Issue 86 08.12.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Hope that TV doc will boost care campaign A TV documentary highlighting the crisis in the care of older and vulnerable people must be the catalyst for improving the sector, a North Yorkshire care provider told an audience attending an event to mark the programme. Mike Padgham, whose homes appeared in the two-part BBC documentary Inside the Care Crisis with Ed Balls said he wanted the programme to help bring about change. Speaking after the event in Scarborough, Mike said: “The documentary was very much a pivotal moment in our campaign to get better social care and we will be continuing that fight in 2022. “It exposed a care sector on its knees after Covid-19 and starved of the funding it needs to deliver care and to reward those amazing people who provide it. “I hope we will look back and see the documentary as a key moment in our battle to get the care sector we deserve.” Mike’s care company, Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, invited a film crew into its nursing and care homes as part of the documentary which was broadcast last month. Saint Cecilia’s hosted an event to mark the documentary, which included excerpts and a question-and-answer session with presenter Ed Balls, the programme’s production team
and members of Saint Cecilia’s staff who featured. Mike added: “The evening was a great success, with lots of excellent feedback for the documentary and a wonderful question and answer session. “The overriding message from the evening was that this cannot go on any longer and we have to improve the way we look after the most vulnerable in our society. “I was struck by how passionate people are when it comes to the care of their loved ones – it is a shame that passion is not shared by those in power.” The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Care were invited to the event, but did not respond. Mike picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Caring UK Awards held at the Athena in Leicester. He said: “What a joy and total surprise to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. “I’m humbled but delighted – this is for everyone fighting to get a fairer deal for social care.” Mike is chair of the Independent Care Group and was previously the chair of the United Kingdom Home Care Association. For the past two decades he has worked to improve care standards and to strengthen the voice of the sector.
Carer braves the shave for charity
Nostalgia was in the air at Barnes Lodge in Tonbridge as residents reflected on the past with a mini museum activity. A trip down memory lane was on the cards for the care home residents as staff presented them with an array of retro items from a bygone era, with the aim of evoking memories amongst them. There was reminiscence a plenty as staff brought out the vintage items, which included an old camera, meat mincer, sewing machine and classic children’s books. Residents had great fun looking at the items and if they were familiar with them, sharing their stories of when they used to use them, while some props proved a little trickier to work out. Resident George Brock is pictured looking at the old items.
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A CARE home’s lifestyle manager has ‘braved the shave’ after growing her hair for more than five years. Launton Grange‘s Danielle Garnon has donated 24 inches of her hair to cancer charity The Little Princess Trust, which provides free wigs to children who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. She enlisted the help of residents at the Bicester home to perform the haircut which needed to be parted into precise sections and tied in bunches to be sent in the post. Once the hair was cut, residents proceeded to shave Danielle’s remaining hair with clippers. She said: “I am over the moon with my donation. It feels incredibly rewarding to know that the hair is going to make a wig for a child somewhere that really needs it. “After discovering that each wig takes approximately £550 to make, I am pleased to also have been able to successfully raise some money for the charity too – thank you to everybody who made a donation. “Every time I see myself in the mirror and see my short hair, I am reminded of how much my donation will have made someone’s day.” Ahead of the shave, which was live-streamed on Facebook, Danielle raised £300 for the charity, thanks to generous donations from co-workers, residents’ families and friends, local businesses and members of the community.
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CARINGWEEKLY HC-One’s residents and colleagues have been busy getting ready for the festive season including watching Christmas lights being switched on in the local communities, getting involved in crafts and card making, fayres, raffles, choir and church services, and parties. At Worsley Lodge in Manchester, residents enjoyed getting creative and taking part in Christmas arts and crafts. They created Christmas decorations and reminisced about Christmas times of days gone by. It brought back a lot of good memories including discussions about the songs they enjoyed and the presents they received over the years. Residents helped colleagues put some of the little Christmas wreaths they had created on the tree.
Dominic Raab, the Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton, helped the staff and residents of Home of Compassion to kick off a busy month of Christmas activities in style. During his visit he had the opportunity to chat with residents, the home manager and care staff, who took him through the wide range of facilities, hospitality and lifestyle activities on offer at the home, which provides residential, nursing, palliative and dementia care for up to 78 residents.
Residents at a Hertfordshire care home have immersed themselves in the festive spirit having joined together to host a Christmas market as a means of uniting the local community. Staff and residents at the family-run Foxholes near Hitchin rallied together to arrange for a safe, socially distanced Christmas market to take place within its grounds, with some residents even running their own stalls throughout the day. The carefully planned outdoor event, which adhered to Government infection guidelines, saw vendors set up their market stalls outside the care home, before allowing residents to explore and browse the festive array. Moorgate Lodge in Rotherham is getting into the Christmas spirit by collecting toys for children as part of Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas campaign. Staff at the care home are asking residents’ friends and family to donate new toys which will be delivered to children who may not receive gifts this year, when they are on planned visits to the home. Cash for Kids supports children and young people affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, lifelimiting illness and those who have additional needs. Mission Christmas encourages ‘secret Santas’ to buy an additional new and unwrapped gift which will be distributed to those who may be going without this Christmas.
An army of Christmas elves at Colten Care homes in the south have been pricking up their pointy ears and jingling from head to toe to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Team members – including, of course, ‘elfcare’ assistants– dressed up as Santa’s helpers for a day of fun with the serious aim of helping people and families affected by dementia. Residents were invited to go festive too with activities such as visiting a ‘cheeky elves’ market, taking part in quizzes and games, sampling ‘elf cakes’ and designing an elf hat to wear.
Royal Star & Garter has held its festive Starlight service with residents and staff at each of its Homes. The event, which celebrates the lives of residents past and present during the Christmas season, was published on the charity’s website. It will remain available to view over the holiday period. The short service features readings and poetry from residents and staff. It is the second year running that Starlight has been held virtually. This year’s service includes a message from the charity’s President, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra. Before Covid-19, one of the most cherished highlights of Starlight was the opportunity to hang star-shaped messages to loved ones on the Christmas tree. This year, a decoration can be printed off and personalised in special tribute to loved ones. Residents of Watling Court in Gravesend created some festive floral centrepieces in a bid to spruce up their tables for Christmas. The trees are all up and the festive fun has begun at the extra care housing scheme, where residents have been busy crafting some candle centrepieces to adorn their tables. Armed with everything from dried fruits and flowers to pinecones and baubles, the crafty residents spent a morning creating their displays, using a log of wood as a base.
Care home staff have brought Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas market to its residents’ doorstep to spread festive cheer with a guest appearance from some reindeer. Residents at Cramond Residence kick started the festive celebrations with a mini Christmas market, light switch-on and reindeer visit. The home laid on stalls with a spread of mince pies and hot beverages, extending invitations outward to the local community and to family and friends of residents, with £501.25 raised for Resident Dorothy McDermott was tasked with switching on the Christmas lights as part of the event. There was also a surprise visit from Santa.
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Industry responds to launch of social care white paper THE care sector has been giving its response to the government’s longawaited social care white paper ‘People at the Heart of Care’. As part of the white paper, the government set out further details on how more than £1billion for system reform will be spent over the next three years to improve social care. The new proposals include a £150million investment in new technology to improve care quality and safety, support independent living and allow staff to provide focused care where required. And £500million will be invested in the social care workforce to include training, career progression and greater support for their mental health. Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham gave it a muted welcome. He said: “A vision without action is merely a dream. “There is no promise of any extra funding, other than what has already been announced, to help recruit and retain the thousands of extra staff we need to tackle a growing crisis in the sector. And there is no real, bold, long-term plan for the total reform of the social care sector that everyone wants. “There are measures to be welcomed in the white paper, including plans to invest in staff training, extra care housing and in new technology. And I applaud the Government for setting out its 10-year vision to put ‘People at the Heart of Care’. “But whilst I appreciate that it is only a start, it is a very small start and well short of the bold action we were promised and which we need.” Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the
Oonagh Smyth National Care Forum, said the paper does not go far enough. She added: “However, it is definitely a narrative that the not-for-profit care and housing sector can support. It does create a different vision for care that starts from the perspective of people who receive care and support. “It will help people who know little about care and support to understand the truly transformational potential of social care. “The funding allocated for social care reform as part of the social care and health levy payments is absolutely insufficient, and drastically out of line with the ambitions outlined here.” And Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said the new white paper was ‘like Groundhog Day’. “Care workers have been waiting for the Government’s plan for years – since before the last election,” she said. “Now they’re being told they have to wait even longer for any substantial
Vic Rayner OBE reforms. “You don’t have to be Einstein to realise addressing pay for carers is the absolute number one priority for to tackle the catastrophic understaffing crisis – a crisis which will only get worse. “Care workers can’t survive on poverty pay or unfilled promises by a Government refusing to recognise the highly skilled workforce. “That’s why GMB is campaigning for a £15 an hour minimum for care workers.” Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, welcomed the white paper, however. “This top level visionary white paper sets out the Government’s direction of travel for the reform of adult social care,” he added. “Care England stands ready to help the government deliver this strategy by identifying and dismantling some of the barriers standing in the way of delivering this vision. “Delivering this white paper is going
to be very difficult because of some of the major challenges facing the care sector, but we are all committed to starting on a journey that will deliver better outcomes for citizens and longterm sustainability for social care providers.” Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth said the white paper sets out a 10-year vision which recognises the importance of adult social care to us, our families and communities. She added: “We welcome the commitment to outcomes that support people who draw on services to have more choice and control in how they live their lives, but with a clear understanding that a highly skilled, knowledgeable and well-led workforce will be absolutely key to making that work. “Much of the workforce elements in the white paper are measures we and others have been asking for. “The commitment to invest in our workforce’s professional development, and in our key leaders like registered managers is something we have been talking about for some time, and I am sure will be welcomed by employers and those who work for them. “There is no doubt that the last couple of years people who work in social care have had really rewarding experiences and built great relationships with the people they support but they have also been through some incredibly tough times. “This white paper is the start of recognising that people who work in social care are skilled, compassionate professionals and we look forward to working with the government on what future investment will look like, and to support making the ambitions set out in the White Paper a reality.”
Residents get a chance to hit out at Covid – literally
Minister for Care Gillian Keegan MP visited Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton to mark World Alzheimer’s Day recently. She was taken on a tour of the dementia house to experience first-hand the care delivered at the Home. Gillian spent nearly two hours talking to the charity’s chief executive Andy Cole, home manager Helena Maher, residents and staff. She was taken on a tour of the Home’s Lister floor, which provides care to people living with dementia. Gillian watched residents use the omiVista Mobii interactive table – a motion-activated projection system that creates dynamic images on a surface – and keeps them physically and mentally active by stimulating movement, memory, reasoning and recall.
RESIDENTS celebrated their first party since lockdown by getting their chance to show what they really think about Covid-19. Staff at Mansfield Care’s Argyll House in Kilmarnock organised a Covid-19 Piñata – with residents invited to give the traditional Mexican good luck figurine a ‘beating’ to mark the end of the tough restrictions. Residents attending the home’s ‘masquerade’ ball were also able to swap their usual face coverings for elaborate face masks that had been specially designed for the event. Manager Stephen Ranstead said: “We thought a masquerade ball was pretty fitting as it is a change from the usual masks we are all used to wearing. It’s also a fun way to get the residents back interacting and enjoying time together. “Many of our residents were excited to celebrate returning to some sort of normality.
“This was the first time we could bring residents together in over a year and a half. We also invited some residents from the neighbouring Mansfield Care care home, Belhaven House.” Delighted residents had the added bonus of going face to face with the Covid-19 themed Piñata, with each taking turns to break it up. Stephen added: “It’s been a challenging year for all of us so we introduced a Covid Piñata to help release any frustration caused by the pandemic and ultimately to have a bit of fun trying to break it and release the sweets inside. “It’s fair to say the residents got very involved and enjoyed showing what they thought of Covid and the impact it has had on their lives.” As well as a host of musical entertainment and party treats to complete the ball’s theme, residents were wearing personal masks that they designed for the event.
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Shining stars of care recognised at awards event CARE South celebrated the outstanding achievements of its staff at its annual Star Awards ceremony. Now in its 12th year, the Star Awards recognise and reward individuals and teams from across the company for their outstanding achievements and excellent care provision. For the second year in a row, the event was held live over Zoom, with Care South’s chairman Jane Stichbury and chief executive Simon Bird hosting it centrally and trustees, directors and senior managers joining each care home and care at home office in person to present awards and join in the post Zoom awards and celebrations. Simon said: “Our Star Awards really are a highlight of the year for us and our teams. It offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the professionalism, passion and commitment to care that is delivered day in, day out by our staff, and gives us the chance to acknowledge and thank everyone for their hard work and dedication – especially during these past 18 months. “We received an incredible number of nominations this year and all our finalists and winners should be extremely proud of themselves as we certainly are of them.” The afternoon also celebrated those staff that were recognised as true Heart Ambassadors in line with Care South’s HEART values, which stand for Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork. Queensmead in Christchurch
was named ‘Home of the Year’ in recognition of its tireless efforts to create a warm and welcoming homefrom-home environment for the residents in its care and for providing food, fun and friendship in everything they do. The team at the home has worked incredibly hard and this has been supported by its high ratings from residents, family members and friends. The Care South at Home Office of the Year was presented to Care South at Home Crewkerne in recognition of its Good CQC report and audits. Maiden Castle House near Dorchester was recognised as part of a special Senior Management Team Award, and Rachel Sohorye also took home the Home Manager of the Year award. Other winners on the day were Sarah Broom, who was selected as the winner of the Care South at Home Manager of the Year, and Alexandra House near Parkstone was delighted to pick up the Deputy Home Manager of the Year award, which was presented to Lauren Taylor. The ‘Best Dining Experience’ award went to the team at Alexandra House, while Talbot View picked up the award for the ‘Best Housekeeping and Maintenance Team’. The much-coveted Chairman’s Award was presented to three of the Quality Audit Team who had moved across to supporting all homes with the rigorous testing regimes during the pandemic.
Sue Turnbull, Annette Perry and Sarah Hoey.
Home helps trio achieve their career ambitions A FORMER chef decided to change career direction entirely during lockdown to become a carer in a Tyneside nursing home. Annette Perry works at Craigielea in Low Fell, Gateshead, which is part of Solehawk Group, where she recently has been promoted to a senior carer. She had worked as a chef/catering manager for 22 years before making the change in career. Annette said she had been toying with the idea of moving into the care sector for 10 years. “Lockdown gave me the push I needed to try and move on from cooking,” she added. “I don’t regret becoming a carer as it is a very satisfying role. The thing I like most is helping people who need the support from carers to live their day-to-day life with as much dignity and to the highest standard possible. “I feel very positive about my new role as a senior carer and am growing in confidence every day.” Sarah Hoey is another member of staff who has been promoted within the home, which is rated ‘good’ by the regulator the Care Quality Commission.
She started as a care assistant in 2003 and since then has risen through the ranks including becoming a senior care assistant. Sarah is now a nursing assistant having learned new skills, including undertaking Social Care Assistant Practitioner training. This means she now is qualified to take bloods, oversee catheter care, and undertake other clinical work. Sarah said: “This opportunity shows that care workers can develop and grow into future practitioners. “I am looking forward to being more hands on with practical and clinical aspects of the nursing service.” Sue Turnbull has also progressed to be a nursing assistant. She started at Craigielea in 2013 as a care assistant and within a year she was promoted to senior care assistant within the residential side of its services. Sue added: “I am looking forward to being more hands on with the practical and clinical parts of nursing and care. “This opportunity shows care workers can develop and grow into future practitioners.”
Youngsters visit care home BADGERS Wood has welcomed youngsters from a local intergenerational friendship charity for the first time since the start of the pandemic. A group of children from Friend in Deed, a charity that aims to create friendships across generations and reduce loneliness, returned to visit residents at the Norwich care home. Manager Anne Riches said: “It was delightful to welcome the children back to the home, they always have such great, uplifting energy and are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of all the residents.
“Because it’s been so long since we were able to have them back, they’ve all grown so much. The last time we saw some of them they were only babies, and now they are walking and talking.” The youngsters were excited to be back at the care home, singing and playing with residents at a safe distance in an outside courtyard. Up until the start of the pandemic, the charity would bring a group of children to the home every Tuesday as part of its Little Visitors initiative, which promotes interaction with children aged 0-5 and residents.
Bluebird Care Mid Essex raised £215 when it competed in the 3.5-mile Haven Hospice Race4Life. Havens Hospices provides palliative nursing and supportive care to adults and children living with incurable or complex illnesses and conditions. At the event, local businesses and individuals came together to take part across different age groups and sporting abilities, to raise money and awareness for the charity. The Hospice supports patients and their families throughout illnesses, deaths and bereavements, both in their own home and through hospice services. Bluebird Care Mid Essex also won first place and a trophy for the best fancy dress.
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