Redwoods-v11

The Redwoods
Caring Foundation
Supporting people with learning disabilities in
Edinburgh and the Lothians for over 30 years

CONTENTS
Introduction from Founding Directors............... 1
About Us.................................................................... 5
What We Value......................................................... 6
Our Facilities............................................................. 8
Care and Support.................................................... 10
Day Services............................................................. 12
Music Therapy.......................................................... 13
Our Staff..................................................................... 14
The Future................................................................. 17
How can you connect with us?............................ 18
30 Years of Care...................................................... 20
Introduction
We are the parents of two lovely
daughters. Our second daughter,
Sharon, was born with Downs Syndrome
in 1963. Those many years ago there
was considerably less help or services
available for people with a learning
disability and Sharon lived with us for
the first 23 years of her life. By this time
we realised that to provide the care
and support she needed would require
action on our part so in 1986 we started
The Redwoods Caring Foundation
(Redwoods) and Sharon, together with
one other lady, moved into our first
residential home.
Being Christians, we have never doubted
that God our Father would always be
present with the precious group of
people that gradually joined us. His love
and provision was without question and
we have many examples over the last
30 years to illustrate this: the fact that
Sharon would rather be in her own home
Brian & Shirley Hayes
Founding Directors
in Redwoods with her own friends than
with mum and dad is testimony to the
love and great care that she receives.
As you will see in this brochure, over the
years Redwoods has expanded, enabling
us to care for and support many more
people. Each member of the Redwoods
family is very special to us, as are all
our wonderful staff teams who give
sacrificially into the lives of those we
support in Day Services and in their own
homes.
One of the reasons we are all full of
anticipation for the future is we believe
that we will continue to experience
and expect the intervention of our
amazing God more and more. He is very
interested in Redwoods – indeed He
owns it!
We pray that you will both enjoy this
brochure and be inspired as you read
through these pages.
REDWOODS CARING FOUNDATION
REDWOODS CARING FOUNDATION |
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The Redwoods aim
At Redwoods we aim to totally accept
people for who they are – to recognise
everyone’s potential and to support them
to accomplish their dreams.
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About us
The Redwoods Caring Foundation
is an Edinburgh-based charity
that provides care and support for
people with learning disabilities in
the Lothians.
Our dedicated staff teams are passionate
about what they do and support people
through housing support, care at home
and day services.
We aim to increase the quality of life for
all the people we support and you can
find more details of how we do this in the
following pages.
Redwoods services are registered with the
Care Inspectorate who regularly rate us
5/6 across all areas of Care and Support,
Staffing, and Leadership and Management.
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What we value
Our purpose, ethos
and core beliefs lead
to a number of values
that are central to
everything we do.
People
We want to ensure that the
people we support:
know that they are totally
accepted for who they are;
are listened and paid attention
to and treated with dignity and
respect;
determine, or are involved in
determining, their own care,
support and lifestyle;
are able to engage and
participate in their community.
We value the significant
contribution of people’s family,
friends and carers in shaping
their support.
Security
We seek to create a warm
approach and a loving
atmosphere where people feel
secure and confident, and able
to express themselves.
Involvement
We want to support people to:
maintain and strengthen
links and participation in the
community;
be increasingly involved in the
life of Redwoods as a whole.
Staff
We support staff to embrace and
uphold the vision, purpose and
ethos of Redwoods, recognising
that each member of staff
makes a valuable contribution to
providing good person-centred
care and the running and
development of Redwoods as a
whole. We have a commitment
to ongoing staff development
and training.
Excellence
We will always pursue the
highest standards of care
and support, with the aim of
exceeding expectations.
Partnership
Our approach is to always work
in partnership and consultation
with other professionals to
enhance the quality of life and
support for people in Redwoods.
Development
We are committed to:
the ongoing development of
our person-centred services to
improve the care and support
offered;
evaluating everything we do
using these values, vision and
purpose as our guide.
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Our facilities
We have multiple
facilities, each with a
different purpose to help
people in whatever way
they need.
Redwoods
‘Redwoods’, a large detached
house in a quiet, residential
street, was our first property.
Today it is home to 5 ladies,
including Sharon for whom the
charity was originally founded.
Redwoods House
in Newtongrange is a large
country house set in idyllic
grounds.
It is divided into two flats and 5
people make their home in each.
Oak View
also in Newtongrange, in the
heart of the community, Oak
View is home to 3 people.
Telfie Central
is our day service base in
Portobello. Tucked away in the
corner of an industrial estate,
the functional façade belies the
bright, welcoming space inside.
Here around 20 people access
our bespoke groups designed
around their needs and interests.
Kirk Farm House
This is our Central Office
from where our services are
coordinated.
The team of 6 staff work hard to
provide the leadership, financial
and administrative support that
ensures our care teams can
focus on doing what they do
best.
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Care and Support
Redwoods provides 24 hour Care at Home and Housing Support to
18 people. Our services are person-centred so the care and support
provided meets the specific needs of each person. Staff encourage
them as tenants to be involved as much as possible in the daily
running of their homes and in making choices about their lives.
Robert* has been with us for 12 years now. He moved into
Redwoods when it was no longer possible for him to stay in his
family home. He enjoys going out and attending sports events,
so his keyworker has supported him to go to rugby matches
at Murrayfield and to the pantomime. He also likes music so is
supported to go to his local tavern where they have a folk night, as
well as to Ceilidhs. Robert is a representative on the Tiger Group
(part of the National Involvement Network) in Redwoods where
he was involved in producing a short video about what attributes
support staff should have.
Elizabeth* has stayed in Redwoods for 18 years. She moved into her
current tenancy 3 years ago where she has truly found home after
a difficult period in her life. Amongst other things, Elizabeth enjoys
dog walking, which is only possible thanks to the dedication of one
of our volunteers.
Last year, Robert and Elizabeth had a holiday in Spain, supported
by two staff. They were both so excited to be going abroad,
especially Robert who got his passport for the first time!
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*The names of our clients have been changed to protect their privacy.
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Music therapy
Using music to transform lives, build bridges
and improve quality of life
Day services
For further information on our New Shoots Project, Blossom Studio,
Living Well and Connecting with Life groups please see our website.
Douglas’* Story
“My name is Douglas. I go to
Telfie Central every week
day, as well as working at
McDonalds on a Monday.
I go to the gym and
swimming, as part of the
Living Well group and it makes me stronger!
I like art and make lots of things. I have been
making a dinosaur out of papier-mâché with
Blossom Studio and have just finished a Borders
College art course and got a certificate.
I am part of the Tiger Group (Involvement Group)
where we have been talking about how to keep
our hands clean. We have made a video for
everyone at Redwoods to see.”
Winnie’s* Story
Winnie comes to Telfie 3 days
a week. She enjoys the Story
Group where she will read to
the rest of the group.
Like Douglas, Winnie also
enjoys art with Blossom
Studio and says this is her favourite activity. She is
a talented artist and will hold an exhibition of her
work soon.
The Communication Group has been supported in
drama by the Inspire Project and Winnie has been
taking an active part.
At the end of a busy week, she likes to be
pampered and enjoys a manicure and hand
massage to help her relax.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is an amazing way that people can interact with
music and usually involves the client and therapist playing
instruments and/or singing together. We passionately believe
that everyone can experience and respond to music regardless
of difficulties or disability. Music therapy at Redwoods is entirely
tailored to an individual client’s needs.
Ruth’s* Experience with Music Therapy
Ruth has been attending music therapy sessions for six months.
Having had some experience in drumming workshops, Ruth was
keen to try music therapy and explore what it had to offer. The
first session was arranged following a significant life change for
Ruth with the aim to provide regular sessions that would help her
express herself during this challenging transition period.
In music therapy sessions, Ruth accessed a wide range of
instruments, musical styles and musical activities. She quickly found
ways to express herself musically and, with the help of the music
therapist, began arranging songs that had powerful singing parts
into medleys. The act of singing them boosted her confidence and
helped her use her voice, which is challenged by cerebral palsy. It
also brought her great enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment.
She became confident enough to share her new passion with
family and friends in a small concert. All these things have
contributed towards Ruth being able to settle confidently into her
new environment and feel in control of her choices and lifestyle.
She is now happy and confident in her new home and continues to
attend music therapy to further explore her potential and creative
capacities in ways which benefit her emotionally and physically.
What our attendees
think of music therapy:
“Music therapy helps me to
relax. I feel better when I have
music therapy”
– An adult client with autism
“I love going to music therapy.
We can play songs on the
guitar. I’m a good singer.”
– An adult client with learning
disabilities
“The best thing about music
therapy is the music therapist.
A very kind, gentle and patient
lady with a great sense of
humour and great love for
music and all her clients”
– Mother of a client
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*The names of our clients have been changed to protect their privacy.
*The names of our clients have been changed to protect their privacy.
REDWOODS CARING FOUNDATION |
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Redwoods is a
loving, caring
family
Our Staff
Our dedicated and talented staff are
our greatest asset. Their commitment,
resilience and passion are second to none.
All our staff embrace and uphold the vision, purpose
and ethos of Redwoods. We recognise that each
one who responds to their calling makes a valuable
contribution to providing excellent person-centred care
and to the running and development of Redwoods as
a whole. As they are committed to Redwoods, so we
are committed to them through ongoing development,
training and encouragement. Many of our current staff
have been working with us for a long time.
It is impossible to overstate how hard our staff work,
often going the extra mile to ensure that everyone we
support is safe, supported and feels that they belong.
Much of what they do is mundane, practical and far
from glamorous, but they maintain the faith and a
desire to see people lead as fulfilled lives as possible.
The work
has been a
pleasurable
challenge
Every day
we make a
difference to
people’s lives
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The future
We live in uncertain times. In Redwoods, we are not
immune to the pressures of the current financial and
moral climate – but we choose to keep a long-term view
and see the bigger picture from a higher perspective.
Chris Townsend
Managing Director
In a world that has largely lost faith
and hope in the future, I believe
Redwoods offers to the people we
are privileged to support and to
its staff a hope and a future that is
bright.
I have a vision to see the amazing
work that goes on in Redwoods
become visible to many more
people – and this brochure is part
of that vision.
I have a vision to see Redwoods
as an organisation become
increasingly resilient, to be able not
only to withstand the pressures of
the world to fit in by standing firm to
what we believe but to show others
that there is a better way, a way of
truth and trust and restoration.
I have a vision to see us support
and empower many more people
than we currently do – and I believe
we have the ability, integrity and
benevolence to do so.
Paul of Tarsus wrote, “And now
these three remain: faith, hope and
love. But the greatest of these is
love”.
As you have read through the
stories in this brochure I trust that
some faith has been restored, that
hope has risen within you and that
you have experienced something
of the love that is shared in the
Redwoods family.
Chris Townsend
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How can you connect with us?
There are many ways that you can partner with us in our mission
to support those with learning disabilities lead happy, healthy
and fulfilled lives.
1. Donations
In a time of financial austerity, we are
hugely grateful for and increasingly rely on
the financial support of many people and
organisations. To donate to our work you
can:
a. Send a cheque, made payable to
The Redwoods Caring Foundation to:
The Redwoods Caring Foundation,
Kirk Farm House,
6 Lasswade Road,
Edinburgh EH16 6RZ
b. Donate online by visiting:
www.everyclick.com/redwoods
c. Shop online with thousands of stores
at www.giveasyoulive.com and a
percentage of your sale is donated to
Redwoods.
2. Sponsored Events
Redwoods staff, people we support and
families have taken part in a number of
fundraising events. Could you organise an
event for us?
3. Legacies
Anyone can leave a donation to a charity
in their will – this is known as a legacy.
These kind gifts will allow us to continue
to offer care and support to people into
the future.
4. Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to help us
provide greater opportunities to the
people we support and to help maintain
and develop our grounds (we have
recently commenced work on a Sensory
Footpath). If you have a few hours to spare
each week or each month we’d love to
hear from you!
For Sponsored Events and Volunteering,
please speak to Gavin Lawson on
0131 672 2999 or email:
gavin@redwoods.org.uk for more details.
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30 years of care
We have had 30 wonderful years of supporting
some incredible people so far, and we would
like to thank them for the privilege of being
included in their lives.
We would also like to thank all staff – past and
present – who give themselves in amazing
ways in pursuit of the vision of Redwoods.
We look forward to the next 30 years!
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Contact
For more information including working with us visit:
www.redwoods.org.uk
or contact:
THE REDWOODS CARING FOUNDATION
Kirk Farm House, 6 Lasswade Road, Edinburgh EH16 6RZ
Tel. 0131 672 2999 • Fax. 0131 672 3033
office@redwoods.org.uk
Company Number 125367. Charity Number SC013566.
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