1st Enable Ltd
Delivering on Your Potential

August – October Newsletter

EW HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK

Let’s give it up for EW, who continues to go from strength to strength and his determination, energy, and spirit were on full display during our recent Cricket Day!

For two action-packed hours, EW was fully engaged, sharing smiles, laughs, and unforgettable moments with his peers, friends, and family. The atmosphere was buzzing, and EW was right at the heart of it all, making memories that will last a lifetime.

A massive shoutout to the incredible Orchard staff, whose support and warmth helped make the day such a glowing success. Their efforts created an uplifting and inclusive vibe for everyone involved.

This is just the beginning – we cant wait to see EW leading the way at even more first-time events in the future. The Journey ahead is looking bright, and we’re all here for it!

JOHANNE TAKES CENTRE STAGE!

Let’s raise the curtain and give a standing ovation to our superstar, Johanne who has absolutely shone in the spotlight!

After months of dedication, turning up to drama class every Monday without fail, Johanne has gone on to land the leading role in an incredible show based around The War and she absolutely owned it!

Her passion, hard work, and confidence have been truly inspiring, and her performance had everyone watching in awe. The entire team is bursting with pride and stays fully committed to
supporting Johanne as she continues to chase her dreams in the world of performing arts. With her talent and determination, there’s no limit to what she can do!

We cannot wait to see what role she takes on next. One Thing for sure; The stage belongs to Jo!

JOHN’S CLASSIC CAR DREAM DAY!

Start your engines because John just had the ultimate classic car experience and we are HERE for it!

With a deep passion for all things vintage on four wheels especially Fords John couldn’t pass up the chance to hop into a stunning classic Porsche 944! And with the sun shining and
the roof down, the scene was set for something truly unforgettable.

John invited his wonderful support worker, Donna, to share the ride and let’s just say, they looked like absolute legends cruising in style.

The duo was picked up and taken on a scenic drive around the local area, soaking in the sights and the sunshine. The highlight? John getting to sit behind the wheel and pose like the pro he is check out those pics!

From start to finish, it was the perfect day for a classic car enthusiast, packed with style, speed, and smiles. “It was absolutely fabulous!” – John (and we totally agree!)

Let’s give it up for John and his unforgettable Porsche moment!

ALL CHEERS, GRACE OUR ST JONZ SUPERSTAR

Let’s take a moment to celebrate someone utterly amazing…

Since joining us at St Jonz in June 2024, Grace has gone from strength to strength, and we couldn’t be prouder!

When Grace first arrived, she was a little shy and understandably nervous. But with time, care, and connection, something beautiful, happened Grace began to BLOOM.

She shared her interest in playing badminton, and amazing St Jonz’ team jumped into action to make it happen. That one moment sparked something incredible. Before we knew it, Grace was making waves:

• Trying new things
• Owning service game night
• Kicking it at football
• Enjoying fairs and burgers with her Support Team
• Laughing, connecting and truly coming into her own

And the best part? Grace is now heading out to bingo nights at her local pub, making friends, building confidence, and creating unforgettable memories.

Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and the entire St Jonz team is cheering her on every step of the way.

HOLIDAY FUN AT CHAPEL LODGE

The folks at Chapel Lodge have been living their best holiday lives and we are here for every joyful moment. These incredible holiday makers have been out and about, soaking up the adventure and relaxation with big smiles and even bigger memories.

From laughter-filled visits to the farm to blissful soaks in bubbling hot tubs, their days have been packed with excitement, joy, and plenty of feel-good moments. They had the absolute best time feeding and connecting with the animals, creating memories they’ll treasure forever.

One of the highlights was a fantastic trip to Green Acres Animal Park where they explored the wonders of the animal kingdom. They saw everything from colourful fish of the deep blue sea to the birds soaring high above us. The experience was nothing short of magical.

Every moment was embraced with enthusiasm and pure happiness and it’s clear the Chapel Lodge crew knows how to holiday in style. We are so proud of the joy, laughter, and memories they continue to create together.

Here’s to more amazing adventures ahead

SHOUTOUT TO VICKY, OUR NEW SAFETY CHAMPION AT ST JONZ

We’re thrilled to announce that Vicky has stepped up as the official Safety Officer at
the St Jonz service and she’s doing an amazing job!

With her sharp eyes and instinct for spotting danger, Vicky has been busy checking over
gates, communal stairs, bins, and any other areas where hazards might pop up. Nothing
gets past her!

Each week, Vicky brings her findings to safety meetings, making sure everyone is aware and working together to keep the space safe. She’s not just keeping herself safe, she’s keeping the entire St Jonz service SAFE. Her diligence and commitment to the wellbeing of others is something to be celebrated.

Let’s give a massive round of applause to Vicky – The Safety Hero of St Jonz!

ACTIVITY PLANNER EXTRAORDINAIRE PHOEBE

Let’s give a huge round of applause to Phoebe, who has completely turned things around and taken charge of her days like an absolute superstar. With the support of her amazing staff member Kylie, Phoebe faced the challenge head-on and produced a brilliant solution.

Together, they created colourful and personalised weekly charts to help Phoebe plan out her days and bring structure, excitement and achievement into her routine. And guess what She’s LOVING it!

Each morning, Phoebe checks her chart and sees what the day holds. From fun activities to important to-dos, she’s now smashing through her week with confidence and a big smile. This new way of planning not only helps her stay on track but also makes each day something to look forward to.

Phoebe your focus motivation and energy are an inspiration to everyone around you. You’ve truly become our Activity Planner Extraordinaire and we can’t wait to see what you schedule next.

Keep shining and keep planning Phoebe. You’re smashing it!

FANTASTIC FUNDRAISERS

The folks at St Jonz really pulled together and put on a cracking bake sale to raise funds for outdoor equipment that everyone can enjoy. Their commitment was fantastic. Grace, a tenant, designed both the leaflet and poster, then went around to local shops and pubs to put them up. She also gathered the produce for the sale.

The bake sale was held on Saturday 27th, and the public thoroughly enjoyed the delicious treats on offer. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, an impressive £337.70 was raised for new
equipment!

In a wonderful gesture of kindness, a builder who came to visit donated a table tennis set something the group had been hoping to buy with the new funds. With their first wish already
covered, we’re all excited to see what they’ll go for next!

MACMILLAN MEGA STAR

The Church Lane faithful came together on September 26th to host a heartfelt fundraiser in support of the incredible work done by Macmillan Cancer Support — a charity that provides vital care, practical help, and emotional support to people living with cancer and their families.

To mark the occasion, they organised a vibrant coffee morning that brought neighbours and friends together over cups of tea, warm conversations, and an irresistible spread of home-baked cakes. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, kindness, and a shared sense of
purpose.

The ladies of Church Lane truly outdid themselves, showcasing their baking skills with a stunning selection of cakes and sweet treats. From classic Victoria sponges to indulgent chocolate bakes, the table was a testament to their talent and generosity — as seen in the photos from the day.

Events like this are more than just fundraisers; they’re reminders of the strength and compassion found in our local communities. Every slice of cake and every cup of coffee served helped raise awareness and much-needed funds for those facing one of life’s toughest battles. A huge thank you to everyone who baked, donated and came along to support such a meaningful cause. Your efforts make a real difference.

STAFF VOICES

Health and Safety:

Please stay up to date with your E-learning. Completing your training ensures that both staff and residents are as prepared and protected as possible in any worst-case scenario. Your knowledge could make a vital difference.

Upcoming Training Courses:

At 1st Enable, we offer training opportunities that lead to valuable qualifications relevant to your role. Upcoming courses include First Aid, Epilepsy Awareness, and more. These are designed to build confidence and improve the care provided. Keep an eye out for sign-up details and dates.

Refer a Friend Scheme:

We’re always looking for great people to join the team! If you refer a friend to 1st Enable and they successfully pass all the required checks, you’ll receive a £350 bonus as a thank-you. It’s a wonderful way to bring trusted people into our supportive community.

Medi-cash Health Plan Overview:

Medi-cash offers a health cash plan that provides financial support for everyday healthcare expenses, including dental treatments, optical care, physiotherapy, and more. This plan can be particularly beneficial for staff under the 1st Enable program, helping with various health-related issues. Benefits may include coverage for dental check-ups, eye tests, prescribed spectacles, physiotherapy sessions, and mental health support services. Additionally, virtual GP consultations and access to wellness tools are often included.

We strongly encourage staff to explore this choice and seek help from peers or management if needed.

Keeping Hydrated:

Heads up to stay hydrated during this scorching hot weather, top up on the sun cream, and keep to the shady. Aftercare is also particularly important too; after-sun and aloe vera are great to soothe sunburn. Cold showers to lower your temperature and stave off the humidity.

Pests:

With the heat comes the pests and they thrive on open sources of food. Best to way to deal will be cleaning up any mess and binning all rubbish. Clean your bin and make sure it can be shut tightly. Cleaning your bin every couple of weeks to clean away any spills and leftover debris. If you can move outside bins as far from any windows or doors.

Fire Advice:

The heat though nice it can make more things flammable, due the dryness things that may not useably flammable can cause a fire in seconds. Dispose of all lit things correctly and securely.

Commissioner’s Corner

Updates from Local Authorities, NHS Partners & National Policy

Stronger Local Leadership Through Integrated Care

Local authority and NHS leaders are working more closely than ever to shape services around the needs of individuals and communities. As Owen Mapley (CEO, CIPFA) recently noted:
“We welcome the commitment to devolve a greater proportion of resources and responsibilities to the frontline.”

This reflects a wider push across the UK to empower local systems to lead improvements in care, from housing and health to learning disability support.

Funding News: What’s Changing in 2025/26

There are several updates to how funding and oversight works in the coming year.

• NHS services will receive a 4.4% budget uplift, with additional focus on efficiency and fair pay.
• Mental health and specialist services are now being commissioned by local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) giving communities more say in how services are designed and delivered
• A new Oversight Framework will improve transparency and accountability. Key performance data will be published quarterly, helping services respond faster when things aren’t working

What this means for you:
Families and professionals can expect better visibility into how services perform and more involvement in how they’re shaped.

Support at Home: Grants and Workforce Boosts

Positive news for people who want to stay independent in their own homes:

• In 2025, the government is providing £711 million in Disabled Facilities Grants, helping 8,000 households make safe home adaptations (e.g., ramps, wet rooms or stairlifts.)
• An additional £86 million is being invested in social care workforce development, including training and better use of care technology.

What this means for families:
Check with your local authority to see if you’re eligible for support – many families are unaware these grants exist.

Useful links & Resources

To learn more or explore the latest guidance, visit:

• 2025/26 NHS Planning Guidance & Budget Overview
• NHS Oversight Framework 2025/26
• Government Press Release on Social Care Reform

Monthly Spotlight: Progress in Care – CQC, Transforming Care & Funding Backed by evidence

CQC Trends – Steady Improvements in Care Quality

Recent CQC inspections show providers adopting person-centred care—with families more involved and staff better trained. In a drive to improve care, over 947 inspections were conducted last year, with enhanced regulatory measures ensuring providers follow the “Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture” approach.

Transforming Care – Community Living, Not Hospital Wards

Evidence shows significant movement from hospitals into communities:

• A West Yorkshire pilot programme under Transforming Care reduced acute admissions by offering early intervention and key support coordination
• Meanwhile, national data confirms that although impatient numbers fell by half since 2015, many remain distant from home – reinforcing the need for continued local development
• What it means for families: Strengthening local interviention teams and support hubs is small-scale proof that community support can replace long hospital stays

Funding Frameworks – Personalised Budgets Deliver Results

Multiple studies confirm that personal and health budgets improve quality of life and empower individuals:

• The NIHR evaluation of Personal Health Budget pilot (2010 – 11 ) involving 2,235 patients showed significant improvement in care-related quality of life, with budgets providing cost effective, valued at £1,520 – £2,690 per patient in quality terms
• Guardian reported survey of personal budget users in reinforce that those who felt fully involved in planning saw positive outcomes across fifteen life areas

Usage stats: Over 54,000 users had personal health budgets by May 2019, with estimated 17% NHS cost savings in continuing care.

Well-being and Inclusion

Get Your Mind Plan – Every Mind Matters – NHS

This website may be helpful in exploring ways to manage your challenges. By completing a short quiz, you’ll receive materials and resources reviewed by the NHS that may aid in addressing the issues you’re experiencing.

You’ll be asked five questions about your mental well-being over the past two weeks. Based on your responses, a plan will be provided. If you find the plan or advice helpful, you are encouraged to enter your email to receive further support or updates.

Every Mind Matters

This is a small part of the entire system run by the NHS and its peers to help support health change across the nation. It is called Better Health, and I quote.

“Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active, or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.”

Also, a lot of the content can be put on your phone via apps. That will keep you on track and lead to a healthier lifestyle. We love to celebrate your goals and achievements in our newsletter.

PBS and Seligman’s PERMA+ Model:

The Pbs give some insight into their work and showed me a model they used the “Seligman’s PERMA+” Model. Its outlines a method to help people improve their life with five teachings in the anagram Perma (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments). Each group gives advice on the topic to make progress in small steps leading to long terms goals increasingly achievable. You can try this model with your staff and layout your goals for the next three months.

Are You Keeping Safe?

Have you ever stopped to think that the things keeping us safe are properly checked and work.

A safety check list to do around your place:

• Batteries in the smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms and tested
• Have you checked your fire extinguisher, and it stops the right fire?
• Your first aid kit has been stocked up with the right stuff and that nothing has expired
• Have your gas and electric meters been serviced?
• Your wires are safe and no cuts in them
• Leaving your hobs/oven on can still be dangerous even when nothing is around
• Boiler checks
• Do you know your way out in a fire and where your assembly point is?
• Make sure that too many plugs arent in an extension cord
• Any flammable items are stored in a cold cupboard
• Any sharp items are put away in the sharp cupboard
• Any chemicals are stored away in the Coshhe Cupboard

Remeber it is a team effort to keep everyone safe

Your training and keeping up to date on safe practices will save lives and keep you and those in care safe.

There is basic information that you can learn to keep you and others safe.

• If you have vital medical information (such as allergies, conditions, or medications), wear a medical tag or bracelet. You can also save key health info on your mobile phone’s emergency info section, so medical professionals can access it quickly.
• Make sure you know exactly where your muster point is (the safe place to meet outside your service or home during an emergency). Practice going there so you remember it easily in a real emergency.
• 999 is for emergencies only (fire, police, ambulance) 111 is for non-emergency medical help or advice.
• Have a list of key people to contact in an emergency. Keep it somewhere easy to find on the fridge, near the door, or saved in your phone.
• Knowing what to do in the first few minutes of an emergency can save lives. Learn how to use a first aid kit and understand basic care like CPR, bandaging, and how to help someone having a seizure.
• In an emergency, take a deep breath, listen to staff or emergency services, and follow your service’s safety procedures.
• Keep a small bag with essentials: Important documents (copies of ID, medical info), Medication, Phone charger or power bank, Bottled water and snacks, Flashlight, and batteries.

Quiz Time: Famous Movie Quotes!

• “I’ll be back.”
• “Why so serious?”
• “Life is like a box of chocolates.”
• “To infinity… and beyond!”
• “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
• “I see dead people.”
• “You shall not pass!”
• “I’m the king of the world!”
• “May the Force be with you.”
• “Just keep swimming.”