Message from Kat

This edition is packed with animal action as the events around National Pet Month come

through. Amazing to see so many furry friends lighting up so many people’s days. From

puppies to ponies we’ve got it all. Thanks to everyone who brought in their beloved

companion or arranged a visit. I brought my dog Macy in one day and the effect she had

on customers was amazing. It’s the little pleasures in life that we treasure and for many of

our customers being around animals is one of those pleasures.

Some celebrations taking place this month too. Some people reaching the big ‘5’-‘0’ whilst

others can double that!! Congratulations to all of our birthday boys and girls – especially

Ted at Grundy for reaching his century.

Lovely to see such a fantastic range of activities taking place across services. From the

amazing volunteer gardening project that’s breathing new life into the gardens at Bolton

Rd to dancing and trampolining. Fantastic to see people having fun and developing new

skills and hobbies, and to see staff enjoying putting their personal passions and interests

to use at work.

Lots coming up during May so keep an eye on the developments to our website as we

make it more customer friendly. Also the Top Green at Clarence Park should be completed

so make sure you pay it a visit to see how it has been transformed and enjoy some

refreshments at The Green whilst you’re there.

Enjoy a marvellous May!

Kat

News Issue 19 — April 2017

Page ... 2 Pets Corner

Page... 3 April Events Page ... 4 Celebrations!! Page ... 5 In the Spotlight Page... 6 Great News Page ...8 News from Bolton Road Page ... 9 Latest from the Top Green

Page ...10 Announcements Page .... 11 What’s coming up in May

Page 2

So many staff and customers totally embraced National Pet Month in April, even staff and customers brought their pets along to join the celebrations. We met some amazing and very well

behaved pets. Here are just a few of the special guests....

Featured here are: Billy and Indie Jenny the Greyhound Animals from Smithills Farm

Miniature ponies at Spurr Delilah the Great Dane

April brought us some great events including Gardening Week; National Pet Month; Walk to Work

D a y and National Dance Day. We also celebrated Easter and St

Georges Day. Once again staff and customers celebrated in style and gained some exercise whilst doing so!! Staff at Pinfold worked hard in the garden, Angela Driscoll walked to work, and staff and customers from Grundy and Ramsbottom enjoyed a Zumba session!!

Page 3

Page 4

Congratulations to Caroline Hulme who’s

gorgeous grandson Toby Hulme was born 1st April

weighing in at a healthy 10lb 4oz

Happy Birthday to Steph Berry who

celebrated her 50th Birthday in April.

Congratulations to Ted who celebrated his 100th Birthday in

April at Grundy.

Happy Birthday to Rose Marie from

Elton who celebrated her 50th Birthday in

April.

Congratulations to Mel Obersby and Karl Jones on the birth of their beautiful baby boy born on 17 April

at a healthy 7lb 6 oz. Babe is still waiting for a name—for any suggestions contact

Karl!!

Page 5

Page 6

Persona had an extremely busy April with some great activities and events. Nicola from LD Day Service enjoyed

a Rebound Therapy session, delivered by specially trained staff; customers at Pinfold engrossed in making beaded

bracelets; staff and customers partied at Grundy for St Patricks and St Georges

Days and there were lucky winners from Grundy’s Easter Egg raffle.

Page 7

Deadline for nominations

has been extended to Friday 12 May 17 so don’t

miss the chance to submit your nominations for what promises to be

another magical evening!!!

The Persona website is currently undergoing a make-over. Logon to

www.personasupport.org and take a sneaky peak at

what’s changed.....

Page 8

The group at Bolton Road Community Centre spent a day with Chris and Pete who are volunteer gardeners. The team spent the morning creating flower pot men who they named Chris and Pete. It was a wonderful day and the volunteers and staff at BRCC worked really hard with commitment and passion for the project. Even the Mayor and his concierge joined the team for the occasion. The aim is to create a sensory garden full of different smells, colours and touches and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables, which can be used by the staff and customers when cooking at the centre. The team have decided on a name for the garden which is “Touch of Life”. There is still a lot to do so if you have any flags, plants or cuttings that could be used please contact Joanne Barnard on 0161 723 5304.

Page 9

It’s an exciting time for the Top Green Project. The play equipment is currently being installed and the willow structures are starting to grow. A competition is being run between two local primary schools, St Joseph & St Bede RC Primary and St John with St Mark Primary for pupils to design the best Bug Hotel. The winners will be selected on 5 May and will be announced by the Mayor on 8 May. The winning designs will be constructed on The Green .

Page 10

Persona would like to welcome:

Victoria Brimelow Casual Team

Mark Brooks Casual Team

Nunzia Debiase Casual Team

Sally Guidon Casual Team

Catherine Jessup Casual Team

Tapiwa Kadembo Positive Lives

Team

Peter Lancaster Casual Team

Sasha Moreton Spurr House

Sara Saunders Spurr House

Leokadia Sieradzki Elmhurst

Victoria Wilson-Kirk Casual Team

HIVE is here – your feedback is important

Our new staff surveying platform is due to launch week

commencing 8 May and all staff will receive either an

email or text message asking you to get involved and give

us your ideas, suggestions and feedback.

The first survey focuses on communication within

Persona. Results of the survey will be fed back via

managers and also in the newsletter.

So get involved and let us know what you think.

Congratulations to Linda Whitehead from LDST who won April’s

100% Attendance

Award.

Time goes so quick when you

are having fun—can you believe

we are in May already!! May is

a long month so why not get

involved in some of the great

awareness activities taking

place throughout the month......

May is National Walking Month (NWM). NWM is a campaign to

promote the health benefits that can be gained from walking.

Walking is a great form of exercise and is free, inclusive and can help

improve fitness levels.

Dying Matters Awareness Week is from 8—14 May 2017/ For more information go to http://www.dyingmatters.org/

To find out more go to

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-

awareness-week

Dementia Awareness Week 15—21 May 2017. To find out more go to http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20167/dementia_awareness_week

See ‘Back Page News’ for

more info on how to get involved.....

National Epilepsy Day 14-20 May 2017 https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/campaigns/epilepsy-week

Page 11

Introduction to Mindfulness sessions will be running during Mental Health Awareness week.

Choose one of the following Dates, Times and Venues:

Town Hall Wednesday 10thth May 12:00 -13:00

Wednesday 10thth May 13:00 -14:00

Friday 12th May 12:00 – 13:00

Friday 12th May 13:00 – 14:00

Whittaker street

Thursday 11th May 12:00 -13:00

Thursday 11th May 13:00 -14:00

To book on go to https://burymbc.firmstep.com/default.aspx/RenderForm/?

Lets get curious and creative.....

15 May sees the start of Learning at Work Week. We will be having a number of IT sessions running around

this week for staff who previously completed their skills audit these are:

Word – Tuesday 16th May Excel – Tuesday 23rd May Outlook (email) – Tuesday 30th May

All sessions will run from 10am – 12pm and will be at

Prestwich Library (upstairs) in the ICT Suite To book onto one of these session please contact HR on 0161 253 6135 no later than 12 May, places are limited to 10 per session.

Follow the links to find out more...

https://www.everydayhero.co.uk/event/burycolourrun2017

http://www.buryhospice.org.uk/wp-content/

uploads/2017/02/Participant-Pack-2017-1.pdf

Join Bury Boppers

When and Where??

Thursdays at 1.30 pm

Elton Community Centre

£2.50 per session (includes refreshments)

This is a great way to get moving and have fun. The sessions last 2 hours and include

50’s and 60’s music. So why not get your jiving shoes on and join in!!!

If you fancy getting fit and toning up for your summer hols why not try Zumba??

When and Where?? Mondays 7.00 pm St Mary’s Pine Street Radcliffe

Tuesdays 6.30 pm Freedom Church, Warmsley Road, Bury

Classes cost just £3.00 per session and if you work for Persona your first class is FREE!!!!!