It has been yet another challenging couple of months for everyone at Impact; combating heavy snow, flooding, as well as persevering through lock-down, however all staff have coped remarkably well and worked extremely hard, going the extra mile to ensure tenants receive the support they so desperately need. Thank you to all staff teams for your commitment compassion and hard work, you truly are inspiring!
Now, with the early signs of Spring starting to make an appearance; early morning sunrise and late-night sunsets, the first small bursts of colour sprouting through, we are reminded that there are brighter days ahead; we look forward to some positive changes in the coming months.
Thank you Fortem 4life Academy for your very kind donation of Easter Eggs for tenants within Impact’s Wilfred Drive Scheme!
A huge thank you to Sharon Brown too! We are extremely grateful that Sharon chose to raise funds through her Facebook Birthday Fundraiser for Impact Living. She managed to raise enough money to enable staff to buy Easter Eggs for tenants within both Bradford and Malton Schemes!
Stress Awareness Month
April marks the start of Stress Awareness Month
“According to the Mental health Foundation 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Millions of us around the UK are experiencing high levels of stress and it is damaging our health. Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn’t being taken as seriously as physical health concerns. Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems. Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn what steps we can take to reduce it for ourselves and those around us.” Stress Management Society
https://www.stress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Stress-Awareness-Month-Poster-Corporate-1.pdf
As part of Stress Awareness Month, we are requesting staff, tenants and our readers to join the 30-Day Challenge… ‘Regaining Connectivity, Certainty and Control’
To get involved, download the 30-Day Challenge Calendar and ‘pick an action each for your Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing to carry out each day!
https://www.stress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Feb-Mar-Apr-Calendar-2021.pdf
“It takes 30 days to turn actions into habits, which is why this is a month-long programme!”
Share your actions, ideas and photos to feature in the Summer newsletter, by sending them to donna.binyon@impactliving.org !
For more information and resources, check out the link below:
https://www.stress.org.uk/30daychallenge/
Covid-19 Pfizer Vaccine
We are pleased to announce that all staff at Impact have received their first Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine and are now scheduled to have their second jab next week.
“Data analysed by Public Health England (PHE) shows the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides high levels of protection against infection and symptomatic disease from the first dose.
Data shows one dose reduces the risk of catching infection by more than 70%, rising to 85% after the second dose. This suggests the vaccine may also help to interrupt virus transmission, as you cannot spread the virus if you do not have infection.”
GOV.UK, Public Health England, 22nd February, 2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-real-world-uk-data-shows-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-provides-high-levels-of-protection-from-the-first-dose
For the full publication “PHE monitoring of the early impact and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in England”.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Swab Test
We have been very fortunate to be able to access weekly PCR swab testing kits for our front-line staff within each of our schemes.
The PCR tests are crucial to Impact; enabling us to continue delivering full care and support services safely, reassuring tenants, support workers as well as the maintenance team who carry out any urgent repairs in properties.
Thank you to ‘The Covid 19 Staff Testing Team’ City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and ‘Central Community Response Team’ Sheffield City Council.
We wish to welcome Michelle Stead to the Extra Care Team!
We wish to welcome Michelle Stead to Impact Living! Michelle has joined the Extra Care Team after gaining 15 valuable years working within the NHS. We asked Michelle to tell us more about her background and what contribution she will make to the support team;
I am a qualified Speech and Language Therapist who has worked within the NHS for Bradford District Care Trust as Highly Specialist SLT for over 15 years, working in clinics and schools around the Bradford area. I have enjoyed working with children and young adults, through the process of referral, then assessment of their communication skills, diagnosis and then supporting them with treatment plans, educational health care plans and therapy. This involved multidisciplinary team working and also working with families. I was also a Line Manager during this time.
When a vacancy became available within Impact, I was interested in applying for this role, as I understand and appreciate the values and ethos of Impact and the difference their work makes to vulnerable adults they support. I am aware of the complexities of many of the residents, having worked with families over the years with many issues, other than the communication difficulties, e.g., autistic spectrum continuum, developmental language disorders, social communication difficulties, etc. I am keen to contribute and use my skills and knowledge in supporting both residents, families and staff, as part of the of extra care team. Effective communication is key to empowering people and achieving good outcomes. I am looking forward to being part of this team.
I have been married for a very long time (27 years), to Keith. We have three sons and a Dalmation. We live in Wakefield. We used to enjoy camping but have now laid this to rest and enjoy the more comfortable life associated with hotels, villas and B and B’s.
I love to walk, travel, catch up with friends and simply enjoy good company. Please feel free to say “hello” and ask me any more questions, as and when we get the opportunity, as I would really welcome that.”
24 Reasons to be Cheerful
We are absolutely amazed with how successful ‘Inspiration for Life’s’ Advent Calendar campaign, 24 Reasons to be Cheerful, has been and can’t express how thankful we are for everyone’s efforts in getting on board with sharing upbeat as well as wacky and creative videos! Thank you to everyone who donated and raised awareness.
“Obviously we were very happy with the funds we raised but there was more to the project than that – we raised awareness of Weston Park Cancer Charity, Rotherham Hospice and Impact Living and the vital work they do, and of Inspiration for Life and all of our work over the last eight years, and we also raised spirits during a dark winter and in the lead-up to a difficult Christmas.
Thank you so much for getting involved, thank you for your enthusiasm and energy. That’s what Inspiration for Life has always been about, as you’ll see from the videos showing highlights from our past events”
Catherine Annabel
Trustee, Inspiration for Life/PhD student, Department of French
Needs Assessment and Evaluations Service
We aim to enhance our existing support programme to assess, evaluate and address the mental health needs of our current beneficiaries and all new referrals.
The project will initially take place over a two-year period, with a view to extending the service following review, evaluation and evidence of the benefits. We will employ a full-time ‘Support Needs Assessor and Evaluator’ to join Impact’s housing, operations and extra-care support team, to provide a holistic service across all our sites in Bradford, Sheffield and Ryedale.
A mental health professional will be employed, with extensive experience of working in a variety of mental health settings. We will be looking for someone who specialises in complex mental health issues, childhood trauma and addiction, including dual diagnosis.
The purpose of the role will be to fully assess our current beneficiaries and new referrals, assessing any risks and identifying all support and care needs. Following detailed consultations with each individual, they will provide a comprehensive mental health and support assessment, proposing, coordinating and evaluating interventions and a therapy schedule to best meet each individual’s needs in a holistic and integrated way.
Other aspects of the role will include:
– Identifying additional support hours where needed.
– Reviewing individuals’ care packages or early intervention/hospital admission via Local Authority Adult Social Care Commissioning Team; Care Coordinator; or NHS when needed.
– Observing and assessing current support staff needs for training to improve the service.
– Monitoring and evaluating the service and producing an evidence-based report to present to stakeholders, funders and commissioners to help fund the service going forward.
Beneficiaries will be referred to a newly developed in-house Creative Therapies Programme. This will be led by an experienced Arts Psychotherapist who will provide one-to-one support sessions, weekly peer workshops and virtual and other exhibitions to showcase art and raise awareness. This will work in combination with other health and well-being activities and tailored therapy strategies for those experiencing difficulties in communication, identifying and addressing any underlying difficulties, using therapy/support strategies to improve communication skills, as well as skills in self-advocacy, self-confidence and ability to make and maintain healthy relationships.
The project will take a holistic approach, treating the whole person with all conditions in mind, knowing that they are often linked to each other. The focus will be on supporting their recovery and building resilience, not just on treating and managing the symptoms, but looking beyond their condition to support them to set and achieve personal goals, regain control and work towards building a meaningful and satisfying life.
The project will offer practical help tailored to support each beneficiary to address all aspects of their life. This will incorporate practical housing and independent living-based support, on-site training and support to promote financial inclusion, as well as offering volunteering, training and work experience opportunities though the charity and in the local community.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Provide safe and quality housing, with an integrated therapy and support programme for approximately 120 individuals over a two-year period.
- Provide early intervention and prevention of mental health crisis, resulting in reduction of hospital admissions.
- Reduce wait times for mental health assessment for those in crisis by ensuring that beneficiaries receive immediate and robust assessment, evaluation and intervention when they enter the project/accommodation.
- Help beneficiaries to improve their ability to cope with and manage their mental health issues and support their recovery through creative and talking therapies.
- Help aid recovery for those who have addictions, supporting them to make positive choices and reducing alcohol/substance intake.
- Where communication difficulties are identified, provide therapy and support strategies to improve beneficiaries’ communication skills and develop skills in self-advocacy.
- Increase confidence and skills to achieve a safe and habitable living environment and work confidently towards independent living.
- Monitor, evaluate and evidence the benefits of creative therapy interventions in assessing and treating mental health issues, behaviour that challenges and addiction.
The aim of the project is to support beneficiaries to work towards living independently within a safe environment, developing the skills needed to maintain a home whilst learning to navigate and manage their mental health and other conditions. Having the stability of a secure tenancy will encourage beneficiaries to address these critical issues, knowing they are in a safe and caring environment where they can have immediate and direct access to the right therapy and support and gradually work towards addressing their needs, achieving greater independence and stability and securing a better future.
We are applying to various charitable trusts, as well as those who have supported Impact in the past to request their support with the project.
We aim to raise £109,000 to cover the running costs of the project over the next two years.
If you would like to help in any way, please get in touch! or donate via our just giving page
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nate
‘Greatest Hits Radio York’ Interview with The Cornmill Scheme Manager, Helen Coulson and Trainee Maintenance Worker, Andy Eddon
Helen and Andy both met with Benjamin Fearn from Greatest Hits Radio York to share their experiences. They talked about the effects lockdown has had on the wellbeing of cliets as well as the impact it has had on fundraising activities. Their full interview can be found by clicking the link below.
Karro Food Group
After hearing the radio interview, Helen was approached by Amy Witham, Managing Director of Karro Food Group, to find out if there is anything that the company could do to help the scheme.
Karro Food Group are ‘a leading producer of various high quality meat products’ based in Malton and so arrangements were made for a supply of fresh produce to be collected and donated to tenants within the scheme.
The Cornmill team wish to say a huge Thank you to Karro Food Group for their generosity as well as Ryedale Community Smart for your weekly food donations!
https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/19152470.karro-donates-food-impact-living/
The Cornmill Flood Appeal!
Sadly, our Cornmill Scheme needs your support more than ever after the River Derwant burst its banks causing record flood levels in Malton, severely damaging the ground floor homes of some of the scheme’s residents as well as our onsite support office.
Although challenging, the Impact support staff, maintenance and security team, tenants, community volunteers, Flood Wardens, response crews, Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, have responded exceptionally well.
Some tenants were temporarily re-homed and we are now working through those properties to dry them out, re-plaster, refurbish and refurnish.
If you would like to donate to help please visit our just giving page
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CornmillFloods
Crofton Court Scheme
Renovations are well underway at our Crofton Court scheme, including the conversion of a 2-bedroom flat into two 1-bedroom self-contained flats.
This will enable a fresh start within a safe and stable home for two individuals referred through the Supported Living Framework and who require care, support and supervision as well extra care for their complex mental health needs.
Keep an eye out for our Summer Newsletter to hear more about the progress of some of the tenants within the scheme.
Nicola & Deacon’s 28 miles in February challenge
“We’re raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK by jogging a mile a day throughout February! Anyone who knows me knows this is my idea of a nightmare. But fingers crossed I can achieve it! 🤞🏻 We’re doing this in memory of my Mam who passed away 6 weeks after diagnosis from Pancreatic Cancer. I’ve included information about Pancreatic Cancer UK below.
Pancreatic cancer is tough. But we’re taking it on together. We are supporting those affected by the disease, investing in ground-breaking research, lobbying for greater recognition of pancreatic cancer and being a voice for everyone involved in the fight.
I believe that earlier detection of this disease is paramount in the fight against it. It’s a silent killer as it is usually non-symptomatic until it is too late.”
To donate to Nicolas challange funraiser click here
Oh! What a beautiful morning!
I’ve just dropped in to say.
I hope you have a beautiful,
And wonderful Easter Day!
Flowers are blooming everywhere,
Bird songs are in the air,
Spring is unfolding her treasures,
And wants us all to share.
Easter gives hope for tomorrow,
As after the winter comes Spring.
Our hearts can be filled with gladness
As hearts rejoice and sing.
Happy Easter!
Author – Southbreeze