Meadowside continues to move forward and since the last update a great deal has happened. We have a full complement of 11 residents and for the first time for such a long time are fully staffed with staff/carers.
RESIDENTS Post pandemic, some residents have been able to go out on trips, and some activities have recommenced in the home. Sadly, two residents have passed away since our last report, their places were filled, albeit with some delay due to the constraints of Covid.
We held the AGM in August and residents enjoyed refreshments in the sensory garden. The trustees and care team put on a BBQ in late April and some of the resident family members visited as well.
We are asked regularly about our residents and what care is needed, there are a range of both physical and learning disabilities including: Epilepsy, Downes Syndrome, Seizures, Blindness, Dementia, and other complex conditions. Two residents have been at the home for over 40 years a few still have family members with varying contact, but most have none
Meadowside is their family.
A couple of our newest residents arrived literally with what they stood up in – The home, staff and Rotary provided for their basic needs.
Our most recent resident, a 36-year-old gentleman requies an enormous amount of care, needing 24-hour assistance for personal care and eating, his communication is also very limited.
TEAM UPDATE
Our trustees have appointed two deputy managers Caroline and Russell to support Registered Manager Michelle Hall. Michelle has guided the home through the pandemic until last March when we had to have a short lockdown other than that the home had avoided Covid cases, a real achievement.
Caroline is vastly experienced having been in the care industry for many years, Russell in a new role for him has proved very thorough in updating compliance and legislative requirements.
The management team are passionate about raising the already high standards in the home and developing skills and career goals.
We recently purchased Polo shirts for all the team, keeping it low key and informal.
We also welcomed new members to the team, Charlotte, Oliver, and Sophia.
TRUSTEES
IN THE BACKGROUND, THE TRUSTEES HAVE BEEN DOING LOTS OF WORK, COMPLETING PAPERWORK, RAISING MONEY, AND GETTING ESSENTIAL WORKS DONE IN AND AROUND THE HOME.
Our trustees are Lynn McElheron (Chair), Richard Paddon (Vice Chair), Richard Holland, Martin Smith (fundraising), Kevin Sherwood (works & HR), Rosie O’Neill (website/social media & HR).
Like many charities we are always looking to increase our board of trustees just a couple more would be a great help – If you would be interested contact us.
COMPLETED WORKS Since our last update, a lot of projects have been started or completed, many were held back due to Covid or lack of funds.
- HEATING, HOT WATER BOILERS & NEW GAS MAIN – Total project value was circa £13,000 including 160 hours donated by Sherwoods and their team members. Big thanks to Chris Robinson at Vaillant for the design and support.
- CARPET & FLOORING – Big thanks to James Steven of Sherwoods donating several days of his personal time to the project much needed carpeting was fitted by James from Sherwoods assisted by Richard Paddon and Kevin Sherwood, Nigel Jones of System6 Kitchens supplied a large quantity of boarding.
- DECORATION – George Holman of O’Neill & Holman kindly donated a decorator for a week – who managed to paint the kitchen area and ceilings in the home with paint supplied by Brewers in Brunel Road.
We are hoping to have a painting blitz later in the year, a few companies have offered to supply the labour including Repair Wizard and System6 Kitchens.
PLANTERS – In the sensory garden there were a couple of much-loved planters which the residents liked to plant flowers etc. However, they were falling apart – The team from Community Payback (Probation Services) built two new ones. The wood was supplied by Brunel Supplies in Brunel Road.
Paul our cleaner has planted them out and takes care of them with some of the more able residents.
Community Payback have also helped by repairing and re-staining the sensory garden furniture.
- NEW FENCE
Rotary Newton Abbot sourced and erected a new fence at the end of the garden to replace the one that was destroyed in the sto
rms of 2021.
The relationship with Rotary Newton Abbot goes back many years and Meadowside values their time, talents, and fundraising events.
WORKS OUTSTANDING Numerous tasks are still to be carried out when funds are available, the money we receive from the authorities are only a contribution to the resident’s care which is always our priority.
Repairs to the house are required, it is over 8 years since the outside was decorated, the temporary waiting room, erected when the pandemic hit us needs to be completed.
The side door to the house which opens on to the narrow lane must be repaired or blocked off. The front door entrance porch has a leaking roof, just some of the tasks on the list.
Our Wi-Fi struggles with the thick Victorian walls, given we will have to upgrade to digital record keeping next year it is moving up the priority list!
Top of the list is a new commercial dishwasher; we have a domestic one kindly donated Nigel Jones of System6 Kitchens, but it struggles to keep up with the heavy workload and results in staff washing dishes when they could be giving more time with the residents. We have been quoted £2,500, so it will have to wait.
AMAZON SMILE
 There has been modest success with the Amazon Smile scheme, where certain purchases receive a donation –we received £45.09 over the last 3 months.No cost to you – sign into Amazon Smile selects The Meadowside Charity and we receive a donation for certain purchases.https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ |
HOT NEWS Those who have visited Meadowside, know of the access and parking difficulties, particularly for visiting medical staff and deliveries. Over 5 years in partnership with Rotary Newton Abbot and other organisations, enough money was raised to create an entrance and car park – a contractor was appointed in 2021 but experienced difficulties in carrying it out and pulled out in February 2022.
As often happens things happen for a reason, through business contacts trustee Martin Smith got in touch with Julian Perryman of J T Perryman & Co – who lives locally. Known as Jule’s, he is a stalwart of the BBC DIYSOS program, with his knowledge of groundworks he quickly came up with solutions and a preferential price for the charity.
It is hoped all the groundworks will be completed by the middle of June and a local Stonemason is going to start rebuilding the wall at the entrance. Rotarians have been advising all along particularly Jeremy Newcombe and Philip Bearne both extremely experienced in such works.
| Local Businesses Help outE & JW Glendinnings have already been generous by donating hardcore for the driveway, building blocks and concrete for the footings.Dainton Park GC & Gilpins have also been supportive. |
We will be looking for help to finish the drive with a *top surface, *retaining block work and *new gate and *railings across the front of the house.
HOTTER NEWS! With the access secured a long-term project is now possible – there is a hall in the grounds which several years ago was a meeting centre (known as the Home & Away Club) for non-resident members of the charity but fell into disrepair and closed. Major renovation is needed, a budget to carry out such works is set at £53,000 this will create a Care & Respite Centre – The working title is THE MEADOWSIDE HALL PROJECT.
We have already received two grants which will enable us to start work , the first was a £1,000 grant from the One Stop Shop Group.
This was closely followed by news that we are to receive a large grant from the Clare Milne Trust towards the project, which is a terrific boost.What was a fanciful dream of the Trustees becomes a reality , when complete it will generate income for the charity as well as provide a valuable facility for isolated individuals to meet also giving local carers an opportunity for a few hours respite and to have some important personal time.
FUNDRAISING Several fundraising initiatives are now active a ‘Friends’ & ‘Sponsors’ of Meadowside. Has had some limited success.
Details of both schemes can be found on the website
or contact Martin – friends@meadowsidecharity.co.uk
| Martin is researching the history of Meadowside if you have information – pictures or recollections email him at friends@meadowsidecharity.co.uk |
OTHER FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
The Meadowside staff led by Deputy Manager Russell is entering a team in the Rotary Wheelbarrow Race on Saturday 9th July at Courtney Park Newton Abbot.
Come and cheer them on, or if you would like to sponsor them click the link:
https://app.investmycommunity.com/campaign-page/the-great-rotary-wheelbarrow-race
A good friend of trustee Martin Smith – Richard Webb is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Meadowside is a beneficiary of any sponsorship.
https://app.investmycommunity.com/campaign-page/climbing-kilimanjaro
Lastly Meadowside is the main beneficiary of Charlies Trophy a charity golf day to be held at Dainton Park GC on Friday 22nd July.
With 152 golfers signed up it is hoped several thousands of pounds will be raised.
www.charliestrophy.co.uk hole sponsorship and auction prizes wanted.
Contact Martin Smith – charliestrophy20@gmail.com
| To finish on behalf of my fellow Trustees can I thank all the FRIENDS – SPONSORS – SUPPORTERS for your generosity in time, products, and money. With your continued support we can offer our 11 residents a safe and secure home and enriched lives. Martin Smith |
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