It will be the icing on the cake for West Sussex Meals on Wheels users as part of celebrations for the Royal Wedding.
On Thursday 28th April, the day before the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, West Sussex County Council’s Meals on Wheels Service will be adding a free piece of wedding cake to the menu.
It will go out as an extra item to everyone who receives a meal on that day and will be supplied by the Meals on Wheels food providers Apetito and Nibbles.
The Service has a wide range of meals on offer, from hot cooked meals to salads and desserts. Meals can be delivered frozen as well, to enable residents to stock up their freezer.
County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, Peter Catchpole, said: “The Royal Wedding will be a wonderful occasion and this is a great chance for some of our residents to celebrate it.
“There are many reasons why someone may want to take up our Meals on Wheels Service. They may be less able to cook their own meals, or have just come out of hospital.”
The Service is delivered by the WRVS across the county and can also include dietary needs such as diabetic, lower fat, gluten free, reduced salts and pureed meals and desserts.
There’s also an afternoon tea service providing sandwiches and homemade cakes.
An assessment from your doctor is not needed to apply for Meals on Wheels and people can contact the service direct. Contact your local Meals on Wheels kitchen or visit the County Council website, www.westsussex.gov.uk
People living with dementia have their say at National event
Local people living with dementia and their carers gave their views on what they ‘HOPED’ for from their local care homes and care staff at a recent event.
They were from the local group HOPE (Hope of People of Experience), funded by West Sussex County Council to help develop the learning and training of social care staff and students in the county.
They spoke at the conference, called ‘Outcomes Matter in Dementia Care’ held at the University of Surrey, which was organised by the Journal of Dementia Care in association with Dementia Care Matters.
They spoke of their involvement in advising on what care people with dementia in West Sussex need and the best learning opportunities.
More than 200 people from care services across the South East attended.
David Moore, Training and Development Officer for Adults’ Services at West Sussex County Council, helps to run the group and supports group members to deliver staff training.
He says: “HOPE is an important organisation as it gives people who are living with dementia the chance to give their views on what support they need to live well with dementia”.
Peter Catchpole, County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “The County Council is keen to support the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy’s key objectives by forming support groups, such as HOPE.
“By working with people who have direct experience of different varieties of dementia, staff can gain important insights that would be difficult to get any other way.”
For more information on HOPE and other West Sussex County Council dementia groups, visit http://tinyurl.com/3u97qta
Read All About It – Local arts group is Ahead of the Game with mascot competition.
Chichester Library is set to host a free exhibition of designs of the Chichester Mascot, for the West Sussex-Ahead of the Game programme celebrating the London 2012 Games.
Chichester District Council heads the Chichester mascot designing project on behalf of the West Sussex Arts Partnership.
Members of West Sussex County Council’s Starburst Arts, and the Apuldram Centre, Chichester have designed the artwork, which will be on display from Monday January 31 for a week.
Starburst Arts is an integrated arts centre based at the Wrenford Centre in Chichester, which provides a day service for people with learning difficulties.
Members from both centres entered a selection of artwork based around the theme of celebration.
The exhibition includes the winning design by Mark Talmage, from Starburst Arts.
West Sussex-Ahead of the Game is a countywide initiative, to ensure West Sussex makes the most of the 2012 Games, and plays a full part in a successful celebration.
Deborah Urquhart, County Council Member for Environment and Economy, said: “This project was an ideal opportunity to celebrate the games and get people involved in a creative project.
“We have many art-related events and activities in the run up to 2012, including carnivals, community singing events, and outdoor theatre.” `
Peter Catchpole, County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “The mascot competition was a great chance for the Starburst artists to show their talent.
“Starburst Arts offers art of all kinds to adults who attend the Wrenford Centre, including 2D and 3D art, film, photography, dance and drama, and sensory art sessions.”
For more information about the project and Starburst Arts, contact the manager Sally Christopher on 01243 788544.
Tough decisions taken by West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Members are being challenged in a no holds-barred collection of video interviews now available for viewing on the County website.
The Digital Democracy series asks blunt questions of top politicians, and demands they justify their decisions and proposals. Four interviews have so far been recorded by the Communications Unit, and more are planned.
“Digital Democracy is about good and bad news, and digging out the truth,” said County Council Leader Louise Goldsmith. “We’re planning one the most difficult budgets ever, against a background of spending cuts and no increase in council tax this year. People have a right to know, and to see, who is taking the decisions and why.”
Louise herself was questioned by interviewer Chris Rider on whether West Sussex could really save £75m over three years. Was the Big Society nothing more than an urban myth, and why had the county given more than two-and-a-half million pounds to Chichester Festival Theatre over 10 years?
Children and Families Cabinet Member Pete Bradbury was asked if he would resign following the Ofsted ruling that child safeguarding was inadequate. How did it happen, who was to blame and what was he personally doing about it?
In another interview, Peter Catchpole, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, was challenged on whether proposals to close some day centres were just about saving money. He was also asked to explain why there were proposals to cut adult social care and limit it to people with substantial or critical needs.
Peter Evans, Cabinet Member for Public Protection was asked to justify why he approved Fire and Rescue Service changes that will include the closure of three retained fire stations.
“The Digital Democracy series is a success because literally no question is taboo,” explained Louise. “It asks exactly what the person in the street would ask, given the chance.”
Future interviews in the video series include Michael Brown, Cabinet Member for Finance, and Peter Griffiths, Cabinet Member for Education and Schools. Anyone can submit a question which could be included in future interviews. Just e-mail: press.office.ce@westsussex.gov.uk
To watch the Digital Democracy series, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk and click on ‘Your Council.’
A West Sussex care service is simply the best – after being named Best Team at the Sussex Community NHS Trust Awards.
Intermediate Care Team South received the accolade at the recent awards ceremony, which celebrates staff achievement.
The team, which is jointly funded by the County Council and NHS West Sussex, consists of social workers, physiotherapists, nurses, support workers, occupational therapists, human resources staff and social care.
It works with adults to help early discharge from hospital or prevent admission in the first place. The team also avoids unnecessary placements in care homes and enables people to recover in their own home.
The team covers the coastal area of West Sussex, from Shoreham to Littlehampton.
Peter Catchpole, County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Congratulations to the Team South for this great accolade.
“It recognises the way the team work together to help some of the more vulnerable West Sussex residents gain, or resume independence and confidence after a hospital visit or long term illness.”
Tina Tompkins, Programme Director for Community Services at NHS West Sussex said: “It’s so important for the local NHS that we do all we can to help patients get the right treatment and then get them home as soon as they are ready.
“Particularly at this time of the year, there is incredible pressure on all health services in the region. The work the Intermediate Care Team South is doing to help us reduce the number of people who are admitted to hospital unnecessarily or helping people to return home as soon as possible, makes a huge difference.
“This award is great recognition of the work the team does on a daily basis, and the difference it is making to hundreds of people across the county.”
Sussex Community NHS Trust is the expert provider of community healthcare services. It helps more than 9,000 people daily across West Sussex and Brighton and Hove to live healthier lives by delivering outstanding services
A consultation has begun into proposals which could mean changes to the way West Sussex County Council decides who receives adult social care.
The proposals would mean that the County Council would no longer provide for moderate level needs – focussing on substantial and critical level needs only.
A 10-week consultation began on Thursday November 25, and finishes on Thursday February 3, 2011.
Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Peter Catchpole said: “We will be writing to all our residents who receive social care support, carers and our partners telling them about the consultation and how they can get involved.
“These proposals would bring the County Council in line with more than three quarters of English councils who meet substantial and critical, or critical needs only, including our neighbouring authorities.
“At present around 4,500 West Sussex residents receive support for moderate levels of social care need. However many of these will have higher level needs at the same time, and these will still be supported.”
Like all local authorities, West Sussex County Council is facing severe budget pressures – needing to save an estimated £75 million over the next three years. Because of this, funding needs to be directed to those people with the greatest needs.
The proposals aim to save £4.3 million. But there will be additional investment in the voluntary sector, to help fund community development and services that deliver health and wellbeing activities, such as luncheon clubs and gentle exercise classes. A total of £750,000 will be earmarked, with recurring investment after that.
Peter added: “We want to hear from as many people as possible through the consultation.
“I’d like to reassure residents that if the proposals do go ahead, no services will be removed from residents until a full assessment and transition has taken place.”
To get involved, visit the West Sussex County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay and complete the online questionnaire.
The questionnaire and accompanying booklet explaining the proposals can also be sent through the post – contact 01243 642555 or e-mail socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk.
The Meals on Wheels Christmas menu is now available to order for the festive season.
From traditional roast turkey to festive pork, the meals can be delivered frozen and all come with the ‘safe and well’ check.
Meals on Wheels, delivered by the WRVS, provide nutritionally balanced meals to residents across West Sussex.
There could be a number of reasons why someone wants to use the Meals on Wheels service – they may have just come out of hospital, or feel they are less able to cook their own meals. It might be that a carer needs a break but wants to make sure their friend is eating regular meals.
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Peter Catchpole said: “Meals on Wheels provides a vital service to many of our residents – not only delivering hearty meals, but the drivers provide a ‘safe and well’ check ensuring that those who use the service are in good health, which is very reassuring for families and friends.”
Festive meals available include roast turkey and Christmas pudding for Christmas Day, beef bordelaise and black forest sponge for Boxing Day, and festive pork and mixed fruit trifle for New Year’s Day.
They are the same price as ordinary meals and can be ordered as part of someone’s normal weekly menu.
A Taster Pack is available to new Meals on Wheels customers – providing a five-day selection of meals and desserts for £15. Each household that signs up will also receive a free environmentally friendly ‘Bag of Taste’ jute bag.
An assessment from a GP or hospital isn’t needed to apply for Meals on Wheels – people can contact the service direct. For further information contact your local Meals on Wheels kitchen or visit the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk.
Contacts for West Sussex Meals on Wheels kitchens are:
Bognor Regis (including Chichester, the Witterings and Selsey): 01243 642230.
Crawley (including East Grinstead): 01293 528223.
Mid Sussex (including Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Steyning and Henfield): 01444 451462.
Horsham: 01403 265280.
Worthing (including Lancing, Shoreham, Southwick and Fishersgate): 01903 237790.
Rustington (including Arundel, Ferring and Littlehampton): 01903 772003.
Petworth (including Midhurst and Pulborough): 01798 343773.
On Friday 25th September ’09 Crawley Happy Times went along to The Maidenbower Day Centre to meet some wonderful people.
All the employees at Maidenbower Day Centre
Volunteers donate their time to help with various range of things including serving drinks and lunches, assisting with various activities from art to bingo, and helping with groups out in the community.
(L-R) Peter Catchpole, Liz Bassett, Sam Korpal & Angie Whittle
The Day Centre offers flexible services to adults of all ages who have a wide range of needs. These include people with physical and sensory disabilities, mental health problems, progressive long term chronic illness, older people, and those with dementia. The Day Centre is a great relief for those who care for others, giving them a well deserved break for a couple of hours. The work the volunteers do, along side the paid employees, is truly amazing. We found them all to be enthusiastic, happy and very caring.
Who are these wonderful volunteers?
Zara Edwards
Melanie Burford
Karen Dixon
Doug Moyse
Eddie Roberts
Andrea Coomer
Jo Roche
Brian Mullett
Kevin Dalton
Sue Kenrick
Rob Montgomery
Paul Baker
Mary Robbins
Bonnie McAloom
Jeff Hill
The volunteers with their certificates
Volunteers who could not attend -
Paul Mansell
Tim McAtamney
Edna Avery
Sue Evesleigh
Bob Ure
Martin Fortnum
Paul and Christine Landragin
Kassy Spires
Rachel Bird
The Leader of West Sussex County Council Henry Smith came along to present the certificates to the 22 volunteers. Henry said:”We are truly fortunate to have dedicated individuals in our community who give up their time to help others. This event to say thanks may be small, but it is sincere in gratitude.”
Colourful tree with paper messages as leaves. Beautiful
Also present was Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Services who said “the Day Centre is a valuable part of the community and without the help from the volunteers, would not be able to look after as many indivduals. They all do such great work here. It’s been a wonderful afternoon.”
We would like to thank Liz Bassett, Manager of The Maidenbower Day Centre for inviting us down to experience such a heart warming afternoon. The food was delicious including a great cup of tea!
