RMBI NEWS Issue 11 • Spring 2015
Music connects generations P4 Satisfaction Survey results are in P6 - 7 Apprenticeship scheme awarded in P11
Caring is our way of life www.rmbi.org.uk
Welcome .................................................. 2 - 3 Connecting generations with music ............. 4 RMBI Homes awarded dementia kitemark ... 5 Satisfaction Survey results ........................ 6 -7 British Pie Week ............................................ 8 Fundraising .................................................. 9 Dame Esther Rantzen visits Ecclesholme .... 10 Apprenticeship scheme awarded ................11
Welcome to RMBI News In this spring edition of RMBI News we take a look at the results of our latest Customer Satisfaction Survey and find out what our residents, and their relatives, really think. You can also read about the launch of the South Wales 2021 Festival Appeal in aid of the RMBI and find out how you can donate to us via eBay. Find out how music is helping to bring residents and children together at Barford Court in Hove on page 4. Discover which two RMBI Homes have recently received a nationally recognised kitemark award from Dementia Care Matters on page 5. On pages 6-7 we reveal the results of our recent Satisfaction Survey and learn more about how our residents and their relatives feel about the services in our care homes. 2 RMBI NEWS • SPRING 2015
On page 8 see what our residents got up to during British Pie Week. Plus, read about the latest fundraising activities including the South Wales 2021 Appeal which aims to raise over ÂŁ5 million over the next six years in aid of the RMBI on page 9. Finally, on pages 10-11 we take a closer look at Ecclesholme as Dame Esther Rantzen pays a visit and the Home also receives an award for their work with students in the community.
David Innes, Chief Executive Welcome to the first issue of RMBI News for 2015. As a charity, we have made a strong start to the year and feel positive about the months ahead. In the last few years, we have made a number of developments within the RMBI to ensure we are offering the highest level of person centred care. We were delighted to hear that 96% of our residents are satisfied with our services through our most recent Satisfaction Survey. This feedback was also consistent with relatives where 95% said they were satisfied with the overall care given to their loved ones. We are very grateful to all residents and family members who took part in our surveys which enables us to continue to meet the needs of those who use our services. Another recent highlight includes two more of our Homes, Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno and Prince Michael of Kent Court in
Watford receiving a nationally recognised kitemark by Dementia Care Matters. The ‘Butterfly Service’ status has only been awarded to a handful of care homes in the UK and now six of our Homes have achieved this award. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and supporters for their continued efforts and commitment in making a great start to the new year. I personally look forward to our exciting plans and initiatives in the months to come at our RMBI Homes.
David Innes Chief Executive
Association of Friends donate minibus to Home The Association of Friends of Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex, bought the Home’s first minibus over 13 years ago and recently decided it was time for a vehicle upgrade. The new minibus will enable the Home to provide residents with a wider variety of external activities, day trips and events. The Provincial Grand Master for Essex, WBro John Michael Webb and President of the Home’s Association of Friends, presented the new minibus to Louise Baxter, Home Manager. Louise Baxter said, “On behalf of all our residents and staff, I would like to thank the Association of Friends for the generous gift of our new minibus. We are delighted with the new vehicle which will ensure our residents are able to take part in various day trips, activities and events with comfort and ease.” RMBI NEWS • SPRING 2015 3
Music sessions help connect generations through song Pre-school children are helping to bring the joy of music to residents at Barford Court in Hove with a new music group. The Full Circle Music Group, run by music leader Debra Wade, is held weekly at the Home and encourages young children and residents to sing and play musical instruments together. The group aims to create social interaction between young and older people with some families having four generations taking part in the activity.
Debra Wade said, “The residents join in with gusto when we sing older songs, such as ‘Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary’ and ‘I Had a Little Nut Tree’, because they remember the words.” During the sessions at Barford Court, which have been sponsored by a Masonic grant, the children hand out instruments to residents to stimulate conversation. Debra said, “I try very hard to find songs that the older residents know and ones that reflect the seasons – for example, in December it was Christmas songs and in November the songs reflected Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day.” Debra got the idea for the group a few years ago when she realised how much her father-in-law enjoyed singing songs with her own children.
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Butterfly Service Status: RMBI Homes awarded a Dementia Kitemark Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno and Prince Michael of Kent Court in Watford have been recognised with a prestigious award for their care of people living with dementia.
investment in dementia care training for staff and hold regular events and initiatives for our residents as part of our drive to support the welfare and wellbeing of our residents.
The ‘Butterfly Service’ status is a nationally recognised kitemark awarded by Dementia Care Matters to identify care homes which are committed to delivering excellent dementia care and providing residents with a high quality of life.
“The award demonstrates our commitment in delivering innovative care techniques, to maintain the highest quality of life for our residents, as well as putting solid foundations in place to continue to provide excellent care as the number of those with dementia increases further over the next few years.
Only a handful of care homes in the UK have been awarded the status, and Queen Elizabeth Court and Prince Michael of Kent Court now join four other RMBI care homes around the country who have received the kitemark. Devonshire Court in Leicester, Shannon Court in Surrey, Barford Court in Hove and Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex have also received the Butterfly Service status.
“As a charity we have been working closely with Dementia Care Matters since 2009, and with a number of other specialist dementia providers, to deliver our dementia care strategy. Dementia Care Matters works with care providers with the aim of improving the quality of life for residents of care homes – not only for those with a dementia, but also for the other residents living in the same home.”
Debra Keeling, Deputy Director of Care at the RMBI, said, “We have made a substantial RMBI NEWS • SPRING 2015 5
National survey: Top marks for RMBI Homes Recent results from a national survey show the RMBI has a high level of customer satisfaction, with an impressive 96% of our residents saying they are happy overall living in an RMBI Home. In September 2014, we conducted our annual Satisfaction Surveys for residents and their relatives across our 17 care homes in England and Wales. This included taking part in Your Care Rating survey, the country’s largest and most authoritative survey of care home residents. The nationwide survey gives residents a voice, putting their care at the heart of understanding more about how well care homes perform. The survey provides helpful insights into the experiences of people using our service and we have used this information to help continually improve as an organisation. As an organisation we have a strong set of values which we expect every employee to live by in supporting the people who use our services to receive truly person centred care. 6 RMBI NEWS • SPRING 2015
Person centred care is a way of caring and supporting people, looking at the world from their point of view, ‘standing in their place’ and appreciating how they might be feeling. This is a very different approach from treating everybody in the same way, and expecting them to fit into our services.
“I enjoy everything that goes on, especially the outings, also the games we play,” a resident at The Tithebarn.
“The home has been very adaptable and understanding to my friend’s needs,” a friend of a resident at Albert Edward Prince
“The staff always do their best to make it feel like a home and my mum is as happy as she can be there.” A relative of a resident at Cadogan Court.
This approach to care was positively reflected in the recent survey results which reveal 97% of residents agree they are treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Key findings showed that 93% of our residents’ next of kin are happy with the care provided, compared with 96% of residents rating their own care.
Alongside the residents’ survey, we also conducted a separate survey for family and relatives. Overall, satisfaction levels among relatives mirrored those of residents living in an RMBI care home.
Furthermore, 95% of relatives said they would recommend an RMB care home which was in line with the previous year’s findings and these results were consistent throughout all of our Homes.
A snapshot of our results 93%
I can choose what time I get up and go to bed
89% 96%
Staff understand me as an individual
93% 85%
The food served at mealtimes is of good quality
2014
82%
2013
84%
Staff have time to talk to me
81% 84%
I have a real say in how staff provide care and support to me
81%
% agree they’re happy living here
2014: 93% 2013: 93%
% satisfied overall
2014: 96% 2013: 96%
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Pie’d and tested: Residents celebrate British Pie Week From the classic steak and kidney to the delicious apple and blackberry, families have been enjoying pies for years and British Pie Week, which took place on 2 - 8 March, was no different. To mark the event, residents at all of our Homes took part in a variety of pie-related activities organised by our care homes’ Activities Coordinators including tasting and baking sessions, and sharing their favourite recipes. Pies have become a symbol of British comfort food at its best and can be traced in history as far back as 2500BC. Usually enjoyed with lashings of gravy, spoonful’s of mash potato or smothered in custard, the pie has at times come under fire for its high fat content. However, a recent paper published on the Open Heart website has criticised the guidelines issued in the 1980s which advised people to avoid eating fatty foods. The paper questions whether saturated fats are as bad as we have been led to believe and suggests that the link between fat and the increased risk of death may not to be valid.
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Residents at our care homes certainly agree that eating meals containing butter and cheese as part of a balanced diet has been an enjoyable part of growing up. In fact, older people who consumed pies as part of their diet prior to the guidelines issued in the 1980s are amongst those living longer today. Recipes and Reminiscences, the cook book produced by the RMBI contains 50 of the favourite recipes from residents and staff. Many of the recipes included in the cook book contain dishes that were a nation favourite in their era, including Woolton Pie, a classic wartime dish of the 1940s that encouraged people to use whatever vegetables were available to them during the rationing period to create family meals. All proceeds from the book go to support people who live in RMBI care homes, making sure that stimulating events and activities continue to be a key part of their daily lives. Recipes and Reminiscences is available at £12.50 for one or £22.50 for two copies from www.rmbi.org.uk or by calling 020 7596 2400.
Fundraising Province of South Wales launches their 2021 Festival Appeal
Donate to us via eBay
The South Wales 2021 Festival Appeal in aid of the RMBI officially launched on 22 January 2015 with the aim of raising £5 million over the next six years.
Did you know that you can sell your items on eBay and donate a percentage (or all) of the proceeds to the RMBI?
The Province plans to achieve this goal by promoting the benefits of the RMBI and encouraging members to support the Festival’s two objectives; to raise money for the Festival Fund and to raise the profile of the RMBI in South Wales. A range of Provincial Lodge events will be planned throughout the Festival period. These will include an Annual Recognition event where lodges will receive their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. A Gala Dinner is already planned to mark the Tercentenary of the Craft in 2017. An events calendar listing important dates, the latest news and frequently asked questions is available on the South Wales Festival website at www.southwalesmason.com
When listing an item, simply choose the charity you wish to support and the percentage you would like to donate. You can also support charities when shopping by buying items marked with the ‘eBay for charity’ ribbon logo or by making a donation to a featured charity when you pay for an item through the eBay checkout. All monies raised through eBay go directly to RMBI Homes to ensure that we continue to deliver high quality, person centred care to residents across our 17 Homes in England and Wales. We currently have a selection of Masonic items for sale at the RMBI eBay shop which you can view online on eBay. RMBI NEWS • SPRING 2015 9
Ecclesholme Special: Dame Esther Rantzen is given the grand tour TV presenter and journalist Dame Esther Rantzen visited Ecclesholme in Manchester last November to gain a better understanding of the needs of older people living in an RMBI care home. During her visit, Dame Esther was keen to spend time with staff and residents to learn more about life at the care home. She also shared news about her project, The Silver Line, a 24/7 helpline which offers information, friendship and advice for older people. The helpline aims to provide support to older people including a sign-posting service to link them with the different services that exist around the country and a befriending service to combat loneliness. It is also a means of empowering those who may be experiencing abuse and neglect, and transfer them
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to specialist services to protect them from harm if appropriate. A pilot for the project was first launched in 2012, funded by Comic Relief and following its success, was awarded a £5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund in 2013 to support its UK wide expansion. This allowed The Silver Line to launch in time for Christmas, often the loneliest time of year for older people. Dame Esther, alongside The Silver Line’s Chief Executive Officer Sophie Andrews, was given a tour of the care home by David Innes, Chief Executive Officer of the RMBI and Care Home Manager Beverley Niland. Members of Ecclesholme Association of Friends and the Province of West Lancashire who organised and hosted the event were also in attendance.
Supporting students: Ecclesholme wins apprenticeship scheme award Ecclesholme in Manchester has been awarded for the work they do to support students in the local community. The home was selected by Salford City College for their continued support for the college’s apprenticeship programme. For the past five years, Ecclesholme has been enrolling two students a year onto a 12 month apprenticeship scheme.
In addition to the programme with Salford City College, the Home also works closely with two local schools, Oasis Academy and St Ambrose Sixth Form.
During their time at the care home the students, who are also completing their NVQ diplomas in care, work alongside RMBI care staff to gain valuable insight, knowledge and experience of the care sector.
Speaking about these initiatives, Beverley said, “We are committed to investing in the local community by providing opportunities for young adults to gain access to careers in the care sector. I myself joined Ecclesholme on a placement scheme whilst completing my NVQ2 and that was 20 years ago.”
Students enrolled on the programme are encouraged to take part in the in-house training which is mandatory for all RMBI staff. Tutors from the college will also visit the Home to carry out assessments and monitor the programme. Speaking about the apprenticeship programme, Beverley Niland, Home Manager at Ecclesholme, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the winner of this award. We have found the programme very successful and in most cases the students will take up permanent employment with us after completion of their course.”
Staff from Ecclesholme were presented the award at the Apprenticeship Awards Evening in March which was hosted by Mark Jenkins from Channel 4’s The Hotel.
Ian McAllister and Tash Robinson were both apprentices at Ecclesholme. Since completing the programme and having worked at the home, both have now been promoted to Level 3 Care Support Workers. Speaking about the apprenticeship scheme, Tash said,“I initially started on the apprenticeship programme four years ago and found the job role enjoyable and rewarding. The apprenticeship scheme gave me confidence and now a career which I really enjoy.”
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Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Phone: 020 7596 2400 Fax: 020 7404 2427 Email: 1enquiries@rmbi.org.uk facebook.com/thermbi twitter.com/thermbi
Registered Charity No: 207360 April 2015