The opening of windows and doors during these cold economic winds
Welcome to the first blog of 2009. It did not take long for all those good intentions to be swept away before the first month has passed. The cold winter chill of the economic climate is taking its toll on this particular charity and requiring all our focus, wit and ingenuity.
In the middle of last year the Trust believed it had exciting plans for the coming year; a plan for the use of our large Bartlett building working with another charity which had great synergy with the wider plan for the site. This plan included an extensive new build for the site comprising accommodation and day services. It may be that this scheme will still be realised although a bit delayed, on the other hand the finances may no longer seem viable. This is very disappointing but it does now afford a window of opportunity. So one window closed, then a second window, but the closure of the second window actually opened another. Thus we have an opportunity to think again about the use of this big building which could become a significant burden. It actually offers exciting opportunities to develop and improve our services which we will seize. There is no doubt that the hardening and deepening of this economic crisis is forcing us all to be more resourceful. It is making us think about using what we have in different ways.
We also hope the current economic climate will have a positive impact on the staffing in our sector. In more positive times it can be difficult to recruit to the care sector despite the great opportunities it can afford to make a real difference to lives of people who need support. There is no doubt it has the potential to offer a rewarding career. Unfortunately the status of people in the care sector does not sufficiently recognise the importance of their role. We hope that through reduced employment opportunities elsewhere different people will consider a career in care. This will be a positive outcome of these difficult times and may open doors for people who would otherwise not have considered such careers.
These are challenging times but also exciting. We, at Parkhaven, hope that everyone has a happy and rewarding year and sees the opportunities that may be afforded by these constrained times.
Hilary Rowland
Welcome to the first blog of 2009. It did not take long for all those good intentions to be swept away before the first month has passed. The cold winter chill of the economic climate is taking its toll on this particular charity and requiring all our focus, wit and ingenuity.
In the middle of last year the Trust believed it had exciting plans for the coming year; a plan for the use of our large Bartlett building working with another charity which had great synergy with the wider plan for the site. This plan included an extensive new build for the site comprising accommodation and day services. It may be that this scheme will still be realised although a bit delayed, on the other hand the finances may no longer seem viable. This is very disappointing but it does now afford a window of opportunity. So one window closed, then a second window, but the closure of the second window actually opened another. Thus we have an opportunity to think again about the use of this big building which could become a significant burden. It actually offers exciting opportunities to develop and improve our services which we will seize. There is no doubt that the hardening and deepening of this economic crisis is forcing us all to be more resourceful. It is making us think about using what we have in different ways.
We also hope the current economic climate will have a positive impact on the staffing in our sector. In more positive times it can be difficult to recruit to the care sector despite the great opportunities it can afford to make a real difference to lives of people who need support. There is no doubt it has the potential to offer a rewarding career. Unfortunately the status of people in the care sector does not sufficiently recognise the importance of their role. We hope that through reduced employment opportunities elsewhere different people will consider a career in care. This will be a positive outcome of these difficult times and may open doors for people who would otherwise not have considered such careers.
These are challenging times but also exciting. We, at Parkhaven, hope that everyone has a happy and rewarding year and sees the opportunities that may be afforded by these constrained times.
Hilary Rowland
Chief executive
02.02.09
