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Abbeyfield & WesleyNewsletterMaking time for older peopleSummer 2019Abbeyfield & Wesley wins Gold Award at theEAC Awards 2019Residents in the Downpatrick house were delighted to welcome MsMargaret Ritchie, former MP for South Down, to a special coffee morningto celebrate winning the regional Gold Award at the annual UK ElderlyAccommodation Counsel Awards. The EAC Awards are in their eighth yearand this is the second time the Downpatrick house has been successful!Residents & staff with Margaret Ritchie, 3rd right.
Mrs Deirdre Mitchell presented Ms Ritchiewith flowers at the event.Ms Ritchie congratulated everyoneand said: “The Downpatrick house isa brilliant example of a housingdevelopment that values olderpeople. This award recognises theongoing efforts of both staff andresidents and it is truly welldeserved.”Mrs Aloma Page, resident, with her daughter.Helen Collins, Regional Housing and SupportManager, with colleague Sara Campbellhelping to serve delicious treats.Geraldine Gilpin, Chief Executive (left) andHilary Hamilton, Support Manager (right) withMs RitchieAbbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
Return of Plays AloudDue to popular demand, theCommedia of Errors TheatreGroup returned to Abbeyfield& Wesley with their „PlaysAloud‟ programme.Residents enjoyed the mix oflive theatre, music and poetryand are looking forward tofurther visits.Plays Aloud visiting the Greenislandand Lurgan houses.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
Special Birthday Celebrations for CentenarianMr Bob Anderson, resident in the Banbridgehouse, celebrated his 100th birthday instyle. Not only did he receive a card fromHer Majesty The Queen, and a visit fromthe Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridgeand Craigavon (Councillor Mealla Campbell,see left) representatives from the RoyalBritish Legion presented him with aspecially inscribed plaque.Courtesy of Banbridge ChronicleCourtesy of Banbridge ChronicleBob has lived in Abbeyfield Banbridge since2015, but it was only recently that staff andresidents learned of his wartime bravery.He enlisted in 1939 and was posted to Indiafollowed by a spell in Durban, South Africa.In 1944/45 he was a Pathfinder for BomberCommand, serving in RAF 35th Squadron.Pathfinders were target making squadronswho had the dangerous task of locating andmarking targets with flares, increasing theaccuracy of bombing missions. Untilrecently, Bob would help with the annualPoppy Appeal and was Branch President ofthe British Legion from 2015-2017.Congratulations from everyone inAbbeyfield & Wesley!Flight Sergeant Bob Anderson (front, secondleft) with his crew mates.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
BLOOMING MARVELLOUS!!Lots of greenfingers have been in action in Abbeyfield & Wesley and whatamazing results.The Greenhouse at Wesley Court,Carrickfergus has gone from bare soilto providing a bountiful harvest ofvegetables which have been enjoyedat the dinner tables of both tenantsand staff.There has even been a crop of grapes– bravely tasted by those who enjoysomething tart!Well done to the Garden Club,organised by staff member ClaireThomas.Getting the beds ready on a coldJanuary morning Peppers proudly on display inJuneAbbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019Pick of the crop - July’s grapesflourished
Residents in Model Avenue, Carrickfergus have also been busy planting.As have residents in:LurganBarnaghDownpatrickAbbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019Merville
Garden designer Barbara Kelso, who is responsible for planning the amazinggarden at Wesley Court, has again worked her magic and transformed thegarden at the Lurgan house.An expanse of plain grass is now turning into a really wonderful place, withpathways, seating areas and delightful planting.It is not yet in its full glory and requires a little more growing time, but it isalready giving much pleasure.As with the recent garden improvements in Palmerston Care Home andWesley Court, this work has only been possible through the generosity ofdonors and in particular legacies from the late Mrs Reside and the late MrsEdgar.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
Playlist for LifeA playlist is a list of songs or pieces ofmusic. „Playlist for Life‟ is all the songs andmusic that make up the soundtrack of yourlife and give you that „flashback feeling‟whenever you hear them, taking you back toanother time, person or place.We can all have our own playlist with tunesthat are special to us.It is more difficult to build a personal playlist for people with dementia. Playlistfor Life, a charity set up by Sally Magnusson whose mother had dementia,provides training to help staff and volunteers be a music detective for thosewho can no longer recall the names of music meaningful to them.With funding from the Edgar Legacy we have been able to provide this trainingfor the staff from Palmerston Care Home. Sally Campton, Volunteer andCommunity Outreach Manager, has also attended a course to be a trainerherself and will be running further courses for volunteers and staff.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
The Big LunchThe “Big Lunch”, the UK‟s annual gettogether for neighbours, began in 2009and each year gets bigger and bigger,with over 9 million people now takingpart.The tenants in Bryans House certainlyenjoyed their get-together lunch thisyear!!Poetry Competition WinnerThe Downpatrick house is obviously on a winning streak these days Their poem “Our House”, penned by the residents and staff is one of ninewinners in the national Abbeyfield Society poetry competition. There were over70 poems submitted which will be compiled into a printed book to be publishedlater in the year.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
Strumming AlongThere was plenty of toe-tapping when theBelfast Ukulele Jam came to PalmerstonCare Home. Even residents who don‟tnormally join in, loved the music.Care Assistant Jacquie Annett commented,“The Belfast Ukelele Jam were absolutelyfantastic. What an atmosphere! They gotall the residents’ toes tapping – evenresidents who don’t normally join in withthings loved the music. We really hopethey’ll be back again very soon!”Activities Lead, Carla certainly got in themood (see left).What a great atmosphere!!Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
CongratulationsMilo3rd August 20198 poundsWarmest congratulations to Brooke Cameron, HRManager, who safely welcomed Baby Milo to theworld just a day after finishing work to begin herMaternity Leave.We are all so happy for you and your family!!A Helping HandVolunteers from CFC, a local eastBelfast church, came to help to keepthe Palmerston garden and groundslooking lovely. We’re really gratefulfor their time and energy and forbeing such a smiley group who bringtheir own sunshine! If there are anyother budding gardeners who’d like totake a leaf out of their book and helpkeep our other gardens tidy, just getin touch.A New FaceA warm welcome to Kelly-Ann Gazzard who hasjoined the Abbeyfield & Wesley team as Housingand Support Manager.She will work mainly in the North Down area.Kelly-Ann has a wealth of experience working forRadius (formerly known as Fold)We wish her well in her new post.Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019
Animal MagicVolunteer Frances Olley and Finn on arecent visit to Donegal. Frances visits one ofour Palmerston residents every week withminiature schnauzer Finn, who is a Pets AsTherapy dog and is used to going into carehomes and other settings. He really enjoysthe visits and our resident loves making afuss of him!From rabbits inBangor, to volunteerDoreen‟s huskie inGreenisland, there‟snothing like a visitfrom our four leggedfriends to make ourday.Abbeyfield & Wesley2 Wesley CourtCarrickfergus, BT38 8HSTel: 028 9336 ndwesley.org.ukFind us and “Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/abbeyfieldwesleyAbbeyfield& WesleyNewsletterSummer2019Chief Executive:MrsGeraldine –GilpinChairman:Mr Joe McKnight
Abbeyfield & Wesley Newsletter – Summer 2019 Ms Ritchie congratulated everyone and said: “The Downpatrick house is a brilliant e
