A huge thank you to the Canaries COVID-19 Community Support Project for putting a smile on the faces of our tenants, respite guests and staff at Oak Trees in Attleborough when they recently dropped by to deliver some special goodies, including a signed Norwich City Football Club shirt, a delicious cake and some drinks.

At a time when many of our tenants and respite guests with learning disabilities feel very isolated from the world, a gesture such as this means so much. As soon as we are able, we will get the shirt framed and have already agreed on where it will be hung with pride. It will be a constant reminder of all those caring people in our community who are thinking of others at such a challenging time and who bring a smile to the faces of so many.

The Canaries COVID-19 Community Support Project has been set up to support people in Norfolk to respond and recover from the crisis.

Norwich City Football Club players, senior staff, owners and directors have each donated to the project, raising over £200k plus gift aid which is being used in a number of ways to provide support to the community, working with several partners.

The project has three core objectives:

• Supporting fans where necessary and undertake community engagement initiatives
• Support the most vulnerable in their wider community by working with local charities and local authorities and community groups
• Support the NHS and carers to help them do their job

We are extremely grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of the Canaries COVID-19 Community Support Project. The gifts meant so much to us all. Thank you.

 

We are delighted and proud to re-open the Denny Day Centre today, Tuesday 10 March.

After a long period of closure and a few hiccups along the way, our new care staff team, led by Day Care Services Manager Laura Edgar, welcomed new customers to the Centre.

Within a safe environment, they will be able to enjoy stimulating day care and the opportunity to have fun and take part in activities, which will help them to maintain skills whilst offering family carers a well-earned break.

Most importantly, the Denny Centre aims to help combat isolation, promote independence and improve wellbeing and will give those using the service the chance to socialise and make new friends.

On our first day, it didn’t take long for our new members to get into the swing of things. Pool was the activity chosen by Sheila, whilst Chris and Margaret opted for baking biscuits.

After a busy morning, our new members sat down to a lovely roast chicken lunch, followed by lemon cheesecake and cream.

Afternoon activities involved jigsaws and puzzles and before home time, we celebrated our first day with a fantastic cake made by Senior Catering Assistant Sue.

Care and Support Assistants Liz, Alicia, Harriet and Julie had a great first day and we hope that we gave our new members an enjoyable day and one to remember. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and to welcoming new members.

If you would like more information on the Denny Centre, or if you, a relative or friend would like to spend time with us, please call Laura Edgar, Day Care Services Manager, on 01379 641064, or email her at daycare@empanda.org.uk.

 

 

 

Empanda Care & Support’s services for adults with a learning difficulty have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by national regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

As a registered provider, Empanda offers short respite stays to over 100 adults each year at Oak Trees in Attleborough, Norfolk, as well as personalised care and support to adults living in their own homes across Breckland and South Norfolk.

The service, which was inspected in December 2019, was rated ‘Outstanding’ for being safe, caring and well-led and ‘Good’ for being effective and responsive, giving Empanda an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’. This is only the second time the service has been inspected since Empanda took over in April 2016 (in 2017 we were rated as ‘Good’ across all five key lines of enquiry (KLOEs)). We had hoped that we might achieve one ‘Outstanding’ this time round, but not three! We are overjoyed at the Oak Trees team’s achievement.

The CQC report said that people were provided with flexible, responsive and person-centred care and praised staff for the high quality of service, their commitment, dedication, compassion and creativity; their open and inclusive ethos and well-established relationships of trust and support between staff, service users and their families, enabling people to stay safe.

Respite service user James Morgan (pictured left) said, “For the past few years that I’ve been going to Oak Trees, I have loved and still love every time that I get to go there. Ultimately, I feel really safe and protected when I’m there. Congratulations to Oak Trees Respite Care in Attleborough for receiving the highest of praise from the CQC.”

James’ mother, Jane added, “Oak Trees provides a welcoming home from home environment and my son loves staying there as he is well cared for and treated with respect. He always has a fun time and the bonus for us is that we don’t have to worry while he is away.”

A relative of supported living service user Adrian, said, “Oak Trees is a unique service where they are totally committed, treating everyone as a family member. My brother has not just been looked after by this amazing team, but has grown as an adult, has learned how to live with his wife almost independently, been encouraged to make his own decisions and helped to follow his dreams. They treat everyone using the service as equal citizens, value their opinions and their requests are met wherever possible.”

Jemima Burnage, CQC head of inspection for adult social care in the central region, said: “Inspectors saw Empanda Care & Support delivering care that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led at Oak Trees in Attleborough. People deserve to receive good care that meets their individual needs from staff who are compassionate when they use services, and it is clear that is what this service is doing.” She added, “The hard work of the staff working at this service is making a real difference to people. This is why we have rated it Outstanding.”

Kerrie Good, Director (Learning Difficulties) said, “I am extremely humbled and proud and want to thank all our tenants, our respite guests, their families, the Oak Trees staff team and all those professionals from health and social care who supported us during our most recent inspection and throughout the years. I would also like to thank all Empanda colleagues and volunteers for your continued support and we could not have done it without you. You are all such amazing people and we will continue to work hard to maintain, and maybe even exceed this incredible rating.”

If anyone is interested in finding out more about staying at Oak Trees Respite Service, please visit www.empanda.org.uk.

The full CQC report is available at www.cqc.org.uk

At Brandon Day Centre, we recently welcomed some very special visitors to join us for our second mixed-generation music and movement workshop aimed at bringing fun and learning to physical activity.

Following the success of our first workshop ‘Splish, Splash, Splosh’, ‘Animal Magic’ allowed participants to explore their own unique ways of moving as they became the animals featured in the songs. Some tried out their chimp cha-cha-cha, others rocked like a rhino and some took on the characteristics of sharks, mice and other creatures from the animal kingdom.

Music and dance are such simple ways to bring people together. It doesn’t matter what age or ability, as people begin to move, you can feel the energy levels in the room lift. As they hear a beat or remember lyrics from days gone by, you can see moods lighten and a sparkle creep into eyes. As well as the great benefits of being more active, the real magic happens when participants talk, engage and laugh with each other. These workshops are a gentle way to bring different generations together who wouldn’t normally meet, offering them the opportunity to share ideas and experiences and have fun in a way that is completely new to them all.

At the end of the session, Jo told us, “When I think about the Animal Magic workshop, all I can see are the smiles! Staff, volunteers, children, parents and day centre members, all trying something new together – laughing, mixing and having fun! Bringing the community together in this way through music, movement and dance is inclusive and uplifting and can’t help but do everyone involved a little bit of good! Brandon Day Centre is in the heart of the community and is the perfect setting for such a joyful event. Many thanks to Empanda Care & Support for all their enthusiasm and backing in piloting the Dance Generation workshops.”

We are hoping to run more inter-generational dance workshops at Brandon Day Centre in the future. If you have young children and would like to take part and share this uplifting experience, please contact Jo at jonicholsdance@gmail.com, or call her on 07746 470774.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oak Trees Respite Service for adults with a learning difficulty received a fantastic boost recently, when they received a special donation of £220 as a contribution towards an ongoing garden makeover project at the scheme.

The cheque was presented to Kerrie Good, Director (Learning Difficulties) by Adele, chair of the Wymondham Flower Club and Jane Morgan, mother of James who uses our Respite Service, from proceeds of a Christmas event organised by Jane and her mother Doris.

The presentation formed part of a flower arranging event in Costessey where guests enjoyed live demonstrations, as well as an insight into the skills, knowledge and techniques needed in the art of flower arranging.

Kerrie said, “Everyone was really welcoming. I was both amazed and fascinated by the skills on show by the demonstrator, it really is at art form.” She added, “I am humbled by everyone’s generosity and would like to extend a huge thank you to Doris and Jane for their continuing support of the Oak Trees Respite and Support Living Services. Their contributions really do make a huge difference to everyone using our services and for that, we are truly grateful.”

 

 

 

As is tradition during the first week of June, Volunteers’ Week is a time to say thank you for the fantastic contribution volunteers make.

Charities across the UK will be holding events to celebrate the power of volunteering and last year, over 600 events took place across the country.

We will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to Empanda and every day this week, we will share a story that showcases the wonderful and invaluable role they play in our organisation.

Sally Hanlin, managing director said, ” We are indebted to our volunteers who give their time to support our many customers whilst enhancing the work of our staff team. We are delighted to be supporting Volunteers’ Week which gives us an opportunity to shout about the fantastic contribution our volunteers make to our organisation and more importantly, to the lives of the many people who use our services.”

We are hoping that by reading our stories, we will encourage people to try volunteering for the first time and to find out how, through volunteering, they can make a real difference.

Today marks Empanda’s third Anniversary and we are indebted to our wonderful staff team, our board and partnering organisations for their continued hard work and commitment in supporting us on our journey.

Another year older and another new project, this time in Diss, Norfolk.

We’re very happy to be working with Norfolk County Council to re-open the Denny Centre in Diss, providing day care for older, vulnerable people.

At the moment, we’re decorating and giving the building a general makeover with support from the Community Pay Back team.

We are planning an open event some time in the Summer. Watch this space!

 

Following their amazing fundraising efforts last year, which included money to purchase two specially adapted bicycles and accessories, family of respite service user James Morgan, have again worked their fundraising magic.

Doris, James’ grandmother, recently celebrated her 90^th Birthday but instead of accepting gifts for her milestone Birthday, she asked friends and family to donate to Oak Trees respite service for adults with learning difficulties.

Over the course of three separate celebratory lunches with various groups of friends and family, a grand total of £840 was raised. With a passion for flower arranging and gardening, the money is earmarked for landscaping, installing raised beds and flower planting in the Oak Trees Garden which is in need of a much-needed makeover.

An initial visit has now taken place to see what needs to be done and it is hoped that work will start shortly. Helping on the project will be James’ uncle and some of the young people living within our young people’s projects. It will also give those using the respite and supported living services the opportunity to try their hand at gardening.

In addition to this latest fundraising activity, since Empanda started in April 2016, the Morgan family have raised a fantastic £4,380 for the learning difficulty service, including £2,750 from flower arranging demonstrations and £790 from events at Wymondham Golf Society.

Kerrie Good, Director (Learning Difficulty Services), said, “We are bowled over by the dedication and commitment by the Morgans of our learning difficulty services and with their tireless fundraising efforts – thank you from us all.”

On behalf of Empanda and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), we would like to say a huge thank you to the Empanda staff team who voted to support the charity instead of receiving a company Christmas gift themselves. The unanimous ‘yes’ vote to donate money to East Anglian Air Ambulance, together with a donation from Empanda from money saved by sending an e-Christmas card instead of buying and posting traditional paper cards, has meant so much to the charity and we have since heard how our gift changes lives and makes a real difference to those in need of help.

In her recent  letter, which included a certificate for us to display, Jenny Mitchell, EAAA’s Development and Community Administrator, thanked everyone for their contribution which helps people like Charlotte, who had suffered a cardiac arrest. She recounted the story of how Charlotte’s husband James reacted instantly to help his wife, calling 999 and beginning immediate CPR. First responders quickly arrived on scene and Charlotte received two shocks from a defibrillator to get her heart back into a rhythm. The EEAST (East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust) team then arrived, followed by the EAAA crew. The EAAA team assessed and monitored Charlotte’s heart via ECG and cardiac ultrasound, gained intravenous access to administer medication and intubated her to take control of her breathing. Charlotte was then taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with the EAAA crew by her side. She remained in hospital for two weeks, but despite suffering an arrest at such a young age, Charlotte made a great recovery and was soon picking up life as a busy mum once again.

With over 50 of the Empanda team spread across Norfolk and Suffolk, there was always the possibility of one of us or our loved ones needing this much needed service at some point. During the summer of 2018, a close relative of a team member suffered a serious road accident in a very rural location and received potentially life-saving treatment by Air Ambulance medics. Because of the prompt response by the rescue team, our colleague’s relative is now on the mend, so we are especially pleased our staff chose to support this wonderful and vitally important charity.

EAAA helicopters are able to reach anywhere in the region within 25 minutes. Their pilots fly a highly-skilled doctor and critical care paramedic team along with A&E level medical equipment, to patients who have suffered life-threatening accidents and medical emergencies.

The EAAA relies on the generous support of the community and couldn’t continue to provide their life-saving service without it.

Click here to find out more about the tremendous work being done every day by East Anglian Air Ambulance and how you can help support them.

Every day we make a positive impact on the lives of residents and service users but with extra help, we can do so much more. By raising funds for Empanda, no matter how big or how small, the results are priceless and the support we receive makes all the difference.

We are extremely grateful to those ambassadors who fly the Empanda flag but would like to recognise the fundraising efforts of one particular family, the Morgans, who go above and beyond to raise money for a service close to their heart (their son James uses our Respite Service for adults with learning difficulties).

Following the success of last year’s flower demonstration, which raised £1,350 towards the purchase of a vehicle for adults with a learning difficulty using the Oak Trees Respite and Supported Living services, Jane and her family decided to turn their attention to raising funds for a specially adapted bicycle. As well as promoting good health and well being, the bicycle would allow those using the service to sit beside a member of staff and experience the pleasure of cycling, something that many would never get the opportunity to do on their own.

Held at Hethersett Old Hall School in the spring, the ‘Bicycle made for Two’ lunch and flower demonstration event raised a fantastic £1,460 towards the bike. This was made possible thanks to the support and generosity of everyone involved – from the ladies who worked so hard on the day; Hethersett Old Hall School; East of England demonstrators Adele Kent and Joanne Randall; the audience and most importantly, Jane’s mum, who was instrumental in ticket sales.

Jane said, “We feel it is important that money raised is used for a specific purpose rather than being added to a general fund and we are sure that this made a huge difference in terms of the support we received.”

This fantastic boost to the fund meant that in the summer, we were able to purchase a couple of used specially adapted bicycles as well as helmets for those using the service to enjoy.

Jane and her husband Roger have continued to raise money this year and recently donated £140 from a sweep stake win, for festive food and drink, as well as Christmas decorations to replace those that had been destroyed in a recent flood at Oak Trees.

Kerrie Good, Director (Learning Difficulty Services), said, “We are indebted to Jane and her family, who tirelessly support the Oak Trees Respite and Supporting Living Services. Their fundraising efforts really do make a difference to the people we support and for that, we are truly grateful.”