Avante Partnership

Cedric Frederick, Avante Partnership Chief Executive, talks frankly in an interview with Trevor Sturgess, Business Editor at the Kent Messenger Group. Avante Partnership cares for and serves more than 3,500 people and families of all ages, employs 2,000 staff and has a turnover of over £30m annually.

Cedric explains,
“Avante Partnership is a charity, here to care for and support primarily older people, many with dementia, though we support children, young people and families and those with disabilities. “We have very strong Governance and Management teams, standing up for quality assurance and audit to oversee services to ensure the best possible care”. “Financially, we are aware of how difficult things are for the country. We need to work smarter, more efficiently and get best value for every pound income brought into the organisation. Our vision is to grow and diversify what we do to serve the community. We believe that if we fulfill that vision we will be successful long into the future.”

Cedric uses his experience as a former professional and international basketball player, to get the best out of the people in the organisation.

He says,
“Basketball is the ultimate team sport, and my job at Avante Partnership is to help everyone in the team do well in their job.”

To watch the interview please visit: http://youtu.be/mivfPbLHLdI

Please click on the link below to view the recent article written and video footage of Cedric being interviewed by Business Editor, Trevor Sturgess.

‘Workers caring for the elderly have been hailed for doing a good job in challenging times despite going without a pay rise. Cedric Frederick, chief executive of Avante Partnership, a Faversham-based charity, says the squeeze on council costs combined with rising standards make it tough for care providers.’…read more

Avante Chief Executive Speaks at this year’s Care Management Conference

 
Cedric Frederick, Chief Executive for Avante Partnership, was the keynote speaker at this year’s Naidex National, the largest disability, homecare and rehabilitation event in the UK. The event, which attracted over 11,000 healthcare professionals, commissioners, nurses, retailers and members of the public last year, took place from 30 April to 2 May, 2013 at the National Exhibition Centre at the NEC Birmingham.
 
 Cedric said:

 ”I was pleased to be given the opportunity to contribute to such an important conference. I used the opportunity to invite delegates to think differently about the delivery of person centred care as the hundreds of ‘Magic Moments’ of interaction and contact between staff and residents that happen every day in care homes, and the importance of making every one of those, no matter how short, special”.

Pupils and staff at Bridge Haven care home, will dress as Evacuees and meet Kent residents who lived through World War II on Wednesday 22nd May.

The pupils, from Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary School, are learning all about the war in school, and will have the opportunity to meet and interview residents at Bridge Haven dementia care home, Bridge, and hear first-hand recollections of the war years.

As well as a war time tea – rationed, of course – a World War II Jeep will be on hand for the children to sit in, and it is hoped the residents will be in good voice to sing a war time song or two to evoke the sounds of the period.

Philip Moore, Community Engagement Manager at Avante Partnership said,

“I really hope the children enjoy their visit to Bridge Haven and I look forward to hearing the stories our residents have to tell of their time as youngsters, living through the war. I think there will be a real party atmosphere, with tea and a good old fashioned sing song. 

Avante works hard to build links with the communities it serves, and working with the local school in this way helps young people understand those older than themselves, and brings a great deal of happiness to our residents.”

My Time Package Offered a Welcome Break to Carers of those with Dementia During ‘Good Care Week’

Avante Care and Support, a leading dementia care home and home-care provider, believes in excellence in support for those with dementia and for those caring for loved ones living with dementia.

The charity’s “My Time” package of support provides short-term respite care, allowing carers looking after their family members, to take a much-needed break.

Avante has strengthened its team of experts to further offer the best service to its clients.

Anne Child, a specialist in the study of dementia medication management and recently appointed as consultant to the Care Quality Commission, brings a wealth of experience to Avante Partnership and improving lives through careful management of patients’ medication.

At the time of her appointment, Anne said:-

My work ethic and purpose is to be someone who makes a real difference to people and their care. I am passionate about the care of the elderly and those with dementia who become residents in care homes, and I fully support Avante’s belief that medication should be the servant of care and support, and never its master.

Cedric Frederick, Chief Executive Officer with Avante Partnership, said:-

Many carers feel guilty about taking time away from caring for their loved ones. “My Time” allows them to take an hour a day or longer, to re-charge their batteries and their relationships with other family members and friends. By looking after themselves, carers are in a better place to offer excellent care to their loved ones.

Excellent care is at the heart of what we do. Initiatives like “My Time” and the appointment of sector-leading experts like Anne are testament to our commitment to being the best we can be. Anne’s appointment as our Head of Pharmaceutical Care and Clinical Standards has strengthened our commitment to our service users and their families, and I am very much enjoying.

On Thursday 25th April 2013, Avante Partnership held their Annual Stars Awards at Gillingham Football Club, Priestfield Stadium. The Stars Awards are held for Avante Partnership staff that have been recognised for going that ‘extra mile’ within their work and are looked at as being an Avante Star for 2013.
 
As an organisation Avante Partnership value their staff and believe “We are our people”. The Stars Awards are held every year to say a thank you to their highly committed work force.
 
This year’s host of the Stars Awards 2013 was Heart FM DJ James Heming.
 
The following awards were presented on the evening of the Stars Awards,

• Avante Care and Support – Care worker of the Year
• Avante Community Support – Care Worker of the Year
• Stepahead Support – Key worker of the Year
• Avante Partnership – Colleague of the Year
• Avante Partnership – Manager of the Year
• Avante Partnership – Supporter of the Year
• Avante Care & Support Hotel Services Worker of the Year
• Avante Partnership – The Mountbatten Award ‘Above and Beyond creativity at its best’

The Mountbatten Award 2013 was presented by Lady Northbourne for “Above and Beyond – Creativity at its best” for the team, group of staff or individual that saw an idea turn into reality, nominated by the Manager of the Service.

Chief Executive, Cedric Frederick said:

This Annual event is an excellent opportunity for the organisation to thank and recognise our outstanding staff. We are grateful to all of our staff for the work that they do and congratulations.

AVANTE PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL STARS AWARDS WINNERS

Avante Care and Support Care Worker of the Year

1. Christine Parsons, Barton Court

2. Tamsin Dixon, Honeyfield

3. Wendy Ford, Pilgrims View

Avante Partnership Colleague of the Year

1. Susan Price, Perrygrove

2. Elaine Cox, Payroll at HO

3. Nick Bennett, IT at HO

Avante Community Support Care Worker of the Year

1. Petra Foster

2. Jeanette Baker

3. Dawn Phipps

Avante care and Support Hotel Services Worker of the Year

1. Suzy Payne, Court Regis

2. Elaine Harris, Amherst Court

3. Maureen Smith, Honeyfield

Stepahead Support Keyworker of the Year

Joint 1st: Kelly Coombes, Steve Page, Phil Jordan

Avante Partnership Manager of the Year

1. Dawn Dwyer, Community Support

2. Lesley Edwards, Amherst Court

3. Andrew Holden, Finance at HO

Avante Partnership Supporter of the Year

1. Tim Harris, Practice Development at HO

2. Jeanette Spooner, Willows Day Centre at Court Regis

3. Rachel Miles, HR at HO

The Mountbatten Award 2012

Winner: Court Regis

Residents from Amherst Court, a specialist dementia care home run by Avante Care and Support in Palmerston Road, Chatham had a great night at the dogs last week.

Staff at Amherst Court regularly ask residents what day trips out they would like to take part in next and a night at the dogs became the next request. So with this request, Residents were taken to the Ladbrookes Stadium Crayford Greyhound dog track on the Friday night.

Carer Will Chapman said:

The atmosphere was, very busy and very noisy and there was a lot of social interaction. The residents told us they had really enjoyed themselves and it was something that they haven’t done for years and one asked if they could come again.  This is definitely something we will try to arrange.

At the heart of Amherst Court is its Philosophy of Care, where social interaction and engagement is encouraged and boredom is eradicated.   By addressing the ‘three plagues’; loneliness, helplessness and boredom within the home, Amherst Court has been recognised and included in the exclusive Eden Alternative registry of care homes.   Trips out such as these, show the high level of interaction that our residents at Amherst Court receive.

Following an assessment by an independent body, Avante Partnership has been awarded the ISO 14001 Certificate.  This certificate has only been achieved by less than 1% of UK business and this prestigious award is supported by the Government and recognised world-wide.

Cedric Frederick, CEO, Avante Partnership said: We have always been proud of the service we offer our customers.  Now with the award of ISO 14001, this has been confirmed by outside experts who are used to judging service on a daily basis in a wide variety of trades and industries.

 
Danny Little Child, who undertook the assessment for QMS International plc, paid particular tribute to   the investment in people and training that enables Avante Partnership to provide an efficient and environmentally friendly service to their clients.

Valued Support Available over the Easter Break Launched in October 2012, Avante Care and Support, respite care package, has proved to be a valuable service for those caring for their loved ones, living with dementia, at home. The service called, “My Time”, offers short respite packages at its Bridge Haven Care Home, Canterbury, aiming to assist carers by providing short term respite care to allow carers looking after members of their own family to take much-needed time out, knowing that their loved ones are being cared for by specialists.

Bridge Haven Home Manager, Sue Keiper said,

At Avante Care and Support we know that caring for someone living with dementia can sometimes mean putting your own life on hold. “My Time”, our short term respite service at Bridge Haven care home in Bridge, near Canterbury, is a service that allows carers a little time out for themselves, or to spend time with other members of their families.

Some recent comments Avante Care and Support have received:

My mother has been at Bridge Haven since September. The decision to move Mum from her home to residential care was an extremely difficult one and the period of transition was far from pleasant. However the staff at Bridge Haven managed the move in the most positive way possible and were wonderfully supportive not only to my mum but also to my sister and I too. Two months down the line I can only speak with praise for the on-going kindness and care displayed by all staff at all times. My sister and I feel extremely fortunate to have found such a first-class home for our mother.

- Catherine

I think one of the main things to come out of the meeting was how we all felt so relieved when we finally found Avante Care and Support, having all had some very traumatic times in the months before. Some of the key points for me are that the home is purpose built, so it is light & airy, lots of window, lots of seating areas, and lots of space to move around. The staff turnover is minimal; in fact of the key staff that I know by name, I don’t think any have left in the two & a half years that Mum has been there. This is so important; it gives not only the resident, but also their relatives a sense of continuity. It also means that the staff get to know the residents really well, which again is so important, it means they can treat everyone as individuals as they know their history & likes & dislikes.

- Lynn

The staff are very caring and sympathetic towards the needs of their residents atBridge Haven. We have always found them to be very helpful not only to my mother but to us as a family.

- Joan

Avante Care and Support are offering short breaks from just two hours, or full days and overnight stays at their Bridge Haven care home. Meals and treatments are added where required.

For more information on ‘My Time’ or Bridge Haven Care Home please call 0800 9750900 or visit www.avantemytime.org.uk

Bridge Haven Care Home, Conyngham Lane, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5JX

Staff at the Faversham Head Office, made Time for a Cuppa on Friday 15 th March in aid of Dementia UK, to help raise money to support Admiral Nurses who provide a lifeline to thousands of families in this country. Admiral Nurses are mental health nurses specialising in dementia care.
 
The organisation who specialise in dementia care through its residential care service, Avante Care and Support, invited local businesses and staff to its fund raising event to join for a cuppa and a slice of cake at their Head Office in Faversham. The event included an auction with stunning framed pictures and beautifully baked cakes all donated for guests to bid on, a guess the baby picture competition, Tea Bingo and a presentation from Stephen Mason, Avante Care and Supports very own Admiral Nurse.
 
Stephen Mason, Admiral Nurse, says, ‘Events like these are a great way to raise awareness on dementia care and Admiral Nurses. Admiral Nurses provide a lifeline to hundreds of people across the country. This can include psychological support to help family carers understand and deal with their feelings, practical advice and information on dementia, its impact and how to cope, referrals to other appropriate services and liaison with other professionals to provide support when it’s most needed’.
 
An estimated 1 million people will be diagnosed with dementia in the next 10 years and many more will be thrust into the role of being a carer.
 
Admiral Nurses work with family carers of all ages and backgrounds, tailoring support to their individual needs and challenges.
 
Philip Moore, Community Engagement Manager says, ‘The event was a great success, and we have so far raised today £214 for Dementia UK, I would like to thank everyone who came along, took part and gave so generously to this worthy cause’.