OCTOBER 07

  ISSUE 1

Thank you to you all for the naming of the newsletter, we sorted through all the replies which took about 1 second as we only had 1 reply so the name of this newsletter will be THE PHOENIX NEWS

MYSTERY DRIVE

The mystery drive is always popular, it starts off pointing either up or down the road and when we get to a junction someone saying either left or right, then we see where we end up, after going past the home 3 times as everyone said left we decided to head in one direction before the left to right started, Chagford and Haldon is very pretty this time of year as well as Exmouth. More trips are planned for latter in each month.

HOLIDAY TIME

Well the holiday mood is well with some of the group of to Blackpool, what with the entertainment, pleasure beach, all the Christmas trimmings, day out to Old Trafford and the theme for the lights this year being Dr Who I am sure a great time will be had by one and all.

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

Well I for one would not feel happy jumping out of a plane strapped to someone and free falling 5000 feet before pulling the chute and floating down to earth but Jude is up for it and sponsorship is in full flow yet slow, we do not seem to have very many replies via the news letter, well should I say no replies. This is a very brave thing she is doing and it's all in aid of The Down's Syndrome Association, to be able to gain the FREE jump we have to raise a minimum amount for our chosen charity so we or rather Jude needs your help. The Jump has been provisionally booked for the weekend 13th January weather permitting. So come on and help, if you want more information then if you e-mail Dave the Manager of Ashdown he will reply to any queries you might have. Come on give us your support.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The homes Christmas party has been set for the 7th of December and Stuart on his accordion will be entertaining us once again, as normal it will have a selection of food on the buffet table prepared by George the cook and also the usual assortment of party games and music arranged by the rest of the staff.. The highlight of last year was the arrival of Mother Christmas and we have been reliable informed that she will be making an appearance this year as well.

HOMESICK

Austin the gnome since coming to live here has felt a bit homesick and as you can see he went back to his old home to see if he could return but was turned away so he went next door where the kind people let him stay beside their front door until he got bored, he is now on his travels again so watch this space for news on Austin the wondering gnome.

RESULTS

As some of you are aware the home has sent out it's annual Quality Assurance questionnaire and as promised the results would be published, for some of you I could give you the percentage for each questions while others of our avid readers would look and it would mean not a lot so we thought an explanation of each section would be better. During September we sent 30 questionnaires with a dead line of 30th October for return and by this date 17 had been returned, we had groups of questions on Resident Care, Management and Staff, Premises and Information about the home, we also asked for additional comments. As all these questionnaires are anonymous  we must thank all who took the time and completed them and made any comments.

On RESIDENT CARE the general senses was we are doing a good to very good job with 85% with only 15% believing average or not answering.

On MANAGEMENT AND STAFF the general senses was again 90% with only 10% believing average or not answering.

On PREMISES on this subject again 90% with only 10 believing average or not answering.

On INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOME on this subject the response was divided equally due to some people not having internet access

On the additional comments page we received some wonderful comments such as "happy and contented residents" "good communication" "friendly and welcoming" "very helpful with a very high standard" " the clients are always treated with a lot of respect and kindness"

We asked about the least impressive aspect and we had a couple of comments which parking was among them yet 2 comments were received that we feel a worth a comment and they are "keep going in the same way" " to continue with the same high standard as present"

With the help of these replies we aim to improve the service by taking note of comments raised, thank you all once again. 

NOVEMBER'S BIRTHDAYS

Courtenay 16th

Cathy (staff) 25th

COURSES PASSED

Jackie = Health and Safety

Well done to you

JACKIE'S SPECIAL DAY

Well she tried to get away without wearing the ceremonial hat but never fear the team got her

.

HALLOWEEN

It was Halloween and fun and games were held, firstly the party time began with a fun meal

And then it was into the room decorated by PIP who worked like a little beaver with black and orange decorations, cob webs, flying bats and skeletons.

The staff got well in to the mood  and if you can guess who these 2 are then you win a free night out with the one in green.

We then had the party games of Bobbing for Apples, Trick or Treat Boxes, Slimy Treat, Pass the Broomstick and Hunt the Ghost

We then had the entertainment and he got them up and dancing to the left to the right swing all around, and shake it all about

FUN QUIZ Well do prizes but just for a bit of fun

1. What is the capital of Spain?

2. Who conquered Mexico?

3. Name the city that was particularly famous for learning in Islamic Spain?

4. Which Spanish king  sent an armada to invade England?

5. Where is Antonio Gaudi's temple De La Segrada Familia?

6. In Star Trek where was Captain Kirk born?

7. In Star Trek how do the Borg conquer?

8. The fifth host of Dax symbiant was called?

9. Where does Kes Voyager's medical assistant come from?

10. What is the common name for a stable tunnel through time and space?

11. At which school did Billy Bunter reside?

12. Who wrote Black Beauty?

13. Which religion celebrate the Sabbath on a Saturday?

14. In Jayne Ayre who does Jane  marry in the end?

15. Which flower is the national emblem of Wales?

16. He was a Prime Minister and had a yacht named Morning Cloud who was he?

17. She was a singer who sang in bare feet and had a puppet on a string?

18. He lead England to glory in 1996 world cup and it was not Johnny?

19. He sang Congratulations?

20. Who founded the Salvation Army?

Send your answers to manager@ashdowncarehome.co.uk 

we later discovered she was on her way to a fancy dress party,

THE GREAT BRITISH GETAWAY

and with British weather who would blame them

Get away from the poor English weather and relax on the Costa del Sol, bookings taken for November 1st 2007, check out www.relaxinthesun.eu for further information.

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.