ARK News Summer 2020 - ARK Housing Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ARK News
Summer 2020
Welcome to the Summer edition of the
ARK newsletter!
It is hard to believe how things have
changed since the last edition of the
newsletter.
Turn the page to read Bobby’s update!
Life during lockdown Scottish Learning Disability
Find out how our groups’ Week
members and supported Read how supported people
people have kept busy and and staff celebrated this week
connected during these past and its theme ‘My
few months environment—my place, my
planet’
Visit our website arkha.org.uk
Search ‘ARK Housing’ on Facebook and Twitter
1
ARK News
By Bobby Duffy - ARK Chief Executive
Since lockdown started, managers at ARK have been
meeting remotely every 2 weeks.
We made sure that we could still provide our critical
services. I am delighted to say that to this point, we
have had no major disruption to our business.
Our tenants have experienced only small changes to the
housing services we provide and we have continued to
deal with emergency repairs in a safe way.
Every department had to change the way it worked and
I would like to thank each and every one of you for all
your efforts.
A particular mention goes to our Care and Support
teams and in particular our Support Workers. You have
continued to go above and beyond to make sure people
we support are kept safe and well. From the various
videos and pictures I have seen, you have also been
having lots of fun, I simply cannot thank you enough.
So whilst everyone of us in our private lives has had to
adjust to the way we live, we have also had to continue
to think about the future.
2
Over the next 3 months we will:
Welcome 3 new Board members.
Welcome 2 new Directors to the Executive
Team.
Welcome a new Head of Asset Management
whose main focus will be housing quality and
energy efficiency.
Launch our new Business Plan.
Launch the new ARK brand.
We are planning a remote launch of the new brand
and will update you closer to the time of how you
can join in.
We will continue to share news updates on our
website as we move forward with these plans.
I look forward to the time when we can meet up and
you can tell me about your experience of ARK
through this period.
In the meantime I hope ARK continues to meet your
needs and that you and your families stay safe, until
we all get through this very challenging period.
3
Voices Group
An open forum for everyone who gets support from ARK.
The lockdown measures meant that we had to
cancel our meeting on the 12th June.
During lockdown Gloria kept in touch with
Speak Out Workers and Voices Group
members through:
WhatsApp groups
Video calls
Phone calls
News from the Speak Out Groups
Projects couldn’t meet up but
managed anyway to get involved in
this year’s Learning Disability Week.
The theme this year was ‘My
Environment—my place, my planet’.
Find out more about what they did
from page 7 to page 17.
What’s in a Word?
Thanks so much to all who gave us their
opinion on the word ‘service user’.
Those who didn't like it, felt strongly that ARK
should use instead the word ‘supported
person’.
ARK agrees with this suggestion and we are
committed to stop using the word ‘service
user’ in all our communications.
4
Working Group
Members take part in the review of ARK policies and
procedures that affect them.
The group has not been able to meet up due to Covid-19 but they
have kept in touch with each other and with Gloria through
WhatsApp and phone calls.
During lockdown they reviewed the following
policies and procedures in easy read:
Supporting people on holiday
Adult Support and protection
Policies and procedures are rules for ARK
workers.
Gloria asked ARK Working Group members to
look at the documents and think about:
Are there any difficult words?
Any sentence that is hard to read?
Do the images make sense to you?
Do you have any questions about the
document?
The easy read versions help supported people
know what they should expect from staff.
If you would like to join the ARK Working Group,
get in touch with Gloria on 0131 478 8147
5
Hub Group
The members' job is to scrutinise - or look very carefully - at
different parts of what ARK does.
Paddy from ARC Scotland is the
This article was produced by
independent facilitator Paddy and Hub group
of the HUB Group member David.
At their latest meeting on 2 March, the group welcomed
Bobby Duffy and discussed several new developments,
including changes to what the Hub Group does and
getting new people to join.
The Group also looked again at its Ground Rules and
talked about the new way Care Inspections are going to
be carried out.
The Hub group hasn’t been able to meet again due to
Covid-19.
Group’s facilitator Paddy has been keeping in touch with
most of the group members, and people have been
sharing how they are getting on. Some group members
keep in touch with others even though they can’t meet,
and use their phones, Skype, WhatsApp and Messenger
to do so.
Group members found different things to do to spend
their time. Some enjoyed long walks every day, some
exercised at home, while others did arts and crafts. One
person decorated their kitchen. Those with internet
found different activities to try out, and it was a handy
way for learning what other people did to keep busy.
Most people have had good days and bad days, and
everyone is looking forward to meeting up again when it
is safe.
6
Speak Out Groups
News from our local groups.
East & Mid Lothian
Eddie has a real
talent for
building things! Lorraine
Here he is Speak Out
showing the Worker
K’nex 6 foot ferris
wheel he built
during lockdown!
Elaine has been
doing art and craft
while Stacy has
enjoyed some
baking.
For Learning Disability Week Michael shared
an important message: 'leave your cars at
home and get on your bikes!
Save your petrol, save the environment and
have fun!
7
Arbroath
Roy enjoyed painting his kitchen and building a
squirrel out of a woodcraft construction kit.
Wayne had some fun with Lego
and created a very thoughtful word
search frame for the project.
The frame has all the residents’
names in it and positive words.
Arbroath’s nightlife might be
closed but Ian and Alex are still
dancing!
For Learning Disability Week Edward and support worker Lesley
have made a sensory garden for Kay, who has vision and hearing
loss.
They have put in a lot of hard work together to get this looking
great. They planted lots of sensory plants that
have a variety of smells, colours and textures
which all are to help attract wildlife.
They cut back and fertilised the rose bushes
to help them bloom. They have also placed
solar lights along the edge of the border so
that Kay can also enjoy the garden at night.
8
Forfar Residents at
Kirkriggs got a
lovely treat
during lockdown!
A piper played
Alannah
right outside
Speak Out
their windows
Worker
for the ‘clap for
carers’
Thursday’s event.
Lockdown didn't stop Heather from celebrating her
birthday in style with presents and a beautiful cake!
Everyone got involved
with the Learning
Disability Week.
Sheila for example
made a bird and
butterfly feeder with
recycled materials. David had a visit from the
Easter bunny!
Alex has used this
time at home to
practice his bagpipes
A big THANK YOU to Jean and John from
the IT department for traveling to Angus
with a new laptop and sim card to make Art group attendees Debbie
sure staff at Kirkriggs - Forfar were still and Andrew show off their art
able to work on the laptop to update work with Shona Barr, support
Good Life Plans. worker who runs the group
Much appreciated! every Monday
9
Blairgowrie
Natasha celebrated her birthday in
Dot
lockdown. Natasha’s housemate Nadine
Speak Out
made sure she had a birthday to remember.
Worker
She organized a surprise garden party for
her with all their neighbors!
Barbara and her neighbours loved the live music
that staff organised in their garden.
Caroline handmade some
pompoms to decorate a tree in
the communal garden.
Her neighbours added colour
with some beautiful decorated
stones.
Rosalind enjoyed some diamond painting
For Learning Disability Week
people in Blairgowrie showed
how they care for the planet.
Karen for example, uses an eco
setting when she washes her
clothes and hangs them out to
dry instead of using her tumble
dryer.
10Perth
Eleanor and
Derek
Stamford have
Speak Out
enjoyed getting
Worker
messy with some
artwork.
For Learning Disability Week
the Perth service made a board
to showcase all their eco-
friendly habits, from turning
off lights when you do not
need them to turning off water
when brushing your teeth.
Nathan for example, is
showing here how to
recycle: put your cardboard
in the paper bin!
People have also enjoyed the clapping for NHS
and all keyworkers on Thursday’s evenings.
We love the rainbows they've put on their
windows with the message 'Don't worry, be
happy'.
11Linlithgow
Shona celebrated her 50th Birthday in May!
She enjoyed a Zoom party with family and the
decorations that staff put on for her.
Happy belated birthday Shona!
Isa , Jane & Rona
have spent time
doing arts and
crafts.
They have enjoyed
making bird
feeders, painting
ceramics and
making cards to
send to family.
Grangemouth
Staff and tenants at our Grangemouth service
got a special surprise at one of the clap for
carers’ evenings.
The local taxi company
organised for the Camelon
and District Pipe band to
play in front of ARK’s
service. Everyone was
delighted!
12People at our
Alloa Alloa service
have been
doing some
gardening
during
lockdown.
Here’s John
cleaning the
garden’s wall.
For Learning Disability Week supported people and staff have all
worked together to decorate the garden.
They have used recycled materials and natural colours to create a
bright and colourful space that they can all enjoy!
13Rymonth Matt
Speak Out
Worker
Staff have been doing lots of activities
during the lockdown for supported They played a safari game.
people. Here is Stuart and Lisa finding
Everyone enjoyed the good weather animals.
while having lunch outside in their quad.
We love the
colourful rainbows
they put them on
their windows
Robin has joined in They played a game of
for the clap for Covid-19 bingo
carers on Thursdays
For Learning Disability Week folks took part in
different activities. Here’s Arthur planting some
flowers in the garden!
14Glenrothes
Staff in Glenrothes organised for a piper to play for supported
people.
Everyone enjoyed the music and the good weather!
Dunfermline In Dunfermline the people we support have
stayed well. The support workers are doing an
amazing job working as a team and keeping
themselves safe.
People have kept busy with lots of home
baking, some arts and crafts and daily walks.
They kept in touch with family and friends
through video calls.
Some took the stay at home guidance very
literally and it was a struggle to encourage a
daily walk. The staff have used accessible
documents to help the individual to
understand the messages from government
and on the news.
15Alex has been busy
Buckie with Kenny in the
garden painting the
wall and doing some
gardening
David’s family
came to visit for
his birthday and
social distanced
from the patio
doors
Sheila has been doing
some baking
Before starting working with
ARK, Clare was a hairdresser!
She has very kindly been
cutting everyone’s hair whilst
the hairdressers are closed.
Everyone has been out enjoying the sunshine, doing a bit of
gardening and going out for regular walks
16Alfie has kept in
Forres touch with his
brother by writing
him letters
Karl has been wearing a face mask to keep others
safe while doing shopping.
He has also enjoyed walking down the beach.
Scott has enjoyed baking
these delicious scones!
For Learning Disability Week
Alina used sticks and pine
cones to create a bug hotel
for insects and other mini
beasts in her garden.
Stornoway
People in Stornoway
enjoyed meeting up
virtually through Zoom
on Friday nights.
They had a quiz and a
karaoke!
It was such a laugh!
17Active Citizenship
The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability
(SCLD) have established a Facebook Group called
‘SCLD stay in touch’.
The group is open to anyone with a learning disability
who is on Facebook.
How to join?
Open Facebook and search ‘SCLD stay in touch’.
Click the button
that says Join.
You will get a notification to say you have been
accepted into the group.
SCLD carried out a survey to find out the impact of
lockdown on people with learning disabilities.
You may have filled out their survey.
The results reveal some key findings:
concerns over the reduction or removal of
support since the beginning of lockdown
feelings of increased social isolation
digital exclusion
mental health impact this is having.
You can read the full survey report here:
www.scld.org.uk/the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-
people-with-learning-disabilities
18Health & Safety Update
By Brian Gunn - Health & Safety Adviser
Fire safety in your home. Every day of every
hour there is a house fire in Scotland.
Smoke Alarms - are they working? Test them every
week.
Cooking - don’t cook if you have been drinking
alcohol. Never walk away from cooking. Do not
put water over hot oil if on fire.
Smoking - put cigarettes out safely in an ashtray.
Pour water on cigarettes before putting in waste
bin. Never smoke in bed.
Plugs - do not overload sockets. Never use more
than 13 amps in one socket.
Electricity - do not leave appliances on if not in the
room. Do not put heaters near furniture or dry
clothes on them.
Candles - keep them away from anything that
could catch fire. Put candles out if not in the
room. Use candle holders.
Doors - keep them closed at bedtime. Do not use
door wedges.
Escape Plan - make sure all your routes are clear. If
you hear a smoke alarm, get out, stay out, call
999.
19The Care Inspectorate checks that service providers
like ARK are doing a good job supporting people.
Many of you who get ARK support have spoken to a Care Inspector and told
them how you are getting on with your support. Remember you can always
get in touch with them if you are unhappy with your support.
Email: enquiries@careinspectorate.com
Telephone: 0345 600 9527
If you made a complaint to ARK and you want
something more to be done, you can ask the
Ombudsman to look at your complaint.
Telephone: 0800 377 7330
Email: enquiries@scottishombudsman.org.uk
Would you like to become a member of ARK?
To apply or for more information, contact Kelly
Patterson, Quality and Compliance Officer at
kelly.patterson@arkha.org.uk
Participation Officer:
If you have any questions about this Newsletter, get in
touch with Gloria Greganti
Tel: 0131 478 8147
Email: gloria.greganti@arkha.org.uk
This newsletter was produced by ARK Housing Association Ltd, Scottish Charity
Number SC015694, Mutuals Public Register Number 1899RS.
20You can also read
