Newsletter – July 2026
3rd August 2026
Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween! Whether you’re enjoying some treats, carving pumpkins, or just spending time with friends and family, we hope you have a great day.
Happy Halloween!
We understand how important it is to receive your pay on time, especially during the festive season. This year, payday falls on Boxing Day, which is a bank holiday. Banks often experience delays on these days, and we want to ensure you don’t face any issues with your pay.
To avoid any delays, we’ve decided to work on Sunday, 22nd December 2024, to process the payments early. This means you will receive your pay a few days ahead of schedule, on Christmas Eve (24th December).
We hope this helps make your holiday season a little smoother, and we appreciate your understanding and patience.
We are excited to announce that we have recently won a competitive tender in South Tyneside, and it’s all thanks to your amazing work and outstanding QAF results (97%)! Back in September, we pitched for this contract against over 20 other providers, and we’re thrilled to share that we secured the win.
We’ll soon be supporting three new service users in Jarrow under the new council framework, marking another great achievement for our team.
If you know anyone who might be interested in joining our growing team, please get in touch! As part of this project, we’re offering a £100 refer-a-friend bonus, so don’t miss the opportunity to refer someone.
Thank you again for your hard work and dedication—it’s your efforts that make these successes possible!
It was mentioned in the recent staff survey that some staff are interested in gaining new skills and furthering their qualifications. We are pleased to offer staff the opportunity to take NVQ courses to support your personal and professional development.
If you’re keen to enrol in an NVQ course, simply speak to your manager. We’re happy to fund the course for you, making it easier for you to enhance your knowledge and progress in your career.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity—reach out to your manager today to discuss your options!
Kirsty has really outdone herself with her Halloween decorations this year! One standout feature is the skeleton sitting on a chair, ready to give anyone passing by a good scare. Her creativity and sense of humour have brought plenty of laughs (and maybe a few jumps) to everyone who’s seen it.
It’s clear that Kirsty knows how to bring some light-hearted fun to the spooky season, and her decorations have definitely added to the Halloween spirit! Well, done, Kirsty!
This Halloween, Paige pulled out all the stops by hosting a fantastic party at her house, inviting service users from different homes to join the fun. She even decorated her entire house with spooky and creative decorations, setting the perfect Halloween mood.
Everyone came dressed in amazing costumes, and the party was filled with fun games, laughter, and great company. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, celebrate, and make lasting memories.
A huge thank you to Paige for putting on such a special event and transforming her home into a Halloween wonderland—it was a spook-tacular success!
Rebecca and her dedicated team recently discovered an exciting post on the Down Syndrome Northeast Facebook page about a group day out at Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre, which offers full disabled access. Always eager for new adventures, Rebecca was thrilled to join in and try something new—snow tubing!
The day was a huge success. Rebecca had an absolute blast as she zoomed down the snowy slopes, her laughter echoing across the activity centre. It was an unforgettable experience, and she’s already looking forward to her next visit!
One more activity ticked off the bucket list, and many more to come!
Last weekend, Colin had a fantastic day out as he went to watch Gateshead FC take on Forest Green Rovers. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating a thrilling match. Colin enjoyed being part of the crowd, cheering for the teams and soaking in the excitement.
The game was action-packed, and Colin was particularly impressed with Gateshead’s strong defence and Forest Green’s sharp attacks. Although the final score wasn’t in Gateshead’s Favor, Colin had a brilliant time supporting his team and being part of such a lively event.
It was a great day for Colin, full of fun, football, and fantastic memories
Recently, Brandon took a meaningful trip to the war memorials in Chester-Le-Street to pay his respects to those who served and sacrificed. Surrounded by the solemn beauty of the memorials, Brandon spent time reflecting on the bravery and dedication of the soldiers who gave their lives in past conflicts.
The peaceful atmosphere allowed him to honour their memory in his own personal way, laying flowers and taking a quiet moment of remembrance. His visit was a touching reminder of the importance of remembering the past and those who fought for our freedoms.
Brandon’s thoughtful gesture truly reflects the respect and gratitude we owe to our heroes.
Brandon recently had an exciting day out at the Arcade Warehouse, where he got to enjoy a variety of fun and thrilling games. From racing on car and motorbike simulators to the fast-paced action of air hockey, there was never a dull moment!
Brandon particularly loved the adrenaline rush of competing in the racing games, showing off his skills on the virtual racetrack. The air hockey table was another highlight, as he played some fast matches and enjoyed the friendly competition.
It was a fantastic day filled with laughter, excitement, and plenty of gaming fun! Brandon can’t wait for his next visit to the Arcade Warehouse.
On Saturday, 5th October 2024, Ed Ferguson took part in the South Shields Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Society, making everyone at Denmark Street incredibly proud. Originally, Ed planned to complete the 1.3k walk as part of his training goal for the 2025 Great North Run. However, his determination and enthusiasm led him to go above and beyond—he ended up smashing the full 7k walk!
Ed was over the moon with his achievement, and his dedication to both the Memory Walk and his future goal of running the Great North Run has truly inspired us all. Well, done, Ed! Everyone at Ashdown is cheering you on every step of the way.
Michael, who uses a wheelchair, showed incredible determination recently by setting his sights on tidying up his garden. Despite the challenges, Michael was not deterred and took on the task with great enthusiasm. With a bit of careful planning and a positive attitude, he spent time outdoors, getting his garden back in shape.
His hard work has paid off, and the garden now looks fantastic. Michael’s dedication to making his outdoor space beautiful is truly inspiring, showing that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Everyone is proud of Michael for his achievement and perseverance!
In December 2021, Scott made a big move from hospital to 10 Tynevale, our first-ever children’s home. Thanks to the dedication of an amazing team, we were able to achieve an Outstanding rating during our very first inspection—an incredible milestone!
Scott has made remarkable progress during his time at Tynevale, supported every step of the way by his passionate and caring staff. Recently, we carefully created a thoughtful transition plan for Scott to move into his forever home, an adult service we set up specifically for him.
Though there were many tears from his former team, they are all incredibly proud of how far Scott has come and are excited to see him continue thriving with the Ashdown adults team in the future.
Please see the final version of ‘The scotty times’ (P.s we also have an amazing video of his transition which will be shared on social media 😊)
Chris and John recently enjoyed a memorable holiday with a day trip to Edinburgh. Their adventure included an open-top bus tour of the city, a visit to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, and some relaxing time at the clubhouse on their caravan site, where they enjoyed a few pints and lively entertainment.
One of the standout moments was Chris’s incredible achievement in tackling the stairs at the castle, despite having a phobia of steps. This was a huge personal victory for Chris, and both he and John were proud of his success.
This holiday was a great experience for both Chris and John. Chris had recently moved in and built a strong rapport with John, and they felt comfortable enough to head off on this trip together. It was a fantastic time, full of fun, friendship, and new memories.
This holiday season, Chris is spreading festive cheer by organizing a Christmas charity fete to raise money for Hebburn. His efforts aim to ensure disadvantaged families can receive gifts and experience the joy of Christmas.
In addition to the fete, Chris is also taking on a sponsored walk to further support this meaningful cause. His dedication to helping others during the holidays is truly inspiring, and we’re proud of his efforts to make a difference in the community.
Let’s all get behind Chris and support his wonderful initiative to bring smiles to families this Christmas!
Service users from South Tyneside recently had an exciting opportunity to take part in filming for a new information video about Supported Living in the area. Participants from Thurston, St Mary’s, Nevinson, and PG all attended and contributed to the project.
During the filming, they shared their personal experiences, highlighting how the support they receive from Ashdon Care has made a positive impact on their lives. Their stories will be featured in the upcoming video, showcasing the benefits of Supported Living and how it can change lives for the better.
We are proud of everyone who took part and look forward to seeing the final video, which will help spread awareness of this valuable initiative!
We are thrilled to share a lovely compliment we recently received from Karbon Homes, one of the housing providers we work closely with. Their positive feedback highlights the hard work and dedication our team puts into supporting tenants and ensuring excellent service.
Take a look at the photo below to see the kind words they shared with us! We’re proud of the strong partnership we have with Karbon Homes and the positive impact we’re making together.
A big shoutout to Terri-Ann for the fantastic feedback she received following a recent interview. The candidate was full of praise, mentioning how much she enjoyed meeting Terri-Ann and how at ease she felt throughout the process. She left the interview feeling excited and hopeful, confident that she made a positive impression.
Not only did she appreciate the professionalism, but she also had glowing remarks about Ashdown’s ethos and the warm, welcoming atmosphere she experienced.
Well, done, Terri-Ann, for representing Ashdown so brilliantly and leaving such a lasting, positive impression!
Samuel Johnson once said, *”The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”* This sentiment reminds us of the importance of kindness, respect, and genuine support for everyone around us, regardless of position or influence.
In our workplace, this means treating every colleague with courtesy and support—not just those who might help us directly. By embodying our values of **Respect, Teamwork, and Integrity**, we foster a culture where everyone feels valued and supported. Let’s remember that small acts of kindness and simple gestures of encouragement can make a significant impact, creating a workplace that is positive, inclusive, and fulfilling for all. Whether it’s offering a helping hand or just a kind word, let’s commit to treating each other with dignity and kindness every day.
3rd August 2026
3rd July 2026
31st May 2026