Vida Healthcare continues drive for excellence

This story is sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

James Rycroft, Managing Director, discusses how Vida Healthcare is leading the way in the provision of care for people living with dementia.

Supporting the dementia journey

When we founded Vida, our aim was to create a safe place for people living with dementia and their families, where our staff would be trained as dementia ambassadors. Over the years we’ve looked into and deployed a range of alternative approaches and techniques. This innovation has given us the tools to provide outstanding care to our residents. We’re so proud to play a part in people’s dementia journeys. We’re always looking out for new approaches that support their wellbeing.

Our care is centred around taking the time to get to know our residents and support them as individuals. By learning about their family and friends, hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes, we can make meaningful connections. That helps people to feel at home. We are also passionate about providing the most effective care by keeping up to date with the latest research and findings, alongside drawing on our high level of clinical expertise.

We continue to secure numerous awards and accolades as a result of our continued drive for excellence. As of June 2023, all three care homes are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Our specialist houses

We have worked closely with healthcare experts, specialist architects, interior designers and landscape gardeners to help create unique environments in our homes. Every element, from our residents’ bedrooms to our outdoor spaces, has been designed with our residents’ health and wellbeing in mind.

Residents are made to feel at home.

Within all three of our homes there are multiple, smaller houses which allow us to provide tailored care for our residents no matter where they are on their journey with dementia. In total we have 20 specialist care homes across our three buildings. Each house has a similar look and feel but offers a different level of care and support. Should care needs change over time, our residents do not have to experience the upheaval of moving to a completely different care home.

Our staff

Every member of the Vida team has been selected because they share our values. Vida treats everyone with respect and dignity. We are transparent, honest and fair at all times. We support people to make their own decisions so that they can lead independent lives where possible, and we treat everyone equally.

Our in-house Learning, Performance and Development team that form our bespoke staff training programme, Vida Academy, are always on hand to support our staff to excel. They provide our staff with multiple opportunities to learn new skills, develop in their roles and achieve career progression. Vida Academy supports all our staff, from new starters through to senior managers. The academy promotes lifelong learning and establishes our team as dementia ambassadors.

Communicating with families

As we have developed and grown as a provider we have recognised the importance of clear and engaging communication channels in order to inform and update family members, and build their trust in our ability to care for their loved ones.

Effective communication with families is essential which is why we have developed our own in house app, Family Team Talk. The app offers a lifeline for our families, giving them a digital platform and news feed to keep up to date with daily life through text, video and image posts from staff. Originally launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the app continues to raise the morale of relatives, residents and staff and give everyone a greater feeling of connectivity and reassurance.

For more information, please visit www.vidahealthcare.co.uk or contact admissions@vidahealthcare.co.uk. You can view the life inside Vida by visiting us on our social media pages.

 

Police name teenager who died in fatal Brimham Rocks crash

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car collided with a wall on Brimham Rocks Road has been named by the police.

Alfie Lovett, from York, was a passenger in the Peugeot 107 which crashed on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

North Yorkshire Police reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have shared a tribute his family paid to him.

It says:

“Alfie was a unique personality who loved to make people laugh and lived for adrenaline fuelled adventures. He lived his life fearlessly and marched to the beat of his own drum without caring about what anyone thought of him.

“Alfie had his own world view that very few understood. He was only 17, but has made a huge mark in his short time and anyone who’s ever met him is not likely to ever forget him!

“Alfie was a fiercely loyal friend, a protective big brother to his 2 younger sisters and brother and loving father to his infant son. Taken from us far too soon with so much more to give, he’ll be very missed every day.”

Three other occupants of the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

An appeal was launched earlier this week for witnesses.

Officers added in the original appeal:

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.”

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

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Harrogate crematorium donates £12,000 from recycled metal

A Harrogate crematorium has donated £12,000 to two charities as part of a county-wide metal recycling scheme.

Stonefall Crematorium raised the funds through the recycling of metals recovered from cremations — with the consent of bereaved families.

Parts used to construct coffins and orthopaedic implants including hip, knee, and replacement joints were all retrieved to be recycled.

North Yorkshire Council bereavement services raised £82,000 in total from its four crematoriums, which besides Stonefall also include Skipton Crematorium, Maple Park in Thirsk and Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough.

The council partnered with the Institute for Cemetery and Crematorium Management and BRUCE Metals to choose which local charities receive donations.

Stonefall donated £6,000 to Candlelighters, a children’s cancer charity, and another £6,000 to The Friends of Harrogate Hospital which raises money for advanced hospital equipment and services the NHS cannot provide.

Cllr Michael Harrison, the charter mayor of Harrogate, presented the cheque to the Friends. He said:

“The charity, run by volunteers, helps ensure patients of Harrogate hospital have the most pleasant experience possible, often during an unsettling time.

“I’d like to thank those families who, during a difficult time, have consented to us recycling metals recovered. By raising this money, everyone involved has done their bit to helping local charities.”

John Fox, chair of the Friends, added:

“We are extremely grateful for this generous donation to support our future work.

“As well as thanking the ICCM for their generosity, I’d like to thank our former mayor, Trevor Chapman, for nominating us and the council’s bereavement services.”

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Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says

North Yorkshire Council has said it has provided a group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens with daily offers of accommodation.

The group, which it is claimed contains up to 10 people at various times, took over the pavilion near the public toilets a week ago.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday anti-social behaviour concerns among nearby residents.

One resident, Eileen Dockray, said she had reported the group to both the council and North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday but was passed between the two.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director for housing, yesterday said:

“We are aware of a group of people sleeping rough in this area and have been engaging with them daily with offers of accommodation made to them all.

“In the evening there is a larger congregation but those visiting the site are not homeless.

“A multi-agency meeting takes place weekly and this site is on the agenda for actions by everyone involved. Reports from the public of anti-social behaviour have been minimal, but it is important that we are notified to enable the police to pursue any appropriate actions needed.”

The pavilion has been used by rough sleepers for a week.

Mr Rowe added:

“The council is committed to its work with rough sleepers in the county and will continue to engage with this group, in an attempt to secure a suitable housing outcome.

“The area is monitored by our community safety team and any issues of an anti-social nature should be referred to the police.”

One resident from the nearby Grosvenor Buildings, who asked not to be named, said this morning the group were “talking, yelling and laughing” between 3am and 4am this morning.

The resident added:

“It has been like this for a few days. They are occupying a central public space, depriving residents of its use and causing day-to-day nuisances to the neighbourhood.

“I called the police and was told it is a council issue.

“A few residents in my building are also frustrated by the lack of action from any authority to remove the encampment.

“This Crescent Gardens pavilion attracted a few entrenched homeless people before and now even a large group — over 10 during certain times — so should be identified as a ‘vulnerable site’.”

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Celebrate this weekend as Jules B Harrogate turns one

This story is sponsored by Jules B

After opening its doors for the first time in September 2022, the team at Jules B Harrogate are all set to celebrate its first birthday. To mark the milestone, the designer womenswear store is planning a special event this coming weekend.

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, the Harrogate team are welcoming visitors to join in the celebrations with cake and refreshments in store. Those who make a purchase on full-price items can also expect another exclusive treat.

Jules B Harrogate is the youngest of five Jules B stores selling a handpicked selection of designer brands like Barbour, Holland Cooper and OSKA.

Located at 5 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, fashion enthusiasts can find luxury clothes, shoes and accessories covering two whole floors. And it’s fair to say it’s been a successful first year with an incredible response from all involved.

Founder Julian Blades said:

“It’s been an enjoyable first year in Harrogate getting to know our new customers and building a fantastic enthusiastic sales team here, and it has not disappointed! We are really excited about our new autumn/winter collections, introducing some amazing new brands to our portfolio. 

“It makes all the hard work worthwhile when you have such an appreciative audience, and we are looking forward to continuing the progress we have made so far.”

If you’re in the area this weekend, drop by to raise a glass and discover the new arrivals awaiting. To discover more about the first year, read this interview with store manager Lynne Markham.

Police cordon off cabman’s shelter on Harrogate’s West Park

Police have cordoned off one of the cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Police and ambulance workers were at the scene before 9am this morning.

Officers at the scene did not say why the area had been closed.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information.

West Park is still open to traffic.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate digital agency embarks on US expansion

Zelst, a Harrogate-based search marketing agency, is expanding to the US after 17-years in business.

The new overseas firm will be based in Dover, Delaware.

The company hopes by the overseas expansion will allow US work and clients to integrate with the UK team more seamlessly.

Director, Peter Van Zelst, said:

“The US economy is a little hotter than ours at present, and it’s a challenge to find highly experienced search and PPC professionals in some areas of the States. We’ve seen a demand for our services, and the different approaches we bring to projects. Establishing a business in the US was the natural next step.

“As one of the north’s longest established and most experienced search marketing agencies, we’re adept at working collaboratively alongside clients and agencies alike, and the East Coast of the US, in particular, is fairly straightforward to service, with its connections and smaller time difference with the UK.”

Harrogate law firm to partner with Yorkshire Dales charity for second year running

 LCF Law has entered its second year of partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The charity supports the people, landscapes, and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

Since the partnership began, the firm has donated £7,500 to the trust – contributing to 500 trees being planted.

Bridie Johnson-Power, from LCF Law, said:

“Our first volunteering project with the Trust involved us helping to maintain the woodland and clear redundant plastic tubes for recycling at Bargh Wood.

“Then more volunteers ventured out into the Dales to join a mixed group of corporate partners planting 400 trees to extend The Hawes woodland.

“Most recently a group of us volunteered for the woodland maintenance day at Swinesett Hill, and despite the torrential rain, we got a lot done!”

Development officer, Richard Hore, from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust said:

“It’s been great getting to know some of the LCF Law team, all of whom have been so enthusiastic about volunteering and learning more about our work.

“We know they have enjoyed engaging with our partnership and connecting with nature to improve their wellbeing and that of our planet.”

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Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano to change name and management

The well-known Harrogate pub and restaurant, Pitcher & Piano, is to be rebranded with a new name and management.

Love Your Pub, a company dedicated to advertising pubs for let or sale, recently posted about the search for a ‘self employed pub partner’ to take on the venue located on John Street.

The Pitcher and Piano is in a retail agreement with Marston’s Brewery and the rebrand comes as ‘part of the evolving pub strategy’ within the agreement.

The listing says the new pub partner can expect an annual salary of  £25,000 plus a 22% share of weekly sales, which it estimates to be £20,000.

It added the Harrogate site ‘has one of the highest guest satisfaction scores within the brand.’

A member of staff at Harrogate’s Pitcher & Piano told the Stray Ferret:

“We’re rebranding but Marston’s will still be our brewery.

“Other than that, I can’t divulge any information.”

According to the job advert, all stock, including food, is supplied for free by Marston’s and most bills other than council tax are covered.

The management role is subject to a five-year commitment.

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‘Save the Station Gateway!’: Harrogate cycling campaigner issues plea

Cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis has appealed to councillors to save Harrogate’s under-threat £11.2m Station Gateway.

It follows the publication of a report ahead of a meeting of North Yorkshire Council‘s Conservative-run executive on Tuesday, which says the council may now focus on the most popular aspects of the scheme to get it back on track.

However, the report does not mention active travel or cycling and the council could still decide to abandon the project altogether.

The original plans included reducing a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade to single-lane traffic to make space for cycle lanes, part-pedestrianising James Street and overhauling Station Square.

The council paused work on the project last month due to a legal challenge from Hornbeam Park Developments.

Mr Margolis spoke on behalf of Harrogate District Cycle Action campaign group at a meeting of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee today.

He said:

“We are asking you for the good of our town to save Harrogate Station Gateway. Along with many others, we think the plans are very beneficial.

“Some of you think the same, others don’t. You agree with some key elements but not others such as making Station Parade one-way or part-pedestrianising James Street.”

Mr Margolis said scrapping the scheme or removing the active travel elements risked damaging the council’s reputation with government “for years to come”. when it came to winning active travel funding.

Other failed bids

He referred to other failed bids, including for cycle lanes on Victoria Avenue and Knaresborough Road, the scrapping of cycle lanes on Oatlands Drive and Otley Road as well as the decision to discontinue the Beech Grove Low-Traffic Neighbourhood.

Mr Margolis warned the council would be doing a “massive disservice” to Harrogate’s residents if the Station Gateway funding is not used.

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The campaigner also read out a letter he received from Conservative MP Andrew Jones in June 2023 when he described the project a “big test” for North Yorkshire Council to show that it can deliver projects. Mr Jones said the scheme had been the subject of “often inaccurate and vociferous criticism”.

However, after the judicial review was submitted by Hornbeam Park Developments in August, Mr Jones called the Station Gateway a “timed-out dead scheme”.

North Yorkshire Council officer Mark Codman read out a statement in response to Mr Margolis.

He said:

“The committee notes the statement from Harrogate District Cycle Action.

“The project is being considered by the executive on September 19 and area constituency committee members will be able to consider the next steps as appropriate at the executive meeting.”

Concerns over encampment of rough sleepers in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Residents have spoken of their frustration over a lack of action against a group of rough sleepers camping in one of Harrogate’s most popular areas.

A group of homeless people have inhabited the pavilion alongside the toilets in Crescent Gardens over the last week.

A Harrogate woman concerned about antisocial behaviour said she had been told by both North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council that neither had any power to resolve the situation and she kept getting passed between the two.

Eileen Dockray said the group had expanded as fellow rough sleepers and friends joined with their personal belongings.

She said people were coming and going throughout the day and night, adding:

“The council passed me to the police, the police back to the council, and then back the police.

“The police also said they have no power to move people who are just people gathering to have a chat and to drink, no matter how it bothers residents. What are we meant to do?”

The pavilion has become home to the rough sleepers.

Another Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, said:

“Many local residents are not able to access the area anymore and a few weekly exercise groups have moved to Valley Gardens.

“The walking tour has also diverted its route.”

“I am surprised how the council does not act when a homeless encampment has popped up in the centre of our floral town where many visitors and locals frequently pass through.”

One rough sleeper, called Sally, told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday a council member of staff had visited Crescent Gardens that morning.

Sally said she was advised to wait for a call to hear a range of options going forward but she had heard nothing since.

We asked North Yorkshire Council what measures it was taking but had not received a response by the time of publication.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Homelessness is something the council look after so it would be for the council to answer your questions regarding the visit and/or the options available to those who may be sleeping rough.”

Cllr Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“From what you have told me my instinct tells me it is a police matter as far as the anti-social behaviour is concerned as it is probably private land.

“The council offers a range of support for rough sleepers and work closely with other organisations such as the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

Maggie Gibson, who was housing needs manager at the former Harrogate Borough Council, reported homelessness had “significantly increased” in the district amid the pandemic and cost of living crisis in February this year.

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