Category: News

Natterers knit trauma teddies for ambulances

Ambulance sponsored bed push

A group of Burry Port women have proved they have the K factor after taking on the challenge of knitting trauma teddies for the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Caroline Saunders helped set up an afternoon Knit and Natter group at St Mary’s Church for women who, for personal reasons, can’t get to events or join societies that meet in the evening.

The St. Mary’s with Pwll Knit and Natter group has around 12 regular members whose needles have been clicking furiously as as they knitted 62 trauma teddies in just eight weeks to help put young patients who have to travel by ambulance at ease.

The idea to knit trauma teddies came about after Caroline’s own six-year-old daughter, Rachel, was taken to hospital by ambulance suffering from a very high temperature.

Caroline said: “Rachel had tonsillitis and developed a really high fever. We rang NHS direct and they advised getting an ambulance straight away. “Rachel was really frightened, terrified in fact, but the ambulance technician handed her a trauma teddy that they carried on the ambulance and that really helped calm her.

“The vicar’s young son, Gwilym Davies, also had to go in an ambulance recently and he too was helped by being able to cuddle a trauma teddy.

“So, everyone at the Knit and Natter group decided we could make a difference by knitting a few more teddies so every ambulance could carry one on board.

“So far we have managed to knit more than 50 trauma teddies and there are more on the way. We are also currently knitting bonnets and shawls for the neo natal clinics of several hospitals.”

Richard Ashby, Clinical Team Leader at Llanelli Ambulance Station, says he is delighted with the gift of trauma teddies from the Burry Port Knit and Natter women.

He said: “It is useful to carry soft toys in ambulances as they can be used to help calm distressed children and make the experience a less frightening one.

“They can also be used as a diagnostic tool, if a child is reluctant to talk about their injuries or pain you can ask them to show you on teddy.

“And teddy can also be used to demonstrate any equipment to be used. If you can help distract a child this can help lessen their symptoms or pain.”

The vicar of St Mary’s Church, Rev Paul Davies, says the Knit and Natter group is helping in more ways than one.

He said: “Many members of the group are quite elderly. However, they are doing something small that it making a big difference to young people.

“We are really proud of what they have achieved. Well done to Caroline and all the ladies.”

Caroline Saunders added: “Although the Knit and Natter group is attached to St Mary’s Church it is open to any ladies that wish to join. Most groups and societies meet in the evening and that isn’t always convenient for women with families or older women who simply don’t like going out in the evening.

“We meet between 1pm and 3pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Parker Cabin at St Mary’s and I would encourage anyone who wants to come along to do so. We will even teach you to knit!

“On behalf of the group I would also like to appeal to anyone who can donate any quantity of wool to the group to get in touch. We are always in need of good quality wool.”

Anyone wanting further information about Burry Port Knit and Natter Group or who would like to donate any wool can contact Caroline Saunders on 01554 349718.

Monday February 21st, 2011

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News

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Spectacular celebration marks 200th anniversary

Jubilee Tower 200 event, Moel Fammau.

More than 2,000 people trekked to the top of Moel Famau, the highest peak in the Clwydian Range, as a giant beam lit up the night sky.

They were there to witness the spectacular celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Jubilee Tower at the summit of the iconic landmark.

There were lasers and a colourful firework display which could be seen for many miles around, even in Liverpool.

Ruth Williams, the Cultural Tourism & Marketing Manager of Denbighshire County Council, was delighted the event had been such a huge success.

She said: “It has been a fantastic night. We handed out 1,500 commemorative medals – but there were many more people actually there. They were like ants on the hill.”

Moel Famau has been a popular destination for people from North Wales and Merseyside for countless generations.

Centrepiece of the display was a powerful beam of light radiating from the tower, which was designed in part to replicate the Egyptian-style design of the original100ft high structure.

In keeping with the environment within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the generator powering the display was run on recycled bio-fuel, producing 2 – 7 kilowatts, roughly the same range as required for a lighthouse.

Permission had to be gained from the Civil Aviation Authority before the display could go ahead.

The light installation a laser show was designed by artist Chris Oakley, from Coedpoeth, near Wrexham.

Jubilee Tower 200 event, Moel Fammau.

Images and text created through a number of community workshops were projected onto the tower. Schools in Denbighshire and Flintshire were also involved.

Chris said: “I was amazed by the sheer volume of people who came and I am thrilled at the way everything has gone. It was spot on.”

There was also a lantern procession, live music, storytelling and other entertainment.

The lanterns were made by children from North Wales and Merseyside at a series of workshops. The lanterns each had their own little power source so there were no naked flames.

The event was the result of a partnership between Denbighshire and Flintshire county councils, the Clwydian Range AONB and the Forestry Commission. It was supported by the rural regeneration agency, Cadwyn Clwyd, and was coordinated by Xuberance Events.

David  Green, the Managing Director of Xuberance, said: “The turn-out has been absolutely phenomenal and the atmosphere has been fantastic.”

The summit of Moel Famau now attracts 200,000 visitors a year and the celebration captured the public’s imagination.

Hudreds of people from across North East Wales and Merseyside registered on the Jubilee 200 website tower200.co.uk">www.jubileetower200.co.uk, with many sharing their own personal memories of the Jubilee Tower.

Jubilee Tower 200 event, Moel Fammau

David Shiel, Countryside Officer with the Clwydian Range AONB,  said: “This was truly remarkable event.

“It is important to raise awareness of the area as a sustainable tourist destination.

“The tourism economy in Denbighshire and Flintshire is incredibly valuable. By increasing the profile of the Jubilee Tower this event will hopefully strengthen funding bids that will enable much needed conservation work that will preserve this Welsh icon.”

Monday February 21st, 2011

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Events, News

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Angel Katie is now a champion elf too!

Angel Katie is now a champion elf too!

A little girl from Wrexham has been chosen as the first ever Champion Elf of Wales.

Katie Jones, three, was chosen by a panel of judges headed by the man of the moment, Santa Claus.

The Welsh National Elf Service Championships were held at the Debenhams store at the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre in Wrexham.

Apart from Santa, the other guests of honour included the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Cllr Jim Kelly, and his wife Elizabeth, and the children were entertained by award-winning magician Jay Gatling.

It’s hoped the Elf Championships will now become an annual event.

Appropriately, winning elf Katie will be celebrating her fourth birthday on Christmas Eve.

Mum Angela said: “It’s been brilliant and the kids have been excited all day.  I spent all morning doing her hair and getting her make-up right.

“I couldn’t believe that she is the first ever Champion Elf of Wales – and she’s an angel in her nursery school nativity play this year.”

Two other Elves, Noah Murray Jones, four and half, from Holywell, and Abbie Jones, from Wrexham, were chosen as Highly Commended Elves.

Noah’s mum, Emma, said: “I think it’s very well organised and it was great and the magician show topped it all off nicely. Noah is thrilled.”

Equally delighted was Abbie’s mum, Rachel, who added “She loves this kind of thing, she was so excited. She couldn’t wait and she’s had a whale of a time. It’s a very exciting time of year – kids love it and so do the mums.”

The proceedings were hosted by former children’s television presenter Nia Ceidiog, who hails from Wrexham.

These days she’s the boss of an independent television production company and will be attending a very different event next Sunday.

Her documentary series for pre-school children, Y Diwrnod Mawr (Big Day), has been shortlisted for a Children’s BAFTA and she will be attending the ceremony at London’s Park Lane Hilton next Sunday evening.

She said: “I love working with children and the Elf Championships are a  lovely idea. Let’s face it, Santa is going to be extremely busy between now and Christmas and he can do with all the help he can get. We had some really fantastic elves  here today. They’ve all done Santa proud.”

Cllr Jim Kelly said: “I have really enjoyed myself here today, it’s been tremendous. A big part of my role is to be out in the community, being the civic face of Wrexham and saying thank  you to everybody and it’s lovely to see the children here, it brings their families in and it’s the start of the festive season.

“The effort that they’ve made is fantastic. We need more events like this and let’s not forget this is a historic occasion, we have the first ever Elf Champion of Wales. Wrexham is setting the trend as usual.”

Head Judge Santa was delighted with the standards of Elves who came forward to take part.

He said: “I can see that Wrexham is the perfect venue for the Welsh National Elf Service Championships and I’m planning to be back next year.”

Father Christmas was assisted on the judging panel by Rob Mannix, the Manager of Debenhams, and Kevin Critchley, the Manager of the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.

Rob said: “It was a magical occasion. I think this will become an annual event and hopefully next year we’ll have even more young children vying for the opportunity to help Santa.”

Kevin added: “I absolutely loved it. It was great to see the smiling faces of the children and the real apprehension on the faces of the parents.

“I’m not sure who took it more seriously, the children or the parent – but everybody enjoyed it.

“There were some remarkably good elves here and I think Santa can take quite a few of them to help him pack the presents and making toys for the children.

“They were very enthusiastic about the idea of working hard, they’ve put a lot of effort into it and one little girl pointed out that working hard was the most important thing an elf had to do.”

Monday February 21st, 2011

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Awards, News

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First Minister hails new centre of excellence for dementia care

1211Bodlondeb1

First Minister Carwyn Jones hailed “the pioneering model of care” at a new centre of excellence to look after people with dementia.

Mr Jones, who revealed it was a condition that had affected his family too, officially opened the Bodlondeb centre at the Pendine Park care organisation’s main site in Summerhill Road, in Wrexham.

The £4 million centre will create 100 new jobs and will be the hub for a comprehensive range of services for people with dementia.

After being entertained by a combined choir of residents and staff sing the Welsh national anthem, the First Minister said: “I welcome the development of the Bodlondeb centre, which will offer a new and pioneering model of care. It’s a wonderful place. It’s an honour to be here.

“What I’ve seen is a fantastic set-up for people with dementia – it’s light, it’s airy and it raises the spirits when you come in.

“There are so many things going on here as well

“First of all, yes, it’s great for jobs but secondly it’s a top class centre for people with dementia and of course their families. Dementia affects so many families and my own family included.

“It’s a good place to come if you’re visiting somebody here and it’s a place where I think people can come and feel at home in, you can’t ask for more than that.”

Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, who is also who is also Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, added her congratulations.

She said: “I am delighted to see Bodlondeb being officially opened. I know how much thought and planning has gone into this facility and I am sure the residents will appreciate this as they settle into their new home.

“The care provided across the whole of the Pendine Park organisation is second to none and Bodlondeb will be another area of care that will be much sought after in Wrexham.”

The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that there are currently 39,000 people with dementia in Wales. This is set to rise by 35 per cent over the next 20 years with one in three people over 65 expected suffer a form of dementia.

Dementia is the single most frequent cause of admission to residential and nursing homes, and of the need for community care services in older people. Younger people can also be affected.

According to Professor Bob Woods, one of the UK’s leading experts on dementia, the new centre will be one of major regional importance.

Along with the Alzheimer’s Society, Professor Woods, who leads the Dementia Services Development Centre at Bangor University, helped develop the new model of care at Bodlondeb.

The centre has been designed to look after 64 people with dementia who need day care, respite care or residential services.

It is divided into eight small, family-like units so that the residents receive as much individual attention as possible while benefiting from the back-up of a larger organisation.

Earlier this year, proprietor Mario Kreft was awarded an MBE for his services to social care in Wales and Pendine Park  is celebrating is Silver Jubilee this year.

He said: “Our vision is to provide a world class community based resource for people with various forms of dementia.

“Bodlondeb will provide 24/7 services and they will include respite and day services, linked with our domiciliary care organisation, Pendine Park Independent Living and our in-house Smartcare Teaching Care Centre.”

“The official opening is a huge day for Pendine Park and it is such a huge honour for us to have the First Minister visit us.

“The whole team were thrilled that he was taking time out to see our vision of what a sustainable care community can be.

“We have to have services that are sustainable, we have got to be a country that is judged on how we support vulnerable people.

“I think as an organisation we have always been forward thinking because we have always wanted to push the boundaries.

“What’s important now is to develop sustainable services by working with partners across Wales.

“It’s important that we have a new approach for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“If we don’t make these services more affordable and at the same time better quality, then we are going to fail – and we can’t be allowed to fail.

“The message seemed to chime with the First Minister and I was very pleased with what he said in terms of putting real value into social care, therapies, art and all of the things that matter to individuals.

The new centre is dedicated to Mr Kreft’s grandmother, Mrs Rene Warburton, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in later life and Bodlondeb is named after his grandparents’ home in St Asaph Street, Rhyl.

Professor Woods said: “There’s a lot of research on what design features work well for people who have dementia.

“Mario and his team here have taken that on board and they’ve tried to implement as much of that as possible in this place.

“I love the outside space, the garden room and the roof garden. These spaces have tremendous potential for some really good interactions between staff and residents, and between residents and relatives.

“We’re seeing an increase of roughly a third in the number of people with dementia over the next decade so there is going to be a need for more support and care for people with dementia and their families.”

“I think that compared with the situation even 10 years ago we’re now expecting a much higher standard from our care homes, which is a good thing, and care homes like this one continue to raise the bar.”

Monday January 31st, 2011

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Awards, News

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