Miriam is a miracle! - Cornwall Care

CONTENTS:
Miriam is 101 P1
A note from Alex P1
Karen & Stephen P2
Nancy is 100 P2
Sherry evening P2
Bingo P2
Christmas at Trevern P2
40 years for Maggie P3
Garlands at Redannick P3
My Life P4
Halloween parties P4
Sensory Trust Part 1 P5
Dorothy is 100 P5
Christmas at St Hilary P6
Bugs at Redannick P6
Veronica is 90 P7
My Moment Awards P7
Tales from The Green P8
Woodland’s dog show P9
The Bungalow P10
Sharon’s Mum P10
Sharon’s Dad P11
Crafty at Trevern P11
Sensory Trust Part 2 P12
Sensory Trust Part 3 P14
Cubs at Trevarna P15
Art at Cedar Grange P16
Our Beattie P16
My Say
Tenth Edition HQ: 01872 261787
Miriam is a
miracle!
Meet Miriam Richards from Woodland.
She is pictured here celebrating her
101st birthday on 21 December 2011.
Miriam originally lived in Mansfield
and came to Cornwall when her
daughter was expecting her first baby
33 years ago.
Miriam made Woodland her home two
years ago and as you can see, she is a very happy lady! Her
birthday was celebrated with friends and a party at the home and Miriam
had a wonderful time. Congratulations Miriam, what is your secret?!
A note from Alex.
Welcome to the TENTH edition of My Say! As always I hope it provides you with a good read.
Some of the photographs this time are particularly lovely, I hope you will agree. Thank you for your
contributions, and as always, please keep them coming in. If you have stories, poems or pictures for
My Say, please send them to Tyra, her details are below she will then forward them to me. Alex
If you have anything you’d like to appear in the next edition of My Say, please
send it to Tyra Mills at Head Office, tyra.mills@cornwallcare.org

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Karen makes Stephen Her Choice!
On 24 March this year, My Choice will celebrate
its first wedding!
Karen Smalley and Stephen Jones from the
My Choice Newquay Team, have set the date
following Stephen's proposal whilst on a ferry
to Ireland! Stephen, ever the traditionalist,
got down on one knee and Karen immediately
accepted his proposal.
Their Team Leader Sue Aldridge has written this
poem to celebrate the good news...
They were out on their rounds.
When they heard a sound.
They were attaching a sling.
When Love birds began to sing.
Now a year later they are setting a date
Oh my, this must be fate.
Best wishes to both of you and please remember
to send us a photo of your wedding day!
Sherry Evening!
An amazing £1453 was
raised at a Christmas Sherry
Evening at The Green. You
can see from the photo that
everyone enjoyed a very
festive and enjoyable event!
Woodland held a Christmas Bingo
event on Friday the 2nd December
2011, raising a grand total of £468.50.
Pictured is another one of Thelma
the Chef's fabulous cakes which are
always so festive! This scrumptious
cake was auctioned, adding £25 to the
funds. Congratulations Thelma!
Nancy reaches 100!
Trengrouse's Nancy White celebrated
her 100th birthday at the beginning of
November. Pictured with Lindsay and
Mandy from the home, is Nancy enjoying
her special day.
Congratulations Nancy!
Bingo! Christmas at
Trevern...
Christmas at Trevern was
made extra special with the
kind donation of a tree from
Asda. Pictured is the home's
Eric Gosling enjoying the
run up to the festive period!
Thank you Asda!

40 years at Woodland!
Maggie Harry from Woodland celebrated 40 years at the home on 20 October. With a fabulous
cake, singing and a good old party atmosphere, friends and colleagues gathered to show their
appreciation for Maggie who is a dedicated, well loved and very popular team member. Despite
trying to retire more than once, Maggie's wonderful services have been retained. Her colleagues
describe her as someone who is 'a special lady, always happy to help out, making a difference to
so many lives'.
Pictured is the cake presented to Maggie on the day and Alex Wedlock from Head Office,
presenting Maggie with thank you flowers.
Maggie has always been such a supporter of My Say, a special thanks for your contributions
Maggie, please keep them coming....x
Garland making at Redannick...
The talented people of Redannick made these beautiful Christmas garlands to support the Truro in
Bloom project. The garlands were sold in Truro on 14 December and followed a very busy and
productive morning in the home.
Everyone involved had a wonderful time and felt justifyably proud of their creations.
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Introducing the
My Life PLan...
The My Life Assessment
Tool and My Life Plan has
been developed and designed
by Cornwall Care to assist
and help an individual, in
partnership with their family,
to plan their present and
future life. The gathering of
essential information during
the assessment phase is a
necessity, and when fully
integrated into the My Life
Plan, reflects the true needs,
wishes and wants of that
person.
The My Life Plan utilizes
a number of methods
that are reflective of the
individual's personal
communication modes
which contribute to them
outlining their needs, wishes
and aspirations. Some of
this assessment is informed
by the individual’s past and
some by their present and
this may be affected by their
abilities now, living with
dementia or other health
conditions. Continuous
assessment is therefore
vital in ensuring that their
wants are consistently
met. This process helps
staff incorporate “what
is important to a person”
into their life plan with
achievable and realistic
outcomes.
The My Life Plan can also
provide a reference point
from which to start getting
to know the individual. This
personal approach can often
have a significant impact on
the individual’s quality of
life by empowering them and
including them in their own
care pathway.
In conjunction with the
implementation program
and transition of the My Life
Plan, practical workshops are
delivered to the staff in the
homes, with an emphasis on
capturing the resident’s daily
lives, how they spend them,
who they enjoy conversing
with, what music they like to
dance or sing to, what cakes
they bake, involvement with
preparing vegetables or what
flowers they like to smell.
The workshops reach out,
encouraging all staff who
witness wonderful goingson
or accomplishments in a
Halloween across our homes...
person’s life to evidence this
in the daily narrative of the
life plan. Often it is those
small unconsidered acts of
kindness, that smile, a hand
held, a hug, that is such an
important part of people’s
lives. Making someone
laugh, helping someone
walk those few extra steps,
rubbing someone’s back,
saying “you look nice today”,
can enhance and lift people’s
spirit. Acknowledging people
for who they are and not the
dementia label they carry, or
the role they play in work,
goes further than touching
the human soul, it helps
make us who we are. This is
at the centre of all working
and therapeutic relationships.
It is essential therefore that
all employees acknowledge
that individual care planning
is paramount, that our deep
care and love should be
reflected in everything they
do in their work place. This
is where true cultural change
takes place. This represents
a process, a journey, and one
where practices will change
in order to improve not only
the quality of care, but also
the quality of life itself. You
are part of that change.

Sensory Trust Part 1...
Cornwall Care working in partnership with Sensory Trust
2012 Creative Spaces is a three year project supported by a
Big Lottery Fund grant awarded to the Sensory Trust. This
is a 3 year project based on a close working relationship
between Cornwall Care and Sensory Trust.
The main aim of this project is encouraging community
interest in outdoor environments and outdoor-related
interests with people with dementia. These connections have
been built gradually throughout this project to create a firm
foundation on which to build sustainable relationships and
better understanding of dementia.
The garden at Trevarna was redesigned to demonstrate
the benefits of inclusive consultation with home residents and staff.
This approach offers a greater range of interest and provides stimulating yet safe environments
in which people can increase their social interaction with each other and enhance their wellbeing.
It is also a place where community members have the opportunity to increase their
understanding of dementia and the impact it has on those affected by it. In partnership with
Sensory Trust we have contributed to improving the physical, social and psychological wellbeing
of people living with dementia in our homes by delivering a series of creative activities at
Trevarna House, extended these to other Cornwall Care homes as well as delivered workshops to
carers, young people and community members.
Many happy
returns Dorothy...
Family and friends visited Athelstan in to
celebrate the 100th birthday of Dorothy
Tresider.
A party was organised for the centenarian,
and Dorothy received a birthday card from
the Queen.
She was born at Brea, near Camborne and
married Bill, her late husband, an optician,
in 1939 and they ran a jeweller’s together in
Camborne for many years.
Dorothy’s daughter, Margaret commented
“The team at Athelstan make her life
comfortable and pleasurable, and she
particularly loves bath time with lots of
singing and laughter, and I cannot speak
highly enough of her care.’’
Congratulations Dorothy
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Christmas fun at St Hilary
St Hilary celebrated Christmas with a Day Centre party, here
are some photos of clients and staff enjoying the festivities!
Truro High School
get the bug!
Redannick was invited to become
involved in a project called Bug Hotel!
Girls from Truro High School visited
Redannick on 17 and 31 October
to create and design cards with the
residents.
The home was buzzing with
enthusiasm, fun and impromptu singing
of "When You're Smiling”. The girls
thought Redannick's Avis
(pictured) should enter the XFactor!!
Soon the actual construction of the bug
hotel in the garden will begin!
A celebration of the project is planned
with a special tea party and more
singing!
The girls from the High School
were amazing and a big thank you is
extended to them all.

Happy Birthday Veronica!
Pictured is Trevern's Manager, Alison Rowe and
the Mayor of Falmouth, Geoffrey Evans joining
client, Veronica Sheldon to celebrate her 90th
birthday. Her daughter had invited Geoffrey
to visit and make Veronica's day extra-special!
Afterwards, Geoffrey was given a VIP tour of the
home.
Award for Mo
Lovely Mo Knowles based at Indian Queens
was surprised by Comminity Services Lead,
Bridget Varney when she was presented
with a My Moment Award. Mo received
the award for her extraordinary contribution
to the Supported Living service.
Congratulations, very well deserved!
Award for Michelle
Pictured here is Maria Dent and Head
Office's Gerry Cantwell presenting
Trevarna's Michelle Russell with a My
Moment Award.
Michelle was nominated for the Award
by the home's Deputy Manager, Mandy
Swiggs. Michelle freely and constantly
gives up her own time to organise fetes
and fundraising. She has had a huge
impact on the success of the Trevarna
garden project and always goes that extra
mile. Michelle takes clients swimming
and out on day trips on her days off and
is considered a very valuable and well
loved member of the team. Very well
done Michelle.
Congratulations to our other My Moment
winners who will feature in the next
edition of My Say. If you would like to
nominate someone for a My Moment
Award, please contact Hannah at Head
Office who will be able to help you...
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Tales from
The Green...
Festive Fayre...
delivered to your door!
Sue Cain, The Green's Home Manager and Cathy Jenkin, Customer Relations Co-ordinator braved
the winter weather to deliver Christmas goodies to the Head Office Team. To raise money for
their clients amenities fund, the ladies loaded Sue's car with homemade chocolate logs, Christmas
puddings and iced Christmas cakes and trundled off to Truro.
To encourage sales, they brought with them hot Christmas pudding and samples of cake. By the
time they left, they had all but sold out! Well done to Sue, Cathy and the wonderful kitchen staff!
Fowl play
reported...
The Green has welcomed some new residents!
Staff and clients have rescued 6 lovely hens
who provide tasty free range eggs in return for
their luxury accommodation.
Customer Relations Co-ordinator, Cathy
Jenkin told us 'Our new chickens have all
settled in really well and very kindly provide
us with 6 eggs most days. Our clients love
them, particularly John (pictured with Cathy)
who has been out to buy himself a new pair
of wellies so that he can get really involved
in caring for them. John feeds the hens,
keeps their house nice and clean and collects
the eggs, keeping us informed of how well
they are laying. We are all enjoying having
chickens at The Green.'

Woodlands annual Dog Show...
Woodland's annual Dog Show was held on
Saturday 24th September and was a huge
success despite the poor weather. Nineteen
dogs took part ... with their owners(!) and a
fantastic £236.90 was raised for the residents
amenities fund.
The shield for ‘Best in Show’ was won by
Natasha Thomas and her collie dog, Beavly
and the cup for ‘Best Young Dog Handler’
was won by Jess with her labrador, Bramble.
The show was judged by Mark Swiggs of
the Kernow Supporting Gun Dog Club and
he is pictured presenting the well-deserved
awards.
Maggie Harry from the home sends thanks
to all those involved for their support and for
making the event so wonderful. Well done
everyone.
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My Choice
supports a
new service...
Bridget Varney, Community
Services Lead, is proud to
announce a new service which
will be supported by the My
Choice team. A project,
currently referred to as The
Bungalow has been taken over
by Cornwall Care.
The Bungalow is based in
Penzance and offers respite stays
for those of all ages who have
learning disabilities. Cornwall
Care extend a very warm
welcome to new team members
who have been working with the
project for some time. We look
forward to hearing more about
this exciting new project!
Sharon, the Laundress at Trevern,
shares her lovely poems with us...
My Mum...
To pack away your clothes
As I open the wardrobe door
It’s very hard for me to believe
That you’re not here any more
Looking at all your personal clothes
The memories that I have of you
I can remember the occasions that you wore them
They still look as good as new
As I take out your favourite dress
I can still smell the perfume that you wore
You used to wear it when you went dancing
When you and Dad would glide around the floor
There’s the lovely wedding suit we bought
For my daughter’s wedding day
And I know it meant the world to you
More than words we could ever say
The suit that we bought for your first grandchild’s christening
Made you and Dad so proud
Holding your grandchild in the photographs
As you stood amongst the crowd
The lovely floral dress you wore
On your grandchild’s first birthday
So many happy memories
That I will cherish to this day
Now I have to take out all your clothes
And pack them all away
You were the best mum in the world
No one can take my memories away

My Dad...
Diagnosed with dementia
Is the future for my dad
When I see him deteriorating
It makes me feel so sad
Feeling like it’s grief
I lose a part of him each day
As I try to do my very best
Did it have to be this way?
Sometimes I wonder how am I going to cope
And then on the good days I will never give up hope
Then I will convince myself
Things will never be that bad
Whatever happens in the future Thank you Sharon x
You will always be my dad.
Ruth's work at Trevern...
Ruth Purdy is a lady who believes that art and craft can enhance life and living regardless of
age, illness and memory loss. During 2011 she has been working with the people of Trevern to
produce the most beautiful creations. Just have a look....
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Outside Spaces...
Sensory Trust Part 2...
Back at the beginning of September, staff,
clients and friends of Trevarna came together
for a major planting session!
Working with the Sensory Trust as part of
their work to transform the outside spaces
surrounding the home, plants were delivered
and sensitively placed to prepare for a
wonderful display during later months. The
session was a huge success thanks to Maria
Dent and the team and helped along nicely by
members of the community. Everyone involved
had a wonderful day, many commenting on their
increased sense of wellbeing and enjoyment of
the great outdoors.
We will look forward to seeing Trevarna's
outside spaces flourish over the coming months
and years. Keep sending us photos Trevarna!

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Creative Spaces...
Sensory Trust Part 3...
Use of outdoor environments in
dementia care training sessions.
These pictures show workshops held throughout
some of our homes. They were designed to show
everyone how the outside spaces project worked
at Trevarna.
The aim was to assist Cornwall Care’s staff to
understand the importance of including outdoor
environments in the care of residents, and also
to see the outdoors as a place where they can
increase social interaction with people from the
community.
To date, two sessions have taken place, one at St.
Breock and another at St. Martins.
The workshops are being followed up with review
sessions to evaluate how outdoor environments
are being better used.

A visit from the cubs...
St Austell Cubs paid a visit to the folk of Trevarna, entertaining them with singing
and generally making everyone smile. The Cubs chose Trevarna as part of a project
to gain their community badges. They were rewarded with a very warm welcome,
lots of happy people and some traditional refreshments of orange squash and biscuits!
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10th Edition HQ: 01872 261787
Cedar Grange celebrate
artistic talent!
We hope you will enjoy these wonderful
photos taken at an art class at Cedar
Grange...so many talented people in one
building!
The art class featured a special star guest!
Our wonderful Beattie...
We are very sad to report that since these photos were
taken, our dear friend Beattie from Cedar Grange has
passed away. She was a vibrant and wonderful lady
and we really miss her. Beattie helped us so much and
was the face of Cornwall Care on many occassions x