RMBI
N E W S
I S S U E 15 AU T UMN 2016
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RMBI Day Service
New Dementia Service
Virtual Reality
at Tapton Hall launches in Sheffield
at Zetland Court
helps residents
revisit their favourite places
Caring is our way of life www.rmbi.org.uk
CONTENTS 1 Welcome Note 2 Going for gold 5 A day in the life of Jade Gibson 5 Legion of Honour award for Lord Harris Court resident 6 RMBI day service at Tapton Hall launches in Sheffield 7 A history of the RMBI 8 New dementia service at Zetland Court 9 Virtual reality helps residents revisit their favourite places
WELCOME NOTE FROM MARK LLOYD
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to all our staff and the Masonic community for such a warm welcome to the RMBI. For those of you I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I look forward to meeting you soon and working with you to help maximise the RMBI’s future potential, and to strengthen our position in the UK adult social care sector. I have previously worked as a Managing Director in the social care sector and will bring experience to lead our management team in the continued day to day delivery of quality care and support for all our residents and families. I am delighted to become part of one of the leading providers of high quality care services in England and Wales and look forward to building on the strong foundations laid by my predecessor. A big thank you to our residents and their families in all our Homes who have recently supported this year’s Your Care Rating Survey. The information we receive from these surveys is invaluable and continually helps us to ensure our services are meeting your needs and those of your loved ones. I hope you enjoy the latest edition of RMBI News. Read on to find out more about what our residents and staff have been getting up to over the last few months, from Olympic themed games to new virtual experiences.
Mark LLoyd Managing Director
ANNUAL
REVIEW
2015-2016 Our latest Annual Review 2015-2016 is now available. In this year’s review you can find out how we performed against our strategic priorities, which includes improving care standards, increasing operational efficiency, developing the workforce and creating 21st century facilities. We share more about how the RMBI is leading the way in dementia care services, the recent developments to our existing services, and how we have performed financially since the last review. You can read this year’s report at www.rmbi.org.uk or contact marketing@rmbi.org.uk if you would like to receive a printed copy of the latest report.
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GOING FOR
GOLD Throughout the summer, our care homes have been focusing on organising various activities that celebrate the importance of Health and Wellbeing. To mark the theme, many of our Homes held their own sports related events, which were inspired by the 2016 Rio Olympics and ranged from sports competitions, to wellbeing days and health and fitness classes. In Chistlehurst, staff and residents at Prince George Duke of Kent Court invited residents from neighbouring care homes Fairlight and Fallowfield to celebrate together. Residents enjoyed taking part in and watching a range of Olympic sports including sack races and ball games. Staff at James Terry Court in Croydon organised an Olympic themed event where residents tried their hand at various activities including discus, darts, beanbag throwing, and skittles and cheered on staff who competed in an egg and spoon race and a balloon competition. Meanwhile, local Henry Webster helped residents at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Braintree stay active with his keep fit sessions. 2
Henry runs monthly sessions at the Home, promoting gentle exercises along with music to support residents to keep fit and have fun at the same time. The sessions last around 20 minutes and can be done from the comfort of the residents’ armchairs so it’s an activity that everyone can take part in.
Residents really look forward to Henry’s classes. You can really see their faces brighten up whilst they enjoy the exercises and music.
Above: Residents and staff competing at a
Audrey Brown Activities Coordinator at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court
mini Olympic event at Connaught Court in York.
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A DAY IN THE
LIFE OF JADE GIBSON
Jade is the Business Administrator at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Essex and won the OSKAR Award in August 2016. The OKSARS is an award scheme that recognises people who inspire others and deliver beyond expectations.
I started working for the RMBI in June 2016, but have previously worked at the care home as a Kitchen Assistant with the WhiteOaks catering team. My previous work experience includes working as the Bar Manager at Reading FC and as a Security Officer at Stansted Airport. My daily duties involve supporting the resident admission process and staff recruitment, as well as handling fee and resident fund accounts. A key part of my role is to provide information about the Home to potential residents and their relatives, and inform them about the different types of support we have available. Moving into a care home can be a huge change for both residents and their loved ones 4
so my aim is to help the transition process to be as smooth as possible. To support me in my role, I have completed several training courses, mainly carried out by Fabian, our Home Trainer. The organisation also enrolled me in a Leadership and Management course and I loved the first session which was held in October in London. The team at Cornwallis Court care home in Suffolk has also been a great help, as I spent time training with the team at the Home. The RMBI really cares about its employees. This was demonstrated just recently by the launch of the Wellbeing programme, introduced to support staff members to have a healthy work-life balance.
I absolutely love the team at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court. The management and the wider team are incredible and I feel privileged to be a part of it, as well as part of the lives of our residents. It’s really important to me to be able to spend time with residents as an administrator in a care home. Residents often come to my office for a chat while I am working and I love that they feel that they are able to do this. Anyone can nominate a staff member at the RMBI for an OSKAR and there is one winner each month across the organisation. The winner receives a certificate and a £100 gift voucher that can be used across various high street retailers.
LEGION OF HONOUR AWARD FOR LORD HARRIS COURT
RESIDENT Louis Bloom, 86, resident at Lord Harris Court in Berkshire, has been presented with the insignia of the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, the highest decoration in France, by the French Ambassador Madame Sylvie Bermann. In 2014, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, French President Hollande announced that the Legion of Honour would be awarded to all surviving D-Day veterans.
“When I found out that I had been presented with the insignia of the Chevalier la Legion d’Honneur, I was shocked and very overwhelmed,” said Louis.
Louis, who has been living at Lord Harris Court for 11 years, began serving in the Royal Navy on an arctic convoy in 1940, for which he also received the Arctic Star award in 2015. He later trained as a radar mechanic and served on HMS Fancy, an Algerine class minesweeper. Whilst serving on the Fancy, Mr Bloom ensured the safe passage of the invasion fleet on 6 June 1940 by sweeping the channel of mines and risking his life in the process.
“When I returned to Lord Harris Court, I was shown all of the comments that people have been leaving me on Facebook. I was very proud and grateful for the recognition.”
The French Ambassador offered Louis Bloom her “warmest congratulations” recognising his involvement in the liberation of France during WWII. She added: “We owe our freedom and security to your dedication because you were ready to risk your life.”
I was very proud and grateful for the recognition. Louis Bloom Resident at Lord Harris Court in Berkshire
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RMBI DAY SERVICE
AT TAPTON HALL
LAUNCHES IN
SHEFFIELD
Hello, my name is Radoslawa Michalewicz. I have recently joined the RMBI to manage a new day service we launched in November at Tapton Hall in Sheffield.
watching movies and listening to music.
I have over 14 years’ experience in the care sector. I was the founder and director Located in beautiful surroundings, of the Art Medical we offer a personalised service Health Centre in Bristol for older people who enjoy which involved a wide the independence of living in range of specialities their own home, but may want including physiotherapy, company or support during the pediatrics, gynecology day, and the opportunity to meet through to psychology. I also other people in the community. have vast experience working with people debilitated by We can support up to 20 people neurological problems and each day, offering a variety of caring for older people with activities to suit every need. dementia, mental health issues This includes arts and crafts, and physical disabilities. yoga, dancing and tai chi as well as games that help My main priority will be to help co-ordination skills and different our day service users to remain board games. We also support active and independent and to people so that they can support them to continue to continue to enjoy their do all the things that they have favourite pastimes such as always enjoyed doing. 6
Radoslawa Michalewicz, Day Service Manager, Tapton Hall Sheffield
For more information about Tapton Hall Day Service, please visit www.rmbi.org.uk/day-service
A HISTORY OF
THE RMBI In the first illustrated history of the RMBI for more than a century, Trustee and Grand Vice-President Dr John Reuther examines the origins of the charity and how it has evolved over more than 150 years in his new book ‘The Changing Face of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.’ “ The story of the RMBI is a fascinating one. In its early years it’s full of intrigue as various groups sought to bring their vision to the fore. The organisation has also faced numerous challenges from fundraising to World Wars and the changing needs of society. Supporting older Freemasons and their families is at the heart of what we do and to ensure
that the RMBI continues to be relevant in today’s society.” Drawing on a wide range of archive and other sources, Dr Reuther’s book lets readers fully explore how the early Freemasons set up the first care home and how the organisation has developed and grown since its early days in Croydon.
The Changing Face of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is available to buy online at www.lewismasonic.co.uk
MASONIC FESTIVALS Masonic Festivals play a huge role in helping to enhance the lives of our residents and the services that we are able to offer at the RMBI. 2016 marked the end of the Cumberland and Westmorland Festival, which raised a phenomenal total of £1.67m from various activities, including a boxing event and dinner in Carlisle organised by the Cumbria Freemasons and an annual Sportsman’s Dinner.
Ongoing festivals at the RMBI include: • Yorkshire West Riding (2017) • Suffolk (2019) • Surrey (2019) • Northumberland (2020) • South Wales (2021)
For more information about how to get involved with an RMBI festival, please visit https://www.rmbi.org.uk/ support-us/festivals
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NEW DEMENTIA SERVICE AT ZETLAND COURT
Red Admiral View has a happy, relaxed and homely atmosphere. It is full of fun and has activities for all the residents to join in as well as any visitors who happen to be there. The care my husband receives is outstanding and it is such a relief that he is with them, safe, happy and with his dignity very much still in place. As a family we cannot rate Red Admiral View highly enough. Beryl Burgess wife of Gordon Burgess, a resident at Zetland Court.
Zetland Court in Bournemouth has launched a new dementia service that can support up to 18 people with specialist dementia care. Residents living in Red Admiral View which opened in Summer 2016, can enjoy a variety of stimulating activities at the Home’s new dementia support house, benefiting from a bar area, kitchen, own bus stop, and a range of communal spaces.
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The dementia support house has different themed areas to help give residents a feeling of familiarity and the opportunity to reminisce. There is also an enclosed sensory garden to stimulate all five senses, a vegetable patch and quiet outside areas to sit and relax.
Home Manager Debbie Powell said: We’re really excited to launch our new dementia service at Zetland Court. We have a dedicated staff team who have been trained to provide specialist dementia care, so we can continue to support our residents’ individual needs and help them to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
VIRTUAL REALITY
HELPS RESIDENTS
REVISIT THEIR
FAVOURITE PLACES Northumberland based company Reminiscience joined residents at Scarbrough Court in Cramlington on 5 September, to take part in a new virtual experience. “Using virtual reality to facilitate reminiscence sessions allows residents to become fully immersed in different locations, helping to both mentally stimulate and increase levels of social interaction by provoking conversations,” says Ashley Stokeld, Co-Founder of Reminiscience.
Reminiscience provides customised content that is specific to the resident and care home, ensuring a personal experience for each user. Using special goggles alongside software, it also enables residents who are less mobile to take part in meaningful and stimulating activities.
“We have all been fascinated by the new technology and the experience has been so beneficial for our residents’ wellbeing,” says Samantha Buxton, Home Manager at Scarbrough Court. “One of our residents, Dora Thornton, has fond memories of working at the Spanish City Amusement Park at Whitley Bay, and was delighted to see Whitley Bay beach and St Mary’s Lighthouse, a local landmark. Dora said she could even hear the waves as they crashed up against the rocks.”
Scarbrough Court resident Nancy Brown (above) tests the virtual goggles and Dora Thornton (left) learns about the new software.
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Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Phone: 020 7596 2400 Fax: 020 7404 2427 Email: enquiries@rmbi.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1163245 Company No: 1293566 Published November 2016
www.rmbi.org.uk