A very useful and important message from the folks at New Happy Co. The important thing is that we listen to our feelings, and reach out for help if we’re ever struggling to cope.
You are never alone.
The care you need, the help you deserve
A very useful and important message from the folks at New Happy Co. The important thing is that we listen to our feelings, and reach out for help if we’re ever struggling to cope.
You are never alone.
The Christmas season is always a time when many people reflect on the year that is just finishing, as well as looking ahead to the new one just around the corner. At United Health we are no different. It’s wonderful to be able to say that we are coming to the end of the first year since 2019 when we have faced no restrictions on our lives. This of course has impacted greatly on people’s mental health and the return of a more ‘normal’ daily existence has benefited everyone hugely, old and young alike.
For us as an organisation that looks after some of the most vulnerable people in society, to be able to do so with a renewed sense of purpose has been wonderful. There were times during the height of the pandemic when simply helping people to survive was the most important priority. Now, although COVID has not gone away, we are able to look ahead to the future and plan how we can make the lives of those in our care as good as they possibly can be.
Key to this are our staff and, as always at Christmas, they deserve our special thanks. Both our elderly care homes, Bunkers Hill and The Valleys, have fantastic staff teams who remain as dedicated to their residents’ wellbeing, as they have always been. I would like to thank all of them for the great care they deliver, exhibiting understanding, kindness, and compassion on a daily basis. As a staff member you should know that your work and commitment has been tremendous and is thoroughly appreciated not just by us, but also importantly by the people you look after, and their relatives.
Similarly, this level of dedication can also be seen in Oakwood Community School and across our Children’s homes. Delivering care to vulnerable young people in our communities is a difficult task requiring skill, patience and empathy. We are fortunate to have both committed and professional staff teams undertaking that task and helping young people to move forward in the world with a sense of hope and achievement.
To all our staff I would like to say that I hope you enjoy yourselves with your families this Christmas; and perhaps take a little time to reflect on what you have achieved this year. You have been, and still are, setting an outstanding example of commitment, professionalism and teamwork, for which you should rightly feel proud.
I would like to wish all our residents, young people, staff, and their families, the best possible Christmas and a very happy 2024.
With very best wishes.
Mandy Cheriton-Metcalfe
Managing Director
Today marks Christmas Jumper Day, and we want to know whether you are wearing yours, whether you’re at work or out with friends, join us in spreading warmth and joy and show off your Christmas jumper, whether it’s cosy or quirky post a photo below and let the holiday spirit in!
For everyone at UCS it’s very important that when young people first come to one of our homes, they settle in as quickly as possible. We understand that this move can often be a traumatic and difficult time for them, so we want to do everything we can to help them make that adjustment to a new environment.
Part of that process is making their own room within the home as welcoming and as personal to them as it can be.This week we have been joined by a young person who has a particular love for the Toy Story films and characters. We therefore decided to decorate their new room accordingly, as you can see from the pictures.
If it helps them to feel at home and that their individual likes and wishes are being taken into account then our experience tells us that the process of settling in will be that much easier for them.
This year’s Remembrance events will be particularly poignant for many. Not only will people be remembering the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts, but they are bound to reflect on the continuing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
At UCS we want our young people to appreciate the sacrifices that so many people made and how it has helped to shape their futures, despite these events being increasingly in the past. The recent news headlines have once again reminded everyone that conflict is ever present in our societies and our young people will rightly study events and draw their own lessons from both the past and the present.
We will be marking Remembrance weekend with them, and will be helping them to understand what the weekend represents and why it is important to so many people around the world. We hope that they will honour the lives of the passed as well as look to the future and hopefully a more peaceful time.
Half term gave several of our young people the opportunity to go on a fantastic break to the Lodge. This facility has different arcades, an escape room and some brilliant simulators for young people to enjoy. And enjoy they did!
Everyone who went had a really great time as you can see from the pictures.
Those who went can’t wait for the next visit!
From everyone here at UCS, we wish you all a happy halloween. We hope tonight you are mindful of those that may experience some difficulties over this period, whilst many people would like to enter into the spirit of halloween and enjoy trick or treating this evening, for some people this can be unsettling. Many of them will not be used to unscheduled visits to their door and so Halloween celebrations have, in the past, been a cause of concern.
Although they understand and appreciate the fun of Halloween they prefer not to be called upon by trick or treaters. We would ask that when you enjoy your Halloween fun, you respect any home that has a poster on the front door saying no to trick or treaters.
Have a great evening!
Today is World Mental Health Day. We want to take a moment to raise our voices and do our bit for everyone going through tough times and how they can try to get out of them.
It’s important that we look after ourselves as much as we look after others. Don’t be afraid to go to friends, family or even mental health professionals for any support. Remember that seeking out help is a sign of strength, and will only impact you positively in the future.
Reach out and make a difference.
September always brings that mixture of excitement and anxiety at schools around the country. For many schoolchildren it represents moving to a new school or moving from junior to senior school, which can be both great fun and also quite daunting for some.
We would like to wish everyone going back to school this week the best of luck for the new term and school year. We are sure you will have fun….and this week you get to have it in the sun too – what a good way to start!
Part of achieving good mental health is realising that there are things in life that are beyond your control, and you shouldn’t be hard on yourself because of it.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about life, then try listing out what it is you can and can’t control. It will help you to focus on things you actually can do to help your mental health, rather than spend too much time on those that may not be within your influence.
Here’s a graphic that helps to illustrate this point – we hope you can enjoy good mental health this week and going forward.
United Children’s Services
Head Office, The Old Coach House, Gainsborough Road, Drinsey Nook, Lincoln LN1 2JJ