A Date with George Clooney

What price do you put on happiness?  If you had asked me this question last week, I wouldn’t have a clue.  This week, I can tell you down to the penny.

All around me women are smiling, talking about shoes, hair, makeup and new dresses.  Being honest I can’t take all the credit, this goes to the one and only Mr George Clooney.  Little did he realise that when he accepted an invitation to come to Edinburgh, that it would turn my life and that of many others upside down.

My story starts just 7 days ago with an innocent comment “I see George Clooney is visiting a sandwich shop in Edinburgh”.  My wife leapt from her chair with the grace of a gazelle and subjected me questions which the Spanish inquisition would be proud of.  Within minutes, she had found out everything about the coming visit, barring George’s planned toilet breaks. 

It turns out George is not only an Oscar-winning actor, director and Hollywood living legend, but also a committed humanitarian.  His visit to Edinburgh coincides with raising awareness for his charity “Not on Our Watch” which he co-founded with Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon. As if I didn't have enough to live up to.

Skip forward a bit and I find myself on the phone, bank card in hand being reassured by the nice man that the content of my bank account is going to a good cause.  My brain awakens from the fog to screams of joy from my wife.  I had agreed to buy:

• 1 Table for 10 people at the Scottish Business Awards (Read dinner with George)
• 3 Course meal for 10 people (Who are already swapping diet tips for the big night)
• VIP photo-line with George and other celebrities (Read snogging)
• Champagne reception for all (They really won’t need it)

Of course if you ask Nataly, she will tell you all about her dinner date with George.  I have suddenly become very popular at home and with the rest of the women at work.  Whether it lasts until George visits in November we will see.  So what price do I put on happiness.  Well I could tell you, but looking at my wife’s smile, it’s priceless.

Stephen

P.S. Watch this space for more updates on "Dinner with George"

Local Hero Awards

Social Care Alba is delighted to sponsor this years Local Hero, Carer of the Year Award. NOMINATE NOW

As Scotland’s foremost Care at Home provider – independently awarded top marks in all categories by the Care Inspectorate – we’re aware of how having the right support can transform peoples’ lives.

Our own energetic and passionate team includes personal assistants, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and occupational therapists. Through recommendations, our list of clients is growing and we are looking for caring and reliable individuals to join our team.

Our Gold Investors in People award shows the commitment we have to improving the working lives of our staff and well as those we support.  At the same time we are also keen to help those who are ambitious and seeking promotion. APPLY NOW

Being able to make a positive difference to someone’s life is rewarding. Having the confidence to do
so because you know you have a great support team behind you is essential. At Social Care Alba you’ll experience both.

For more information visit  www.Social-Care.org or phone 0845 0945 279.

A Great Opportunity

You cant turn on the TV or search the internet recently without being aware of how much coverage is being given to Health and Social Care. 

The Scottish Government recently announced a further £100 Million over three years is to be invested in the NHS to help reduce the numbers of people waiting to be discharged from hospital.

This funding will be used to support health boards and local authorities deliver good quality care and support for people at home or in a homely setting.

This is aimed at preventing delays in discharge and preventing admissions to hospital and attendances at A&E. Combined these actions will reduce pressure across the system.

I am delighted that Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has agreed to meet with me to discuss "The Future of Care Services in Scotland"  

Ahead of my meeting I would like you give you the opportunity to pose a question to Shona.  Whether you work with us are receive support from us, now is the chance to have your voice heard.

I won't have time to ask everything, but will try and reflect the most popular questions that you send me.

To get involved please email the office with your question.  If you work with us please ask the people you support whether they would like to get involved.

Stephen

Stephen Wilson, Director

NEW COMMUNICATION TOOL

In 2012 we were proud to be the first to design, develop and release an app specifically to help overcome communication difficulties.  

Since then our Communication Tool has been a huge success and is used in more than 27 countries worldwide by families, health care professionals and hospitals.

Now updated for 2015 it remains FREE to use with unlimited ability to upload your own images.

COMMUNICATION TOOL

For many people the ability to communicate with those around them is hampered by conditions such as Dementia, Stroke, Brain Damage or General Ill Health. The communication tool is designed to bridge that gap. Whether you are a care giver, professional, family member or have yourself a difficulty communicating, this tool helps overcome some of this barrier.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and this app does just that. With over 500 possible images from which to select, communicating your needs, choices or feelings is easy. With just 3 simple taps on the screen you can choose from any of the pictures you desire. You don't have to worry about being limited to the stock images, because you can swap any image for one of your own in seconds. By creating a library of images personal to you, the app allows meaningful communication, reminiscence, memory prompts, memory exercise and more.

The uses for the app are only limited by your imagination. We hope that the frustration and isolation experienced by people with communication difficulties are replaced by experiences of inclusion, dignity and choice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR FREE HERE

Nataly Wilson, Director, Social Care Alba

www.social-care.org

Opening Times

Our office will be closed from Wednesday 24th of December until Monday 5th of January.

Only emergency calls will be answered by during this period by our on call manager by telephoning 0845 0945 279.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

 

GOLD AWARD

SOCIAL CARE ALBA ACHIEVES INVESTORS IN PEOPLE GOLD ACCREDITATION

Social Care Alba, is a registered Care at Home provider who has achieved the prestigious Investors in People Gold Accreditation, the most successful framework for business improvement through people in the UK. This represents a true commitment to employees and demonstrates a solid foundation of good practice which remains challenging and aspirational for many organisations.

Achieving the Gold level of Accreditation puts Social Care Alba in the top 7% of all IIP Accredited clients.  Social Care Alba joins an exclusive group of UK employers eligible to use and display the sought after Investors in People logo and plaque, and enjoy its benefits.

Commenting on the award, Stephen Wilson, Director said, “Everyone at Social Care Alba works tirelessly to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.  In return we believe in supporting our staff to achieve their full potential, whether that be through investment in research & development or education.”

Peter Russian, Chief Executive of Investors in People Scotland, said “This is a fantastic achievement for Social Care Alba.  I would like to congratulate the organisation and its people on their commitment to continuous improvement. Investors in People offers a flexible, practical and easy to use business improvement tool designed to help organisations and their people achieve their objectives. I hope that more organisations in the area will be encouraged to sharpen their competitive edge by choosing to work with us.”

Social Care Alba was established in 2011, and has since achieved a number of awards for quality and innovation.  It is recognised as a leader in the provision of support to people living in their own homes.  It currently holds the highest grades awarded by the Care Inspectorate, its industry regulator.  It has strong links with Edinburgh Napier University, and invests heavily in research aimed at improving the quality of care delivered to people across the world.

Design and Dementia

Age-related changes and impairments can make it more difficult to understand and navigate the built environment. These can be sensory, mobility or cognitive impairments, and sometimes a combination, which can affect functioning, behaviour, independence, and ultimately, quality of life.

VIDEO

BPA Architect - Liz Fuggle, on Hospital Design

The importance of design

Understanding such impairments is the first step towards creating living environments which support the needs of older people and those with dementia, keeping them safe from dangers such as falls, which can have a devastating effect on an older person; allowing the freedom and confidence to use their abilities to the fullest extent, in all things from the mundane to the creative; aiding memory in day-to-day living; and reinforcing personal identity.

The challenge is to design enabling buildings thoughtfully, with concern for the people who will live there.

Click the links below to find out about the importance of individual aspects of design.

• Lighting
• Colour and contrast
• Orientation and signage
• Getting outside
• Communal areas

Reproduced with the thanks to Stirling Dementia Centre