Agincare Summer/Autumn Newsletter 2023

Agincare Heroes 2023 Honoured!

This summer, we celebrated our extraordinary workforce at the Agincare Heroes Awards 2023 held at The Manor House in picturesque Castle Combe, Wiltshire.

Thank you to everyone that nominated one of our team members for an award. We received hundreds of nominations from those receiving care and their families, health and social care professionals, fellow team members and the general public.

13 incredible winners from our 4,000 strong workforce travelled with their guests from across the country to be presented with a prestigious award at the ceremony.

The Agincare Heroes Awards paid tribute to our team members who have gone above and beyond in their roles, or excelled by making an outstanding difference to people who draw on Agincare’s services.

I’m delighted to welcome you to the Summer/ Autumn issue of the Agincare quarterly newsletter.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an award nomination for our Agincare Heroes Awards 2023.

Presiding over the ceremony were Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst and Chief Executive Raina Summerson (pictured above with Care Worker of the Year Danielle Hooper).

Turn to page 3 to meet your Agincare Heroes Awards 2023 winners!

The awards are a true testament to the exceptional professionalism and unwavering commitment of our teams, which epitomises the care sector as a whole.

I’m delighted to announce that the Agincare Heroes Awards will return in 2024, so watch this space for news about how to nominate!

Raina Summerson, Agincare Chief Executive

Scan the QR code to watch the Agincare Heroes Awards 2023 highlights video

The Caring Community Choir brings everyone together at The Rose Garden

A performance by The Caring Community Choir to residents, family and friends at our Rose Garden independent retirement living village in Hereford, raised almost £600 for Breast Cancer Now!

Made up of team members from Agincare and accommodation partner Platform, the choir was started by Senior Care Worker Bridgette Barratt (pictured second left) and her pianist brother Simon.

The Caring Community Choir was originally formed for a one-off Christmas concert for residents at The Rose Garden. However, after much positive feedback and encouragement, the choir now performs regularly throughout the year in aid of charities close to their hearts.

For details of further performances by The Caring Community Choir, be sure to follow the Rose Garden’s busy Facebook page!

AGINCARE TAKES PART IN CHARITY

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

In early summer, three teams from across Agincare competed in a charity volleyball tournament on Weymouth Beach which annually raises thousands of pounds for the RNLI. One of our teams got through to the semi finals!

We’re all cheering for Nick at Gorseway Park Care and Nursing Home in Hayling Island after being named ‘Man of the Year’ at his local Slimming World group. Nick continually hit his targets week after week and has achieved his weight loss goal of four and half stone. Well done Nick!

How are we doing? Review us on:

NICK AT GORSEWAY PARK IS SLIMMING WORLD ‘MAN OF THE YEAR’

– MEET YOUR –AGINCARE HEROES 2023

Thank you to everyone that nominated one of our employees or teams for our Agincare Heroes Awards 2023. The awards pay tribute to our incredible 4,000 strong workforce, and the extraordinary team members who have made a profound impact on the lives of those who draw on Agincare’s services.

Scan the QR code to meet all our winners:

This summer 13 winners were presented with a specially designed trophy or hero medal, honorary certificate, and a bouquet from Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst and Chief Executive Raina Summerson at a prestigious awards ceremony.

THE WILL MITCHELL AWARD

The Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement  was the final award of the day and named in honour of a cherished and longstanding member of the Agincare family who sadly passed away at a young age.

The award was presented to Kelly Nash, another longserving team member whose extraordinary journey in care and valued role in her local community has inspired and moved countless people.

The Agincare Heroes Awards will return for 2024!

Alin Petrescu Apprentice of the Year

Bohdana Spitalnikova Rising Star of the Year

Blenheim Care Home Care Team of the Year

Craig Paget Registered Manager of the Year

The Will Mitchell Award winner - Kelly Nash

Agincare proud to open Ross-on-Wye home care service

This summer, we were thrilled to have our new home care service in Ross-on-Wye opened by the Mayor of Ross, Cllr Louis Stark!

Based at George Place on Gloucester Road, the Ross-on-Wye service is a part of our continued expansion in Herefordshire, where we have been providing care services for over a decade at our Leominster and Rose Garden services.

Electric bikes help care workers get around

Managing Director of our home care service, Luke Holmes, said:

“The new service at Ross-on-Wye marks another success for Agincare’s growing national home care provision.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the fantastic team leading it!”

For more information about the Ross-on-Wye service, call 01989 550433.

Find out more about Agincare’s home care services at agincare.com/home-care

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM GO BACK TO THE FLOOR

Members of our Senior Management Team joined our care teams for a shift to refresh their knowledge and understanding of our care services.

This summer, we provided electric bikes for some of our care workers who do not drive so they can get around easier when visiting clients in the community.

The electric bikes provide a more environmentally-friendly transport option - one that beats traffic queues and gives you a workout at the same time!

We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from the pilot scheme and are proud to announce plans to rollout more bikes to more locations in the future.

Ian Foggon, IT Director (pictured top left), joined Alan from the Weymouth home care service to help with a visit to client Valerie.

Jamie Powell, Head of Sales and Marketing (pictured left), joined Maggie from the Bridport home care service for a morning shift.

Jamie said:

“Spending a morning with Maggie really helped me to understand the important work that our care workers do in the community every day.”

Training Now celebrates

partnership with Pulse Academy in Sri Lanka

Our skills and training partner, Training Now, began an exciting new chapter as it announced a landmark partnership with Sri Lankan based training company Pulse Academy as part of its Care Employability Programme (CEP).

Carefully tailored by Training Now, the CEP is a training course specifically designed to improve employability for international candidates looking to work in the health and social care sector in England.

At a formal ceremony at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, Tara Roudiani (Training Now Managing Director), Raina Summerson (Agincare Chief Executive) and Joju Thomas (Agincare International Operational Director) met with representatives from Pulse Academy to sign the agreement. As a wonderful privilege for everyone, the signing of the partnership agreement was hosted by Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

TRAINING NOW WINS TENDER TO DELIVER FREE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRAINING

Training Now has beaten leading training providers to win government funding from the Adult Education Budget tender to deliver free health and social care training.

The training will be eligible to people new to the health and social care sector - giving them the opportunity to gain vital qualifications and the option to pursue a Level 3 apprenticeship.

As part of the agreement, a cohort of six Pulse trainers came to Training Now’s offices on Portland, Dorset, for an intensive two weeks of practical hands-on training, visits to different care settings and trips to local cultural spots. The itinerary was specially designed so that the Pulse trainers gained a comprehensive and wellrounded understanding of the English care system. Their knowledge and experiences will be imparted when training their own healthcare professionals.

WHAT IS TRAINING NOW?

Training Now specialises in practical social care, education and business apprenticeships nationwide. It also provides bespoke short courses and professional qualifications.

Training Now also boasts a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and is a Skills for Care endorsed provider.

Agincare boosts Senior Management Team to support ongoing growth and development

Over the last twelve months, we have seen much growth and development of our care services nationwide, including a landmark partnership to operate four care homes in London (see page 7). Expanding our provision of care homes, we refurbished and opened Nightingale Care and Nursing Home in Derby.

We also acquired Beaufort Park Care Home and Retirement Village in Burnham-on-Sea.

The last year has also seen us established as care provider at two supported living schemes: Cranford Avenue in Weymouth, Dorset and Furlong Close in Rowde, Wiltshire. Similarly, our home care and live-in care services continue to grow. Further expansions across our portfolio of care services are planned for late 2023 and beyond. Reflecting our ambition for the future, new appointments have been made to our Senior Management Team (pictured right).

Thanks to everyone who took part in our latest team survey! 91% –I am happy working for Agincare and intend to stay

92% –said they receive the right training to do their job well

The team survey helps us understand how we are doing and where improvements can be made, benefitting everyone that works for Agincare but also everyone that draws on our services.

A warm welcome to our four new London care homes!

Waterside Care Home

Feroze Lalloo

Greenhive Care Home Mercy Mautsi

We would like to warmly welcome our four new London care homes into the Agincare family!

These are Greenhive Care Home and Waterside Care Home in Peckham, Rose Court Care Home in Rotherhithe and Bluegrove House Care Home in Bermondsey. The long-term partnership with the local authority is our biggest ever contract. A landmark achievement for us!

Bluegrove Care Home

Pamella Clarke-Dayes

Rose Court Care Home

Tin Hla

Summer Fete at Furlong

Close is a great success!

In early summer, the registered managers travelled to our Head Office on Portland for their induction and to spend time with the Senior Management Team and support functions. Following a successful transition period from the previous operator, the homes are operating to our high standards. We would like to thank everyone that has supported the handover.

Furlong Close, our supported living service in Rowde, Wiltshire, brought the local community together for their own mini-music festival. Organised by friends and family, there was lots to see and do including live music, face painting, body gems and a BBQ.

Well done to everyone who helped make the day so special!

Celebrating Care Home Open Week 2023

We were thrilled to once again take part in Care Home Open Week - a brilliant campaign from Championing Social Care to encourage local people to visit care homes in their community to develop better relationships. Scan the QR code to see how we celebrated Care Home Open Week 2023

Meet our wonderful registered managers

Build your career in care with a stable, rewarding and dynamic role at Agincare!

Job security - We are one of the country’s leading care providers with a difference: family-owned, independent and sustainable. You can be reassured that Agincare is here for the long term - giving you, the people that draw on our services, and their family and friends peace of mind.

Career development - We are committed to your continuous professional development (CPD) and will support you in gaining qualifications and training to grow your career.

Play an active part in your communityWhether in a direct care role or in a support role, you will be supporting people in the community that need it most.

Rewarding benefits - By working for Agincare, you can access a wealth of excellent benefits including competitive pay, paid induction and training, access to Blue Light discount card, plus a generous welcome bonus for care roles.

Support is always there - As part of our team, you will be supported in your role but also in your own well-being. Our trained Mental Health first aiders and Employee Assistance Programme are there should you ever need them. Find

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We hope that you enjoyed reading this newsletter. We’d love to hear what you thought about it. Please get in touch by emailing digital@agincare.com with any comments, suggestions or ideas about what you’d like to see in the next issue. This quarterly newsletter is published by Agincare Group. Information is correct at the time of production. Images used in this newsletter have been taken during previous months and may not reflect current PPE or other Covid guidelines at time of publication.