Beyond Limits launches a Newspaper for the new decade

As part of our celebration of the great work our staff do, the people we support and their friends and families we have produced a printed newspaper.

There are stories from our support workers, trainers and people connected to Beyond Limits plus information about new staff benefits. Our aim is to produce two or three editions a year so we have started collecting stories for the next edition already! If you would like to share a story or recommend somewhere to visit we’d love to hear from you.

Contents of edition 1

Chantelle at college / MacMillan fundraiser
Recommend a Friend scheme is changing / Health & Social Care Diploma
BILD Training for Hamish and Georgia / Ian’s holiday
Welcome Austin / Southwest Wordsearch / Useful information
James attends the End of Season Cricket dinner / Plymouth’s new cineworld
New places to visit / A simple soup
Kayleigh’s three day advednture
Planning days / Ricky has found a new love, his tandem
Job Fairs around the South West
Talking shop – training staff / Team working with Lou Close
New Employee Assistance Programme / Work for Beyond Limits

On page 5 we have a Wordsearch, if you’d like the answers please click here.

Below is a link to a PDF of the whole newspaper. If you’d like a printed copy please contact the Beyond Limits office.

Back

Top

Beyond Limits Employee Benefits

We recognise that life doesn’t always run smoothly and sometimes we, or members of our family need help, that’s why we have secured a fantastic range of benefits which are available to you and your immediate family members when you need help the most.

Looking after yourself has never been so easy, download the Smart Health app and use the access code LG011206, that’s it, once you have set up your account you will be able to access expert health services 365 days a year, including GP appointments, health checks and support with mental health.

You can also get support at the most difficult of times, during critical illness (plus children’s cover) and if experiencing a bereavement. This benefit is available to you and your immediate family.

As a valued member of Beyond Limits we offer you these benefits to support you in times of need.

If you have any questions or you are struggling to access any of the benefits, speak to your line manager in the first instance.

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.

Back

Top

Ian makes an Easter cake

Ian and his team made a delicious looking Easter cake for Easter Friday.

Watch the video below to see how he made it. We’ve got a feeling there won’t be any left when the Government’s Social distancing ends.

Ian looks pretty pleased with the finished cake!

Back

Top

Heather’s pasties are a ‘proper job’

Heather really fancied a pasty but with everything closed Heather and her team decided to make their own Gluten Free Pasties.

The photos below show Heather’s pasty making, start to finish.

Back

Top

Thank you for all your hard work

As a Central Team, we wanted to show our immense gratitude and recognise how hard you have all been working during this very unsettling time.

We wanted to find some small way of showing our appreciation for all that you do every single day, a way of saying “thank you” to each and every one of you.

And so we came up with an idea that has taken us a couple of weeks to put together, please watch our thank you video, from us to you, we had fun making it and we hope it puts a smile on your face.

We need to give a special shout out to Claire Bennett for her artistic creation of the poster we have used and to Val Alekseenko-Simpson for taking the time to create the video.

Thank you all and please stay safe.

Back

Top

Stay safe from flu this winter with a flu jab

This is not a normal year! We all want to protect ourselves and those close to us. This year, the double dangers of flu and COVID-19 mean it’s especially important to protect ourselves from the flu.

The flu virus spreads from person-to-person and as frontline workers, you are at an increased risk of contracting flu. Sometimes you can get flu without symptoms which makes it very easy for you to pass it on without knowing.

There’s lots of myths about flu and the flu vaccination which is why we have put together a page of Frequently Asked Questions.

Even if we are healthy, we can still get flu and spread it to the people we care about and care for. Getting a flu jab is easy, you can access it through your GP, a practice nurse or your local pharmacy. It is free to all frontline workers, just be sure to take your ID badge with you.

The NHS and Lloyds Pharmacy websites have more information about the vaccination:

Back

Top

Frequently Asked Questions about the flu vaccination

Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions people ask about flu and the flu vaccination.

You can get the flu from a flu jab? False

This myth really caught on over the years. Flu jabs are made with dead viruses or pieces (proteins) from the flu virus. You can’t catch the flu from getting one. Your arm might hurt after the jab. You might have aches or a low fever. But you’d feel a lot worse if you caught the flu.

You can spread the flu before you know you’re sick? True

Here’s one of the tricky things about the flu: You can pass it to someone before you have symptoms, while you’re sick, and up to a week after you start feeling bad. Some people, especially kids and those with weakened immune systems, can be contagious even longer.

The flu isn’t serious? False

Some people get so sick that they need to go to the hospital. They can get pneumonia or even respiratory failure. The flu is most dangerous for children, people ages 65 and older, and those with other health problems. About 90% of people who die from the flu are older adults. Flu is the top cause of vaccine-preventable deaths.

Who should get the flu jab? Everyone

Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect yourself. Everyone 6 months and older should get it every year. It will help guard you against the 3 or 4 strains predicted to strike hard that flu season. Scientists update the vaccine each year. Talk to your doctor if you have any health concerns or questions.

The flu virus changes all the time. True

The flu that’s keeping your partner in bed might not be the same one that made your aunt sick last year. That’s because flu viruses are always changing. They can vary from year to year. They can even change in the middle of a flu season.

Getting a flu vaccine in December is too late? False

Its recommended that people get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available and that vaccination continue in December, January and beyond. Influenza activity normally peaks in February most years, but disease can occur as late as May.

Back

Top

Ricky’s story has made it into a podcast!

PBS Matters is a podcast from The PBS Special Interest Group. This is a group that brings together practitioners, educators, researchers and students interested in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). PBS are part of the UK Society for Behaviour Analysis.

Hamish O’Brien and Georgia Mitchell are the PBS leads for Beyond Limits and they attended a Positive Behaviour Support conference where they came across Paddy Behan who was presenting at the conference. They got chatting and inevitably the conversation turned to the work they have done with Ricky. Their work epitomises PBS (getting people a good life) and Paddy invited them, along with Ricky’s Nan, Carol, to go on the show and tell Ricky’s story.

Follow this link to listen to the podcast or search for PBS Matters in your favourite podcast player.

For more information about PBS Matters visit their website.

Back

Top

Thank You NHS

12th May is International Nurses Day, we think this is a very fitting tribute to all Nurses and indeed everyone who works in our NHS.

For more information about the day please visit the International Council of Nurses page.

Back

Top

What to do when you have Type 2 diabetes

On this page are a video and two booklets about Diabetes.

What is diabetes video

What to do when you have diabetes – An easy read guide.

The first booklet is by Diabetes UK who are leading the fight against diabetes.

If you are using a desktop or laptop computer you can click on the Full Screen button to zoom the page. Click on your browser’s back button to return to normal size.

Getting started if you have Diabetes

This booklet was produced by the Bristol Central Community Learning Team.

Back

Top

Keep your heart and yourself Healthy!!

This page will tell you the best ways to keep your heart healthy.

It is very important for all of us to look at the way we live! Eating too much of the wrong food, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, not getting enough exercise and being stressed out can all damage our hearts.

Keeping your heart healthy means you can keep doing the things you like, and enjoying life, for longer!

The heart of the matter!

Your heart is a muscle in your chest that pumps blood around your body. You need this to live!

If you eat too much of the wrong food, or smoke, or drink too much alcohol, or don’t get enough exercise, your heart could stop working properly. You could have a heart attack and die!

Your heart pumps blood around your body through tubes called arteries. They should be nice and clear.

Smoking

Once you start smoking it’s hard to stop, but there are people who can help if you want to.

Your doctor, community nurse or carer can all help you stop smoking, but you have to want to do it!

Alcohol

You should have at least two days a week when you do not drink at all.

Food that’s good for you

One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to eat the right sort of food. You should eat five portions of fruit or vegetables each day to stay really healthy. This picture shows are some types of food that are good for you.

If you’re not sure what kind of food is good for you, ask your dietician, community nurse or doctor.

Food that’s bad for you

Greasy fatty food, like chips and pies, and sugary foods like sweets and chocolate are not very good for your heart.

Try not to add salt to your food. It’s probably tasty enough without it anyway! Try to cut out sugar altogether, but if you still need to sweeten your tea and coffee, you can try an artificial sweetener.

How much should you eat?

You should have proper sized portions when you eat. You can see below roughly how much that is. Sometimes people eat too much because they feel down. You’ll be a lot happier if you look and feel good!

How do you know if you have a weight problem?

People are all different shapes and sizes, so it’s hard sometimes to know if you are overweight.

If you’re not sure, you should ask your doctor for help. They will weigh you and take your blood pressure. This is a good way to tell if you need to lose weight and tell if your heart is OK.

Get some exercise!

One of the best ways to keep healthy and keep your weight down is to get regular exercise. You don’t have to do anything too difficult. A lot of things you do for fun are great exercise, like dancing, swimming or going for walks.

You can even do exercises while sitting watching the telly. Try lifting your feet off the ground and holding them there for the count of ten.

Housework is great exercise. Try a bit of hoovering and cleaning.

Are you stressed out?

One of the main causes of heart attacks is stress – worrying about things all the time and not taking it easy. People can get stressed over lots of things – changes in their lives, moving to a new home, not getting on with people, filling in forms, going to meetings… Aaargh!

Relax!

Pets are great for relieving stress too!

Some people you can talk to

Some community nurses can offer you a free check-up in your own home. Your doctor should be able to help you get in touch with them. Your doctor can give you a check-up too.

FAIR in association with Community Nurses for People with Learning Disabilities, NHS Lothian. This work was made possible with support from the The Esmee Fairburn Trust and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

Back

Top

Female Health: Breast Awareness

When you are age 50 you will be offered Breast Screening appointments every 3 years.

This page helps you make sure your breasts are healthy.

You need to know what is normal for you, how your breasts look and feel.

Below are the changes you should look out for

These pictures have been taken from a great website about women’s health called The Pink Ribbon Foundation.

A change in skin texture such as dimpling or puckering.

Any lumps or a lumpy area • which may not be visible but which can be felt.

Any change to the nipple in appearance or direction.

A discharge from one or both nipples or any rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area.

Any pain or swelling in the breast area, armpit or collarbone.

What to do if you find something NEW

If you are checking yourself and you find something that wasn’t there before, arrange to see a doctor.

Arrange to see your doctor or community nurse. They will know what to do.

Ask a Pratice Nurse

You can ask your Practice Nurse to help you become breast aware and ask for a Breast Awareness Leaflet for visual help in how you check your breasts.

If you need extra support to prepare for a breast screening appointment, you can contact The Learning Disability Community Nurse Team on Telephone: 08451558077

Breast pictures from Pictures from Pink Ribbon Foundation. Other information produced by FAIR in association with Community Nurses for People with Learning Disabilities, Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust.

Back

Top

Men’s health: Testicular Awareness

Cancer of your Testicles (Balls) can develop in men from the age of 15 years onwards
therefore you should not feel embarrassed to talk to your parents, friends or partners about
Testicular self examination.

Check your balls about once a month. If you have any concerns talk to your Doctor.
**AFTER ALL IT’S YOUR HEALTH AT STAKE.**

Watch a helpful video

Here’s a good video that tells you how to do an examination from ITV’s Lorraine Breakfast show.

Changes you should look out for:

Small hard painless lump
A dull ache
A testicle getting larger
One testicle feeling heavier than the other
Collection of fluid.

How to look after my balls

Check for swelling, and check to see is one ball is getting larger?

A good way to check yourself is in the shower, where you are warm.

Ask for help straight away if you find something wrong.

Don’t wait! Go and see your doctor straight away.

Back

Top

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

Back

Top

Support worker with personin wheelcahir on the beach

Why you’ll love working for Beyond Limits

At Beyond Limits, we value our people as much as the people we support. That’s why our staff stick with us for so long. We provide a workplace that is supportive, flexible, and full of opportunities to learn and grow.

Our Great Benefits:

Competitive salaries
Flexible hours to suit your lifestyle
7 weeks’ annual leave allowance
Critical Illness cover, reassurance when you need it the most
Award-winning pension scheme
Company sick pay scheme
Fully paid development and training opportunities
Clear career progression and growth opportunities
A welcoming, inclusive, and friendly workplace
A real chance to make a difference to someone’s life

What is it like to work for us?

At Beyond Limits, working with us means so much more than just a role. It is a chance to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. Our staff provide support to individuals in their own homes, helping them to live independently and confidently. This work is hugely rewarding, as you see the positive impact of your support every single day.

What makes us different is our commitment to truly person centred support. We tailor both the care and the team around the individual, making sure their needs, interests, and aspirations come first. This means you will be matched with someone who is the right fit, allowing strong and positive relationships to grow.

Supporting people also opens the door to amazing opportunities and experiences. From cosy movie nights in, to fun outings like clay pigeon shooting, taking part in races, or enjoying community events, no two days are ever the same. You will share in these moments, building genuine connections while helping people to live life to the fullest.

We believe in creating a supportive and encouraging workplace where staff are valued, listened to, and given space to grow. With training, development, and the chance to take on new challenges, you will not only build your skills but also gain the satisfaction that comes from meaningful, life changing work.

Back

Top

Staying safe and Staying healthy

We have added a new section to our website called Useful information.

We think part of providing good support is giving the people we support information to help them stay safe and stay healthy. We have started the Useful information by adding some pages about bad people who pretend to be friends. Soon we will be having pages about health checks, healthy food with recipes and activities to keep you fit.