Caring UK Weekly - 18 October 2023

Issue 163 18.10.23

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Government needs to act on shortages CAMPAIGNERS have called on the Government to act now over horrific staff shortages which are putting the future care of the country’s oldest and most vulnerable at risk.

The Independent Care Group says the lack of action over social care was a cruel betrayal of people needing care in their own home or care and nursing homes.

New figures from Skills for Care show that 400,000 people left jobs in care last year in a report which reveals a ‘leaky bucket’ on staffing. Skills for Care says an extra 440,000 staff will be needed to keep up with care demand by 2035. There are around 152,000 vacancies.

ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “These latest figures from Skills for Care are once again horrific and lay bare the true crisis at the heart of social care which shames us as a country.

“We know that already some 1.6m people cannot get the care they need and if shortages of staff continue that figure is going to rocket, with no end in sight and no measures proposed to tackle the current shortages let alone meet future demand.

“The Government’s social care recruitment initiative is of course welcome, but never addresses the elephant in the room which is improving

pay and conditions for the workforce.

“Without the 70,000 overseas staff providers have recruited over the past year many of us would not have been able to fill shifts and provide care. That isn’t a permanent solution, and we have to create a sector in which we are able to recruit both from overseas and at home. We know it is a fulfilling, professional career but we have to reward those staff properly too.

“The report shows that social care contributes some £55.7bn to the England economy. I would argue that, with the right support, the sector will contribute even more.”

The ICG is campaigning for social care reform, including measures to properly recognise and reward its workforce and give them parity with their NHS counterparts.

“While ever social care staff lag behind those doing in many cases the same job in NHS care, we will struggle to fill vacancies and continue to see people leaving the sector and shortages,” Mike added.

“We need proper reform that sees social care and NHS care combined into a National Care Service, with proper funding to respect and reward those providing highly-skilled, professional care.”

Residents and their families of Bankview Care Home in Falkirk enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at their recent garden party open day. Residents and staff were entertained by local performer Pat Canavan and could try their luck in a tombola and raffle, before enjoying a barbecue in the sun. The garden party raised more than £900 and Bankview’s garden was decked out for the occasion, with stalls selling cakes, ice cream and other sweet treats. Staff member Irene Burns said: “We had such a brilliant day at the garden party open day – our residents truly have the best families and it’s always such a joy for everyone to get together and have fun.”

Group raises funds for residents A YORKSHIRE-based social care group has raised more than £1,200 for residents by taking part in a sponsored walk.

Employees at HICA Group, which provides care services across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire, completed a challenging 10-mile walk to raise money for those people it cares for.

Staff from Elm Tree Court, Wilton Lodge and Isacc Robinson Court in Hull and Kirkgate House in Bridlington were joined by members of the HICA management team. They managed to complete the walk in approximately three hours.

HICA’s CEO Terry Peel said: “Every penny

raised from our walk is going straight back into enhancing the quality of life for our residents. That’s an extra £1,200 towards activities, facilities, and little extras that truly make a difference.

“Our mission has always been centred on providing the best of care to our residents and fundraising activities like this enable us to go that extra mile. Thanks to everyone who got involved.”

The walk started in Hesslewood Country Office Park and continued through Humber Bridge Country Park, across the Humber Bridge, around Far Ings Nature Reserve, and back over the bridge to Hesslewood.

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CARINGWEEKLY

Operator’s homes are blooming with pride THREE Bridges in Warrington and Lansbury Court in Sunderland were the winners of the Orchard in Bloom garden makeover competition.

To celebrate summer and improve its outdoor spaces, the operator challenged its 23 care homes in the North and Midlands, with the winners receiving state-of-the-art activities tables worth £5,000 each.

The competition brought out the competitive side of its green-fingered enthusiasts after each home was given a £1,000 budget to fund their garden glow-ups.

The group aimed not only to create winning gardens, but to encourage residents, their families, and staff to work together to create spaces to reflect, reminisce, grow vegetables, eat meals and be close to nature.

Some gardens incorporated coloured flower beds such as blue and purple, to represent living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Special dementia gardens were planted which included favourite flowers donated by staff and families to help evoke memories and forge re-connection.

Suzanne Mckie, home manager at Lansbury Court, said: “We are absolutely delighted, it was a great team effort from colleagues, families and our residents.

“Congratulations to Three Bridges and everyone else who took part.

Hope you all had as much fun with it as we did.”

The Orchard ‘garden inspectors’ will be returning to all 23 homes in the coming weeks to award further digital table prizes for the two bestmaintained gardens across the group.

This provides each of the homes with the opportunity to make the most of their outdoor spaces over the coming months and involve everyone in maintaining all their hard work.

Residents take ‘a walk in the Parklands’ for charity PARKLANDS Care Homes is marking its 30th anniversary with a charity fundraising campaign designed to promote outdoor activity, build community links and raise funds for good causes.

A Walk in the Parklands is a 30-day walking and wheeling challenge which encourages residents, staff, and the wider community to stay active and connected.

Throughout October, Parklands’ care homes will compete to cover the most ground through walking or wheeling activities and the winner will receive a £500 Scotland Loves Local gift card to be spent in their local community.

Residents and staff will be encouraged to form teams and invite friends and family to join in on their journey. Local walking groups will also be invited to support the initiative which hopes to raise funds for local community groups.

Parklands’ operations director

Elaine Taylor said: “We are delighted to launch this fundraising initiative as we mark three decades of Parklands Care Homes.

“A Walk in the Parklands isn’t just about the distance we cover; it’s about forging meaningful connections within our community and taking steps to enhance the health and wellbeing of our residents, staff and the broader community.

“We look forward to getting outside and enjoying the outdoors this autumn as we raise funds for the community groups that mean so much to us.”

A JustGiving fundraising page has been set up to allow friends, family, and well-wishers to contribute to causes selected by each participating care home.

These funds will be distributed equally to chosen charities or community groups at the end of the challenge.

Home’s refurb sets new standard for dementia

A YORKSHIRE-based social care group has continued to invest in its homes as it develops a broader portfolio of personalised services to meet the changing needs of users.

HICA Group recently invested more than £600,000 in a major refurbishment of The Hollies in Hessle, Hull.

The investment marks a significant milestone in the future provision of dementia care, redefining the traditional model.

The home now provides a model of care that can be adapted to enhance the quality of life for residents in various other HICA settings including residential and nursing homes, home care and supported living, which is part of the Group’s long term strategic plan.

The renovations at The Hollies, which started in August 2022, include the addition of two new residential suites.

The Hessle Suite comprises eight deluxe residential studio apartments and The Tranby Suite, a pioneering female-only living community, which caters for the specific needs and preferences of female residents.

The enhancements also include a fresh look reception, seating area, hairdressing salon and bistro.

CEO Terry Peel said: “This is not only a significant moment for HICA Group but for dementia care provision overall.

“Our new female only suite is particularly significant and reflects the highly bespoke and personalised care HICA Group provides.

“A female only care provision acknowledges the unique needs,

experiences and challenges faced by female residents with dementia.

“Single gender care signals a big step towards a much more tailored and supportive environment for our residents, helping to reduce agitation or behavioural issues more prevalent to living in a mixed gender setting and improve their quality of life.

“This renovation exemplifies our dedication to creating innovative, resident-centered environments that combine modern luxury with personalised care within a homely environment.

“I must thank everyone that’s been involved in the project – I’m confident the investment will provide a step forward in the approach to and application of dementia care.”

The Hollies caters for 43 residents in total, with The Hessle Suite providing care for eight residents, The Humber Suite accommodating 18 residents and the all-female Tranby Suite providing care for 17 female residents.

Terry added: “The Hollies represents a vision of the future care home, where modern luxury is combined with high quality, personalised and compassionate care.

“Our renovations have created a unique environment that reflects the evolving needs and preferences of people requiring residential and dementia care in today’s world, driving up standards of care provision across the sector.

“We’re now looking to emulate the care provision provided at The Hollies, especially in terms of dementia care, across our other care services where we believe it’ll prove successful.”

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CARINGWEEKLY

Operator marks its first year at home

Home is rated ‘Outstanding’

by Care Quality Commission RMBI Care Co. Home Cornwallis Court, in Bury St Edmunds, has achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating following its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Following an inspection in July, CQC’s report said the management team “led by example and put people at the heart of the service.”

The report added: “People’s views were valued and they were consulted in the planning for improvement in the service.”

The Home was praised by CQC, who said: “People were cared for by a dedicated and compassionate staff team who were valued and appreciated.”

The report also added: “The service had a warm and homely environment, welcoming of people’s friends and relatives, especially during organised events. People were supported by staff, including activities

staff who had the skills to meet their individual needs.”

Planning permission is currently in progress to build a new care home on the site of the existing Home as, due to the age of the building, it has certain limitations.

The new facility will be designed and created to meet the changing needs of older people in a homely environment.

It will be built in a series of phases to enable residents and staff to continue living and working in the existing building, before moving across to the new Home once it is ready.

Home manager Denise O’Brien said: “We are thrilled to receive our ‘Outstanding’ rating from CQC. Our staff are passionate about supporting our residents’ health and wellbeing, and helping them to live to the fullest.”

THE sound of champagne popping has been ringing throughout Chester as dementia specialist Belong raises a toast to its first year in the city supporting older people to live active later lives whilst being part of the local community.

Marking the celebration, the village was transformed into a festival, complete with live entertainment, face painting, favourite food, music, dancing and a birthday cake.

Alongside the bubbles, bunting and bales of hay, a time capsule brought together a trove of special year one memories, including photographs of daily life, memorabilia from national events and personal wishes for the future.

Meanwhile, DIY enthusiasts amongst customers and the Belong Chester team have added a new friendship bench to the dementia friendly gardens.

Patrick Butler, general manager at Belong Chester, said: “It’s been a fantastic first year; Cestrians have welcomed us with open arms, and we’re pleased to have made so many wonderful relationships with people and businesses – here’s to many more happy years to come.”

Since opening the state-of-the-art complex, the not-for-profit operator has continued paving the way for the future of care provision, employing its successful ‘village living’ model for its customers and the wider community to enjoy a range of on-site facilities, including bistro, entertainment venue, specialist gym, hair salon and therapy rooms.

A newly launched monthly dementia café invites local people with a loved one living with dementia

for a session of respite care.

Belong Chester is also home to an integrated nursery, operated by charity Ready Generations, and was the first care setting of its kind in the North West to offer intergenerational living.

Together, the nursery children and older residents enjoy experiences together, sharing mealtimes, stories, arts and exercise, and its ‘prambles’ – rambling with pushchairs – have become a familiar sight in the city.

Adults residing at the village can choose to live in one of its independent living apartments or receive 24-hour dementia and nursing support in one of six extended family-sized ‘households’, with shared kitchen and living room communal areas.

The organisation’s home care service, Belong at Home, is also based at the site.

Another highlight has been the development of Belong’s unique relationship with the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s contemporary arts centre, which saw artists working with customers in their home for five months of activities in sculpture, dance, sound art, painting and drawing.

An exhibition documenting its creative outcomes is open until autumn at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum.

The organisation also holds a Gold Investors in People accreditation, distinguishing it as one of the country’s top employers as it continues to recruit to its growing team, as well as offer training opportunities to people new to a career in care.

Joint plans submitted for retirement apartments and convenience store DEVELOPER Charterpoint and retirement housing provider Anchor have submitted a joint planning application for 77 retirement apartments at Edwalton, near Nottingham.

A convenience store, which will be operated separately, is also part of the plans. The retirement scheme would provide a range of one and two-bedroom apartments in a threestorey block.

The proposals also include a residents’ restaurant, lounge, outdoor dining terrace, hairdressing salon, beauty and treatment studio, guest suite, and a courtyard garden and will be operated by Anchor.

The apartments will be a mix of shared ownership and rental properties – filling a gap in the market in the West Bridgford area.

The site has outline planning permission for development, but now Charterpoint and Anchor have submitted detailed designs for the land to Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “This is a prominent site in an area of Edwalton which has seen

considerable development in recent years, providing a range of housing and community facilities.

“Our integrated plan will introduce a handy convenience store for local shopping needs to augment what is

there already.

“This plan, submitted in conjunction with Anchor, will fill a gap in the market and create muchneeded retirement apartments for the area, helping to free up larger

family homes in Edwalton and West Bridgford too.”

Based close to the development site, in Wheatcroft Business Park, Edwalton, Charterpoint is a senior living and mixed-use specialist that has developed a portfolio of similar projects throughout the country.

The company has developed other projects in Rushcliffe, namely the McCarthy Stone assisted living scheme in Wilford Lane and the 70-bed Fosse Way View care home in Bingham, which opened in 2021 and is operated by HC-One. Victoria Mager, director of development delivery at Anchor, added: “We are looking forward to working with Charterpoint on the development of high quality, affordable independent living apartments in Edwalton.

“In line with Anchor’s vision, this development takes us one step closer to delivering 5,700 homes where people can love living in later life over 10 years.”

The plans for the Edwalton site have been designed by Brewster Bye Architects.

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CARINGWEEKLY Well-loved mother and grandmother Dorothy McLachlan has celebrated her 100th birthday at Black Swan’s The Lodge care home in Walton-on-the-Naze. Dorothy moved to The Lodge in August 2021 where she enjoys listening and singing to music from the different entertainers who visit the home regularly. She also enjoys the activities provided by the team at the home including arts and crafts, flower arranging, beauty treatments – she especially having her nails painted, reflexology and armchair exercises.

Dorothy enjoyed her birthday with two other residents, Robin and Gladys, who by coincidence share the same birthday and were 91 and 93 respectively on the same day. They enjoyed a singer, a special buffet and lots of presents. Dorothy’s son Chris and his wife visited from France, as well as her daughter and two friends.

A member of the Jewish community has celebrated her centenary, marking her 100th birthday with a toast of her favourite tipple whilst enjoying a party surrounded by friends and family. Gisela Feldman shared her big day with fellow tenants, residents and the team at Belong Morris Feinmann care village, Didsbury, south Manchester, where she resides. Her special party featured gifts and birthday cake, alongside her congratulatory card from their Majesties, King Charles and Queen Camilla. Along with younger sister, Sonja, Gisela has dedicated her life to Holocaust education and both sisters were awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2020 New Year Honours list. Last year, Gisela and Sonja’s stories were documented alongside portraits prominently displayed in Belong Morris Feinmann’s synagogue.

Ena Mitchell celebrated her 105th birthday at Royal Star & Garter care home in High Wycombe. Ena, who was widowed during WWII when her husband was killed in action, enjoyed a party at the Home, where she shared birthday cake with other residents. She was also given flowers by staff. Her husband Bill, who she married in 1938, was a soldier in the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was one of the 330,000 troops successfully evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940, and four years later took part in the D-Day landings on June 6. Bill survived the offensive, but later that year was killed in Belgium by enemy fire. Their daughter was just two at the time. Later, Ena started fighting for the rights of women who had lost husbands during the war, and joined the War Widows’ Association.

A WWII veteran who narrowly escaped death during the Blitz in Manchester has celebrated her 100th birthday. Elsie Ellis lives at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, and marked her centenary with a party with family and fellow residents. The Home hosted a party for Elsie on her big day, where she was joined by other residents and family, and enjoyed a celebratory glass of prosecco. She also tucked into a birthday cake, and was also given flowers and a gift from the Home, before entertainer Debbie Miles came in to sing. The day before, the great grandmother had enjoyed a large family get-together at Hogarths Hotel in Solihull.

Jazz party celebrates roof garden launch RESIDENTS, families and team members at a Hampshire dementia care home have celebrated the official opening of a rooftop garden terrace with a ‘sounds of summer’ party.

More than 50 guests, including community health contacts, enjoyed the afternoon fun at Colten Care’s Linden House in the heart of Lymington.

Over canapes and glasses of fizz, they toured the open-air space serenaded by solo alto-sax player Claire Manners who breezed through a series of jazz standards such as Fly Me to the Moon and Stranger on the Shore.

The terrace completes a secondstorey extension to the building which adds 15 extra en-suite bedrooms to the Beaulieu House floor along with a craft room and activity space.

With 75 bedrooms in total, Linden House has become the largest of Colten Care’s 21 homes.

The outdoor terrace is designed as a safe, inspiring space, complete with decking, sofas and wicker chairs, and featuring shrubs and flowers with seasonal highlights to look out for.

Senior gardener Chris Marsh, who is responsible for the operator’s New Forest gardens and those at homes in Winchester, Chichester and Salisbury, said: “It’s designed for hot and dry

conditions. We’ve chosen a mix of big, bold colours, including lilies, petunias, dahlias and osteospermum, and many herbs and fragrances to appeal to the senses.

“When winter arrives, the evergreen plants, such as variegated lavender, will come into their own.

“Residents will also enjoy late winter bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and cyclamen.”

Lorraine Bell, Linden House home manager, added: “Our rooftop terrace is there to help our residents stay connected with the outdoors.

“This is a beautiful, engaging space that residents and families will really enjoying spending time in as they appreciate the plants and fresh air.”

As well as celebrating the launch of the terrace, she used her welcome speech to thank two colleagues for their support, presenting both with bouquets of flowers.

She paid tribute to companionship team member Chris Dimmick for 28 years’ service to Colten Care, including periods as a Home Manager at two Lymington homes, Belmore Lodge and the former Monmouth House.

And Deborah Davies, customer support advisor, received thanks for helping to organise the rooftop celebration.

Royal praise for staff at home THE team at Oaktree care home in Bristol have waved a magic wand and have granted the first wish from their residents’ wish tree.

And the resulting letter from the new Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, also contains praise for the staff at the home in Yate.

Manager Pamela Arnsmeyer said: “One of our residents, Alan, wished for a letter from Prince Edward. It was an unusual wish and so one of the staff here wrote to the Prince to see what we could do. We were delighted when he wrote back.”

Pamela added that Alan could not really say why he specifically wanted to hear from Prince Edward, but that he was the member of the royal family who really appealed to him.

He would have chosen him to be King following Queen Elizabeth II. “We are delighted to have been able to grant our first wish for our residents and hope to be able to go on to do more,” she said.

“The wish tree has gone down very

well with the residents and their families.”

Other wishes currently on the tree include seeing members of family, having a nice glass of sherry and getting a new dress.

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