Most importantly, as we race into 2018, my belated best wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year to you all.

I don’t know about you, but I no longer make any New Year’s Resolutions! I’ve decided that if I don’t make any, then come February I won’t feel guilty about breaking them!

This edition of Read All About It is a chance to reminisce about all the excitement that took place in Read House over the Christmas period, as well as a few new items to kick off the New Year.

I’ll soon be starting work on the next edition of your Newspaper; if you have any items you’d like to be included then please let me know.

Tina xOur Christmas Party

Read all about it!The Read House Newspaper No. 37 – Jan 2018

On Sunday 26th November our ever-popular Christmas Party saw the Day Centre packed with Residents, their families and friends who enjoyed a full afternoon of music and entertainment, put on for them by the staff. All joined in with carols and other festive songs, led by the Residents’ choir.

Everyone enjoyed a drink or two, and a fabulous spread had been prepared by Rob and his team.

Taking place right at the end of November, this is the annual event which really kick-starts our many festive days in the run-up to Christmas itself, and it was lovely to have so many kind comments from the relatives who attended. Thank you, everyone, for your contribution to this very successful day.

Christmas Bazaar – Thurs 30th Nov

The Residents and local visitors had a great time at the Christmas Fayre on Thursday 30th November.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in helping to raise funds for Residents’ amenities.

Local school choirs On the morning of Wednesday 6th December, Frinton Primary School treated us to a festive event when pupils came along to sing carols for our Residents.

Many thanks to Mrs Stubbs and her fabulous choir for their excellent performance.

On Thursday 7th

December, we had a similar visit from the wonderful choir of St Philomena’s, School accompanied by

Mrs Freight on the piano.

The residents thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children perform, and we have invited both choirs to come again in the future; here’s hoping we’ll see them next December.

Other Entertainers

As well as the School Choirs, pre-Christmas entertainment at Read House included the following:

Samuel Bolton Pianist

Beebox Musical EntertainerLilian Lace Christmas Music & Dance ShowKeith Ashworth PianistMoonlight & Roses singers

With all that singing and dancing going on, I’m amazed anyone had any energy left to eat their Christmas Dinner!

Westcliff Theatre OutingOn a cold Saturday 23rd December, we bundled up in our Winter coats and climbed aboard the Local Community Mini Bus and headed into Clacton for the matinee performance of the Christmas Variety Spectacular.

As you will see from the photographs overleaf, despite the cold day, the residents had a great time. In fact, we enjoyed it so much, another outing has been arranged for the Westcliff’s “Summer Spectacular”! Watch this space…….

Santa Comes to Read HouseAt least a few of you must have been good in 2017, because good old St Nicholas paid us a visit on Christmas

morning…..

Christmas Day fun continues!

There was enough time to squeeze in a few activities and a couple more paparazzi moments…………..

Say cheese….

And then the Residents enjoyed a delicious traditional Christmas Lunch, prepared by our wonderful kitchen team.

Christmas Crackers!!In case any of you are getting withdrawal symptoms from the hilarious phenomenon that is the Christmas Cracker joke, then here’s a few to keep you going until December……What happened to the man who stole an Advent Calendar?He got 25 days!What do Santa's little helpers learn at school?The elf-abet!What song do you sing at a snowman's birthday party?Freeze a jolly good fellow!How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?One that's deep pan, crisp and even!Who hides in the bakery at Christmas?A mince spy!What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?Tinsilitis!

What did the stamp say to the Christmas card?Stick with me and we'll go places!

Why did no one bid for Rudolph and Blitzen on eBay?Because they were two deer!

Why don't you ever see Father Christmas in hospital?Because he has private elf care!

It’s the way I tell ‘em…………

Puzzle cornerNow for some serious stuff, let’s see if we can liven up those grey cells? I know many of you enjoy your weekly crossword session, so why not have a go at this one and I’ll let you have the answers next month!

CLUES – CROSSWORD 1/2018Across

1. Indian of Peru5. ____ and ends9. Rodeo rope14. Auction off15. Paper measure16. Singer ____ John17. Baton Rouge's state19. Love, Italian-style20. Opposite of WSW21. Fragrant wood22. Neck areas23. Seducer ____ Juan24. At that time26. Colonize again31. Source of answers35. Suspect's story36. Egg-shaped38. Dressed39. Foldaway bed40. Goes up43. School subject (abbreviated)44. Long, narrative poem46. Refusal word (slang)47. Track down49. Spanish title51. Notched like a saw53. Forward55. Poetic twilight56. Continues59. Ease up62. Lakers' league (abbreviated)65. Solo66. Party after a wedding68. Tiny landmass69. Nobleman's title70. Tart71. Go-getters72. Fencing event73. Count (on)

Down

1. Capri or Man2. Broadway sign3. Hint4. Frazier's rival5. Asia6. Not living7. Eurovision Song Contest Winner8. Intelligent9. Less fatty10. Yearly publication11. Cease12. Ticked off13. Small bills (American)18. Nova ____23. Society girl25. Retain26. Speed contests27. Marry clandestinely28. Certain protest (hyphenated)29. Loony30. Levels32. Shoe spike33. Cyclist ____ Armstrong34. ____ out (narrowly defeated)37. Opening wager41. Long-necked bird42. Actress Meryl ____45. Actor Kevin ____48. Fled50. Adjusts again52. Narrate again54. Ventured56. Placed57. Plus58. Foot bottom60. Suitor61. Land parcel62. Kind63. Simmer64. Singer ____ Williams67. Asphalt

Very Happy January birthday to Audrey:“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Audrey, happy birthday to you!!”

Seated ExercisesJust in case any of you did decide to take up a New Year’s Resolution, a reminder that Sheila does an exercise activity each week, in the Day Centre on a Thursday morning. If you have not yet done so, you might like to come along and give it a try next Thursday?

The thing to remember is that the human body was designed to move, and we all know how stiff we get if we sit in one position for too long!

And of course, the older we get, the stiffer we get – but the very good news is that if you can try to make yourself remember to move your neck, shoulders, elbows and

wrists; your knees and ankles a few times every day, you will be doing yourself such a lot of good.

Never force it – just work gently until your body tells you enough is enough; and try to do the same things left and right; up and down and side to side.

Sitting as upright as you can and consciously breathing slowly in and out is also very good for you. It doesn’t have to be huge deep breaths, or you might make yourself feel dizzy – but just a little bit more, every day will do the trick – to circulate more oxygen round your body. Why don’t you give it a try?

Notes from recent Residents’ Meeting

6th January – quick residents’ updateOn 6th January Kim held a short meeting to update the residents regarding the new lights being installed in residents’ rooms. The new lighting system allows all lights to be adjusted individually to required needs; all lights can be adjusted on an individual basis with 3 settings - low, medium and high.

24th January – full residents’ meetingThe meeting was chaired by Kim, there was a good attendance from residents and the following items were covered:

New bathing systemKim informed residents of the new bath system - whereby no baths will be done before breakfast. At a previous residents’ meeting it was highlighted that some residents were feeling rushed in the mornings. Kim carried out some further investigations and monitoring on this matter, and it became apparent very quickly that due

to the number of residents requesting a bath before breakfast (with some residents needing 2 x carers’ support with this), on some days this was then leaving only one staff member on each floor to assist with other residents’ morning routine. Kim felt this was an unachievable task for anyone, hence the feeling on some days of being rushed. The Residents welcomed this explanation and vocally shared their support to this change.

Staff recruitmentVicky Woods (new staff member) has settled in very well and feedback from residents and staff was very positive. Well done Vicky and welcome aboard!

Discussion took place regarding the need to recruit another carer and Kim informed residents that both she and Janet are actively looking for the right candidate and when they are interviewing they will be bringing them round to see residents – therefore allowing them the opportunity to speak to the candidate themselves and to give their feedback.

Hot water

The next topic was that some rooms have been lacking hot water. Kim explained that we have arranged for Henry Martins to come in and replace the mixer valves in these rooms and they will be out this week.

Weekend staffingSome residents mentioned that they would like to see a management presence at the weekends. Kim informed all that on the weekends that she’s not in, then Carole (her deputy manager) is in on her behalf. Some of the new residents said they was unsure who Carole was; it was agreed therefore that Carole would visit these residents when she is next in. Kim reminded everyone that she is on call every weekend and if they have any issues over the weekend they should see Carole in the first instance, who will contact Kim if she is unable to sort the issue.

TelevisionsKim said she was aware that a couple of residents were having issues with their television and that Sound & Vision will be out to sort this shortly.

New computer systemsKim informed all regarding our new computer system for care planning etc. It is hoped to have this actively up and running very shortly, and this will free up more time for carers and Kim, therefore allowing more time to be spent on actual care. A mixed response was received from residents, although some did share that they would be interested in learning more about computers. Kim informed all that we have a residents’ computer set up in the activity room and if they wanted Tina to add this as an activity, I’m sure we could arrange something. A positive response was received from a few, so

we will look at this.

Overall, a really enjoyable and pleasant meeting.

If any families, friends and staff have any news, views, or other articles for our next edition, please email them to me by the end of February to activities@essexblind.co.uk

Many thanks

Tina

PS – If you would like any of the pictures in the newspaper emailed to family and friends, or have a copy printed off, just let me know.