Abbeyfield UK

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 Peter Howard MBE - June 2008  Royal recognition for a remarkable volunteer

The outstanding contribution to Abbeyfield made by Abbeyfield UK (NI) Vice Chairman, Mr Peter Howard, was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List when he was awarded an MBE.

On his early retirement, Peter became increasingly involved in Abbeyfield Carrickfergus.  Then in 1996 he represented the East Antrim area on the Abbeyfield NI Regional Council and the following year became a trustee of Abbeyfield NI Development Society (which merged to form AUK (NI) in 2003).

Peter has carried out the role of Vice Chairman for the past eight years and, as part of his role, has chosen to sit on all the sub-committees and attend numerous meetings with partner organisations. 

Over the years he has become involved in many related areas such as the Supporting People External Reference Group in the NIHE, is a council member of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, was Chairman of the Abbeyfield Regional Quality Standards Committee, and was a member of the UK Abbeyfield Society Housing Services Committee.

Due to the huge amount of work Peter carries out on behalf of Abbeyfield, and the extensive knowledge and expertise which he has acquired, there are many people (particularly in government agencies) who are astounded to learn that he is a volunteer and not a full time employee.

Geraldine Gilpin, AUK (NI) Chief Executive, said, "I am absolutely delighted that Peter's contribution has been recognised.  Peter is someone who is prepared to assist in whatever area there is a need and will undertake tasks which others might not be prepared to take on.  He works in the background and never seeks to highlight the extent of what he does.  His support has been invaluable to me."

Chairman of AUK (NI), Celia Worthington, is equally delighted.  "Peter is a remarkable volunteer – hardworking, dedicated and committed.  He gives so much of his time and is well deserving of  this recognition."

Abbeyfield Society and Abbeyfield UK Appoint New Chief Executive Officer

The Abbeyfield Society, one of the largest voluntary sector UK wide providers of housing support and care for older people, has appointed Paul Allen as its new Chief Executive Officer.   Paul has until recently been the Deputy Chief Executive at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading.

 He brings a wealth of leadership, strategy, customer service skills and experience.  Prior to his time at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust his previous roles also include three years as Managing Director of  ABP Connect, a subsidiary of Associated British Ports Holdings PLC and positions with Exel PLC, Mars Inc and ICI PLC.

Paul will be taking up his new position on the 2nd of June 2008, and has commented:

“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of running Abbeyfield.  I have a strong commitment to the values of the movement, the promotion of volunteering and above all the chance to lead an organisation whose mission is to make a difference to people’s lives.”

Click here to read Paul's welcome speech to staff at Abbeyfield's Head Office in St Albans.

Abbeyfield UK Tops Healthy Eating Award on the Isle of Wight

Abbeyfield UK’s Clifton House on the Isle of Wight took first prize in the awards celebrating best practice and policy in healthy eating in a variety of settings across the Isle of Wight. The winners were announced at a Celebration Event at the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes on 30 November and Lois Rogers from Clifton House collected the award on behalf of Abbeyfield UK.

The awards were established three years ago by the Isle of Wight Healthy Eating Alliance a multi-agency group to support their aim of promoting and enabling healthy eating for all households on the Isle of Wight, together with supporting Island producers and food retailers to improve access to affordable, fresh and local foods.

Entries had to demonstrate how they meet the 5 criteria which were:

* All dishes on the menu meet residents' requirements.

* Menus demonstrate the use of local, freshly prepared and cooked ingredients wherever possible.

* Evidence of HACCP/ Food Hygiene regulations being adhered to - also to show commitment to staff training and   development.

* To be able to show feedback from residents in order to prove customer satisfaction.

* Must demonstrate a whole eating experience with a customer friendly dining room environment.

The entry for Clifton House included 2 references from residents, excerpts of which were read during the Awards Celebration: "As a resident, I was pleased to pen my views on the standards of food prepared…main course is nutritious with at least four vegetables served each day…the presentation of food is of paramount importance to our cooks, including laying of the table settings." "Her meals are wonderfully well balanced… as a vegetarian I am so lucky as vegetarian meals can be so bland and mine never are…we are lucky at Clifton House."

The evening was hosted by former chair of the Local Authority Caterers Association, Irene Carroll. It was attended by Andrew Turner MP, Cllr Alan Wells – cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Dr Jenifer Smith – Director of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer.

The photo shows Mrs Virginia Brown from Sponsors Islecare presenting the Award to Lois Rogers from Clifton House

Become a member of Abbeyfield UK

In September 2006 The Abbeyfield Society voted to include individual membership as a new category of membership.  Individual members receive copies of Focus Magazine and twice a year, a copy of the Abbeyfielder Magazine - members also have one vote at The Abbeyfield Society AGM. 

The fee to become an individual member is £35 and any Abbeyfield UK volunteers wishing to become individual members of The Abbeyfield Society should contact Zena Glazier (z.glazier@abbeyfield.com  or telephone 01727 734064) or Anisah Ahmad (a.ahmad@abbeyfield.com or telephone 01727 734089)