, whilst providing better value for money, no more damp problems for our HR team! I hope you enjoy this edition of Branching Out. Take care.

Clive Wigley, Chief Executive

Tel: 01539 735 025 Email: [email protected] www.oakleatrust.co.uk www.right2work.org.uk LATEST – LATEST – LATEST – LATEST –

ABOVE Community Gets On Board Edenside draft sketch and public meeting omentum is now gathering flood resilience measures and for #ProjectEdenside. A the purpose of this pre-planning Mproject steering group was consultation is to ensure that the established at the start of the year planning authorities are happy FUNDRAISING (see above) - which also includes with the measures and to iron out Architect Phil Brooks from Kendal any technical issues prior to the FOR #PROJECTEDENSIDE based Day-Cummins. formal planning application. e’ve been busy on the fundraising Best Laid Plans Going Public Wfront for #ProjectEdenside (and in June smashed the £20k barrier) – At time of going to press we had We held 2 highly successful public here’s some of the Highlights. submitted our pre planning application meetings in January and April. A huge We’ve had a variety of donations big and small so with Eden District Council and the thank you to those of you who came far – in fact one of the earliest was a huge £15,000 Environment Agency regarding the along. Architect Phil Brooks managed from Appleby based Norben Trust – here you development of Edenside, the site of to speak to a lot of people at the April can see CEO Clive with Trustee Dot Anderton. a former Residential Care Home in session and collated all the feedback. This is a fantastic contribution and got us started Appleby. Edenside closed in December This will go some way to creating on the ultimate goal of raising £250k to support 2015 due to flooding during Storm artists impressions of what a potential our plans. The Norben fund was established by Desmond and with the backing and new Edenside could look like. Peter Norton, a former Vicar of Appleby with support of the local community the the aim of encouraging projects that benefit the Oaklea Trust purchased the site with To keep up to date on all community. Dot says: “Peter was particularly upset the aim of providing much needed things #ProjectEdenside at the effect of Storm Desmond and the floods of Extra Care Housing for local residents. – the best thing to do is follow 2015. He had a lot of contact with Edenside when The current plans include 18 our dedicated Facebook page it was a Council run care home - through visits apartments around an internal facebook.com/projectedenside or and just knowing so many of the residents.” courtyard providing both visit our web pages http://www. independence and a community feel. oakleatrust.co.uk/what-we-do/ MORE FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE PAGE The plans also need to incorporate project-edenside >>>>>>

2 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 3 FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS >>>>>>>>>> Sold out Glorious mud Wow - what a night... our Meanwhile Oaklea support worker first community led fundraiser Viktoria Schaefer has earned a nice for #ProjectEdenside proved a huge warm bath! She competed in the success! Massive thanks to all the fine ‘Gelt Gladiator’ challenge in Hadrians people and talents of “Middle Eden Wall Country for #ProjectEdenside. Voices” choir for the superb music (and Viktoria; “So it’s done. It was brilliant food) led evening at The Hub in May. but we are all blooming cold. Can’t Oaklea CEO Clive Wigley & Director wait for a hot bath.” A stupendous Sue Green were also on hand to thank effort in grim and soggy conditions everyone for giving up their time & - Viktoria has set the bar very high tonsils. Appleby based Oaklea Trustee for fundraising - but don’t let that be Linda Adey, who was heavily involved, an ‘obstacle’ to you - you can do all said: “It was really good to see first manner of activities to raise money hand the brilliant job of supporting and for Edenside - if you want support, facilitating the event that was done by tips or just a bit of advice drop us a the Oaklea Hub Cafe team... what a great line at E [email protected] bunch you all are- it’s a pleasure to be able to help raise funds for Edenside.” Appleby town band Drum roll please... The lovely folks Chip off the old block at Appleby Town Band (below) held Oaklea Support Worker Andy Cowling, a special ‘drop in’ concert in aid from Spennymoor Co Durham, of #ProjectEdenside on Saturday 22 supports a group of adult men in a June at The Appleby Hub Main Hall. supported living property in Consett. Judith Shannon from Appleby He wanted to fundraise for Town Band; ”This may be the first #ProjectEdenside and combine it with of 2 gigs for Edenside - Appleby a love of the outdoors. Hence it tied Public Hall have also offered us in nicely with his backpacking trek the Hall for free in September so across the famous 192 mile Wainwright we’re hoping to do a more formal Coast 2 Coast long distance trail.. concert on 28th September.” After setting off from St Bees on the Cumbrian Coast Andy made it out of the Lakes to Shap. Huge thanks to Ashley & team at Shap Chippy who provided a free supper - much appreciated as the “liquid sunshine” had been a big test - and when backpacking & camping can’t beat some proper soul food. We also met Andy at Shap with some yummy stuff Finance team on the run - Andy’s Regional Mgr in the NE, Stella Three amigos from Oaklea HQ took part Crennell let slip he has a sweet tooth - so in the Appleby 10k & 4k at end of June. Choc Kendal Mint Cake v appropriate!

4 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 5 Fundraising Tree Appleby Mayor on Board >>>>>> 50 bespoke donation ‘tins’ arrived e have also been working at Oaklea HQ for #ProjectEdenside. on a ‘fundraising tree’ They’ve been created just for raising W– this is our visual funds for Edenside - a first for Oaklea. way of representing the need The intention is to use these to raise £250k to make our in conjunction with Mayor of Edenside plans a reality. Appleby Jilly Dixon-Dougherty. The tree – based of course on the Jilly has kindly offered to help us Oaklea logo- takes centre stage distribute these to various businesses in the Oaklea Appleby Hub. It has in and around Appleby. She has been a real community effort led chosen #ProjectEdenside as her key by local artist Debra Esterhuizen. charity challenge for her Mayoral year. The tree took shape over several weeks – including a lovely Squirrel painted by Tayla from the HubWeb youth group -and it’s doing exactly what we wanted - ‘drawing’ attention! We even had a visit from the Herald newspaper (below) – who came to see how the leaves and acorns were being made by R2W learners. Plus a group of lovely ladies from Debra’s felt class gave up Here’s a jar I made earlier their time to turn over Appleby Town Clerk, Caroline several new leaves… Dodgeon collected £300+ from Appleby Horse Fair.

>>>>>>Oaklea Operations Director Alex Wolfenden, who is our project lead on Edenside, can be seen here having an impromptu chat with local residents Hazel & Nick. Great timing as “thank you” cards were Root & Branch being placed on our fundraising tree. Nick saw his go up - he’s set up a Big thank you to Hub based felt monthly standing order. As you can artist Debra Esterhuizen who see more and more local people & gave up her time and creative organisations are getting involved input to help develop the with our fundraising efforts. ‘Fundraising Tree ’ concept.

6 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 7 round-up Community Meaty Role Works takes off... he big excitement at R2W has been the launch of COMMUNITY Ta brand new initiative WORKS – Community Works. It’s a new community based ABOVE enterprise for property & general Do you know someone who could Community Works logo and new van maintenance. Over the next 3 benefit from this? Learners, with BELOW years the aim is to provide a learning difficulties, need to be NO JOB TOO SMALL you can see some supported vocational environment of the team – including Sam Huck who able to work with minimal support, in the property maintenance is an apprentice working towards a comfortable with working outdoors sector for up to 40 learners qualification recognised by the British and work as part of a small team. with learning disabilities. Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) For further info The micro property maintenance E: [email protected] service is offered to the following or T: 01539 735025 potential customers: · Primary Schools · Nursery Schools · Guest Houses/Small Hotels · Day Centres · Small Businesses/Office locations · Housing Associations All learners will work towards a The R2W Employment Team qualification – working towards have had huge success in a certificate at entry level called promoting the value of Supported ‘preparation for life & work’ Internships and are always They will receive a min of 130 guided keen to hear from potential learning hours and the qualification employers - could that be you? is accredited by Open Awards. Keiron, is a great example. His R2W Employment Advisor, Grant Huck, arranged a placement at Ulverston Meat Company. Grant explains: “Daniel Weston and John Gray, directors of the business, Rebrand kindly agreed to take Keiron under In the Spring R2W had a subtle their wings for a day to teach him re brand – we are also in the some of the important skills involved process of revamping the R2W in preparing meats for some of website – this was largely led by the the top chefs around Cumbria. need to encompass the expanded Keiron is extremely passionate elements of R2W – like Community about food and cooking in general. Works, the growing Employment The future looks promising for team and of course the move of this aspiring young chef.” Appleby Hub to the R2W banner.

8 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 9 round-up Journey of

training/job skills if they have an Discovery! SI brochure EHCP - Education & Healthcare MLMC is not just about the ne of the Plan. It has been so successful big things in life either -it can biggest success we have already had to produce also be about facilitating or Ostories at a 3rd version of making small changes that Oaklea Group of our “I can do it” can make a huge impact. late has been our brochure. A great example of this is County Supported Internship To get hold Durham Oaklea customer Digby. programme for of a copy or to He wanted to research his family young people run in find out more involvement in WW1 - so Oaklea conjunction with FE contact the R2W staff ensured he got online and Colleges in Cumbria. Employment looked into his Granddad’s war It’s delivered by Team T: 01539 medals. He now knows all about our Employment Team at 885055 his exploits and why he got the 3 Right2Work (R2W). It’s all about E: team@ medals known as “Pipsqueak & getting young people into work/ right2work.org.uk You’ve Been Wilfred”. They have pride of place in his home plus the staff who support Framed him can share that pride now they Are you aware of MLMC - “My know the history behind them. Life My Choices” - the plan that ensures Oaklea customers get to live as independently as possible? Central to making this plan work is having good support and employees who are able to meet any challenges that can arise. Having said that there’s also plenty of nice stuff too - like this trip to National Trust Cragside in Northumberland. Here support worker Andrea and customer Mary are having a great day out exploring the ‘dream High Praise home’ of the Armstrong family. The R2W Employment Team have been praised by education inspectors, ELSEWHERE... making the most of life - OFSTED. It’s via the team one turn at a time! At one of our homes who work with in Rothbury, Northumberland, everyone College in Barrow Recycling up gets to take part in regular activities. in Cumbria to assist Nearly 130 tonnes diverted from Registered Manager for the area, Ruth Hall; young people through Landfill up 5 tonnes from last “Our customers enjoy a weekly craft & Supported Internships year And a recycling rate from baking session here at Walby Hill. The tutor (SI’s). 70.8% last year to 74% this year. does a variety of activities depending on the season. This session caters for mixed abilities and to customers interests.”

10 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 11 Getting to know you... 1 2 3 4 5 Alex Wolfenden, Operations Director, Oaklea Trust

What were you up to before #Projectedenside is probably the Oaklea came calling? biggest project I have been involved in so far as this is not only about I began my career working for a planning and development but also national retail chain, where I was investigating new design concepts responsible for group property and and environmentally sustainable project management for 10 years building ideas. It’s also a significant and if I wasn’t a shopaholic before Best in Show I started I was when I finished fundraising challenge and ensuring and have been ever since – retail we provide something sympathetic therapy can work wonders! to the community’s requirements. Employee Awards After this I moved to Tell us a bit about not-for-profit Housing yourself? Association Fairoak 1 Charitable/Community Work 4 Keeping Calm & Carrying On Outside of work my two Housing, who many Vanessa Washington Liam Hughes children keep me busy, of you will know as a “Vanessa organised a great “Liam has to deal with stressful as their social life is much “sister” company to coffee afternoon for Garth Brow situations, and he always steps Oaklea which split off better than mine! Isobella plays hockey and swims and Lowther Park. Vanessa has up to the role. He handles these formally just before I also supported one of Oaklea’s situations in a calm and productive joined them in 2005. I for Carnforth Otters (4 times a week!) which has customer’s at the Kendal Torchlight manner.” worked at Fairoak for Parade, which was 9 years as Housing recently seen me helping a huge success.” 5 Increasing Director before poolside in the Cumbrian Quality of Life moving to Oaklea Diddy League for Carol Mounsey Trust in January swimmers aged 9 to 11. 2 Exceeding 2014 to join the “Our customers can When I’m not at the Expectations Executive team for always rely on Carol side of a swimming Emma Wilson my next challenge. -she also provides pool with Bella or Joe, “For dealing companionship - What do of course he swims with challenges this is extremely you do at Oaklea? too, I am at the side of a rugby when faced with important to the pitch supporting Heysham recruitment I am responsible for Oaklea’s health, customer group Atoms RLFC under 8’s and Joe! challenges.” safety & risk matters, premises and she supports, insurance as well as new business And away from work?… Carol may be the 3 Innovation development and implementation, only person the I would love to tell you all that I & Best Practice 6 which is a lot about planning and customer sees all have my own hobbies, and I do like Becky Barnard organising details, something I day. “ really enjoy! I am also a trustee gardening – this year we are trying “Becky is always for Cumbria Council for Voluntary to grow our own and some of the striving to give her customers the 6 Customer Choice Services (CVS) which gives me a small veggies are doing ok but after all best possible opportunities. The Melissa Young R2W insight into what others around this and cleaning up I try to read majority are young adults and “Giving support to new and current the county are doing and where an (I love a good crime thriller) but whenever I see the customers they R2W customers” infrastructure organisation such as mostly I re-read the same few pages are lively, happy and enjoying life!” CVS can support the third sector. each night before I fall asleep!

12 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 13 This is Radio Hub Inviting Offer - Up For Learning Award ome of our customers & employees have been nominated for a top award in the NE. S Nichola Bainbridge from our Oaklea team in Barnard Castle; “In this photo you can see me, Christopher (Kit) Heywood, Pauline Wood and Jonathan Taylor who are part of the Tin Arts group in Barnard Castle.” They were invited to the Durham County Council Adult Learning & Skills (ALSS) awards evening in BBC Radio Cumbria’s mid celebration of the Festival of Learning. Awards are morning show was live from being presented to learners who have accessed the Oaklea Appleby Hub for provision through ALSS in the academic year 2018/19. 3 hours on February 13th. Presenter Kevin Fernihough and team First Class Service made the most of the Hub food and had a constant drip feed of the finest Positive Behaviour From Oaklea coffee! Members of the Hub team and Oaklea Executive were featured – plus Catching On we also got roped into the big quiz! A The positive behaviour support (PBS) great advert for what we do both at programme is now in full flow across Oaklea. the Hub and the wider community. It’s all about increasing understanding of the behaviour of an individual - assessing their physical and social environment in which the behaviour happens. HR Manager, Helen Shaw; “We are also supporting four employees currently undertaking the PBS level four programme. We currently have fifteen employees beginning the enrolment process for the next university intake.” With Mark Crawley (centre) nearing the end of the’ higher level diploma’ course. Paul Copley, Emma Milburn, Paul Dent and Pull Up Appleby Hub has a Vanessa Washington well underway with reputation for being the level four PBS facilitator programme. ‘green fingered’ – the Oaklea care workers Lesley A Seat team have been busy & Joanne are pictured above making the most of with their First Aid Certificates. the Hub surrounds. Both work at our care home in Sarah Jones, Hub Ulverston, Cumbria. Ongoing Manager; “We’re training and keeping up to speed so excited with the is core to ensuring the service we beginnings of our provide meets the needs of our Garden - we have loads customers. more lovely things in the pipeline too!”

14 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 15 Time to spare Special guests meet - volunteering your time the “faces” of Oaklea One of our most important aklea & R2W attended the Cumbria partners -and a key funder, CVS Volunteer Fair in June. Cumbria Community Foundation Volunteers play an important role in (CCF) came on a special tour O around Oaklea & R2W in the success of our organisation. Here you can see below Children’s Team Manager, Matthew Kendal in early June. Douglas engaging with a potential volunteer. The group of 14 from CCF, were He was particularly keen to hear from anyone given a presentation by Oaklea interested in offering support for our holiday Director Sue Green; “They have activities for young people in the school holidays. been given an update on what we If you want to know more about volunteering have been up to and our latest plans with Oaklea contact E: [email protected] around Cumbria especially in she’d like to do archery in the future – We have people giving up their time across and Appleby, through things like our a challenge we will aim to fulfil (Joyce our North of England patch - here’s a snap If you want social enterprise, The Appleby Hub. has been blind since her late teens). taken from our Furniture Warehouse, Manager to know more CCF staff were able to learn first hand about volunteering about the wide-reach throughout Chris Pantechis; “Here you can see one of “I think everyone of our staff our volunteers, Dan, supporting one of our with Oaklea email the county of Oaklea Trust! They also [email protected] got to meet service users like James left that meeting realising learners, Tom. We’re extremely grateful for what a great organisation the time such volunteers give to our operation & Joyce face to face to talk about the Oaklea is, and what a huge -as well as the expertise they pass on.” impact CCF funding has on their lives. Volunteering makes a massive contribution Joyce Manning (seated in picture) – contribution they make to - in fact it’s estimated it puts in the equivalent from Milnthorpe- said it was a lovely the communities in South of £22.6 billion into UK charities every year. session and great opportunity to talk Lakeland, Eden and Carlisle.” about her experiences with Oaklea, the things she gets up to thanks to the Kristine McGlothlin, CCF support we give – she even mentioned

16 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 17 Having a stake Our “Customer & Stakeholder Kindness & Neighbourliness Evaluation feedback 2018” brochure is available. – It’s The Oaklea Way The annual review gives an idea of where we are with regards the view There’s a campaign underway a number of times over the of people we support. This year’s in Cumbria to encourage past few weeks and months. theme being “continuing to listen to neighbourliness. As a result Simon wanted our customers and always looking at Usually we bring you to donate some money. I improving the services we provide.” examples of the impact we checked with a friend who You may have contributed if you have had on the lives of is a paramedic what are one of our key stakeholders. our customers -well in would be the best You can ask us for a hard copy or May Oaklea customer thing for the guys and keep it simple and just download it Simon and his support lasses working and he from here: http://www.oakleatrust. Steve really showed said tea, coffee and co.uk/about-us/the-oaklea-vision that can also go in the biscuits - as they’re not other direction too! provided with anything Lifestyle Co-Ordinator by the NHS / Ambulance Steve explains; “Simon Service for breaks. Oaklea employee survey - who I support - suffers So today we filled four bags from uncontrolled epilepsy. I with these things one for Grange, Great response – Positive results along with his mum and dad have one for Ambleside, and one for each had to call out the paramedics of the Kendal ambulance stations.”

“I really do feel proud to work for Oaklea Trust as I know we do a great job” Employee response

Surveys Sent: 2017 / 381 Survey Responses: 2017 / 105 2018 / 376 2018 / 135

Sample 40% The training I am offered to carry out my role 11.19% Question Q1. I am able Having a good understanding of customers/colleagues needs 37.31% to improve the quality Having the skills and values to of life for do my job role well 38.06% individuals and A personal commitment to communities in helping others 13.44% need, due to:

0% Responses

18 Oaklea Branching Out Summer 2019 19 Oaklea now departing for...

aklea are moving HQ! We’re still going to be in NEW ADDRESS Kendal – and will be right Second Floor, East Wing, Station House, O Station Road, Kendal, next to Kendal railway station. Cumbria LA9 6SA Alex Wolfenden is leading on the (phones etc remain the same) move: “We are hoping to complete a lease in early summer to allow us to carry out some works to get our servers from Stramongate. the office ready for us to potentially We need to install a new kitchen as move in mid/end August. there isn’t one just now and we also The office will need a secure need to upgrade the lighting to be fibre broadband connection and suitable for office operations – then new fire wall before relocating the plan for moving desks will start!”

Give us a ‘like’! ‘Branching Out’ is only twice a year – so the best way of keeping up with what’s happening at Oaklea/R2W is via our social media channels.

So why not ‘like’ us on our

• Five Facebook sites (Oaklea Trust, ApplebyHub, Children & Young people, Furniture Warehouse & #ProjectEdenside) • Two Instagram sites (Oaklea Trust/ApplebyHub2017) • Twitter (@Oakleatrust) • LinkedIn (Oaklea Trust)

Registered Charity No. 1091722