The Ashley Foundation News

Goodbye and Good luck to Gail Dribben!

Sadly, our very own Catering Manager Gail Dribben has hung up her apron and has now retired. Gail has worked for the Ashley Foundation since the charity was founded back in 1997.

As Catering Manager, it was Gail�s job to oversee the team of chef/housekeepers in preparing meals, carrying out full housekeeping duties, and also providing domestic skills training for our residents in order to help them prepare towards independent living.
We wish her all the best in her new endeavours. Good luck Gail, we will miss you, especially your great buffets!

The Ashley Foundation�s new Catering Manager is Peter Rawcliffe. Peter was chef/housekeeper at Holly House. Replacing Peter at Holly is Donna McLeod (originally a volunteer with The Ashley Foundation). We would also like to welcome back Lesley Chappell, who has now returned as chef/housekeeper at Oak House, after Claire Massam left to work with disadvantaged children.

Peter Rawcliffe

We now have a Charity Shop!

The Ashley Foundation awarded �Investors in People� Award

The Ashley Foundation has been awarded the highly recognised �Investors in People� charter mark.

The standard which was developed in 1990 by a partnership of leading businesses and national agencies was designed to help organisations to improve performance and realise their objectives through the management and development of their staff.
It is generally agreed that the �staff� are an organisation's greatest asset and in order to succeed everyone has to perform well. To achieve this staff need the right knowledge, skills and motivation to work efficiently.

The benefits of achieving this standard are as follows:
� A good working environment
� Recognition and development
� Pride in being part of a successful organisation
� Good quality training
� Improved job satisfaction
� Better communication
� Skill and career development opportunities
� Increased responsibility and involvement
� Health and safety gains.

The award was kindly presented to the Chair of Trustees Paul Bamber by The Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Allan Matthews (pictured).

Paul said: �We have always invested in our clients and today, through Investors in People, we are formally recognising the value and hard work of all our staff and the time and dedication they give in wanting to develop and become the BEST.�

The Ashley Foundation on the BBC!

As we reported in our winter 2005 issue of the Taffy Times, The Ashley Foundation has acquired its own allotment. Throughout the summer both residents and staff have worked tirelessly to change what was a derelict plot of land into a gardener�s haven. Thanks� goes to our own green fingered Compliance Officer Brian Wood who has overseen this fantastic transformation.

A wide variety of fruit and vegetables have now been planted, from the basics such as potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce and strawberries to the more exotic celeriac, shallots, radish and capsicum peppers.

The success of The Ashley Foundation�s allotment project prompted the interest of the BBC�s nightly regional news programme �North West Tonight�. John Swann, Kevin Gooder, Peter Bewers, Gary Tabener and of course Brian Wood were all filmed harvesting some of those tasty vegetables. There was even time for a couple of interviews with Elm House resident John Swann and Support Manager Debbie Ellis (pictured below). The veggies were then taken back to Elm House in order to be prepared and cooked for lunch by our very own Chef/Housekeeper Dot Boyle. Everyone who took part enjoyed the day and their 15 minutes of fame!


Lights, Camera, Action	John Swann

Debbie Ellis	Wow! Look at those spuds - Beautiful!

Grubs Up!

5 �asy ways to Donate

There are a number of new and different ways you can become a supporter of The Ashley Foundation and our work.

1. Online Financial Donations

If you'd like to make an online donation, please click on the donations section of our website. Just enter the amount you wish to donate. You will then be directed to World Pay's website to continue the donation. This process is very easy and very secure.

2. Everyclick.com

It is now even easier to raise money for The Ashley Foundation just by searching the web! www.everyclick.com is an internet search engine with a big difference � it donates half its revenue to charity! Choose The Ashley Foundation to be your appointed charity. It does not cost us or you a penny so please make www.everyclick.com/uk/theashleyfoundation your homepage and use it whenever you search the web!

Everyclick.com is a great fundraising tool that enables any charity to raise additional funds from existing supporters and provides access to a completely new giving sector.

3. Offline Financial Donations

Alternatively, if you would prefer to make a financial donation by post, please print off a copy of the donation form (PDF) from our website or pick one up from our main office and send it with your donation to:

The Ashley Foundation
81 Abingdon Street
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY1 1PP

Please make your cheque or Postal Order payable to 'The Ashley Foundation� for the amount you wish to contribute.

4. Telephone Donations
The Ashley Foundation even has the facility to take secure donations over the telephone using your credit/debit card. Please phone (01253) 297200.

5. Making a gift in your will
A gift in your will to The Ashley Foundation will help us to continue to support those homeless people most in need far into the future. If you would like to know more details about leaving a donation in your will, you can simply visit our website or give us a phone to request an information pack.

So please make a donation today!

Fleetwood Sports College Charity Sleep Over

On March 10th 2006, Miss Katie Tuson from Fleetwood Sports College organised a sponsored homeless sleep over. The event was organised in order to raise awareness of the problem of homelessness in the Fylde. Students were asked to volunteer to spend the evening from 8pm to 8am trying to imagine how it might feel to sleep rough.The pupils were split into two groups (boys and girls) and led by a member of staff, each group engaged in various activities throughout the evening, including a visit to the �soup kitchen�. The students were allowed to bring with them warm clothing and their own sleeping bags. Cardboard boxes and old newspapers were supplied in order to make improvised beds, but no blankets or duvets were allowed � that would be cheating!

Our very own Support Manager Debbie Ellis and Support Co-ordinator Gail Murphy also got involved in the event and after spending 12 hours trying to imagine what life must be like living on the streets, students and staff were free to go home and enjoy the rest of their weekend � in the warmth.

�850.00 was raised from the evening and all proceeds have been kindly donated to The Ashley Foundation to help continue to accommodate and support our residents throughout the year. The Ashley Foundation would like to say a BIG thank you and well done to all those who took part in a very worthy cause.

Support Manager Debbie Ellis receiving the cheque
from Katie Tuson and pupils.

On Line Donations on the way!

We have recently applied to receive on line donations. This service will be available in a couple of weeks. Watch this space!

New Drug & Alcohol Worker appointed

Drug and Alcohol dependency is a nationwide problem which can affect many people. The misuse of drugs and alcohol can also have a detrimental effect on health and social well being within the local community.

This is a new comprehensive and confidential service for drug and alcohol users combining both prevention and treatment responses. The service will also offer one-to-one key work sessions, which also will provide practical and emotional support to individuals. Clients will be supported and encouraged to achieve their own personal goals and develop new interests. It will enable residents to face the reality of their dependency and promote the restoration of physical and emotional health. This service will aim to bring hope and confidence to our residents which will allow them to take control of their lives within a safe and secure environment.

In essence it will mean that as soon as a resident has been initially assessed by our Drug and Alcohol Worker they can then be referred to the appropriate agency for treatment and intervention. The faster this assessment can take place the faster the client can receive the right level of support they require in order to tackle their drug/alcohol dependency.

Penny Lake (pictured below) is the new Drug & Alcohol worker and we hope Penny will enjoy her new role here at The Ashley Foundation.