May 2023 - Altogether Care

Altogether Care Bridport Branch Shines a Light on Mental Health and Dementia Awareness Week

Posted on 30 May 202330 May 2023 by Access Performance

Altogether Care Bridport branch is making waves with their proactive team and trained Mental Health First Aider (MHFA). Their recent initiative aimed to recognise and support Mental Health and Dementia national Awareness Week, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

To demonstrate their unwavering support and raise funds for these important causes, the team organised an enjoyable bake sale. Perfectly coinciding with the national bake day, this event was a testament to their dedication and compassion. Leading the charge was Sheelagh, whose role as a Mental Health First Aider and social butterfly made her the ideal candidate to spearhead this event. Registered manager Kellie Gumbrill eagerly enlisted Sheelagh’s expertise, and she embraced the responsibility with enthusiasm.

To ensure the bake sale’s success, the team sought guidance from the Dementia Awareness website, utilising their fundraising pack to decorate the exterior of their Bridport office. The decision to hold the event on a Wednesday, coinciding with Bridport’s bustling market day, ensured maximum participation. Bridport’s market is renowned for its lively atmosphere, attracting a multitude of local market traders and a supportive community. Carers from Altogether Care enthusiastically contributed by making, buying, and donating baked goods. Some even involved their families in the baking process, creating a truly enjoyable experience. The resulting cakes were not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious.

Kellie has strong connections with her team and nurtures an inclusive culture, recognised the isolation that can be faced by international carers. Angelo is a carer who has come over from Sri Lanka and who has recently moved his wife Sharmila to Bridport, and Sheelagh went above and beyond to show kindness and compassion to her. Understanding her limited social interactions, Sheelagh extended a warm invitation to Sharmila, providing her with an opportunity to engage with others and lend a helping hand at the bake sale.

The pictures captured during the event tell the tale of an overwhelming success. Sheelagh, as an MHFA, interacted with numerous local individuals who were captivated by their stall and the treats on offer. This fostered open communication, with many feeling comfortable enough to share personal stories about their experiences with dementia and mental health. Such genuine interactions perfectly align with Altogether Care’s main objective of encouraging open conversations, showing kindness and care, and raising much-needed funds.

In the end, the team accomplished a remarkable £110.38 for these worthy causes. Equally important, they significantly raised Altogether Care’s profile and showcased its family-based values within the community. Congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement!

By championing Mental Health and Dementia national Awareness Week, Altogether Care Bridport branch has left an indelible mark on the community, offering hope, support, and a delicious way to make a difference. If you’re ever in need of someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to drop by for a cup of coffee and a chat – we’re always here and happy to help.

Honouring Our Diverse Workforce Through Food

Posted on 19 May 202319 May 2023 by Access Performance

Food is one of the things that unite us all, no matter where we come from or what we do. It is a universal language that speaks to our senses and our souls. That’s why, at Altogether Care, we celebrate our diverse workforce through food.

Recently, we had the pleasure of sharing a meal with Jinson Jose, one of our mental health first aiders based in Sherbourne House, Yeovil. Jinson comes from South India and has made his home in Yeovil, where he enjoys cooking dishes that remind him of home.

Jinson’s favourite dish is Fish Molly, a creamy curry that’s packed with protein and bursting with flavour. It’s a classic South Indian dish that’s not as well-known in the UK, where North Indian cuisine is more popular.

During our meal, Jinson shared his passion for cooking and how he loves to cook with his family back in India. He’s brought that tradition to Yeovil and shares his love of cooking with his colleagues at Altogether Care.

The smell of fresh ginger, garlic, peppercorns and turmeric filled the air as Jibin, our resident chef at Yeovil care home, prepared the Fish Molly in the kitchen. Colleagues from the care home couldn’t resist the aroma and came to join us for a taste.

Jinson shared that many of the ingredients used are grown locally in his home town in South India and food and spices such as peppercorns are picked fresh and dried outside in the sunshine.

It was heart-warming to see how food can bring people together, even in the workplace. We captured some photos to share our experience with you.

If you’d like to try making Fish Molly at home, we’ve included the recipe and instructions below. It’s a tasty, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare dish that’s sure to become a new favourite in your household.

We believe that celebrating our diverse workforce through food is a great way to promote inclusivity and respect for different cultures. We encourage everyone to embrace the richness of our differences and come together over a shared love of food.

Ingredients:

500 grams fish fillets (any firm white fish like kingfish, salmon, tilapia, or cod)
1 cup thick coconut milk
1/2 cup thin coconut milk (optional)
2 medium onions, finely sliced
2 green chilies, split lengthwise
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper /powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
2-3 tablespoons oil (preferably coconut oil)
Curry leaves
Salt to taste

For tempering (optional):

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
2-3 dry red chilies
Curry leaves

Instructions:

1. Clean the fish fillets and cut them into medium-sized pieces. Marinate the fish pieces with a pinch of turmeric powder and salt. Keep them aside for 10-15 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai over medium heat. Add fennel seeds and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.

3. Add the sliced onions and green chilies. Cook until the onions turn golden brown.

4. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.

5. Lower the heat and add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and black pepper powder. Mix well and cook for a minute.

6. Pour in the thin coconut milk (optional) and bring it to a gentle boil. Add salt to taste.

7. Carefully add the marinated fish pieces to the pan. Gently stir to coat the fish with the spice mixture. Be careful not to break the fish pieces.

8. Cover the pan and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Be sure not to overcook the fish.

9. Once the fish is cooked, pour in the thick coconut milk and give it a gentle stir. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on low heat.

10. In a separate small pan, heat coconut oil for tempering (optional). Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add dry red chilies and curry leaves. Fry for a few seconds until the leaves turn crispy. Pour this tempering over the fish curry.

11. Remove from heat and garnish with some fresh curry leaves.

Your Fish Molly is ready to be served! Serve it hot with steamed rice, appam (rice pancakes) or bread. Enjoy your meal!