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The Editor |
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Managing Director,
Mrs Susan Pattrick |
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Featured Charity | |
Harrow Churches Housing Association
Harrow Churches Housing Association looks after people of all walks of life who need accommodation and who cannot afford to buy their own homes or who have a special need, such as people with dementia, visual impairments, the homeless, and wheelchair users. They work very closely with local churches, local authority teams, and other organisations in the Harrow area, providing good accommodation.
During 2010, their Richards Close sheltered housing scheme was completely redeveloped. The redevelopment included solar panels, rain water collection, a secure sensory garden for people with dementia, 47 flats for people with dementia and visual impairments, and seven flats designed specifically for wheelchair users. The lounge area is open to the public who can come in, have a meal, and participate in the activities put on for the residents. The redevelopment was managed by architects JCMT, a London based architects who really understand the concepts of disability and independence. They have done a superb job.
See also article opposite... and click here for further information...
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| Nominations | |
Please feel free to nominate a future charity of the month here...
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Greetings!
Well the summer came back briefly, and in the same week my Christmas Cards were being printed. Bizarre!
As usual there are a variety of newsworthy items within this issue, and I am delighted to showcase Harrow Churches Housing Association as my featured charity. If you are a charity, or know of a charity who would like some free publicity of a forthcoming event, please do get in contact. |
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New leaflets and new website coming... | | |
 Thank-you to those of you who have requested copies of the 8 page brochure. They have all been dispatched.
There are still plenty available, so if you would like to know more or would like some to send on to colleagues, please email me.
 I am also having the website redesigned and a first draft is now being reviewed by some trusted colleagues and associates. This will have everything you need to know about the Accessible Business Mark®.
Watch this space! |
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Unfair dismissal - qualification period changes | | |
It is not often that the Government changes legislation in favour of the employer but they have recently announced changes intended to reduce the number of employment tribunal claims and boost the economy.
From 1st April 2012, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal will be extended from one year to two years. This means that employees will need two years' continuous service in employment to claim unfair dismissal, against their employer.
However there are some exceptions. Read more ...
Article courtesy of Practical HR. |
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World Mental Health Day | | |
Few people will have realised that October 10th was designated world mental health day.
According to recent research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, stress is now the most common cause of long term sick leave in the UK. Read more ...
Article courtesy of The Guardian. |
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Access Audits and Accreditation for HCHA | | |
 As Director of SMP Consultancy Ltd, I recently had the pleasure of being able to present Harrow Churches Housing Association with the Accessible Business Mark® because they have aspired to and more than met the requirements of BS 8300, and Part M of the Building Regulations to enable disabled people to live independently in their own homes.
SMP Consultancy Ltd provided Harrow Churches Housing Association with access audits for all of their five sites and Richards Close is the first to be fully redeveloped where the other four sites have been refurbished to high standards.
Harrow Churches Housing Association have just acquired a new site for which SMP Consultancy Ltd have been asked to complete the access audit in order for Harrow Churches Housing Association to move the development of these new premises forward, for the benefit of their residents. |
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Design for Dementia - New Research | | |
New research by Kingston University has revealed how design can improve the quality of life for people with dementia. The University hopes the new study will form a blueprint for future building, lay-out and management of care homes.
The project, called 'Living with Dementia: Can Design Make a Difference?' was led by Professor Hilary Dalke, Director of the Design Research Centre at Kingston University. "Design can contribute to the success or failure of a home and whether it provides the quality of life that we would want for our families, friends and ourselves," she said. The study was funded by the Audi Design Foundation, which supports inclusive and sustainable design initiatives.
Read more ... |
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Design for Dementia - Training Course | | |
On the 3rd November 2011 a course on Design for Dementia Care is being held at C-Scaipe, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston, KT1 2EE. This course is part of Continuous Personal Development and a certificate will be provided for the time allocated to the course.
The course will cover a variety of topics that will include:
- An overview of current practice;
- Care Home design exploration;
- Buildings, interiors and gardens;
- Exploration of key issues;
- Blueprint for success;
- Recommendations for design in care homes;
The course will commence at 10.00 but registration will take place at 0930 with networking opportunities and refreshments. The course will finish at noon promptly. The cost for the course is £75.00 per person but if two book it is £130.00.
Further details may be provided by emailing Professor Hilary Dalke or Alessio Corso at A.Corso@kingston.ac.uk or by telephoning 020 8547 7430. |
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Guide Dogs on escalators | | |
 Guide dogs will be allowed on moving escalators on the Tube for the first time under changes to a bylaw, it has been announced.
Transport for London (TfL) said it had been advised for years that dogs should not be allowed to use moving escalators to prevent injuries.
Passengers had to carry dogs or use lifts or stairs instead. But recent research has proved that dogs can be trained to use a moving escalator. Read more ... |
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BBC's 'In Touch' celebrates 50 years | | |
In Touch, the BBC's radio programme for blind and partially sighted people, celebrates its 50th anniversary this week.
Initially a monthly programme, In Touch first aired on 8 October in 1961 and was billed in the Radio Times as "a magazine with up-to-date news of people, problems and pleasures of special interest to blind listeners".
Today, in its 20-minute weekly slot, In Touch covers staple issues such as accessible technology, benefits changes and medical breakthroughs but, perhaps less obviously, also has featured blind photographers, skydiving and a memorable April Fools prank about guide pigs being introduced to the UK. Read more ...
Article courtesy of the BBC. |
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And Finally - Go Grab a Coffee | | |
Mother of two Sarah Churman was fitted with a state-of-the art hearing implant after living her life in virtual silence.
Her husband, Sloan, filmed the emotional moment the nurse turned on the Esteem implant and Sarah finally heard her own voice.
The moving clip shows Sarah nodding in amazement and bursting into tears as the nurse switches on the device. Since being posted on YouTube it has received over 7.3 million views! Click here ... |
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