Issue 34 18.11.20
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Joint effort to stem the rise in cases A SCARBOROUGH care provider is teaming up with local health chiefs to help tackle rising cases of Covid-19 in the town. Saint Cecilia’s Nursing Home has responded to a local and national appeal to take in discharged coronavirus patients to ease the pressure on hospitals. As it did this spring, the home has designated an isolated floor to safely care for discharged Covid-19 patients, to support local hospitals. The move comes as cases of Covid-19 rise across North Yorkshire, with the most significant area being Scarborough borough where cases were running 577 per 100,000 residents on November 12. The national average is 248. The home’s managing director Mike Padgham said it was vital that everyone pulled together to tackle the spread, care for people properly and protect local hospitals. “The number of cases in Scarborough is alarming and it is up to us all to respond and tackle this quickly,” he added. “As we did in the Spring, we have agreed with North Yorkshire County Council, the North Yorkshire CCG and the hospital to take in discharged Covid-19 patients and care
for them in properly isolated and segregated facilities at our nursing home. “These people deserve somewhere they can be cared for. “If we don’t take them in, they may have to travel many miles for care, and it would increase the strain on Scarborough Hospital. “We want to pro-actively play our part. We did this very successfully in the Spring without any adverse effect on the home and successfully nursed a number of people back to health.” Similar action is being taken across the country, at the request of the Government, to avoid NHS hospitals from being overwhelmed by increasing Covid-19 cases. There will be six such sites in North Yorkshire coming on stream imminently. Saint Cecilia’s will be the one in Scarborough. Homes must be approved as suitable after an inspection by the care regulator, the Care Quality Commission. This looks at enhanced standards around staffing, the physical layout of the building and efforts over infection control. This inspection was completed successfully at Saint Cecilia’s recently.
Residents compete for crown
Sue Tomkins, a resident at HC One’s Court House care home in Malvern, wrote a letter to send to the Duchess of Cambridge. In it she explained how she had worked with the Martineau family in Tewkesbury at their nursery, planting flowers and vegetables. Sue realised the connection when she was reading a book about the wedding of William and Kate and a distant family member was mentioned. When Sue saw the surname was the same as her relative she did some digging and found out that her friend David had a great-great aunt who was related to Kate’s maternal side of the family. Sue was thrilled to receive a letter back with a picture of Kate. She has put it up in her room on display.
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RESIDENTS at Appleby care home have competed in their very own version of ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ bushtucker trials, in a bid to be crowned King or Queen of the jungle, as the series makes a return to our screens. Residents took part in nailbiting ‘bushtucker trials’, while competing to win ‘dingo dollars’, which could be traded in for their choice of delicious treats. Unlike the TV hit, there wasn’t a camel’s toe or a fish eye in sight. Instead, residents were challenged to blind taste tests*. Home manager Clare Leonard said: “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here is such a well known show, and we often watch it together here. The residents were such great sports and it was great to see everyone getting into the Aussie spirit.” Staff at the home also embraced the theme and dressed in signature ‘Aussie hats’ as they turned the care home into a rainforest, complete with fake creepy crawlies. Contestants at Appleby’s bushtucker trials were so good that the home simply couldn’t pick just one winner. Audrey Casey, 85, was crowned Queen of the Jungle and James Hogarth, 94, was crowned King of the Jungle. Both residents stole the show, following in the footsteps of celebrity winners including Scarlett Moffatt, Joe Swash and Harry Redknapp. *dietary requirements were taken into consideration
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Roll of
HONOUR 2020 C A R I N G U K M AG A Z I N E
Have you nominated your lockdown hero? Nominate your lockdown hero who has gone over and above in these most testing of times in the Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour. We want to hear from you if you know someone who has gone above and beyond in 2020 to make a difference and help their residents and colleagues get through these harrowing times. The Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour will appear in our January 2021 issue. Send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in Caring UK magazine, and our weekly Caring UK digital newsletter. Closing date for entries is Friday December 4.
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Care home joins young people’s penpal scheme AN Ixworth care home has been keeping its residents connected with young people during the coronavirus pandemic by joining a charity’s letterwriting scheme. The Beeches Residential Home joined the free YOPEY penpal scheme with the aim of helping its residents feel connected at a time when social isolation is likely to increase. YOPEY, the young people of the year charity, traditionally runs befriending schemes where young people visit care homes but had to put these on hold during the coronavirus crisis. Despite visits stopping during lockdown, the charity and its young volunteers wanted to continue to support the elderly care home residents at a time when they needed it the most, so decided to start a letter-writing scheme. Bev Shave, deputy home manager at The Beeches, said: “With everything else that’s going on in the world currently, the scheme has been a beacon of hope for our residents during lockdown. “Creating and maintaining social connections with our younger generation is key to supporting the mental wellbeing of our residents and in turn helps them to age well. “We wanted to keep our residents connected with young people, as we see the many benefits that it brings to them.” All letters are emailed in packs to the
residents at the care home, illustrated with photos of the young people, their hobbies and their artwork. The charity’s young volunteers are also making shows especially for the elderly that care homes can be viewed on the internet. So far five YOPEY Virtual Variety Shows have been posted on YouTube and received hundreds of views. YOPEY’s founder Tony Gearing MBE said: “Before the pandemic we had about 150 teenagers visiting a dozen care homes. “During lockdown we have been able to recruit hundreds of more young people, aged from four to 26, and sent out thousands of letters to hundreds of care homes. “When regulations allow volunteers to visit care homes again, we hope homes like The Beeches will consider joining our befriending scheme.”
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Kirsty is our latest hero WE received this nomination from Clare Shann,managing director/ nominated individual at St Vincent Care Homes Limited in Lee on the Solent, Hampshire. She wrote: “I would like to nominate Kirsty Dagless for recognition in your 2020 Roll of Honour list. “She is employed as a head of care at Magnolia House in Sandown on the Isle of Wight. Kirsty has always been an incredibly reliable employee with a huge heart and such dedication to her team mates and our residents, however this year she has surpassed all expectations. Kirsty signed up to complete her Level 5 diploma for Leadership in Health and Social Care and has continued this throughout the pandemic. She has regularly worked over her contracted hours and even moved in to the care home when we had an outbreak of Covid-19, staying for five weeks. “She has collected people from their homes and driven them to and from work to prevent them needing to use public transport and she has ferried tests to people that have been in isolation and unable to get to testing centres. “She even housed one her colleagues temporarily that had left their husband and had nowhere to go. “Kirsty has given up her precious days off in order to facilitate a visit for one of our residents with their loved ones; they could only come at
a weekend and we had no other staff free to accompany the resident. “Last year Kirsty’s beloved mother passed quite suddenly. Once her estate had been finalised, Kirsty donated £1,000 to the care home to improve the care planning software to ensure safer care of the residents. “All of our staff across our entire company have proven beyond doubt that they are a most caring and dedicated bunch, however Kirsty truly stands out. “Her passion and drive for the job has kept us all going… she even played a trick on the manager during our worst period, by informing her that CQC had called to advise that all registered managers were expected to stay in the home 24/7 until the crisis was over… causing at first panic, and then hysterical laughter just when we all needed an injection of good humour. Please send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk Closing date is Friday December 4.
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Association supports sector with relevant virtual seminars Provider awards staff bonus payments to say ‘thank you’ CORNERSTONE Healthcare has awarded staff financial bonuses as a ‘thank you’ for their dedication and hard work during the lockdown period. Frontline workers at the group’s two homes in Hampshire have been given bonuses totalling £400 thus far, with more initiatives to follow, in recognition of their commitment to the wellbeing of residents at South Africa Lodge in Waterlooville and Kitnocks House in Curdridge. CEO Johann van Zyl said: “Everyone has worked extremely hard during the last six months. “But it’s been most challenging for our care and nursing staff who’ve had to wear full PPE, often in very
hot weather, and who’ve helped our residents and their families to understand the changes we’ve had to impose to keep them safe.” This isn’t the first recognition Johann has given his staff. He took out a double page advert in the local press thanking all of the group’s 240 workers and he changed the branding outside both homes to show the community his appreciation of Cornerstone’s ‘heroes’. Home managers have also organised free events for staff to easily get food and drink on busy shifts and held a small ceremony in place of staff being able to attend the Care Home Awards in which the group was ‘highly commended’ in two categories.
THE National Association of Care Catering is hosting a series of virtual seminars to support its members and the care catering sector as they continue to navigate the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Across the series, a mix of expert speakers, presentations, demonstrations and conversations will explore a variety of relevant issues to help care caterers deliver continued excellence in nutrition and hydration and positive food and dining experiences, while also dealing with the issues facing the sector today and the extra pressures the pandemic presents. Topics range from nutrition and hydration expertise and catering for dietary requirements to important practical support, such as facilitating supplier connections to keep care caterers up to date with the latest innovations, products, services and solutions when Covid-19 restrictions make this more difficult. The virtual seminars are open to both NACC members and nonmembers and cost £5 to attend. Sue Cawthray, national chair of the NACC, said: “The care catering sector has worked tirelessly and selflessly
Eva Feldman, a resident at Baycroft Great Baddow, witnessed her son getting married in Oxford recently. Unfortunately, because of the current situation she was unable to attend the wedding, but with the help of technology and some obligatory bubbles, the home brought the wedding to her. Eva was under the impression she would be watching the ceremony on her tablet in her bedroom, however the home wanted to make it as special as they could for her. She was given a corsage of flowers, her friends within the home wore white rose buttonholes and the staff were in hats and fascinators. After the ceremony the head chef prepared a celebratory champagne afternoon tea.
Tax rebate to benefit workers THE Care Workers’ Charity has partnered with Care Worker Tax Rebate to raise awareness to domiciliary care workers that they may be eligible to reclaim tax. Care Worker Tax Rebate was formed in 2012 to help the hundreds of thousands of employed domiciliary carers in Great Britain who are needlessly paying too much income tax to HM Revenue & Customs. Since forming eight years ago, the organisation has refunded £15million to domiciliary care workers.
throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “The vital frontline contribution of everyone associated with providing good nutrition, hydration and care to the elderly and vulnerable continues, be that in a care home or within the community. “As our members and the wider care catering sector continue to face unprecedented challenges, we’re committed to helping everyone navigate the next phase of the pandemic by giving them access to the right information, connections and expert support through our virtual seminars.” Confirmed seminar dates: n Thursday November 26: Virtual speed dating with the NACC – the NACC’s premier partners and suppliers will present their latest products, services and solutions in just 180 seconds. These presentations will be grouped into blocks, with activity breaks throughout. n Thursday January 28 2021: Catering for special dietary requirements in the care setting – this important seminar will include discussion on diabetes, vegetarian and vegan options, coeliac and restructuring foods to finger food, washed down with top hydration tips.
For many domiciliary care workers driving between the homes of clients is part of the job. It is for this reason that domiciliary care workers may be eligible for a tax rebate. On average claims are worth around £1,200. Karolina Gerlich, executive director of The Care Workers’ Charity, said: “We are happy to be working with Care Worker Tax Rebate, the partnership is a natural fit as we are both helping care workers and doing so in different ways which can only be a good thing.”
Staffordshire man brings unique approach to care WHEN Andrew Lofts became aware of the overwhelming demand for good quality care in Staffordshire, launching a new in-home care provider was his way of providing a solution. Visiting Angels plans to meet the growing need for social care, while simultaneously raising the standards of care within the region. “I’ve noticed just how much people are crying out for a gold-star service,” said Andrew. “Especially during this difficult time, quality care delivery is even more important than ever before. What’s exciting is how we’re bringing something different. “By addressing and reducing issues with carer retention, which can seriously impact the quality of care being delivered, Visiting Angels is in a position to prompt change. I’m determined, along with the rest of my team, to lead the way.” That distinct difference is what Visiting Angels calls being ‘carercentric’. Put simply, they treat
Andrew Lofts caregivers with the utmost respect, valuing them for their commitment and rewarding them both financially and with opportunities for career development. Issues within the industry usually leave caregivers feeling little-to-no appreciation and without any form of support – this is exactly what Visiting Angels is determined to change. “Caregivers are usually underappreciated when, in reality, it should be the complete opposite,”
Andrew added. “They’re the ones delivering an essential service to people who need support in their homes, so they deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. “We want to remove all of the barriers that make their jobs difficult. By having minimum visits of one hour, we allow our caregivers to have longer, more efficient care visits and pay for travel time between appointments, which isn’t a standard requirement for other providers. “By treating them fairly, they will not only be able to deliver quality care, but they’ll enjoy doing so.” Andrew and his team recently received approval to operate from the Care Quality Commission. Based at the George Hodges building in Burton-on-Trent, Visiting Angels is on the hunt for care workers to satisfy the growing demand for its service. Within the next 12 months, they hope to bring at least 15 jobs to the area. Undeterred by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew
recognises that their essential service continues to be sought after. Visiting Angels hopes to alleviate the pressure that has been placed on local hospitals by supporting people to get back into their homes. “I’m proud to be in the position where I can serve my community and make a difference to people’s lives,” he added. “In the current situation, it’s imperative for us to focus on the health and safety of our caregivers and clients, whilst ensuring that the vital work gets done. “We’ll be assessing each case carefully and highlight the ways in which we can help, while showcasing the measures we have in place to make it as safe as possible. Despite these challenges, we’re determined to raise the bar for social care in the region.” Visiting Angels East Staffordshire will serve the families of Lichfield, Burton-on-Trent and South Derbyshire, including the surrounding villages.
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Surrey home is fined after failing to provide safe care A CARE provider has been ordered to pay £125,745.87 at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court following an incident which led to a 92-year-old woman being assaulted by another person living at the service while she was nursed in bed. This led to her being hospitalised and requiring treatment for her injuries. Sunrise Operations Esher Limited, which runs the Sunrise of Esher location in Esher, Surrey, was fined £100,000 in court. The company pleaded guilty to two charges – firstly failing to provide safe care and treatment, resulting in avoidable harm to Eileen Traynor while she was resident at Sunrise of Esher care home. The company also pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment exposing other people living in the service, to a significant risk of avoidable harm. Sunrise of Esher is a care home for people needing nursing or personal care. As well as the £100,000 fine, the court also ordered Sunrise Operations Esher Limited to pay a £170 victim surcharge and £25,575.87 costs as a result of the prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission. Sunrise of Esher notified the CQC on June 12, 2016 that an elderly male person living with dementia in the service had assaulted Eileen Traynor
Debbie Ivanova with his Zimmer frame while she was in bed. Mrs Traynor was extremely vulnerable and was nursed in bed. Her underlying frailties meant she would have struggled to defend herself or call for assistance. As a result of the attack Mrs Traynor sustained injuries that required her to go to hospital. The gentleman who assaulted her was removed from the service during this time. Mrs Traynor returned to Sunrise of Esher location in June 2016. Mrs Traynor sadly died on November 22, 2016, however her death was not as a result of her injuries suffered in the incident charged.
AKW unveils its new anti-slip vinyl flooring range AKW, a leading UK provider of accessibility solutions, continues to grow its new anti-slip vinyl flooring range due to popular demand. AKW’s expanded and improved range of safety flooring comes in a wide variety of contemporary colours and provides a high level of slip resistance in a bathroom adaptation. Stuart Reynolds, head of product and marketing at AKW, said: “The new anti-slip flooring is one of the key product ranges in our AKW One offering, which we continually expand to make installers and specifiers’ lives easier. “Furthermore, consumers can choose from eight contemporary colours which reflect current trends and are sure to complement a range of style preferences.” The design of this durable safety flooring has been especially developed to address factors that raise the risk of falls in the bathroom, such as slip resistance, visual contrast and texture. Suitable for wet rooms as well as other bathroom adaptations, the flooring range conforms to both HSE and International standards. AKW Safety Flooring has achieved the highest slip resistance rating for barefoot users in wet and soapy environments. In fact, its PTV (Pendulum Test Value) exceeds wetroom requirement standards,
providing complete peace of mind for end users. The flooring is also watertight, long-lasting with slip resistance for a minimum of 10 years, and easy to clean. The eight colour options available in the range have been chosen based on their popularity with customers. Importantly, the safety flooring has been specifically designed so it does not contain any large speckles, as these can be interpreted as pieces of dirt by those with dementia, resulting in the bathroom user attempting to pick them up and increasing the risk of fall. AKW’s safety flooring range is two metres wide and can be cut to order in incremental lengths of half a metre or ordered in rolls. Alongside this cut to order service, AKW is also offering installers a range of other products for fitting the flooring on screeded, concrete and wooden floors. These include a range of profiles and trims, levelling compound, latex liquid, flooring and contact adhesive and floor colour matching weld rods. Enquiries: Call 01905 823298, email sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk
Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s deputy chief inspector for adult social care, said: “This is a very distressing case and clearly Mrs Traynor did not get the safe care she was entitled to. I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to all of those affected by Mrs Traynor’s death. “Mrs Traynor and her family had every right to expect good, quality care and we welcome that the provider has accepted full responsibility in this case. “It was the serious failure of the home to protect people from avoidable harm that led to CQC’s prosecution of the provider. In its role as provider Sunrise of Esher Operations Limited had a specific legal duty to ensure care and treatment was provided in a safe way. “We found they had failed to do this by not ensuring risks had been fully assessed and measures were not in place to prevent harm to Mrs Traynor. I agree with the judge’s view that “this was terrible event waiting to happen.” “We appreciate how distressing this has been for Mrs Traynor’s family and we hope this case prompts other care home operators to review the care they provide to ensure people’s safety. “Where we find any care provider has put people in its care at serious risk of harm, we will take action to ensure that people are safe and hold providers to account.”
Residents of Rogers House have started a new craft project to keep them entertained over the winter months. Using old greetings cards, the care home’s residents have started a project that will not only enable them to do their bit in helping the environment, it will also result in a decorative feature wall once complete. Armed with an abundance of recycled cards and enough cups of tea to keep them going, the artistic residents spent a morning cutting the various cards designs into strips and triangles and creating collages of mismatched patterns onto A4 paper. Once they have enough they will create an even bigger collage on the wall of all the A4 sheets to create a feature wall, which from a distance will look like patchwork.
Better device charging with PowerTray from Gratnells Medical IT HAS now been widely reported that the use of technology, specifically iPads, Galaxy Tabs and other electronic devices is helping communications in health and social care settings in the Covid-19 era. In many care homes, they are used by residents to video call and keep in regular ‘face to face’ contact with family and friends. With visiting curtailed this has a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals. Staff also use video to speak with the family members of shielded residents in their care, helping to alleviate anxiety and concern. This increased use of technology can result in problems as more and more devices need charging. Gratnells PowerTray safely stores
and charges up to 10 USB devices, with intelligent charging technology. Each device receives an optimum charge rate and cycle time. PowerTray is tested and certified to the highest operational and safety standards. It is silent in operation and comes in two size options. Perfect for quick charging of devices in health and social care settings, PowerTrays are treated with an antimicrobial additive to minimise surface contamination and they are compatible with all Gratnells trolleys. Enquiries: PowerTrays are now available with a 10 per cent discount at www.gratnellsmedical. com/charging-solutions or contact Gratnells on 01279 401550.
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Liberty Protection Safeguards – back on the agenda By Neil Grant
Virtual classical music concert delights care home’s residents A SURREY-based care home group and a City Livery Company have teamed up to delight residents with a virtual classical music concert, all as part of a pilot study designed to see if music can help boost residents’ moods during the Covid-19 pandemic. CHD Living, which owns and operates 13 care homes across Surrey and South London, and The Musicians’ Company, which is the only City of London Livery Company dedicated to the performing arts, treated residents to an hour-long performance via Zoom. The concert saw cellist Timothee Botbol, flute player Alena Lugovkina and mezzo soprano Lotte Betts Dean perform a repertoire of music from Bach to Sinatra to an audience of nearly 100 residents. An interactive event, the musicians introduced each piece, giving information about the composer and the music in order to trigger memories and encouraging the audience to join in, leading to much foot tapping, clapping, singing and sometimes even dancing. Shaleeza Hasham, head of hospitality and communications at CHD Living, added: “We truly believe there should be more music in the care industry, so we’re delighted to be working with The Musicians’ Company on its pilot study and hope to be able to help demonstrate the many benefits of music in care homes. “We’ve seen first-hand how even a short exposure to music can make such a positive impact on our residents by giving them stimulation, evoking emotions and memories, and improving their general moods. “We hope to continue incorporating more music into our residents’ daily lives and are very grateful to The Musicians’ Company for including us in their study.” The collaboration came about after The Musicians’ Company was
inspired by the success of a series of concerts held for dementia hubs last year, which have been continued by Zoom this year while live, in-person performances have not been possible. With many research results that established that music is a key factor in helping people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and can make significant short term improvements in their condition, The Musicians’ Company developed a programme of engaging and participatory musical sessions designed to inspire, excite and motivate dementia patients and their carers. Now, the company is looking to expand the programme to include care homes, allowing a wider audience to benefit from music therapy while also beating the Covid19 isolation blues. John Nichols, master of The Musicians’ Company said: “The coronavirus pandemic has hit care homes particularly hard: not just the illness itself, but the lockdowns, bringing isolation and loneliness to residents who have been deprived of contact with their families and loved ones. “We are delighted to be running a pilot study with CHD Living to see if, as with the dementia hubs, music can help in these appallingly difficult times. “Music is the medicine of the mind”, as John Logan put it in the mid 18th century: and that is just as applicable today as it was then. “We hope that we can provide an hour of solace, comfort, and entertainment for those residents who have been so hard hit by the events of the last few months.” Resident Barbara Mattacks from CHD Living’s The Summers care home in West Molesey added: “It was lovely to enjoy some music from musicians all over the world today. “It was such a wonderful way to start the week and made us all so happy. We loved getting dressed up for the occasion and singing along too.”
Introduction It looks like the for the first time since the pandemic hit, the Liberty Protection Safeguards are back on the agenda. The LPS National Steering Group met on October 13 for the first time since February. Looking through the summary of the meeting published online here, it is apparent that the government are aiming for the LPS to be fully implemented by April 2022. We can look forward to a public consultation on the draft regulations and Code of Practice in Spring 2021. Care home managers’ responsibility u-turn The government has rather sensibly decided not to immediately implement the controversial plans for care home managers to be responsible for gathering key information to determine whether their residents should be deprived of their liberty. The meeting summary says “The Government has decided not to implement this aspect of the MC(A)A in England, for now. The relevant provisions in the Act will therefore not be commenced in April 2022.” They say that they still believe in their aims with these provisions to allow staff who know the person best to lead the LPS process, but have come to the conclusion that “now is not the right time to introduce the role”. With widespread opposition to this proposal, not least because managers are likely to face a perceived conflict of interest when making these decisions, it is not surprising that the government has taken this decision. Additionally, it is likely that managers would require training in
Neil Grant order to acquire the skills to perform the role properly. There was no suggestion that this would be provided. This shift in the government’s position is widely welcomed, however it would be preferable to receive assurances that this measure will not be introduced in the future. Conclusion Reading the summary of the meeting, it is encouraging that the LPS might be progressing in a more practical direction than feared. It will be important for providers to stay up to date with the implementation of the LPS and make sure their voice is heard during the public consultation when it takes place in Spring 2021. The next National Steering Group meeting is set to take place in December. We certainly would be very interested to see the draft regulations and Code of Practice to understand how the LPS will work in practice. n Neil Grant is a Partner and Senior Lawyer at Gordons Partnership LLP Solicitors.
Residents at Herald Lodge in Coventry have been keeping fit and active throughout the coronavirus pandemic thanks to virtual Tai Chi exercise classes. The care team host the gentle weekly classes in the care home’s spacious cinema room, and they have been a hit with everyone, bringing people together to create new bonds and strengthen friendships within the home. The Tai Chi sessions are inclusive for all ages and abilities as the various exercises can be done both standing up or sitting comfortably in a chair.
CARINGWEEKLY ‘Intrepid travellers’ at a Winchester care home have enjoyed a week-long European odyssey designed as a resident’s birthday treat. Marion Stevens told staff at Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton that her wish was to go on a cruise when she turned 70. In response, team members staged five days of themed activities for everyone at the home highlighting the food, music and culture of France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Denmark. Clinical lead Joby Varghese played the role of ‘ship’s captain’, greeting Marion and her fellow ‘passengers’ each morning, explaining the proposed itinerary for the day and sharing information about each country. Iris Andrews celebrated her 90th birthday at HC-One’s Maple Lodge with a surprise tea party. Fellow residents and colleagues at the care home joined in to deliver a lovely day for her. She also received lots of presents, cards and flowers, as well as colleagues who decorated the lounge with balloons and banners. A huge helium-filled pink number nine and a zero were displayed next to Iris as she enjoyed a tasty ‘English tea party’ themed lunch. Home manager Sarah Dodd said: “Iris certainly celebrated her 90th birthday in style and it was clear that she enjoyed the celebration we had.” A resident at Ashley Gardens care centre in Maidstone has celebrated her 105th birthday, marking the occasion with a celebration. Emeline Brooker, known as ‘Nanny’, has been a resident at the home since 2015 and recently celebrated her special milestone birthday. On her birthday she enjoyed a long conversation with her son and daughter-in-law via FaceTime. Nanny had her hair done by the staff and enjoyed a birthday sing-a-long with a cake and tea. Nanny has always lived in Maidstone, often enjoying family holidays to Cornwall. She had two brothers, two sisters and married her beloved husband Albert in January 1934. Nanny and Albert, who died in 2010, had six children together – two daughters and four sons, who she proudly raised throughout WWII.
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A resident at Princess Christian Care Centre in Surrey celebrated her 100th birthday in style with a day full of surprises to mark the occasion – including an extra special equine visitor. The home, which is part of the family-run care group Nellsar, arranged a very memorable day for Joyce Tofts, who had extra reason to celebrate this year having recently beaten Covid-19. Having joked with her carers that she hoped to receive a pony for her birthday, staff at the home went about fulfilling Joyce’s birthday wish in the best way that they could. Reaching out to members of the public via social media for help, the home was able to arrange a surprise pony visit, which saw local resident Lisa Dahar bring her pony, Honey, to wish Joyce a very happy birthday. Derek Hatton, a resident at Sunrise of Winchester, has celebrated his 100th birthday. He celebrated this milestone in the company of his daughter, two grandsons and granddaughter who visited the care home wearing PPE and adhered to social distancing guidelines. Derek also spoke to all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren through FaceTime where they were able to sing happy birthday to him. Sunrise of Winchester also marked the occasion by baking a personalised train-inspired birthday cake, recognising Derek’s passionate interest in steam trains. With 14 grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, Derek says he was quite overwhelmed by the outpouring of cards and well wishes from friends and family.
Marjorie Wood, a resident at Friends of the Elderly’s New Copford Place in Colchester, celebrated her 101st birthday with a special colour themed afternoon high tea party. Due to lockdown restrictions Marjorie’s party was a care home-wide celebration, but everyone had a fun-filled time enjoying a home-made afternoon high tea which included a range of cakes. The lounge was adorned with pink and white party decorations, as pink is one of Marjorie’s favourite colours, and throughout the party, Marjorie’s favourite war songs were played. Marjorie has been a resident at New Copford Place for nearly seven years. Gwen Warnes, a resident at Sunrise of Purley, celebrated her 103rd birthday recently. The care home celebrated this special occasion by baking her a cake made up of the 103 digits to mark her achievement. Gwen was also treated to an outdoor live performance from opera singer Demelza Stafford in the home’s garden. Gwen grew up in Southwark, London with her parents and brother. She then attended an allgirls catholic school and remains fond of the nuns who taught her there. During the Second World War, Gwen moved to Devon where she lived on a farm, later owning three farms here and another in Surrey. Developing a love for animals at these farms, Gwen is especially fond of cats, elephants and donkeys. Gwen enjoyed writing short stories and went on to pick back up this hobby in her 60s. These stories are based on events and people in her life and have featured in four published books.
Manchester City star İlkay Gündoğan enjoyed a 30th birthday with a difference as he celebrated his big day with people supported by the social care charity Community Integrated Care. The midfielder marked his milestone birthday by making special socially distanced visits to people supported by the charity and its colleagues. Holding surprise visits to EachStep Blackley, a specialist dementia care home, and St Annes House, a service in Tameside that supports people who have autism, learning disabilities and other enduring needs, he lifted spirits and brought smiles at this challenging time.
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