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Friday, June 25
Outings
by
Zoe
on Fri 25 Jun 2010 14:14 BST
  
We have had two weeks without outings while we were
enjoying the music week and Go Green Day – the Jalopy also had a new
cam belt fitted so was out of action for a few days... The girls were
raring to go again though this week and went out bright and early before it got too
hot for the residents to enjoy sitting on the sea front having a coffee. Sheri
was busy entertaining everyone and made a 'Valerie Manor' sign out of stones
which was lovely; a passerby thought it was so nice to see the girls and
residents out together they offered to take a group photo for them. How lovely
to capture them all together having fun by the sea... Is
it my turn next week to enjoy an outing?! I would like to say a huge thank you
to Emma and Sheri who always ensure they have a box ready of water, sunglasses,
hats, sunscreen and blankets to ensure the residents are safe and happy.
Thursday, June 24
Tomato Plants
by
Zoe
on Thu 24 Jun 2010 14:12 BST
 
 A huge thank you again to our lovely relative Mike
who has been back again to ensure we are caring for the plants well. He spent
the morning with us on Wednesday ‘pinching out’ again and advising us to care
for the tomato plants a bit closer to the wall to ensure more heat is
reflected. The residents enjoyed having Mike here and we all made the most of
the sunshine while having ice lollies on the patio! It generated a lot of
discussion about the plants and also the wildlife; we were even visited by a
butterfly while we were outside which is good for the growth and pollination of
the plants.
Thanks again Mike and we look forward to your
next visit.
Wednesday, June 23
Relaxing...
by
Zoe
on Wed 23 Jun 2010 20:34 BST
  
After a hectic two weeks we have been busy taking
it a little easy and enjoying the football and tennis. I must confess I do not
watch football and was shocked at how many residents have been enjoying the
game! The first game was enjoyed with the residents wearing football hats and flags,
the staff had face paints on and the residents also asked for them on their
hands!
We all know when the tennis has started at Valerie
Manor. Several of the residents take to their bedroom and meal times are empty
in the dining room as they watch the matches in their rooms. I’m afraid I have
no time to watch a lot of TV but at least I have all the residents to keep me
up to date with what is happening!!
Come on England and Murray!
Thursday, June 17
Music in the Air Annual Challenge! - 7th to 14th June 2010
by
Zoe
on Thu 17 Jun 2010 12:41 BST
Extension News #4
by
Zoe
on Thu 17 Jun 2010 12:08 BST
Meet Dan! - Hilife Site Manager Dan is on site every day to oversee the work and ensure everything runs smoothly, as well as being responsible for the health and safety of those on site. I speak with him most morning's for an update to see how things are going.
 There has been some progress this week even though the Jackdaw's are still nesting. The old rooms have been demolished up to the main entrance and preparation of the groundwork has begun... but the chimney of the old dining room is still standing! Every morning and evening Dan checks on the Jackdaw nest in the chimney - so far one chick has fledged the nest and we're advised the remaining two should follow shortly. We'll bring you another update next week!
Friday, June 11
National Care Home Awards 2010
by
Zoe
on Fri 11 Jun 2010 15:27 BST
 We had such a fantastic time at the National Care Home Awards Gala Event at the
Guildhall, London on Saturday 5th June – it really was such a night to remember and
cherish. I am very proud of everyone getting to the National Finals and
although we did not win on this occasion we are all determined to keep trying
for future awards. The residents enjoyed seeing the staff leave in their
limousine and also going through the programme afterwards, looking at the photos and
admiring our finalists trophy when we all returned. I have also ordered them a DVD so
they can watch the actual event as they were thrilled we were finalists.
A big thank you also to Mike Padgham, Director of the Great British Care Awards and journalist and broadcaster Fiona Phillips who presented on the night, for making those of us who work in the care industry feel so proud and appreciated for what we do.
Pictured top with the team trophy (from left: Joyce, Emma, Gill, Ellie & Sheri) and right with her trophy, Zoe.
You can view more pictures from the event on our Picasa web album below...
Thursday, June 10
Steyning Grammar School Students
by
Zoe
on Thu 10 Jun 2010 15:29 BST
We have thoroughly
enjoyed having Amelia and Lucy with us from Steyning Grammar School this week
on work experience. It has been music week (which you will find out more about
next week!) and they have been fantastic at joining in and spending time with
the residents. It is so lovely to see them interacting with the residents and
we will all be very sad to see them go, we do however hope that they will keep
in contact and visit us from time to time. We would like to wish the girls all
the best for the future.
We would also like to thank Alex, the
Flexible Learning
Administrator for organising their placement at Valerie Manor.
Amelia and Lucy are pictured above joining in with mum (Robin) during the Country and Western activities at the beginning of the week.
Thursday, June 3
Tomato Plant Know How...
by
Zoe
on Thu 03 Jun 2010 14:50 BST
 People are just so very
kind... As you may be aware, we were donated some tomato plants by a kind
relative, Mike a little while ago. I am certainly no gardener so Mike offered to come
back and provide us with a teaching session for the staff and residents. I wasn't familiar with ‘pinching’ before but it all made sense and I was thrilled to be
part of it with the residents and have a go myself.  It was so lovely to see the
residents enjoying themselves outside while learning a thing or
two... let’s hope the tomatoes will be ready for eating in a couple of
months, we have no excuse now we have had our lesson and will nurture
them each day.
Thanks again Mike for your time and
support.
Wednesday, June 2
May Activities Summary
by
Robin Bates
on Wed 02 Jun 2010 15:44 BST
 Goodbye May...Hello ‘Flaming’
June...we wish !
Such a busy month of May was enjoyed by our ladies and
gentlemen.
Lots of physical activities this month including a Parachute
Game (picture, below left), exercising with musical instruments (right), Giant Dice, 10 Pin Bowling and Strike
a Goal to name but a few.
Mind Benders included Occupations, Opposites and Requests and
Matched Sets and Affinities. The Pub Quiz with a tipple always goes down
well!
After our exercising and sing-a-long on a Monday we now have
a regular Reminiscence discussion. The marvellous memories that come about are
fantastic. We had a discussion on Travel...where did you holiday as a
child / where have you been abroad/ what was your first holiday without your
parents ? Among the memories were...Margate, long summer breaks with
family in Hove, Rye, one lady visited Deal when she was a member of a choir,
another remembered she used to ride pillion on a motor bike ! another lady used
to live in Sweden teaching English, another lived in Hong Kong where her husband
worked. Two gentlemen were trained pilots, one having trained in Canada. One
gentleman told us he cycled from Catford to Blackpool then onto Scotland with
his brother at a very young age....his ‘digs’ cost 4/6d a night
!!!
 Most of you may know that I visit on Monday mornings. On
Monday 24th May I came with a special little visitor and his mum !
Sally-Ann brought Reuben
John Paul to meet everyone. He was only 4 weeks old
and the ladies and gentlemen were thrilled to meet him !
Everyone had been
following his little life since being a bump until entering the world so
it
meant a lot to see the little chap...’leave him with me’ was requested
more than
once during the morning ! Thank you Sally-Ann for our little
treat
! (that's me with Reuben below).
June is a very special month as we have 2 challenges. One is
the NAPA Living Life Annual Challenge 2010. This involves a week of Music from
Monday 7th June until Monday 14th June...the second
challenge is for ‘Going Green’ for St Barnabas Hospice. Please look out for
the Posters and support our challenges.
We’re off to London soon for the National Care Home Awards. I’ll give you
a report next month......Look out for the Pink Limousine that some Carers are travelling in
to the event.......GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !
Robin
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The residents wanted to make some fresh flower arrangements which Joyce kindly
arranged for the morning bringing in lots of greenery from her garden at home.
They all looked lovely around the home for the day. The lounge was decorated
with St Barnabas banners, balloons and bugs along with green helium balloons,
glitter curtains and serviettes. We had green tea and cake or a green punch
with friends and families of Valerie Manor and were selling green cup cakes for
people to take away with them. Thank you to Maria who had been up since 4am
baking for everyone. We also had a green raffle which staff and local people
kindly donated to. Not of course forgetting that the wonderful staff at Valerie Manor joined in with the spirit of the day by wearing green outfits with green nail varnish,
face paints and glitter wigs! Of course the residents were all in green clothes
and hats for the day and the majority of visitors also turned up wearing green.
The residents have continued to spend time outside and enjoy the
weather and plants – as its looking like a bit of a ‘building site’ now we
asked if they would prefer solid gates so that the grounds could not been
seen... the answer was a definite ‘no’ as they are enjoying watching the workers
and progress that is being made!
Anyway, please all keep your fingers crossed that the birds
fledge their nest soon so the project can continue!
