Newsletter – July 2026
3rd August 2026
Hello Everyone,
As we reflect on the events and celebrations that made the holiday season special for our service users, we’d like to share some heartwarming stories and updates. The joy, love, and care extended to everyone in our community have been truly inspiring, and we’re excited to continue this journey of growth and support in 2025.
We are delighted to welcome Paul to our children’s home! Since joining us, he has settled in wonderfully and is making fantastic progress.
Paul has taken a big step towards his dreams by enrolling in an FA Level 1 Coaching Qualification—a testament to his dedication and passion for football. Not only has he embraced the course, but he is also growing in confidence with every session. Recently, he has even started leading some of the drills, demonstrating his leadership skills and natural ability to inspire others.
This is an incredible achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of him. With such determination and talent, Paul has a bright future ahead. Well done, Paul—we can’t wait to see where this journey takes you!
Alongside his football coaching journey, Paul has also started at Dilston College, where he is engaging in a wide range of subjects, including maths, landscaping, and animal care. He is thriving in this new environment, showing real enthusiasm for learning and excelling in his studies. His hard work and dedication are a true credit to him, and he is making everyone at Ashdown incredibly proud.
Paul’s journey so far has been inspiring, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for him. Keep up the amazing work, Paul!
Henry received a thoughtful hamper from Age Concern, generously donated by Karbon Homes. Along with it, he was gifted a card and a star created by the children from Westoe Crown Primary School. It’s the little things that make a big difference!
Ralph was thrilled with his Christmas gift! A chef hat and apron! He said it was the best present ever.
Ed Ferguson, received a medal for his 20 years of service with the Tyne and Wear Rescue Service, a well-deserved honor!
Edward Also celebrated his birthday with a tour of St James Park, enjoying the sights and sharing the experience with all of us.
Scott has been honoured with the “Star of the Week” award at school, marking a significant achievement for him. As evident from his delighted expression! Scott is not only proud of receiving this recognition but also thrilled with his prize a Monopoly game!
Joanne had a wonderful time over the Christmas period! She had the chance to feed reindeer at Murton, went shopping at Dalton Park with staff, and enjoyed a lovely walk around Seaham with Bertie the dog, who she absolutely adores. She also had a great time enjoying fish and chips in the car with staff and was thrilled to get her picture taken with Tommy the Soldier.
Kim at South Hill: Kim celebrated her birthday with cake, gifts, and a visit from her sister. She enjoyed a relaxing day, including sharing her cake with other service users. Kim has plans to go out for a meal with a family friend if the weather allows.
Meanwhile, Faye has been busy cooking up a storm for her “Come Dine With Me” event with Paige, and they plan to make it a regular activity!
Five of our managers, along with staff from our Children’s Home, recently took part in two days of PACE (Parenting with PACE) training, led by our trainer Ian. This valuable training aims to improve caregiving by focusing on Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. Following this, the managers completed an additional ‘Train the Trainer’ day, which has equipped them with the skills to train the rest of our team in PACE principles. The training also covers trauma and attachment theory, helping us to continually enhance the care we provide.
At Ravenscroft, we are always committed to providing the best care and support, not only for the individuals we look after but also for their families. Recently, we received a heartfelt visit from Maureen, a family member of the late John, who wanted to personally express her gratitude to the team.
Maureen took the time to drop by and thank our staff, with a special mention to Glynis, for their dedication and compassionate support. She shared how much she and her family appreciated the consistent communication and care they received, particularly regarding John’s appointments. As a token of appreciation, she kindly brought sweets to show her thanks.
This touching gesture is a wonderful reminder of the impact our work has on families, even beyond the time we directly support their loved ones. A huge well done to the Ravenscroft team—your kindness and commitment truly make a difference!
Let’s continue to provide the exceptional support that makes moments like this possible. 💙
At Nevinson, we always strive to provide the best care and support for the young people we look after, and it’s always wonderful to hear when our efforts make a real difference.
Recently, Mano’s Nanna shared how incredibly happy she is with the progress Mano is making. She took the time to praise the staff for their outstanding care and support, expressing her gratitude for the positive impact they have had on Mano’s life.
It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. A huge well done to the Nevinson team—your dedication and kindness are truly appreciated! Let’s keep up the amazing work. 💙
Thought of the Month: “Many times what we perceive as an error or failure is an actual gift, and eventually, we find that discouraging experiences prove to be of great worth.” – Richelle E. Goodrich
I’ve failed more times than I can count—made mistakes, got it wrong, or stumbled when I thought I was doing the right thing. But what I’ve learned over the years is this: every mistake is an opportunity to grow. Within every failure is a lesson waiting to be uncovered.
At our core, our culture and values embrace this mindset. Education and Reflection mean we don’t waste time blaming others when something goes wrong. Instead, we take responsibility, work to put things right, and use the experience to get better. And as part of our Always Work as a Team value, you should never fear admitting a mistake—because the team is here to help, not judge.
Mistakes are not the end; they’re the stepping stones to success. So when you stumble, remember: you’re not alone, and every challenge you face is shaping you into someone stronger, wiser, and more capable. Let’s support each other and turn every setback into a chance to shine.
A Better You Workforce Development Training Upcoming events.
The training is free to attend but booking is essential. To secure your free place or to find out more information on all of our courses please visit https://firstcontactclinical.co.uk/Courses/a-better-u-training We can also offer our training face to face or virtually to your team/organisation/workplace (minimum numbers apply).
For more information contact us on: Email: training@firstcontactclinical.co.uk or Tel: 0191 4329838
www.firstcontactclinical.co.uk/Courses/a-better-u-training
Suggestions Link: https://forms.office.com/e/AZiGxgXsM7
A new suggestions link is now available for staff and service users.
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Kind regards,
Ashdown Care
3rd August 2026
3rd July 2026
31st May 2026