Issue 167 22.11.23
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Home appeals for food items to help charity A FOODBANK collection is running at Orchard Care Homes’ Nesfield Lodge in Leeds, with members of the public encouraged to drop off donations that will support those in need locally as the cold winter months set in. Tania Holness joined the care home in March as a home administrator, and for the past four years has also volunteered her spare time at Leeds Homeless Street Aid – a charity dedicated to feeding those who are homeless across the region. In support of Tania and the local community in Leeds, staff, residents, families and friends at the care home have been providing food item donations. Now the home is inviting members of the public to add to its collection and help ensure that homeless people can get warm meals throughout the festive period. Tania said: “We appreciate any food items that people can spare, as we make meals rather than handing food items out where possible, to make sure people get something hot to eat. “It’s a collective team effort from the volunteers, visiting businesses and schools to collect whatever can be spared. You never know what items you will have from one week to the next. “The support of my employer
has been invaluable and I am so proud that the caring ethos shown within the home is being extended to the community in this way. “Everybody at Orchard Care Homes has encouraged my charity work since I began my role. “When I applied for the job I explained at the interview what I do in my spare time, and my manager offered me tweaked hours so that I could keep volunteering from day one. “It’s been amazing how my colleagues, residents and their families continue to contribute to this cause and I am so grateful for all the help, understanding and support.” Leeds Homeless Street Aid previously provided hot meals and drinks on the streets of Leeds during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, until Leeds City Council was able to provide use of St Anne’s Resource Centre, to ensure people can now sit down out of the cold twice per week and get a warm cooked meal. The charity and its volunteers provide hot food every Monday and Thursday, ranging from stews and hotpots to burgers, pizzas and puddings. As well as providing a warm meal, the charity aims to ensure every visitor can take a sandwich as a packed lunch and has toiletries for the next day, as well as other seasonal essentials.
Brunelcare has launched a new service at its Little Heath Reablement and Support site in South Gloucestershire. Little Heath is the operator’s newest site, opening in April 2020 and launching during the Covid pandemic. The 24-bed facility has provided vital care and support to help people to return home more quickly after they leave hospital. Over the last three years the reablement team has supported more than 700 people, receiving amazing feedback from them and their loved ones. With the current contract for reablement services coming to an end, the centre has now been repurposed to focus on providing nursing and care for people who are not living with a dementia.
Top national award for care home OUTSTANDING dementia care provided at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull has been recognised with a national award. Staff working in the dementia care families at the Home have been honoured with a Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Team Award. The award recognises the exceptional efforts of the adult social care workforce, and home manager Jamie Stubbs received a trophy before an online presentation by chief nurse for adult social care, Deborah Sturdy. During her presentation to Jamie, Deborah said: “It’s a great pleasure to be
giving the Royal Star & Garter dementia care team in Solihull this award, for all that they do for their residents. “One of the great things about my role is celebrating social care colleagues who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care. It is no mean feat to achieve this award in the complex area of dementia care and support.” The Home in Solihull is already regarded as one of the best in the country. In its last Care Quality Commission report it scored ‘Outstanding’ in all five tested domains. At the time, only 10 other nursing homes had achieved this.
Tickets to this year’s Caring UK Awards at the Athena, Leicester on December 7 are now available. For more information and to book visit https://script-events.co.uk/cuk-awards-tickets/
Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk