Director's Welcome
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Hello and welcome to our May issue of
The Tea Break!
It’s been a jam-packed month, full of uplifting stories and achievements from across the partnership, and we have so much on which to update you...
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We’ve had an incredible amount of feedback about the warmth and professionalism of our Care at Home staff, which has given comfort and reassurance to countless service users and their loved ones. We pride ourselves on the dedication, diligence and humanity of our staff and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank you all for the life-changing work you do, each and every day.
Ochiltree Community Hub
This month we also paid a visit to the Ochiltree Community Hub, which has become an invaluable source of community support and connection for residents in rural Cumnock.
The hub plays host to a wide range of community groups and is also a children’s party venue, sports hall, cafeteria, library, gift shop and a place for residents to see their GP without the need for a long journey into town.
I’m delighted to see the hub going from strength to strength and to witness the difference it has already made to so many individuals and families in the area.
Children with Disabilities Social Work Team
We also have some fantastic news from our Children with Disabilities Social Work Team, about their ground-breaking work with families and the determination of one of the parents they support. One of the team’s many goals is to make life more inclusive for children with disabilities and their families, and to provide the most robust support possible to help them thrive.
It’s clear to see that Sylvia and her social worker are taking huge strides towards making that happen.
Break the Silence
We’d like to congratulate Break the Silence on their accreditation from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) for commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. Congratulations are also in order for Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN) following their receipt of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for a Dementia Befriending Service.
Family Support Service
I’m also thrilled to announce that we’ve now received funding from the Scottish Government’s Children and Families Fund Grant (Corra Foundation) to develop a Family Support Service.
A joint venture with Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and our Adult and Child Protection teams, this service will provide essential support to families with young children affected by drug and alcohol use.
New Council
Finally, on Thursday our new Council met for the first time since the election and agreed a number of important appointments. This included Council representation on our IJB, and I look forward to providing you with more of an introduction to our new members in the next newsletter.
As always, we aim to bring you the most uplifting and positive stories, about our amazing staff, partners and members of the East Ayrshire community. I reckon this month has plenty!
Enjoy this issue,
Craig McArthur
Director of East Ayrshire Health
and Social Care Partnership
Family Support Service receives grant from Corra Foundation
In collaboration with Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and Adult and Child Protection teams, EAHSCP has received funding from the Scottish Government to create a new support service for families affected by alcohol and drug use.
Following a successful application to the Scottish Government Children and Families Fund Grant (Corra Foundation) £500,000 has been awarded over five years to contribute to the cost of a new Family Support Service. This new venture will provide relational and longitudinal support to vulnerable families affected by parental substance use.
Ochiltree Hub is a place for everyone
Being part of a community is essential to our mental wellbeing, especially in rural areas.
Sadly, when there’s no dedicated place to meet up with others, or even to speak to your GP, and the town centre is two bus journeys away, it’s easy to see how loneliness and isolation can set in.
Ochiltree Community Hub is helping to change that.
We met with centre manager Kirsty and volunteer Alex to find out more about this extraordinary community space and the changes they’ve witnessed since it opened.
Ayrshire Independent Living Network secures funding for befriending service
Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN) has secured funding to provide an Ayrshire-wide dementia befriending service for the next three years.
Made possible by the National Lottery Community Fund, this service aims to provide a few hours of support, either weekly or fortnightly, to someone living with early stage dementia. It will also provide respite for unpaid carers.
With the help of a Dementia Befriending Coordinator, volunteer befrienders will be matched up with people referred to the service, according to the interest and needs of each individual.
ASN parent is "a force of nature"
The mother of a child with additional support needs has been hugely influential in improving outcomes for other children and families.
Sylvia, who has a teenage daughter, has played a pivotal role in organising support for parents and a summer programme of inclusive children’s activities following a consultation with our Commissioning Officer and Children with Disabilities Social Work Team.
Stewarton staff are a credit to Care at Home service
Our amazing Care at Home staff have received glowing feedback from service users in Stewarton.
The comments came from quality assurance visits, which were undertaken by care coordinators:
“I loved hearing all the stories from the carers throughout the pandemic.
"We saw no-one except the carers [and] we wouldn’t have survived without them. We’re incredibly grateful for the service you all provide.”
Congratulations to all our Stewarton CAH staff on this recognition of your fantastic work!
Shortlees group receives grant from Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
A local community group has received funding for a day of rest and relaxation.
The Women of Worth (WOW) group recently received a grant through the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, run by CVO East Ayrshire, and plans to use it towards a relaxation day for its members.
Group chairperson, Clare Motherwell, told us more:
“The WOW group is a chance for us all to meet up and have a blether. We love catching up, supporting each other and having a laugh.
"It's a great way for members to take care of their mental health as it means nobody is lonely and they always have a space to share their worries.
"We’re over the moon with our grant from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and are so looking forward to a well-deserved day out for all our group members."
Break the Silence receives accreditation for excellence
Break the Silence has been recognised by the European Foundation for Quality Management.
The Kilmarnock-based charity, which supports victims of rape and sexual abuse, was awarded the Committed to Excellence accreditation for their “commitment to innovation and continuous improvement”.
Congratulations to everyone at Break the Silence for this remarkable achievement.
Praise for support assistant's "invaluable" care
Our Social Care Review Team recently received wonderful feedback from the son of a service user with dementia.
Mr Cameron Sharp was eager to express his gratitude for the “invaluable assistance and advice” provided by the team following his mother’s transfer to permanent care.
He was particularly grateful for the help of Support Assistant Libby Marshall, whose excellent standard of care “demonstrated the high calibre of professional staff employed within East Ayrshire Council”.
East Ayrshire Community Renewal Fund offering yoga and first aid classes
Ever wanted to take up yoga or brush up on your first aid skills?
In partnership with Respite Now CIC and as part of the East Ayrshire Community Renewal Fund, East Ayrshire Council is now offering yoga and first aid classes to all residents.
Both classes are free of charge, with various dates, times and venues to choose from.
To register your interest, please email Jim Withers or phone 07824 727 694
Family’s gratitude for standard of mother’s care
Our Kilmarnock Care at Home staff recently received some lovely feedback from the family of a service user who had been in their care for two years.
Following their mother’s transition to residential care at Howard House, the family expressed their gratitude at the standard of care their mother had received while at home, which they said had enabled her to remain independent for as long as possible.
CAPA sessions aim to encourage physical activity in care settings
The Care About Physical Activity: Supporting People’s Wellbeing Programme will soon be offering virtual sessions on how to help people in care support settings to stay active and engaged with things that matter to them.
If you're working in care homes, day care, hospital wards, or anywhere which focuses on people’s health and wellbeing, you might be interested in joining others in the CAPA programme.
Congratulations to newly appointed staff
Congratulations are in order this month for three employees!
Well done to Mark Hamill on his recent appointment to the post of Service Manager for Corporate Parenting, and to Louise Henry and Scott Campbell, who have both been appointed as Service Managers for Children and Families Locality Services.
Congratulations to you all!
What Matters To You? Day
On Thursday 9 June it's time to think about what really matters - to you, your colleagues, friends and family.
Join us on What Matters To You? Day by taking the time to ask people what they care about and to encourage more meaningful conversations with those around us.
For more information, visit the WMTY website or contact Partnership Engagement Officer, Lorna McIlreavey.
Don't miss out...
Enjoyed this edition? Don't forget you can also subscribe to The Tea Break (using either your work or home email address) so you never miss out on other staff news and views from East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership!
Email Lorna Wallace to sign up for this newsletter.
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Join us for the next issue to enjoy great news from EAHSCP and our partners!
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