Minster Surgery
Minster Surgery has been recognised with a national award after implementing a new personalised and proactive way of caring for its patients nearing the end of their lives.
Claire Dennis, the practice frailty nurse, and Sandra Houghton, the assistant practice manager, were presented with the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award at a ceremony in London by the Secretary of the Royal College of General Practitioners, who stated that was fabulous to find such a pioneering GP Practice.
Claire, who led the push to provide coordinated and compassionate care for all such patients, said the new procedures benefits patients and staff alike. Patients who are on the palliative list, Gold Patients, are given a Gold Card, and, on contacting the surgery, are immediately fast tracked to the most appropriate person.
The Gold Card was designed and produced by the Patient Liaison Group at the surgery. Claire said: “The GSF has brought everyone together as a team and I am delighted we received the award as it is an area that I am really passionate about.”
Minster Surgery is currently the only GP practice in Kent and Medway NHS and South East of England to have achieved this award.
Thanet Secondary Headteachers’ Group
Porchlight is a homeless charity working across Kent. It helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.
When Nathan Tough, Community and Corporate Fundraising Officer, for the charity came to the Thanet Secondary Headteachers’ meeting to talk about the growing issue of homelessness in Thanet all of the headteachers were shocked by the statistics and vowed to work together to support this wonderful charity. At the end of the last academic year all students in Thanet, aged 11 – 18, from whichever secondary school they attend, were encouraged to carry out a series of charity events in order to raise awareness of homelessness and money to support the work Porchlight does.
Hartsdown Academy had a sleep out with students and staff, including the headteacher Matt Tate, sleeping on the ground out in the open air all night. “Although it was summer it was still really cold and we had sleeping bags and coats,” said one student, “it really shows how hard it is to be homeless and I dread to think what it would be like in the winter.” Other schools had non-uniform days, cake sales, parents’ coffee mornings, pyjama days, dance competitions and sponsored events. Several of the schools opened food banks so that donations of food could be made and passed on to those who need it most.
As well as all of the activities, Porchlight went into schools to deliver assemblies and so encourage the young people of Thanet to talk about the terrible issue of having nowhere to live.
The total raised by the students was £6,730.44 which was presented to Porchlight at the first Thanet Headteachers’ meeting of this academic year.
“It was brilliant to raise so much money for such a deserving cause. The work Porchlight does is hugely important and the more we can raise the issues with our students, the more we can do to try to eradicate this dreadful social problem which should not be happening in the 21st century” said Kate Greig, Headteacher of Dane Court Grammar School and King Ethelbert School and Chair of Thanet Headteachers’ Forum.
“The Thanet secondary headteachers work closely together on a whole range of issues as we are determined to show that collectively we can do so much more for our students than if we work alone. The leadership of Thanet schools is of a very high level and one of the reasons for this is that we work together and share ideas, resources and opportunities. We think the young people of Thanet are amazing and we want Thanet to be seen as the centre of excellence for education – they all deserve nothing less.”
Nathan Tough, Porchlight, said: “ A massive thank you to Kate and everyone at the Thanet Heads Forum for raising an incredible £6,730.44! This huge sum of money is incredibly important. Porchlight knows that the best way out of poverty and homelessness is employment, and this money could enable our Work Health and Learning team to continue to work closely with our residents in Thanet to find a route into employment, and independence. “We really hope that the students have enjoyed the experience, and now know that there is support there for them if ever they need it. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
Secondary schools involved were:
The Charles Dickens School
Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School
Dane Court Grammar School
Hartsdown Academy
King Ethelbert School
St George’s Church of England Foundation School
The Royal Harbour Academy
Ursuline College
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service
The Thorley family and Thorley Taverns have hosted a ball in honour of Oasis Domestic Abuse Service at The Pavilion Broadstairs to mark the charity’s 25th year of operation.
One hundred and forty guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a delicious 4-course meal with music provided by Hullaballoo. The room was decorated free of charge by Birchington-based Thanetian Weddings and Events.
A charity auction, presided over by the inimitable Frank Thorley and match-funded by Santander UK contributed to the amount raised. Special thanks are due to Santander employees Luke Robb, Kerry Banner, Lorraine Stokes and Esther Langley for their company and assistance on the night.
On behalf of Oasis, Loukia Michael said, “Frank and Ann Thorley have been supporters of Oasis since we first opened the doors to Thanet refuge in 1994, joined by Kim Thorley who has served as a Trustee and supported us in countless ways. This event was typical of their generosity and was a great success raising in excess of £12,000!”
Oasis was founded in 1994 to offer emergency, safe and temporary accommodation as well as ongoing support for families who have suffered domestic abuse across Kent. Two women are murdered every week in the UK by their partner or ex-partner; Oasis works to keep victims safe and help them to rebuild their lives free from abuse. The charity supports children and young people both in their refuge and in the wider Kent community, sharing the message that love shouldn’t hurt. Oasis also has a charity shop, ‘The Oasis Shop’, on Northdown Road in Cliftonville.
The Cinnamon Trust
The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity whose wonderful volunteers help people over retirement age and those in the latter stages of a terminal illness by offering all kinds of pet care. We are looking to welcome new dog walking volunteers to help a resident of Broadstairs and their adorable dogs Alfie a 13 year old Westie and Toby a 9 year old Bichon Frise who would just love to go for a short walk.
What happens if illness, injury or just the fact that we all get older eventually affects our ability to look after our four legged companions? A large number of elderly or ill pet owners become very worried about their ability to care for their pets, feeling that their only option is to rehome them, this is where our national network of dedicated volunteers step in to offer support enabling them to stay together. We’ll walk the dog for a housebound owner, we’ll foster pets when owners need hospital care, we’ll fetch the cat food, even clean out the bird cage or litter trays.
All volunteers help in the ways that are most appropriate to them,they take it in turn to visit housebound owners to take the dog for a walk, volunteers foster pets as one of their family when owners face a spell in hospital, they take pets to the vet, even clean out the budgie’s cage or cats litter year old trays. If anyone would like to register or even have a quick chat about registering just call direct on 01736 758707 or email [email protected]
Get Active Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a town packed with natural beauty and steeped in history, but it is also a place that lends itself to many different outdoor activities.
Active Ramsgate was set up as an initiative of Ramsgate Town Council focuses on promoting outdoor pursuits in and around Ramsgate, such as walking, cycling and birdwatching in order to encourage tourism and therefore economic development of the town. Since its inception in 2013, it has brought £1.2 million into the area.
To celebrate this milestone, Active Ramsgate has teamed up with local activity providers to launch eight exclusive special offers to encourage visitors to try out eight of the most popular activities available in and around Ramsgate.
The offers include activities such as kitesurfing, which is fast becoming one of the most popular activities available in Ramsgate partly in light of the town playing host to the British Kitesurfing Championships for the past two years.
Also on offer is a chance to have a go at pickleball, a sport that has made its way over to the UK from the US – a mix between tennis, badminton and table tennis. Ramsgate is one of just a few destinations in the UK that has outdoor courts, and again, plays host to national championships each year.
For anyone keen to get hold of these offers, simply visit the Active Ramsgate website and download the leaflet. Alternatively, visit a local Tourist Office where the leaflet will be available to pick up.
All special offers are valid until March 31, 2020.
The Independent Vindicatrix of East Kent Assoc; – M.N.
We held our last meeting of 2019 at the Racing Greyhound in Ramsgate with the expected number of members attending. Received apologies were read out along with members ill-health reports and all wish them a speedy recovery.
A report was given on the recent visit to the U.K. / Thanet of a Vindi Boy from Australia who enjoyed meeting fellow members here and seeing the area. The full details of our forthcoming annual New Year dinner was given and the menu / price will be sent out to those attending.
A report was given on the Margate VJ Day service at the Margate Memorial which our Standard Bearer attended. Reports were given on the National Merchant Navy events locally with sincere thanks to all who remembered including the Ramsgate RBL, the Mayors of Ramsgate, Birchington and Margate and it was great to see so many Red Ensigns flying across Thanet.
On our big parade in London we took 50 seafarers and supporters by coach and had a great day ending up at the West India Quay / Canary Wharf. We held our usual raffle which raised a lot of money and we are donating £50.00p to the Guide Dogs For The Blind charity this year. Sadly we were unable to participate in the “Festival of Remembrance” at Margate’s Winter Gardens for the first time in 15 years due to non-receipt of passes for our Standard Bearer and reps. We confirmed we will attend the Remembrance Day parade in Ramsgate in November. It was mentioned that a number of members and wives are having a 4 day coach break to Devon in December. Our next meeting will be on January 9, 2020.
Everyone is Welcome Chorus
An “Everyone is welcome Chorus” is looking for singers and song lyrics as part of a singing protest against the Brexit Party’s prospective MPs coming to Margate. We are a friendly group that believe that everyone is welcome in Margate, and we are reaching out for people to join our friendly chorus outside of the Walpole Bay Hotel on Friday October 25 at 7pm.
Emily Peasgood, a local composer and choir master will be leading the singing. She said:”You do not need to be singer or have any experience of singing. Lyrics will be provided and the songs we sing will be well known. This is an inclusive event, where all are welcome, so join the welcome chorus to sing songs and chants that celebrate the welcoming town of Margate; in all of its diversity”
“We are protesting outside the Walpole Bay. Please wear warm clothes, and bring a flask of hot drink / water, and placards (optional). We will provide candles in jars and a sheet of lyrics. ”
Rob Yates, who helped organise the event, said:”The Brexit Party do not believe that everyone is welcome in the UK. Their support for a No-Deal Brexit is particularly damaging to our European friends, neighbours and work colleagues. As such, we are showing solidarity with them by singing songs with an EU twist, such as “Imagine there’s no Brexit”.
For more information, visit the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/769776726793603/ or contact Rob Yates on [email protected]