The Beth Johnson Foundation is recruiting to its dynamic team of staff, offering a 14 hour post commencing August 1st 2022, funded for three years. This post is part of a collaborative project involving the Methodist Housing Associating and Father Hudson’s Care.   The post holder will develop, deliver and evaluate a training programme that will be provided across all three organisations for the development of dementia advocacy support across the project. The post holder will also recruit, induct, train, support and co-ordinate a team of volunteers to support dementia advocacy for older people. Group supervision following completion of the training is also an indicative part of the role and the project outcomes. ... Read more

Laura Higgins, Dementia Advocacy project, Patsy Corcoran, Volunteer Development Manager, and Sue Read, CEO, enjoyed a lovely, jolly evening at the National Advocacy awards on Thursday 12th May, in Birmingham. The Dementia Advocacy project at BJF was shortlisted for the Outstanding Service category, but sadly did not win. Whilst disappointing, it was indeed an honour to be shortlisted at these prestigious awards, especially the first time we had nominated ourselves, and we made many useful connections on the night itself. The judging panel said they were  ‘...impressed with the impact of this service through working with other community groups, Universities, through direct advocacy , training and their group work, but above all through making connections.’. This category was won by Connected Voice (Safeguarding). ... Read more

Members at the BJF warmly welcomed Councillor Dean Richardson, Ward Councillor for Penkhull and Stoke, who visited Parkfield House on Thursday 17th March.  Dean met with Hilary Stefanelli, Project Development manager, Jane Snape, Healthy Generations Manager, Betty Machin, Dementia Advocacy Manager, Laura Higgins, Dementia Advocacy Project Worker , Patsy Corcoran, Volunteer Manager, and Sue Read, CEO.   Here at the BJF we always welcome the opportunity for local people to visit the House and meet members of our staff and volunteers. Visitors can learn about the excellent range of support that we continue to offer and explore ways of promoting what we do across local organisations for mutual benefits and to maximise impact for our local ageing communities.     ... Read more

As the second anniversary of the pandemic is approaching on March 23rd, the BJF is proud to be collaborating with local and national partners in recognition of this important event. We are working with Marie Curie and the Stoke on Trent Council to ensure that our local communities have an opportunity to reflect and remember those who have died during the two year pandemic period. This short film illustrates our work with Marie Curie; and in March, we are holding an event at Fenton Park on March 22nd, in conjunction with the Lord Mayor, to remember those loved ones no longer with us across our local communities. We do hope you can join us at Fenton Park, government restrictions permitting. ... Read more

Our Healthy Generations Project, online social support sessions grew from strength to strength thoughout 2021. We have supported each other during the long months of the pandemic, through further lockdowns and tier systems. Even when we moved into the new way of ‘Living with Covid’, our members choose to continue to meet virtually using the ‘Zoom’ virtual communications app - giving people the opportunity to safely ‘meet’ with each other; reducing isolation and loneliness, making new friends, trying new skills and connecting with family as they became expert in the use of ‘Zoom’. ... Read more