Somerset Care Announces Harry Patch Award Winners

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Kim Wilson

Somerset Care is pleased to announce that this year’s Harry Patch Award has been presented to two of their managers. The presentation was made at the Group’s annual Managers Meeting, which was held at the County Cricket Club on Friday 7th December.

Sue Steeds, manager of Critchill Court, a 50 bed care home in Lynwood Close, Frome and Netta Hunt, Manager of the West Somerset Community Services office, Minehead, were presented with a Bristol Blue Glass Bowl at the meeting to mark their achievements.

Sue, who was awarded an ‘Outstanding Leader’ award at the Group’s in-house awards ceremony earlier in the year, recently planned to create a 1950s themed reminiscence room with the help of local companies and families.

Netta, who manages the delivery of our Community Services in the West Somerset area has recently been involved in a ‘PETALS’ dementia pilot in the area, and has worked tirelessly in the roll out and development of the project.

Speaking on the achievements, Alyson Martin, Chief Executive, said, “Sue and Netta are both exceptional managers and we are proud to be able to recognise their achievements through this award”.

Somerset Care Welcomes Australian Visitor

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Kim Wilson

Somerset Care played host to a visitor from Australia last week who came to learn about the company’s award winning PETALS dementia care, quality assurance system and the Gold Standard Framework Award.

Beth Davidson-Park, Director of Strategy and Business Development, works for Southern Cross Care (South Australia and Northern Territories) alongside Somerset Care’s former CEO Andrew Larpent.

During Beth’s time with Somerset Care she visited two of its care homes, Croft House in Williton and Oak Trees in Bridgwater. At Croft House she was shown the Archie Project, a recently launched programme which aims to make Williton a dementia friendly community. Whilst on her visit Beth was also involved with judging the company’s dementia artwork competition in preparation for a 2013 calendar which will be released later in the year.

Speaking on Beth’s visit, Jane Lynch, Assistant Director of Residential Services, said, “Somerset Care is extremely proud of the services we provide to people living with dementia and those people nearing the end of their lives. It was a wonderful experience to share our PETALS dementia care and Gold Standard Framework with Beth, and we hope this helps her with developing the care Southern Cross Care deliver in Australia.”

Diamond Jubilee Preparations

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Alyson Martin

Celebrations will commence across the United Kingdom on 2nd June and will continue through a long weekend as we celebrate 60 years of the Queen’s reign.

Across the county big events are being planned to ensure that this joyous celebration goes with a bang!

A Diamond Jubilee Pageant is one of the major events planned for the occasion. Over 550 horses and more than 1,000 dancers, musicians and performers from around the world will come together in the private grounds of Windsor Caste between 10th and 13th May. Each night will pay tribute to the spectacular 60 years of her reign.

On Saturday 19th May nearly 2,500 troops from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force will parade through Windsor Castle and town her Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh. They will then congregate in the castle grounds for a unique event before an audience of more than 3,000 Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans.

Preparations began at the beginning of this year in Somerset Care’s homes, with activity co-ordinators drafting ideas and putting together plans to ensure the residents (all of which would have celebrated the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, and may recall her Coronation) have as much fun as possible.

Lots of the homes have organised street parties and have invited the local community to join them to celebrate this momentous day.

Information taken from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

Alison Godwin is appointed as Community Services Manager for Bridgwater

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Alyson Martin

Alison Goodwin Somerset Care at Home is pleased to announce that Alison Godwin has been appointed as Community Services Manager for its Bridgwater office.

Alison joined Somerset Care at Home in September 2008 as Deputy Manager for the Frome and Bath area. She starts her new role on Monday 16th January 2012 and said, “I am delighted to have been appointed as Community Services Manager for the Bridgwater office and would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the last few years.”

Jane Lynch is appointed Assistant Director for residential services

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Alyson Martin

Jane Lynch The Somerset Care Group has announced the appointment of an Assistant Director for residential services.

After a rigorous recruitment process, the Board of the Somerset Care Group were delighted to invite Jane Lynch to become the company’s new Assistant Director for residential services.

Jane started working for the Somerset Care Group in 1991 as a Supervisor at Wyndham House in Minehead. She then went on to manage Croft House in Williton, which was the first home in the company to develop a specialist dementia care wing. Currently working as an Operations Manager, Jane is also the company lead in dementia, having worked closely with Professor Alex Haslam and his team from the Clinical and Social Psychology department at Exeter University, which resulted in the company being presented with a national dementia research award in 2010.

Within the last year Jane has also taken on the role as Quality Assurance Manager, working with a small team to develop a robust company wide QA system.

Speaking on her appointment, Jane said, “I am delighted with my new appointment and look forward to working with our exceptionally talented team of managers.”

Alyson Martin, Chief Executive of the Somerset Care Group, added “Jane has demonstrated many achievements over the years and is highly talented in the field of social care; we look forward to her leading our care home services.”

Jane will assume the position of Assistant Director for residential services from 1st January 2012.

Chris Humphrey is appointed Assistant Director for community services

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Alyson Martin

Chris Humphries The Somerset Care Group has announced the appointment of an Assistant Director for community services.

After a rigorous recruitment process, the Board of the Somerset Care Group is delighted to invite Chris Humphrey to become the company’s new Assistant Director for community services.

Chris started working for the Somerset Care Group in October 2011 on a two year contract as Service Development Manager for Somerset Care at Home. The role was created to establish reablement across the community based services. Chris is an Occupational Therapist by profession but has most recently worked as a senior manager in Social Care.

Speaking on her appointment, Chris said, “I am delighted to have joined Somerset Care at this time of huge changes in social care and to have been appointed to the role of Assistant Director of community services. I hope my skills and experience, added to that of my colleagues, will help us to rise to the challenges to come.”

Alyson Martin, Chief Executive of the Somerset Care Group, added “Supporting people to live independently in their own homes remains a priority and Chris brings a wealth of expertise from her previous roles to enable our teams to deliver quality community services.”

Chris will assume her position of Assistant Director for community services from 1st January 2012.

New Director of Care Services appointed

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Alyson Martin

The Somerset Care Group has appointed a new Director of Care Services. Eoin Keogh, current Director of Community Services, will become Director of Care Services with effect from 1st January 2012. Eoin has worked for the Somerset Care Group in his current capacity since April 2010, and during this time has overseen the restructuring of its learning disabilty services as well as successfully tendering for a reablement contract in Wiltshire, part of the county’s reconfiguration of its services which took place earlier this year. Eoin replaces Alyson Martin, who becomes Chief Executive on the same date.

Alyson Martin said, “I am delighted that the position of Director of Care Services has been filled from within the Somerset Care Group. Eoin has a solid understanding of both the care sector and our organisation, and I am confident that our services will develop further with his guidance.”

New Manager appointed at Sydenham House residential home

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Alyson Martin

Becki Bidgood The Somerset Care Group has appointed a new Manager at Sydenham House residential home in Bridgwater.

Becki Bidgood has been appointed to the position from her current role as Deputy Manager at Oak Trees, also part of the Somerset Care Group. Becki has been a Deputy Manager for the past three years and replaces Jeanette Martin, who has been appointed to the role of Operations Manager.

Alyson Martin, Chief Executive designate, said, “Becki’s promotion is well deserved and follows Somerset Care’s policy to promote within wherever possible. Sydenham House is the second home in the Group to be managed by a member of the Bidgood family, as her mother Kay manages Greenhill House in Cheddar.”

New Manager appointed at Calway House

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Alyson Martin

Katrina Tant The Somerset Care Group has appointed a new Nurse Manager at Calway House in Taunton.

Katrina Tant has been appointed to the position from her current role as a Deputy Nurse Manager at the home. Katrina has worked for the organisation for five years and replaces Nurse Manager Verity Underhill, who has been promoted to the role of Operations Manager for the Somerset Care Group.

Alyson Martin, Chief Executive designate, said, “Katrina’s promotion is well deserved. I am sure that Calway House, a highly popular home, will continue to flourish under her leadership.”

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