Issue 99 16.03.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Home’s staff extend care to refugees STAFF at Millway House in Andover are showing that their care goes beyond the doors of their workplace as they provide vital donations to the Ukraine crisis. Wanting to help those caught up in the conflict in the East European country, care workers at the nurseled care home have been collecting contributions from friends and family since news of the war broke. And, having put together donation bags filled with supplies, these are now on the way to the Polish/ Ukrainan border, thanks to a lorry arranged by the Andover community. More than 1.7 million civilians have fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, according to the United Nations (UN), and hearing that Andover had a designated drop-off area for donations, staff at Millway House, were anxious to help. Home manager Claire Lousteau said: “Like everyone, we have been horrified to watch the crisis unfold in Ukraine, and really wanted to offer our support. “When we heard that the Polish community in Andover had arranged for a lorry to take donations to the refugee camps, we
didn’t think twice, and I’m extremely proud of everyone here who has taken the time to put together some essential supplies.” Wellbeing and activities coodinator Claire Godding dropped off the goods at Picket Twenty Community Centre in the town. She said: “We were overwhelmed with items handed over from staff, and I was even able to shop for some little extras with cash donated. “It was great to see all the collections coming from the community here and it’s been nice to feel that we are helping in some way.” Donation bags included baby food and formula, first aid supplies, toiletries, adult incontinence pads and, not forgetting the animals, some tasty pet treats. Millway House is part of Sears Healthcare and CEO Richard Adams said he was delighted to hear that nursing home staff have gone out of their way to help those in need. He added: “With care at the heart of what our staff at Millway House do every day, I am not surprised to hear that the team have been offering their support to Ukrainian refugees.”
Care operator gives £2,500 to charity
Three carers from The Hall care home in Thornton-Le-Dale are preparing to participate in a skydive to raise money for a Yorkshire-based dementia charity. The jump, which has been arranged by deputy manager Edna Harris, is set to take place on March 20 and the team are hoping to raise £500 for Dementia Forward. It will be Edna’s second parachuting experience, and the first time for everybody else. She said: “We care for many residents who live with some form of dementia, and we’ve seen how it affects them and their families. It’s heart-breaking. Of course, jumping 13,000 feet out of a moving aeroplane is pretty scary, but we’re up for the challenge.”
CARE South, a not-for-profit provider of residential and care at home services across the south of England, has selected NorDDiS as one of the beneficiaries of its Chairman’s 2020 Fund, awarding the charity with a grant of £2,500. NorDDiS is a unique charity shop run entirely by unpaid volunteers and serves the needs of disabled people living in North Dorset and the surrounding areas, so that they may lead more active and fulfilling lives. The charity sells new and second-hand goods, from ferrules and shoelaces to commodes and wheelchairs and aids for the home and car. Simon Bird, chief executive of Care South, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this fantastic local charity which is greatly appreciated by our team at Care South and Fern Brook Lodge in Gillingham. “NorDDiS provides invaluable help to those who need it and the work they do is so important. “We are very pleased to be able to support and help spread awareness of the charity.” The Chairman’s 2020 Fund was set up with the aim of supporting ‘Care South’s Friends’ and benefits the operator’s employees, volunteers and community groups who provide a service to the group’s care homes, care at home offices, clients or residents. Care South’s Fern Brook Lodge care home team, based in Gillingham, unanimously nominated the charity to be a 2022 beneficiary.