Simeon Archives - Aberdeen Voice

Volunteers Take Part In Nippy Dipper For Simeon

Dec 172015

L to R: Charily Jimenez, Jonalyn Ruiz, Cristina Mendoza, Abigail Bekoe, Annchristin Landskron, Laurence Salvador

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix

Six intrepid international volunteers are set to cap off a north-east Camphill charity’s fundraising year in style by plunging into the icy North Sea.

The brave group will join hundreds of individuals and groups as they jump into the sea to raise money for Simeon Care for the Elderly.

The popular annual Nippy Dipper event is organised by Aberdeen Lions Club and takes place at Aberdeen Beach on December 26.

The live-in volunteers who will be taking part in the dip come from the Philippines, Germany and Ghana. Each individual plays an integral role at Simeon as their co-worker status allows a high ratio of care staff to residents which ensures an exceptional level of individual attention.

The group’s fundraising effort will mark the end of an exciting year for Simeon Care for the Elderly. The charity recently celebrated the opening of its new 23 bed care home, which was built following the largest fundraising drive in the charity’s history. Simeon’s residents are now settling into their new home, which features dementia-friendly design and a commitment to energy efficient technology.

Gayle Johnston, Simeon’s fundraising manager, said:

“I would like to thank our volunteers for putting themselves forward for this cold challenge. It is quite a thought to take part in something like this during winter and we are very grateful to them. They all make such a difference to daily life at Simeon and this gesture further illustrates their dedication to our residents. I am sure they will be quite a spectacle too as they are embracing our Scottish culture and will run into the freezing water wearing tartan accessories.

“It has been an amazing year for the Simeon family as we all get used to life in our new home and I would like to thank all our supporters who have made this possible. As well as the excitement of our beautiful new building, we were also delighted to win £45,000 of Big Lottery funding to make our Golden Garden a reality. It is now starting to take shape and we are all looking forward to next spring to see the first flowers come through.”

Simeon, one of the six Camphill charities in Aberdeen, launched its New Lease of Life appeal to help fund the new care home, which consists of 23 en-suite bedrooms.

To make a donation to Simeon’s volunteers visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/simeon-sandpipers

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Simeon Celebrates Official Opening Of New Care Home

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Oct 222015

With thanks to Paul Smith, Citrus Mix.

Simeon Care for the Elderly celebrated the official opening of its innovative new care home on Saturday (Oct 17). The momentous occasion was enjoyed by invited guests and Simeon workers, volunteers and residents at a poignant ceremony at the building in Bieldside, Aberdeen.

Angelika Monteux, chairperson of Simeon Care for the Elderly, Jeannie Carlson, manager, Judith Jones, retired nurse, and Dame Anne Begg addressed attendees and paid tribute to everyone that has made Simeon House a reality.

Local musicians entertained guests who were also given tours of the fantastic facility and the charity’s Golden Garden.

Simeon launched the biggest fundraising drive in its history to create the development at Cairnlee Road in Bieldside, which has enhanced its provision to the elderly and boosted capacity.

Jeannie Carlson, manager of Simeon, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to share this very special moment in Simeon’s history with everyone that has played a part in this great journey. It is amazing to see how far Simeon has come since we launched our New Lease of Life fundraising campaign nearly four years ago.

“The campaign was crucial in ensuring a future for Simeon and its residents, and it is testament to the hard work of our fundraising team and generosity of our supporters that it has been a success in a difficult local climate. The kindness of individuals, community groups, charitable trusts and local businesses has got us to this point and it has been wonderful to officially mark this.

“Our residents were very excited to move into Simeon House a few weeks ago and are settling in very well. We would like to thank everyone that has helped us along the way, it has been a long journey and it has been a delight to show people around our home and share what has been achieved.”

Simeon House was officially declared open by Dame Anne Begg, who cut the ribbon which was handmade by Stephanie Newbatt of Cairnlee House.

A commemorative plaque created by David Newbatt of Cairnlee House which portrays a Biblical depiction of Simeon with the addition of local sights such as Bennachie, Marischal College and Dunnottar Castle was also unveiled. The plaque also depicts the names of Simeon founders within wooden leaves, while the wood was taken from a cherry tree which was removed to make way for Simeon House.

The new home consists of 23 ensuite bedrooms with dementia-friendly in an energy efficient building. Simeon’s Golden Garden, which provides a therapeutic haven for residents, was designed by Dr Garuth Chalfont, an acclaimed expert in the design, research and use of healing gardens, landscaping and dementia-friendly spaces.

The Golden Garden was made possible thanks to £45,000 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund after Simeon won 10,500 votes from the public via the ITV People’s Millions.

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Open Day Raises Thousands For New Care Home

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Sep 252015

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus Mix.

Supporters of a north-east Camphill charity have brought in thousands of pounds to help kit out its new care home.

More than 400 people helped Simeon Care for the Elderly celebrate the completion of the facility at a Strawberry Tea Open Day, raising £2,000 in the process.

The money will be used to buy furniture for the charity’s care home, which features dementia-friendly design and a commitment to energy efficient technology.

Construction of the building in Bieldside, Aberdeen, began in January last year and prompted the biggest fundraising drive in the charity’s history.

Gayle Johnston, Simeon’s fundraising manager, said:

“Life in Simeon is very busy preparing for moving into the new home next week. Our Open Day was such a fun experience, the sun shone and there was an incredible atmosphere while the public were seeing our new care home and Golden Garden for the first time. We were delighted to show people what they’ve helped us achieve and we have been so touched by the feedback. The day was a significant milestone for our charity.

“We raised £2,000 on the day which was the icing on the cake. Thanks you to everyone who joined us and made this a special day. We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity of individuals, charitable trusts and local businesses over the last three years. From coffee mornings to runs and ceilidhs to company fundraising, every effort has made such a difference to us. None of this would have been possible without their support and we would like to extend our thanks to them.”

The Open Day was part of the MBC festival and was done in conjunction with their neighbours, Cairnlee House, a Camphill School community for young adults with learning disabilities. The Golden Garden is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Simeon, one of the six Camphill charities, launched its New Lease of Life appeal to help fund the new care home, which consists of 23 en-suite bedrooms. The charity is currently home to 18 older people, with the new care home enabling it to increase capacity and build on its services to the elderly.

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