May

 2009

PHOENIXNEWS

ISSUE 19

SADNESS FALLS

On a bright summers day the sadness and gloom started to descended on us when we all realised it was Katarina's last day at the home before she moved back to Slovakia, for 3 years and 7 months she has entertained both staff and residents. Everyone had several surprises installed for her goodbye and it was hard to keep the secret but we managed, Dave took her in to the Garden for the last time and they chatted about her time at the home and then for the very last time she fed the koi and they even went as far as naming one Kate, then they were called in as someone had arrived but instead Katarina found most of the staff laying in wait and the she noticed a large banner that some the residents had helped paint and with that a kitchen roll was called for.

She was then presented with gifts from the staff, one from the management and one from the residents this caused the kitchen roll to be used again, a spread of K F C had been laid on as well as the usual obligatory drinks and of course they were non alcoholic as most of the staff were on duty. Everyone was a bit nervous as Dave was lurking with his camera yet they new the reason as Dave had organised a album of pictures of Katarina time at the home from her very first picture to the farewell pictures including a page of current staff and 1 of all the residents. Dave disappeared into the office and completed the book and then he return made a emotional speech about a young Katarina coming to England as a young inexperienced person who as she puts it "needing some sort of direction in life" and leaves a true caring professional who can teach some people what caring is all about, he then presented her with the book to which brought the need for more kitchen roll.

The drive home started at 8.30pm to Dover and to catch a ferry to France then it was turn left and straight on to Slovakia arriving on Saturday evening at 9pm. She contact the home via skype on Thursday to let us all know she was fine and that she spent 2 days in Bratislava before driving down to Kosice where she would be based, she was finding it hard to start with setting up her new life but with everything she has learned at Ashdown we are sure that she will be successful.

 WHAT IS IT

In last month's edition we published a picture of a dismantled Whirlpool washing machine and asked the question how long did it take to put back together, we received various replies ranging from 92 minutes to 4 hours in fact it took 45 minutes.

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT

Joyce celebrated her 82nd birthday doing what she likes to do these days relaxing and talking to Heather, yet when tea time came and she looked at the cake her eyes lit up. There is one thing that Joyce likes is a double sized wedge of homemade birthday cake.

  CRAFTY

When news of Katarina's departure was known planning went in to what we would do and it had to be something new and as we had a new person undertaking art, craft and therapy session it was decided on a long banner, we asked who would like to help and below shows our volunteers.

PARTY TIME

As reported in last months edition Debbie change her name by marriage and early inductions are she loves married life and it has not changed her one little bit, some of the residents went along to the reception and celebrated with her

FUND RAISING

The fund raising is progressing and at present we are taking it easy waiting for the final push although we are still getting sponsorship for the parachute jump and also the naming of the large rabbit.

We are always looking for ways to raise money for the charity and if anyone has idea's please mail us or you could always give a donation.

HELP US BEAT OUR RECORD

June's BIRTHDAY'S

17th Jan the Hairdresser

23rd Heather

24th Georgina (Staff)

WELCOME

We welcome to our team Judy as a support worker, Silvia returning to us as a support worker and re-welcome Maria who will be undertaking art and craft sessions as well as easy keep fit.

CONGRATULATIONS

We would also like to offer our congratulations to the following for completing and passing distance learning courses

Paula for passing Care and Administration of Medicines

Judy for passing Care and Administration of Medicines

FORTH COMING EVENTS

Outings and more outings are on the agenda

Do you fancy relaxing in the sun in Spain then look no further      www.relaxingmijas.co.uk

 Bookings taken for  2009

If this newsletter has been posted to you and you do have internet access then by dropping a line to manager@ashdowncarehome.co.uk we will add you to the e-mail mailing list.

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