Newsletter – July 2026
3rd August 2026
We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and incredible hard work. You are the heart of our organisation, and it’s because of your efforts that we continue to make a real difference in the lives of those we support. We couldn’t do this without you!
In this edition of our newsletter, we’ll be celebrating the amazing achievements of our service users, highlighting some of you in our Compliment Spotlight, and sharing an inspiring Director’s Thought of the Month to keep us motivated and focused.
We also value your input! You’ll find links further down where you can:
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Joe Jackson, whose hard work and dedication have led to outstanding results.
Joe recently achieved his Level 7 PBS Practitioner Award, the highest academic level in Positive Behaviour Support. This prestigious milestone reflects his expertise and commitment to excellence in supporting those we care for.
In addition, Joe also underwent a rigorous BILD inspection, where his NAPPI training session was thoroughly analysed by an external assessor. We’re delighted to share that Joe passed every area with flying colours, demonstrating his exceptional skill and professionalism.
Joe’s achievements highlight the high standards we strive for across our organization. Congratulations, Joe—your success is well-deserved, and we’re so proud to have you on our team! 🎉
We are thrilled to announce that our teams in Gateshead and South Tyneside have achieved an Outstanding rating in their recent QAF inspections. Both teams scored an incredible 97 out of a possible 100%, a result that is almost unheard of and one of the highest scores across both boroughs.
In South Tyneside, this remarkable accomplishment was achieved by the teams at Thurston, led by Laura Tron, and Denmark Street, led by Karen Thompson. Their exceptional leadership, combined with the dedication and hard work of their teams, has truly set a benchmark for excellence in care.
This success is a testament to the commitment, passion, and professionalism that drive everything we do. A huge congratulations to all the staff in Gateshead and South Tyneside—your outstanding efforts are setting new standards, and we couldn’t be prouder! 🎉👏
Thank you to everyone who completed the staff surveys—your feedback is incredibly valuable to us.
We apologise for the delay in responding and acknowledge that we should have responded sooner. However, we’re happy to share that all staff concerns have now been discussed with line managers, and actions are being taken to ensure continuous improvement.
To keep you updated, we’ve prepared a “You Said, We Did” summary to highlight the key themes from the survey and the actions we’ve taken as a result. This will show you how your input is helping to shape positive changes.
On a great note, the survey scores were outstanding! The company achieved an excellent Net Promoter Score of 9 out of 10, reflecting the fantastic culture and teamwork we’re building together. Thank you for your continued support and commitment! 🎉
We’re delighted to share that SM recently got a new car, and he absolutely loves it! This has opened up fantastic opportunities for him to travel and engage in meaningful activities across the region. The car has brought newfound independence and joy to SM’s daily life, allowing him to explore and participate in the things he enjoys most. 🚗✨
We’re thrilled that Michael has started attending the Tea and Toast sessions every Friday morning at the Gateshead Family Hub in Wrekenton. These sessions, completely free of charge, offer people of all ages a welcoming space to enjoy a chat, a cuppa, and a bite to eat.
Qualified staff are also available to provide advice and share information about the support available for local people. Michael’s participation in these sessions is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and access valuable resources. ☕🍞
Joanne had a wonderful surprise during her recent shopping day! Knowing that Paddington Bear is Joanne’s favourite character, staff member Bev arranged a special visit to the Bridges Shopping Centre.
Joanne was delighted to sit with Paddington Bear and even enjoyed a marmalade sandwich beside him—just like her beloved character. It was a truly memorable experience, and Joanne had an amazing day filled with joy and laughter. A big thank you to Bev for making this special moment happen! 🐻🥪✨
Ron, ED, Ralph, and staff member Alison recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to Beamish Museum, where they stepped back in time to experience life in an old-fashioned school. They sat in the classroom and participated in a lesson from the teacher, writing on slates and listening to fascinating stories.
Ron particularly enjoyed reminiscing about the old blackboard and singing classic school songs from his childhood. It was a day filled with fun and nostalgia, and everyone is already looking forward to returning closer to Christmas for more memories! 🏫✨🎄
Craig and his keyworker Ian recently enjoyed a fantastic few days at Seton Sands Caravan Park, where Craig had requested a caravan with a sea view—and staff made it happen!
During the trip, Craig explored the local villages and took a trip to Musselburgh to see the fireworks, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also headed into Edinburgh, where he treated himself to a lovely meal.
Craig had a wonderful time on his holiday and is already planning his next adventure. A big well done to the team for ensuring Craig had such a memorable experience! 🌊✨🎆
Adam’s Seaside Adventure
Adam recently enjoyed a delightful trip to Seaburn and Roker, where he took in the fresh sea air and had a lovely walk along the seafront. It was a relaxing and enjoyable outing, filled with the simple joys of being by the coast. 🌊🚶♂️✨
Adam’s Day Out to Carlisle and Newcastle
Adam had an exciting day when he took the train to Carlisle, where he enjoyed exploring the town centre and taking in the sights. After returning to Newcastle, he rounded off his day with a scenic walk along the quayside. It was a fantastic outing filled with new experiences and familiar favourites! 🚆🏙️✨
Adam’s Day at Beamish Museum
Adam recently spent a wonderful day at Beamish Museum, immersing himself in the charm of the past. He thoroughly enjoyed exploring the exhibits and experiencing the rich history the museum has to offer. It was a memorable and enjoyable day for Adam! 🏛️✨
Adam’s Afternoon at Gateshead Library
Adam had a wonderful afternoon at Gateshead Library, exploring the history of the local area. He enjoyed viewing historical maps on the touch screen and diving into books, old comics, and magazines. It was a fun and engaging experience, allowing Adam to connect with both the past and his personal interests. 📚🗺️✨
Adam’s Slimming World Success
Adam has been attending Slimming World every week and is making incredible progress—he has now lost over 1 stone! He enjoys the process of planning ahead, shopping for his meals, and choosing healthy snacks at the supermarket. Adam’s commitment and determination are truly inspiring—well done, Adam! 🥗💪✨
Colin’s Festive Trip to Gateshead
Colin recently visited Gateshead to admire the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations, soaking up the festive atmosphere. He then stopped by the Cup & Cake Cafe, where he enjoyed a delicious slice of corned beef pie followed by some cake. It was a lovely outing filled with festive cheer and tasty treats! 🎄✨🥧
Colin’s Fun Afternoon at Buzz Bingo
Colin had a great afternoon at Buzz Bingo in the Metro Centre. He enjoyed playing bingo, spending time in the lively atmosphere, and chatting with others. Colin also treated himself to a few drinks, making the day even more enjoyable. It was a fun and relaxing outing, and Colin is already looking forward to going back again soon! 🎱🍹✨
Peter celebrated his birthday with a fantastic week in a cozy log cabin in Malton, North Yorkshire, not far from Scarborough. Surrounded by stunning countryside, Peter had the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy his special week.
During his stay, he explored the local area, taking in the beautiful scenery and visiting nearby attractions. Whether it was enjoying peaceful moments in the cabin or venturing out to discover Scarborough, Peter made the most of his birthday getaway. It was a memorable and well-deserved celebration! 🎂🌲✨
Paige is fully embracing the festive season by decorating her home with all her favourite Christmas decorations—a tradition she truly loves. From hanging sparkling lights to setting up her Christmas tree, Paige has poured her heart into creating a warm and festive atmosphere.
She takes great pride in adding personal touches to each decoration, ensuring her home feels magical and ready for the holidays. Paige’s enthusiasm for Christmas has filled her home with joy and excitement, making it a truly special time of year. 🎄✨🎁
Chris Dosh is organizing a fantastic charity disco and raffle to raise funds for a great cause this Christmas.
Joanne Gibson from St Mary’s has been a huge support, taking the initiative to contact local companies and successfully securing some wonderful raffle prizes. Her efforts have been instrumental in helping Chris make this event a success.
At the same time, Laura Tron has been reaching out to various agencies and has also received generous donations for the raffle.
Thanks to Chris’s hard work and the support of Joanne and Laura, this charity event is shaping up to be a festive and fun occasion for a great cause. Well done to all involved! 🎄✨🎟️
Dr. Sarah Gardner, a consultant, recently shared her admiration for the exceptional care provided to Gillian following her severe leg injury last year. During an appointment to review Gillian’s osteoporosis, Dr. Gardner asked about her mobility and was amazed to hear that Gillian is now able to walk, something they didn’t initially think would be possible.
Dr. Gardner credited this incredible progress to the high standard of care Gillian receives and also commented on how knowledgeable the staff member was about Gillian’s needs and recovery journey.
This compliment is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team supporting Gillian. Well done for making such a remarkable difference in her life! 🌟👏
We are thrilled to share some fantastic feedback received from Jayco Recruitment about our incredible team members—Pauline, Ray, and Laura.
Here’s what they had to say:
*”I hope this finds you well. Although I don’t usually communicate this type of thing, I wanted to send over praise for your team. I have had the pleasure of meeting Pauline, Ray, and Laura in person, and they are brilliant ambassadors for Ashdown.
ALL candidates who have met with them have left super enthused about the organisation, and believe me, after 20 plus years in this game, that is unprecedented.
Thanks for allowing me to work with them… Refreshing.”*
This glowing feedback highlights their professionalism, enthusiasm, and the outstanding impression they leave on everyone they meet. Pauline, Ray, and Laura, thank you for being such incredible representatives of our organization—you’ve made us all proud! 🎉👏
A heartfelt compliment was received from a member of the public who observed our Denmark Street team while on holiday in Blackpool. She works in mental health and took the time to approach staff members Ellen Mitchell and Alison Robinson to share her admiration.
She praised the team for the happiness and joy they brought to the service users, noting how engaged the staff were—dancing and having fun alongside them. She even shook their hands, saying it was “lovely to see” such positvity and interaction.
The lady was particularly impressed by the service users Ron and Ed, who politely asked her to dance, describing them as very mannerly and kind.
Thank you, Ellen and Alison, for embodying the spirit of our organization and creating such meaningful moments for our service users. Your dedication and enthusiasm truly stand out! 🌟🕺💃🎉
We were delighted to hear such kind and heartfelt feedback from S. Rowe, a service user at Ravenscroft. During a conversation with staff member E.M., S. Rowe shared:
“You know what, all the staff here do an amazing job, and you don’t get enough credit. You definitely get looked after here.”
This wonderful compliment highlights the dedication and care shown by the Ravenscroft team every day. Thank you to all the staff for your hard work and for making such a positive impact—it truly does not go unnoticed! 🌟👏
While out and about, a member of the public struck up a conversation with Service User SS about his animal rain poncho and plans for the day. SS kindly thanked her and shared that he was excited about going to the zoo.
The lady then spoke with staff member CA, expressing her admiration for the team’s work. She said, “You can tell that you all love your job and the service users, as you were all laughing and smiling.”
The staff thanked her for the kind words, and she wished them a good day before leaving.
This lovely interaction highlights the joy and enthusiasm the 289 Eastbourne team brings to their work each day. Well done to everyone involved for creating such a positive and welcoming atmosphere! 🌟😊🎉
“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.” (Hillary Clinton)
Criticism can be a powerful teacher when it’s constructive—but it can also be a source of unnecessary stress when it’s not. I recently experienced this while seeking feedback during a course. Some points were helpful and insightful, but others felt unfounded. When Myles asked why I wasn’t acting on all of it, I explained: if I tried to please everyone, I’d lose myself in the process.
It’s vital to evaluate criticism thoughtfully—adopt what helps you grow, and let the rest go. In today’s world, especially with social media’s endless opinions, it’s easy to let others’ judgments weigh you down. But, as Deepak Chopra says, “I am independent of the good or bad opinions others hold of me.”
Life is too short to be defined by others’ expectations. If your circumstances are great, keep doing what you’re doing! If they’re not, be kind to yourself and think about what you can change to feel better. Remember, confidence comes from knowing who you are and staying true to that, no matter what others may say.
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