ISSUE

#4JUN 2018

GARDEN MAKEOVER turn to page 4 to see the results of

our garden makeover competition

CQC 100% RATING see page 2 to read about one of

our recent achievements!

You will all be familiar with Person Centred Planning (PCP) which is key to helping the people we support plan all aspects of their life while ensuring that they remain central to the creation of any plan which will affect them. We wanted to share examples of how the Views in East Sussex are creating and delivering plans with the people we support: davId communicates using pictures and facial/body language to communicate his needs and wishes. Together with his support team he’s developed a weekly pictorial planner to help David indicate his needs, likes and dislikes by using stickers and pictures which he adds to his plan each week. David has a passion for trains and the support staff are supporting David to have a model train set and creating all the scenery and choosing different trains. Supporting David in this way has built a trusting relationship, David preferred not to have physical touch and would use a mirror to aid eye contact, now David will initiate contact by holding staff hands and increase his eye contact when working on his train set together. David is more engaged and has been observed to be much more expressive and happy. gEorgINa enjoys flower arranging and has been supported to explore other creative activities. At her recent planning meeting she presented a large board which she’d decorated and other craft items she had made including a sensory light from paper cups which has been suspended from the ceiling in a sensory area. This is by far the most involved Georgina has ever been in her own planning meeting. Now she is busy exploring YouTube for more activities.

Following a successful year of piloting Person Centred Active Support (PCAS) across eight locations, we have been able to demonstrate the positive impact that PCAS can make to the people we support.what IS actIvE SUpport?Active Support is a way of providing the ‘right’ support to the person, at that time, in order for them to be as fully engaged as possible in all aspects of their life and experience choice and control over what is happening. While Person Centred Planning (PCP) helps to generate the ideas, PCAS utilises skills and techniques in how support is delivered to maximise the involvement of the person being supported. Since introducing this approach we’ve received great feedback, one person we support has regained previous skills which has increased his self-esteem and satisfaction. The people we support are getting more involved in cookery and household tasks and spending more time out in the community. Managers and staff in the pilot sites have undergone comprehensive training in the approach and techniques and feel it’s

made a positive difference. Don’t just take our word for it, read how our employees feel about their managers and the training process: “The people we support are involved and they take pride in this.” davId JoNES, North

“Nicola and Elaine have been really engaging, encouraging independence and promoting the confidence of the people we support.” mIchEllE StEwart, ScotlaNd (abovE)

“Frank always encourages people to do as much as they can, and Debbie is always finding ways to better the lives of the people we support.”kryStal StEvENS, SoUth

“I really want to say a big thank you to my support manager Katrina Dixon, she has really inspired our staff.”dIaNa SkaNgalE, cENtral

We cannot wait to share this approach with you all and further details will be sent out shortly. In the meantime, why not talk to your local pilot site to find out more, or contact Kerry Dunkley who will be more than happy to share some of the fantastic work that we have been doing.

pErSoN cENtrEd

plaNNINg

EXcItINg NEwS!PERSON CENTRED ACTIVE SUPPORT WILL BE ROLLED OUT FROM OCTOBER 2018!

graham dEmpSEy, mIchEllE StEwart aNd StEphEN mclEaN: ayr oUtrEach

CONGRATULATIONS PAUL for recently completing the Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k race in an impressive 42 minutes and 23 seconds. Paul, who lives and is supported by us in Ilkley did incredibly well, finishing 143rd out of 1903 entrants.

SavINg yoU moNEy

34 YEARS SUPPORTING PEOPLETO LIVE THEIR LIVES

100% EXTREMELY

PROUD

Darlene joined Affinity Trust in 2012, but she’s been working in social care for most of her career.She’s worked for many providers and in various roles but then she joined Affinity Trust. “I love being a support worker. That has been my favourite role.”Having worked in St Leonards-On-Sea for most of her career, Darlene has known some of the people living at Beckley Close for more than 30 years.

Beckley Close support six people who use body language and facial expressions to communicate. “We are all non-stop in the house, it really doesn’t feel like work and time just flies by.”A typical week might include aromatherapy in the house, days out and organising trips to college, swimming and the Rebound trampoline park. More occasional trips for the people we support include The Lion King, Brighton, and even Disneyland Paris. Darlene praises her local managers for encouraging her to do things. “They say, ‘Go for it’.”

INSTANT VOUCHERS: “I saved £17.34 off six Odeon cinema tickets. It was so simple to use”. mIkE

RELOADABLE CARDS: “The site’s easy to navigate. I always scan as you shop at Tesco and although I was a little uncertain as to how I would use my Tesco reloadable card, it was a doddle.” hEathEr

CASHBACK: “I renewed both my car and home insurance through affinity4you, receiving over £100 cashback in total”. haylEy

We’re thrilled to introduce a blog to help keep you up-to-date on the latest news as well as added links to useful resources. We welcome any feedback to help us develop these sections. Please do also share any tips on how you’re making the most of the site. If you’ve not yet registered, visit www.affinity-4-you.com where you’ll be asked to enter your payroll number (located on your payslip) and date of birth, which is how we validate your account.

Attitudes and practices have changed over Darlene’s 34 years. “When I worked in an institution it was a case of loading everyone on a bus, have a flask of something hot to drink, and then coming back again. That is no life for people.” She describes one man she now supports, “He used to be so tense whenever we would support him to shower but then we started singing to him, and everything changed. He just loves Frankie Valli. So not only do we sing all the songs to him, but we supported him to go to London to see Jersey Boys. When Sherry Baby came on, he just rose up and was so happy, I nearly cried.” Darlene’s already supported him to book tickets for Frankie Valli at the O2 in November. “To me, it’s just so nice to see people so happy. Some days you will go home absolutely knackered but that’s because we do so much and are always on the go. The days just go so quickly.”

It’s been over two months since we launched affinity4you so we thought we’d update you on how things are going and share some feedback. So far 37% of employees have registered and spent a combined £42,300, saving employees £3,700 in total.

Here are some ideas on how you could save money:

In a recent review meeting with the CQC we’ve managed to achieve 100% ‘Good’ ratings across all our registered locations with CQC compared to a sector average of 76%. Well done everyone.“We are extremely proud of all our staff for achieving a 100% rating – which reflects our approach to making a positive difference to the lives of the people we support”.lEo SowErby, chIEf EXEcUtIvE

June 18 marks the first anniversary of our revised management development programme, LEAD. Since then, 179 team leaders and managers have attended, with over 500 individual pieces of feedback scoring the programme an amazing 4.8 / 5!“LEAD offers the opportunity to reflect and develop, by discussing ideas with others” SUpport maNagEr, SoUth dIvISIoN

“LEAD has really helped me develop my confidence” SUpport maNagEr, mIdlaNdS

A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of the working group, and to all who took time to leave us feedback. If you are a team leader or a manager who has yet to attend, please get in touch with the L&D team today!

lEad ENgagE aSpIrE dEvElop

Janet Oladujoye has recently celebrated 35 years as a Support Manager in Shipley, what a huge achievement! Janet transferred to us in 2011 and has been an integral part of the success of our Bradford services ever since. Janet and her colleagues also attended a job fair organised by the Department for Work and Pensions and local council – it took place in Bradford City Centre. In four hours they had met with over 50 candidates and spent two minutes talking to each of them. They’re now busy following up with all the great candidates.

JaNEt oladUJoyE

W ELCOME!

C ongratulations!

Welcome Angie

Welcome Tim

MOTHER AND SON DUO: Ross joined us back in September 2017. After a few short weeks, he was so enthusiastic about his new job that a few months later his mum, Christine joined us too.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER: Julie is one of our longest serving employees after she transferred in 2011. Her daughter Krissy joined us in September 2016, who is now one of our team leaders.

MEET THE WHISTON FAMILY: Big sister Jen was the first to join the Keighley Outreach team in 2013, she enjoyed her job so much that when a vacancy arose she encouraged her little sister Claire to apply. Claire joined the Keighley and Ilkley supported living service in June 2014.

GRANDMOTHER, NIECE AND GRANDSON TRIO: Susan transferred in 2011 and referred her niece Rachel in November 2017, followed by her grandson Luke in April 2018.

paSSIoNatE aboUtmakINg a dIffErENcE

We are on the lookout for great people like you, so if you have a friend or a family member who has what it takes to work for us, then do refer them. You could earn between £100 to £400 if they join us. Take a look at our current vacancies at www.affinitytrust.livevacancies.co.uk. Please note, family members need to work in a different service.In Shipley they are so ‘refer a friend (or family)’ friendly they have hired several new people:

By now Dad, Mike, was feeling a bit left out. Mike joined Bradford’s supported living team in December 2015 and he’s been a great addition to the team.Both sisters have since been promoted to team leaders. Several years later the family are still going strong and are loving every minute.

ro

SS

& chrIStINE

kr

ISSy &

JUlIE

SU

Sa

N, rachEl & lUkE

cla

Ir

E, mIkE & JEN

coNgratUlatIoNS to oUr ShortlIStEd

fINalIStS

What an amazing achievement to be shortlisted as finalists in six categories for the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards.

Our shortlisted finalists faced a panel of judges on the 24th May in Birmingham to answer questions about why they should win! We are very proud to see our people being recognised for all the hard work they do.

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and congratulations to those of you who were nominated too. The winners will be revealed on 29th June at an awards ceremony in Birmingham. We’ll keep you posted. Good luck to all our finalists!

cElEbratINg 35 yEarS of SErvIcE

NEXtISSUE

If you have a story or any news you’d like to share, then get in touch with Anita Lynch via 01844 267800 or at anitalynch@affinitytrust.org.affinity trust is a limited company registered in the uk. registered company number: 06893564.registered charity in england and wales no.1139891 and in scotland no. sc043881.

W I L L O W S G A R D E N M A K E OV E R

It is wonderful to see Lenny and Stephen in the Midlands keeping active and doing what they enjoy. Every Wednesday, they attend the Hednesford Park gardening group. It not only maintains the surroundings of the park but teaches conservation and horticultural skills while having fun and making new friends.“I like gardening and I love helping” lENNy

“I enjoy the group as it teaches me important life skills” StEphEN

POTTER IN THE PARK

to managers to help them in their day-to-day work.what arE thE kEy arEaS yoU aNd yoUr tEam arE focUSINg oN ovEr thE NEXt SIX moNthS?• Setting financial budgets for our year ending September 2019.• Ensuring we have sufficient funding from Local Authorities to meet the

additional cost of National Living Wage/Scottish Living Wage increases and pension auto-enrolment increases which happen each April.

• Further increasing the resilience of our IT systems to protect against external threats, and also investigating options for new systems to help our overall efficiency.

• Finding additional housing partners to help increase the number of options we have for housing when these needs arise.

• Ensuring we all stay on the right side of the new data protection laws GDPR!what oNE mESSagE woUld yoU gIvE to all oUr Staff?You do an amazing job that you should feel really proud of and the management team and Trustees certainly recognise the hard work and vital service that you all provide. In two words, THANK YOU.hEad ovEr to thE affINIty4yoU NEwS blog to rEad thE fUll INtErvIEw.

IN coNvErSatIoN wIth...chrIS brookS, fINaNcE dIrEctor

On the 14th June we transformed the garden at The Willows in East Sussex. Using the donations raised from Leo’s Great North Run last year, a team of volunteers lead by Austin Crabbe created a peaceful and sensory place for relaxation and enjoyment for the people we support.“Our dream of a lovely garden has come true; we cannot wait to spend more time enjoying it.” claIrE NIcholS

A massive thank you to all our staff and volunteers. We had a little rain in the morning, but this certainly didn’t dampen our spirits and thankfully the sun came out to allow the woodwork to be painted.

BEFORE THE TEAM

AFTER AFTER

what doES yoUr rolE ENtaIl?Managing the Finance, Payroll, IT, Housing and Administration teams in Thame and acting as the primary contact for our banks, insurers, auditors and other advisors who all help us in different ways in achieving our overall goals. My role, like so many within the organisation, is mainly about working with my managers and others to ensure that we have the right resources in our teams to do all the work required and to offer support and guidance