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Outdoor Adventures 

One standout adventure this summer was a fishing trip to the Angel of the North fishing lake where support workers Paul and Hakeem took Andrew along for the day. Paul said: 

“Andrew was over the moon! I gifted him a fishing hat to make the day extra special. Watching him reel in the fish was just the best – he had the biggest smile on his face!”

It was heartwarming to see Andrew so engaged and having a blast, reminding us all how joyful a day out in nature can be.

Lee had a fantastic weekend at Seafield Caravan Park in Seahouses and it was exactly the break he needed. He made the most of it with shopping trips, leisurely strolls along the seaside and fun evenings spent at the local pub and amusement arcades. There’s nothing like the sounds of laughter and joy that come from a weekend full of activities!

Gary Smith also enjoyed a lovely five-day holiday at Haggerston Castle with support worker Paul. They explored the beautiful grounds and spent plenty of time in the arcades, where Gary had fun trying out different games. It was a fantastic opportunity for him to relax and enjoy some well-deserved down time. 

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Everyday Homecare Happiness

Everyday Homecare Happiness 

Our day-to-day homecare activities continue to bring so much joy and warmth to everyone here at Nupath Homecare.

Mary enjoyed a lovely baking morning with her support worker. Together, they whipped up some delicious cheese scones. Mary loves being creative in the kitchen and you could see the delight on her face as she shared the finished result. We are super proud of her!

Meanwhile, Andrea had a fantastic experience at the local pool, enjoying some quality time swimming. She loves being in the water, and it’s great to see her getting that all-important exercise while having fun. After a good workout, she took some well-deserved time to relax in the sauna and jacuzzi and then treated herself to a delicious brunch at McDonald’s with Nupath Team Manager Linda. 

These everyday moments might seem small but they truly light up our days and remind us of the simple joys in life. We’re grateful for the laughter, friendships and good times that fill our homecare community.

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Salini

Celebrating Our Team 

We have some exciting news about our team!

Salini Satheesan, who has been a part of our Nupath family for a couple of years now, is on cloud nine with a double celebration this year. She recently welcomed her adorable son, Taani, into the world and graduated with her master’s degree in international management. Huge congratulations, Salini! We can’t wait to have her back with us full-time.

We’re also thrilled to announce that two of our support workers have been promoted to Team Manager roles. Cheryl Cairns, who joined us last year at our Nupath Gateshead branch, has been thriving in her role since June. Rebecca Wallis, who has dedicated over two years to the Nupath Northumberland branch as a support worker, stepped up as Team Manager in August. Congratulations to both Cheryl and Rebecca!

As Rachel McFlurry, our wonderful Team Manager, enjoys maternity leave following the birth of her son Thomas William, we wish her all the best during this special time. Plus, 11 Nupath employees including office staff and support workers have achieved their QCF Diploma Level 3 in Adult Health and Social Care which is fantastic news!

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£10.00 – £10.50 an hour | Part time / full time hours available

Helping Hands Community Care is recruiting for Home Care Support Workers in Gateshead and surrounding areas.

We provide the care and support our service users need to achieve a fulfilling life, to enable them to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes.

Typical responsibilities of our Home Care Support Workers include assisting our service users with personal care such as bathing and toileting; changing their clothes; medication administration and some domestic chores around our service user’s home, such as meal preparation and shopping whilst importantly giving them companionship.

Employee Benefits:

  • Rates of pay £10.00 – £10.50 per hour
  • £250 bonus paid on successfully passing probation
  • Bank holiday premiums
  • Funded study for a qualification in Health and Social care is available subject to a qualifying criteria with a bonus paid after successful completion
  • Mileage payments
  • Flexible and guaranteed hours
  • Pension scheme
  • Retail and leisure discounts
  • Staff wellbeing scheme
  • Company mobile phone
  • Uniform

COVID-19 vaccine available for key workers and weekly testing in line with Government guidance.

Previous experience of caring for vulnerable people is an advantage, but we do provide a full induction training course for all new staff.

We are looking for people who are caring and sensitive with a desire to help others; passionate about providing quality of care and support to our service users, strong organisation and communication skills who are reliable and trustworthy. A Full Driving Licence and a car are essential.

If you would like to be part of an experienced team, helping us to support those who need help most, we would love to hear from you.

Apply for this position by sending an up-to-date CV (including your email address and telephone number) to our recruitment team.

£10.00 – £10.50 an hour | Part time / full time hours available

Helping Hands Community Care is recruiting for Home Care Support Workers in Gateshead and surrounding areas.

We provide the care and support our service users need to achieve a fulfilling life, to enable them to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes.

Typical responsibilities of our Home Care Support Workers include assisting our service users with personal care such as bathing and toileting; changing their clothes; medication administration and some domestic chores around our service user’s home, such as meal preparation and shopping whilst importantly giving them companionship.

Employee Benefits:

  • Rates of pay £10.00 – £10.50 per hour
  • £250 bonus paid on successfully passing probation
  • Bank holiday premiums
  • Funded study for a qualification in Health and Social care is available subject to a qualifying criteria with a bonus paid after successful completion
  • Mileage payments
  • Flexible and guaranteed hours
  • Pension scheme
  • Retail and leisure discounts
  • Staff wellbeing scheme
  • Company mobile phone
  • Uniform

COVID-19 vaccine available for key workers and weekly testing in line with Government guidance.

Previous experience of caring for vulnerable people is an advantage, but we do provide a full induction training course for all new staff.

We are looking for people who are caring and sensitive with a desire to help others; passionate about providing quality of care and support to our service users, strong organisation and communication skills who are reliable and trustworthy. A Full Driving Licence and a car are essential.

If you would like to be part of an experienced team, helping us to support those who need help most, we would love to hear from you.

Apply for this position by sending an up-to-date CV (including your email address and telephone number) to our recruitment team.

Pirya’s improved quality of life

Building trust is crucial to establishing a long-term relationship with service users who are struggling to cope with the world around them.

When Nupath Care was invited to offer care to Priya, she was in a confused, angry place where she didn’t trust anybody. She had been damaged by an arranged, abusive mar- riage. She had given birth to children who were taken away from her to be cared for by others.

The Muslim community into which she had been born was no longer the supportive environment she had once known.

For many years Priya was in and out of psychiatric wards and suffered several failed placements. She was living with a mild learning disability but was also suffering from schi- zoaffective disorder symptoms, which included mood and behavioural problems.

When Nupath Care began to work with Priya she had just been transferred from a hospital setting to a supported living unit. This was her first taste of semi -independent living for several years and she found it very daunting.

In those early months she would often lash out verbally and physically when she was finding it difficult to cope with an everyday situation.

Trained staff at Nupath Care understood her condition and anxieties and worked closely and patiently to build a strong relationship with Priya. Over time she managed to cope better, learning new and old skills.

Carers supported her to become confident and capable in money management, washing, cooking, cleaning and shopping. Priya once again re-engaged with the Muslim community going to supermarkets and halal butchers that were important to her.

Her mother died during this time and initially her primary carer was the only person she allowed to accompany her to the cemetery to visit the grave.

Overtime, Priya developed greater confidence and social skills, becoming better able to manage her behavioural problems. Today, she takes great pride in looking after her flat, meeting some friends and socialising.

She now enjoys a much-improved quality of life.

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Simon fulfilling a dream

Simon was a young man struggling with mental health issues along with a mild learn- ing disability. He was overweight, loud and spoke with a slight stammer – all of which were factors to him being targeted and bullied.

He came from a troubled family – where his mother also suffered with mental health issues and his father was abusive.

The death of his parents led to Simon going into residential care where his physical needs were met but his emotional needs were not. He was still being bullied and victimised.

His natural response was to become aggressive, non-compliant and difficult to manage.

Everyone realised he needed his own home and a safer environment where he could feel valued, settled and be able to follow his two favourite pass-times, Manchester United and snooker.

Finally, an opportunity arose for Simon to be housed in a supported living environment for people with learning disabilities. This is when Nupath Care became involved.

Once Simon moved into this safter environment, something more like a proper home, with the support of trained staff, providing consistency and continuity of care, he was able to move forward with his life, gaining skills and confidence.

Staff supporting him with all aspects of daily living enabled him to do his own shopping, plan and cook his own meals, maintain his home and access the community to engage with activities and his interests.

This was never straightforward or an easy task. Simon still suffered from mood swings due to his bi-polar disorder, low motivation and often his lack of skills in trying to be independent.

However, patience, consistency and training enabled the Nupath Care team to work positively with Simon, reassuring and praising him for completing tasks. His confidence and news skills continued to build. His behavioural problems became less frequent.

Holidays with friends and staff were no longer an aspiration and became a reality.

And a real milestone was reached when Simon went to Sheffield to watch snooker at the Crucible.

He continues to develop and achieve his goals.

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Sandra loving her new home

Our staff have played an active and important role in the life of Sandra – ensuring she enjoys as fulfilling and independent a life as possible.

We have been supporting her since 2003 when she was still living with her mother and father in Northumberland.

Sandra suffers from Smith-Magenis Syndrome, a disorder that has many conditions in-

cluding mental disability, language and behavioural problems, and in the case of Sandra increasing mobility issues.

The Nupath Care team recognised her capabilities and have successfully worked with Sandra to boost her independence, engage with others, and take part in the community.

Staff worked with Sandra and her parents to develop a person-centred plan that would both support and challenge her, pushing the boundaries to develop and maintain her skills and confidence.

For many years she attended a day centre in Alnwick three days a week, also taking part in arts and crafts activities at another local community centre.

In addition, Sandra enjoyed working at a charity shop in Alnwick where she got on well with the manager who later left to join Nupath Care, becoming part of the specialist team working with her.

Our staff have liaised closely with the family to arrange days-out and weekends away to create activities and memorable trips for Sandra while also providing respite care for her family.

Trips away became increasingly difficult for Sandra and after consultation with her family the decision was taken to provide 24-hour supported living.

At the outset of the pandemic, Sandra’s mobility deteriorated but with the support of the local authority, care organisations and the specialist team at Nupath Care a bungalow became available for her. This was welcome news for Sandra, her live-in carers and her mother who only lived streets away.

Our fabulous care team helped organised the move and now Sandra is living comfortably in a home that she is always proud to show visitors.

She is a very proud homeowner.

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Praise for our Support

Praise for our wellbeing support

We particularly appreciate this comment and endorsement from Mandy Goodwin – mother of Katie, a 24-year-old who lives in her own flat in Morpeth thanks to the daily support of the specialist team at Helping Hands. 

We provide help with daily living skills and support Katie’s mental health and general wellbeing. Her main carer is Vicky Edmundson, who has worked with Helping Hands for around nine years. 

Mandy said of the support her daughter receives: “I’m just writing to let you know that Vicky came to my house today for care with Katie. Katie has been working on a journal to help her mental health and negative thoughts. I was working in the background and just left them to it but felt I should write as I caught a few things, and just wanted to say that I thought Vicky was just fabulous with Katie. 

“She gave her so many ways to think and look at life? Honestly, her input was so valuable and impressive to listen to it prompted me to tell you. She was wonderful with Katie and just goes to show what a brilliant job you all do. 

“It’s not always about personal care, cleaning, shopping etc. Sometimes a cuppa and a listening ear is the most important thing a person can do. You’ve provided a wonderful team for Katie, so thank you so much.” 

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Taking the pain out of moving

Taking the pain out of moving

Nevertheless Sandra Robison, who suffers from Smith-Magenis Syndrome, didn’t let that prevent her from moving to better accommodation a few streets away from her home in Ashington.

Due to a decline in Sandra’s mobility, she was delighted to finally get the news that a bungalow was available for her. This was also welcome news to her mother Sheila.

Sandra’s dedicated care team supported Sandra to pack her home into boxes and took small items in their vehicles with Sandra to her new home. They also took Sandra on regular trips to the local tip to get rid of unwanted items. 

Tracey Summers, specialist care and support officer, arranged the move and the transportation of larger items through a local removal company. She explained: “Due to the fantastic communication and team work between me, the care team and Sandra’s mother all of this was achieved in a two-week period. The care team were praised and thanked by Sandra’ mother for the support that was given to Sandra.”

Our fabulous care team also received warm thanks from Sandra’s care manager, Ann Adiguzel.

Members of the care team went with Sandra and her mother on several shopping trips to buy new items for the home. Sandra has a five-strong core care team – Wendy Patterson, Karen Hudspith, Sandra Timney, Stephanie Smith, and Amanda Wilson.

Tracey said: “Sandra is now settled in her new bungalow which has all her new furniture and carpets in place; it’s lovely, homely and safer for Sandra. Sheila is over the moon her daughter has settled in her new home. Sandra is very proud of her new home and loves to show people around it when they visit.”

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