March 2008 - Praxis Care Provides

PRAXIS CARE GROUP
179 UNION STREET
LURGAN BT66 8EQ
THE LURGAN SPADE
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
M A R C H 2 0 0 8
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
LURGAN
SERVICE
USERS
SCOOPE
PRAXIS
AWARDS
2
LET’S MAKE
VALERIE
ROBINSON
QUEEN AND
WE’LL GET
AN EXTRA
WEEK OFF
3
BOGUS
CALLERS…
...WHAT TO
DO IF YOU
SUSPECT
ONE !!!
4
AUSTIN’S
EATING
OUT
EXPERIENCE
5
PICTURES
FROM OUR
ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS
LUNCH AT
… THE
ASHBURN
HOTEL
CHECK OUT
OUR
NOTICE
BOARD FOR
ALL THE
LATEST
NEWS
6
8
AFTER FROST, SNOW AND FOG, SPRING HAS FINALLY ARRIVED IN LURGAN
VISIT PRAXIS WEBSITE FOR LATEST NEWS
The Praxis Care website is a great Find out about the role of the training
resource that is available for everyone and research departments within Praxis
to access. There are focuses on individual
schemes, news of developments the various schemes.
and discover what jobs are available in
occurring in the organization, photo
Visit the home page today to get more
galleries as well as various links and
information about all the services that
useful contact addresses.
Praxis provide.
WEBSITE ADDRESS : www.praxiscaregroup.org.uk

PAGE 2
LURGAN WINNERS IN PRAXIS ‘OSCARS’
Towards the end of last
year Praxis Care held a
competition open to all
service users. There were
a range of categories into
which you could enter a
piece of work, from art
and poetry to newspaper
articles and short stories.
The talent that we now take for granted in
Lurgan was recognised by the powers that be
and once the scores had been added up our
scheme ended up with two winners.
Austin Donnelly was awarded a first prize in
the Story category for his autobiography.
Michael Murphy was awarded a second prize
in the hotly contested Poetry category.
Congratulations from all at Praxis to both
Michael and Austin on their literary success.
SERVICE USER CHARTER
Charters of various kinds have become popular
as a means of stating clearly what standards
people may expect from the services they use.
Praxis has its own charter which explains the
rights users of Praxis Care services have and
the standards that they may expect while availing
of those services.
The charter outlines the aims and principles of
Praxis Care. As well as this it explains your
rights as a service user and it explains how you
can make a complaint if you are unhappy about
any aspect of your stay in Praxis accommodation.
The charter also informs you about our
Confidentiality policy and Open Access policy.
Each service user receives a copy of the Praxis
‘Charter for Users of Services’ when they first
commence their tenancy in the scheme. However
if you would like another copy of this
charter please speak to a member of staff who
will be happy to ensure you receive one.
THE LURGAN SPADE

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
PAGE 3
FACE TO FACE with VALERIE ROBINSON
Valerie Robinson has been a Community
Psychiatric Nurse for about ten years. She is based
at Trasna House in Lurgan. Previous to this Valerie
was a nurse in the Psychiatric Unit at Craigavon
Area Hospital. Valerie kindly took time out of her
busy schedule to talk to The Lurgan Spade.
What is your favourite film?
On Golden Pond with Henry and Jane Fonda.
Who would you like to play you in a movie of your life?
Julie Walters - she’s serious but has a good sense
of humour.
What is your favourite song?
At The River - it’s a hymn that provides comfort and
hope.
Who would be your dream dinner party guests?
Michael Palin, Kate Adie and Celine Dion.
What is your signature dish?
Beef Stroganoff.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
India - I love the hustle and bustle.
If you were trapped on a desert island what three things
would you want with you?
A mirror, loads of insect repellent, and a knife.
Who would you want to be trapped with?
My husband because of his good survival skills.
If you could be someone famous for a day who would it
be?
The Queen - I think I would look good wearing a
crown!
And finally - apart from posing for this photo, what has
been your most embarrassing moment?
When I was traveling on a train in Burma I went for a
cup of tea. When I came back someone was in my
sleeping bag fast asleep. It caused quite a commotion
because I couldn’t get him wakened and all the other
passengers were laughing and pointing at me.
If you could pass one new law what would it be?
I would give everyone another weeks holiday.
If you had one million pounds what would you do with
it?
I would give some to charity and then invest some.
Share a secret about yourself - something we would
never guess.
I met Mother Teresa when I was in India.
What is your worst habit?
I sing all the time.
What would you chose for your last meal?
Prawn Cocktail for starters, followed by Smoked
Fish with baby potatoes and peas. For dessert it
would be Black Forest Gateau.

PAGE 4
WATCH OUT FOR BOGUS CALLERS
Most people who call at your home are
genuine. Sometimes however, so-called
‘bogus callers’ can turn up unannounced.
Their aim is to distract you using a variety of
stories to gain access to your home in order to
commit burglary. They may pose as an official
caller from a local authority or a utility
company with a plausible explanation for
needing to enter your home.
• Don’t assume all callers are genuine
• Don’t let anyone in if you are unsure
• Don’t believe scare stories or be pressured
into handing over cash
• Don’t keep cash in your home
If you have any concerns about anyone
calling at your door contact your local
police station.
A number of police forces, charities and utility
companies have issued leaflets to advice people
on how to deal with bogus callers.
Here are some things you should remember to
help ensure you keep yourself and your
valuables safe when answering the door.
• STOP AND THINK – are you expecting
anybody?
• CHAIN – secure your door chain
• CHECK – ask for I.D. and check it carefully
• Lock the back door before opening the
front one
• Ask them to come back another day if
you are unsure
• Always make appointments and if possible
arrange to have company
Benny Green with his ‘Message in a Bottle’
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Message in a Bottle is a
new scheme designed to
help you if you become
ill. It provides Emergency
Services with vital
details of any illnesses or
allergies you may suffer
from, medication you
may be taking and the
name of a person to be
contacted in the event of
you suffering a sudden
illness or personal
accident.
The scheme has the
endorsement of the
Northern Ireland Office,
the Community Safety
Unit and the Ambulance
and Police Services. It is
a voluntary scheme and
if you wish to participate,
your key worker in
the Lurgan scheme will
assist you over the next
few weeks to complete
your Message in a
Bottle.
THE LURGAN SPADE

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
PAGE 5
AUSTIN’S EATING OUT EXPERIENCES
So what type of food can you get?
Chicken slices, roast beef, chicken pie, or ham salad with
thick slices of ham are our usual fare, and sometimes we
get soup too. My friend who dines with me also goes in for
sit-in fries during the week with people from a nearby
shop.
After 5pm. pizza and kebabs are served, along with a
range of Indian food. More traditional food is of course
on offer all day.
How costly is it?
I’m always surprised at the low prices. A filled soda with
egg, bacon and sausage can be taken out for as little as £2.
So you get good value for money then?
There was a special offer on Valentine’s night which was
a three course meal for two with a bottle of wine. It
sounded like good value.
Which eating establishment did you visit this time Austin?
“The Plaice To Be” which is situated in Market Street in
Lurgan, on the same side as Cafollas.
Any dislikes?
The juice poses a problem for some of the staff as they are
not sure of the proportions of juice to water!
What is the atmosphere and the décor like?
The décor on one side has an Indian feel to it, and in the
evenings I’ve seen couples eating away quite happily.
Have you any closing comments?
For food that fills at low prices it’s “The Plaice To Be”.
What do you think of the service?
It’s a family owned business. Sometimes the owner or a
younger family member serves us themselves. They are
always very welcoming and good craic. The staff cook fast
and with big portions.
Is there a good range of food on the menu?
There is a wide range of food available throughout the
day. I go in with a friend on Saturdays and they do lunch
for us before midday!
There is a drinks licence in the restaurant too, but all I’ve
had are pints of milk or diluting orange.

PAGE 6
PRAXIS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
PICTURE SPECIAL
It’s as far away as ever now but not so long ago all the talk was of
Santa Claus coming, the length of the queues in Tescos getting
longer and the length of the days getting shorter.
A few months on and the days are now getting longer, the queues
are starting to form again in Tescos in the run up to Good Friday
and it’s the turn of the Easter Bunny to come calling.
In true festive fashion Praxis in Lurgan celebrated Christmas
by descending on The Ashburn Hotel during December where
staff and service users enjoyed an afternoon of good food and
good company…
...and here’s the pictures to prove it!
THE LURGAN SPADE

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
PAGE 7

T H E N O T I C E B O A R D
YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED
TO COME ALONG TO OUR FIRST
EASTER COFFEE MORNING
from 10.30am to 12.30pm
at 179 Union Street, Lurgan
on Thursday 20th March, 2008
IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT YOU WOULD
LIKE PRAXIS TO ORGANISE OR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THEN PLEASE SPEAK TO A MEMBER OF STAFF ABOUT YOUR IDEAS
AND MAYBE TOGETHER WE CAN INCLUDE IT IN OUR SOCIAL
As you know from reading
our last issue, we were
interviewing in the scheme
for a new Project Worker
before Christmas.
We were successful in
recruiting Gemma Buckley,
a graduate from the University
of Ulster.
Gemma has completed her
induction in Lurgan and at
Head Office, and has already
commenced working
in the scheme four days a
week.
NEW STAFF MEMBER
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO
CONTRIBUTED IN ANY WAY TO
THE PUBLISHING OF THIS ISSUE
OF THE LURGAN SPADE.
ONCE AGAIN A SPECIAL
MENTION GOES TO NEIL FOR
HELPING TO PUT THE PAPER
TOGETHER
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
PICTURES FROM OUR
FIRST EASTER COFFEE
MORNING
THE ANNUAL JUNE BBQ
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
AND MUCH MORE
WEBSITE : www.praxiscaregroup.org.uk