Prader Willi Syndrome

We announced last month that Nicky was leaving her post as administrator, but remaining on bank for the homes in a support capacity, we are pleased to let everyone know, that Nicky will be coming on board at Bishops Gate when it opens in April as one of the part time support workers, covering evening shifts.

 

We are also delighted to say that on 6^th February there was a presentation at Sussex Coast College to Nicky for the City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for her NVQ in Business and Administration.    This was presented by the Mayor of Hastings at the Apprenticeship awards. 

 

So, Nicky, a lot to live up to now, we will expect the same when you do your Health & Social Care NVQ!

New Directions is pleased to announce the appointment of their new office administrator, Danica Haslop, who commenced work on Monday 30th January 2012.

Danica has joined us having spent 5 years working in domiciliary care, and is looking forward to this exciting new experience and working with the New Directions team. 

VACANCIES 

 

Bishops Gate is now starting to recruit for the staff team - the following vacancies are available:-

 

Senior Support Workers - 2 years experience in care industry and NVQ/QCF level 3 (or working toward this qualification) full time posts

 

Support Workers both full and part time hours available

 

Day Service Co-ordinator - full time position

 

Day service co-ordinator assistant - part time assistant

 

Night support workers - waking nights - night hours 2145 - 0715

 

All enquiries about these positions to Mandy Gates at Bishops Lodge on 01424 719011 or by email to -  bishops.lodge@newdirections.gb.com

 

 

So, we are now in full swing with the refurbishment of our new property, Hastings Observer has carried an article and David Palmer has been heard on Arrow fm telling the world (or at least Hastings and surrounding area) that the home will be opening early April 2012.  We are told that everything is on schedule (if not on budget!) so all is going well.  Below a few pictures at this current time!!!

 

Will this really be open in April?  -  OF COURSE IT WILL

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is with regret that we are announcing that Nicky will not be returning to her full time administrator’s post with New Directions, following her maternity leave, as she want to be a full time Mum.  Nicky will not be losing contact with all of us here at New Directions, as she has requested to work on a bank basis for all the homes, and to help out in the office when there is annual leave to cover.

 

We have recruited a new administrator and will be giving details when this person has started work for us, hopefully by the beginning of February 2012.

 

 

 

I am delighted to announce that David Palmer is being promoted to the post of General Manager with effect from 1^st January 2012.

 

David’s hard work and dedication to the company, staff teams, families, service users and (most importantly) me, mean that he is most deserving of this promotion.

 

I am sure that everyone will want to congratulate David, however, it is likely that he will now be so busy no-one will ever be able to get hold of him!!!

 

Well done David

Gayle

We would like to welcome Duncan to our management team as of 1^st January 2012.  Duncan has been working with us at New Directions at Bishops Croft as a senior support worker since May 2009.

 

As everyone is now aware, Sanchia has been appointed as the Manager at not only Bishops Corner, but also Bishops Way, and Duncan is to be her deputy.  His role will therefore be to work between the two homes in a management capacity reporting directly to Sanchia.

 

It is heart warming to report that all the staff and service users are looking forward to having Duncan as their new deputy, perhaps with the exception of Bishops Croft, who have all said that they will miss him.  Of course, Duncan will be still be in and out at Bishops Croft as he will now be on the duty manager scheme.

 

Well done Duncan and the best of luck in this new post.

All the residents, management and staff at New Directions would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

It promises to be a very interesting 2012 with our 5th home scheduled to be ready for occupation by April.

Review of the year

January

The work placements at Drallimcommenced this month. This has proved to be an enormous success for the service users that live within all of the New Directions homes. We now have six persons attending on a Tuesday and six persons attending on a Wednesday. 

Hastings Carnival Queen, Tamara Gates, whose nominated charity for her year in office was the PWSA, reached the latter stages of the Miss England competition.

February

New Directions office administrator Nicola Driver received a medal of excellence from city and Guilds and was Sussex Coast College apprentice of the year. She received her certificates from Amber Rudd, MP for Hastings and Rye at presentation at the college.

 

March

Our fundraising for the PWSA commenced this month. First there was horse racing on DVD at the Clarence Pub in Silverhill, St Leonards on sea.
Hastings Carnival Queen, Tamara Gates together with director, Gayle Benet and home manager Sanchia Lowe took part in the Hastings half marathon.
The Rose of England Masonic Lodge raised £1300 for a fundraising this year. Thanks go to Tony and Mandy Gates (Tony and Mandy parents of Tamara, and Mandy managers Bishops Lodge).

 

April

Christine Palmer is approved by the Care Quality Commission and is registered as the manager of Bishops Croft.
Our fundraising day for all the family was held on Easter Sunday at the Clarence Pub.
New Directions held a Royal wedding party at the Tin Hut to celebrate the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

 

May

Office administrator Nicola Driver gave birth to a baby boy who is named George. Nicky is currently on maternity leave.
New Directions send a representative to the one-day conference at the Maudsley Hospital in London.
Gayle, Sanchia and her partner Billy undertake the three Peaks challenge as part of our fundraising initiative for this year. They completed the course in around 11 hours. 

June

A contingency from New Directions went to the our way of life conference facilitated by the PraderWilli Syndrome Association. This was a most enjoyable event. The service users who have been to this event of the last two years say it is a must for all adults with PWS.
The 1066 Football Specials, which a number of our service users are team members, received their awards following a successful season. They go to London and play Chelsea each year.
Bishops Lodge held their  car wash of the year. It rained much of the time and the second event planned. Bishops Lodge were asked by the Rotary club of Hastings to make flower arrangements for a dinner. This was done to the highest standard.

July

Another round of fundraising events with a curry and quiz evening held at Hastings United Football Club.
This month also saw on two Sundays, several staff, family and friends Zorbing down Devils Dyke in Brighton. 

August

This month New Directions registered to provide support in a supported living environment.
The tin hut summer party was its usual success. With many games enjoyed on the field. Then into the club for a buffet and drinks.

 

September

The annual PWSA clients holiday was held this month with staff from New Directions assisting Jacquie Kearnsin facilitating this occasion. This was enjoyed by all who attended (it is rumoured that there will not be a client holiday next year, if this is the case I personally am very saddened that people with PWS will not have the same opportunity as the persons who attended this year).
Sue Walling, home manager Bishops Way.

October

The second car wash of the year was held at Bishops Lodge.
A representative was sent to the PWSA training day held in Newcastle.
Gayle and Mandy together with two service users attended the evening at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea. This event is hugely popular and raises much funds for the PWSA.
All homes enjoyed holding Halloween parties.

 

November

New Directions discuss, view, exchange contracts and compleat the purchase of a property that will become our 5thhome specifically for adults with PWS.

 

December

Sanchia Lowe has been approved by the Care Quality Commission and registered to be the manager of Bishops way. Sanchia will manage Bishops Way in addition to her current post as manager of Bishops Corner. There will be a restructuring of positions within the company commencing in January.
This year together with the Prader Willi Syndrome Association, New Directions held its annual Christmas Party. This event was well attended with a number of families from all over the South of England attending.

 

 

SOUTH-EAST ADULTS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY

 

hosted by

 

NEW DIRECTIONS

 

Wednesday 14th December 10 am - 2.30 pm

Ninfield Working Mens Club (The Tin Hut)

Bexhill Road, Ninfield, Battle, East Sussex TN33 9EE

 

 

Join New Directions, who have several specialist residential homes for people with PWS, for a Christmas lunch and party specially for adults with PWS.

 

For lunch there is a plated buffet. There is also a bar, money is not taken over the bar. Drinks tickets are purchased prior to the event, handed in over the bar and accounts settle at the conclusion of the event. Each ticket states what the drink is and persons are limited to 2 tickets.

 

We do hope that this years event that there will be a “mystery guest”.

 

 

If you’d like to attend please contact David Palmer at New Directions

23 Boscobel Road

St Leonards on Sea

East Sussex, TN38 0LX

Tel: (01424) 421684
Email: david.palmer@newdirections.gb.com

 

 

 

Sanchia Lowe has been approved by the Care Quality Commission to be the registered manager of Bishops Way. Sanchia will now manager both Bishops Way and Bishops Corner.

She will have a deputy manager employed to assist her in the management of the two homes.

Sanchia started her career at Bishops Corner as a support worker in 2004. She became manager of the home in 2007. Sanchia states that she is looking forward to this new chapter in her life.

Sanchia is a very hard working, hands on manager who is much respected be the service users and staff. She spend much of her leisure time fundraising for the Prader Willi Syndrome Association. Running marathons, climbing the 3 peaks, dragon boat racing, Zorbing down Devils Dyke the list goes on.

Well done Sanchia