Hello and a Happy New Year!

We hope you all enjoyed the festive period.  We would like to share some updates with you and thoughts of what better way than comprising a newsletter, with the latest news at QCD and some information on local services, that you might find useful.

 As a community-based service ourselves, we are always looking to improve, feedback is integral to how we operate and what we do.

We have a new member to our office team, some of you may know, of her, Kelly McKenzie, Kelly is coming on board to work in partnership with Alison, Kelly will be applying to be an additional Registered Manager, don’t worry Alison is not going anywhere, Kelly and Alison will be sharing this role.

The day-to-day management of the service will be the responsibility of Kelly and the office team. Alison is still the Owner, Director of the service, and will be a consultant when required, any fundamental service changes will be made by the Owners and directors. Alison will continue to be involved with the service, and working hands-on with you all, on a daily basis. Kelly is an experienced Registered Manager with a lifelong career within health and social care and as a Registered manager, for over 10 years.

I’m sure you will agree our care team, works tirelessly to support all of our clients, we come in all shapes and sizes, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes we don’t always get it right, but we keep trying!

I would like to ask, respectfully, should we get something wrong, please could you contact the office, our care team spend a lot of time working on their own, and like some of you, look forward to seeing a friendly face!

There are many factors that are beyond our control, weather, traffic caused by roadworks, or accidents, time of day- rush hour, school times, and team members unwell.

Every one of us works as hard and as much as we can to fulfill our roles, short notice changes are at times unavoidable, and we don’t always get the opportunity to let you know in advance. Please allow a 30-minute window on either side of your scheduled/ normal call time for your carer’(s) to arrive.

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Day Services  

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, local authorities, offer a number of daytime activities if you are interested in arts and crafts, gardening, sports clubs, and exercise classes.           

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There are a number of groups, operating a Lunch club.

Somerford community at the Arc, and St Andrews URC in Bournemouth run a Wednesday Lunch club for the over 50’s, where you can enjoy a 2 course hot lunch, and meet new likeminded people! Broadstone Methodist Church holds a Light Lunches club on a Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 13.30 pm, everyone welcome. The Church also holds a Luncheon Club on Wednesdays from 12.15 pm to 2 pm in Bradbury Hall.

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Throughout Bournemouth Age UK offer a variety of services

Foot Care, relieving loneliness  Information and advice  Health & wellbeing, Dementia services.        

If you are interested in any of the above services, please let the office or your carer know, and we will make the necessary arrangements.

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As some of you may already know, our most amazing carer, Rachel, has entered into the London Marathan, which takes place in April 2024! Rachel will be running past some of our most famous landmarks, Buckingham Palace, The Cutty sark, Tower bridge, Canary Wharf, across the river Thames over the 26.2 miles. 

Make sure you tune in on Sunday 21st April 2024, Rachel will be wearing bright clothing, who knows we may be able to spot her!

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Lastly, we are here to help, If you are experiencing any difficulties, with the increase in the gas and electric prices, inflation, increasing the cost of the weekly shop, Please do not worry, contact us, everything discussed is confidential, and we will do all we can to assist you, please don’t suffer, we can help and if we can’t we will know who can!