Newsletter – July 2026
3rd August 2026
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the April edition of our staff newsletter! As we move into the spring months, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the incredible work happening across our services. This newsletter is packed with highlights, exciting updates, and opportunities for us to come together as a team.
April has already proven to be a month full of positive moments, from service users experiencing new adventures and reaching milestones, to upcoming events that will allow us to showcase the amazing work we do at Ashdown Care. We are truly grateful for the dedication, hard work, and compassion shown by each of you every day.
In this edition, you’ll find stories from across our services, photos of memorable moments, exciting plans for fundraising, and some well-deserved recognition for our team members who go above and beyond. Let’s continue to support each other and our service users in everything we do, creating an environment of care, community, and growth.
We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and feel inspired by the stories shared here. As always, thank you for your ongoing commitment to making Ashdown Care a place where everyone thrives.
Greenside
Isabelle had a wonderful time on her Duke of Edinburgh residential, taking part in a range of exciting activities. She had a fantastic time and making the most of her adventure. During her stay, she was involved in a variety of outdoor challenges, including canoeing on a peaceful lake, where she enjoyed the thrill of paddling and working with others to navigate the waters.
She also had the opportunity to try her hand at rock climbing, where she faced new heights and pushed herself to overcome her fears. It was an exhilarating experience, and Isabelle is feeling proud of her accomplishments.
Another highlight of her getaway was a fun-filled session of archery, where Isabelle showed great skill in aiming and hitting her targets. She’s definitely been testing her limits and having a blast while doing so!
289 Eastbourne
The team at 289 Eastbourne have been busy with a variety of engaging activities, and our service users have had some wonderful experiences this month!
Ian had a fantastic day out at Saltwell Park, where he enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the pond with staff. He took in the beautiful surroundings with the staff members who accompanied him. It was a lovely opportunity for Ian to get some fresh air and enjoy a peaceful day outdoors.
Stuart had an unforgettable visit to the Discovery Museum, where he explored his favourite things—buses! With staff member Lindsey, Stuart got to see a collection of vintage buses and was thrilled to push all the buttons and interact with the exhibits. The museum experience was a great way for Stuart to indulge his love of transport while learning something new along the way. The team also had fun watching Stuart’s enthusiasm as he explored the interactive displays.
Ravenscroft
The service users at Ravenscroft have had a variety of enjoyable and fulfilling experiences this month, and it’s been wonderful to see everyone embrace new opportunities for adventure and creativity.
Kim had a fantastic day out at Saltwell Park with her support worker Lilly. Kim enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful surroundings while taking a leisurely walk around the park. They also had a lovely time sitting and chatting by the pond, which gave Kim a chance to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It was a perfect day for connecting with nature and each other. Kim particularly enjoyed the scenic views and shared some great stories with Lilly about her past visits to the park.
Rona took part in a creative activity by making her own fairy garden terrarium with support worker Lilly. This hands-on activity allowed Rona to tap into her artistic side and create something beautiful. She carefully selected the plants and tiny decorations for her fairy garden, and it was a wonderful way for her to express her creativity. Rona felt proud of her finished terrarium, which now sits proudly in her living space. The process of making the terrarium brought a sense of accomplishment and joy, and Rona has been caring for it with great pride ever since.
These activities not only bring joy to our service users but also provide valuable opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and social connection. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact these experiences have had on both Kim and Rona, and we look forward to seeing what other fun activities the month brings!
Hedgeley
David has had a breakthrough this month! He’s started doing dishes and hanging out the washing, tasks he had always refused in the past. A great achievement, David!
Easter Fun Across the Team at Thurston!
Our team members have been enjoying some fantastic Easter activities:
Paige had lots of fun Easter phone calls, a special meeting with the Easter Bunny, and created a fabulous Easter egg design.
Kirsty got creative by designing and making both her own Easter bonnet and a colourful Easter egg.
Faye enjoyed a lovely weekend with her staff, filled with water balloon games, a meal out, and crafting her Easter design.
Erin had a fabulous time visiting the cinema and Beamish, making her own Easter bonnet, and taking a trip to the farm with her staff.
Waverly
A Special Milestone for Scott
Scott recently enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon surrounded by his family, creating lots of special memories. The atmosphere was full of laughter and excitement, with a bouncy castle that everyone loved — Scott included! He had an amazing time playing, chatting, and sharing joyful moments with his nieces and nephews, really throwing himself into the spirit of the day.
What made this day even more special was what it represents. Scott’s ability to fully enjoy and participate in a family gathering like this is a huge milestone and highlights the incredible progress he has made since moving into his own home. His confidence, independence, and happiness continue to shine, and this celebration is a true testament to all the hard work, courage, and determination Scott has shown.
We are all so proud of everything he has achieved.
Whitley
A Big Step Forward for Michael
Michael recently took a huge step forward by heading out for a countryside walk followed by a meal out — a fantastic achievement for him. Michael experiences anxiety when leaving familiar places, so this day out marks a real milestone in his journey.
The group enjoyed spotting local wildlife during the walk, and Michael was all smiles at the meal afterwards. It was a day filled with fresh air, encouragement, and confidence-building moments — all captured in the wonderful photos shared with us.
Well done, Michael — we’re incredibly proud of your courage and progress!
9 Tynevale
Adventures and Reflections
At 9 Tynevale we have been out and about, making the most of the spring sunshine and creating special memories along the way:
Adam had a fantastic weekend filled with new experiences. He enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Whitley Bay, explored the grounds of The Lady of the North in Northumberland, and took in the views after climbing Auckland Tower in Bishop Auckland. A great mix of fresh air and adventure!
Colin took a meaningful trip to Holy Island, where he soaked in the stunning local views and enjoyed a peaceful lunch at The Lindisfarne Pub. The visit was particularly special for Colin, as it brought back fond memories of his younger days spent on the island. He shared how much he enjoyed reminiscing and reconnecting with a place close to his heart.
York Close
Joanne had a wonderful day out at Bill Quay Farm with her new staff member, Catherine. She loved feeding the lambs, pigs, and llamas, and rounded off the day perfectly with a delicious hot chocolate.
South Hill
Deborah’s Day at Beamish
Deborah recently enjoyed a lovely day out at Beamish Museum, taking in the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. A highlight of the day was treating herself to a delicious ice cream, making the outing even sweeter! It was a great mix of fun, fresh air, and relaxation — a day well spent.
Fundraising!
Thurston:
We’re thrilled to announce the South Tyneside Parade on Friday, 5th July 2025. This vibrant annual event celebrates community, creativity, and inclusion. This year’s theme is Environment and Sustainability, and we can’t wait to showcase the incredible work we do at Ashdown Care.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Show off the amazing work we do at Ashdown Care
Celebrate our community involvement
Get creative with costumes and props that align with the theme
Promote Ashdown Care at our very own gazebo in Bents Park
Enjoy live music and dancing after the parade
We’d love to know if your service users, staff, and families would be interested in participating so we can plan accordingly. Additionally, we are looking for volunteers to help set up for the parade – if you can assist, please let us know.
Ravenscroft:
🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Join us for a special event filled with fun, fundraising, and community spirit:
📅 Date: Sunday, 25th May 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Location: The Teams Club Derwentwater Road Gateshead NE8 2SJ
There will be a raffle (£1 per strip) and a tombola, with exciting prizes to be announced soon!
All proceeds will go towards improving Ravenscroft Garden and funding a memorial bench for John Farrimond, in honour of his memory.
Let’s come together for a great cause — we hope to see you there!
Compliments
We’re proud to share some fantastic feedback and compliments received recently, a true reflection of the dedication, compassion, and teamwork shown across our services.
9 Tynevale
Hilary Mokwenye received praise while supporting Colin on a trip to a pub in North Shields. A bar worker complimented Hilary on the excellent support she was providing, saying it was heartwarming to see Colin happy, laughing, and clearly enjoying his day out. It’s wonderful to see such meaningful community interactions!
Whitley
During a recent review, Clare and Sandra shared how impressed they were with the high level of care and support Brandon receives. They highlighted how well the team understands Brandon, with clear and effective strategies in place to support him. Clare mentioned that after seeing a picture of Brandon and reading his detailed care plan, she felt as though she truly knew him. Both Clare and Sandra expressed how settled and safe Brandon now feels in his home, describing it as the first time he has truly felt this way. They praised the entire staff team for creating such a supportive environment.
Ravenscroft
Local resident Lady L. Higgins shared her appreciation for E. Hogg and Linda Siddall after seeing them supporting service users on a bus journey. She was very impressed by the positive communication and respectful interaction between staff and service users. She commented that if she ever needed care for someone close to her, she would hope it would be somewhere like Ravenscroft. A heartfelt recognition of the team’s professionalism and warmth.
Waverly Road
A new team member at Ashdown Care shared this glowing feedback about their experience over the past two months:
“Working in Ashdown Care has been a pleasant experience. The manager has been of tremendous help — always checking in, offering support, and ready to help at any time. The staff have helped me settle in perfectly. The one word that defines this place is ‘TEAMWORK.’”
We love hearing how our values shine through in everyday practice!
Hedgeley
We received wonderful feedback from Keelan’s mum about how well he’s adjusted to his new home. She shared how worried she was at first, but now she can’t believe how well Keelan is doing. She’s especially impressed with the rapport Keelan has with the staff, saying:
“Thank you so much! You and Ellie have both been amazing, and I don’t think I could be doing this without you. I’m so glad he’s got a good team around him.”
Following the distribution of a pre-survey to the Mobilisation group, Mike Sutton shared some positive feedback, stating: “While my role is limited to attending the mobilisation meetings and taking minutes, I can confidently say that, from a mobilisation perspective, you’ve scored a perfect ten!”
It’s fantastic to see that the dedication and compassion shown by our teams is not only being recognised by new staff and professionals but also by members of the public while you’re out and about. Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed, and it’s clear that the care, respect, and positivity you bring to every interaction is making a real difference. Well done, everyone!
Gary’s Section
Thought of the Month
It’s easy to assume that those we work closely with know what we’re thinking or what we meant by something we said—but the truth is, they often don’t. Assumptions create confusion, misunderstandings, and sometimes even conflict.
Instead, let’s practice clarity. Say what you mean. Check understanding. Be open to questions. This links directly to our values:
So this month, let’s aim to drop the assumptions and choose clarity. It doesn’t just make our jobs easier—it strengthens our team, supports wellbeing, and helps us all thrive.
Thank You!
Once again, thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication. Every day, you make a difference in the lives of the people we support, and we couldn’t do this without you. We look forward to more successes, celebrations, and adventures in the months ahead.
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Kind regards,
Ashdown Care
3rd August 2026
3rd July 2026
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