Northern Lifetime Newsletter
Issue 5, April 2026
It has already shaped up to be another busy and rewarding year. While some are navigating challenges, others are reaching important personal milestones. Across all of this, we continue to see remarkable flexibility, teamwork, and dedication.
Our client Paul has moved into a new home.
When I spoke with him, he was sitting with his team leader Matt, with sunlight streaming through the patio doors and falling across the grass outside.
Paul moved into his new home in Blaydon just in time for Christmas last year. As well as being famously named in the Geordie anthem ‘Blaydon Races’, Paul was quick to highlight another local point of pride, Blaydon Rugby Club. Wearing his England rugby shirt, he told me “It’s only five minutes away by car,” he said. “There’s a bar, they host games and even have car boot sales.”
Rugby clearly remains an important part of Paul’s life. He shared that he used to play at county level and recently enjoyed going to watch Newcastle Falcons, describing the atmosphere as very welcoming.
When asked about his favourite part of the new house, Paul didn’t hesitate. “Believe it or not, it’s the kitchen,” he said, smiling. “There’s loads of space for a table—the kitchen in my last place was much smaller.”
And overall? “To be perfectly honest,” Paul added, “the new house is even better than I thought it would be.”
Like anyone settling into a new home, Paul already has plans. At the top of his list are a few improvements to make the space his own, starting with additional cupboards to create more storage.
It was a real pleasure speaking with Paul and Matt. Moving into his own home is a massive milestone, and it’s tremendous to see Paul so positive and settled. Thanks to everyone in Paul's support team who helped him achieve this - we wish him all the very best as he continues to make this new house his home. Good luck with those cupboards!
A pitch perfect presentation
We are incredibly proud of Victoria, who, alongside her OT colleague Gemma from Rehabilitate Therapy Ltd, contributed to a fascinating conference day exploring all aspects of Independent Living Trials. Victoria’s intriguingly titled presentation, “Mr C – The Man Who Lived Defiantly in Slippers,” was powerful and thought-provoking, and stood out as a highlight—bringing to life the realities, challenges and rewards of truly person-centred care.
The conference organiser shared glowing feedback, noting that Victoria’s session was consistently rated “excellent”. Delegates described the talk as “a tear-jerker,” “heartfelt and inspirational,” Feedback referred to Victoria really bringing the case alive, that it was a “lovely and very person-centred story”, and that it had changed people’s perspective. The talk clearly hit the mark, and was praised for its powerful illustration of positive risk-taking, teamwork, and in “meeting clients where they are”.
It was a pleasure working with Victoria on this, the organiser added, recognising the thought, care and professionalism that helped make the whole event such a success.
BABICM Advanced Practitioner
We were also delighted to celebrate
Victoria’s recent achievement of achieving Advanced Registered Practitioner status with British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers. This highly respected accreditation reflects significant expertise in complex case management, requiring rigorous portfolio submissions and peer assessments. It is a fantastic accomplishment, and we are so proud to see Victoria’s dedication and skill recognised at this level

Being a support worker comes with its own unique challenges—but also deep and meaningful rewards. It’s a role that can be mentally, and sometimes physically, demanding, and across the care sector, and particularly in support work, high staff turnover is a thorny issue.
For clients, having a consistent, well-established support team can make all the difference.
We recognise that change can be especially unsettling for individuals with acquired brain injury. This makes the continuity and commitment shown by our support workers all the more important—and something we are incredibly proud of.
Many of our support workers have been alongside their clients for several years, which is great, and we are especially grateful to the 14 individuals who have supported the same client for over 10 years, five support workers who have been with the same client for over 15 years, and incredibly, two who have been with their clients for over two decades. That level of dedication is truly remarkable.
To all of our long-standing team members: thank you. Your reliability, compassion, and commitment provide a sense of stability that cannot be overstated. You are a vital part of the lives of the people you support, and your efforts are deeply valued.
One MAR Thing
We have recently carried out a thorough review of all our medication procedures, approaching this with the same level of rigour as if we had just undergone a Care Quality Commission inspection.
As part of this process, we held a very valuable meeting with our Team Leaders. Their insight is essential—you are working closely with clients every day after all—and we are extremely grateful for the time and expertise shared in helping us strengthen our procedures.
These improvements have been made for an important reason: to ensure the safety of both our clients and our staff, and to meet all regulatory requirements. The
MAR (Medication Administration Record) is a legal document, and the introduction of weekly MAR submissions by Team Leaders is an important and positive step forward.
We fully recognise that changes to processes can be challenging. What has been achieved so far is significant though, and we do not take that lightly, your professionalism and adaptability have made this transition possible.
As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions as we continue to refine and improve. Thank you for your help with the new MARs procedure, we appreciate it.
It would be great to hear from you
My name is Richard and I'm the communications person at Northern Lifetime. If you have any inspirational client, support worker, or case manager stories that you would like to share, email me at richardgreen@northernlifetime.co.uk
One for the Diary
I know it is a long way off yet, but just to let you know that we plan to host two Christmas 'get togethers' again this year, for our clients and support workers, in Sheffield, and in Newcastle.
The Newcastle event is on Wednesday 2nd of December at The Badger, Ponteland NE20 9BT, at 12:30pm.
The Sheffield event is on Tuesday the 9th of December. atht esandman Signiture Sheffield Hotel, S4 7YA.
Do please make a note in your diaries and let Gemma know if you will be coming along - if you haven't already, by email gemmabradshaw@northernlifetime.co.uk , or call 07542 333 234.
Northern Lifetime Newsletter
Issue 4, October 2025
One for the Diary
This year we are delighted to host two Christmas 'get togethers', for our clients and support workers.
The first is on Tuesday the 9th of December for our clients living in the Sheffield and Yorkshire area, North East , and the second is on Wednesday the 17th of December , for our clients living in the North East .
Do please make a note in your diaries and let Gemma know if you will be coming along, by email gemmabradshaw@northernlifetime.co.uk , or call 07542 333 234 , if you haven't done so already.
It would be great to hear from you
Our client Andy is celebrating his first trip abroad in years. He went to Ireland.
'I absolutely loved it' says Andy.
He's no stranger to Ireland though, having lived and worked there for three years previously.
Dublin airport is huge now says Andy, but other things hadn't changed, he told me, most notably how friendly the people are. Though he was amused by many people asking where in Wales he was from, despite Andy's strong northeastern accent.
Andy had a wonderful break and travelled with his support worker Matt, and although checking the weather forecast on the day before, which predicted lots of rain, Andy said that apart from a two-minute shower, the weather was good the whole time.
They visited Kilkenny, and the highlight on this trip was the pretty town of Waterford, with its lovely harbour. It made Andy feel quite emotional being back there he said, reminiscing about the old days.
A fan of townscapes and architecture, Andy did float to me that he 'would like to go to Bruges at some point too'.
Watch this space eh.
Northern Lifetime Newsletter
Issue 3, December 2024
Mark qualified as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2005. He became especially attracted by the multi-disciplinary nature of Case Management, and now has considerable experience in the field. He is very focussed on the individual and is a great believer in the soothing power of cups of tea.
Lifetime Achievements
Looking back over the last five years that Northern Lifetime has been in existence in its current form, it's impossible not to be impressed by the sheer number of milestones that have been achieved by our clients. It is testament to their resilience and patience, but also hard work and dedication of their support workers.
Achievements come in all forms and sizes, and acknowledge the effort that goes into make them a reality.
We have seen all manner of milestones and achievements, from a client beginning their accountancy studies, another passing their GCSE's, and another their driving test.
One client has chaired their first MDT meeting, while another has ventured back on a holiday for the first time since their accident, and several others have taken the massive step of moving into their own homes.
Crossing one of life's stepping stones doesn't always come with a certificate, but they can be just as important. On the music front, a client has taken up the kazoo, while another has done her first DJ-ing gig. Another client is losing weight by becoming more involved in cooking their own meals, while another has taken up going to the gym.
Heather on her all terrain power chair Mary's still life painting of cut flowers
Heather's all terrain power chair was delivered in the summer and has revolutionised the way in which she is able to move about. So far she has been testing it out near and far, including at Monkey World in Dorset.
This lovely still life was painted by Mary earlier this year. Since taking up painting she has produced several pictures that have since been framed, proudly hanging on friend's and family's walls.
Our move over to digital record keeping by using the Log my Care technology and app, has been a great success.
We really appreciate the effort that you have put into adopting the new technology and trust that in time it will become even easier and more useful.
It would be great to hear from you
