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The organization is strengthening
itself in three areas. These are new business development, infrastructure
development and corporate image. The information in this newsletter and
previous newsletters is the evidence of the concentration on these three areas.
The focus on these three areas over
the last year is crucial to the organizations future development, expansion and
to be honest - survival.
Service diversification and a mixed
economy of funding is, in my view the way to ensure the organization goes from
strength to strength ensuring the maintenance of quality standards. At the end
of the day the quality of our care is our business. This makes you the staff-
the deliverers of care crucial to our success.
Mental Health Care buys Benfield Villa!
On August 10th the organization bought
both Benfield Villa and Benfield Hall on our Blackhill site.
This means that we have not only an
additional thirty residential beds at the Villa but also an additional thirty
three staff joining the organization. Over the next few weeks we will be
planning and actioning changes within the Villa which will benefit both
residents and staff.
Success at ‘Investing In People.’
Following a two day assessment the organization has been awarded ‘Investor In
People’ status This means the organization has met stringent criteria in the
management and training of the staff team as well as planning for the future.
The award is reviewed annually to ensure we maintain our standards. The fact we
have been successful is down to yourselves-the staff .
Well Done!
Staff to benefit from Employee
Assistance Programme
The organization is to invest in an
employee assistance programme. This will be available to
all Mental Health Care staff. The programme will provide
unlimited access to a comprehensive range of support services
for both staff and their families. There will be a team of
professionals on hand 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, providing
information, support and counselling. This will be
facilitated by a telephone helpline. The service will be
confidential and is designed to help with both personal and
professional issues e.g. Counselling, via the phone or in
person, advice services (legal, debt, property etc.), health
care information, advice and support on family issues,
childcare information and advice on work issues.
The service will be
free to all staff and will be available soon.
New Asst. Director-Operations
Kerry Robinson
On the 2nd August, Kerry Robinson
joined Mental Health Care as Asst. Director-Operations. She will
oversee all operational services
within the company.
Kerry has over ten years experience of
working in the mental health sector, latterly as a senior
manager in a large mental health charity. This background
and experience completes the trio in the senior management team!
It is this team who are leading on the organizations expansion
plans in the north east. As you will be aware the team consists
of Bob McDonald, Managing Director, Martin Moore, Asst.
Director-Finance and Corporate Affairs and now Kerry. Good Luck
to her!
Website and Intranet development
We have invested heavily in the production of new organizational literature,
website and intranet. All services can now communicate
with each other via e mail. The organizations website will be launched soon
together with an intranet.
The intranet will revolutionize how care plans, assessments and staff and
resident data is recorded. All staff will be involved in this
process together with appropriate training. It will also impact on payroll and
other central functions. All of this will make the organization
more effective and efficient—’fit for purpose’.
Social Enterprise Development
The organization has formed a trading company called ‘MHC Enterprises’. It will
encompass several social enterprise. These are
profit making companies but with social objectives. As a result any profit will
be re-invested in the enterprises. We see these enterprises
as a way of promoting employment and training opportunities for people with
mental health problems. We have appointed a
Social Enterprise Manager, Mike Berriman to take these initiatives forward.
Funding for his post has already been acquired. He is
based at Head Office. The new business development has already created
opportunities in partnership with Sunderland Housing
Group and organizations in South Tyneside.
Mental Health Consortium
Mental Health Care is one of the
leading agencies in developing a north-east mental health
consortium. Via our Development Consultant, Andy Cox we have
been able to contact over 200 organizations working in mental
health. Interest has been expressed by the majority of these
organizations in forming a trade association. This would mean as
a sector we would not only influence mental health policy but
also influence how statutory agencies contract with not only us
but the sector. Funding has been achieved to develop this
initiative further.
New Board Members Appointed
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Alan
Raine |
Mary
Hall |
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We now have two new Board appointments
in order to strengthen the organisations strategic planning
function. The first appointment is Reverend Alan Raine
(pictured) who is Clerk to the Corporation at South Tyneside
College. He will bring much needed expertise in corporate
governance.
The second appointment is Miss. Mary Hall (pictured) who is a
Management Consultant who brings considerable experience of the
commercial sector to the Board.
New Beds at Howden Burn
Building work at Howden Burn is making
good progress towards the provision of four additional beds at
the home. Apart from the beds new staff facilities are being
provided.
Quiz Question
The first three people to
contact me on Thursday August 26th between 9.00am and
5.00pm. Will win £25 each.
QUESTION
Mental Health Care has appointed a Corporate Services Asst.
(pictured) who is based
at Head Office. What Is Her Name?
Forthcoming Events
The Annual General Meeting of the
organization is to take place on Monday September 13th 2004 at
12.30pm Head Office. Any staff member who is available and wants
to attend please contact Head Office.
If anyone wishes to explore any of the
articles in this newsletter further please contact any of the
Senior Team on the following number
Head Office : (0191) 5496500
Bob McDonald : 07717 663785
Kerry Robinson : 07940 789737
If you do not feel able to contact us
directly please stop us when we visit the services.
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