Chantelle flies to Scotland

Chantelle has had an amazing year and has achieved so much and so as a little reward a trip to Scotland was planned.

Despite not having been on a plane for a long time, Chantelle did really well and she caught the plane from Bristol to Edinburgh. She had a really busy weekend doing lots of sightseeing, she walked along the Royal Mile and enjoyed listening to the bagpipes.

Had a trip to Edinburgh Castle and visited the World of Illusions which she really enjoyed and said was great fun.

She hopped on and off the tour bus and enjoyed listening to lots of history through the headphones and to top it all off she enjoyed a shandy in a local pub. A very busy weekend but lots of fun was had.

Chantelle goes Beyond the Limits

Chantelle has been working in the Lounge in Torquay for 2 years. The Lounge is a community café which provides support to people who are homeless.

Chantelle volunteers as a waitress, she also helps in the kitchen and enjoys talking to the customers. Chantelle received an award recently in the category of Going Above and Beyond in a volunteering role from the local Council.

On Friday 3rd June Chantelle attended the Jubilee party in Torquay and she was given her award by the Lord Mayor, she received a £15.00 voucher. Chantelle has a very good work ethic, she is never late or ill and she has made lots of friends through her volunteering. Well Done Chantelle, keep up the good work, your team is very proud of you.

Chantelle visits Pennywell Farm

It was a lovely day recently and a real sign that Spring is on the way.

Chantelle decided to take advantage of the nice weather and booked tickets to go to Pennywell Farm. Chantelle loves animals, she quite often attends her local horse riding centre and enjoys feeding and grooming the horses. Pennywell Farm has a wide range of animals and Chantelle loves to get involved in feeding and petting them.

The miniature pigs are a real hit and Chantelle took real care of these and enjoyed having a piggy cuddle.

The goats are mischievous and quite greedy and nearly enjoyed a piece of Chantelle’s jacket on more than one occasion.

Lunch and a walk around the rest of the farm looking at the other animals completed the day and Chantelle is already looking to book tickets again for another visit soon.

Visit the Pennywell Farm website for more information and to book tickets.

www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

Chantelle’s busy summer volunteering

Chantelle has been keeping busy over the summer, she continues to enjoy her volunteering job at the Lounge in Torquay and is a real asset to the team. She had her planning day recently which was a chance to look back on last year’s achievements and decide new goals for the coming year.

As usual all the people who are important to Chantelle were in attendance and everyone was really positive and pleased with the positive changes in Chantelle. The standout though was how well Chantelle is doing in her job and we are really proud to share this update which was written by Hayley who is in charge of the Lounge.

Grab a tissue and have a read…

“Today, I am honoured to be here and share the remarkable story of an individual whose dedication and compassion have truly made a difference in the lives of many. I am here to celebrate the incredible contributions of Chantelle, an extraordinary volunteer whose impact has been nothing short of inspiring. Chantelle is more than just a volunteer; she is a beacon of kindness and support. Her commitment to our cause, her unwavering dedication, and her genuine empathy have touched the hearts of our clients, peers and colleagues. For those battling anxiety, Chantelle has created a safe environment, as we all know finding a safe space is invaluable, and Chantelle has been a key factor in fostering that safe haven for many.

But Chantelle’s remarkable journey doesn’t stop there. She has been the driving force behind our well-being afternoons and evenings, a program that has not only enriched our team but has also created a sense of family among us. Through her ideas, she has brought joy, relaxation, and healing (and a little bit of stress) to our team. These well-being sessions have become a source of bonding which have forged friendships in order for us all to manage the challenges of life. Chantelle has transformed our organisation, infusing it with a profound sense of purpose and unity. Chantelle’s impact is immeasurable, and we want to acknowledge that we simply couldn’t run our community hub without her. Her actions remind us that it’s not just about serving coffee or snacks; it’s about creating a nurturing environment where every individual feels valued and supported.

As we celebrate Chantelle today, let us also reflect on the incredible power of volunteerism. One person’s dedication can spark a ripple effect that touches countless lives. Chantelle’s journey reminds us that small acts of kindness, when done with love and sincerity, can create a world of difference.

Chantelle, you are an amazing volunteer, a true catalyst for positive change, and an embodiment of the spirit of giving. On behalf of our clients, our team, and the entire community, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have enriched our lives and brought light to our cafe. Your legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those you have touched.

Thank you, Chantelle, for being the heartbeat of our community hub, and for showing us all the beauty that can be created through bravery, compassion and selflessness.”

Charles gets a mural in his own home

In this post, Claire Bennett, a Team Leader at Beyond Limits, explains how Charles’s mural came about, how it was created and how long it took.

“I was approached by the team about creating the mural and helping with some sensory work. I was given a simple brief consisting of Charles loving trains and the Tamar Bridge.

As I started creating a design, more information came from the team concerning having the water visible as he likes water and boats. They also sent a few ideas of trains and Charles’s mum asked about having the family dog on the mural as well ! The final design took into account people suggestions, Charles’s likes and dislikes (definitely not having too much red), and his needs. When the team and Charles’s family had agreed the design we showed it to Charles.

It took a while but that was down to me having limited time, It took between 40 – 50 hours over about 5 months to get it drawn, painted and have all the sensory elements attached.

Slow was best

The wall was done slowly due again to myself, but Gayle and the team said doing it slow would be better for Charles to process it as having a whole painting done at once may be a bit overwhelming for him. Small sections were done during each visit with acrylic paints as they are easier to paint over rather than wall paints and they were easier to clean. The sensory elements were created at home and then brought in ready to put up as it involved a lot of space and a lot of mess!

Sensory elements

I tried to add a different variety of textures as well as smells. His felt flowers have Lavender oil on them and Sandalwood. There were also some battery operated lights and mirrors as well as some reversible mermaid sequence fabric. I tried to make it safe as I was aware Charles has drop seizures and at times will throw things that are accessible to him. Darren (support worker) had some good suggestions like adding Charles’s name on the train so he took ownership of it, and having the train orange as it was his favourite colour.

The team were very supportive throughout and Charles was also accepting of having a random person in his house!”

Christmas decorating workshop at Beyond Limits

People we support, family and friends brought Christmas to Beyond Limits recently. The office was buzzing with festive activity at our first Christmas decorating competition.

The competition involved decorating two floors of the office. Martha won the first floor with her stars and paper chains. Hannah won the second floor with her wreaths and door decorations.

COVID-19 vaccination for front-line workers

Beyond Limits staff are starting to be called to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. As front-line staff we are classed as a priority group and indeed some of you may have already received your first vaccination.

We are working closely with our commissioners and preparing everything so that we have a safe and effective process. As soon as we get the go ahead again, we will be coming to you asking about your availability. We will try and co-ordinate where we can, but please be aware that this can happen at very short notice so we need to remain flexible.

COVID-19 vaccination – Protection for social care staff booklet

Please download the booklet produced by National Health England (NHE) which answers the main questions about the vaccine.

Download the booklet as a PDF here.

(file name: PHE_11920_AZ_Covid-19_SCS_leaflet.pdf)

Or read the booklet online below:

We are delighted that there is a vaccination and that we can play our part in keeping everyone safe. Please be patient and rest assured you will be called as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your continued commitment to the people we support.

Exeter Jobs Fair Wednesday 4 September

Beyond Limits is recruiting in the Southwest and we have a range of positions available. We offer a competitive starting salary, excellent training and career development.

We are looking for staff who can see the person behind the disability, who can help the people we support to achieve their dreams, goals and ambitions. For more information about the benefits of working for us visit Susannah’s “Reasons to become a support worker”.

If you are looking for an exciting challenge and want to make a real difference, then come along to our jobs fair on the Wednesday 4 September 2019 at the Corn Exchange in Exeter. We’ll be there from 10am to 1pm and would love to chat to you and tell you more about these opportunities.

Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter, EX1 1BW.

Telephone: 01392 665938