Issue 164 25.10.23
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Group gives back to local communities LOVELL Later Living has launched a nationwide initiative set to deliver huge benefits to the local communities it has helped to create. Enhancing safety and wellbeing for those living on and near to its partnership development sites for older people, LLL has donated much needed life-saving defibrillators to each project delivered over the past year. The company has pledged to continue offering this support to communities in the future, with three more defibrillator donations already confirmed for next year. A crucial element in the event of a cardiac emergency, access to defibrillators means the difference between life and death. The life-saving devices rapidly deliver electric shocks to restore normal heart rhythm, thereby increasing the chances of survival significantly. Without them, the outcome of a cardiac arrest can be tragically different. Lovell Later Living managing director Paula Broadbent said: “Life is precious, and safety should be a top priority in every community. “Our decision to donate defibrillators to each of our projects reflects our unwavering commitment to
the well-being of both the individuals that live in the homes we create as well as everyone living and working in the wider local resident base. “As a business, our core values are to do the right thing and create places which support older and vulnerable people to live their best lives. “The extra care schemes we deliver for our partners become the heart of the community, bringing services and facilities to those who need them, whether they live in the scheme or close by. “By providing defibrillators we feel confident in leaving a lasting legacy which provides security for the whole community, enabling them to access lifesaving equipment when it is needed. “We hope to make real difference to people’s lives throughout the country as we complete more of these vital developments.” LLL’s initiative reinforces the organisation’s forward-thinking approach to community development, recognising that health and wellbeing go hand in hand with quality living in appropriate homes which support people to live and age well, and creating spaces where residents and their neighbours can thrive together with peace of mind.
Alexander Court in Thetford celebrated its 25th anniversary with a garden party. The care home commemorated the special occasion with a BBQ attended by residents and members of the community, including mayor Councillor Stuart Wright. Many guests arrived in silver attire as a nod to the quarter of a century that the home has cared for local people. The event raised money for the residents’ fund, which pays for additional activities and treats for those living at the home. Manager Pat Collins said: “We are so proud to celebrate 25 years of care. This milestone speaks volumes about the work we do for our residents and the community. It was great to see so many people attend wearing silver to celebrate the occasion.”
Provider helps men’s charity A SCARBOROUGH care provider has stepped in to help a local charity provide more help to men dealing with mental health issues. Saint Cecilia’s is sponsoring a second venue for the Scarborough group of Andy’s Man Club, a men’s mental health charity. At the moment the Scarborough group meets from 6.30pm each Monday at the library. But the group will now also meet at Saint Cecilia’s day care centre, again from 6.30pm. Director Aaron Padgham said: “Andy’s
Man Club provides invaluable help and support to local men who might be suffering from mental health issues. “When we learned that they were looking for a second meeting place over the south side of Scarborough we were only too pleased to support them. “Helping our residents and day care visitors and our own staff to take care of their mental health is an integral part of the care we offer and so we are delighted to sponsor Andy’s Man Club and hopefully spread the excellent work it does to more people in the Scarborough area.”
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Homes raise £3,000 by showcasing how their gardens grow RESIDENTS and staff at two south coast care homes opened their gardens to the public and raised just under £3,000 for charity. The Colten Care homes, Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, and Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, together welcomed nearly 300 people, many of whom were new visitors. The homes’ open days were part of the National Garden Scheme, under which people pay admission to private gardens across the UK in support of nursing and health charities. Woodpeckers held two open days on its third annual involvement with the scheme, welcoming more than 200 visitors and achieving a record £2,382. Of this, £1,510 will go to NGS charities with the remaining £872 donated to the home’s own nominated causes for this year, mainly the Honeypot young carers’ charity. Brook View meanwhile opened its garden to around 60 visitors for a day, raising £530. Colten Care’s head gardener Charles Hubberstey, who was present at both homes to offer expert advice on gardening, said: “Residents and visitors had a fantastic time looking around the gardens, enjoying afternoon teas, chatting with each other and purchasing plants. “Both gardens looked great, everything was ship-shape. “A good majority of our visitors had not been to the homes before and we know that a few had gone to Brook View first and been so impressed they decided to visit Woodpeckers too. “We’re proud that our gardens are recognised as being of NGS standard. “It shows the importance that
Signature at Reigate Range.
Operator sponsors Care Campaign for the Vulnerable
Senior gardener Chris Marsh helps to make sure the garden is looking its best for the NGS open day at Woodpeckers. Colten Care place on them as beautiful outdoor spaces that contribute to the overall appeal of our homes and residents’ quality of life.” One of the new features at Woodpeckers is a wheelchair-friendly greenhouse, enabling residents to enjoy hands-on gardening activities all year round. Visitors also enjoyed the home’s woodland walk, oak gazebo and courtyard garden with cherry trees. Teas and homemade cakes and scones were offered to visitors at both homes, payable by donation. As well as Woodpeckers and Brook View, the garden at Colten Care’s Kingfishers home in New Milton has been accepted by the NGS as a location for a public open day next year.
A specialist dementia nursing home in Nottinghamshire helped celebrate the special birthday of one of its residents – with three of her children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild working within the care community. Jean Gregory from Wren Hall in Selston celebrated her 91st birthday surrounded by friends and family – five of whom work at the home and span four generations. Recently becoming a great-greatgrandmother, Jean’s family now extends into a fifth generation bringing a true family feeling and community spirit to the celebrations at the home. Affectionately known as “Little Mamma” and “Hurricane Jean” by friends in the village, Jean moved to Wren Hall in 2021, to benefit from the specialist care the team offers. As well as being surrounded by relatives, Jean enjoyed a birthday afternoon tea with other residents, all of whom were keen to help make her day as special as possible.
SIGNATURE Senior Lifestyle has announced a new formal partnership with Care Campaign for the Vulnerable. Spearheaded by Jayne Connery, CCFTV calls for the mandatory use of independently reviewed safety monitoring camera technology in all care homes. Signature Senior Lifestyle will sponsor CCFTV for a full year, joining other sponsors including Slater and Gordon UK, Winncare, and Care Protect. This new partnership builds on a six-month joint project which has seen CCFTV and the operator work together to pilot safety monitoring technology in dementia residents’ bedrooms at Signature at Reigate Grange. During the pilot, Care Protect’s safety monitoring system was installed at the home, with all cameras monitored independently via both care professionals and always-on AI technology that can automatically detect potential incidents – allowing an enhanced level of oversight and reassurance for both residents and their loved ones and carers. Jayne said: “Care Campaign for the Vulnerable is delighted to be working in partnership with Signature Care Homes. After a successful collaboration with CCFTV on the piloting of independently monitored cameras in the dementia community at Signature at Reigate Grange, we see this provider has ‘walked the walk’ in committing to keeping vulnerable residents safe by adopting safety monitoring. “CCFTV is therefore proud to be associated with and working in partnership with Signature Senior Lifestyle and we hope more care providers recognise the need for greater transparency in care homes and will follow their exemplary lead.” Having experienced the benefits of safety monitoring technology firsthand – and heard the very positive feedback of residents, families, and colleagues at Reigate Grange – Signature Senior Lifestyle is now keen to provide practical support to Care Campaign for the Vulnerable’s campaign to drive best practice throughout the care sector. Not only does safety monitoring technology offer enhanced safeguarding and deterrence, it also
Kay Cox
acts as a valuable training tool to provide personalised coaching and one-to-one video analysis. Colleagues involved in the pilot at Reigate Grange welcomed the introduction of monitoring technology as an effective means of identifying and rewarding their exemplary interactions with residents. Signature has also been able to use the video analysis to identify and respond to the needs of residents, adapting care plans and staffing rotas to facilitate an even greater level of personalised care and support. The group hopes that its support for Care Campaign for the Vulnerable will help drive further transparency throughout the sector, ultimately facilitating the safety, trust, and personalised care that all providers strive for. Kay Cox, chief executive officer at Signature Senior Lifestyle, added: “Safety monitoring technology is an invaluable tool to support the development of caring and safe environments. “Jayne’s campaign has helped us to develop a tailored safety monitoring pilot programme which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those living and working in the home. The safety monitoring technology has been game changing in our ability to provide truly personalised care and employee coaching. “We are proud to support Jayne’s campaign to make it mandatory that all care homes offer their residents the option to use safety monitoring technology, and we will be working with her to drive the campaign forward. We are also working to expand our safety monitoring pilot to encompass our other homes as we strive to provide exceptional care alongside an exceptional lifestyle offering.”
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Fighting loneliness with letters for residents ...
New home creates 60 jobs in Cambridge BARTON Manor, a purpose-built luxury care home, was officially opened by the high sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Mayor of Wisbech. Located one mile from Wisbech town centre, the home has excellent transport links, as well as being surrounded by beautiful countryside. Led by an experienced team and available for one inclusive fee, the site includes landscaped gardens, a hair and beauty salon and a cinema, as well as a library and garden room. An on-site chef will cook restaurant quality meals, and residents can enjoy a personalised activity schedule. Part of Danforth Care Homes, the accommodation will be home to 66 residents. Each will be provided with a private room with state-of-the-art facilities including en-suite wet rooms, smart TVs and mini fridges. Sixty jobs have been created for the local area with the new opening, each coming with a DBS check and full support for completing the NCQ qualification. All jobs come with full uniform and are permanent contracts.
Home manager Andrea Layton said: “It’s great to officially open the doors of Barton Manor. The home will be a true asset to the local community here in Cambridge, and we can’t wait for the residents to move in and enjoy this beautiful facility to its fullest.” “The home has been purpose built as a residential care home, for 66 residents who may need anything from a little bit of extra assistance to 24-hour dementia care. “All care is individual, and our biggest priority is our residents living fulfilled and comfortable lives.” Purpose-built by the LNT group, the luxury care facility boasts an A energy rating, with industry leading eco technologies. Gas free, the site is built to self generate significant amounts of power, using ground source heating technology for heating water, powering air conditioning and underfloor heating. In addition, 80 per cent of the roof is covered in solar panels. The next home from Danforth Care Home Group, Orchard Manor, will open in Windlesham, Surrey, in the near future.
Home celebrates ‘Outstanding’ rating TEAM members and residents at Hallmark Care Homes’ community in Wimbledon are celebrating after receiving an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission, putting the home in the top 3.5 per cent in England to achieve this high standard. The glowing report praised Kew House, which provides residential, nursing and dementia care, for its ‘open and inclusive culture’ and awarded them a ‘Good’ across the domains of safety and well led. General manager Natasha
Shillingford said: “I am incredibly proud that the home has received this Outstanding rating. Behind every success is hard work and passion and my team are so dedicated, enthusiastic and courageous to try new things in order to enable the residents to live active and fulfilled lives. “I would like to thank the residents, relatives and team members for supporting Kew House and making every day a true pleasure. I look forward to the next stages of our journey together.”
MORE than 100 letters have been arriving from all over the world for elderly residents living at a Huddersfield care home. Residents at Thornhill have been receiving art, crafts, poetry, and friendly messages from as far away as Australia after signing up to scheme aimed at reducing loneliness. The Give… A Few Words community interest company, based in Kirklees, was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic to support care home residents in the area during lockdown. Following the success of the initiative, the company has continued to distribute letters and packages it receives from all over the world to care homes across Kirklees. Thornhill Care Home has so far received 166 letters, which have included words, embroidery, art, clay decorations and more. They have been sent from all over Kirklees and the wider Yorkshire region, as well as London, Inverness, and Sydney, Australia, to name a few. Give… A Few Words receives the letters from college students, those taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, retirees, carers, families, businesses, and community organisations, among others. Sharron Wilkinson, from Give… A Few Words, contacted Thornhill activities coordinator Ilona Ruttle earlier this year to see if residents would be interested in receiving letters. Ilona said: “I didn’t know what to expect but was totally amazed by the wonderful letters that arrived for the residents. “One of our ladies, Joyce, said she will treasure them. As she is a very private person and does not have visitors, these letters meant so much to her. “At first I was going to just hand the envelopes out, but I soon realised there is so much in each one and so much to read to the residents that this was going to take time. “So we started to deliver them in one-to-one sessions. So much work has been put into each letter and artwork. It really is such a special
Thornhill resident Katherine Standing, 96, with a postcard via Give… A Few Words. thing for all concerned. “A massive thank you must go to Sharron and the volunteers from Give… A Few Words. I have decided to nominate Sharron for the King’s Birthday or New Year Honours List, as I believe she is so deserving.” Sharron from Give… A Few Words visited Thornhill to deliver a batch of letters in person, as well as a gift bag for the staff. She added: “Give…A Few Words came about at the beginning of lockdown, in 2020 in response to a Huddersfield based care home whose residents were feeling isolated and unable to see their family and friends. “Since then, we have sent over 1,500 letters per year for care home residents, charities and for people isolated across the community. “Not just words but people normally receive at least five letters, which includes personalised post matched to hobbies and interests, crafts, art such as water colour paintings, clay decorations, poetry and lots more. We quite often can’t believe what falls out of envelopes. “These are written by the kindest and most wonderful volunteers the width and breadth of the country and overseas too. “It is a genuine pleasure working on this project and I feel very humble and privileged to see the best of humanity every single day.” Nala the black Labrador brought a ray of sunshine to what was a rainy day at Hollies Care Home in Reading, bringing a smile to the faces of residents, staff as well as visiting family. Both the older residents, as well as toddlers who were visiting, loved the chance to meet and cuddle Nala. Home manager Yasemin Ucan said: “Nala’s presence was a true joy for everyone there, and we are massively grateful to Matt Seabourne for giving Nala to the home manager for the day to enable her to surprise the residents. We are committed to promoting a happy environment at the home, and Nala’s visit perfectly aligns with our vision. It was especially great for the residents who formerly had pets of their own, it brought back fond memories which they were able to reminisce about.”
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New home for operator’s training academy opens VIDA Healthcare has opened a new 2,500 sq ft training centre to support the career progression of people working in social care following the expansion of its bespoke training department. The Vida Healthcare Academy was opened to establish a permanent base for the dementia care provider’s bespoke training department following its growth from three to seven staff members since it was first launched. The department invests in staff by promoting lifelong learning to provide opportunities for career progression and establish staff as dementia ambassadors. Managing director James Rycroft said: “We’re always on the lookout for new ways that we can invest in our staff, and people interested in a career in social care, and provide them with career development opportunities. “Our team is our greatest asset and the new centre will ensure we can provide significant professional growth and development opportunities throughout their time with us. “This will also ensure we can continue to provide residents with the highest quality of compassionate care.” Since 2019, Vida Healthcare has grown from 250 to 600 staff members, all of whom have successfully undertaken training and development programmes with Vida Academy since its inception. Vida Academy offers a range of courses, from the induction programme for new starters and Care Certificate, to specialist training courses and apprenticeships from
James Rycroft, Arron Bolland, Chris Rycroft, Barbara Rycroft, Bernadette Mossman and Jill Young at the opening. Level 2 to Level 6. Career progression through the department can be secured by any staff member, from carers and chefs, through to home managers. For example, Sharon Oldfield started working at Vida Healthcare as a receptionist in 2013. Sharon undertook training through Vida Academy which led to her working up the ranks until her promotion to home manager of Vida Court in 2021. The training department also hosts a dedicated app which was developed in-house and provides regular updates on news, training courses and opportunities. The building will also support the care home operator in attracting new talent and will be open to the public during recruitment fairs, which will provide applicants with the opportunity to apply for a job at Vida during the fair.
Fayre raises £1,000 for residents’ fund
A MASSIVE boost has been given to the residents’ fund at a Barnsley care home after a successful summer fayre saw them raise almost £1,000. A bumper raffle and more than a dozen stalls and games were enjoyed by residents, staff, volunteers and visitors at the event at Deangate. Home manager Rachael Dawson said: “We’d all like to say a massive thank you to all those who helped support our summer fayre. “A special mention must go to activities coordinator Rachael Addy for getting pie-faced by residents and giving them a huge laugh in the process. “The event was a massive success, raising a total of £911.60 for our residents’ fund, which will go towards activities and outings for those who reside with us. “Everyone had such a brilliant time and the residents haven’t stopped talking about it. “They’re all looking forward to next year already.” The summer sun saw everyone enjoying cold refreshments and ice lollies while having a punt at the
raffle, which included a wide range of donated prizes. First prize was two tickets to any Barnsley FC match followed by a meet and greet with the man of the match in the executive box, donated by Jimmy Whitehead from Momentus Football Academy. Jimmy also donated a pair of football boots, a Momentus football kit, a one-to-one session with Momentus and a one month membership with the academy. Other prizes included a £20 gift voucher for the Old George coffee house, two free portions of fish and chips at Aqua Fish Bar, a lamp and lantern from Morrisons Barnsley, chocolates from Co-op Mapplewell and a variety of gifts from relatives and friends of the care home. The fayre also included face painting, games such as “Beat the Keeper” and “Is it water or wine?”, stalls selling cakes, books, second hand items, scented candles, and tie dyed T-shirts made by residents and staff, a craft table, and singer Hilary Dennis performing throughout the day.
Angels’ climb raises £1,500 THIRTEEN children and grandchildren of staff members at Astune Rise Care Home in Eston have rallied together to conquer the iconic Roseberry Topping, raising £1,500 to treat the residents. The fundraising climb saw children as young as three years old join forces to scale one of Teesside’s most recognisable landmarks. Each climber proudly sported a custom-made T-shirt bearing the words “Astune’s Mini Angels.” The children visit Astune Rise on a regular basis as part of its “Mini Dementia Friends” bringing youthful energy and joy to residents while taking part in activities like story reading, baking and art sessions. The project aims to build strong
bonds between the care home residents and staffs’ children and build the youngsters’ confidence and understanding of older people living with dementia. Manager Caroline Bowstead said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our little adventurers. “Their enthusiasm and selflessness truly warmed our hearts. “The funds they’ve raised will go a long way in providing extra activities and experiences for our residents. It’s a beautiful example of intergenerational connection.” Residents of Astune Rise have recently enjoyed trips to Saltburn, an afternoon tea cruise on the Teesside Princess and have even opened a resident run shop.
Oktoberfest celebrated in style OKTOBERFEST fun has given Colten Care homes in Dorset and the New Forest the perfect opportunity to celebrate German connections. Residents and team members at the provider’s Kingfishers in New Milton broke out the pretzels, sausages and Pilsner for their version of the traditional Bavarian festival. They transformed their lounge into a bierkeller, raising their glasses at a long table and enjoying ‘oompah’ brass band music, singalongs and bratwursts. The party organisers were companionship team members
Christina Holliday and Rose Arcellana. Christina, who is German herself, said: “Our Oktoberfest was the ideal chance to sing, dance and raise a glass of Pilsner with friends. That’s what the festival is all about, having lots of fun in a carnival-style atmosphere. The fun is infectious.” Residents at Colten Care’s Canford Chase in Poole also got into the Oktoberfest party mood, having fun as they sampled traditional sausages, sipped beer from a Stein glass and enjoyed German chocolate and almond cake.
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