A local craft group were the first to try our Christmas dinner offering from Cafe @ Burn this week. The private lunch was served in the resource room, next to the cafe, which was decorated with fresh holly and ivy. The group enjoyed roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by a dessert of Christmas pudding or cheesecake and coffee. The group thanked the chef for a fantastic meal and said they hoped to be back next year.
At our AGM last month, the minutes of the AGM 2017 were agreed by those present. The minutes can be downloaded below.
Thanks go to everyone who came along to out AGM this year, to hear from Chair, Pat Maginn and Director, Liz Prudhoe about the work undertaken over the year 2017/18. This informal event was a chance for members and partner organisations to get together and look back at what has been achieved and what is planned for the coming year. The new Personal Assistant Register was launched at the meeting – this is a register held by Adapt (NE), of people looking to work as a personal assistant or carer, so that those looking for help can find someone suitable in their local area. For more information please give us a call.
The AGM coincided with our first Community Information Morning, held in the resource centre, next to Cafe @ Burn Lane. Local organisations including Alzheimers Society, West Northumberland Food Bank and Carers Northumberland were on hand with advice and information for the general public and our AGM guests. We plan to hold these Information Mornings quarterly so look out for details of the next one in the new year.
If you would like a copy of our latest Annual Report please call to request a hard copy, or you can download an online version below.
Our first Community Information Morning will be held on 14 November, to coincide with our AGM. Taking place from 10.30am – 12.30pm, this event will be in the Resource Centre, next to Cafe @ Burn Lane and will be a chance to talk to local organisations about what they have to offer. As well as advice and information from Adapt about the services we provide, there will be stalls from Healthwatch Northumberland, WECAN, West Northumberland Food Bank, Carers Northumberland and Alzheimers Society. Cafe @ Burn Lane will be open throughout serving freshly made meals and snacks.
Come along for a chat, and please let friends and neighbours know about this event.
This event has now passed.
Director of Adapt (NE), Liz Prudhoe, was invited to speak at Downing Street last month at a special roundtable for heads of social enterprises. The event, organised by Lord Bird, founder of The Big Issue, was a chance for leading individuals from social enterprises across a range of sectors to discuss how the government can protect and expand the role social enterprises can and should play in the public service economy.
Liz (pictured back, centre) was asked to speak about the difference Adapt (NE) is making in improving the quality of life for those with a disability, and those with mobility restrictions due to living in remote locations and limited access to public transport.
She says, “It was a privilege to be asked to attend this event focusing on social enterprises. As a small but growing organisation, the roundtable was an opportunity to demonstrate the significant role Adapt (NE) plays in the local community and economy. We were able to showcase the broad portfolio of services we offer, from transport to advocacy, and from equipment loan to the new community café at our Burn Lane site”.
Members of Tynedale Stroke Club enjoyed a short break in Blackpool last week, thanks in part to funding from the Co-op local community fund.
Cash generated when customers swipe their membership cards in stores and from the 5p carrier bag levy is distributed to nominated local charities every six months.
The funding paid for the transport to and from Blackpool, provided by Adapt (NE) and Jewitts coaches for the 24-strong group. The funds also covered the cost of hiring a carer to join them on the trip, meaning that some of the passenger’s partners could also take a break.
The group stayed at the New Mayfair Hotel in Blackpool, part of the CQC registered ‘Safehands’ holiday company which caters for people with a variety of disabilities, with hoists and other specialist equipment provided in the rooms.
As well as being entertained by displays from Blackpool National Armed Forces Day which included the Irish Guards Choir and an air show, some of the group visited the Tower Ballroom and had a dance to the famous Wurlitzer organ.
Organiser Eileen Vale of Tynedale Stroke Club says, “We all had a fantastic weekend with brilliant weather. The hotel provided a great service and nightly entertainment and our drivers were so friendly and accommodating; we couldn’t have asked for more and will definitely be going again!”
Great Northumberland is 56 days of family-friendly arts, culture and heritage events across the county. In a year that sees the Great Exhibition of the North put the spotlight on the north, Great Northumberland is about celebrating the best that Northumberland has to offer.
The summer begins on Saturday 7 July with a spectacular opening ceremony in Hexham. This will be a fantastic opener for a summer-long programme of events, with a vibrant programme of music, street theatre and a spectacular showcase event produced and created by outdoor arts afficionados, ‘Walk the Plank’.
Adapt (NE) is pleased to be a part of the event. As well as transporting performers around the town, we will be providing the free park and ride shuttle bus service from the mart up to the town.
For more information on the launch event at the county-wide programme of events please visit: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk.
A major local employer, Essity Prudhoe Mill, is supporting the new Changing Places facility within Cafe @ Burn Lane with donations of toilet tissue and Tork paper hand towels. Essity’s Cath Frost came along to one of the preview days in April to deliver the donated goods. Cath is pictured here with Liz Prudhoe at the facility.
Mill and site manager George Placogiannakis said: “Health and hygiene are essential human needs, and we are delighted to support this important new disabled facility as part of our global Essentials Initiative. The link between hygiene, health and well-being is well-documented, but fighting cultural stereotypes and resource inequalities as well as improving access for all sections of our community remains something we all need to get behind.”
