Issue 53 21.04.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Home is where the art is for village project OLDER people and those living with dementia at Belong care villages are reigniting their creativity by teaming up with critically acclaimed artists to explore the wellbeing benefits of using the arts at home, through a series of sound and clay workshops. The ‘We Belong Together’ project is being run in conjunction with Bluecoat, Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts. Artists will be leading regular virtual art sessions for small cohorts of apartment tenants living in Belong’s state-of-the-art care villages across the North West, with the initiative also serving to help tackle lockdown isolation by providing a vehicle for wellbeing and social interaction within the tenants’ support bubbles. Tracy Paine, deputy chief executive at Belong, added: “Isolation has been a huge challenge for everyone over the past year and we’re excited to be extending our collaboration with Bluecoat to be able to connect tenants of our independent living apartments through the arts. “We’ve already seen significant wellbeing benefits following projects working with household residents in our 24-hour care settings, as well as home care customers in the community, so this is a very
welcome extension to the arts initiatives we are able to offer.” Focusing on sound, artist Alan Dunn will exercise the brain and ear muscles of participants to unlock the hidden narratives from noises derived from everyday life. Once a variety of sounds have been explored, including those made by bubbles, tongue twisters and even from elastic bands, the sessions will culminate in the creation of a 30-minute ‘live’ concert. Meanwhile, sculptor Brigitte Jurack delves into the creative use of clay and ceramics, encouraging tenants to gently improve dexterity by using their finger and arm muscles to roll, push, pinch and pull clay in the making of tablets pots, plates and animals. The We Belong Together project is funded by Arts Council England through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and is the latest collaboration between Belong and Bluecoat. The organisations have worked together since 2019 as part of ‘Where the Arts Belong’, a wider three-year research partnership, which has already demonstrated a range of positive outcomes in engaging people with dementia through the arts, including enhanced cognitive capacity, improved mood and an increased sense of community.
Jigsaws are donated to residents
Bluebird Care Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset care assistant Sam Kelly’s daughter dressed as her for Superhero Day at school. Nine-year-old Ellen (pictured) was provided with a mini Bluebird Care uniform and some PPE so she could have the real experience. She said: “Mummy is a key worker, she’s my hero! She saves people and she is a hero. So, she’s MY SUPERHERO.” Sam added: “I was so happy and proud to see Ellen dressed in a Bluebird Care uniform, she looked amazing. I am so pleased she sees me as a hero – to me, I am just doing my job caring for others. Thank you to Bluebird Care Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset for providing Ellen with the mini uniform.”
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STUDENTS at a Lowestoft college have surprised care home residents with a selection of handmade jigsaw puzzles designed to evoke happy memories during the third lockdown. The students, aged 16-18 from East Coast College, came up with the idea as part of an ongoing community action project designed to spread cheer at an otherwise difficult time. Having previously taken part in work experience at The Dell where they enjoyed bonding with the residents, the students chose to create the jigsaws as a way of keeping in contact and showing residents how much they are appreciated. Daniella Penedo, assistant manager of activities and training for Wellbeing Care, said: “The staff and students at East Coast College have been so kind and considerate to our residents throughout lockdown, always coming up with thoughtful ways to make them smile. “The kindness postcards and jigsaw puzzles have spread endless amounts of joy and made our residents feel very special. We are so grateful to the college for their continued efforts and support.” The colourful jigsaw puzzles, designed to evoke emotions and memories, were created using images of heritage cars, seminal moments in sport and iconic singers such as Elton John. Other puzzles revealed messages of kindness and beautiful flower bouquets, which students hoped would make residents smile.
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Award-winning care workers are a pair of GEMs
Resident Shonda McMillan with one of the home’s chicks.
Home welcomes fluffy residents AVONBRIDGE care home in Hamilton has been exploring the joys of spring and has hatched eight fluffy chicks. Residents received the eggs from an ethical hatching company Incredible Eggs. They were shown how to care for them by a professional, and successfully hatched all eight. Home manager Lesley Kelly said: “Our residents are very fond of animals and birds, and hatching the chicks in the home seemed like a fun, yet different activity for them to participate in.
“We were given lots of advice from Incredible Eggs, and we successfully hatched all the eggs into beautiful little chicks. We’re all really looking forward to watching them grow up and be big enough for their chicken coop.” Many of the staff at Avonbridge keep chickens of their own and are experienced in how to care for them. The home now has a purpose-built chicken coop in the garden ready for the new fluffy residents.
Exercise classes give residents a boost A YORKSHIRE based care home group is helping residents to boost their physical and mental strength after launching a series of bespoke ‘lockdown proof’ exercise classes and programmes. Czajka Care Group’s five nursing and care homes are helping both its older residents, and its younger residents with disabilities, improve their mobility and wellbeing with regular exercise classes that include chair ‘aerobics’, stretching exercises, seated marches and catching and throwing games, alongside gentle resistance movements and musical motion activation. Managing director Konrad Czajka said: “When the first lockdown hit, a lot of our fitness and music classes, that are hosted by external specialists, had to stop. “Our priority was keeping our residents safe, but unfortunately this did result in a reduction of structured exercise amongst our residents.” A recent report from the National Care Forum and the University of Leeds has also studied the effects of the pandemic on care home residents’ fitness and movement. It recommended that care homes employ exercise instructors who can train care staff and help them access online exercise programmes for older people. It stated that staff should take “creative approaches” to enhance levels of physical activity, motivate residents to maintain or increase
their exercise, and encourage them to exercise alone if they are selfisolating. Konrad added: “We understand what an important role exercise and movement plays in both the everyday life of older people and in assisting rehabilitation. “We have therefore invested in specialist exercise equipment and trained our activity co-ordinators and care workers to take on the role of exercise coach. “We have been proactive, learning new skills and ensuring that our residents are still able to get together at least once a week in a group setting to take part in exercise and movement classes.” The family-run care company is reporting seeing an improvement in the mood and mobility of residents since re-starting regular group exercise classes.
TWO carers have been praised for “going an extra 10 miles” for their service users and being the sort of people “who make the world a better place”. Debbie Underwood, of King’s Lynn, and Holt resident Lorraine Childerley have been revealed as the latest winners of Norfolk homecare company Extra Hands’ GEM awards – standing for Going the Extra Mile. The awards were launched last year after the family-run business was inundated with stories from service users of carers going the extra mile during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has put a lot more pressure on us carers and we’ve had to take on more responsibilities, especially for service users, so we’ve had no option but to carry on,” she added. “The main thing we have to do is make sure that they’re safe, and that they feel alright. “There are a lot more things to do now, and with family not necessarily being able to visit, we have to liaise with them as well, but I think the public in general have a much better understanding of what we as carers do. “There have been quite a few times when I’ve been out on my rounds, and when people have seen me get out of the car, they’ve said thank you for what we’re doing. “That’s so nice to hear, it really helps.” Debbie, originally from Essex, has been with the family-run business for two years, having previously worked in a care home, and works from Extra Hands’ Heacham office, which has been rated outstanding by the CQC. Lorraine has also been with Extra Hands for two years, having previously worked for Essex County Council. She works from the Broadland office, near Norwich. “I don’t think anyone outside the care industry knows how important domiciliary care is,” she said.
Debbie Underwood
Lorraine Childerley
“The last year has made everyone evaluate their jobs more, and see what they could be doing to make a difference. “But I wouldn’t change my job for all the tea in China – it’s not about financial reward, caring is what I do.” Lorraine said her approach is simple. “Treat the service user as another person, not someone with any vulnerability or disability, go into their house with a cheerful smile, and if you see something that needs doing, do it,” she added. “I always like to walk out thinking that I’m leaving their house how I would leave my own. “Go in with a positive attitude and reassure them. Handling the nervousness of some care users, and trying to make them feel as safe as you can, has been a big deal in the last year.”
Mike and Maureen Hannan celebrated their milestone 55th Emerald wedding anniversary at Hambleton Grange in Thirsk. The couple were surprised by staff who had organised a private candle-lit date in the vintage tearoom. On the day of their surprise anniversary lunch Mike and Maureen were thrilled to find the tearoom decorated with beautiful balloons, flowers, bunting and fairy lights. Their favourite Doris Day song Que Sera Sera was playing in the background. Lifestyle manager Linzi Williamson said: ‘We are so pleased we could make Mike and Maureen’s anniversary so special. They are the definition of soulmates and I am delighted to see how much they enjoyed their special meal.”
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Couple reunite to celebrate 65th wedding anniversary CHRYSTINE and Michael Girvan celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at Coppice Lodge care home in Arnold. The couple, who have been separated for 10 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, were reunited at a private candle-lit date in the vintage tearoom organised by the care team. Lifestyle manager Lorna Thornley, who helped to put the surprise date together, said: “We are so pleased we could make Michael and Chrystine’s anniversary so special. “They are the definition of soulmates and I am delighted to see how much they enjoyed their special meal.” Chrystine moved into the care home in October 2020 and, due to government guidelines, Michael had been unable to visit. The pair missed each other so much that Michael decided to also move to the home to be closer to his wife. Michael and the care team agreed to keep his arrival at the home a secret from his wife in order to make their anniversary even more special. On the day, Chrystine, was thrilled to find the tearoom decorated in blue
balloons, bunches of flowers, bunting, fairy lights and private, candle-lit table for two. The emotional reunion left the care team crying with happiness for the couple as they shared a loving hug and kiss before sitting down to a three course meal including a full roast dinner and Chrystine’s favourite dessert: cream cake.
Residents at HC-One’s Woodlands View care home in Stevenage have been overwhelmed by the kindness of donations. Five-yearold Amaya Thompson recently lost two teeth, as her adult teeth start to grow through. Instead of placing her teeth under her pillow and making a wish to the tooth-fairy, she decided to ask the tooth-fairy for help in fundraising for care bags, as she likes to help people. Amaya wanted to make ‘care bags’ for residents, which included lots of sweets, chocolates, word searches, tissues, toiletries and a little angel and a letter to the recipient.
Campaign encourages reflection and sharing ROYAL Star & Garter is inviting people to grow sunflowers this summer to support the charity. The Reflect & Grow campaign aims to bring together families to reflect on their experiences in the pandemic, while sharing the joy of growing plants. Senior community fundraiser Lauren Baker said: “We hope that while planting and watching these sunflowers grow, our supporters will have an opportunity to reflect on what we have been through over the past year. “Reflect & Grow can also bring together families and friends who have been separated for so long, and provide a summer-long project for all to enjoy.” Donations will support the charity, which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. It has care homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe. Supporters are invited to make a £10 donation to the charity to receive a
family-fun activity pack. This includes five sunflower seeds with step-by-step planting instructions, colouring-in sheet, markings to measure your flowers as they grow and a table to chart their progress. As Royal Star & Garter celebrated its 105th anniversary earlier this year, it is aiming to have at least 105 people take part in the Reflect & Grow campaign. The packs also make ideal gifts for friends and loved ones, while supporting a worthy cause. Participants will be encouraged to share photos of their soaring sunflowers on social media, tagging Royal Star & Garter. On the recent National Day of Reflection, each home planted a cherry blossom tree in its gardens to create a living memorial for residents who died last year, and also to recognise the efforts of staff. To get your Reflect & Grow activity pack and seeds, and for further details, please visit https:// starandgarter.org/reflect-and-grow/
New partnership will support people with Parkinson’s to get the right care HOME Instead has partnered with Parkinson’s UK to ensure people living with disease, and their families, are able to access specialist care to allow them to remain living independently at home. The new partnership will see Parkinson’s UK share its specialist knowledge with Home Instead’s training teams. This will be delivered through a bespoke training programme about the condition with enhanced resources, delivered and created by the UK Parkinson’s Excellence Network. This will allow Home Instead to upskill its caregivers so that they are able to provide care tailored to the needs of those living with the condition. As a result of the partnership, Home Instead anticipates that in the region of 5,000 of its 10,000 caregivers will have received the specialist
Parkinson’s UK-recognised training by the end of this year. Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead, added: “We want people to be able to
live their life well at home, where they feel most comfortable. “This is absolutely possible for someone who is living with
Parkinson’s. “By sharing our sector expertise with Parkinson’s UK we hope that families will realise that they do have a choice when it comes to care and that quality home care can really make a difference to people’s lives. “This type of partnership between third and private sectors presents a really exciting dynamic as we look to shape the future of care and support.” Through the partnership, Home Instead will offer Parkinson’s UK an expert view of home care and how it can provide a safe place for people with a Parkinson’s diagnosis to live well. The two organisations will work collaboratively on the content, creation, design and delivery of this. Parkinson’s UK will be able to better support individuals and families who come to them for advice and signposting at what can be a stressful time.
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