Sharing a new link: The Small Places blog by Lucy Series

Many thanks to Lucy Series for remembering John on her blog: http://thesmallplaces.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/remembering-john.html
Simple and kind words coming from the heart - I was so touched to read it.
Thank you Lucy.

Sharing a new link: Mental Capacity Law Newsletter Nov 2013

Dear friends,

I am very grateful to Joseph Yow for sharing the link to the latest issue of the Mental Capacity Law Newsletter: http://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/images/MC_Law_Newsletter_November_2013.pdf

This newsletter is a very interesting read as it reports on the progress with the first case under the MCA 2005 to come before the Supreme Court.
There is an article about the new SCIE report on deprivation of liberty practice on page 10 and it's really good to see John's contribution being acknowledged.

I am including the text of this article below in case the link does not work:

New SCIE report on deprivation of liberty practice
The recently published SCIE report, 'Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: putting them into practice' is an essential read for anyone working within the realms of DoLS. It identifies the framework that should be used by hospitals and care homes to promote the effective use of the safeguards and gives examples of good practice. Crucially, in our view, it states at page 29 that "Care plans should explain how a resident's liberty is being promoted". The late great John Leighton was very much in favour of incorporating a liberty-enhancing section into a person's care plan and it is great to see the idea finding the light of day in good practice guidance. Also, throughout the report are benchmarks of what makes a good assessment or a good supervisory body, for example, which are particularly useful.

Many thanks for sharing this Joseph. 

We now have a record of 18 acts of kindness between us (please see the '365 acts of kindness' page). Thank you so much everybody for your wonderful contributions!

I am really grateful to Nancy Voak for this amazing painting of a tree which now lives in my dining room. I look at it every day and it brings me a sense of peace and quiet happiness. Nancy also shared her drawing/ sketch of John with me which caught John's character incredibly well.

I am also pasting Nancy's message below (it also can be found at the bottom of the '365 acts of kindness' page): 
"I painted a picture of a tree, the day after I heard John had died because I was so sad. This tree, I drew in the winter when I was ill and it was a beautiful, strong and tall tree, due to be cut down. I felt encouraged to colour the sky gold and the tree bright colours. The tree I felt symbolised John. The gold in Christianity symbolises worth, wealth, kingliness, splendor, love, constancy, dignity, and wisdom. I have gifted this painting to Anna as I felt it was much better than the prayer flag I wanted to do. x x"

May updates:

Photos of the Prayer Flags have now been uploaded - please see Blessings on the Wind page.

Acts of  Random Kindness - there are now 13 acts that have been recorded on the 365 Acts of Random Kindness page.

Photos from the Memorial Day and a link to the presentation can now be found on the Photo Memories page.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and reflections on any of these pages. 

                                     Come and join me

                       for a Prayer Flag making afternoon

When: on Sunday 28th of April anytime from 2 pm.

Where: 34 Newton Road, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4PF

Everyone is welcome!

There will be teas & coffees, some wine & soft drinks. Also nibbles and cakes.

You are welcome to bring a dish to share!

See you there,

Anna xx

Sharing a prayer

This Psalm was read at the church service dedicated to John (held in Adare, Co Limerick, Ireland, on the 18th January 2013). I read it every morning as part of my morning prayers for John.    

Psalm 121: A pilgrimage song

I lift up my eyes to the mountains:

From where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

Who made heaven and earth.

May he never allow you to stumble!

Let him sleep not, your guard.

No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,

Israel’s guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade

At your right side he stands.

By day the sun shall not smite you

Nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil,

He will guard your soul.

The Lord will guard your going and coming

Both now and for ever.

John's Memorial Day

was held on the 9th of March 2013 at:
Whittlesford Memorial Village Hall
Mill Lane, Whittlesford
Cambridge, CB22 4NE

What happened on the day:

11 am: Welcome and Introductions - Anna Allen

Photo slide show

Sharing Memories… - led by Neil Quinn Time for us all to share our reflections and favourite memories. All contributions are welcomed.

Live music - to be performed by colleagues and friends of John.

More Sharing Memories…

From approx. 1.30 pm: Buffet lunch and refreshments An opportunity to share food, speak to other people, add your reflections to our Book of Memories, make a prayer flag and more...

Link to the map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?hl=en&saddr=&daddr=CB22+4NEhttp://www.whittlesfordhall.co.uk/contact.html