Newsletter – July 2026
3rd August 2026
As summer draws to a close, we’re excited to share some of the wonderful moments, achievements, and feedback from across our Ashdown Care homes. From exciting day trips and birthday celebrations to heartfelt compliments from families and the public, this month has been full of joy, connection, and community spirit.
This newsletter is a celebration of the incredible work you do every day — creating meaningful experiences, providing outstanding care, and making a real difference in the lives of the people we support. Whether you’ve been dancing by the sea, cooking up pizzas, or planning thoughtful surprises, your passion and dedication continue to shine through.
Thank you for all that you do — let’s take a look at some of the highlights from August!
🌟 Thurston Update
Paige hosted a lovely “Come Dine With Me” evening, inviting Faye over. She thoroughly enjoyed helping to set the table and prepare the meal. It was a wonderful evening for both!
Paige also attended the Emergency Services Day SEND event and had a great time taking part in the activities.
🏡 St Mary’s Highlights
Chris celebrated his birthday with a meal out alongside Erin and fellow service users — a great way to mark his special day!
Both Chris and John have proudly purchased season tickets for their local team, South Shields Mariners. They attended their first match of the season and celebrated a 1–0 win!
Chris also used his 1:1 support hours to go shopping at the Newcastle supporters’ shop, topping off the day with a chance meeting with football legend Peter Beardsley, followed by a cold pint at Shearer’s Bar.
Chris, John, and Henry enjoyed a fantastic trip to South Shields Seafront, spending time at the Marine Park and arcades (John even won 2 prizes!). The day ended perfectly with a delicious Indian curry.
🏖️ Denmark Street Adventures
Ralph, Ron, and Ed, joined by their keyworkers Emma and Alison, had a fun-filled trip to Whitley Bay. Activities included walking the beach, enjoying amusements, and finishing with pie and chips, which Craig declared the highlight!
While on the outing, a member of the public gave a heart-warming compliment on how happy and engaged the residents looked — praising the staff for singing and dancing with them. Sea air led to an early bedtime for all!
🌄 10 Tynevale Day Trip
The team took a scenic drive through the hills of the A68 to Kelso in the Scottish Borders, visiting Floors Castle and the town centre. Paul loved exploring the area, picking up a Scottish hat to go with his kilt, and spotting cows, bulls, sheep, and a very friendly horse!
🎪 289 Eastbourne Fun
Stuart and Gillian had an unforgettable weekend adventure as they joined Sarah for a lively trip to the circus! The trio were all smiles from the moment they arrived, soaking in the colorful sights, thrilling performances, and contagious laughter that filled the big top. From awe-inspiring acrobatics to hilarious clown antics, every moment was packed with excitement. It was a day of joy, wonder, and making lasting memories — a perfect reminder of the simple magic that a day out can bring!
🎳 South Hill Mcdonalds and Bowling
Richard, Deborah, and Paul enjoyed a delicious treat at McDonald’s, followed by a lively bowling session full of fun and laughter. It’s always great to see moments of connection and joy shared among friends.
🍕 South Hill Creations
Richard, Paul, Deborah, and Stephen rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on evening of pizza making — and the results were as delicious as they were fun to create! From spreading sauce to piling on their favorite toppings, everyone brought their own flair to the kitchen. The best part? Sitting down together to enjoy their homemade masterpieces, sharing laughter and good company around the dinner table. A truly tasty team effort!
🍰 Ravenscroft Moments
Kim Adams prepared a lovely afternoon tea to celebrate her mum’s birthday — a sweet and thoughtful gesture!
Kim and Lynne also recently enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea aboard a steam train in Harrogate. A well-deserved treat and a great reminder that taking time to relax and connect with one another helps build stronger bonds across the team.
⛴️ Whitley BC Activities
Seaside Views and Smooth Sailing!
Brandon had a wonderful day out exploring North Shields, topped off with a scenic ferry ride across the water. It was a refreshing trip full of fresh air, great views, and a touch of adventure!
A Clear Vision Ahead!
MJ had a focused and productive session with the opticians this week, showing great engagement and a positive attitude throughout. It’s clear that real progress is being made, and your efforts are definitely paying off.
Well done, MJ — keep up the great work!
🎉 Cheshire Celebrations
Gary is all set and looking fantastic for his very first birthday party — beaming with excitement and ready to celebrate with his family! A huge thank you goes to Gail for all the care and effort she put into planning this special occasion. From decorations to details, everything’s in place for a memorable day full of smiles, love, and birthday cheer! Happy Birthday Gary!
💬 Compliments & Shout-Outs
🌼 From Mano’s Family:
Mano’s sister shared how thrilled she is with his progress this past year, especially the amazing garden party and the friendships he’s made. She praised Leanne and Patrick, saying Mano is always happy and so well cared for.
🎯 Regarding JW’s Progress:
A huge well done to the staff team supporting JW. The strategy plan put in place has significantly reduced the number of restraints. Hats off to you all for your continued effort — your work is keeping JW out of the hospital.
🏡 Praise for Ravenscroft:
Photographer Visitors were impressed by the care, the environment, and the interactions they witnessed with service users. A wonderful reflection of your hard work and dedication.
💌 From Lela:
Big thanks to Gareth for his thoughtful gesture in contacting Nexus for Mano.
Huge appreciation to Leanne for planning such a brilliant birthday party. Mano is lucky to have such a strong, caring team.
👏 Public Compliment at Denmark Street:
While returning from Whitley Bay, a lady on the metro praised Emma Taylor Walker and the team after seeing the joy and connection between staff and residents. She said, “I’d give my right arm and leg to have carers like that for my son.” Emma humbly replied, “We treat them like our own family.”
📧 From Jacqueline Ryder (15.08.2025):
“I want to thank you and Isabelle’s team for a great first year with Ashdown Care. Isabelle has continued to thrive thanks to the compassion and care shown by every individual on the team. Thank you!”
🏥 Compliment for QE Visit:
A family member told staff EM that she was amazed by the high level of care for GR during a hospital visit and praised the interactions between staff and service users — calling it “lovely to see.”
🌟 Thank You 🌟
To all our amazing staff — your creativity, kindness, and dedication continue to shine. Whether you’re hosting birthday parties, planning meaningful outings, or simply making someone smile, you are the heart of Ashdown Care.
Gary’s Thought of The Month
“The more guidance we can get, the more we can grow.”
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. None of us have all the answers, and the truth is—we’re not supposed to. Asking for guidance, listening to advice, and learning from others is what helps us move forward, both personally and as a team.
Sometimes it takes humility to admit we need support, but it’s in those moments that we grow the most. Just as importantly, offering guidance to someone else not only helps them, but strengthens our team as a whole.
This is what our CARE values are all about:
C – Commitment to team: Sharing knowledge so no one is left behind.
A – Always work as a team: Learning together makes us stronger together.
R – Respect and dignity: Valuing the experiences and wisdom others bring.
E – Education and reflection: Seeking guidance, reflecting on it, and using it to grow.
So this month, let’s not be afraid to ask, to listen, and to share. The more guidance we give and receive, the stronger—and better—we all become.
Suggestions Link: https://forms.office.com/e/AZiGxgXsM7
A new suggestions link is now available for staff and service users.
Concerns form: https://forms.office.com/e/6CVAYSt9av
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Kind regards,
Ashdown Care
3rd August 2026
3rd July 2026
31st May 2026