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On Thursday 4th
June, four members
from the Willow Day
Care, two staff
members and a
family member visited
Puddingstone Grange care home to
have a look around.
FAREWELL STEVE
On Wednesday 3rd June Avante Care
& Support said farewell to Surveyor,
Steve Wheeler who has retired after
14 years of service.
We had a good journey there and back thanks
to John Marsh who drove the Court Regis mini
bus.
On our arrival, Jo, the Activities Co-ordinator
showed us around the
beautiful gardens where
we sat and had a very
welcome cup of tea. After
we had been shown
around the lovely care
centre, Jo arranged for us
to have lunch with some
of the residents from
Puddingstone Grange,
which was very nice.
After lunch, Jo and Lorraine put on their
Oomph! T shirts, and led us all through an
exercise regime which was
great fun. They were so
enthusiastic, it ‘rubbed off’
on everyone.
Before heading home we
went to see the O2 arena
and the cable cars. We
saw Canary Wharf and the
Shard in the distance.
All in all we had a lovely day. Many thanks to
Alison, Jo, Lorraine and everyone at
Puddingstone Grange for making us so
welcome.
Jeannette Spooner
Day Care Officer
Steve joined Avante Care & Support in September
2001 as a Building Surveyor and has been involved
in the construction of four new care homes for the
organisation; Northbourne Court, Amherst Court,
Riverdale Court and Puddingstone Grange. Steve
has always worked as a Building Surveyor with
previous employment including the London Borough
of Tower Hamlets, Medway Health Authority, Bexley
Council and London Transport.
When asked to reflect on his time at Avante and
share what he will miss the most Steve commented,
‘Daily dealings with Builders and Contractors frequently frustrating, but ultimately rewarding when a
plan comes together. Believe it or not they help me
maintain my sanity, we speak the same language!
Also the completion of work that benefits or improves
the daily lives of the residents, the background work
like lift refurbishments, nurse call system replacements
and new boundary fencing - these all had a major
impact as soon as they were completed’.
Steve loves Cornwall and enjoys spending as much
time there as possible, he is a keen photographer,
loves music and is a lifelong Spurs supporter. So will
these be Steve’s main focus when he retires?….well
yes, they will be as well as the initial ‘doing
absolutely nothing’ stage, Steve said he would like to
learn how to improve his cooking skills with fish &
seafood and acquire some patience to learn the art of
watercolour painting.
A big thank you to Steve for everything he has done
for Avante Care & Support over the years, happy
retirement!
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