Welcome to my new monthly blog where my aim is to keep you updated on the happenings around Ambridge Rose and the forward planning that goes on behind the scenes.
In 2019, we re-branded with our awesome new colours and purchased new vans that are used to take residents on outings to their favourite spots, such as Bucklands Beach and Cockle Bay. For 2020, we want to continue the Ambridge Rose upgrades and have a lot planned.
The Manor
Recently, we enhanced the look with new planter boxes and bench seats and in March the parking lines will be repainted to complete the upper driveway.
We will then turn our attention to The Manor’s interior, specifically:
- Trial new stainless-steel door frame protectors, as these are showing some wear and tear. If successful, all doors will be fitted out with them.
- Internal painting touch ups to hallways and lounges
Other planned upgrades are mainly in the lounges, and we are currently working with an interior designer to ensure the products and fabrics selected are suitable. Watch this space.
Our on-going focus for 2020 is staff training, led by Ambridge Rose Clinical Manager, Theresa Sharp. We are currently reviewing our education programme to improve our service delivery and up-skill our greatest asset, our staff.
Feel free to have a chat to anyone in the management team or contact me directly if you notice anything not up to scratch.
The Villa
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new Nurse Manager Doreen Sami, who is your day-to-day contact person. Since 2003, Doreen has cared for older people with Ambridge Rose, starting her career at The Manor. You can read more about Doreen here.
Her new role at The Villa is to liaise with families, Doctor, Dietitian, Podiatrist and other external medical specialists.
Over the years, The Villa has looked a bit tired and while we cannot compete with the flash rooms of some newer facilities, we’ve decided to enhance what we’ve got.
We started with some internal and external painting, and more recently the garden project. We replaced some of the deck and installed a new wall with car park viewing windows. Although not quite complete, we are getting there.
Our next stage for the indoor and outdoor spaces are:
- Install new door name-plates and door handles
- Upgrade some of the internal hallways and toilets
- Purchase some lounge furniture and new bed linen
- Paint and rename the shed out the back to become a general tool shed for those with active hands
- Paint and rename the shed by the raised planters and turn this into a potting/gardening shed
- Some new outside furniture for the back deck and around the raised garden area
- Installing a flagpole on the front deck and replant the pots
- Purchasing some new bench squabs and umbrellas for the front deck
During the coming months the driveway will be tar sealed, so apologies in advance for the disruption this may cause. Our on-going focus this year will be staff training for The Villa staff, led by our Nurse Manager Doreen. We are currently reviewing our education programme to improve our service delivery and upskill our greatest asset, our staff.
Feel free to have a chat to Doreen or contact me directly if you notice anything is not up to scratch.
The Cottage
Last year was a big year for us when we upgraded The Cottage – top to bottom. As great as the past 12 months have been, we are not done yet. Throughout 2020, we want to continue The Cottage improvements and have a lot planned.
Part of our master plan is to promote the facility and be part of the community. A good example of this is engaging the horticulture department at MIT to work with us on the gardening project. Although we can do this ourselves, we wanted to build positive understanding of dementia in the community by showing how rewarding working in the environment can be.
Our next stage for the indoor and outdoor spaces are:
- Gardening project with MIT
- Install a hairdressing basin
- Refurbish toilets and shower rooms
- Refurbish bedrooms as become they vacant
Our continuing focus for this year will be staff training at The Cottage, led by our Facility Manager, Jackie.
We are currently reviewing our education programme to improve our service delivery and up-skill our greatest asset, our staff.
Kind regards,
Allan Sargeant