Whilst the sun has been shining for quite some time now it’s been a challenging and difficult few months at the geographical extremes of Care South.
In March we finally succumbed to the pressures and challenges of providing great care in an old Grade II* Listed Building and were forced to permanently close Fremington Manor in North Devon. In April it was the turn of West Sussex and we closed Sussexdown. Sussexdown will be pulled down and rebuilt over the next few years to provide an exciting new 66 bed care home with specialist dementia facilities, as well as providing 37 assisted living apartments; a café/bistro; communal lounge areas; a small shop; hair salon and chapel – all to open in the summer of 2028. These closures have been really hard on the local teams at both homes and, despite this, I am so proud that all our colleagues have acted so professionally and compassionately throughout both closure processes – I really cannot thank them all enough! Head office teams supported both homes throughout and, again, I am so grateful for everyone’s efforts. As always, Care South staff rise to a challenge and go above and beyond!
On a far more positive note we have endorsed our commitment to Dorset House and Elizabeth House by extending the leases on both of those homes well into the 2030’s. We are also just about to apply for planning permission for a site which we own in Merley, near Wimborne, to provide a new 62 bed home and 45 assisted living apartments.
As always – or as is now becoming customary – we will celebrate the successes, achievements, efforts and excellence of all Care South staff when we meet in June and July for the Stars Awards. I know that nominations are now in, so I’m really looking forward to hearing just how amazing you all are. You all continue to go about your business with purpose and passion showing that our HR strapline of – People, Purpose and Passion is well and truly alive at Care South.
Looking through this edition of Take 5, it is always so heartwarming to see the many examples of Care South staff and colleagues going that extra mile in providing the very best care - not only supporting our own residents and care at home clients, but also helping others at times when they needed our help most, enabling them to live their lives to the full.
WELCOME TO TAKE 5
We are also in the process of electing a new group of Staff Association Representatives. This is a really important role and every home and care at home office needs to be represented. We meet with you twice a year and meetings are always open and honest. I always find them so helpful in seeing what’s working, what needs improving and what’s important to you all.
Our HEART values of Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork remain so important to us all and, as always, there are so many examples of you living our values throughout this latest edition of Take 5. The Senior Management Team are always delighted to be asked to present long service awards – there are so many of you who have had long and much valued careers with Care South, with plenty of awards for 10, 20, 25 or 30 years - turn to page 4. Clearly people like working with us!
Your compliance with mandatory training is being maintained at an all-time high – just shy of 100%. That means everyone in our care is being looked after by well-trained and highly valued colleagues, all delivering really good frontline care. If you are interested in further learning and development you should speak with your immediate manager; we would love to help you continue that journey with us and to fulfil your ambitions.
Your hard work also ensures that quality and compliance across the group, both with our own internal audits and with CQC, is the best it has ever been! Really well done to everyone – and thank you!
Care South is a good place to work, where we do live by our HEART values and where we do value all our staff. You continue to do well in whatever you do. You are so highly valued in your local communities. You deliver amazing care. You are well regarded by CQC. You are well trained. You have opportunities for personal development and career progression. Earlier in the year our residents’ survey told us that an overwhelming majority of our residents felt safe and secure in your care. This was further endorsed by Care South being rated as a Top 20 Care Home Group for the fifth year in a row.
Care South is a good place to work – please share that message in welcoming new colleagues, as well as looking out for existing ones!
Thanks to you all for your commitment to Care South. You really do make a difference!
A MOMENT WITH MAGGIE
Director of HR and Training
Spring has sprung in all its glory. I hope you have found some time to enjoy the recent sunny weather with friends and family!
As you may know we are keen to nurture our workforce talent, and we have seen 33 of you successfully achieve the Lead to Succeed programme in 2024/25. I am pleased to share that we will be continuing this programme throughout 2025/26,
along with a freshly enhanced Well Led programme. If either of these courses are of interest to you for your personal and professional development, please share your interest with your manager. If you are unsure of the career pathway for your role, please contact the Learning and Development department at Head Office.
In case you have been hiding somewhere, and you are not aware, we are now building up to our annual Stars Awards where we celebrate the exceptional work that goes on across
the business. Nominations have been coming in thick and fast, and we look forward to announcing those shortlisted on Wednesday 4 June!
Finally, as the summer holiday period will shortly be upon us, I wanted to briefly remind you to make use of the discount savings on trips in the UK and abroad via the Blue Light Card.
Maggie
JACQUELINE PORTER
10 Years | Fern Brook Lodge
JOANNE BRIDGEMAN 10 Years | Kenwith Castle
SARAH SMITH 10 Years | Talbot View
JO RUSSO MIRAO 10 Years | Wickmeads
A heartfelt thank you
STAFF
SHEILA RUNYEARD 10 Years | Buxton House
ANDY WHITE 15 Years | Head Office
DONNA STEVENS
15 Years | Somerset
JOSE ROBLES
15 Years | St Ives House
RICHARD LOCKYER 20 Years | Head Office
ANNIE LONGDEN
25 Years | Kenwith Castle
KATIE GUPPY 25 Years | Somerset
JULIE HARDING
25 Years | Somerset
As part of the Care South team, you can access a host of staff benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme, Blue Light Card, and our Refer a Friend scheme.
INTRODUCING NAMASTE CARE IN OUR HOMES
Have you heard about the Namaste care programme being rolled out across all our homes?
We have collaborated with Worcester University’s Association for Dementia Studies to implement a holistic, personcentred approach to caring for individuals with advanced dementia, enhancing the wellbeing of our residents.
Karen Hodges, our Dementia Lead, is managing the roll-out of this programme.
Namaste
Speak to your Home Manager to register your interest in taking part in the training programme.
It has started at Fairlawn and is continuing with Elizabeth House and Castle Dene. It has proved so popular at Fairlawn that every member of the team has now completed the training.
By the end of the year, teams across all homes will have been trained and be able to offer Namaste to residents.
Here, Karen explains more about why this care programme is being delivered in the homes....
What is the Namaste care programme?
This is a person-centred care intervention provided by all members of the care home team rather than an activity led by the home’s Activities team. Namaste is designed for residents who don’t normally engage in activities. Every care home’s team will deliver these Namaste sessions to residents living with dementia at any time of the day or night, away from mealtimes. When the session/s take place depends on their individual needs in the present moment.
What will I do during a Namaste session?
Each session may involve four to five residents. The session will take place in a calm, relaxed atmosphere with low lighting and the
What does the research show?
energy levels of the residents may change throughout the session. Expect to spend a minimum of an hour offering hand massages and providing sensory activities, including music and movement and aromatherapy. Each resident that joins the Namaste sessions will have their own Namaste care plan, which highlights their favourite textures, smells, scents and sounds to ensure that they have the chance to engage as much as possible.
Where will it take place?
Each care home will have a dedicated area for Namaste, but as each home completes the training, we will be delivering a portable kit so that it can also be offered elsewhere in the home including residents’ rooms and the garden areas. This choice will be led by what will benefit the residents’ individual needs at that time.
Benefits to residents can include enhanced wellbeing and overall quality of life, increased social engagement, improved verbalisation, reduced feelings of stress, agitation and anxiety, and enhanced connection for staff and families with the individuals. In addition to the social benefits, Namaste has also shown a reduction in pain experienced by individuals and increases a person’s food and fluid intake, leading to a reduction in infections and better health.
FOODIE FUN IN THE CARE HOMES
As well as preparing meals, our chefs have been busy supporting residents to have a go at making some of their favourite food. These activities provide a great opportunity for residents to socialise together and reminisce about cooking for their own families in years gone by.
Buxton House residents enjoyed celebrating National Pizza Day by rolling dough, adding tomato purée and toppings, then handing their homemade pizzas to the chefs to bake. A fun, hands-on activity!
Elizabeth House residents enjoyed making bread with Mirela, Activities Lead and Bank Chef. Margaret recalled baking with her mum, while Brenda and Kath shared memories of baking for their children.
St Ives House residents were enabled to support the chefs, Jim and Nick, in the kitchen to prepare pancakes for the great St Ives House Pancake Race. Congratulations to resident, Sue, who won the race!
Here is the other foodie news from in and around our homes....
Patrick goes to the House of Lords
Patrick Fensterseifer, our Executive Chef, attended the launch event for the 25th annual Care Catering Chef of the Year competition. Each year the competition aims to raise the profile of the care catering sector, while championing the dedication, flair and skillset of the chefs who work hard to provide delicious, nutritionally-balanced meals for residents and other care service users.
Decaf by Default
Did you know that all our homes have gone decaf? We ran trials in Castle Dene, Fern Brook Lodge and Maiden Castle House before rolling this out across all homes at the end of January. Research shows that going decaf sees an improvement in residents’ sleep, and a reduction in falls and distress . Caffeinated drinks are still available for residents on request.
St Ives House residents were entertained by Mr Pop who made a host of balloon animals including a flamingo and a dinosaur
Care at Home clients were surprised with flowers and chocolates to mark Valentine’s Day
Marjorie House residents welcomed children from Kidscape holiday club for an Easter egg hunt and crafts
Maiden Castle House hosted an event with the Guide Dogs charity, inspired by resident, John, who wanted to fundraise for the cause
Wickmeads residents were thrilled to see Mr Kelloggs the mini horse trotting into the home
Talbot View residents took to the ballroom dancefloor to join in with a tea dance event bringing back happy memories
Kenwith Castle residents attended a vintage tea party in Abbotsham village in aid of North Devon Hospice’s Cuddle Appeal
Fern Brook Lodge’s residents made Easter bunnies during a session led by Creative Clay for All
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
MEMORY CAFE RELAUNCH
The Gillingham community turned out to celebrate the relaunch of Fern Brook Lodge’s Memory Cafe sessions.
The dementia support sessions are now taking place in partnership with Age UK North, South and West Dorset. The free weekly sessions take place every Thursday from 10am to 11am in the care home’s dedicated The Brook community space, with support from the volunteers at Dementia Friendly Gillingham.
People living with dementia and their loved ones are invited to experience the warm and friendly atmosphere of Fern Brook Lodge while talking with like-minded people.
EASTER HUNT AT BEAUCHAMP HOUSE
Around 100 people attended Beauchamp House’s Easter open day.
The event was filled with fun activities for all ages, including an egg hunt and a special visit from some friendly alpacas.
Children and their families were welcomed into our Taunton care home to join residents in searching for painted bunnies, hidden Easter eggs, and sweets hidden around the lounges of the home.
Guests also enjoyed taking part in a tombola, cream teas, colouring activities and the opportunity to meet the Stoke Wood Alpacas.
The Mayor of Gillingham, Cllr Roger Weeks, helped to kick off the launch event with support from Terri Lewis, CEO of Age UK North, South and West Dorset, Simon Bird, our CEO, and Deb Wiltshire, Home Manager of Fern Brook Lodge.
Throughout the year, the Memory Cafe
sessions will feature Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) led by Age UK North, South and West Dorset, expert talks and Q&A sessions with Karen Hodges, our Group Dementia Lead, along with fun and engaging activities which encourage social interaction.
COMMUNITY FUND PRESENTATIONS
Since its launch five years ago, our Community Fund has made donations to many fantastic charities, groups and organisations which benefit residents, staff and Care at Home clients. .
Here are the latest presentations:
THE AMETHYST SINGERS
Alexandra House residents assisted with handing over £750 to The Amethyst Singers. The group perform in our Bournemouth and Poole homes. Jane Legg, Care Supervisor in our Bournemouth Care at Home office, started the group 10 years ago as an inclusive way for people to experience the joy of singing together.
Elizabeth House residents helped to hand over £1,000 to Muddy Boots Nursery in Parkstone. The donation will be used to cover travel costs for up to 10 children at a time plus carers to visit the residents on a fortnightly basis to take part in crafts and activities.
Our Care at Home West Dorset team helped to present £1,000 to Dorset County Hospital Charity. The donation will go towards enhanced facilities in the hospital’s new emergency department and critical care unit, which is due to be completed in 2027. Many of our West Dorset clients receive help and support at the hospital.
DORSET BLIND ASSOCIATION THE HENHAYES CENTRE, CREWKERNE
Alexandra House residents helped to hand over £1,500 to Dorset Blind Association. The charity has provided guidance to ensure that residents with visual impairments feel enabled in our care homes. Resident, Ann, has been supported by Dorset Blind Association for the past eight years, including time before moving to Alexandra House.
PAUL’S CHURCH, WEYMOUTH
Buxton House residents helped to present £1,000 to Father Gregory of St Paul’s Church. Around 20 – 30 residents attend Father Gregory’s services within the home. He also visits the home, when requested, to support residents receiving end-of-life care.
Our Somerset team helped to present £500 to The Henhayes Centre in Crewkerne. The charitable organisation supports older people, including our Care at Home clients, to keep active, healthy and socialising through a varied weekly programme of activities. This includes help with using computers, chair yoga and lunch clubs.
Please invite your home’s community contacts to make an application to the fund. Applications can be made by downloading the online form at: care-south.co.uk/community-fund
The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 6 June 2025.
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL CHARITY
MUDDY BOOTS NURSERY, PARKSTONE
FREDA DANCES HER WAY TO 106
Buxton House resident, Freda, says that the secret to reaching 106 is dancing.
Just a few weeks after Freda moved into the home, having previously lived independently with her daughter, Linda, the Buxton House team made an extra special effort for her big birthday.
After speaking to Freda about her life history and interests, they arranged for Weymouth School of Ballet and Theatre Arts to sing ‘Happy birthday’ and perform for Freda. She was also joined on her special day by her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Weymouth, Caroline Nickinson.
Speaking about her birthday, Freda said: “It was a lovely day with all my relatives. The staff are very nice at Buxton House.”
Asked what the secret is to reaching 106,
MINI STORYBOOK CHARACTERS VISIT
CASTLE DENE
Residents were joined by a mini Rapunzel, Snow White and Iron Man to celebrate World Book Day.
They enjoyed a special World Book Day-themed session led by Faye Stuart from Truth Be Told storytelling project. Each weekly session carries a different theme with props to help spark residents’ imaginations, which are also attended by children from St Barnabas Pre-School. During the World Book Day-themed
she added: “I have always done plenty of walking, exercise, gardening, and dancing. I did ballroom dancing all my life and used to go to competitions.”
session, each child was invited to join a resident to dance, sing songs and read books including The Magic Faraway Tree, Paddington and The Cat in the Hat.
The children also sang to resident, George,
who was celebrating his birthday during the day of the session. Afterwards, George said: “It was lovely. I really enjoyed it. Seeing the joy on the little ones’ faces made my day.”
