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Uncategorised
Thinking about wellbeing at work
August 8, 2022
In Community Circles we often talk of the ripples and spiders web of connections...
Categories:
Uncategorised
Rethinking volunteering? Let’s focus on our own wellbeing
August 8, 2022
“I’m Brad, I’m 26 and live with my wife Becky and our two year...
Categories:
Community
,
Uncategorised
,
Wellbeing
‘You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life’
August 8, 2022
To quote Abba, Dancing Queen to be specific. If not the most celebrated group...
Categories:
Older people
Befriending ain’t the ending
April 4, 2022
My friend posted this on Twitter… “Befriending scheme befrienders have to keep a log...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
Ashton Circle -The allotment
April 4, 2022
After being cooped up in my house for almost 2 years during the pandemic...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
Are you interested to find out more about Community Circles?
March 3, 2022
Are you interested to find out more about Community Circles? Community Circles create opportunities...
Categories:
Learning
The Difference A Circle Makes
March 3, 2022
Community Circles create opportunities for people to come together and help each other have...
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Learning
Community Circles Go Global
March 3, 2022
We often describe a circle of support as a space of love and listening,...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Arthur’s story
January 1, 2022
Arthur is a lively and energetic gentleman in his 70s, who lives at the...
Categories:
Circles Stories
The Two Hour Club
January 1, 2022
I love nattering and the wide variety of conversations you can have with people; from...
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Wellbeing
How can I help you?
January 1, 2022
An older gentleman we know has lived in the same house for many years. He...
Categories:
Carers
,
Circles Stories
,
Older people
Carers Circles
January 1, 2022
Over the last few years Community Circles have worked in both extra care and...
Categories:
Carers
,
Circles Stories
Small Spark to Bright Idea
January 1, 2022
It’s amazing what you can discover in your own home when you’re stuck there...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
Social Care Future Event
July 7, 2021
Cath describes her experience and learning from hosting a workshop at the Social Care...
Categories:
Community
,
Home care
,
Learning
,
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Creating opportunities for friendships to flourish…social pedagogy in practice
July 7, 2021
We walk alongside people, not leaping to ‘fix’ them but exploring what matters to...
Categories:
Community
,
Leadership
,
Learning
,
Wellbeing
Covid Buddies
July 7, 2021
The team at Community Circles has been working closely with teams in Suffolk during...
Categories:
Community
,
Older people
Ashton Circle: Connecting people through shared interests, locally and online
July 7, 2021
With COVID restrictions easing, and the excitement of face to face events becoming more...
Categories:
Community
Maintaining connections and contributions with creativity and exploring what’s possible…
January 1, 2021
Leanne, who has a learning disability, has a circle to support her finding things...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
Care homes and schools, the magic relationship – what’s possible during COVID
January 1, 2021
As well as thinking creativity around what matters to individuals, at Community Circles we...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Community
,
Older people
Thinking About Outcomes…
January 1, 2021
Cath reflects on how, in our desire to be helpful, we can leap to...
Categories:
Learning
,
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Community Circles – Brief Introductory Information
January 1, 2021
Lots of people are getting in touch to ask about Community Circles. There are...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Carers
,
Community
,
Extra care
,
Learning
,
Older people
,
People living with dementia
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People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
Encircled with love
January 1, 2021
At the beginning of 2014 my husband Dave was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment....
Categories:
Carers
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Older people
,
People living with dementia
Sit up and take notice!
November 11, 2020
I wonder how often we stop and take notice – to clear our heads...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
,
Wellbeing
Karen’s Lockdown Story
November 11, 2020
Sight Advice has a number of wonderful volunteers. In this blog they focus on...
Categories:
Community
,
Older people
Doing More of What Matters…
November 11, 2020
In the last blog from Age UK Doncaster, we heard about Richard and his...
Categories:
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Reflections on One Page Profiles
November 11, 2020
Following on from her last blog, exploring the power of one page profiles, Cath...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Laughter, Friendship and Cocktails
August 8, 2020
Becky, our Community Connector for Ashton, describes the challenges the team have faced in...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
Making the Best of Lockdown
August 8, 2020
Circles at Age UK Doncaster faced similar concerns to others across health and care...
Categories:
Older people
,
Wellbeing
One Page Profiles for End of Life
August 8, 2020
One page profiles are a snapshot of a person; rich, detailed information about what...
Categories:
Learning
,
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Portable Magic
August 8, 2020
Sharon reflects on the power of the written word to transport us somewhere magical,...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
We Are All On This Journey Together
August 8, 2020
In New Zealand, our colleagues are exploring how best to fade out of the...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Circles Connected Our journey
June 6, 2020
COVID-19 has caused every organisation to think differently about the way they work. Our...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Homestay on the Other Side of the World
May 5, 2020
The Circles team in New Zealand reflect on their time during the Coronavirus pandemic...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Volunteers Making an Enormous Difference
April 4, 2020
We have never underestimated the difference our volunteers make to people’s lives but now,...
Categories:
Community
,
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Knitting with Purpose and Good Company
April 4, 2020
The 'Knit & Natter' group started off with a few ladies having a chat...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
My Garden of Wonder and Light
April 4, 2020
Judy wanted to see the gardens come to life at the setting and for...
Categories:
Extra care
A Cake Story
April 4, 2020
Jenny's health condition affected her eyesight and mobility so she struggled to see ingredients...
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Extra care
The Chicken and the Egg
April 4, 2020
A story which shows the power of using animals to create connection for others....
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Extra care
How do we measure happiness?
March 3, 2020
Sharon captures a moment of happiness shared by all of the residents of Wickham...
Categories:
Extra care
A Former School Teacher’s Wish Brings Joy to Everyone At Westwood Lodge
March 3, 2020
Alice was a former school teacher who wanted to re-connect with her profession and,...
Categories:
Care homes
Blossoming Intergenerational Connections
March 3, 2020
Sharon tells the heart-warming story of intergenerational sessions between primary school children and people...
Categories:
Care homes
Hourigan House | It Feels Like Home To Me
March 3, 2020
When you no longer live in your original home what can make your new...
Categories:
Care homes
Eliot Gardens & St Judes Primary | In Perfect Harmony
March 3, 2020
A couple of weeks ago Sharon from Community Circles reached out to St Judes...
Categories:
Extra care
Sharon’s Story | Generations Apart, Together
February 2, 2020
In this blog, Sharon spends time at an intergenerational session in a care setting,...
Categories:
Care homes
Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader
February 2, 2020
Imogen originally contacted the Community Circles Project hosted by Age UK in Doncaster looking...
Categories:
Community
,
Older people
,
Wellbeing
A Spotlight on Circles Connected
February 2, 2020
Circle Family is a membership programme of monthly community events and opportunities, helping people...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
All Hands On Deck
February 2, 2020
Sight Advice South Lakes is a charity which supports people with sight issues. They...
Categories:
Community
,
Older people
Dancing The Night Away | Eric’s Story
October 10, 2019
Eric was in his 90s and had recently experienced some health issues and given...
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Older people
Working Together – The Benefits of Care Home Hubs
October 10, 2019
Helen Keller famously said: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Learning
Sharon’s Story | A Leap of Faith
October 10, 2019
For some of us how difficult it is to take a leap of faith,...
Categories:
Extra care
Sharon’s Story | Hey, Day Dream Believer
August 8, 2019
How do you know what something will look like if you haven’t experienced or...
Categories:
Extra care
Cycling With Sight Loss
August 8, 2019
We are currently working with Sight Advice South Lakes, an amazing charity which is...
Categories:
Older people
Circles in New Zealand | Virginia’s Story
July 7, 2019
It is exciting to see the impact that Circles are now having worldwide! In...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
Flourishing Relationships
July 7, 2019
One of Community Connectors describes how Alice and Fiona have become part of one...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Circles Stories
,
Older people
From Sheds to Scones | Circles in Extra Care
July 7, 2019
Sharon is leads on developing Circles in extra care in Wigan. Working across three...
Categories:
Extra care
My own perfect day in a care home
May 5, 2019
Inspired by a blog by Sara Livadeas of her experience of spending three days...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Learning
Embedding Community Circles in Support for Older People Living in Residential Care Homes or Extra Care | A practical resource
April 4, 2019
With support from Skills for Care we have pulled together our learning via various...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Extra care
,
Leadership
,
Learning
Community Circles, making a difference for people living with dementia
March 3, 2019
Arthur lives in a care home, the purpose of his Circle is to keep...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
Community Circles in Extra Care Settings
April 4, 2018
Community Circles are working with Wigan Council to support care homes and Extracare settings across...
Categories:
Extra care
The Essence of a Circle
March 3, 2018
Essence – the basic, real and invariable nature of a thing or its significant...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Older people
How can Community Circles contribute towards achieving outstanding?
February 2, 2018
In November 2017 Andrea Sutcliffe spoke at the Towards Outstanding conference in Wigan and...
Categories:
Care homes
Georgia’s Community Circle
July 7, 2017
Community Circles have been working with Brandon Trust, the learning disability charity, to set...
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Celebrating 12 months of Community Circles at EachStep Blackburn
April 4, 2017
Throughout the course of our year-long project to develop Community Circles for people living...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
Keeping dreams alive through Community Circles
January 1, 2017
Aspiration A hope or ambition of achieving something Is there an age...
Categories:
People living with dementia
Yvonne’s story
September 9, 2016
Broadening my horizons
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
May’s story
September 9, 2016
Getting singing again
Categories:
Care homes
,
Circles Stories
,
People living with dementia
Mary’s story
September 9, 2016
Reconnecting with my faith
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Lynda’s story
September 9, 2016
Living well with dementia
Categories:
Carers
,
Circles Stories
,
People living with dementia
The Ripples from a Community Circle
September 9, 2016
At EachStep, specialist dementia care home in Blackburn, we are developing a Community Circle...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
5 ways Community Circles help local authorities comply with the Care Act
August 8, 2016
The Care Act has been in place for a while now, but we know...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Henry’s story
July 7, 2016
Transitioning to adulthood
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
Doreen’s story
July 7, 2016
Coping with cancer
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Older people
Dawn’s story
July 7, 2016
Meeting new people
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Dennis’s story
July 7, 2016
Sharing my passion
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
Older people
Georgia’s story
July 7, 2016
Trying new things
Categories:
Circles Stories
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
The Jedi Council
April 4, 2016
We met today after a bit of a gap, ill health, busy schedules and...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
How having a Community Circle can complement paid support from Healthcare professionals
February 2, 2016
I had a fascinating conversation with a new Community Circles facilitator recently. Anita had...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
How do we develop Community Circles for people who have nobody in their lives?
February 2, 2016
There is much in the news of the effects of isolation. Research shows that...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Feeling isolated? How Community Circles can help
January 1, 2016
I recently read an article about how people with a learning disability can feel...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Relationships and living with dementia
January 1, 2016
I watched a video shared on facebook the other day, a plea from a...
Categories:
People living with dementia
Tea and cake with friends
December 12, 2015
Margaret was very nervous about having a circle. What did it involve? Who should...
Categories:
Older people
,
Wellbeing
Developing dementia friendly communities starting from the person
October 10, 2015
Part of my role as Community Circles Connector in Rochdale is working with people...
Categories:
People living with dementia
“Come Dine With Me” Creating ripples through a Community Circle
September 9, 2015
The purpose of Dawn’s circle is to support her to find things to do...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
9 reasons why I am excited about the potential of Community Circles to make a difference
September 9, 2015
Many people with dementia are lonely, bored and have little in their lives that...
Categories:
Community
,
People living with dementia
Giving, connecting, appreciating
September 9, 2015
For the past twelve months I’ve shared Mary’s story and how her Community Circle...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Developing relationships through a Community Circle
August 8, 2015
Yvonne is warm and welcoming, loves to chat and is really good company. Yvonne...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
,
Wellbeing
The role of support staff in a Community Circle
July 7, 2015
Mary’s Community Circle began nearly 12 months ago and is has been a delight...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
The role of support staff in a Community Circle
July 7, 2015
Mary’s Community Circle began nearly 12 months ago and is has been a delight...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Judith Snow – A Pioneer Woman
June 6, 2015
In memory of Judith Snow 29.10.1949 – 31.05.2015 Previously, we have blogged about the...
Categories:
Community
Community Circles and difficult conversations
June 6, 2015
Blog by Helen Sanderson Joanne was a work colleague of mine. We shared an...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
A personal reflection…
May 5, 2015
My Mum passed away a couple of weeks ago aged 82; she was beautiful,...
Categories:
Carers
,
Older people
From being present to contributing: Miriam and the community choir
March 3, 2015
Blog by Helen Sanderson I am part of Miriam’s Community Circle, and the purpose...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Community
,
People living with dementia
What assumptions are staff and managers making about Community Circles?
March 3, 2015
Blog by Cath Barton – Community Circles Connector As we continue to introduce Community...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
A different kind of 5 a day
February 2, 2015
Blog by Michelle Livesley This week I found myself having a conversation with someone...
Categories:
Learning
,
Wellbeing
A sense of belonging…
February 2, 2015
Lynda’s circle meeting, January 2015 It was lovely to get together at Lynda’s circle...
Categories:
Carers
,
People living with dementia
Helen’s long distance call
January 1, 2015
Helen lives in Bruce Lodge, a care home for people living with dementia. Her...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
My top 10 learning points of working with Churches – so far….
January 1, 2015
Written by Helen Smith, Community Circles Coordinator It’s a new year again, and I...
Categories:
Community
Looking back – Marge’s circle
December 12, 2014
Marge lives at Bruce Lodge, a residential care home for people living with dementia....
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
Always look on the bright side of life – A circle journey
December 12, 2014
A blog by Ruth Gorman I wanted to write about the work that Community...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Continuing to learn with Mary
December 12, 2014
Blog by Cath Barton Mary’s circle is exploring ways that she can reconnect with...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
,
Wellbeing
Jane’s Identity
December 12, 2014
A blog by Heather Cartledge Grayson Perry’s recent fascinating series ‘Who are you?’ explored...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
What’s in a name?
November 11, 2014
Marge lives at Bruce Lodge which is a residential care home for people who...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
A circle of 3 – how Miriam helped Helen to sing
October 10, 2014
Singing with Miriam My family laugh at the gusto with which I sing...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
‘My first facilitation of a circle’
October 10, 2014
My first circle of support with Winnie As I approached the series of flats...
Categories:
Home care
,
Older people
A circle of 3 – Miriam’s story
October 10, 2014
Miriam Last week I met Miriam and Mandy for the second circle meeting at...
Categories:
Care homes
,
People living with dementia
In between Circles
October 10, 2014
So far, I’ve talked quite a lot about what happens in Circle meetings. Life,...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
Ever Increasing Circles – A (brief) history of circles in the US and UK
September 9, 2014
In Canada, in the mid 1970’s, a young and brilliant graduate York University lecturer...
Categories:
Community
What church means to Mary…
September 9, 2014
I had the pleasure of going to church with Mary today. It was lovely...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Mary’s Circle, the ‘Cream Cake Get Together’
September 9, 2014
How are we building on actions… Today’s Circle get together with Mary starting off...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
12 reasons why I love my job…
September 9, 2014
Cath Barton writes about why she loves her job as a Community Circles Connector...
Categories:
Community
,
Wellbeing
Singing, gliding and a glass of dry white
August 8, 2014
The idea of any kind of formal meeting makes Miriam anxious. Clearly we wanted...
Categories:
Care homes
,
Community
,
People living with dementia
“It’s made room for action…” Lynda’s person centred review
August 8, 2014
Within Community Circles, the second meeting always takes the form of a particular person...
Categories:
Carers
,
People living with dementia
,
Wellbeing
Mary’s circle, or I should say “the cream cake get together”
July 7, 2014
Cath writes….. The Cream Cake Get Together Mary takes a great pride in her...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
Lynda’s Circle – Starting the Journey
July 7, 2014
Today, Cath shares with us the story of Lynda’s first Circle. It is an...
Categories:
Carers
,
People living with dementia
Circles of Support? Community Circles? What’s the difference?
July 7, 2014
Here at Community Circles, we are exploring how Circles of Support can be delivered...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
Canadian models of Circles and supportive social networks
July 7, 2014
Over the next few weeks, we want to share with you how Circles are...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
Who could provide Facilitation and Support for Circles?
June 6, 2014
The following is an excerpt from Circles of Support and Personalisation (Helen Sanderson and...
Categories:
Community
What is the contribution of Circles of Support to delivering personalisation?
June 6, 2014
The ‘circle of support’ is a model that has enormous potential to enhance the...
Categories:
Community
How can you engage with Community Circles?
June 6, 2014
Community Circles is exploring how to create Circles at scale, using person-centred practices, so...
Categories:
Community
Do we (still) need a facilitator?
June 6, 2014
Henry’s Mum writes…. As the conversation flowed at the Circle meeting last night, a...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
8 Strategies for Connecting Communities
May 5, 2014
Written by Max Neill There has been lots of discussion in the press and...
Categories:
Community
Meeting Laura
May 5, 2014
Written by Lowri Bartrum; Circle Facilitator I was first introduced to Laura and her...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
Not being there
April 4, 2014
If you’ve read previous blog posts from me about the circle, you’ve probably already...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
(Not) Being in Charge
March 3, 2014
Today, Henry’s mum talks about her fears of not being in control – something...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
Should a Circle Facilitator be a paid role?
February 2, 2014
There is much discussion around this subject. Some feel strongly that anyone facilitating a...
Categories:
Community
Circles – How do you get started?
February 2, 2014
In her first blog post last December, Henry’s mum wrote about Henry’s person-centred annual...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
What do you do when you suddenly find yourself making all the decisions?
January 1, 2014
Written by Circles Facilitator Michelle Livesley Amy is a young woman in her early...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
Social Work students using one-page profiles
January 1, 2014
Written by Ali Gardner Senior Lecturer – Social Work Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Last time...
Categories:
Community
,
Learning
,
Wellbeing
What is the secret of Circles of Support?
January 1, 2014
By Sandra Fietkau, Leonberg, Germany About five years ago I learned about the idea...
Categories:
Community
In the heart of the community – or is it?
January 1, 2014
Written by Sarah Thomas, parent carer As a parent carer of a son who...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
A solid foundation for the future
December 12, 2013
Valerie Houghton, Learning Disabilities Lecturer, Salford University We run a well established joint course...
Categories:
Learning
,
People with a learning disability
Going round in circles?
December 12, 2013
Written by Henry’s mum We’re in transition – that horrible halfway space between children’s...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
Economic pen-pictures of Circles
December 12, 2013
Written by Martin Routledge, TLAP and In Control A couple of weeks ago I stood...
Categories:
Community
Stories from Circles so far
November 11, 2013
Written by Caroline Tomlinson Yesterday I blogged about Circles of Support, the role of...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
First impressions
November 11, 2013
Written by Rowan Hall, Communications Manager So I’m sat at a table with ten...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
Leaving home – with a little help from Jennie’s Circle
November 11, 2013
One of the key roles of Jennie’s Circle has been supporting her (and me...
Categories:
Carers
,
People with a learning disability
,
Supported living
,
Wellbeing
Thinking about the future – aiming higher
November 11, 2013
Written by Suzie Franklin, Jennie’s mum Within the first couple of months of Jennie’s...
Categories:
Carers
,
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
Jennie’s Circle: releasing the worry
November 11, 2013
Written by Suzie Franklin, Jennie’s mum I like many parents of disabled children worried...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
The Law, The Lords and Circles of Support
November 11, 2013
Written by Max Neil, Community Circles Co Founder with comment from Peter Crane Today...
Categories:
People with a learning disability
Making connections, forming friendships and sharing resources, learning about ‘circles’
November 11, 2013
Written By Gillian Allan, Community Circles Facilitator in Edinburgh We run a ‘community circle’...
Categories:
Community
Turning dreams into realities
October 10, 2013
Written by Circle Facilitator, Helen Smith I am so excited to be involved in...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
,
Wellbeing
Preparing social work students for the road ahead
October 10, 2013
Written by Ali Gardner, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) It is always...
Categories:
Community
Sarah’s Circle is the group that can change her world
October 10, 2013
Written by Cath Barton Driving home from my first of Sarah’s Circle meetings, I...
Categories:
Community
,
People with a learning disability
Why ‘Community Circles’?
September 9, 2013
by Max Neill If you look at the people who have led change in...
Categories:
Community
