Relatives Newsletter - Rosh Hashana 2009
Update from Leon Smith, Chief Executive
The end of this Jewish year is 5769 and the beginning of 5770 marks a very exciting period in Nightingale’s history! As you will be aware the Charity’s trustees have decided to embark upon a major strategic plan which will involve considerable improvements to the Home’s accommodation. You will probably already be aware of what these plans involve – suffice it to say, some of the enabling/ preparatory works have already commenced. A new staff dining room has been created on the Ground Floor of the Cope Wing which now houses all the staff facilities and the new Arts & Crafts centre is currently being created in what was the old staff dining room on the Ground Floor of the Gerald Lipton Centre and in the adjacent locker room. It is anticipated that work in this area will be completed by October when the existing Arts & Crafts facility will be transferred.
All of the current range of facilities for residents will be on offer – albeit the new Centre will be smaller and hopefully more accessible for the majority of our residents.
It is likely that work will then start before the end of the year in our Concert Hall, where the floor is being raised to make it level with the floor outside, thereby enabling us to move the ramp, which has been a significant problem for many years.
Work on the demolition of Birchlands, the disused Balint Wing, and the Arts & Crafts Centre will begin early in 2010, following which work will start on our new building. The intention, subject to agreement with the local authority, is to use the side road in Birchlands Avenue for access to the site. The whole area will, of course, be screened off in the Garden and we therefore hope that any disruption or inconvenience to our residents and staff will be kept to an absolute minimum. Those remaining residents on the Ground Floor of Birchlands will be moved to alternative accommodation by the end of October.
You may wonder where the money is coming from for this large development project! So far, we have raised approximately 50% of the total cost of the project and we are actively pursuing our campaign in order that we can raise the remainder of the funds.
Our major fundraising event is held every two years – our Dinner at Guildhall and this will be taking place on 20th October, when many friends and supporters of the Home will have the opportunity of hearing more about our plans. We will also be showing for the first time a new promotional film which has been made during the summer featuring a small number of our residents.
Other fundraising events take place throughout the year and, as always, details of these events are widely distributed. We are very much looking forward to the Jewish holidays which we believe are always greatly enjoyed by the residents here at the Home. Rafi Fuchs, our Religious Adviser, will of course be conducting the services and he looks forward to seeing as many residents as possible in the synagogue over this period.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a Happy & Healthy New Year.
Leon Smith, Chief Executive
Witnessing documents
From time to time to staff are asked to witness legal documents. Under no circumstances are Nightingale staff permitted to witness any of these documents. I do hope that you will understand and that staff should not be put in this position.
We are unable to recommend any professional advisers but we do have details of solicitors who are known to Nightingale and who are familiar with a number of areas of work related to the care home sector. For further information please speak with Sally Miller sallymiller@nightingalehouse.org.uk
Health & Safety
Nightingale is a “non-smoking building” although residents who smoke are permitted to do so in their own rooms. We do not permit smoking at the front of the building or on any of the terraces in the Garden. Staff, volunteers and visitors who do smoke must do so at the designated area towards the rear of the garden. Thank you for your cooperation.
Paul Joseph, Assistant Director
pauljoseph@nightingalehouse.org.uk
Infection Control
A note of reassurance that Nightingale has very robust infection control procedures in place whether on a day to day basis or in the case of a national crisis such as the current Swine Flu pandemic.
glendaedwards@nightingalehouse.org.uk
Medications – residents on holiday
I realise that we did highlight this request in our last newsletter, but please be aware of the importance of giving as much as notice as possible to staff that you wish to take your relative away from the Home, especially for an overnight stay. This will give staff time enough to liaise with the pharmacist to prepare medications. And of course, it is important you inform the staff on duty when you are leaving and that you are back.
ramawatar@nightingalehouse.org.uk
A new feature in the main reception area
Since the refurbishment of the main reception area many of you will have noticed that the numerous plaques in gratitude of our friends who have made major donations over the years are missing. This is because we are upgrading the “look” and incorporating everything into one large donor board. In addition, this will include the names of our Trustees, our Patrons, and benefactors.
Funday Sunday
The Funday Sunday held in June was a great success although the number of people attending and money raised was slightly down on last year Many people have told me that they thought the event was “the best ever”. Certainly there seemed to be a wonderful atmosphere and we were incredibly lucky with the weather. And of course celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott was our guest for the afternoon.
Some people have asked whether we will still be doing the Funday next year – the plan is most definitely yes!! The building work which will be taking place, although it will slightly affect the garden, should not in any way prohibit us from carrying on with this ever popular event.
rubyfernandes@nightingalehouse.org.uk
Notice of Bi-Annual Relatives Meeting
Leon Smith and members of the senior management team invite all relatives and friends to our bi-annual relatives meeting taking place on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at 11.00 am here at Nightingale.
Activities over the Summer Months
Here is a quick resume of some of the activities that our residents participated in during the summer months:
- Lunch outings to Kingston, Purley and Swanley
- An afternoon at Richmond Park
- Various outings to our friends at Dulwich Gallery
- Outings to Brighton and Wisley Gardens
- A day at the home of Jacquie Katz
- Shopping at Westfield Shopping Centre
- Weybridge Synagogue event
- A special lunch with the Chief Executive
Our thanks go to the Activities Team, our many volunteers and staff who all work so hard to make these outings possible.
Other Activities
As you all know, we have a very varied and exciting activities programme here at Nightingale. But there are some activities which take place regularly every week and of course are enjoyed by residents.
Monday
Brian Barnett hosts a lively currently affairs group
Stephanie looks at Jewish life through literature
Residents enjoy a very popular “Music Matinee”
Tuesday
The Tuesday Film Club
Wednesday
Jacquie has a large group of residents who join her for an informal lighthearted chat.
Thursday
Rhoda & Sharon enjoy a reminiscence with residents and Jacquie and Loretta are back again for their “tea party”
And of course there are plenty of opportunities in the Arts & Crafts Centre – textiles, pottery, drawing, cooking, computer skills to name but a few! See our website for updates and further details.
Caterplus
Food is an important part of “life at Nightingale” and let us introduce you to the Caterplus management team:
Manager – Geoff Bavister
Deputy – Rita Hunter
Executive Head Chef – Neil Stott
Floor Manager – Denise Dooley
Floor Manager – Maria Abreu
Weekend Manager – Rahman Sadequr
The Caterplus office is on the Ground Floor of the Gerald Lipton Centre and there is always someone on hand to speak with.
email !
At every opportunity we ask you for your email address. This is because we want to keep our postage costs down to a minimum. If you have not sent this to us previously, please drop a note to cathybuckingham@nightingalehouse.org.uk with the name of your relative and the unit where they live.
Deputy Directors of Nursing
We are pleased to welcome Toni Turner who will be working alongside Glenda Edwards, both of whom are Deputy Directors of Nursing, under our Director of Clinical Services, Ram Awatar. Glenda and Toni have a wealth of experience in the care home sector and we wish Toni good luck in her new role. Glenda has been with us for some 2½ years now and we have valued enormously her contribution to the organisation and I have no doubt she will breathe a sigh of relief at Toni’s arrival. Toni will be responsible for Main Building, Ronson and supporting Ram and Glenda with the closure of Birchlands.
Ram Awatar, Director of Clinical Services
Visitors Badges
Remember to hand in your visitor badge when leaving the Home. They are costly to replace when stocks become low and your assistance in this small matter is appreciated.
Bus Service
We still continue to run the bus service fortnightly to/from North London. The service is scheduled for the following dates to the end of 2009.
13th & 27th September;
18th October
8th and 22nd November
13th and 27th December
For further information, please speak with Annette in the Fundraising office 020 8673 3495 Ext 2207.
10 suggestions for the 10 days of repentance
This is something I picked up from a Relatives Newsletter some years ago.
- Speak to people: There is nothing as pleasant as cheerful words
- Smile: It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile!
- Call people by name: The sweetest music is the sound of one’s own name
- Be friendly and cheerful: If you want friends – you must be one
- Be cordial: Speak and act as if what you are doing is a joy to you
- Be genuinely interested in people
- Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism
- Be considerate with feelings of others
- There are 3 sides to an argument – yours, the other person’s and the truth!
- Add to all this a good sense of humour and a huge dose of humility.
Rafi Fuchs, Religious Adviser
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