Save the Date for Brierley Park!

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 30th!

We are excited to start a new tradition! We invite all service users and residents to Brierley Park for an afternoon of games and a picnic.

We’ll be using public transport, so feel free to meet up and join us for the journey.

More details will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Walking Club Ventures to Dovedale!

The weather was perfect today for the walking club’s excursion to Dovedale. After applying plenty of sunscreen, we set off on our walk. Some group members were initially apprehensive about crossing the stepping stones over the river. Still, their worry quickly turned to excitement once they successfully made it across and realised what they had accomplished.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, we enjoyed a delightful picnic prepared by Donna, our wonderful cook at Enablement Care. The picnic featured delicious sandwiches, refreshing soft drinks, and a much-needed sugar boost from some biscuits. The scenery was breathtaking, making for a thoroughly wonderful day out.

Dovedale is certainly a place we would love to revisit!

Gardening Club – The Plot is Flourishing!!

We had a fantastic time at the gardening club last Monday. We spent the morning at the allotment, where our plot is flourishing, and the plants are coming up beautifully! The weather has been warm and sunny, so we provided cold drinks to keep everyone cool. Lisa and April tended to our raised bed, planting beetroot, while Andy prepared the area and sowed turnip seeds. There was a wave of excitement when we discovered a perfectly formed baby cauliflower. It’s wonderful to hear the enthusiasm from our service users as they see their hard work paying off and witness the fruits of their labor.

We’ve made our first harvest of the season, gathering a small crop of potatoes and three lettuces for the kitchen. After lunch, the gardening club shifted to enablement care. Our service users, AB and AW, helped some residents get involved, planting beetroot, carrots, and lettuce in the wheelchair-friendly raised beds. Others watered the potatoes, strawberries, and planters. We wrapped up the day with a well-earned rest and a large glass of cherryade.

A big thank you to all our service users and our wonderful Lisa for her dedication and commitment. Well done, everyone!

Community Hub – Parent and Carer Drop-In Session

Join us for a supportive drop-in session focusing on topics related to children and young people with additional needs. Hosted by Tracey Green and April Parker, who will be offering valuable advice drawn from their extensive experience.

Choose the best session for you from 10am – 12pm or 6pm – 8pm.
Cost: £5 per head.

Tracey Green, Director, Autism Specialist Consultant and Responsible Individual

Tracey has over 25 years of experience in health and social care and is up to date with the current legislation and her responsibilities in this area. Tracey has 20 years of experience leading a staff team and providing the required amount of supervision, support and training to ensure a well led service provision.

Tracey has a particular interest in working with children, young adults and their families to offer consultancy, advice and bespoke training in neurodivergence.   This includes working with children and young people in their homes and within educational placements to provide consultancy and support with communication barriers, wellbeing strategies and life skills. 

Tracey is qualified to MA in Autism Education and has lived experience of the complex education system, health care barriers and social exclusion challenges with having 2 autistic children.   She also has qualifications in healthcare management and training.

April Parker, Registered Manager and Operations Lead

I have been working for CCT Community Enablement Team LTD for 8 years. I have progressed with the company from the start. I am now the registered manager and the Operations Lead. With a vast knowledge of the care sector, I continue to develop my personal development with ongoing training to support myself and the needs of the business.

I have a duty to provide an excellent standard of care to all the individuals who access the support provided, both in the community and the care home. I oversee care delivery and am a supportive and on-hand manager of the staffing team.

I have a responsibility to engage with external professionals to maintain excellent communication and transparency and ensure that the care and support needs of all the people we support are managed and delivered effectively.

We offer a range of support to people of all ages and disabilities, allowing us to share our knowledge with all our support recipients and their families.

Please complete the form below to register for attendance.

Planting at Gardening Club

We spent a productive morning at the allotment, where everyone pitched in to plant the remaining main crop potatoes, cauliflower, and cabbages. After our hard work, we headed to Enablement Care for a delicious lunch of cottage pie and raspberry crumble, lovingly prepared by Janet. Many thanks to Cayton for his dedication and hard work with the group.

Special recognition goes to April B. for her amazing job weeding and planting the cauliflower and cabbage plants. Keep up the great work, April!

The Latest from Walking Club – Thanks to Cayton and Louise!

We had a delightful day at Newstead Abbey, with perfect weather and just the right temperatures. Unlike our usual A-to-B walks, today’s stroll was leisurely and unstructured, allowing us to truly appreciate the beauty around us. We soaked in the vibrant colours, captivating smells, and rich history of the surroundings. Even the most anxious members of our group were beaming with smiles and appeared quite relaxed as we explored!

As always, we concluded our adventure at the teashop, where we enjoyed our packed lunches alongside tea, coffee, and delicious cakes – with some of us indulging in seconds. It was a 10/10 day!

Out and About with Walking Club

Recently, our Walking Club embarked on a circular journey, combining parts of the Trans Pennine Trail and the Cuckoo Way, covering about five miles. Despite the intermittent showers that accompanied us for most of the walk, the spirits of our group remained undampened. Indeed, the weather seemed to appreciate our resilience, rewarding us with some sunshine as we neared the end of our trek.

After enjoying the fresh air and scenic views, we made our way to the cosy retreat of the Hollinwood Hub Cafe. The warm ambience of the cafe was a perfect match for our chilled bones. Over steaming cups of coffee, we shared laughs and stories, the perfect complement to the hearty slices of cake that followed. In a moment of indulgence, one of our members even enjoyed a second helping of cake, a testament to the cafe’s delicious offerings!

Community Hub Open Day Success!

The community hub open day was a lovely, successful event. Throughout the day, we engaged collaboratively with attendees to discuss their preferences for the services provided at the hub. This interaction offered valuable insights and fostered a shared vision for future projects.

We were also pleased to generate ideas for the upcoming summer fair in July. This promises to be an exciting opportunity for further community involvement and enjoyment.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the calming atmosphere of the hub and expressed enthusiasm for the new projects. Many are looking forward to regular meet-ups, and they valued having a welcoming space available during times of anxiety.

The hub will be open on Wednesdays from the 8th of May 2024.

Introducing Anthony Davies: CET Life Skills Facilitator

We are thrilled to introduce our Life Skills Facilitator, Anthony Davies. Thankfully, he found time in his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his role here at CET. We’re sure you’ll agree that we are very lucky to have Anthony on the team and find his responses inspiring!

Introduction and Role Overview
As a Life Skills Facilitator within CET, I am dedicated to empowering service users within the community and residential care settings to lead fulfilled lives by developing essential life skills. My role encompasses guiding individuals to acquire the ten essential life skills as outlined by the World Health Organisation: critical thinking, creative thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, effective communication, interpersonal relationship skills, self-awareness, empathy, coping with emotions, and coping with stress.

By fostering the acquisition of these skills, I aim to support individuals in building confidence, fostering independence, and enhancing their overall well-being. Through personalised interventions and a person-centred approach, I collaborate with each individual to identify their unique needs and strengths, tailoring my support to ensure it connects with and benefits them on their journey toward personal growth and development.

Passion and Motivation
What fuels your passion for aiding individuals in developing life skills? Was there a pivotal moment or influence directing you towards this field?

“Witnessing individuals achieve what they once thought was impossible ignites my passion for aiding individuals with various diagnoses in developing life skills. Seeing their faces light up with joy as they overcome challenges and achieve milestones is incredibly rewarding. This drive was further solidified through personal experiences and a deep-seated belief in the potential of every individual to thrive.”

Challenges and Rewards
Could you discuss some of these challenges and how you address them? What are the most rewarding parts of your work?

“Challenges often arise in helping individuals with various diagnoses navigate social interactions, build confidence, and overcome barriers to learning. However, witnessing their growth, development, and increased confidence is immensely rewarding. Additionally, observing the joy and satisfaction on their faces as they achieve their goals reinforces the importance and impact of my work.”

Personalised Approach
Each individual has unique needs and strengths. How do you tailor your approach to life skills to ensure it connects with and benefits each person you work with?

“I leverage various methodologies to break down complex skills into manageable steps, utilise strengths, and create inclusive learning environments. This ensures that each individual receives personalised support that resonates with their needs and effectively promotes their growth and development.”

Success Stories
Could you share a memorable success story highlighting the positive impact of life skills education on an individual with additional needs?

“One memorable success story involved a young man with autism who initially struggled with anxiety and social interaction. Through targeted interventions he gained confidence and developed leadership skills. Witnessing his transformation from struggling with anxiety to confidently engaging with others and taking on leadership roles was truly inspiring. This success underscores the importance of personalised support and the potential for individual growth.”

Advice for Other
What advice would you offer to educators, caregivers, or professionals who wish to support the life skills development of individuals with various diagnoses?

“Be patient, empathetic, and persistent. Take the time to understand their unique perspectives, leverage their strengths, and utilise evidence-based methodologies to promote their growth and development. Most importantly, approach your work with optimism and positivity, as your attitude can greatly influence their learning experience and overall well-being.”