Page 20 - EssexMason (Issue 89)online_version

Almoner

News from Stisted
A message from Jade Gibson, Business Development Manager at Stisted.
“Nick, I hope that this message finds you well and I wish all the best to you, your team and to each of the lodge members.
Thank you so much for the invitation for Aggie and myself to join your Provincial Almoner Conference for 2021 and we
thoroughly look forward to attending, it will indeed be something exciting to look forward to and we sincerely hope that
Covid-19 will be more of a distant memory by then.
A brief update on how things are at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court. Whilst it has been a very challenging time for everyone
and there have been many ups and downs, we appear to definitely be seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We sadly were
affected with Covid-19 with a very small number of our residents and staff testing positive for the virus, however the care and
support teams have worked tirelessly to keep our residents as safe and as well as physically possible in these very worrying
times and I can confirm that we are now officially Covid-19 free and have been for a number of weeks. Whilst we continue
to remain as vigilant as ever, we are delighted with this news and also the news that all homes in the RMBI are now officially
Covid-19 free which is also fantastic to hear.
We are however incredibly conscious and acutely aware of the worries of those looking to place themselves or a loved one into
a care home at this uncertain time and especially with much of the news coverage being very negative in terms of Covid-19 in
the care sector. Whilst we do have protocol in place and are isolating those moving into our care for a very short period of time
while we wait for test results, we are open to admissions and we are very eager to support as many as possible in the Masonic
community who may be requiring some extra care and support. We are open to both permanent and respite admissions and
would particularly want to reach out to those who may feel isolated at this time and those who may be struggling to care for
themselves potentially without the usual support of their families and friends.
As such we would absolutely encourage any enquiries that your Almoners receive in relation to care homes, to get in touch
with us to see if there is anything at all we can do to support. The Almoners are fantastic and I do frequently receive phone calls
from those enquiring. Your ongoing support is invaluable and we thank you so much again for your time at the start of the year,
and again the incredible opportunity of presenting at your conference.
We have a lot of exciting things going on at Prince Edward at the moment, with our Stisted Safari Shuttle arriving last week!!
We are in the process of creating a Safari within our beautiful grounds and many of our residents have already had a wonderful
time out on our Golf Buggy, even getting one of our
incredible residents out for a ride at the remarkable age
of 101! We have a number of animal (banners!) on order
including a giraffe, lion and monkey for our residents to
spot on our Safari tours, and this is just one of the many
exciting things going on at the home at the moment.”

Essex Provincial

Almoner’s Team

“Call for Action”

307 Lodges 121Chapters

The Forget Me Not Appeal

Chris Lee, Dep. Group Almoner and the Provincial Stewards team Total In March 2020 the UK was gripped
have put together and launched a wonderful project to raise Donations: by the Covid-19 pandemic.
money for the Essex Provincial Almoners Fund (EPAF). I would The Provincial Grand Almoner £ 45,901
like to thank Chris and his team for not only coming up with the £ 51,617 issued a ‘Call for Action’ to the
idea and implementing it Provincial Team and this graphic Grants
represents the actions they have
so quickly but especially undertaken in supporting the Paid
to nominate the EPAF as a 65 Lodge Brethren, families and widows of the
whole Essex Masonic family.
beneficiary of the scheme. Donations: The Provincial Almoner’s Team,
I do hope that many of you supported by both Lodges and
will support it. £ 21,476 Chapters, responded swiftly and
enthusiastically.
119
This support is ongoing.
Individual
51 Essex Freemasons Recipients
Personal Community Fund
Donations: Donation:
£ 3,290 £ 10,000

https://www.essexpgs.co.uk/forget-me-not-shop
20