Summer News 2011
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Visit to Buckingham Palace
Posted on: 19th July 2011
We were very fortunate this year to receive invitations from our Royal Patron, Princess Alexandra, to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 12 July.
Anna Galliford attended with Maureen Clarke (recently retired manager – after 35 years’ service – from Hampshire Supported Living), Phil Ganny (manager of Dispersed Housing Cambridge and Suffolk) and Stephen Pembery (who we support at Blomfield Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk).
Anna said: “It was a wonderful occasion to be part of, and the atmosphere in the gardens was one of celebrating success from all walks of life right across the United Kingdom. There were many thousands of people there, but the opportunity to wander through the very extensive and beautiful gardens tucked away in an oasis behind Buckingham Palace allowed everyone to soak up the atmosphere of a very special occasion. We had the opportunity to see many of the Royal Family with The Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Alexandra and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent all mingling with the crowds. There were two bands playing, and three tea tents to choose from. Yeoman of the Guard from the Tower of London managed the crowds to give the Royals room to talk to some of their guests.”
Maureen was very honoured to be chosen to represent Elizabeth FitzRoy Support, and said: “From the start to the finish, it was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
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In the Pink for Race for Life
Posted on: 9th June 2011
On Saturday 14th May the ladies from our residential care home The Pastures in Hales, Norfolk, took part in the Race For Life at the Norfolk Showground.
After walking 5km round muddy tracks, up hills and over bumps, the ladies completed the course in around 90 minutes, running through the finishing line to a big cheer from the crowd! Everyone received a medal and goodie bag at the end to mark their achievements.
Josie Tatler, a nurse at The Pastures, said, “It was a day to remember with a lovely atmosphere and lots of fun and smiles. Each individual collected their own sponsorship money and together managed to raise over £200 for Cancer Research UK. Well done ladies!”
To find out more about The Pastures call 01953 609280, email info.ero@efitzroy.org.uk or click here.
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Response to Panorama Programme Undercover Care:
The Abuse Exposed (broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday 31 May at 2100 BST)
Posted on: 1st June 2011
As a member of The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) we would like to show our support for the statement it has issued in response to the shocking revelations, made in yesterday’s Panorama programme, of the abuse of people with learning disabilities at a privately run residential hospital in Bristol.
The VODG statement says, “Abuse and mal practice is inexcusable wherever it occurs and the primary responsibility must lie squarely with the provider, in this case Castlebeck; firstly for support staff to control their own behaviours, at all times and in all situations, secondly for first line management to ensure good practice and a person centred and respectful culture and thirdly senior management to ensure no part of their organisation is left unsupervised, unaccountable or unaudited and that whistle blowing is encouraged, in order to prevent collusive practice.”
“It is also important that all services are open to external scrutiny – there should be no myths put forward by professionals that contact by family and visitors is somehow contrary to wellbeing, or to some therapeutic system – such regimes are inevitably bogus. External professionals such as CQC inspectors, placing social workers, doctors and other support specialists all have a duty to be proactive and challenge – the more secretive or closed a service the more they should probe and
scrutinise.”
“Good services – and more not-for-profit services are judged to be good than profit-making services – encourage good quality interactions between the staff and the people being supported – there are no exceptions regardless of the type or severity of a person’s disability or mental health needs. This is essential to ensure respectful and dignified practice and forms the foundation upon which a service can be personalised around an individual’s support needs. Without this a culture of neglect or worse actual abuse, like that shown, is likely to develop and so placing social workers and health workers as well as inspectors must ensure that they observe practice rather than simply checking documentation, or looking at ‘risk profiles,’ online.”
Read the full VODG statement – click here
Visit the VODG website – link to www.vodg.org.uk
Watch the Panorama programme on BBC iPlayer
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Celebrity Auction Success
Posted on: 1st June 2011
An auction of celebrity collectables and memorabilia, which took place on Monday 30th May at St Mary’s Church in Stalham, Norfolk, raised over £2000 in aid of the tenants of Allen Meale Way, our supported living service which is also located in Stalham.
The money raised will go towards funding the construction of an extension to the lounge, as space is currently very limited, due to many of the tenants using wheelchairs and specially made furniture.
The lot which raised the most money (£150) was Tea for Two on the Terrace at The House of Commons with Norman Lamb, the MP for Norfolk North. The second highest priced lot was a bottle of House of Commons wine signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, which sold for £110.
Auction organiser and Support Worker, Penny Camish, said, “On behalf of all the tenants at Allen Meale Way, I’d like to thank everyone who successfully bid for items in our auction. I’d also like to thank all those who donated items to our auction and everyone who gave up their own time to help out at the event. It was a tiring day, but worth it to raise such a fantastic amount of money. This will really help us to reach our target.”
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