YOUR OPINION MATTERS
SADSA, in joint-working, is seeking to identify and share combined thoughts and ideas from the wider population of South Ayrshire to ensure ongoing suitability and quality in dementia care. To this end we sent out a questionnaire with our Spring Newsletter to gain your valuable feedback which we will deliver back collectively to the Strategic Groups at work in support of dementia care throughout Ayrshire. Additional questionnaires can be obtained by telephoning 01292 283594. Your input will be highly valued and we would be extremely grateful for your participation. Your input can help shape the delivery of services for people living with dementia and their families both now and in the future – please have your say.
DEMENTIA GOLD
Following on to our last newsletter, this training has now been undertaken by Senior Support Workers and is in the process of being cascaded down to the rest of our staff. Further information on this exciting initiative will appear shortly on our website. Photo courtesy of the Ayrshire Post.
“Count DeMEntia In”
Ayr College students designed a badge for SADSA’s new “Count Me In” initiative which aims to raise dementia awareness. A sponsored walk will be arranged for May/June to help raise funds for SADSA. Date has yet to be confirmed and will be published on the website.
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE AND DEMENTIA AWARENESS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
This is an NHS-run session to take place at Tesco, Ayr in May which is designed to provide dementia awareness in order to understand the person with dementia and aid the caring role. Run by Rachel Macleod who regularly delivers training for SADSA. For further details or to book contact Rachel on 01563 826224.
OUTINGS
In March we had a joint outing for Eglinton and Auchenday to the Black Bull in Tarbolton for a lovely lunch. Auchenday have visited Hansel Village for afternoon tea and regular barge trips leaving from Kirkintilloch are planned over the next few months. Some budding Picasso’s have been attending art classes run by the Little Art School which take place at the Salvation Army, Ayr where some lovely flower paintings were created. Some of the paintings were taken home and we have some on display in day care. There are regular visits to Alloway Church for Musical Memories which just recently celebrated it’s fourth anniversary. Happy Birthday Musical Memories – long may this wonderful uplifting community session continue.
REGULAR ACTIVITIES
Monthly Health & Wellbeing days are enjoyed by clients and our Hairdresser visits Eglinton on a Tuesday. Of course the week wouldn’t be the same without fish and chips day! We have had some birthday celebrations recently as well as Valentines Day and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and our Day Care Centres are currently decorated for Easter.
SERVICE TO SADSA
We would like to take the opportunity in this newsletter to extend a huge thank you to our dear Board Member and regular volunteer, Ida Borland, who has been with SADSA since the beginning. Ida was presented with a trophy as a token of our appreciation for her many years of service to SADSA – over 25 years! Thank you Ida from us all!
CHURCH NEWS
Church services are currently attended on a Saturday once a month due to the temporary closure of the Day Care Centres on a Sunday. Liz Campbell gave a presentation of SADSA services to the congregation of St Leonards Church and also to Castelhill Seniors Guild at a music sing-along. Here, Liz made the acquaintance of Kate Gieben, a wonderful singer who has kindly offered to come to Eglinton and Auchenday and sing for us.
IN-HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT
From January, Eglinton has had the pleasure of Pat Lappin coming in once a week to play his guitar and sing for us and Mr Deans plays his keyboard for a sing song once a month. There have also been concerts from Vintage Blend and Alex and Friends (better known to some as the “M&M’s”!)
STUDENT VISITS
Auchenday has had visits from Shaun, a student Social Worker who has been taking exercise sessions with our clients. Eglinton regularly welcomes Social Work and Nursing students to experience a day with SADSA and participate in our activities. Our comments book is full of lovely positive comments from the students who have taken part.
NEW FACES AND FOND FAREWELLS
We say goodbye in this newsletter to two of our Support Workers – Susan Robertson and Myra McCutcheon who have moved on to pastures new and would like to wish them well for the future. We have been joined by new volunteers – Bill Giddings, Sue Commins and Nan McCrae and two new Bank Support Workers – Primrose Ndlovu and June Scobie and we would like to welcome you all to SADSA.
STAFF TRAINING
PASAV training was completed in January for all staff. Dementia skilled training and Moving & Handling, First Aid and Food Hygiene training will all take place in April. Continence training has been scheduled for May and Fall Prevention training booked for June.
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS
We are pleased to be able to offer private placements in addition to local authority placements. Days can be purchased on a regular or ad-hoc basis directly from SADSA and can be an ideal way to fit around family circumstances. For further information, please ask Liz
DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING
Donations since our last newsletter total approximately £7,775! We have so many to thank including Darroch Trust, Aviva Global through the Charities Trust, Wrights Home Hardware of Troon, Chestnuts Hotel, Duscatto Engineering, Carrick Centre of Maybole, Prestwick South and Craigie Symington Church incorporating Glenburn Primary Scripture Union Group and a legacy from a former client. Thank you so much to everyone for their efforts and a special collective thank you to our carers, past and present, whose generous donations have enabled us to purchase a new recliner chair for Auchenday and enjoy special outings. Without this support we would not be able to offer the service that we do and we are sincerely grateful to all.
PARTICIPATION STRATEGY
We have a Participation Strategy to involve Stakeholders, Carers and Users in the recruitment and development of our staff and services. To this end, we would like to invite anyone within these groups the opportunity to participate in this process, whether this is in interviewing or suggesting how to improve and develop the services we provide. Please contact us if you would like to be involved.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Easter
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Promoting Excellence training Wednesday 3rd May 6pm – 9pm
or Thursday 25th May 6pm – 9pm
Joint Carers Meeting, Eglinton Terrace Tuesday 9th May 2pm – 4pm
Return of Questionnaire by Wednesday 31st May 2017
Dementia Awareness Week 29th May – 4th June 2017
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If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer in day care please contact the Day Centres Manager in Prestwick or Ayr on 01292 283954
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Information and support are always available and we welcome you to call in for advice during office hours on Ayr 283954 or Prestwick 474623
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All donations are gratefully received and enable us to provide the service that we do
Anyone wishing to make a donation please send to:- 2 Eglinton Terrace, Ayr, KA7 1JJ
or 2 Benmore, Auchenday, KA9 2LS