Well Hello Again………….

Time flies so quickly – I hadn’t realised it was so long since I last put paw to keyboard!  Sorry if you have missed me!

The last few weeks have again been busy for all at Vision Homes Association.  There is so much to do to ensure that each Service User has just the service and support that s/he needs and wants and most often it is the little details that make all the difference.  But I am very happy to report that everyone seems well and content so our staff are clearly doing a very good job.

I am also delighted to be able to tell you that all our services have now received unannounced inspections from the Care Quality Commission over the last few months and – they are all compliant!  Although I know the Managers leave no stone unturned to ensure that it is so, I admit that my heart beats just a little faster when I hear that someone is under the spotlight.  The Managers have told me that the CQC Inspectors are very thorough during the inspection; sometimes leaving them feeling quite drained of all the knowledge and information they possess. But overall it is a good thing that such external auditing can take place in addition to our own internal procedures.

Last week I was able to join a group of Service Users and staff at the regular story telling session that Hamish from Loudwater Art and Sound Studio [www.loudwaterstudio.org] organises in Ludlow.  It was such great fun - not a lot of storytelling, but certainly lots of laughter and then everyone spent time chatting over a picnic lunch.  I cannot believe that, for next time, they have decided to write a poem about a Christmas cat!!  Someone has got their pet priorities all wrong, I can tell you!

Modesty does not prevent me from telling you that I had a little celebration of my own on December 2^nd – my 9^th birthday!! Unfortunately no one made much of it really, but the weather was sunny and dry for a change so I had a really good romp in the park.  I don’t look my age, do I? More like a 6 year old dog really!  Oh and Phoebe was 2 on November 21^st.  Happy Birthday Fibbles old girl.

Of course, now the nights are drawing in, Jack Frost is nipping at my nose and the festive lights and decorations are appearing everywhere everyone is thinking of Christmas and being sucked in to the melee of preparation.  I know there are many preparations going ahead in all the services and I am sure that those service users who are not able to be family or friends this Christmas will still have a very enjoyable festive season.  Thank you to all the staff who will be at work over Christmas and will go that extra mile to make sure that it is so.

So this will be my last blog this year – my very best wishes to you all for Christmas and the coming year.  I do hope Santa will bring you all that you wish for, although in my experience you only ever get what you deserve!!

See you in 2013

My new housemate.......

Me again………………

Well, Maggie has moved Phoebe in and I think we are going to be OK after all.  There’s a photo of her for you to see for yourselves.  All along, I wish I had been involved in the recruitment and selection process so that I could have made some comment on whether I thought we could get on.  After all, I am expected to share my space with Phoebe – in the garden, on walks in the park and at the feeding station but no, the decision was made by Guide Dogs and Maggie and I am expected to just go along with it!  It’s lucky I’m such a tolerant fellow.

This is why I think it is such a good thing that Vision Homes Association does involve service users in the recruitment of the staff that will support them.  Obviously not everyone can, or wants to, spend several hours interviewing a series of [mostly nervous] people but the opportunity to meet with a couple of those who gave the best interview during a more informal ‘second interview’ is very useful.  It lets service users gauge the candidates’ interpersonal skills and empathy, and check whether they have a sense of humour.  After all, if you are going to have someone support you with personal care, you don’t want it to be someone you instinctively feel uncomfortable with.  The second interview is most often held over a cup of tea - or maybe a pot of paint at the Loudwater Art and Sound Studio [www.loudwaterstudio.org] - and allows the candidates an opportunity to be ‘themselves’.

The really good news at VHA is that one of the vacancies left by the service user who so sadly passed away in May has now been taken by a lady who needed to move out of her care home in Walsall rather quickly.  In fact it was so quick that we heard about her on Wednesday, and she moved on Friday!  It’s taken us all by surprise [especially Colleen, the Manager who was away on holiday at the time and returned to find her installed!] as usually the process of referral, assessment and fee negotiation takes very much longer.  But VHA is delighted to have been able to help, and we all hope the newly arrived resident will be very, very happy with her home and her support once she has had time to settle in a get to know everyone.  I haven’t been over to meet her myself yet – I’m saving the best till last!!

As you know we are also open for business in providing respite care for people who may need short breaks or a few hours of support regularly or now and again, and it is also pleasing to be able to say that VHA is beginning to receive more enquiries and to provide support of this nature.  Hopefully this side of the business will continue to grow.

Well, that’s all from me for now as I’m expecting Maggie and Phoebe to come over to the office anytime now.  They have just completed their Guide Dog training and are licensed to roam so no doubt they will be trying their skills on various routes.  That’s the one thing Phoebe and I totally agree on – we don’t like being left behind at home when everyone else is out…..

LOL

Ingmar xxx

 

Developing my creative side ...........

Hi everybody………………

Well, I was certainly right about the Paralympics – what a great show.  Entertaining and inspiring [by the way, I hope that is how you find my blog!!].  WELL DONE AGAIN TEAM GB, and ALL the athletes that took part – we salute you.  TV does seem a bit flat now the Games are all over.  I know that Strictly Come Dancing is back but it really isn’t my cup of tea.  Waltzing on four paws is not that easy!

I don’t know why it should, but that’s reminded me of my recent visit to Loudwater Art and Sound Studio [find out more at www.loudwaterstudio.org] in Ludlow. It is a lovely space, light and airy, with opportunities to become involved in creating all sorts of things including pottery and sculpture, painting and textiles or to simply a place to relax and listen to music.  The boar’s head on the wall [created by one of the people who use the studio] is very impressive and Hamish, the Studio Manager, told me he is thinking about making it a trophy wall with lots of exhibits made at the studio. I kept at a safe distance in case his next thought was to be a trophy of a Labrador’s head!  However, on taking refuge in the sound studio, I found – to my surprise - that I am really not much good with a guitar, so I think I had better leave the music making and recording to others.  Hamish did later explain that he was not necessarily looking for animals for his trophies as another suggestion was to have a bus coming out of the wall. I think that would be rather cool, but next time I see Hamish I will point out a lamp post might be good!

It was great to see that the studio is open to people with and without disabilities, in fact to anyone interested in creating art of any kind, and that Hamish and Lol [she’s nice] are there to offer as much or as little support and guidance as anyone would like.  There is no pressure to complete projects as the emphasis is on enjoyment but it also brings a real sense of satisfaction and achievement to take home a finished piece of artwork created by you.  If had a little more spare time, I would certainly try my paw at throwing a pot or two.

Life at Vision Homes Association has generally been quite busy.  It is obviously very important for the Association to fill current vacancies as quickly as possible to stem the loss of income and it is very encouraging that there are a number of referrals which are being followed up with visits from both sides and funding issues under discussion.  Everyone is optimistic and hoping that it will not be too long before a new service user [or two] is able to move in, but these things cannot be hurried as we need to be sure we are able to deliver the service that the service user needs and aspires to, and that it is properly funded.  And once the vacancies have been filled, VHA aims to continue to develop services, building on the experience and expertise that has grown within the organisation over the last twenty years and more.

Naturally I’ve helped out in organising the AGM next month and of course will attend to look over the accounts and vote in the new Board of Directors.  Luckily there are no changes there this year as the serving Board members are still willing to give up their time and take on responsibility for VHA. They do this on a voluntary basis, without pay, and we thank them.    

There are going to be some big changes at home too – Maggie [you remember Maggie, I used to guide her around before I retired] has gone ahead and acquired another guide dog!  Phoebe! Would you believe it!! I’ll see what she is like and maybe share a photo of her next time – as long as she remembers who is boss.

Hello again………………..

Well we really have had a wonderful Olympics with so many interesting and impressive performances from athletes from all over the world – and VERY WELL DONE TEAM GB!!     I do fancy myself against that Usain Bolt; you know - I may be getting older, but I can still get a spurt on when I put my mind to it!  What’s that?  Having four legs gives me an unfair advantage? I don’t think so!

Anyway, however much we enjoyed the Olympics, I think the Paralympics [apparently the name comes from the fact that the games are held ‘in parallel’ with the Olympics] will be fantastic and will give us many more records and achievements to marvel.  I’m just impressed at the amount of work and sheer determination the athletes put into their training as I would much rather have a little lie down.

I also found out this year that two athletes are taking part in both the Olympics and Paralympics [a minute number have done so since 2004] and this shows that they must be at the very top of their game.  They are Oscar Pistorius of South Africa [he is a sprinter] and Natalia Partyka of Poland [she plays table tennis].  Of course I lived in Poland for a few years so I hope that Natalia can do well; sadly she lost her Olympic match in the third round to a lady from the Netherlands.  Some people think it is unfair for people who are disabled to take part in both games and that they should settle for taking part in one or the other but I think if you qualify, then why not.  What do you think??

Last time, I told you about the event I attended in Telford that was designed to provide lots of information to people looking for respite placements.  As we chatted with a number of people who expressed an interest in Vision Homes Association we have now invited them to come to Ludlow for a cup of tea with an informal quick look around and the opportunity to find out more about what we can offer.

We hope people will visit over two days [20^th and 29^th August from about 11.00 am] and of course I will personally be conducting tours of the site.  Service users who live there have told me they are OK with this as long as we don’t create too much of a disturbance; indeed one or two have said they would be happy to meet with visitors.  So if you would like to come over to Ludlow to find out more about VHA, please contact my ‘secretary’ Caroline on 0121 434 4644 or caroline@visionhomes.org.  [Actually please don’t tell her I said this as she’s not my secretary at all, but I do like to feel important].

The good news is that all three services at Ludlow have just had unannounced inspections from the Care Quality Commission – and they are all compliant with current legislation and standards.  This is brilliant work and my congratulations to the Managers and all staff.  I’m very proud of you all.

I just hope that it stops raining for the open days [what a horrible wet summer we have had].  My fur coat is almost completely waterproof, and I only have to have a good shake to be rid of the wet but you have to worry about umbrellas and raincoats and all sorts.  Mind you I did find that mud hard to shift when I had had a good old roll in it.  Ah the indignity of being bathed – ugh!

Hello Readers

Apologies for such a long break in my messages to you, but I have been really busy with all sorts of things.  Having finally established Maggie [my owner] in a steady job at the NHS, I decided that the time had come for me to retire.  It was obviously a bit upsetting for Maggie, but, come on, I have worked so hard guiding her here there and everywhere that I deserve a bit of a rest too - although I do still go out to show her where to do a bit of fundraising now and again.

Much more important are the sad things that have been happening at Vision Homes Association.  Everyone is still in shock as we have lost three service users over the past couple of months.  One lady had been ill for a long time, but two others died quite unexpectedly.  Our hearts go out to their families and friends and to the staff who supported them daily and now miss them terribly.

I knew the two ladies who lived in Ludlow quite well. I am glad that they had such a good service in Ludlow whilst at VHA and were able to live life to the full.  They both enjoyed going to VHA’s Loudwater Art Studio in Ludlow where one of them was really into working with clay whilst the other loved to create mosaic works. This is when they were not out at the Bingo or going to the disco! [Not my cup of tea as it is far too loud for my old sensitive ears] It is so sad not to be able to say hello to them now when I visit and it does seem rather quiet in the bungalow although the staff are working hard to support the other three people who live there [and each other] through it all.

I did not know the gentleman from Bradford well as I have not been able to visit as often, but I do know that he was always out and about and busy. He was an avid sports fan who particularly loved cricket and I think he may have become a professional player if he had not had the accident that meant he would need care and support for the rest of his life. He certainly kept all his support staff on their toes attending various sporting events and having people keep him up to date with the score! His sudden and sad loss again means a period of readjustment for all at the service – it is just like losing a member of your family.

I’ve tried to help VHA out in advertising its services to potential new service users by attending an event recently at Oakengates in Telford.  Telford and Wrekin are overhauling respite provision and the event was designed as an opportunity for care providers to meet with people who use [or may use] respite care and to provide any information they may need.  It was quite tiring, but we did chat with a lot of people who we hope may follow up the initial contact with further enquiries.

Luckily VHA can be very flexible about the way it provides respite care to respond to individual needs as people may need a break for a week or so, or may just want support for a specific activity on a regular or ad hoc basis. For example, I have just found out that they support a nice man in Hereford to volunteer every week to take rescue dogs for a walk. From my point of view what could be better – a win win situation for VHA, the very nice man that volunteers and of course our four legged friends that get to go walkies! Lovely!!

All the latest news!

Sorry that it has been a while, but Maggie has been hogging the laptop - I can't imagine why she thinks her presentations are more important than my blog! 

Anyway, I've heard that there is going to be a fundraising quiz on Friday 10th June 2011, starting at 7.30 pm at Harborne Cricket Club, Birmingham.  I understand they are also organizing a raffle with loads of nice prices. If you're not busy on Friday and would like to test your general knowledge then please do come and join in.  

Maggie has been busy with her fundraising, even I am impressed how well she has been doing. She has asked me to say a big thank you to everyone who has made a donation over last few weeks at:

Sainsburys, Selly Oak
Morrisons, Chelmsley Wood
The Range, Kidderminster and Coventry 

I would also like to send "get well soon" wishes to a lady who lives at one of our services in Ludlow.  She has recently suffered from pneumonia   but is feeling a little better and is now home from hospital.     It is good to know that staff stayed with her throughout her time in hospital, as it must have been very worrying for someone who cannot communicate well to have to be in hospital and not know what is happening.    I am impressed how well everyone coped with this extra pressure on the staff team. 

I sign off now as I need my beauty sleep but I will get in touch as soon as possible.

Recent fundraising efforts for Vision Homes Association

As I promised I will tell you a bit more about how Maggie supports Vision Homes Association.

Last week she had two collection days, one at Tesco's in Edgbaston and the other at The Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen.  I normally don't like getting up early  (I'd sooner go back to sleep and dream about lots of lovely things to eat)  but Maggie then explained that the reason she does these collections is to raise additional funds for the people that Vision Homes supports and this helps to pay for things like day trips out to interesting places.

Once she told me that, I felt I had no option but to take her there.  I jumped out of my basket and ran to the front door waiting to go.  Unfortunately Maggie is a bit of a slow coach and keeps me waiting while she fusses about getting dressed and brushing her hair (why do you humans take so long to get ready??).

We had two very interesting days.  I guided Maggie safely to these venues and she took my harness off so that I was more comfortable.   I sat next to Maggie and kept an eye on her while she stood with her collection box.   It's a very long day for her to stand there – I am lucky as I can lie down and have a quick snooze every now and then.

Loads of people came over wanting to chat to Maggie about what she is doing and then of course they say hello to me.  Some even give me little treats – everyone is so generous.  Maggie said that she collected £165 in Tesco and £217 in Halesowen -  (just imagine how many doggy treats I could get for that!!).  Many thanks to everyone who donated and staff at both of these venues that were so helpful.  Anyway I have to go now.  Just to let you know that I am next making my next "appearance" at the Range in Coventry on the 6^th and 7^th of this month.  Please do come and say hello.