First up, we have all the latest news on recent hires, promotions and how we’re expanding our teams to bring further innovation and quality to the services we provide. See which fresh faces have joined the ranks and who has leveled up in their career. We’re growing our talent pool to take our company to new heights and are always on the lookout, so if you want job alerts you can subscribe here.

Do you think you’re a compliance wizard? Put your knowledge to the test with our tricky compliance quiz! This fun challenge will give you a sneak peek into the important work of our compliance team. No peeking at the answers!

Our Impact and Wellbeing section is not to be missed. Over the past few months, this dedicated team has been working tirelessly to deliver unforgettable experiences that enrich the lives of those in our services and upskill our staff in exciting new ways. Flip through the pages to read all about the cultural celebrations from St. David’s Day to St. George’s Day, the Easter Scavenger Hunt and a whole week honoring Mental Health Awareness and ‘Changing the World.’

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This month Bluestones Medical Complex care is going to have an exciting new focus – teaching nutrition and cooking skills to the young people.

Over the next few weeks, we will be covering various nutrition topics – reading nutrition labels, understanding nutrients, identifying healthy vs. unhealthy foods, learning about dietary requirements, etc. We will discuss how nutrition impacts energy levels, weight, risk for chronic illnesses, and other aspects of health.

In addition to learning about nutrition, we will also be gaining hands-on cooking skills! Each week, we will cook simple recipes with our young people, practicing measuring ingredients, using kitchen tools safely, timing different steps of recipes, and of course, tasting the finished products. Our hope is that by the end of the month, each teen will have gained broader knowledge of nutrition, as well as confidence in their ability to prepare simple, healthy meals.

Cooking home cooked meals has many benefits.

Save money – Preparing food at home is generally cheaper than eating out. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make multiple meals. Home cooking allows you to splurge on fresh ingredients.

Knowledge of ingredients – Cooking at home allows you to control exactly what goes into your food. You can avoid harmful additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients found in processed foods. Knowing what you eat helps you make informed choices.

Portion control – It’s easier to control portion sizes with home cooked meals versus restaurant servings. Appropriate portions help maintain a healthy weight.

Save money – Preparing food at home is generally cheaper than eating out. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make multiple meals. Home cooking allows you to splurge on fresh ingredients.

Enjoyment – Many people find cooking at home to be an enjoyable, creative outlet. Sharing home cooked meals also brings family and friends together.

Food safety – You have greater oversight of food handling, cooking temperatures, storage, and preparation when cooking at home. This decreases the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Develop skills – Home cooking allows you to learn valuable culinary skills like knife handling, cooking methods, and flavour combinations that can become lifelong hobbies.

Mastering nutrition and cooking are such an invaluable skillset for these young children as they approach adulthood. It lays the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits and self-care. We look forward to a fun, engaging month of building their knowledge, confidence, and independence in the kitchen!

The post Nutritous and Nourishing November 2023 appeared first on Bluestones Medical Complex Care.

Halloween with Bluestones Medical Complex Care

Today we wanted to share with you what our young people got up to this Halloween.

To celebrate the spooky season and get into the Halloween spirit, this October we held a Halloween house decorating competition.

Each house went above and beyond and put so much effort into the decorating and it was great to see all the creative ideas.

We had the impact and well-being team go round to each of the houses to take pictures and judge the houses for the winner.

 

For most kids, Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year.  They look forward to dressing up in costumes, going trick or treating and decorating the house for the spooky holiday.  However, for children in care, Halloween can feel isolating if they are not included in the festivities.  That’s why it’s so important that we involve young people in getting ready and celebrating Halloween together.

The haunted house competition was filled with creativity and enjoyment and our dedicated care teams got stuck, with some having more fun than our young people.  

Selecting the winner was a tough decision as each house pulled out all the stops and went above and beyond with their jaw-dropping displays. 

Drum roll …..   but a winner was picked and Sunflower House took the top prize. It was Spooktacular! Congratulations to them on a job well done. With December only around the corner we cant wait to see what’s in store for the Christmas season! 

* At Bluestones Medical Complex Care we ensure we have consent from the people in our care to share their stories and any images they approve of.

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ADHD Awareness Month

Breaking the stigma around ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it difficult to focus, control impulses, and be still. Many people have misconceptions about ADHD and how it impacts people’s lives.The symptoms of ADHD can be categorized into 2 types of behavioural problems:

• Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Many people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this is not always the case. For example, around 2 to 3 in 10 people with the condition have problems with concentrating and focusing, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness. This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD).While ADHD can present challenges, it does not define a person. With the right support, understanding, and coping strategies, people with ADHD can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Ways to support someone with ADHD:

• Adjust your behaviour accordingly
• Praise the positives
• Communicate and listen
• Ask if they need help before you offer it
• Don’t make assumptions about the person’s intelligence or capabilities
• Respect the person’s time and space.
• Being understanding and patient is so very important.
• Offer choices, not commands. But don’t rush them to decide.
• Educate yourself
• Practical support without patronising

ADHD symptoms can include:

• Trouble concentrating or performing complicated or detailed tasks
• An inability to focus while others are talking to them
• Poor organizational skills
• Frequently losing their possessions
• General forgetfulness
• Restlessness and fidgeting
• Speaking very fast and too loudly
• Impatience
• A tendency to interrupt
• Constant mind-changing
• Irritability

Together we can increase awareness of ADHD and make the world more inclusive for those living with it. Help break the stigma.

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