Choices
The Magazine of Milestones Trust
Issue 13 - Spring 2014
Welcome and Hello
With the recent warm weather it’s really beginning to feel like spring has sprung!
See our Top 3 Days Out for tips on where to visit over the coming months.
We’ve all been celebrating as Humphry Repton House has achieved the Soil
Association’s Bronze Catering Mark for serving high quality food. The award is going
to be rolled out across the rest of the Trust’s homes too, before we go for silver and
gold! See page 6 for details.
Meanwhile, some people have been getting crafty at our new Creative Club, where
they’ve been making pinhole cameras, screen printing and tie-dyeing t-shirts.
If you have any news and would like to see it featured in Choices, then please email
hannahc@milestonestrust.org.uk. We always love to hear what you’ve been up to!
Hannah Carr
Communications & Marketing Assistant
It’s Now Or Never
for an Elvis holiday
John Baldwin recently flew to the US with Support Worker Carly Ramsey on an Elvis
Presley-themed trip. It was his first flight so he was all shook up at the start but glad
that he made the journey.
The pair spent nine days in Tennessee and Mississippi to celebrate John’s 75th
birthday. They visited Elvis’s childhood home, and studios in which he had recorded.
“My favourite part of the trip was Graceland,” John says.
John also squeezed in a stay at the Heartbreak Hotel, a performance from John
Carter-Cash, and shopping in Nashville. He even recorded Can’t Help Falling In
Love With You at a studio!
“It was fun. I’d recommend it to other Elvis fans,” says John.
Choices Editorial Panel
How is Choices put together and who is it for? Choices has always had a service
user editorial panel (see picture below), but we are becoming increasingly aware
that our staff, the people who use our services, their friends, family and
commissioners, are all working together and make up the wider ‘care community’
that is Milestones Trust.
So Choices in the future will be geared towards everyone rather than being ‘by and
for service users’. As it is essential the magazine stays relevant and accessible for
those in our services, we will still be running it with a service user editorial panel,
with a lot of involvement opportunities.
Perhaps this is a good time to mention that if you use the Trust’s services and would
like to join our editorial team you would be very welcome. It’s voluntary, involves 3-4
meetings a year, and can get you involved in interviewing, writing, and other
magazine work.
Contact Hannah Carr at Trust Office on 0117 970 9374 or email
hannahc@milestonestrust.org.uk if you are interested.
Focus On Food
If you live in a care home, the food you are served is an important part of life. That is
why Milestones Trust has decided to lead by example and set standards for food in
terms of nutrition, freshness and sustainability.
• Starting with Humphry Repton House, all our homes will meet the standards for
the Soil Association’s Bronze Catering Mark, which means 75% of meals will be
freshly prepared, with more locally-sourced food and no harmful additives.
• We have started our own 10-week training course for people who cook in homes,
in partnership with the Square Food Foundation.
• We are working with Growing Support to build vegetable gardens in homes, so
we can grow more of our own food.
• Funding from South Gloucestershire Council allows a nutritionist to work with us
one day a week to make all our menus as nutritious as possible.
If you are interested in joining in, or doing more growing or cooking at your home,
please get in touch. There is more information on our website at
www.milestonestrust.org.uk/food.
“Why should you choose fish certified by the Marine Stewardship Council
(MSC)?”
It means you are buying fish from a producer that is not over-fishing the oceans, and
contributing towards keeping marine environments healthy.
“What vitamin could help with Alzheimer’s Disease (dementia)?”
Vitamin B has been shown to slow the shrinkage of ‘grey matter’ – brain tissue –
that happens when people have dementia.
“Why have we stopped serving mushy peas at Humphry Repton House?”
Mushy peas are high in sodium and Tartrazine (E102), and E-numbers like this can’t
be used at care homes that have the Bronze Catering Mark.
Some tins of mushy peas even carry a health warning that says Not suitable for
children! Normal peas are a much healthier option.
What is dementia?
Dementia describes a group of symptoms caused by the impact of the disease on a
person’s brain. This causes the loss of nerve cells that cannot be replaced, meaning
that the affected person becomes worse over time.
The Types of Dementia
There are several types of Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease (the most
common type), Vascular (Multi-Infarct) Dementia and Lewey Bodies Dementia.
Other forms of dementia include Picks Diseases, Korsakoff’s Syndrome and
Huntington’s Disease. People with Down’s Syndrome have an increased risk of
developing a Dementia in middle age, most commonly Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Symptoms of Dementia
While each person is unique and will experience Dementia in their own way, signs
and symptoms of Dementia typically include:
• Memory loss
• Problems with speech
• Mood swings
• Changes in perception
• Depression
• Poor concentration
Danny, who has Dementia, says: “I become impatient and cannot rationalise when
situations present themselves.”
The course of the disease differs for each person with Dementia. Some people with
the disease will decline quickly, while others will retain one area of function for a
long time.
In the final stages of Dementia an individual’s personality disintegrates and they
become bed bound or dependent.
Pam Takes a Trip in a Tardis
Myself and my support worker Charlotte caught the train to Cardiff Central from
Parkway Station to go to The Doctor Who Experience. It only took about half an
hour.
When we got there we went on a tour and had to help The Doctor, who had been
taken prisoner. We even had a ride in the Tardis. It was really good.
I saw lots of Daleks and got scared to death! I had my photo taken and put on
different backgrounds so I could take them home as a souvenir. The gift shop was
amazing - I didn’t want to get out.
If you are a Doctor Who fan I definitely recommend going.
My favourite bit was going in the Tardis, I couldn’t believe I was in it!
Milestones and UWE launch Creative Club
Milestones Trust and the University of the West of England (UWE) have joined
together for a new venture: A Creative Club!
Service users from the Trust have signed up to a six week pilot course at UWE
trying creative activities, such as making pinhole cameras, screen printing and tiedyeing t-shirts.
The project gives service users the opportunity to visit a university campus and be a
student for a couple of hours – a new experience for most.
“I like coming to Creative Club as I like trying new things. And I can keep what I
make in my scrapbook,” says Wilf Maule, a member of the Club.
Members of the Club are supported by students from UWE, who are mainly studying
graphic design or photography. Katie Morgan, a student helping on the course,
says: “Applying for a Project Leader role for this life-changing experience was one of
the best decisions I have made.”
Brand New Dementia Nursing
Plans are afoot to rebuild Humphry Repton House so that it is entirely en suite and
incorporates Extra Care Housing.
At the very least our existing site will be redeveloped, but it is hoped that we will be
successful in our bid to buy the council site next door, so that we can build a care
‘village’ with all the latest mod cons!
We are submitting our plans to tender for the next-door site in mid-March, so will
keep you informed via the website when we have news.
Jammin’
Music can inspire people to sing, dance, be happy and enjoy relaxation. Residents
and staff of Milestones Trust are very welcome to join an experimental musical
workshop to practice, record and maybe even perform their arrangements at this
year’s Expressions. Sessions are held on Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm at the South
Bank Arts Café on Dean Lane, Southville, Bristol.
This project was initiated by Ian West, and supported by the Trust with funding from
its Expressions arts programme. It is facilitated by Jason Hill, support worker and
musician.
Congratulations and Announcements
• Avril at Furber Road recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Happy birthday Avril!
• Wendy from Watley’s End Road turned 60 on 17 December, so there were extra
celebrations for her during the month, with a party being held for friends and family.
• Happy Birthday to George from Humphry Repton House. He celebrated his 70th
with a Native American pow-wow, with staff and residents dressing up as Native
Americans and Cowboys. Yee-haw!
• Clive from Watley’s End Road had his 57th birthday in January. He went out for a
meal with his key workers and family. Happy birthday Clive!
• The gang at Wyvern would like to wish Karen a happy 40th birthday which she
celebrated in February.
• Robert from Vassall Road has had cataract surgery on his eye. The operation went
really well and Robert can now see better than before. Everyone at Vassall Road
would like to congratulate Robert on such a successful operation.
Choices Top 3 Days Out
1. Expressions: the Journey
What? Milestones Trust’s annual arts festival is back for its fifth year. This year’s
theme is journeys - in trains, ships, shoes, dreams and lifetimes.
Sail to shipwreck café, meet the Sea Witch, reinvent yourself in the mystery
wardrobe, climb on the cardboard express train, and find unexpected souvenirs in
the shop.
You can also explore a fabulous knitted street, try knitted wigs at the wig shop, and
buy a pint of knitted milk in the corner shop.
Where? The Paintworks, Bath Road, Bristol, BS4 3EH
When? 26 April - 1 May
How much? Free.
2. Bristol Aquarium
What? Bristol Aquarium has everything from a Giant Pacific Octopus to tropical
sharks and stingrays. You can explore an undersea tunnel too!
Where? Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TT
When? Daily 10am - 5pm
How much? Adult tickets cost £13.50, child tickets £9.25, senior and student tickets
£12.25. Discounts are available if you book online. Carers get in for free.
“I liked seeing a shark and the underwater tunnel. It’s suitable for all ages really. I
took someone in a wheelchair and it was really accessible too.”
Dean
3. Bristol Walking Festival 2014
What? There are up to 100 different events and walks to choose from at the largest
urban walking festival in the UK. See
www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk for more info.
Where? All over Bristol
When? Saturday 26 April – Monday 26 May
How much? Free.
Maud and Ellen meet Daniel O’Donnell
Maud Butcher is a devoted member of the Daniel O’Donnell fan club and planned to
see him in Cardiff in October. Unfortunately this was cancelled, which was
devastating news for Maud, as he only tours the UK every other year!
Luckily, the concert was rescheduled for February and Maud and her sister Ellen
went along. “He’s brilliant,” says Maud.
They both met Daniel O’Donnell after the show which really was the grand finale.
Say Hello To Lisa Bayley
Doreen interviews the new Head of Learning
What does your job involve?
My job involves looking at the learning and development needs of the Trust’s staff,
making sure that people are well-equipped to carry out their roles and that they have
access to development opportunities.
What are your ambitions for your role?
I want the Learning Team to be an asset for staff and to help them provide excellent
support and care for service users.
What do you think will be the main challenges of the job?
Getting my head around the diversity and size of the organisation, getting a good
understanding of it and knowing where the Learning Team fits in. The Trust now
sees learning as more than just training, a much broader concept.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
The friendliness of the people, everyone’s been really welcoming, also there are
some great people doing some brilliant things in the Trust. I feel strongly about
learning and development for staff so to be involved in change is exciting, there is a
lot for me to learn as well.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I recently moved here from Australia and enjoyed walking, swimming and surfing
when I lived there. I really like doing things outdoors. I also like reading and seeing
family and friends.
What would be your perfect day off?
My perfect day off would be a sunny day. It would start with a little lie in, then a cup
of tea. I’d probably go for a long walk by the sea with my husband and finish the day
off with a nice meal.
If you could have dinner with three famous people who would they be?
I’d want a mix of interesting people to get the conversation going. I would choose
Nelson Mandela, Stephen Fry and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. He’s a brilliant
Aboriginal musician.
Tell us a secret
I’ve just joined a community choir so I’m going to start singing in public. I don’t know
if I can sing but I’ll give it a go!
QUIZ How much do you know about dementia?
Which of these statements are true and which are false?
1. Drinking two cups of coffee a day in mid-life can delay the onset of dementia.
2. Dementia is curable.
3. More women than men are affected by dementia.
4. You can catch dementia.
5. Cooking with aluminium saucepans is a cause of dementia.
1. True, according to current research.
2. False
3. True. Because women live longer.
4. False
5. False