Autumn 2011: Issue 30

HOW DOES JAH-JIREH OPERATE?

Jah-Jireh Charity Homes are under the direction of a board of trustees. The board was formed in 1997 when Jah-Jireh was first formed as a Charity. Since that time a number of additional trustees have been added to the original board. Some have died and others have retired. These are brothers with many years of experience in Jehovah’s organisation, some having served as travelling overseers, some with practical experience in building work, accountancy, many being family men.

The board of trustees meet usually around three to four times a year plus occasional meetings at other times when needed. There is constant communication between these trustees and our office headquarters in Warton, near Preston. These men, the trustees, set the policy for the charity. They have the concern of the elderly and infirm very much at heart. In fact, many of them are well along in years. They realise what is needed in caring for these dear brothers and sisters and try their best to fill these needs.

Often, our work is hampered due to lack of funding in this present economic climate. The trustees are trying to encourage donations that will enable charitable funding to be offered to elderly ones in real need.

CQC—New Inspection Authority

The homes in the North West are all working with the new standards given by the “Care Quality Commission” and also the 10 standards for Infection Prevention and Control Guidance set down by the Department of Health. One home had their first unannounced inspection with CQC and we are pleased to say we were found to be fully compliant on all the outcomes inspected.

Jah-Jireh Nursing Home Receives “Healthy Business Award”

The Healthy Business Team are a group of food specialists working with one of our local councils to increase the availability of safe and nutritionally balanced food.
To gain the HBA businesses must have:
1. Good standards of food hygiene and safety.
2. Good practice when preparing food and the provision of healthier food choices.
3. Promotion of healthier food choices and information for customers to help them make good choices.

Activities continued...

The summer months provided a nice opportunity for some of our residents to get involved in the gardens. Sister Stephanie Majer enjoyed spending time with one of our Managers assisting with arranging tubs, hanging baskets and window boxes.

“Let Your Kingdom Come” 2011 District Conventions

"Our efforts pale into insignificance when compared with the efforts of the elderly" - Attendant

Conventions are a time we all look forward to for 3 days of spiritual instruction, so at Jah-Jireh we start making preparations as early as February to ensure that residents, if able, can attend the convention with minimal worry and stress on their part. Advance preparation is essential in order to make this possible.

It is no easy task to make sure that we have adequate, qualified cover in the homes while conventions are taking place, but we have achieved this for more than 25 years and Jehovah willing, we will continue to do so.

Some of our live-in workers are from other parts of the country and are willing to attend their home conventions so that they are then available to work during our convention weekend.

We also have a number of staff and volunteers who attend the convention together with the residents in order to take care of their personal needs over the weekend.

For many years now, the brothers at the Manchester Arena have arranged for the elderly ones to have a reserved seating area, providing easy access to the Arena and its facilities. One of our sisters feels this is invaluable as sometimes the coaches are delayed, but knowing that they have reserved seating helps to diffuse any anxiety.

During the lunchtime break, many brothers and sisters, staff members and volunteers enjoyed association with our elderly ones which greatly encouraged them. This love did not go un-noticed as one of our nurses commented on how this association makes them feel “really special”, and another volunteer mentioned that “their faces were beaming, even after 3 tiring days!”

We would like to thank all the managers, their staff teams and all the volunteers for all their hard work and personal sacrifices in making this years district convention a success.

Proud to have made all three days! "I wouldn't have missed it for anything!" - Phyl

Did you know?

Recent findings by the charity Age UK (formerly Age Concern) based on spending from 110 councils around the country, suggested that spending on the over 65’s would be cut by 8.4% - equivalent to £610m. It also received evidence that councils were coping by taking measures such as reducing the number of care home places and hours of home help.

Although money has been promised by the government, Age UK research suggested that the money was not yet getting through to the frontline of elderly care. Michelle Mitchell, from Age UK, said: "Funding for social care is already inadequate. The consequences of cutting expenditure further could be devastating. We are fearful that even more vulnerable older people will be left to struggle alone and in some cases will be put at risk." (Excerpt from: bbc.co.uk/news/health-13907629)

How to make a donation

Donations can be made by bank transfer or internet banking to the following account details:-

Bank: Nat West
Branch: Blackpool, Devonshire Square
Account Name: Jah-Jireh Charity Donations
Sort Code: 01-09-51
Account No: 11619333

To make a donation from outside the UK, you will need the following details:-

BIC Code: NWBKGB2L
IBAN: GB33NWBK01095111619333

Alternatively donations can be made by cheques made payable to “Jah-Jireh” and sent to:-

Jah-Jireh
317 Lytham Road
Warton
Preston
PR4 1TE

May we thank you in advance for your help in continuing to provide loving care for our needy elderly ones.