October: St Vincent's and St George's Association

the care you need for the life you want

Locally based charity, St Vincent's and St George's Association,  has had a very busy year!

Originally two separate charities (hence the long name!)  both providing care for people with complex and diverse needs, StVs and StGs has grown considerably.

The following is extracted from the 2012/2013 annual review and impact report.

The main services provided are
 Domiciliary care in your own home
 Activities and therapy centre
 Community based housing
 Residential care
 Supported living
 Guidance and support

Achievements

Over the last 12 months 69,321 hours of direct care and support has been provided. Over 55,874 miles have been travelled to provide support and services to people.

Work experience for 33 local students has been provided.

Making a difference.

Well Close House (Regency Care Home in Lansdown) reconfiguration was finished.  Residents stayed living in the home while work continued to alter the interior into self-contained units, which was a huge achievement, mainly due to careful planning by, and dedication of the staff.   The work involved creating three new communal lounge/dining areas suitable for food preparation and cooking, each with a comfortable seating area.  An additional separate area for the staff team was created on the ground floor, and other communal areas enhanced.  For the next year (2013/2014) attention now turns to the exterior of the property and the beautiful grounds.  Subject to securing sufficient funds the hope is to complete the majority of the plan to revitalise the large mature garden and create an accessible garden.  This will be used, not only by the residents and tenants at Well Close House, but also by other local disabled and voluntary groups including primary school children who may have limited opportunities to explore this kind of environment.

The designs for the outside work are ready and the hope is that in the coming year these will become a reality and help attract new visitors.

What the residents said – ‘I like our kitchen because it’s all different colours’  ‘I can now clean the kitchen myself’

Phoenix – 
situated on Winchcombe Street
The other BIG project planned for 2012/2013 was to identify and secure larger centrally based premises for the relocation of day care services.

Having found a suitable building the timescale was remarkable.
 April 2012 –
fundraising drive commenced
 30th July 2012 –
lease agreement signed
 6th August 2012 –
renovation work begins
 8th November 2012 –
main building work completed
 12th November 2012 –
open for business

This was achieved by help from a whole host of people, in particular the Gloucestershire County Council learning disabilities commissioning team, the Gloucestershire County Council education department and Betteridge School.  

Peter Holmes, of the County Council, says “I last came here when it was an empty building.  What a difference a year makes!  The building has been transformed, but it isn’t just about the building.  It’s alive with a real buzz as people come, learn new things and enjoy themselves.  What a great place!”

The charity is grateful for the wide range of funds received without which not as much could be achieved.  I feel it a great privilege to be involved with this charity – I have been a trustee for 5 years. So if you would like more information, and want to see the pictures that go with these words (!) please see me.
Meanwhile StVs and StGs is very grateful for the support of the church.