Sending December 2011 out in style



Shakespeare Residents

This month we were invited to attend a Help the Heroes event organised by our residents at Shakespeare Road Independent Living Scheme. Through events spread over the year they raised a whopping £150 for the Serving Men and Women charity - and they put on a lovely spread afterwards which everyone enjoyed.

So What? Supporting our customers to engage in activities can improve quality of life.




The Mayor and Santa celebrate

We were invited to showcase SARH at a Cafe Connect Launch at Newlands Avenue Community Centre in the north end of Stafford. Local partnering organisations joined the Primary Care Trust in a celebration of this new facility. The drop in cafe is supported by a partnership of agencies who have one goal in mind - to offer local people the opportunity to find answers and support with problems they may have.

So What? We actively support any initiative that engages with communities and neighbourhoods.



Christmas Wreaths galore

Our 2011 Customer Learning Programme drew to a close with a Christmas Arts and Crafts event when customers had an opportunity to make their own Christmas Wreaths and table decorations.

So What? Customers learn new skills meet new people and feedback from these sessions has been very positive and is used to shape future programmes.

Santa greets the visitors

Penkside Community Champions, dedicated volunteers who work to improve the area decorated the empty shop on Sidney Avenue Parade where all young visitors met Santa and received a present. Everyone who entered the grotto was encouraged to fill in a wish list and post it into a special box. Penkside Champions will use the wishes to guide the work they are doing to support the community in 2012.

So what? Over 50 young people attended. The event brought the community together and raised awareness of the Penkside Project.



Santa and his helper (aka Pam)

The Community Resource Centre also received a visit from Father Christmas - and Mrs. Christmas (Mary to her friends). Elves accompanied Father Christmas to ensure he had all the help he needed in case any extra toys had to be made, and there was plenty of Christmas music and fabulous seasonal fare.  A good time was had by all who attended.

So What? Organising activities at our Community Resource Centre encourages customers to use the Centre and take advantage of many other facilities available at the centre, including the Job Centre and Craft Club.   



Pam and Andy view projects

We visited Riverside Housing Association in Liverpool,  accompanied by two of our involved customers Pam Cherry and Andy Currie,  we went to see how a Liverpool housing provider managed big changes in services and funding. Riverside is a national housing provider that was nominated as a Co-regulation Champion  (click link for information on the Tenant Services Authority),  the only one to be recognised on condition was that they raise awareness of their project work.

Their “Life time” project was a result of 91 million pound cuts in funding for Independent Living Scheme Managers and we were able to see various successful consultation projects.

So What? Best practise visits are a great way to learn new techniques that have been tried and tested.

SARH Staff

The finale to the year was a very special SARH event which raised money for a charity. We sponsor a different one every year, for 2011 it was the Donna Louise Trust. The team played their part with our Head of Service Craig Taylor, running 10k every day for 30 days! The Community Involvement Manager Chris Plant joined him on his last day and Pam Christine, Samina and myself joined the rest of the staff in car washing events, wrapping Christmas presents and visiting our Independent Living Schemes for quiz events.

So What? It was a fabulous day, everyone enjoyed themselves and helped to raise a massive £1,800 in one day which will help the Donna Louise Trust

What a year it's been for the Team and everyone at Stafford and Rural Homes, we have achieved many things but there is always more to be done.  

Christine, Anna, Sandra, Chris, Pam, Samina


We wish everyone all the best for next year and hope that you continue to follow us in 2012, Sandra Shipperley signing off.