April 2014
Deciphering Food Labelling for Allergies
We all need
to know what is really in our food, particularly in regard to ingredients that
can cause harm and damage to our body.
Still, food labels and descriptions can be confusing and there can be
hidden dangers. This is proven by the
fact that hospital admissions due to food allergies in the UK
To help
make people more aware of food allergies, MenuAnalyser is offering a set of
free downloadable guides on how to read a food label (www.menuanalyser.co.uk).
This is aimed at the catering sector and is available during Allergy Awareness
Week (April 28-May 4, 2014).
The
information gives helpful advice on food allergens including milk, gluten,
lupin, eggs, sulphur dioxide, soya and sesame seeds. A complete list is
available on the company’s website.
As well as
raising awareness of ingredients that can adversely affect some people,
MenuAnalyser gives advice on new legislation coming into force in December
2014. This legislation involves
detailing specific-known allergens in all foods on labels and menus to ensure a
safer eating experience.
Teresa
Dupay, Founder, MenuAnalyser said:
“Everyone is
entitled to enjoy eating out without putting their lives at risk. It is my
mission to empower customers to dine wherever they choose, whenever they
choose”.
MenuAnalyser
offers several services for catering concerns including nutritional analysis, costing,
portion control, special dietary requirements and advice on government
directives.
Allergy
Awareness Week is organised by the Food Standards Agency, partnered by Allergy
UK, The Anaphylaxis Campaign and Coeliac UK.
03/03/14
Greensleeves Care
Home Praised for Steam Trains to Skype-ing
Thornbank
Care Home in Ipswich, owned by Greensleeves Homes Trust, has been selected by
the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a beacon ofexcellence in
tackling health and mental wellbeing.
NICE
is publishing new Standards to helpaddress loneliness, depression and low
self-esteem in older people. It filmed activities at Thornbank to show meaningful
and uplifting activities that can be adopted to improve the quality and
experience of care.
In a
film to accompany the launch of the new standards, NICE shows residents at
Thornbank hooking up with American friends in Washington DC. This activity has also
been picked up by the
media in the USA. Homes in New York and in Wales
are also contacted in this way.
media in the USA. Homes in New York and in Wales
are also contacted in this way.
Lyn Andrews, Activities Co-ordinator, Thornbank, said:“Skype-ing is great as the residents talk with people they would never meet in everyday life, exchange ideas and keep up to date on what they have been doing.”
Skypeing
is only part of the engaging and stimulating activities carried out by the
dedicated team at Thornbank. The home
focuses on the needs and wishes of individuals to enable a positive impact on
their sense of identity and to help to make them happy.
Ever
wanted to drive a steam train? Well
resident Joyce did, so the home arranged for her to have a go along the track.
Other incredible feats include a tour of the Houses of Parliament with local MP
Ben Gummer, teaching a resident to drive, visits to the Speedway and arranging
for a 94 year old to attend her first ever football match.
+Joyce+driving+the+train.JPG) |
You are
never too old to drive a train. Joyce, a
resident
at Thornbank, Ipswich,part of the Greensleeves Homes Trust,
gets ready
to steam ahead.
|
Thornbank
was recommended to NICE by Stephen Goulder, Social Care Institute of Excellence,
following a visit to the home’s open day in the summer.
Other
activities throughout Greensleeves Homes include gardening, visits to swimming
pools and their own version of the marathon – walking a mile, Zimmer frames at
the ready!
27/02/14
foc.us tDCS Headset Wearable Technology Amps
Up The Brain For Gamers
Wearable
technology is a burgeoning market as proved by the plethora of goods at the
latest CES Tradeshow in Las Vegas this January. Forbes having predicted “2014
Will Be The Year of Wearable Technology” and the battle for space on your body
is underway, with a host of wearable inventions to measure and improve
lifestyle.
With
wristbands that can charge your phone on-the-go, smartwatches that display
messages from your smart phone and Internet connected glasses, the
possibilities for always being connected are endless. However, most monitor and deliver information
whereas one product, the foc.us headset, for gamers, is blazing a
trail with wearable technology that improves mental skills. The headset amps up
the brain, improves memory, vigilance and enables people to think faster.
Developed
by entrepreneur Michael Oxley, the foc.us headset is the first wearable
transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) technology on the market. Gamers
are taking up the product in their droves, as it allows them to experience new
levels of achievement.
 |
The foc.us headset assists in kick-starting the
brain,
priming it to learn and retain information
|
The futuristic headset rests neatly on
the back of the head with four space-age electrode pads placed at the
front. Michael Oxley says: “The force of
controlled electricity excites the brain’s neurons into firing faster, enabling
gamers to respond quickly. It’s a smart piece of wearable technology that shows
people that you are really serious about your game and in achieving the utmost
concentration”.
The foc.us headset, available in red or
black, is controlled manually by using a touch sensor or people can connect via
Bluetooth 4.0 from a compatible mobile device, such as an iPhone, iPod touch or
iPad. It looks pretty revolutionary too
and is available from foc.usfor £179.00 ($249.00).
15/02/14
Memories,
Inclusion and Sensory Spaces at Innovative Care Home
St.
Cross Grange Residential Care Home in Winchester, owned by Greensleeves Care
Homes, has been completely refurbished with lovely areas to evoke memories and
heighten sensory awareness.
The
building has been increased in size with two new wings sympathetically built,
including one accommodating people living with dementia.
 |
| St
Cross Grange, owned by Greensleeves Homes Trust has furnishings specially sourced to be approximately 1950's designs. The lounge alsohas vinyl discs on the wall and an old gramophone to spark memories of this era. |
The
refurbishment allows for lots of separate quiet areas to sit, watch or become
involved. Included is a ‘memory’ walkway,a
bright circular trailinside the home with stimulating memory boxes and different
themed areas.
These include a 1950’s
style lounge, a bistro, arelaxation area that extends into the garden, and yet
a further space for when people want more tranquillity. Kitchenettes encourage residents to cook,
have fun and be more active.
A
lovely local touch is the inclusion of a mural of a Winchester Street, circa
1940s, painted by artists from the Bolton Art Group, Basingstoke
Teri
Packer, Home Manager, St Cross Grange said:
“We
are delighted with the refurbishment of our new home and excited at how
uplifting and stimulating this will be for the people who live and work here.”
Special
attention has been given to the provision of light with extensive glazing
throughout and with bespoke artificial lighting systems to provide increased
light levels within the building.
The
home is breath of fresh air for its residents with safe sensory exterior
courtyards, and easy access to outside areas including on the upper floor a garden
terrace.
The
new refurbishment was officially launched by the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr
Ernie Jeffs on 7 November 2013. This was
followed by the cutting of celebratory cakes by Brin Brindley aged 106, the
home’s oldest resident, assisted by Tom Hunt a former soldier who was stationed
at St Cross during the second war world.
Some famous local faces also popped by including former members of the
Southampton Football Club.
12/12/13
Thousands to Enjoy New
Levels of Gaming Achievement at Christmas
Computer games
are top of the wish list for a considerable amount of the population this
Christmas. Some take the game so
seriously, they will aid their concentration with a new space-age headset
delivering electronic currents to the brain.
 |
The foc.us headset assists in kick-starting
the brain,
priming it to learn and retain information
|
The first batch
of foc.us headsets was made available in July and sold out within 60 days. The
second issue of stock is to be launched today Thursday 12
December 2013.
Michael Oxley,
foc.us founder said:
“All those gamers
are looking for an edge. They need a strong memory,high vigilance and
concentration. We built foc.us to give them an easy, affordable way to apply tDCS, to electrically stimulate the brain so that they can be
faster, act quicker and score higher.”
concentration. We built foc.us to give them an easy, affordable way to apply tDCS, to electrically stimulate the brain so that they can be
faster, act quicker and score higher.”
The foc.us
headset assists in kick-starting the brain, priming it to learn and retain
information. It can be controlled
manually using a touch sensor or people can connect via Bluetooth 4.0 from a
compatible mobile device, such as an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It looks pretty revolutionary too and is
available from the foc.us website for £179.00($249.00).
Transcranial
direct current stimulation (tDCS) uses a
constant, low current delivered directly to the brain area via small
electrodes. Tests on healthy adults demonstrated that tDCS can increase
cognitive performance on a variety of tasks, depending on the area of the brain
being stimulated. tDCS has been utilised to enhance language and mathematical
ability, attention span, problem solving, memory and coordination.
The fast-growing
gaming market attracts over 1.21 billion people worldwide and this is set to
rise to 1.55 billion this year, with mobile gaming growing at an average annual
rate of 19% for smartphones and 48% for tablets.
04/11/13
Major Award for Memory Garden at Kingston House Care Home
Kingston House Residential Care Home, owned by Greensleeves Homes Trust,
has received a Silver Gilt New Homes Garden Award for a unique Memory Garden
specially designed for residents with dementia.
Stocked full of delightful flowers and scents The Memory Garden at
Kingston House, Calne, Wiltshire also includes an aviary and has access for
wheelchairs. It was built following the home’s recent full refurbishment
which involved the creation of a 25-bed dementia unit.
 |
Philip, a resident at Kingston House
Care Home, Calne, Wiltshire
enjoying the award winning
Memory Garden.
|
“Staff and residents are elated to receive this Award. The garden
is uplifting and wonderful for morale and wellbeing.”
Landscape Designers’ Tim Lynch Associates carried out the design of the
garden which had to include a conservatory and be a safe place for
residents. Within secure boundaries, the Memory Garden includes a host of
colourful fragrant climbers, a Tranquillity Garden, a water feature and cherry
and pear trees. There are handrails throughout. Pleasing sculptures
and seating are situated within the garden and along with the aviary there are
bird boxes to encourage wildlife.
 |
The beautiful award-winning Memory
Garden at Kingston House Care
Home, Calne, Wiltshire, specially
designed for residents
with dementia.
|
Tim Lynch, Tim Lynch Associates said:
“This award shows only too clearly the success of the garden and the
commitment made by the staff and the Manager, Carol Grainger. It was her drive
and commitment that made this garden the success it is today and confirms the
importance of such gardens, irrespective of size or budget”.
The project benefitted from the keen eye and attention to detail of the landscape contractor Johnstone Landscapes to ensure the long term success and minimum maintenance on all the hard landscape details.
04/11/13
HRH
The Earl of Wessex Visits Pelsall Hall Residential Home
Residents at Pelsall Hall, owned by Greensleeves Homes
Trust, regularly open their doors to a host of cherished guests from children,
authors and even unusual pets but none has been so esteemed as those on Friday
18 October 2013.
HRH The Earl of Wessex popped in for tea, alongside the
Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall, Cllr Mohammed Nazir and Riaz Begum Nazir. Visiting in the area, HRH couldn’t resist
the opportunity to meet with residents and see Pelsall Hall, which has recently
been extensively redeveloped and extended at a cost of several million
pounds. The development includes a request
from residents for a beautiful woodland garden.
Resident, Iris Ordidge, aged 90, who regularly helps with
serving teas at the Hall said: “We understand that His Royal Highness takes
honey in his tea, so we sourced a local variety for him. Of course we served it in a china cup – he is
Royalty after all!”
 |
Pelsall Hall resident met with HRH The Earl of Wessex
at his
recent visit to the residential care home in
Walsall owned by Greensleeves
Homes Trust.
|
Whilst there, HRH saw activities such as felt-making and
flower-arranging and 94 year old Dennis Mountford presented him with a copy of
the book The Charles Family and Pelsall
Hall which was written by local historian Annita Bates. Mr. Mountford said: “As I am a Normandy
Veteran, it is an honour to wear my medals and to represent the residents in
saying thank you for taking the time to visit us.”
As part of its commitment to person-centred care, Pelsall
Hall is a Registered Eden Alternative home. This scheme supports residents to
take an active role in home life with contact with animals, children and plants
and to banish loneliness, helplessness and boredom. In connection with this, Pelsall Hall often
arranges open days with local children in fun schemes such as making kites and
helping to develop the home’s wildlife area, within the new woodland gardens,
by building animal and insect habitats.
Steve Brookes, Pelsall Hall Manager, said: “There has
been a real buzz of excitement for residents and staff ever since hearing the
news of His Royal Highness’ visit. This
is the first time Greensleeves Homes Trust has welcomed a Royal visitor to one
of its homes since 1990 when HRH The Earl of Wessex’s Grandmother, the late
Queen Mother opened Queen Elizabeth House
in Bromley, Kent.
“2013 has been a fantastic year for Pelsall Hall. We received Walsall Council’s continued
support for our vision for the new garden area to the tune of a £10,000
grant. There was a £10,000 successful
lottery bid to bring artists to the Hall to provide Art and Craft Workshops and
we also worked closely with young people from the Princes Trust. And now the Royal visit! This finishes the year off nicely!”
04/11/13
Broadlands
Care Home wins UK Residential Care Provider of the Year
Celebrations are in abundance at Broadlands Residential
Care Home at Oulton Broad, Suffolk, part of the Greensleeves Homes Trust. Its dedicated team has achieved UK Residential
Care Provider of the Year, awarded by community care market intelligence
experts Laing & Buisson.
 |
Staff at Broadlands, part of
Greensleeves Homes Trust,
proudly display their UK Residential Care Provider of
the Year
and Gold Standards Framework Awards.
|
The coveted award adds to a host of other accolades
received by the highly-regarded care home. It follows hot on the heels of
Broadlands and sister Greensleeves Home’ Harleston House, Lowestoff, both being
given Gold Standards Framework Awards for the quality of care they give to
older people.
Anne Maas, Home Manager, Broadlands Residential Care Home
said:
“We are a great big
family here at Broadlands and both staff and residents are delighted with this
award. I am so pleased that the Broadlands’ team has been
recognised for all their commitment and great quality care for older people.
Our aim is to enable our residents to live as fulfilling lives as they can in
comfort and safety”.
The UK Residential Care Provider award was given at a
glittering ceremony in London recently.
The Judges included some of the most eminent experts from the Royal
College of Nursing and the Department of Health with Broadlands outshining care
homes across the UK.
01/10/13
The Amazing Floating Air Lamp
Looking
for something a bit different for your pad?
Well the Air Lamp not only lights up, it floats in mid-air, so as well
as being functional it is a great talking point (not to mention a bit of a
boy’s toy too).
The
Air Lamp is way beyond cool. It contains a patented system of top-end
electronics that produces an electro-magnetically repulsive column above the centre
of the lamp base, supporting the shade against the force of gravity. If that’s not enough, the electronics have
been programmed to make the shade gently rotate, so that light, colour and
movement are all achieved from just one lamp.
The
other good news is that the lamp has energy-saving LED lighting and is very
versatile as it can be used as both an up and a down-lighter. The upper and lower lights can also be
operated independently or both together to give you exactly the level and type
of lighting you need. The power
consumption is around 11w with the lights on and 3w without.
 |
| The Luxa Air Lamp - way beyond cool. |
The
Air Lamp is currently available with white, red or silver lampshades and with silver
metal or red lacquered stand and can be obtained from www.luxa.co.uk
at a cost of £92.50 each.
23/09/13
‘Songs
and Scones’ Brings the Elderly Together in Ryedale
Older
people throughout Ryedale are being brought together to enjoy monthly concerts,
tea and conversation, with musicians from the renowned Live Music Now Charity
(LMN).
LMN
created the Songs and Scones programme to share the uplifting benefits of high quality
live music concerts with older people in the community. The next event
takes place on Tuesday 13 August at Amotherby Village Hall.
Older people are particularly vulnerable to social
isolation and loneliness owing to loss of friends and family, mobility or
income. They may face difficulties in communicating, cut off
from the joy and pleasures of participating and sharing with others.
Ryedale
District Council is supporting the concert series; “This is particularly
relevant to Ryedale, as our population includes a large proportion of older
residents, some of whom experience loneliness and some of whom have health
problems” said Julian Rudd, Head of Economy and Infrastructure.
“Songs and Scones brings people together, away from the potential isolation of
their own home, and into a musical environment which is warm, stimulating and
joyful.”
The
musicians, who are specially trained by Live Music Now to work within local
communities, are recognised as amongst the most talented emerging performers in
the UK. Singer, Chloe Saywell and pianist, Stephenie Leung shared a wide
ranging repertoire, with something for everyone. They invite people to
sing along and dance as well.
 |
| More than anything else, Songs & Scones is a fun event. |
Ryedale
Carers Support works with older people and their carers in a very rural area of
North Yorkshire. “More than anything else, ‘Songs and Scones’ is a fun
event, the free transport enables isolated people to participate,” said the
organisation’s Claire Hall. “We hope that over the forthcoming year friendships
will be forged and experiences shared. We are delighted to be working in
partnership with Live Music Now.”
Funding
has been secured to provide monthly Songs and Scones events at Amotherby
Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month to January 2014. The
Live Music Now charity is seeking further support to continue this valuable
activity.
23/09/13
Music Charity celebrates 35 years in the heart of the Community
The Live
Music Now (LMN) charity founded by violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Stoutzker
is celebrating 35 years as the leading musician development and outreach
organisation in the UK.
Alongside
a host of projects and events, the organisation is holding a 35th Anniversary
concert at Kings Place, London on 29 May 2013, with performances by both
contemporary and former musicians on the LMN scheme. As this is a coral
anniversary, the theme is around the sea and song.
Ian
Stoutzker, Founder-Chairman, Live Music Now said:
“My
friend and co-founder of LMN, Yehudi Menuhin, would feel immensely proud of all
the organisation has achieved. From a single performance over 35 years ago,
Live Music Now has influenced the careers of thousands of young professional
musicians and has become an integral part of the UK’s musical life."
 |
| LMN has been training musicians to work in the community for over 35 years. |
Over the
last three decades, the charity has reached over 2 million people, with over
50,000 participatory performances for older people, those with disabilities,
and children and young people with special needs.
The Anniversary concert will be presented by Tim Rhys Evans, LMN Alumnus and Conductor of Only Men Aloud, winners of the BBC Last Choir Standing. LMN Musicians include Hannah Stone, official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales, Soprano Daniela Lehner, a BBC New Generation Artist and Guitarist Morgan Szymanski, a finalist in the Outstanding Young Artists Award, whose travel to the UK for the concert is funded by the Mexican National Fund for Culture and the Arts.
There
will be a special performance by Three Jazz of “The Seahorse and the Sailor”, a
suite of original compositions devised especially for the 35th Anniversary
and inspired by the unpredictable nature of the sea.
19/09/13
Live
Music Now Appeal to Transform Lives
The
charity Live Music Now (LMN), established 35 years ago by legendary violinist
Yehudi Menuhin, is launching an individual giving campaign to help fund its
work with older people. Part of this project is a BBC appeal presented by the
actor and writer, Simon Callow on 28 July 2013.
Simon
Callow said:
 |
| The BBC appeal was a huge success. |
“People
who seem not to connect respond wonderfully to live music and the
brilliantly talented musicians who perform it, and this often profoundly
improves the quality of their lives.”
Older
people who have participated in LMN sessions report improvements in life such
as reduction in depression, being happier and feeling less isolated.
Daire
Halpin, a LMN musician working for five years on the scheme, said:
"Live
Music Now concerts are extremely effective, transforming the atmosphere and
inspiring people to share stories and memories. Music has the power to draw
people out of themselves, to remind them of all the joy there is in life and
how this doesn't need to stop just because you're living in a care home."
To give
funds, please visit: www.justgiving.com/livemusicnow .
Alternatively, cheques can be sent to Live Music Now, Music Base, Kings
Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG made payable to Live Music Now.
LMN has
recently been awarded an Arts Council England Catalyst Grant, enabling it to
match any new donations received between January 2012 and March 2015.
18/09/13
Burger
Boon Restaurant Lights Up
The UK
Burger boon is showing no signs of abating. In the past year alone, the
burger has evolved from a simple grab and go snack into somewhat of an icon
amongst international foodies with variations galore, served in designer
settings.
Two
famous American chains have just reached London but beating them at their own
game, is UK company SLABS, voted one of London’s Hottest new burger joints by
renowned website ZAGAT.
Tempting
burgers include Wagyu beef with roasted shitake mushrooms, and one made with
lobster tail and soft-shell crab. Matching the quality of the food, in
this latest restaurant from Steve Christou of Michelin-starred Les Alouettes
fame, is the New York type warehouse design with its comfortable lighting and
interiors. There is a balance of urban and luxury chic. Design elements
include exposed brick, distressed tiles and slate cladding, alongside inspiring
touches with the lighting.
Working
with interior design team 1.61 London, lighting innovation brand LEDtec has
provided bespoke energy-saving lighting produced with the latest
technology. The LEDtec lamps are dimmable and cool to the touch, ensuring
a comfortable, calm atmosphere.
The
lighting tones in well with the contemporary style of the place. Bare bulbs are
suspended on coarse ropes above the bar area and specially adjusted lamps,
usually used in warehousing, hang from the ceiling in the main upper and lower
restaurants. LEDtec also supplied all the ceiling spotlights and bar
lighting as well as the lights for the kitchen and conveniences.
SLABS
owner Steve Christou said:
“Lighting
is a major part of the restaurant’s ambience. LEDtec calculated this to
be exactly right. LED lights also show the true colour of our fresh,
organic produce.”
LED
technology gives a reduction of around 85% on energy compared to other lighting
and also saves on costs and maintenance. No matter how busy the
restaurant gets it will remain a comfortable place for visitors and staff
alike. Added to the environmental, financial and people benefits, modern
LED lighting has also come of age in the design stakes.
 |
| Illuminating delicious burgers. |
“Dimmable,
colour controlled LED lighting is perfect for modern interiors.
With new technologies and designs, LED lights can also add to the whole brand
philosophy of contemporary spaces.”
SLABS
comfortable design and lighting matched with juicy burgers and special daily
dishes is set to make it a winner in the current burger wars.
13/10/12
Peldon Rose Wins Three International Property Awards
Leading
workplace consultant Peldon Rose has received three
prestigious International Property Awards for its Save the Children
International and aia worldwide projects.
This
takes the total of International Property Awards to eight for Peldon Rose,
having been recognised for excellent workplace design for three years in a row.
The company received Best Office Interior UK and Five Star Award - Office
Interior, for Save the Children International, plus Highly Commended Office
Interior, London, for digital agency aia worldwide.
Jitesh
Patel, Chief Executive Officer, Peldon Rose Workplace Consultants, said:
"We
are honoured to accept these accolades for our work and I would like to thank
my team and our clients for placing such trust in us. It is important to
understand the business, the people and the monetary requirements of an
organisation when designing workplaces. Both projects are cost-effective,
efficient and a real boost to staff morale. It proves that keeping costs
down doesn't mean scrimping on good design".
The
International Property Awards are world-renowned and intended to celebrate the
highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of property
and real estate.
Stuart
Shield, President, International Property Awards, said:
"The
quality of entries has been extremely high and there's no doubt that any
company which has won an award has shown exceptional levels of professionalism
and competence".
 |
| Save the Children International office, London. |
Additionally,
in order to attract top talent against other better paying commercial sectors,
SCI needed to provide an engaging workplace that would boost staff
satisfaction. Also SCI wanting to ensure that the offices clearly demonstrated
value for money and diverted the minimum of funds from its work with young
people.
As an
innovative organisation, leading digital brand authority, aia worldwide needed
collaborative ways of working, backed up by the technology to support it. Much
of the design emphasis is put into the meeting and breakout areas. This meant
there was a choice of areas to work from: desks which could be scaled up or
down according to the number of people who used them, numerous break-out and
soft-seating areas and plenty of meeting rooms.
