The SENAD Group have sponsored a community initiative for young people living the Chaddesden area of Derby. Sporting Communities helps young people to engage with sports and through this helps tackle anti social behaviour. They use public buildings and open park spaces to provide activities for young people to enjoy, engage and network with each other. Doing this helps to create a more prosperous, cohesive and integrated community.
Also working in partnership with SENAD and Sporting Communities are Pattonair Logistics, based in the City. The funding received from SENAD and Pattonair will enable Sporting Communities to run their project for 20 weeks. The project is being championed by Chaddesden Ward Councillor, Jonathan Smale.
Pictured left to right are representatives from Pattonair, the Sporting Communities Team, Councillor Jonathan Smale and Jenny Fearn Group Marketing Manager and Richard Atkinson Financial Director from the SENAD Group.
For more information about Sporting Communities visit: www.sportingcommunitiescic.org
Brian Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the SENAD Group joined delegates at the Conductive Education Professional Education Group (CEPEG) 12th annual conference which took place at the Curve Theatre on March 11th. The conference, titled Conductive Education is our Superpower! was hosted by Leicestershire’s conductive education centre Steps and attracted 150 delegates from across the UK.
CEPEG is a professional group that supports the development and practice of conductive Education throughout the UK. Conductive education, which derives from the Peto Institute in Hungary, is a non- medical based developmental aid, which promotes independence for those with conditions like cerebral palsy and is not routinely offered by the NHS. Cerebral Palsy is the most common form of childhood disability affecting 30,000 children in the UK. Conductive Education is one of the few developmental opportunities available, but is not widely known about within the medical profession and society as a whole. There are around 13 Conductive Education centres in the UK, including Steps.
Brian delivered round table discussion titled ‘The acceptance of Conductive Education in the wider world.’ the discussion explored why conductive education remains relatively unknown despite being present in the UK since the 1960’s.
The Right worshipful Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Stephen Corrall opened the conference Steps Patron Rosemary Conley CBE gave the welcome speech.
For more information visit –www.stepscentre.org or www.cepeg.org.uk
On Thursday 24th November, the Winslow Court Speech and Language Therapy team held a ‘Communication Coffee morning’ to highlight communication strategies such as signing and using photo/symbol support, to enhance residents’ ability to make choices and use a greater range of communication skills.
The team created symbol/photo choice boards: the choice to make a request through pointing at a single photo or to extend this request into a phrase e.g. “I want + chocolate + cake”; “I like + cake”; “I want + more”. One of our residents, who does not use speech, ate a marshmallow and pointed to the symbol for ‘like’ to comment that he liked it! Another resident, who would normally just use a single word, pointed to 3 symbols in a row to say “I want cake”. We also had a nice moment when one resident pointed at the photo of the cake he wanted but when given it, he pushed it away and then pointed at a different photo; when asked “you want this one instead?”… he then signed for “yes”.
We also put all useful signs on the wall behind the table (with cakes and drinks on), so everyone could practise their signing… this worked well and all staff tried their best to attempt to sign all morning. Lots of questions were asked e.g. how do you sign different? What’s the sign for green?; so we hope we taught everyone some new signs as well as refreshing some common ones.
We also set up a table with examples of visual supports that could be used within our residents’ homes and got some nice feedback about how they could be used.
Thanks everyone for a successful morning – we hope to do it again in the New Year! Remember – communication matters.
For more information about Speech and Language Therapy click here
We had a really positive and happy coffee morning on the 22nd September, with homemade cakes and refreshments. Residents got involved from Winslow Court and the other community based homes.
It was a really nice relaxed event and everyone had smiles. We are now looking forward to planning our next event which we hope will be as successful.
Dave Symons is the Art Coordinator at Winslow Court. An award winning artist, Dave has shown his own art work in San Francisco, Brazil,Edinburgh and many galleries throughout W
Dave has been at Winslow for almost two years and has made a huge impact for residents, providing a range of activities both on and off site.
He said ‘encouraging people to express themselves and to value what they do and to have a laugh along the way is what I love most and do best! Art activities at Winslow Court are designed to encourage creativity, self-expression and communication through painting, printmaking and drawing. Showing your artwork to the general public is a natural outlet for any artist and this exhibition, very kindly hosted by the Globe at Hay, is to ensure inclusion in to the community for our residents.’
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Summer Fun Day and Open Day on Saturday 25th June. Despite the occasional shower, it was a success and everyone enjoyed themselves.
A particular thank you to all the volunteers who made the day for the young people and residents we support – without you – Saturday wouldn’t of been the success it was
Thursday 26th May saw West Midland Learning Campus host their first Dignitea Party to raise awareness of the importance of dignity in the care setting and to celebrate Dignity in Action Day.
Staff ,residents, students, parents and the Herefordshire satellite homes were all invited to come along enjoy a drink, homemade cakes and share what being treated with dignity meant to them.
There was a fantastic turn out of residents and staff from the West Midlands Learning Campus- Winslow Court, Cedar Lodge, Rowden House and the local satellite homes. Who all spent time relaxing, chatting, indulging in homemade cakes and enjoying a cuppa.
There was a donation box with all monies collected going to Autism Awareness. Everyone was invited to write on a leaf what dignity meant to them and to attach the leaf to our Dignitree.
One Nine Five, the SENAD Groups transitional home for young adults with learning difficulties and complex needs, has received praise from the Care Quality Commission in their latest inspection report. The home, which is based in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire focuses on the transition of young adults to a more independent life.
Following conversations with staff, parents and other professionals the inspector praised the high levels of committed and well trained staff at the home, the person centred support given to residents to pursue their interests and take part in social activities, the support residents are given to make decisions about their care and support and the willingness of the Registered Manager and her team to listen to and include relatives in the care of their loved ones.
