Press Releases
October 2009
Collectable portrait of Michael Jackson to be auctioned in aid of Bristol Charity
Bristol based charity, Aspects and Milestones Trust, has been donated a rare first edition Gicl'ee print, of Michael Jackson by international digi artist, B J Chapman. The gift, which will be auctioned, will help raise funds for the Trust’s vital work with people with learning disabilities and mental health across the City.
This collectable piece of art, is titled, “A Gentle Soul”. The superstar is seen sporting dark glasses and the artwork measures16”x12”. The print can be viewed at the artist’s web gallery here and where silent bids can be made.
BJ said:
“I met Michael at Earls Court in London a few years ago. As a digi artist, I photograph celebrities and then turn the results in to unique works of art.”
The portrait will be on display at Aspects and Milestones Trust’s ‘Expressions 2009’ creative arts week to be held at the Paintworks Event Space from Tuesday, 6th October to Saturday, 10th October. The week features a major exhibition of service users' art and a packed programme of events. The latter include workshops with a chance to 'have a go' at such diverse activities as street art and making 'just about anything' from cardboard, poetry, drama and a music concert. Entrance to the exhibition is free and opening hours are 11am - 5pm.
David Allford, Manager with Aspects and Milestones Trust said:
“This is a tremendously generous gift from BJ and the portrait is really stunning. Visitors to our exhibition will be invited to make private bids for the work and we’re expecting interest to be very high. Michael Jackson was a real icon of our times and this is a very special way in which somebody can own a unique and individual image of him.”
July 2009
‘EXPRESSIONS 2009’ - Major Creative Arts Event Announced by Aspects and Milestones Trust
Aspects and Milestones Trust has announced ‘Expressions 2009’ - a creative arts event to be held at the Paintworks Exhibition Space, Bath Road, Bristol from 5th-10th October, 2009.
Organised in conjunction with Studio Upstairs, ‘Expressions 2009’ will include:
- A major exhibition of art
- A music concert featuring the ‘AXE Factor’ – a reggae and ska and blues band made up of people with learning disabilities
- Drama
- Poetry
- Workshops
Mel Akers, Chief Executive of Aspects and Milestones Trust, said:
“This week is all about exploring and celebrating the role of art in our lives. Many of our service users are incredible artists and the exhibition will feature an astonishing range of paintings, sculpture and audio visual work as well as music, drama and creative writing. We want people to come along and enjoy the material – but also to join in the ‘have a go’ activities – ranging from adding items to a ‘cardboard house’ to painting ‘Matisse-style’ with paints on the end of long bamboo poles!”
The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm Tuesday, 6th October to Friday, 9th October, and from 11am – 12:00 on Saturday, 10th October. For a full programme and booking details for the concert and workshops / other activities contact David Allford on 0117 9709 300.
July 2009
“We’re all going on a summer holiday……….at home!”
Staff at a Ham Green nursing home, Somerset Lodge, have found a novel way to make sure their residents enjoy a summer holiday – even if they are not able to travel. The holiday is coming to them!!
Activity co-ordinator Stevie Fuell explains:
“Many of our residents are elderly and live with various types of dementia & mental health problems, In many cases that means they can’t enjoy a ‘normal’ summer holiday that you and I probably take for granted. But the staff here are determined that no one should miss out so this year I’ve decided the summer holiday is coming to Somerset Lodge”.
Our ‘special’ summer holiday starts on 20th July with the arrival at Somerset Lodge of a big red bus – just like the one in the ‘Summer Holiday’ film.
During a packed week residents will get to see a special screening of the ‘Summer Holiday’ film; be entertained by local Cliff Richard lookalike – ‘Shakin’ Mikey’; be serenaded by a 12 piece ‘end of the pier’ style brass band; watch a ‘Hi de Hi’ play; enjoy cream teas, a special ‘summer time’ entertainer & Punch and Judy.
But it is not just all the activities which will have a summer feel. Staff and residents have been busy making a ‘set’ made up of all their favourite seaside holiday memories including a papier mache rock pool complete with various sea life and sea weeds, a model donkey, beach huts and a proper sandy beach. One member is even mixing a special holiday tune complete with seagull calls and other holiday sounds!
Stevie said: “The whole week promises to be lots of fun and bring back lots of special memories for all our friends here. And we’ll be finishing with a ‘thank you’ barbeque for all residents and their relatives” organised by the Friends Of Somerset Lodge & staff of Somerset Lodge.
Bristol Care Home Goes All American for a Day!
77 Gloucester Road North – a care home for six people with learning disabilities – is celebrating American Independence Day in style with a special American Yard Party!
The event kicks off at 2pm on Saturday, 4th July, 2009, and local people are being invited to join the fun.
Nicky Richards, Manager of 77 Gloucester Road explains:
“The residents and staff would love y’all to join us – we’ll be serving burgers, cookies and lots of other goodies. There will be a balloon release and our own cheerleaders.”
“Entry is free but we’ll be asking for donations for the refreshments – all proceeds will go towards the costs of a new Summer house and for landscaping work to make our gardens more accessible.”
“We’d love to meet our neighbours on Gloucester Road – and our conservatory will be open just incase the day brings very English rain!!.”
April 2009
Wyvern Lodge is officially excellent!
A Weston community home for eight people with mental health needs has received the highest possible rating as a result of an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The Commission undertook the inspection in January, 2009, and has recently announced that Wyvern Lodge in Weston Super Mare achieved a ‘Three Star / Excellent rating.
In her report, the Inspector said:
“The service provides an excellent level of support and development opportunities for residents with mental health needs. Residents live in a very well run home and they are very well supported with their needs when they stay there. The manager is very creative in her style and consistently looks for ways to improve standards even further.”
Wyvern Lodge is run by leading local charity Aspects and Milestones Trust which provides a wide range of services for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The home is managed by Beth Hendry who has worked at Wyvern for the last 8 years. Of the Inspector’s announcement, Beth said:
“Before the inspection we have to provide a lot of information about how the home is run and our management ethos. We put a lot of effort in to providing good quality information so there were no surprises for the Inspector when she arrived. The Inspector drew particular attention to the care plans we prepare with each resident which explore with them the type of support they want. She also liked how we encourage our residents to be part of running the home and also how residents are involved in the process for recruiting new staff.
We have a great team of residents and staff at Wyvern and we make sure the home is a safe and enjoyable place to live. Mental ill health can affect any of us. Many of our residents will move on to more independent living – Wyvern is all about giving people the skills to live in the community.”
Beth continued:
“This result is a credit to all the staff and service users at Wyvern Lodge – the efforts of the whole team have achieved this rating and I’m so grateful to everyone for the contribution they make. Perhaps the best thing about the inspection is that I wasn’t even in that day – that shows it really is a team effort and not reliant on any one individual!!”
March 2009
Meet the Neighbours at the Chestnuts!
The Chestnuts – a care home in Yate for eight people who live with learning disabilities – is holding a ‘meet the neighbours fun afternoon’ on Friday, 10th April, culminating in the release of 1,000 balloons.
Kay Spray, Manager at the Chestnuts, said:
“We’re raising money to install a ‘Snoezelen’ in our garden – a specially adapted ‘log cabin’ with lots of sensory equipment which has been shown to reduce stress amongst those living with learning disabilities.
Everyone’s welcome on the 10th – we’ll be serving teas and cakes and for a donation of just £2 we’ll release a balloon. The person whose balloon travels the furthest distance will win a Spring hamper complete with bottle of champagne!
The Chestnuts can be a challenging place to work but it’s also a place with lots of fun, laughter and a lovely place to call home.”
The fun afternoon starts at 2pm and the balloon release is scheduled for 3pm. Entrance is free although all donations during the afternoon will go towards the Chestnut’s ‘Snoezelen’ project.
For further information contact Kay Spray on 01454 227188
November 2008
IT’S ‘HELLO’ TO A NEW LIFE FOR IAN AND ‘GOODBYE’ TO 4 STONES …
Ian Lacey’s life has been transformed during the last year. And, at a full 4 stone lighter, Ian looks a bit different too!
Ian (58), who has mild learning disabilities, lived at home with his parents in their bungalow in Willsbridge until just after his 56th birthday. With the sad loss of both his parents, Ian didn’t know what the future held.
That’s where leading Bristol charity, Aspects and Milestones Trust, stepped in. The Trust has a special ‘supported living’ team which strongly believes people should have the right to choose where they live and the support they receive. Ian had always secretly longed for a place of his own and chose to move to his own flat in Kingswood. And that’s when Ian decided to tackle that spare tyre!
Janet McIntosh-Rose, Ian’s support worker takes up the story:
“I’m green with envy. Since moving to his new flat Ian decided he wanted to lose weight and he’s now lost an amazing 4 stone! He’s stopped eating fried and sugary foods and makes really healthy salads and eats lots of vegetables. Shedding the excess weight means Ian can be much more active than previously and really enjoy life to the full. I just wish I had his willpower!”
And it’s not just his weight loss which has changed Ian’s life for the better:
Ian said:
“Moving to my own flat was the best thing I ever did. It’s near the shops and I can catch the bus from just round the corner. The flat is really lovely. Living with Mum and Dad was great but there’s nothing like having a place of your own!”
“I’ve always liked working and now I have a great job at ASDA in Longwell Green, working in the coffee shop. I work three days a week and the staff and customers are all really nice and friendly.”
In what little spare time he has, Ian enjoys cycling in the local area and is a keen member at Keynsham Snooker Centre. Ian has just come back from his favourite holiday destination - Minehead - and he’s already got plans for a return visit in 2009.
Mel Akers, Chief Executive of Aspects and Milestones Trust, commented:
“Ian is just one of many with whom we work who are proof of just how good life can be when people are given the chance to take their own decisions and enjoy the kind of independence that most of us take for granted.”
October 2008
Aspects and Milestones Making a Difference
Please follow the link below to see the article in Exec Digital published in October 2008.
Article Title - Aspects and Milestones, Making a Difference
April 2008
NURSES SAY LOCAL CHARITY IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE UK!
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Aspects and Milestones Trust has been voted as one of the top 100 organisations to work for by nurses, as recorded in the Nursing Times survey. Nurses from all over the UK were asked to complete questionnaires about their employers, and Aspects and Milestones Trust were ranked 23rd ahead of many NHS and independent sector employers. Mel Akers, Chief Executive of Aspects and Milestones Trust said: “We are delighted to be included in the top 100 best employers for nurses. There are some amazingly dedicated people working for the charity, and their skills and enthusiasm are really appreciated by the people who use our services. |
The Nursing Times said “ Staff are enthusiastic about working for this organisation, which runs homes, day care, domiciliary care and supported living schemes. One says it is good at matching opportunities to individuals’ strengths, development needs or changing circumstances. Nurses praise the autonomy they are given but add that support is there when needed”.
For more information on the services provided by Aspects and Milestones Trust, please call the number above; email admin@aspectsandmilestones.org.uk or visit our website www.aspectsandmilestones.org.uk
