THE AKA NEWSLETTER ISSUES 08 - September 2010 - Autumn

Autumn is here

Welcome

Goodbye Summer and hello Autumn! This year is whizzing by and we can't believe that we are already moving into Autumn. We have had a great year so far with new clients and new staff joining us here at AKA. Read on for our latest updates and to find out what we have been up to since our last newsletter in June.

The life and times of our dog, Sammy!

Sammy

Sammy is now entering into the early training phase of his development at the Dogs for the Disabled Centre and is being encouraged to take part in activities such as walking calmly in all environments, pushing and pulling "games" and is settling into life in the kennels whilst all the time building on his relationship with his trainer.

He will then proceed to more advanced tasks such as retrieving articles from the ground (keys, inhalers, tv remotes), pushing buttons to enter banks and lifts and help to remove outdoor clothing such as coats, hats and gloves.

When he has passed this final phase he will be passed on to an instructor where his skills and abilities will be finely tuned to match a prospective partner.

The final objective is for Sammy to be partnered with a disabled person whose life he can dramatically change and improve. We are so proud of Sammy's achievements so far and we are truly grateful for all your help in raising the sponsorship for this wonderful doggy.

Sammy needs a playmate!

Just Giving

We are now well underway for raising enough funds for another dog and with your help, we know we can get a playmate for Sammy. If you would like to help us in our mission then you can sponsor Sammy and purchase one of our anti-stress or happiness bags by logging on to: www.akacasemanagement.com/fundraising.php

A date for the diary — Get the wellies out!

Tree

As part of our recycling policy every bin liner of waste we recycle in the office counts towards the planting of trees at Sherwood Forest in Nottingham. We are ready to plant our first set of trees at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire and this very special event takes place on Saturday 27th November 2010 at 10am at Sherwood Forest.

We plan on making this a fun event where we can all get involved in the planting and also get together over a hot picnic!

Please get in touch by contacting Wendy on either 0115 954 0167 or email her at the following: wendy@akacasemanagement.co.uk to secure your place and to receive an information pack and ticket. Everybody is welcome to join us!

Client News — Wet and definitely wild!

Tree

A wet and wild weekend in Weston-super-mare as described by one of our clients, Steve: Greg, my support worker, and I went to Weston-super-Mare for 2 nights camping. However, it only ended up being 1 night camping, as I took the decision to book us in to a local hotel because in the night there was some heavy rain and strong winds.

Apart from the weather we went to Longleat Safari Park and saw various African wildlife. I photographed a 2 humped camel that chased us!!

We also went to Weston and Burnham-on-sea and I took some great photos of evening sunsets. See the one opposite that I took one evening. By the way, Villa lost 6–0 to Newcastle but we won't mention that!!

If you would like to know more about holidays then please get in touch with your requirements! - Email:-wendy@headsupholidays.com

The new kids on the block

AKA continues to grow and we welcome the following Therapy Support Workers to our team!

  • Kevin JonesKevin Jones
  • Victoria BaggaleyVictoria Baggaley
  • David CallaghanDavid Callaghan
  • Heather CollishawHeather Collishaw
  • Sharlene CreightonSharlene Creighton
  • Robert HutchinsonRobert Hutchinson

To meet our new staff and indeed our existing staff, log onto our website at: - www.akacasemanagement.com/team.php

Staff News

We are pleased to shout from the roof tops that our Office Manager, Anna has recently passed her NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. This involved the setting up of and the management of office systems including Health and Safety criteria for the company.

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

Carolyn Bickley — Office Assistant

Carolyn Bickley — Office Assistant

Carolyn is our Office Assistant and joined us in November 2009. She is holding her own amongst the boisterous admin staff maybe because she is well qualified for the role.

Carolyn has attained Business Administrat ion to L2; Intermediate Oxford, Cambridge and RSA (OCR) in Legal Text Processing; Pitman training Audio and European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). Carolyn has a beautiful baby girl and when not with her she will be dancing and socialising to the max.

Quote of the day

"Consider time to be a great treasure — don't waste a second"

Quiz Time

This quiz is for all of our bookworms out there!

    Quiz Worm
  1. What was the first book in English to be printed in England?
  2. Which 2 books do castaways automatically receive on "Desert island discs"?
  3. Who was responsible for the Complete Hip and Thigh Diet?
  4. Who created Miss Marple?
  5. Which book had to be owned by every member of his country's adult population?
  6. Which religious sect published "The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life"?
  7. Who wrote the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?
  8. In which decade did Guinness start to publish its book of Records annually?
  9. Who wrote The Thorn Birds?
  10. What was Jeffrey Archer's first successful novel?

Click Here for the answers to this quiz >>