Caring UK April 2019 by Script Media

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Nominations for Caring UK Awards open By Dominic Musgrave TWO new categories form part of the changes planned for the 2019 Caring UK Awards, with the event shaping up to be the biggest and best one yet. The awards, now in their third year, are organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, and recognise excellence in all corners of the sector. New for the 2019 event will be the addition of two categories; Care Employer of the Year and Community Involvement. Are you proud to work for your employer? Do they inspire you to do your best, and reward you when you go above and beyond what is expected? Whether you’re a member of the housekeeping team, a caterer or a carer. If you work with a company that make you inspired to come to work every day, we want to hear from you. The Community Involvement Award will honour a care home and team that can demonstrate close involvement with their local community. You’ll have links with local schools or colleges or groups – members of the community will be regular visitors and you’ll give back to that community through events and other activities.

You might have a team of community volunteers who visit and maybe raise money for charity or your home. Some of your residents may be members of local groups or those groups might come and help with activities. We’re looking for care homes here who are very much an important part of the community in which they are sited. Event director Judith Halkerston said: “We are really excited to be introducing the third Caring UK Awards – nominations are coming in and our events team is already busy ensuring that this year’s event is bigger and better than ever. “Obviously, our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful care sector and showcase the innovation and dedication that goes on every day so please share your successes and tell us about your hard work and initiatives by sending in your nominations … it’s a real privilege to read them.” Nominations for the industry’s biggest free-to-enter awards are now open at www.caringukawards.co.uk A shortlist in each category will then be drawn up, with winners chosen by an expert industry panel. Trophies will be handed out at a glittering ceremony to celebrate the best of the best, which this year will be held at the Athena in Leicester on Friday, November 15.

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A West Yorkshire care home chef is hoping he’ll have the appetite to triumph at a white collar boxing match in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Scott Porter, who works for Czajka Care Group across all five of its nursing and care homes in Shipley, Steeton and Cross Hills, is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK, when he takes part in the Ultra White Collar Boxing event at Bradford City FC’s Coral Windows Stadium. As well as contributing financially, Czajka Care Group has also sponsored the kit he will fight in.

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RESIDENTS at a care home near Glasgow are proving it is never too late to learn a new language by taking up French lessons. Meallmore’s Antonine House in Bearsden has teamed up with social enterprise Lingo Flamingo, who visit once a week to provide interactive classes. Bobby Dougan, care home manager, said: “We run a number of activities in the care home to encourage residents to interact and have fun and there is no doubt that the French language workshops are one of their favourites. “We have had 16 lessons so far and it has been wonderful to see residents become more and more engaged as the weeks have gone by. “As well as learning the language, they have also found it really interesting to learn about French culture and customs.” The course material is designed to be accessible, and the classes are interactive, focusing on speech as well as using props to introduce sensory learning through touch and smell. Through the topics covered, such as food and drink, travel and school, residents are inspired to share their memories and stories.

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Penguin visit makes wish come true ... THE team at a new care home where the first residents only moved in just before Christmas has already embraced Care UK’s wishing tree initiative by fulfilling a life-long wish to feed a real penguin. The visit was specially organised to surprise Annie Thelwell, a 92-year-old resident at Mountbatten Grange. A lifelong animal lover, she always wears a penguinshaped pendant and has filled her memory box with photos of the friendly animals. Annie, one of the first residents in the new Windsor care home, had made a wish on the wishing tree to see penguins, but wasn’t expecting to be able to meet them up quite so close. Many Care UK care home teams arrange visits by other animals including dogs, alpacas, donkeys, goats and

lizards, but this is the first time in the provider’s 30-year history that penguins have waddled in. The team at the home is led by Saad Baig – who as home manager at another site made the headlines by arranging for a Catholic priest to visit the Pope, and for a lady in her 80s to have her first driving lesson. He said: “Annie talks about penguins with a passion, so

we were really excited to be able to make her dream of seeing one up close come true. “We managed to keep the visit a surprise, so it was incredible to see her face light up when they waddled into the care home – they are truly wonderful creatures and it was a fantastic moment for everyone involved. “The penguins were so friendly, and we know just

how beneficial animal therapy can be for older people – especially for those living with dementia. Being close to animals can help lift a person’s mood, stimulate social interaction and ease agitation – and the penguins were brilliant at doing just that.” The hand-reared Humboldt penguins, named Pringle and Charlie, were brought into the home by a company called Amazing Animals, which provides animals for film work. The pair live together in a specially constructed enclosure, including a swimming pool, pebbled beach and penguin house at Heythrop Zoo to ensure regular social interactions. The 72-bed care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

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www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Healthcare Product Manager: Bev Green Tel: 01226 734288 Email: bg@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant Sales Manager: Tracy Stacey Tel: 01226 734480 Email: Cuk3@scriptmedia.co.uk National Sales Executive: Rebecca Gill Tel: 01226 734692 Email: rg@scriptmedia.co.uk Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 Email: tb@scriptmedia.co.uk Publishers Script Media 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk Editorial Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Group Production Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio Manager: Stewart Holt Tel: 01226 734414 sth@scriptmedia.co.uk Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ scriptmedia.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur. Follow us on Twitter @caringuk

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Provider launches campaign to Unite Against Loneliness

Edward Moore House resident Jean Fritter with her box which includes photos of her wedding day and her parents and grandparents.

Memory boxes provide nostalgia NOSTALGIA was in the air at a Gravesend care home when residents got stuck in to creating their own memory boxes. With the help of family and friends, activity staff at Edward Moore House have started an inspiring project with residents to gather their most special memories in a shoebox so they can look at them and reminisce whenever they want. Filling the boxes with photos and memorabilia, including soft toys, tickets and CDs, staff have delved

into the residents’ favourite things and moments throughout their life, to provide a truly personal box. Activity coordinator Ingrid Lampert said: “It has been a joy to create these boxes for our residents. The contents really capture their special memories and you can see the happiness on their faces when they look through them. “The boxes have been great for promoting discussion about their memories and helping them with their memory too.”

HOMECARE provider Bluebird Care Gosport is embarking on an ambitious and possibly life changing campaign to try and bring about an end to loneliness. Unite Against Loneliness will be ongoing throughout 2019 and the Bluebird Care Gosport team will be running a year-long campaign to raise awareness of and ultimately try to eradicate loneliness within the community and beyond. The aim of the campaign is split into two objectives; the first is to raise awareness of the overwhelming issues of loneliness among the elderly and vulnerable. The second is to show everyone how easy it is to support people who may be isolated and lonely, by encouraging them to be more socially inclusive and focused on community outreach. Bluebird Care Gosport has a different event planned for each month of the year, which they hope will inspire others to take part in and share across social media. These include a lock-in social experiment, dinner nights, a pen pal project and neighbours month. Bluebird Care Gosport director Kat Thomas is the mastermind behind these plans. Her first challenge is the isolation experience. She will be

isolating herself for seven days and making a video diary, talking about mental health and the emotional ramification of isolation. Kat will be in a self-contained flat and will have no access to the outside world, no technology, her phone or visitors. She said: “My biggest hope for this campaign is that it steers real change in our communities. There are so many charities, organisations and groups out there doing amazing things; The Silver Line, The Jo Cox Commission, The Campaign to End Loneliness, and lots more. “Even the government is making serious headway in identifying the problem and steering real change but we can only make a difference if communities and people come together. If we are a society that is United Against Loneliness, then that’s when great things can and will happen. “I really look forward to my year of campaigning and can’t wait to see this idea take shape and become something real, that could be life changing for people.” The campaign is in partnership with The Silver Line, the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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How valuable is design to dementia care? By Becky Smith DESIGN is a commonly overlooked aspect of care home development where the clinical and functional requirements of caring for residents and working within budgets of course takes precedence. However, from my experience, interesting and innovative design doesn’t have to be limited to wellfunded, exclusive schemes. Intelligent design can be applied in pretty much any circumstance and, with an experienced architect, become a valuable part of the resident’s experience and even impact how the wider community understands and engages with the facility. After all, happy and comfortable residents that are made to feel like they are given a higher degree of independence, should result in the added bonus of reduced pressure on staff. Plus, the media journal The Lancet has predicted that an additional 71,000 general elderly care home places will be needed by 2025. It’s an exciting time for dementia care in this country with a few landmark schemes on the horizon. Plans for a £15million scheme near Canterbury are in the pipeline and our practice, Leonard Design, is working on a unique development at Church Farm at Skylarks. Currently waiting on final planning approval, Church Farm at Skylarks will be one of the first in the country

Becky Smith to prioritise design in order to support its residents. The owner Patrick Atkinson and I have worked closely to make this scheme not only right for his investment and of course the residents, but the surrounding community. Our first step was to take a closer look at the architectural approach of Hogeweyk in the Netherlands. By creating a self-contained village, the stigma of visiting a care home was cleverly broken by making it accessible to the wider community, while residents are grouped in living areas based on their preferred ‘lifestyle’ and existing hobbies.

Skylarks has taken a similar approach by ensuring hobbies and activities are kept meaningful within living groups which are as small as possible, with a staff to resident ratio of one to three, which is much higher than the UK average. The scheme at Skylarks has a planned extension to both the ground and first floor. Like Hogeweyk, one of the main aims of the design is to welcome in friends and family to make it an integral community facility as well as being home to the residents. Fortunately, Skylarks has an existing thermal swimming pool which we’ve been able to reopen for hydrotherapy sessions not just for residents but for young children and charity groups as well. We’ve also taken a close look at shared spaces where design has been carefully applied to deliver a balance between socialising and privacy. This is in addition to two bedroom detached living pods that offer assisted living for those that have a higher level of independence. This supports the need for a care home that is part of the community and not a closed facility which is essentially a common room, surrounded by closed off bedrooms. Even if a development is more traditional in its approach, there are simple design solutions that can be incorporated. For instance, the majority of care homes feature long, straight corridors with angular junctions.

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For a resident, these hallways with sharp turns impact visibility and can be difficult and confusing to navigate. Curved walls and edges can help as well as an open plan approach – especially when combined with increased levels of daylight – which can help with confidence and improved recognition of where the person is in the building. Open plan is often seen as quite radical in the care sector where the focus is commonly on minimising disturbances and helping staff to have the maximum amount of control. Again, there are smart solutions such as sliding partitions which can deliver open plan but with the flexibility to change the layout of the room for different uses. These are complemented by half height walls which provide some control over movement but with the added benefit of a clear and broader view. These are just a few examples of how taking a slightly different approach to design in the care sector can hugely benefit the experience of residents, particularly those with dementia. The hugely positive results they can deliver – not forgetting the strong demand from residents and family to have access to innovative facilities that prioritise experience and comfort – should always be considered alongside investment figures and profit projections. n Becky Smith is an architect at Leonard Design.

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Home’s farewell to retiring Jean THE team at Langdon House care home in Chesterton, Cambridge – CHS Group’s purpose-built facility for elderly people – bid farewell to longest-serving employee Jean Woor with a celebratory tea party. Jean, who has worked for CHS for more than four decades, recently announced her upcoming retirement from her position as night care team leader at Langdon House. She was joined at the tea party by nine other long-serving CHS employees who have clocked up more than 250 years of service between them. These include care and support manager Joanne Twinn (34 years), Langdon House housekeeper Susan Downham (30 years), chief executive Nigel Howlett (29 years) and Langdon House manager Clare Robinson (22 years). Nigel said: “Everyone at CHS and Langdon House would like to thank Jean for all her hard work and commitment, and wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement. “We take great pride in the care and support we offer to 2,000 people locally, including residents at Langdon House. “But of course, without the expertise, dedication and personal attention of hard-working employees like Jean, we wouldn’t be able

Residents at Low Furlong residential care home in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, enjoyed a professional tea blending session to create their own bespoke tea. They happily sampled lots of different kinds of loose leaf tea from the Golden Monkey Tea Company in nearby Warwick, then got creative mixing them together to make their perfect cuppa. The end result combined Assam, Ceylon, Rwandan and Keemun Panda varieties of tea leaves to create a blend that was robust, yet mellow, smooth but refreshing. The Golden Monkey Tea Company will package the bespoke ‘Low Furlong’ blend for the home, which it will serve and will be available to purchase at community and social events. CHS Group chief executive Nigel Howlett with Jean Woor. to provide excellent care for our residents. “This is why the attitudes and skills of the people we employ are so important, and our 400 members of staff are our greatest asset – so it’s fantastic that over a quarter have been with us for over 10 years.” Facilities at Langdon House include a ground floor dementia unit, with a specialist team of staff dedicated to caring for and supporting these residents. Staff members ensure residents can enjoy a range of activities such as singing, exercises, reading and art activities, as well as growing their own vegetables and relaxing in the garden during warmer seasons.

Charity thanks staff with awards DEDICATED staff at The Royal Star & Garter Homes have been recognised at a long service awards ceremony. It was held at the Surbiton home and acknowledged stalwarts who had notched up between 10 and 45 years of service for the charity. In total, 35 staff were commended for their work and commitment helping ex-servicemen and women and their partners living with disability or dementia. The charity’s chief executive, Andy Cole, said: “The charity feels like a family and staff staying with us for a long time helps so much to support this. “It was an honour to personally

thank everyone for their dedicated service. “That so many people have spent such a significant part of their working lives with The Royal Star & Garter Homes is something we are enormously proud of, and hopefully reflects well on the way we value our staff.” All recipients started work at the charity’s historic home in Richmond, before relocating to the Surbiton facility, where they are now based. Among those honoured were members of the nursing, housekeeping and physio teams. They received a small gift for their dedicated service.

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Group scoops three finalists for award Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Joanne Brown, officially opened the indoor beach at Cavendish Care Home. It is believed to be the UK’s first indoor beach that engages and stimulates the five senses: sand and wind/fan (touch), movie of the sea (sight), soft drinks (taste), waves (sound), and scent of beach (smell). The intention of the indoor beach is to stimulate the imagination, the mind and the awareness of residents and other users, while at the same time having a calming and soothing affect.

Training programme boosts skills and job opportunities RAPPORT Housing & Care staff came together to enrol on a new training programme that will boost their confidence and improve career prospects. New recruits of the Academy, Centre of Excellence, including staff from the company’s head office, care homes and housing schemes, gathered together at the organisation’s head office in Cuxton, to start their development journey on the 2019 Academy Leadership programme. Keen to invest in its staff, Rapport Housing & Care launched an in-house Academy programme in 2013 to give staff development opportunities within the company and skills for their future.

Those on the programme earn a level three qualification while working, and receive guidance and mentoring to expand their leadership skills. Katrina Levett, director of operations, added: “The programme gives our staff the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills and in particular, develop their confidence, which is so important in this sector. “Since its conception we have had many employees successfully complete the programme, a number of whom have gone on to receive promotions and do very well, we hope this year’s recruits will achieve the same success.”

TEAM members, residents and relatives at three TLC Care homes are celebrating after their respective head chefs were announced as finalists for the fiercely contested national Care Chef of the Year Awards. The Awards celebrate the best culinary talent in the care catering sector, highlighting excellence and rewarding those who work tirelessly to consistently provide an outstanding service. Giovanni Valentini, head of hotel services, said: “We are immensely proud of all our nominees. “It is a testament to their years of experience and the effort they put in day in, day out, to create delicious and nutritious meals for our residents. “It is so important to recognise that food in care homes should be about more than simply nutritional value, and also be an experience residents will enjoy. “This is the ethos we try to instil in all our catering staff across TLC, so it is really exciting to see this has paid off, with three out of 10 cook-off places going to a TLC chef. “These chefs are really talented and have proven to be firm favourites of residents and relatives alike. “We are so pleased that their talent and commitment has been recognised by the Care Chef of the Year Awards. “We wish them the very best of

Juliana Martins from Carlton Court in Barnet. luck for the final, and whatever the outcome, they are already winners in our eyes.” Carl Weston from Cuffley Manor is joined in the final by Anas Alsaadi from Cooperscroft in Hertfordshire and Juliana Martins from Carlton Court. All three chefs will now battle it out in a cook off alongside the other seven finalists to be named Care Chef of the Year.

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Home completes Namaste study TUDOR Bank nursing home in Southport has successfully completed a Namaste research study in partnership with Lancaster University and in collaboration with researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Liverpool, Hertfordshire and St. Christopher’s hospice, London. Namaste Care promotes a sensory structured approach to care for residents with advanced dementia. As part of the research study, selected residents attended a session for two hours each day in a separate space in the home. The residents were offered activities

that focused on sound, smell, touch, colour and visual stimuli. The study wanted to find out if it is possible to collect information that can be used to assess the effect of Namaste Care for residents with advanced dementia. Staff in the home supported recruitment of residents and their families to the study, as well as the collection of study information. This information will be evaluated and published by the research team. The study was funded by the National institute for Health Research HTA programme.

Provider inspires better care using ‘John’s Campaign’ LANCASHIRE-based operator Kepplegate Ltd is working with other providers around the country to promote ‘family focused approaches’ within care homes based on the ‘John’s Campaign’s’ principle. This is that families of patients and residents should not only be allowed and encouraged, but they should be integral to the support and care that their loved one receives while in hospitals and homes. Kepplegate heard about the campaign in 2017 and were quick to incorporate it into their care culture, instantly making some changes that ensured relatives and friends felt a part of the care of their loved ones. Adam Purnell, care lead, said: “There were a few changes that we implemented right away; one was introducing our John’s Campaign bed which allows relatives the opportunity to stay over during the first few nights that their loved one has moved in. “They are also welcome to stay over whenever their loved one is poorly or unfortunately when they are approaching the end of life’s journey. “We made sure there were no restrictions on visiting and we also empower relatives to continue providing the care and support for their loved one as if they were still living where they were before they moved in with us.” Adam has worked closely with the co-founder of John’s Campaign, Julia Jones, for the last two years, and

was asked last year if he would like to ambassador the initiative in the north. He was then invited to a steering group in London along with other providers from across the country who have also implemented or advocated John’s Campaign. Adam said: “It was inspiring to be around so many other passionate providers whose only goal is to improve the lives of everyone living with dementia and everyone living with supported care. “We’ve become very language focused. We are very aware that in care there has always been an ‘us and them’ culture and we want to start to remove that. “Although ‘resident’ is a term that is widely used, we prefer to think of everyone living with us as our family, which is why our care assistants are now our ‘family support team’. They say actions speak louder than words, but the words we do use matter just as much.” As part of his voluntary role as ambassador, Adam has organised for Julia to attend the forthcoming CCG Care Home Engagement event with the view that they encourage other homes in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to be involved. He will then create a forum for homes and providers in these districts, and eventually all of Lancashire, where they can attend to share ideas and good practice to hopefully inspire better care.

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7– 8 June 2019 Olympia London

‘Outstanding’ home marks 30th birthday A NEW Forest care home celebrated its 30th anniversary with a party. Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst was the second nursing home to be opened by Ringwood-based Colten Care and is now the highest rated in the company’s portfolio of 20. Special guests at the birthday party included Councillor Anne Corbridge, Mayor of Lymington and Pennington; Colten Care joint founder John Colwell and Ian Hudson, director. Mark Aitchison, Colten Care’s chief executive, said that as well as delivering high quality care, Woodpeckers had become a key part of the Brockenhurst and wider New Forest communities. He added: “Your ‘Outstanding’

rating illustrates that, while the buildings are important, what makes the difference is the team and you have 30 years of knowledge and experience to draw on.” Guests, including residents and staff were entertained by songs from the Fernhill Choir, comprising staff and also a resident, Michael Naylor, from Colten Care’s Fernhill home in Longham, Dorset. Councillor Corbridge also unveiled a plaque for a fruit tree which will form part of a newly planted orchard in the home’s grounds. Colten Care’s 21st home, Bourne View, which is set in the Bourne Valley nature reserve in Poole, welcomes its first resident in the near future.

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Balhousie Care Group has created a dedicated team to manage its dementia services. The 25-strong care home provider has promoted Yvonne Manson, who heads up its dementia services group-wide, to operations dementia manager. An award-winning expert, Yvonne was formerly dementia nurse consultant. Balhousie Care has also created two dementia facilitator posts which are filled by Cheryl Davies, previously manager of Stormont Lodge in Blairgowrie, and Emma Roberts, a long-time care home nurse who was involved in opening a care home unit specifically for people with dementia.

Dexter loves life in the slow lane

A RETIRED racing greyhound is enjoying life in the slow lane after being adopted by care home residents in North Wales. Five-year-old Dexter is now part of the family at the Woodside Grange Care Home in Rhos-on-Sea where he brightens the mood of everybody he’s around, especially those with dementia. It’s a happy ending for their fourlegged friend who was saved from a life of misery by Shropshire-based charity Hector’s Greyhound Rescue. The pampered pooch now even has his own care plan in place, logging his favourite activities (sleeping), treats and food preferences, bedtime routine and walk times. He’s also proved a dab hand at care home life, giving the residents a gentle nudge when it’s time to go to bed and escorting them to their rooms – in return for the odd biscuit. Such was the strong connection he had built with one elderly resident, her family requested Dexter’s presence at her funeral in a touching tribute to their relationship. Woodside Grange now wants to encourage other care homes in Wales to consider adopting their own greyhound thanks to the positive impact it has had on mental wellbeing. Owner Michelle Snook said: “When it was first suggested that we

should adopt a greyhound I was very apprehensive. “I’m a massive dog lover and I was concerned that things wouldn’t work out and he would have to be returned to the rescue. “I needn’t have worried. From day one the rescue worked with us to ensure that a dog compatible with the challenges of a busy home was chosen. Dexter came with his foster mum for some day visits before joining us permanently. “He has been a joy, he enhances the day for the residents, staff and visitors. He greets everyone with a wagging tail and makes us all feel special and loved.” Dexter was being advertised for sale on a website when he was brought to the attention of the charity by a member of the public in Oxfordshire. The retired racer, who was living in a dirty and cramped shed, appeared in photographs to be desperately thin and in poor condition and she was concerned for his welfare. Thanks to a donation by the woman and her friends, amounting to £280, and the charity’s own funds, Hector’s was able to recover Dexter and pay for vital veterinary attention, which included the removal of 15 rotten teeth and fleas and worm treatments. He then spent time recuperating at a volunteer’s home before being introduced to the care home.

CARINGTRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

The benefits of cloud-based learning By Lauren Smith IN recent years, eLearning has become the preferred method of training in the care industry and it’s easy to see why. With huge advances in technology, training has had to keep up, whereby now we have cloud-based learning options available so that training can be delivered more effectively. Cloud-based learning essentially means online learning that is stored in a virtual space, accessible from any computer or mobile device. Advances in technology are lending themselves well to the care industry, where managers no longer need to organise lengthy face-to-face training sessions or offsite training programmes. Many service providers are now moving away from the traditional methods of training because of the associated costs including loss of working hours and staff cover for training days. Cloud-based learning is becoming increasingly popular because it gives learners access to their training from anywhere that has an internet connection, making it quick and easy to complete. The benefits to care providers of cloud-based learning are numerous, and often outweigh those of the more traditional methods. While face-to-face training offers a practical lesson to learners, it can be extremely costly when you include the cost of the trainer, travel,

Lauren Smith resources, and to cover the hours of the staff who are completing the training. This is why online training is so favourable in this industry because, often, health and social care providers can deploy a new learning solution quickly and train their team for a lesser cost. This means there are additional resources for other requirements, such as hiring new team members or putting this money towards activities for residents. Furthermore, scalability of online learning is key, because businesses are able to upscale or downscale their training, depending on the size of their organisation. This can be done quickly and costeffectively, with minimal impact on

their staff or on residents that they support. One of the most significant benefits of cloud-based learning is how accessible it is. Learners are able to complete their training at any time, whether they are at work, at home, or on the bus. Every health and social care provider in the UK is expected to provide workplace training in order to comply with regulations as outlined by the Care Quality Commission, as well as giving them the ability to deliver the best care possible. BC&G Care Homes recently received an inspection from the CQC for its Rosedale facility in Leeds and achieved an overall rating of ‘Good’. With eLearning For You as its training provider, the home received a special mention around training on its most recent report. Due to online learning being so accessible, staff members at Rosedale explained how “ongoing training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge, and support they needed to perform their roles”, highlighting just how efficient cloudbased learning is, and how it’s able to support staff to put their learning into practice much quicker. eLearning proves to be engaging, motivating and cost-effective, and BC&G Care Homes is proof that the adoption of an online training programme works. Following the inspection at Rosedale, CQC highlighted that “staff were happy that the training was

of a good quality, and gave them confidence in their roles”, which is what it’s all about. With technological advances, online learning means company training now exists to allow staff to do their job better, giving service providers the ability to deliver high-quality training at a much smaller cost. Maximum productivity is essential for any care provider, to ensure each residents’ needs are met and that all essential tasks are completed each day. Lengthy classroom-style training is not always efficient when it comes to productivity because it leaves the service provider with a lack of staff for a day. While there are benefits to face-toface training, such as the opportunity for discussion to enhance learning, it’s easy to understand why cloudbased learning is the preferred option for training. Giving learners the ability to complete their training in short bursts while at work reduces the number of people off-site or unavailable at any one time, meaning productivity across the home is likely to be higher. Consistent training and shorter, more engaging courses mean that staff will improve their knowledge and skill set, allowing them to perform in their role to a much higher standard. With a plethora of benefits and savings, it’s no wonder cloudbased learning is taking the lead within health and social care. n Lauren Smith is digital marketing assistant at eLearning For You.

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CARINGTRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

Care charity is shortlisted for accolade THE Royal Star & Garter Homes has been named as a finalist in the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards. The charity, which cares for ex-Servicemen and women and their partners living with disability or dementia, is one of nine shortlisted in the Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the Year category. The charity has played a key role in the development and roll-out of the Trainee Nursing Associates programme, and has been involved in the national project from the beginning. The Royal Star & Garter Homes has been providing placements to TNAs since 2017 from its site in Surbiton, and is also one of only a few care homes to put forward its own staff for the programme, with its first cohort of three healthcare assistants starting their two-year course in January. Director of care, Pauline Shaw OBE, said: “We’re proud to have welcomed TNAs since the Health Education England pilot began in 2017. It allows us to offer opportunities for learners to experience best practice in adult social care, demonstrating what quality care should look like.”

First cohort of graduates celebrated at ceremony SUNRISE Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare are offering Leadership Development Programme Pathways to their senior care assistants, heads of departments and registered general nurses, which have been endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management. The Sunrise and Gracewell teams held their first graduation ceremony at The Holiday Inn, High Wycombe. The ceremony was hosted by learning and development manager Dawn Buchanan-Hole, as well as Carrie Stone and Maggie Woloszyn, who deliver this programme. Dawn said: “I would like to congratulate everyone who has graduated. “Their hard work, perseverance and dedication has paid off and each and every one of them deserves their accomplishments. “I would also like to thank my passionate and enthusiastic team for their support and guidance when supporting our team members with their project work and making this programme such a great success. “We are so proud to be playing a key role in developing professionals within the care sector and I very much look forward to many more future graduation days.” The ceremony gave them the chance to receive their official certification and enjoy a celebratory lunch, which

was attended by both Natalie JaneMacdonald and Joanne Balmer, Sunrise and Gracewell’s UK CEO and senior director of care and quality. Team members across both brands have strived to achieve a very high standard of completion during the programme, 26 achieving distinctions and 44 achieving merits, as well as their commitment to the implementation of project work back in the workplace to support and

change practice. At the graduation ceremony the 40 senior care assistants, 31 line managers and the 30 nurses who had attended and completed the programme were awarded with their certificate of achievement and were able to celebrate their success with their colleagues and receive recognition from the organisation for all of their hard work and commitment.

A Skills for Care endorsed provider, Curve Learning offer accredited training in over 40 subject areas. For a full list of subjects available please visit our website at www.curvelearning.org.uk or call us for a chat on 01924 842787. We provide classroom training that is CPD Accredited to Level 2 or 3; Level 3 Train the Trainer programmes or Level 2 eLearning courses. We are able to deliver training anywhere in the UK, but also have a number of external events planned in addition to courses at our head office in West Yorkshire. eLearning: 28 accredited courses available with annual or monthly payment options. Prices are extremely competitive for this flexible solution. Staff can simply print their own certificate after completion of each course. Upcoming Level 3 Train the Trainer events: • 8th – 12th April, Northern Ireland • 21st – 24th May, London • 10th – 14th June, Manchester • 8th – 12th July, Durham Courses to be covered include M&H, First Aid, Safeguarding, Medication, Infection Control & Food Hygiene. We also have a number of events planned at our training centre each month. For more info visit our website at www.curvelearning.org.uk/course-calendar

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CARINGNEWS

Rabbits, dogs, cats and even ponies are all welcome at residential and dementia care homes, Cramlington House and West Farm Care Centre in Northumberland. Caring UK found out more.

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an incredible impact, with residents able to stroke, pet and speak to him which really helped to bring them out of their shell. Lucy said: “It was incredible to watch the effect Smurf had on the residents, who have varying care needs. “His presence, demeanour and interaction really did lift their spirits, encouraged them to engage with others and created a lovely atmosphere within the home long after Smurf went back home with his owner.” Other local businesses involved include Wag and Co, who bring several canine friends with them to interact with residents at Cramlington House every Thursday. West Farm also receive a weekly visit from the local veterinary, Metrovets. Veterinary nurse Ginny Burn even brings her own dog, Archie into the home to meet and greet those living there. The dogs who visit are often dementia friendly too and have received the relevant training to interact with residents with dementia, which is really helpful. Lucy added: “It’s vital residents get to interact with a wide range of animals so that they can benefit from the many positives of animal-assisted therapy. “In fact, a resident who was socially isolated because she didn’t want to leave her room and interact with other residents, has just purchased two budgies, Bluie and Greenie, who live with her in her room at West Farm, keeping her company and helping to boost her overall wellbeing. “She used to have budgies when at home so, working with her family, we agreed this would be a good thing to do in terms of her care at West Farm. Seeing the happiness of a five-minute interaction between an animal and resident is tremendously heartwarming and we definitely need to be promoting the role of animal therapy within the care sector more prominently.”

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THE care homes, which are owned and managed by Craig Healthcare, focus on providing personalised care of the highest quality, and animals play a key part in this. Residents at both homes have a range of different needs and it’s vital specifically designed activity programmes are put in place to ensure each resident receives the care they need. This includes proactive animalassisted initiatives which demonstrate the affirmative role animal therapy has in elderly care. Lucy Craig, managing director at Craig Healthcare, said: “Animals play such an important part in residents’ lives day in, day out. “At Cramlington House we have our resident pet rabbits, Jack and Irene, who make such a positive impact on residents. One resident in particular has responded incredibly well to the rabbits, developing a close bond with them and spending time caring for them, which has genuinely made him more relaxed and happier. “In another example, a resident’s wife recently bought a puppy as she felt lonely following her husband’s move into Cramlington House. Oscar has not only provided great company to the spouse outside of the home, but he is also often at the home, visiting the resident and spending time with us all, sometimes getting up to mischief in the office. This has greatly helped the resident settle in well and continue his close relationship with his wife. Oscar is always such a joy to be around.” Research shows that regular interaction with animals is a key intervention within care homes that can improve the overall wellbeing of residents – physical and mental. Interacting with animals can help in lowering blood pressure, relieving pain, reducing anxiety and engage residents in therapeutic activities such as feeding, grooming and stroking. Evidence shows that even the most solitary and sedentary residents have shown distinct improvements during the time specific pets have been present. Lucy added: “We also have regular visits from local specialist businesses who bring in animals, including the more traditional pets like cats and dogs but also some non-traditional animals such as lizards, snakes, spiders and ponies. “Interaction with a range of animals, we find, massively boosts the confidence, self-esteem and social skills of our residents and, of course, brings a smile to everyone’s faces. It really is wonderful to see, and the benefits it brings to the residents last long after the animals have left.” Recently, a blind Shetland pony came to meet several residents including those who struggle to communicate and interact. Smurf had

Internal view

18 CARINGCATERING

AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT P&G Professional explores the importance of implementing training and development programmes and professional cleaning systems to create a more comfortable environment for care home residents.

Teenagers learn skills for life as operator steps up opportunities TWO Dundee youths have been given valuable work experience – and a peek into life in a busy care home – as part of a drive to increase apprenticeship opportunities. Balhousie St Ronans, part of the award-winning Balhousie Care Group, currently has two teenagers on work experience placements in its kitchen, where head chef Daniel Inglis has been sharing his expertise. James Davidson, 15, is on work experience from St John’s RC High School in Dundee while Matthew Craig, 15, a student at Dundee’s Morgan Academy, is doing a placement as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. James did so well during a week of work experience at the care home that his school agreed to him continuing to spend a day a week

there. Chef Daniel knew Matthew’s mother and that he was having difficulty gaining kitchen experience for his DoE award, because of his age. Balhousie St Ronans agreed to take him on. Daniel is known for matching a busy work schedule with extra-curricular mentoring to young people. He said: “I come in here in my own time to mentor them and when I’m working I’ll stay late to teach. “I don’t teach people for credit or thanks, I do it because I love passing on what other chefs have taught me over the years. “In catering there is no better feeling. I couldn’t be prouder of both young lads.” Balhousie Care Group has been involved in more than 120 apprenticeships in the last two years.

Super-durable, professional quality bibs from Care Designs MADE of our exclusive, tough, professional grade, PRO80™ fabric our adult bibs are designed to last, offering owners excellent long term value for money. Our bibs have an inner waterproof barrier for protection, are absorbent, virtually stain resistant, super durable and washable at up to 80°C. to kill all bacteria. The smart looking bibs have fold-out pockets and are available in three sizes and two colours. Bulk discounts available. Try one now with 15 per cent off. Use promo code CARE-CUK6 at the checkout or by phone. Enquiries: See our full range at www.caredesigns.co.uk Alternatively, call 01223 840236 or email purchasing@bibetta.com for a brochure.

Food safety made quick and easy FOOD safety is made quick and easy with the new ThermaStick® pocket thermometer. The new ThermaStick is a pocket-sized, waterproof (IP66) thermometer which incorporates a reduced tip penetration probe providing a much faster response time than traditional probe thermometers. Saving you valuable time and accurately measuring temperature over the range of -49.9 to 299.9 °C, the ThermaStick is simple to use, featuring two push buttons - on/off and max/min. A large, easy to read LCD makes the ThermaStick an economical, fuss free solution for numerous temperature measurement applications in today’s commercial kitchen. This HACCP compliant thermometer is powered by a single lithium coin cell battery, providing a minimum of 5,000 hours use. The ThermaStick thermometer is available in red, white or blue and is priced at £16.50 each exclusive of VAT. Enquiries: Buy online at www.thermometer.co.uk

Improve your employees’ satisfaction CARE home employees are faced with unique challenges, as they are responsible for maintaining strict hygiene standards, while also creating a homely feeling for guests. Staff retention in the industry has been an ongoing issue, and finding and retaining people with the right skills to provide quality care is challenging. Recent figures from Skills for Care reveal that the average turnover rate in the sector is 27 per cent*. With the current political uncertainty, it is more important than ever for companies to focus on the welfare of their employees to improve retention. Continued development and staff training is paramount, both to improve staff morale and reduce turnover, as well as ensure residents feel safe and well cared for. Work in care homes is tough and labour intensive, so recognition and development can streamline tasks and improve job satisfaction. Providing staff with quality tools, products and ongoing training and support can have a lasting impact, allowing care homes to deliver a hygienic and homely facility for residents and guests. There are a number of simple cleaning and training tips that will help maximize your care home cleaning programme and provide a comfortable environment for residents. Disinfection protection The most important thing that any care home employee should know is the fundamental difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes “soil” or dirt from a surface, but doesn’t kill microorganisms that can cause disease, odours and spoilage. You must both clean AND disinfect to reduce the risk of crosscontamination and disease. For efficiency, use a multi-purpose product that both cleans and disinfects in one go, such as Flash Professional Disinfecting MultiSurface and Glass Cleaner Spray. These products help get the job done right the first time, save on purchasing multiple products and can help reduce labour time and costs. Smells and scents Mal-odours in a care home can be a top indicator of uncleanliness, but can you really remove mal-odours from all surfaces? Yes! Train your staff to understand that odour is a sign that the surface

is not fully clean, including soft surfaces. You can help create a “just like home” environment by eliminating odours from normally unwashable surfaces such as curtains, carpets, and sofas. Febreze Professional removes odours from a soft surface and leaves behind a light, pleasant scent. Continued employee development and recognition It can take time to establish and maintain proper cleaning protocols, but once done, the dividends of a formal cleaning training programme can be significant. Employees who are trained properly may take more pride in improving residents’ environments through correct cleaning and disinfecting techniques. Reputable companies like P&G Professional provide training programmes to all users, upon installation of auto dosing systems, ensuring care home staff use them both effectively and efficiently. Proper product usage will make jobs easier, and can lead to improved job satisfaction. A little recognition can go a long way. When there is something extra to work for, there’s added motivation to do well. Rewards do not need to be significant – simple incentives like gift vouchers and flexible start and finish times are great ways to show employees you care. Talk to your team about the kind of rewards that they would value and you might be surprised how achievable they are to deliver. By incorporating these tips into your care home’s routine, you can help create a clean and comfortable living space – “just like home.” n The State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England. September 2016. Leeds: Skills for Care.

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CARINGPRESSURE CARE

Relieving the pressure – the role of technology in ulcer prevention By Russell Pillar PRESSURE sore prevention and management is high on the agenda in all areas of the care sector. In the NHS more than 1,300 new pressure ulcers are reported every month, according to NHS Digital, and it’s estimated that 90 per cent of these are preventable. It’s clear that such pressure injuries have a hugely detrimental impact on sufferers’ quality of life, as well as putting added strain on providers’ already stretched resources. Pressure redistribution Redistributing pressure for less mobile, bed or chair-bound patients is well-recognised as being central to best-practice care in hospital, nursing and care home environments. A NICE report from 2014 on ulcer prevention and management emphasises the importance of using ‘pressure redistributing devices’. These include mattresses, chairs and cushions with adjustable heights and levels of support, and built-in technologies that relieve pressure on existing sores and actively prevent new ones developing. They incorporate air chambers that inflate and deflate to sequentially

Russell Pillar relieve the points on a patient’s body subjected to pressure. Mattresses The mattress type you choose – whether foam, an air alternating system (built into the mattress or as an overlay) or a hybrid – and its precise specification depends on each patient’s risk profile. It’s vital to make the correct provision even for low risk patients, as they are still ‘at risk’ of developing ulcers. The NICE report states that every patient with a pressure ulcer in

category three or four should, as a minimum, have access to either of the following: n A high specification foam mattress and an alternating pressure-relieving air overlay system. n A full replacement alternating air mattress. One of the latest innovations on the market is pressure-sensing technology based on an air sensor, microcomputer regulator and an ultra-silent pump that together allow the mattress to promote natural sleep patterns and stable blood circulation while exerting the lowest possible pressure on the skin. Regardless of the mattress type, check that it does not elevate the patient to an unsafe height; and that the patient is within the recommended weight range (neither too light nor too heavy, in the case of bariatric care). Chairs and cushions In fact, chair-bound patients are at a higher risk than bed-bound, because the same body mass is being transferred through a smaller contact area. Similarly to mattresses, you can opt for chairs with cushions that provide pressure redistribution and relief;

such as contoured memory foam, or an alternating air cushion with a foam insert base, both of which are ideally suited to high-risk patients. A high-specification foam or equivalent pressure-redistributing cushion should also be chosen for adults who use a wheelchair or who sit for prolonged periods. In summary We should highlight that equipment is not a substitute for patient repositioning or good nursing care. A study evaluating pressure ulcer management (JF Guest et al) published in the BMJ in 2018 highlights precisely this point, stating that “the use of suitable pressure relieving devices” must be part of a wider strategy encompassing “patient and carer education, repositioning, skin care” and “combined, where necessary, with nutritional support and the use of appropriate wound care products”. However, pressure-relieving equipment such as mattresses, chairs and cushions can significantly enhance patient care and plays a vital role in promoting mobility, comfort and recovery. n Russell Pillar is director of care interiors at Spearhead Healthcare.

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CARINGNEWS

New dementia residential suite opens to offer dedicated care A NEW residential suite to meet the needs for 31 people with dementia has opened at Cairnmartin Court in Belfast. The new residential suite, Springhill Care Service, will support residents by helping them to maintain their independence and pursue the interests they enjoy. The building was previously used to support elderly residents with nursing needs but, due to the changing needs of local people living with the condition, the decision was taken to create a specialist suite dedicated to dementia care. Cairnmartin Court now solely specialises in supporting people with a diagnosis of dementia. The new suite has enabled existing staff members to be promoted internally and receive training to increase their skill-set. It has also created approximately 25 vacancies open to external candidates in the local community. Fiona Archer, home manager at Cairnmartin Court, said: “We’re delighted to have become a dedicated dementia home and to be able to ensure that our residents and their families are supported and cared for throughout their everchanging dementia needs. “We put our residents at the centre of everything we do and pride ourselves on offering the highest

Alison scoops council award standards of person-centred care within a safe, supportive and homely environment.” The home is currently undertaking a project in conjunction with two local primary schools, Black Mountain and Forth River Primary School, which sees two groups of children from P1-P7 regularly visit to enjoy arts and crafts sessions with the residents. Fiona added: “We are thrilled by the great start the primary school project has got off to and we’re confident it will continue to grow as more people affected with dementia

come to live with us in our new residential suite. “Just as was shown in the hugely popular Channel 4 programme, everyone involved from the age of five to 95 really benefits from this programme and both of the schools we work with have praised how successful the initiative has been, with pupils loving their visits to the home and interacting with the residents. “We have seen the happiness levels of our residents soar and the teachers have reported the same amongst their pupils.”

ALISON Isherwood, experience day support worker and former volunteer at Belong Atherton care village, has won the Outstanding Care Home Staff Award from Wigan Council as part of its Age Well programme. Introduced to recognise and champion the high-quality care provided by local care workers, Alison emerged as the winner among nominations from care facilities throughout the Wigan borough. Nominated by Belong Atherton’s registered manager, Claire Bibby, Alison stood out for her compassion, diligence and, according to Claire “the best approach to understanding customers living with dementia I have ever seen”. Belong Atherton was awarded the Quality Hallmark Award for demonstrating excellence in care standards and showcasing examples of best practice in end-of-life care.

Video: The Future of Care Home Marketing.

Marketing your care home is harder now than ever, with the age of people searching for one ranging from the young looking for their parents or even grandparents, to the older looking for themselves. Who should you be aiming your brand at? Not only that, but you’re trying to find the balance between a sales pitch that highlights all your strengths while still being mindful of the sensitivity of the situation. It can be hard to know what to put out there to promote what you have to offer. Something which bridges all these gaps seamlessly is video. Here’s why...

BUILD TRUST

The most important question a protective family member will ask themselves when considering placing their loved one in your care is ‘Can I trust them?’ That’s what it will largely come down to. Seeing a video as a first introduction to your care home will help humanise what is often a misunderstood place and offer reassurance.The intimacy of being able to immediately see inside your care home, watching your staff interact with residents and witnessing the care and attention they enjoy will encourage them to visualise their loved one living there. It also gives the best understanding of exactly what you offer. Emotions are such a huge part of the care home journey, and the emotive nature of videos will allow the customer to place trust in someone who understands that. A video highlights your priorities and gets across the message that you are in the business of caring and not just in business’.

ENGAGE CUSTOMERS

In such a competitive market, it’s important that you stand out from other care home providers as quickly as you can. As 79% of internet users prefer videos to text, it would be beneficial to take advantage of this medium over your competitors. The emotional heart and human stories in a video will get more engagement than written facts and statistics. Not only is it instant information for the viewer, it’s also easy to share with other family members who may be involved in the process, or with friends who are reaching a similar stage with their own loved ones.

INCREASE CONVERSIONS

Once the customer is engaged and feels like they can trust you, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to turn this into an occupancy. Brands have found that conversions are increased by 79.3% after they incorporate videos into their marketing strategy, and 84% of internet users are more likely to choose a brand after seeing a video. Search engines rank websites with videos much higher than websites without, so a video is a helping hand in making sure your brand name comes up top. Businesses also report video as having the highest ROI, so investing in high quality videos will pay off.

BUILD BRAND AWARENESS

Creating high quality videos will set you apart from the other care home providers out there, and give you an edge. It shows you have expert knowledge of your industry and the care needs of your residents, as well as having a human side. Videos are also a sign that you are not an outdated brand, and therefore have the latest facilities at your disposal. The most important final point is that videos will make you more memorable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the sometimes overwhelming search for a care home, make sure yours stands out for all the right reasons.

Script Media

Script Media is a creative agency which offers a number of services from video production and graphic design, to PR, branding, web design, and digital marketing. We understand that marketing, just like care homes, is not a one size fits all approach. Every brand has a story, we can help you tell yours. For more information about how we can help you showcase your care home: Call us: 01226 734 694 Email us: rp@scriptmedia.co.uk Or visit our website: www.scriptmedia.co.uk/care

CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement

Make the right recruitment decisions first time with NCI COLIN Stevenson is director at Notable Change International Ltd (NCI). Colin is a recruitment analyst and is now helping care managers make the right decision first time with their recruitment choices and guarantees all care services to close their profitability gap and retain staff better. He said: “After studying the patterns of recruitment in the care industry, it was clear something had to be put in place and added to all businesses recruitment process.” The staffing and retention crisis has been going on for a while and there is not a ‘sure thing solution’ in place to stop the wrong people being employed, and it is costing care homes fortunes in wasted revenue. When the budgets for the services are cut, the service user is usually the one who feels the cuts and this is something NCI are here to tackle. Care managers are already run off their feet and then must worry about making the correct recruitment decisions that will usually be made on a bias. The bias could be the way someone looks or dresses, even an answer to a question could seal the deal to secure the position for the candidate.

Notable Change International Ltd director Colin Stevenson.

Colin believes that every decision made should be made with the interests of the service users, the business and the workplace dynamics in mind and not the bias which is currently used. Millions of pounds have been spent by agencies over the UK to put ‘values-based recruitment’ in place and the UK governing bodies have guidelines in place to follow to make the most of the recruitment process. What if the care manager is great at their job but

doesn’t have the emotional intelligence to read a candidate? What if the candidate feels the need to hide important traits within themselves in order to secure the position and these are wrong for the company? What if the values spoken about aren’t able to be valued due to the traits of a candidate? To stop the ‘what if’s’ Colin and his team at NCI are on hand to support managers and profile candidates. NCI use the most popular and accurate profiling system in circulation. This is usually used in high-end banking and sales companies and saves them fortunes. At the end of the day, people are people and have the same traits as any other, no matter their current or potential role. If a person is too highly dominant, they can be hard to manage or be too demanding. If a person has low influential traits, may not be so sociable or confident in speaking and unable to encourage service users in their day to day life as well as someone with a high influence trait. Colin and his team at Notable Change International Ltd will work with each individual company, analyse the dynamics and make

and make a template for a candidate for future hires and can change it accordingly to the needs of the business as an when required. This is a low-cost add-on solution to help the managers to make the right decision. Just now it can cost between £1,000 and £3,000 per hire! Imagine if the manager got their bias methods wrong three times or more to fill the position permanently, even after going through the values and guidelines process. This can all be stopped. NCI will do the following guaranteed: n Reduce staff turnover. n Retain staff with using the profiling software. n Identify the ‘correct fit’ by analysing each companies values and matching the best candidate. n Improve manager/ employee and employee/ service user relationships by controlling the workplace dynamics for future hires. n Increase subjectivity through the hiring process. n Add weight to the current recruitment process without changing it. n Remove all personal bias from the hiring decision process and recruit for the service users and the business’ benefit. n Save companies on wasted revenue and close the profitability gap. No disruption to the workplace, everything done via email, phone and skype. There is nothing not to like. Together we can make the changes needed and inevitably give the service users a better service with the correct staff and extra funds from savings made in the hiring process. Email info@notablechangeintl.com or call 0141 428 4959.

CARINGNEWS

A Lincoln care home was joined by the Mayor to celebrate the launch of its new homecare service with an official cake cutting. Councillor Keith Weaver was invited to launch the new service at Bernadette House and to learn more about the homecare that care workers would be providing to the community. Owner of Bernadette House care home and homecare service, Elizabeth Stephens, said: “I was delighted to introduce the Mayor of Lincoln and Councillor Chris Burke to Bernadette Homecare and share with him the plans we have to expand our healthcare service within the area, to those who have care and support needs at home.”

Growing Together project bridges generation gap A GROWING Together Project is set to continue after proving successful at The Wellbeing Day Centre in Lowestoft. It sees pupils from Westwood Primary School enjoy weekly visits to the day centre – an extension of The Dell Care Home – to participate in a series of activities. The project founded by day centre assistant manager Daniella Penedo and Westwood deputy headteacher Kerry Read saw youngsters and residents ‘engaging’ in The Growing Together Project over seven weeks as 16 four-year-olds attended The Wellbeing Day Centre every Tuesday afternoon. Daniella said: “We have several of the residents from The Dell along with our day centre customers to participate in activities with the amazing little children. “Westwood Primary has built us into its curriculum to fully engage its students into the project and we will

be continuing this project into the new year and beyond. “All of our participants look forward to Tuesday afternoons and we have even had our customers select Tuesday to attend the Wellbeing Day Centre, just to be involved with this programme.” Daniella added: “Everyone has had a huge amount of fulfilment from this, along with learning and bridging the gap between young and old. “Our activities co-ordinators Debbie May and Ally Cox along with our volunteer Tracy work tirelessly to ensure this is a success every week. “Rebecca Saunders and Rebecca Spry bring the children the short walk up to The Wellbeing Day Centre and maintain excellent control throughout our afternoon session. “Our director Mr Patel and manager Joy Henshaw have been so supportive of our plan from the start, while allowing us to use the day centre to host this amazing project.”

Care Providers Conferences 2019

The way to ‘Outstanding’ care

Delivering the latest care news and information that will enable managers and homes to be at the forefront of ‘Outstanding’ care Listen to National speakers and experts, network with like minded operators, enjoy the chance to demonstrate in the exhibition hall with your latest products and technology that are designed to enhance quality in care homes. Ashford International Hotel, Kent -10th April Bournemouth Football Club - 11th April

St Mellion International Resort Hotel - 9th July

Webbington Hotel & Spa, Weston Super Mare -10th July Colchester United Football Club - 23rd October York Racecourse - 6th November

Stands from

£450.00+vat

Concord College students Augustine Lam, Carine Chan Yuen Ting, Jessica Chen and Sean Soh with Isle Court Nursing Home social life coordinator Debbie Rees and resident Barbra Morris.

Price includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Electric, furniture and Wi-Fi.

Students work in homes STUDENTS have swapped the classroom to learn about compassion and engaging with older people thanks to a partnership with Morris Care. A dozen teenagers from Concord College in Acton Burnell are enjoying work experience with a difference at four Shropshire nursing homes – Isle Court and Radbrook in Shrewsbury, Oldbury Grange, Bridgnorth and Stretton Hall, All Stretton. During their weekly visits they spend an afternoon getting to know residents by joining in with activities such as arts and crafts, music and cookery sessions.

Morris Care’s chief operating officer, Sue Austin, said: “The students are all hoping to pursue careers in the medical care sector. This is an ideal opportunity to learn about care in a practical way and demonstrate their empathy. “Our residents benefit too as they enjoy the interaction and energy from young people. “Our regular social activities are a great way of engaging residents, getting them involved and bringing back happy memories.” The students are given guidance by home staff and accompanied throughout the visits.

Tel: 01226 734288 www.caring-uk.co.uk Email: bg@scriptmedia.co.uk

Speakers include:

BOOKING FORM

The Way to ‘Outstanding’ Care Single delegate rate £25 per person Two delegates £35 Event attending: South East

Ashford International Hotel TN24 8UX

Wednesday 10th April 2019

South

Bournemouth Football Club BH7 7AF

Thursday 11th April 2019

South West

St Mellion International Resort PL12 6SD

Tuesday 9th July 2019

Webbington Hotel & Spa BS26 2HU

Wednesday 10th July 2019

South East

Colchester United Football Club CO4 5UP

Wednesday 23rd October 2019

Yorkshire

York Racecourse YO23 1EX

Wednesday 6th November 2019

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All places booked must be paid within 15 days of booking and before the conference unless otherwise agreed with Script Events. A telephone or fax booking must confirm when and how payment will be made A refund will be given, less £20 admin, fee for cancellations received more than 15 days prior to the conference. No refunds will be given with less than 15 days to the conference. However, delegate substitutes will be accepted to the day of the event at no extra cost. Where invoices are requested and agreed, payment must be received within 15 days from the invoice date. We understand and will exercise out statutory rights to claim interest and compensation for the debt recovery costs under the late payment legislation if we are not paid according to agreed credit terms. An interest rate of 8% above base rate will apply for late payment. Script Media Group is committed to protecting your personal data. By attending our events, we provide you with an opportunity to meet and engage with our exhibitors. Our events create business to business relationships and give access to relevant industry people, products and services. We share your business information with the exhibitors and speakers so that they can review the companies that have attended today’s event,

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Caring UK Conferences, Script Media Group Ltd, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel: 01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Your uniform, your way WITH more than 100 years’ experience working in the healthcare industry, Grahame Gardner Ltd understands the needs of care home professionals and is proud to offer one of the largest ranges of highquality uniforms in the UK. From traditional tunics and trousers, to vibrant scrubs, shoes and accessories, we offer everything your staff needs from head to toe. No matter how tough the demands of the job are, our hard-wearing, comfortable uniforms are up to the challenge, providing your employees and your patients with that allimportant extra peace of mind as looking professional helps to reassure and comfort your patients. Choose from Grahame Gardner’s extensive colour palette and stateof-the-art printing, embroidery and monogramming techniques to create uniforms which truly represent the identity of your business, and make your employees proud to be a vital part of them whenever they put their uniform on. Other service benefits include free UK mainland postage and packaging on all orders over £99, next day delivery, and made-to-order options for fully-bespoke workwear. We also offer a free live chat web facility to keep you in touch with our team, and updated at every stage of your order. Grahame Gardner is also running

an incredible offer at the moment for care and nursing homes, who can benefit from an exclusive 40 per cent off on their staff uniforms. We are also delighted to announce the launch of our Advance range, an innovative new collection, that bring together state-of-the art fabric with the latest printing techniques in a UK first. The Advance range utilises cuttingedge dye sublimation technology allowing customers to choose any colour, image or pattern as part of their uniform designs. You can even use your company logo to create bespoke panels and trims – this is your design, done your way. Sizes are available from six to 26 (XS -XXL) and are available on minimum order quantities of 10 garments, with delivery lead-time of approximately six-to-seven weeks.

Alzheimer’s Show to feature full conference programme THE Alzheimer’s Show will take place at Olympia London on June 7 and 8. The two-day event is the UK’s leading exhibition and conference for dementia and is set to attract healthcare professionals, families, carers and those with an interest in learning more. The show will feature a full conference programme across three theatres with leading professionals, industry experts, carers and individuals with dementia. Put your questions to the speakers in daily question time panel sessions and take part in a range of free practical workshops with activities designed to help in the daily care of a

person with dementia. For advice and help, Admiral Nurses and Dementia Advisors will be on hand with one-to-one clinics, and a virtual reality experience will help you look differently at everyday life with dementia. A wide range of dementia and care exhibitors will showcase the latest and best products and services. The Alzheimer’s Show is a valuable event for those working in the care sector wanting a better understanding of dementia, the challenges it can bring, as well as providing access to fellow professionals, information and resources to help those living with the condition.

Shh… it’s all quiet with Touchsafe Pro A West Sussex care home has marked 10 years of delivering care for residents with a celebratory party. Staff and residents at The Martlets in East Preston were joined by relatives for a buffet lunch, where they were transported back to the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s thanks to the music of local artist, Alexis. Council representatives, including the chairman of Arun District Council, Councillor Alan Gammon, and cabinet member for wellbeing, Councillor Mike Clayden, also visited the home to join in the celebrations. Resident Laura Stevens is pictured with home manager Angie Douglass and Shaw healthcare’s chief financial officer Russell Brown.

Are you thinking of solutions to staffing your residents’ holidays? HOLIDAYS With Care may be the ideal solution with tailored support for your residents’ holidays at The Bond Hotel, Blackpool. The Bond Hotel has been providing holidays for guests who live in care home and residential settings for more than 30 years, with everything you need to ensure your residents have a wonderful break away. On-site you will find accessible accommodation with all of the mobility equipment you use at home coupled with live cabaret shows every night of the year. “We use Holidays With Care every time we book a holiday, for one group they provide me with a second person for hoisting and on another group they support me with waking watches so I keep my staff levels high at home. “I am confident in the provision of

care as they are regulated by the CQC. “Every time my residents return home I love hearing what they got up to, it is a very person focussed service.” – Barbara, Stoke Provision from one hour right up to 24 hour packages can be tailored for you. This flexibility allows your home to run fully staffed knowing your residents are having a fantastic holiday away.

LOUD alarms can be very intrusive and unsettling residents when active throughout the day. That is why Aid Call offer a silent paging option as part of its Touchsafe Pro wireless nurse call system. Aid Call’s Touchsafe Pro, which is the UK’s number one wireless nurse call system, offers a full silent nurse call solution with paging messages delivered directly to staff. This is all part of Aid Call’s ‘silent revolution’ in delivering silent systems that give life critical support to residents while still delivering peace and tranquility to a care home environment. Aid Call’s wireless nurse call technology, Touchsafe Pro, comes with silent calling as a key feature of the system. This can alert staff to calls – both visibly and by direct paging messages – from residents anywhere in the care home. With this system, residents can instantly notify staff directly by a simple push of a button, supported by visual displays on sleek touchscreen display panels, which triages calls in order of priority, allowing staff to respond accordingly. Supporting both life-critical and assisted living needs, Aid Call’s wireless silent nurse call system is totally flexible and built around the needs of each care environment so can include wearable telecare devices such as pendants, wrist worn fall detectors, pull cords, pear push leads, door status monitors and many more. Being wireless, all Aid Call nurse call

solutions are easy to fit, move around and thus adapt to the changing needs and requirements of residents. Christopher Donnelly, national sales and export manager, said: “With the increasing number of residents within the care sector suffering from dementia, creating tranquil environments has become increasingly important. “We have a 40-year history of innovation, and our silent nurse call systems reflects this real-world market need. We are proud to be supporting over 100,000 residents nationwide who all have a variety of Nurse Call solutions tailored to their individual needs, these include the ‘Silent System’ option helping to create a more tranquil care environment. “With advanced touch-screen displays, call logging, medication reminders, care app and antimicrobial properties throughout, the Touchsafe Pro is truly the most advanced and complete system on the market.”

CARINGINTERIORS, DESIGN AND FURNISHINGS

Judith Morgan-Worrall, manager of Haughgate House, with David Masters, contracts manager of Horizon Construction. Photo credit: Healthcare Homes.

Hillcrest Care Home in Alnwick.

£1.5m project begins Provider to improve decor and

HAUGHGATE House, a residential nursing home in Woodbridge, has commenced an extension and refurbishment programme that will see the creation of eight new bedrooms, kitchen, laundry and staff room facilities, in addition to the refurbishment of four existing bedrooms. Healthcare Homes Group, which owns the home, has confirmed that £1.5 million is being invested in the project, which will see the creation of additional new facilities for adults requiring residential and nursing care in the area. The project is being undertaken by Horizon Construction, which anticipates the programme of works

concluding in the summer. The programme has been designed to provide a range of new facilities that are in-keeping with the 1920s home – which was originally built for the Cobbold family of Ipswich-based brewers – yet provides modern and comfortable rooms. Judith Morgan-Worrall, manager of Haughgate House, added: “The house is a hive of activity and we are excited to see the end results later this year. “We have spoken with residents and their families in details about the planned programme and will of course ensure everyone is kept up to date on the ongoing progress over the coming weeks. It’s a very exciting time for us all here.”

Care home’s bistro completed FOLLOWING the completion of the ‘Alisio’ Bistro at Anchor Millfield Residential Care Home in Oldham Shackletons was invited to sit down with administrator Anne Marie Widdowson for a coffee and a slice of cake to chat about the furniture supplied by them and take some great photos. Anne Marie wanted to maximise the space in the dining area and create a destination for residents. “Many of our residents are unable to leave the home, so creating destinations like our bistro allows them to feel like they’re out and about,” she said. “We’ve worked with Shackletons for many years. We love the quality of the furniture. “Charlotte was fantastic in helping us select fabrics and wood finishes that complement the environment.

She was great at finding printed fabrics that looked great and came in on budget. The overall service was wonderful.”

Help with your interior design IF YOU are planning a new-build, extension or refurbishment project, and would like help with interior design, furniture and soft furnishings we can help. As well as making your residents comfortable with a pleasing environment, rooms become easier to market and the value of the home increased. Our services are flexible and any element can be taken independently depending on your specific needs. Artwork, tableware, towels and bedding can also be provided for a co-ordinated look, all with no minimum order or long-term contract. Our clients benefit from more than 18 years of working in the care sector, dementia expertise (if required), and good, honest customer service tailored to your needs. We offer a free 90-minute consultation visit without obligation to enable us to understand your precise needs. Enquiries: For more information please see our website www.access21interiors.co.uk or telephone Eda/Terry on 020 8339 6133 or email info@access21ltd.co.uk

facilities at latest acquisition A NORTH East nursing and residential care provider has increased its portfolio with the purchase of an Alnwick home. Prestwick Care, a division of Malhotra Group Plc, has bought the 50-bed Hillcrest for an undisclosed sum. And its intention is to improve décor and facilities at the home to bring it in line with the company’s 12 existing care homes, all of which are rated as ‘Good’ with the Care Quality Commission. Built in the 1800s as a family home for a wealthy brewing family and later serving as a maternity hospital, Hillcrest now offers nursing, residential dementia and respite care. It joins a Prestwick Care portfolio

of homes across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, with new purpose-built care facilities scheduled to open at Ryhope, Sunderland in 2020 and at Whitley Bay in 2021. In addition, work is also well underway on a new 86-bed care home at Lisburn Terrace, Alnwick, which is scheduled to open this summer. “Hillcrest is an excellent addition to our portfolio and further investment will make it even better,” said Prestwick Care director, Bunty Malhotra. “We are committed to providing continuous care to residents and assuring staff that no jobs will be lost as a result of the care home changing hands.”

Altro creates a ‘home for life’

A PACKAGE of Altro products has been fitted in a new £10m dementia-friendly ‘super’ care home in Scotland, helping to create the ultimate environment of comfort and support for residents. Crosslet House in Dumbarton is a 90-bed, ultramodern complex that incorporates a dementia unit and day care provision. Each resident has their own private en-suite bathroom, and Altro Pisces safety flooring was fitted for style, comfort and safety. Altro Pisces was also fitted in various medical rooms, toilets and staff showers. Altro Whiterock Splashbacks have been fitted in various locations to provide a striking, yet hygienic alternative to tiles. Standard White has been installed in the en-suites behind mirrors, and in each of the colour-coded kitchens; Scarlett in the ‘Red’ house, Viola in the ‘Purple’ house, Key Lime in the ‘Green’ house, and Taxi Cab in the ‘Yellow’ house. To create a warm, homely environment throughout, Altro Wood Safety flooring was fitted in general circulation areas, corridors, dining and living rooms, colour-coded kitchens, hair salon and staff room.

The classic and proven combination of Altro Stronghold 30 safety flooring and Altro Whiterock White wall sheet was fitted in the main kitchen and kiosk shop to provide the ultimate hygienic, safe environment. Back of house areas such as the laundry, cleaning service storage, sluice rooms, infection control room and stairways, were fitted with Altro Walkway 20 safety flooring to ensure optimum safety and reliability underfoot. And the ITC room was fitted with Altro Walkway 20 SD, the static dissipative version that minimises the of damage to static-sensitive equipment, such as computers. Enquiries: Visit www.altro.co.uk

Rise to toilet independence ONE of the most common areas where people need help is to get on and off the toilet. Often, a means of support such as a grab rail is not adequate: the person has trouble with upper or lower body strength. There is a solution that obviates the need to physically ensure another person around to help… Closomat’s Aerolet toilet lifter is in essence the WC equivalent of a riser recliner chair. Fitted over the WC, the unit replicates the natural motion of sitting down and standing up. It automatically and smoothly lowers the user over and onto the toilet and then raises them to standing, whilst ensuring their centre of gravity and thus balance remains stable. It is all controlled by the push of a button via integral arm supports, which simultaneously provide additional bracing as the resident transfers from wheelchair or frame to the toilet. The Aerolet thus eliminates the requirement for a carer to attend just to support that ADL (activity of daily living). It also eliminates exposure to risk of injury during the transfer process, for both the carer and client.

Closomat’s Aerolet is unique in that it is available in both tilting and vertical lift options. The vertical version is best suited for people with limited lower body and limb strength, whereas the tilt suits people with control over their legs but limited upper body and limb strength. Enquiries: Call 0161 969 1199, visit www.clos-o-mat.com or email info@clos-o-mat.com

CARINGINTERIORS, DESIGN AND FURNISHINGS

Home marks launch of day care centre CHAMPAGNE corks were popping as members, residents and staff at Meresworth care home in Rickmansworth celebrated the reopening of its much loved day care centre. Guests gathered for a reception at the Quantum Care run facility before Councillor Phil Williams, chair of Three Rivers District Council, cut the ribbon to officially mark the relaunch. Attendees were then treated to a delicious buffet lunch before enjoying entertainment from One Man Stand. Chief executive Maria Ball said: “We see how important day care centres like Meresworth’s are for the people who attend them. “Day centres help reduce loneliness and increase health and wellbeing amongst the elderly, some of whom would go without company or care if it wasn’t for centres like these. “It is clear how much this place means to our local community and how happy this refurbishment has made the people who attend.” The day care centre was refurbished by Kier, who were funded by a grant from the Kier Foundation, an independently registered charity which supports charitable causes close to the hearts of its employees and the communities in which they operate. Kier organised for Meresworth to receive a new kitchen, flooring, furniture and decoration for the day

Starscape

Residents set for cinematic fun thanks to donation care members to enjoy. Through the efforts of the contractors, who not only worked free of charge but who also provided some materials for free, the complete refurbishment was finished in record time – ensuring members enjoy group activities like baking and quizzes, and are encouraged to meet and interact with new people. Staff are also trained to provide specialist care for those living with dementia and support to members with physical disabilities.

RESIDENTS at Home Meadow care home in Toft will be enjoying regular cinema experiences thanks to a kind donation from a local business. Cambridge Design Partnership, a technology and product design business with its UK office also based in Toft, recently presented the home with a cheque for more than £500. Staff at the firm, which specialises in product and technology design for the healthcare, consumer and industrial equipment sectors, made the generous decision to forgo Christmas presents for each other, instead donating money to be given to a local cause. They decided to support Home Meadow, a home which provides residential care for up to 49 people, many of whom live with dementia, and presenting them with the cheque during a special visit.

The home has used the money to buy a projector so the lounge can regularly be turned into a cinema room. Home manager Patience Mvubu said: “This was such a wonderfully generous gesture from Cambridge Design Partnership. We were incredibly touched to hear about their idea to give up Christmas presents for one another to instead help their local community. “It was lovely to meet some of the team when they came to see us last week and our residents enjoyed chatting with them. “Our cinema room will be such a hit with residents who really enjoy watching movies, both old and new. It also adds to our programme of activities and entertainment, which is all about keeping our residents happy and feeling ‘at home’.”

Fibre Optic Lighting. The Galaxy Star Ceiling

Why not treat your residents to something very special every day? Our lovely Galaxy star ceiling not only looks great with hundreds of gently twinkling stars, but installs in a couple of hours, even in existing rooms. Explore our comprehensive website for information on this and many more star ceiling systems. The technical bit: 300 stars points in 4 different fibre diameters. MiniLED550 light source located above

www.starscape.co.uk 01289 332900 info@starscape.co.uk

picture window stick-ups

designed exclusively for care homes Add colour and interest to walls with our easy to apply self-adhesive prints View our wallpaper murals and prints online

www.carehomemurals.co.uk 01283 712171

CareHome Murals

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ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING? Operator announces new development in Spalding

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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE

Art deco-style care home set to open A NURSING and residential home due to open in Poole this spring has won a civic seal of approval. The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Sean Gabriel, was among the first visitors to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Colten Care’s art deco-themed Bourne View. Joined by fellow councillors, he saw some of the home’s 68 en suite bedrooms and its two guest suites plus rooftop garden, dining room, bistro, lounges, hair salon and spa. The home is expected to create up to 120 local jobs. Also on the tour were Poole Borough Council members Karen Rampton and Mike Fisher, Bournemouth councillor Philip Broadhead, and Charlotte Curtis, head of business Resources at charity Diverse Abilities, which runs the next-door Langside School. They were shown round by home manager Sohail Daniel, clinical lead

to date. We strive to be the best and that is also reflected in our highly experienced team who are ready to welcome our new residents.” Room names at Bourne View reflect both the art deco period and the geography of the Poole area, hence titles such as the Rockefeller Bistro, Gatsby Sitting Room and Corfe Suite. Colten Care is keen to be a good neighbour to Langside School, which provides education, therapy and nursing support for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. With the agreement of Diverse Abilities, Colten staff have painted the school’s frontage, installed new landscaping, railings and flood defences, and contributed to an improved sensory room. Once Bourne View opens, Langside pupils will be invited to spend time there, enjoying facilities such as the roof garden.

First look at Bourne View care home with a tour of the building for Poole Mayor Coun Sean Gabriel (centre) with, from left, Rick Otten of Colten Care, Charlotte Curtis, head of business resources for Diverse Abilities, home manager Sohail Daniel, Coun Philip Broadhead, clinical lead Vera Almeida, Coun Mike Fisher, Coun Karen Rampton and Mark Aitchison from Colten Care. Vera Almeida and Colten Care’s are second to none. Bourne View will chief executive Mark Aitchison and help to meet the growing demand for property director Rick Otten. high-quality care provision in Poole, Mark said: “We are thrilled to be Bournemouth and the wider region. opening such an outstanding care “We have designed and built it with learnings from our other 20 homes home with facilities and quality that

THIS IS JUST ONE REASON MANY HOME OWNERS RETURN TO US OVER AND OVER AGAIN rmission for a 66 bed “Obtaining planning pe se the value of our home, redevelopment, to increa was a master stroke”

SOLD

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MORTON HOUSE NURSING HOME Grange Lane, Fernhill Heath Worcester, WR3 7UR

Dear Grayson What a relief that the sale has gone through. My family and I would never have survived this process without your constant reassurance and professional advice throughout the whole process. As you know, we were worried as a family about selling our Home as a business, and your suggestion about improving the value by way of a planning application for a new Care Home on our land was a master stroke. Your introduction to a specialist architect, whose scheme eventually won planning approval, was a key part of this sale. Once this was in place you were able to introduce your retained client who did everything that he said he would, and legally completed on the sale. To any owner thinking of selling their Care Home, whether that be a Home for the elderly or a specialist Care Unit, we would thoroughly recommend your very professional and very different approach to achieving that goal. Your 38 plus years as a specialist agent certainly shows! Many thanks again from all the family.

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Mrs Narinda Sanghera, Proprietor, Morton House Nursing Home.

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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE

Operator announces new development in Spalding A NEW luxury care home will create up to 60 jobs for local people in Spalding. The new care home will be located on Spalding Common on the site of the old Goodfellow School and will provide luxury residential care for local people. Among the jobs at Fenchurch House will be a variety of full and part-time positions including roles for care assistants, senior carers, housekeepers, maintenance assistants and activity champions. The new care home will offer luxury residential care to complement the nursing and dementia care on offer at its other homes in the area. Al-Karim Kachra, financial director at Country Court Care, said: “We are

excited to invest further in Spalding and offer a new option in luxury care. “The quality of choice in Spalding is going to increase very quickly with both the construction of our Fenchurch House 60-bed unit and LNT’s 66-bed unit on the Lincolnshire Gateway development. “We welcome the extra competition as it will lead to positive outcomes for the residents in terms of better accommodation and in driving up care standards.” Fenchurch House will provide 60 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, lounge and dining areas, hair salon, gift shop, café/bar area and reception areas. Work on the home will commence in May and is due for completion in June 2020.

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DC Care is delighted to announce the sale of Clitheroe Care Home Limited, located in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Registered for 28, the home is a former private residence, with a purpose-built extension on a generous corner plot.

SOLD

Our client, who instructed us to sell in order to concentrate on business matters closer to home, has asked that their details remain confidential. We wish them all the best in his future endeavours. Alison Willoughby, Regional Director, appraised the business and managed the sale alongside Sales Negotiator, Lisa Rushworth.

Clitheroe Care Home, Lancashire - Reg 28

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Home opens coffee shop and boutique Specialist agent sells Clitheroe home DC CARE has completed the sale of Clitheroe Care Home Limited in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Registered for 28, the home is a former private residence, with a purpose-built extension on a generous corner plot. Alison Willoughby, regional director, appraised the business and managed the sale alongside sales negotiator

Lisa Rushworth. Alison said: “It is sometimes assumed that smaller transactions will be simpler, but that is often not the case. “My client instructed us to sell as he wanted to concentrate on business matters closer to home and enjoy a better work/life balance. I am happy we’ve helped him achieve this.”

Provider adds to its portfolio BELMONT Healthcare Group has added to its portfolio with the purchase of Haslington Care Home in Dartford. Working with Allied Irish Bank, the provider was able to acquire the specialist elderly and dementia care home in Greenhithe, which has now been renamed Haslington Lodge, and will join the company’s Kent and Sussex range of private social care offerings. Adam Hutchison, managing director

of Belmont Healthcare Group, said: “This is our second acquisition in nine months, the first being Edendale Lodge in East Sussex. “Haslington care home was identified as the perfect fit for Belmont Healthcare Group and we very much look forward to continuing to provide the very best care and employment opportunities as we develop our ethos of care, which is all about home from home care with dignity and choice.”

GRACEWELL of Newbury has opened the doors to its new Memory Care coffee shop and boutique. Residents will be able to enjoy cakes, yoghurts, fruits and other treats made by the home’s chef at the bright and airy coffee shop, while also using the space to partake in fun activities, including arts and crafts and the chance to contribute to a resident art gallery. Over in the boutique, clothes, trinkets, hats, bags and other accessories can be purchased, with a plan in place to sell creative cards designed by the residents. Evonne Burch, home admissions advisor at Gracewell of Newbury, said: “We are delighted to open a new coffee shop and boutique at Gracewell of Newbury. “We are always delighted to hear more about how we can develop different areas around the home, and we instantly thought that this project was a wonderful idea. Residents have already been enjoying both spaces and we love seeing the smiles on their faces.” Every other week, Newbury will also hold a Dementia Friends information session in the coffee shop for members of the community and care staff to drop in on. The sessions, which are part of a national Alzheimer’s Society initiative, will give local people the chance to increase their

understanding of dementia and the small things they can do to support those living with memory loss, while getting to experience Newbury’s coffee shop first-hand. The dedicated spaces at the home are part of Gracewell of Newbury’s plan to make its Memory Care unit even more dementia-friendly, with the relaxed space of the coffee shop having been designed with the consideration of accessibility for those living with memory loss. There is a cake display fridge designed with light colours to make it easier for residents to choose what they would like to eat, a wooden picnic basket and no glass stands to make dining outside friendlier and safer, and the redirection of all lights for better visualisation. The overall look and feel of the boutique has also been planned carefully, with the placement of items and its aesthetic design aimed at stimulating the memories of residents by recreating the experience of being in a shop. There are no hazard points and the space is wheelchair-friendly, ensuring that as many Newbury residents as possible can enjoy treating themselves to something in the boutique. The coffee shop and the boutique will be run by existing memory care staff, as well as activities co-ordinator Sandra Vilaca.

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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE

Gale McIntyre, Claire Docherty and Louise Byars.

Group appoints key trio BALHOUSIE Care Group has created a tranche of senior management positions as it shapes up for a busy year ahead. The award-winning 25-strong care home group has recruited Claire Docherty as its new head of operations. Claire was formerly managing director with Renaissance Care and brings with her extensive experience in the private care home sector. In another newly created role, Gale McIntyre has joined as head of performance and improvement where she heads up people services, IT and project management. Gale was formerly a human resources partner and people management analyst with Tesco. She is also a former lecturer at Dundee and Angus College.

Louise Byars has been appointed as executive manager and head of brand at Balhousie Care Group, where she is leading the company’s communications and company strategy. Louise was also formerly with Tesco where she specialised in operations, communications and business support. Tony Banks, chairman and founder of Balhousie Care Group, said: “Balhousie Care Group is now in its 27th year of providing person-centred care and I’m proud to say that we continue to adapt and improve in order to meet the care needs of our residents. “I’m also proud that we continue to attract stellar individuals to the business, and I can’t wait to see what the year ahead brings.”

New development opens job Topping out applications for expert team ceremony at APPLICATIONS are now open for a number of roles at Hampshire’s luxury new retirement village. Friary Meadow, named in reference to the nearby Abbey and the likely historic use of the fields around it in the village of Titchfield, is recruiting for several positions including general manager, duty manager, carers, housekeepers and chefs. Dr Stephen Ladyman, founder of Oak Retirement and former Minister of Health responsible for Social Care, said: “We will be providing impeccable 24-hour service at Friary Meadow and therefore we need great people by our side. “We’re offering all staff no less than the Real Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation, as well as continuous training throughout employment and flexible hours for some roles. We’re looking for experienced staff who are passionate about the extra-care living model we operate at Friary Meadow. “With completion of the project build now firmly in sight, we’re excited to welcome residents and staff to our luxury new retirement village. “We’re really looking forward to meeting all prospective employees and recruiting for these important roles.” Full job descriptions are available on the Friary Meadow website and applications are open now for a start date to be confirmed for either March

Woking site

An example of one of the kitchen areas at Friary Meadow retirement village in Titchfield. enabling them to own their own or April. properties, thereby protecting their Situated between Southampton equity. and Portsmouth, in the heart of The £35m development is a joint Hampshire, the retirement village will venture between independent offer a selection of 86 luxury homes, comprising of apartments, bungalows retirement living specialist, Oak Retirement, and real estate fund and townhouses. manager, Frogmore. Friary Meadow is based on Construction was launched in the ‘extra-care’ living model, as June 2017 during an official groundrecommended by the Department breaking ceremony attended by the of Health, which aims at giving older former Mayor of Fareham, Councillor people the opportunity to retain their Geoff Fazackarley and former independence for longer, including Mayoress, Tina Fazackarley. their financial independence, by

The HPC Location Report Assess the feasibility of proposed care home development Used by investors, operators and developers In depth market analysis Highly visual data provision and analysis Interactive map offering Target Area options Additional Micro and Macro market identification and comment Concluding Director comment to each report

Contact HPC today on 01937 222107 Email enquiries@healthcarepc.co.uk Visit www.healthcarepc.co.uk

THE final tiles have been secured on the roof of a new care home in Woking as part of a traditional topping out ceremony to mark the latest milestone at the development. Caring Homes’ Horsell Lodge will offer residential, nursing and dementia care to 70 older people and is due to open in the summer. The home will feature bright and spacious communal areas including a cinema, hair salon, bistro, a restaurant with private dining facilities and several cosy lounges and quiet rooms. The home, on the site of the former Horsell Lodge, which closed in 2017, will be surrounded by landscaped gardens, with several rooms on the lower ground floor having access from their private patio. The final roof tile was fitted by the group’s operations director Adam Wilkins and construction manager Kevin Coleman in the presence of managers and colleagues from MP Brothers. Adam said: “We will now all be working hard to get the home fitted out inside and recruit staff ready to welcome our first residents next year.” Caring Homes is celebrating 25 years in 2019.

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Advice for first time buyers ...

New dementia friendly name badges launched BADGEMASTER launched a new and modified range of dementia friendly name badges at the recent Dementia Care and Nursing Home Expo. Names help us connect and start conversations. They help build trust and encourage us to put confidence in one another, especially in unfamiliar circumstances or care settings like hospitals and care homes. Name badges are a familiar sight in many of these environments yet often aren’t helpful for those who need them most. For people living with dementia or who have memory loss, a name badge can improve interactions and alleviate frustration of not remembering a name. With bright colours and large font sizes to choose, we have demonstrated that a little innovation goes a long way in a care home environment. A brightly coloured badge will help it stand out against clothing so it can be seen effortlessly. The

retina can easily pick out specific colour text on a particular colour background, and so the contrast is crucial to make the badge more legible. A good example is a black text on a yellow background. White or light-yellow text on a dark background works well too. If you’re going to great lengths to design a highly visible name badge, make sure it can easily be seen when it’s worn. It’s helpful for everyone to wear their name badge in the same place all the time too – it helps people remember where to look for it when they can’t recall a name. By taking a person-centred approach and considering the challenges a person living with dementia might face, we can understand what makes a name badge dementia-friendly. Enquiries: Design a dementia-friendly name badge for your care home online at www.badgemaster.co.uk or by calling 01623 723112.

Simple solutions

THE care sector has developed over the past four decades into a vibrant, growing market generating interest from investors. While recently there has been consolidation on regional and national levels, opportunities exist for new entrants to the sector. New entrants should consider the following guidelines when looking to acquire a care business: Experience Care businesses require handson input, even with a registered manager. Do you have the required healthcare background to operate one? If not, research courses or seminars to gain qualifications or expand your knowledge. Regional bodies can advise on the expectations of all care operators, familiarise yourself on how they operate and their powers. Cash If you have limited experience you will require a significant percentage of any purchase price, between 40-50 per cent is standard. Additional forms of security may be required, some

banks are reluctant to lend to those with no experience. It is highly recommended you consult specialist healthcare brokers that can advise what level of funding is attainable. Location Regular travel to your business is required, especially in the event of an emergency, consider businesses located no more than 90 minutes from you. Valuation and legal DD Once you have had an offer accepted instruct industry-specific valuers and solicitors. Your bank/broker can select suitable valuers for you. Strategy Any funding institution will require a three to five-year strategy, full business plan, profit expectations and evidence of research to support the viability of your plans. Your bank/ broker can assist in developing your business model. Be aware of the increasing expectations in terms of quality of facilities and the provision of care.

SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems. The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition. With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur. Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple... The WACMAT® will then be clean and odourfree, ready to perform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone. Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.

ACCOUNTANCY SAVVY!

Our goal is to work with you to carefully assess your personal or business requirements with the ultimate aim of reducing your tax liability – evaluating your needs and offering expert advice where and when you need it in a professional albeit informal environment.

World Book Day gave residents at a Chichester nursing home the chance to share their love of reading with children from a nearby nursery and primary school. Colten Care’s Wellington Grange opened its doors to pre-school visitors from Co-operative Childcare based at the city’s St Richard’s Hospital, followed by a group from Oakwood School. The children, dressed as book characters, were invited to join a reading circle and hear favourite passages read out loud by residents.

With our unique understanding of the Care Home Business, we can assist in the following ways:

• Start-up business advice • Advice & assistance with the purchase or sale if applicable. • Tax • Preparation and analysis of financial statements. • Bookkeeping and payroll services • Sales invoice preparation and monthly analysis for credit payments • Tax planning strategies. • Understanding service user funding • VAT (if applicable) • Business succession planning.

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Beaucare launch CareClean™ Premium Laundry Range BEAUCARE® Medical announces the launch of their CareClean™ premium concentrated laundry range, the new lines include bactericidal laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, destainer and sanitiser dedicated for use in professional environments including the care industry. The range is a cost effective solution which incorporates a powerful bactericidal action, along with the capability to work at low temperatures and deal with severe soilage problems. The detergent incorporates a spring fragrance

for long lasting freshness. All of the range is designed for use through Beaucare’s automatic dosing machines, ensuring ease of use for the care home laundry staff. They are available in 20, 10 and five-litre durable plastic tubs with secure screw lids for safe storage. Full product information literature is available on the range. Enquiries: For further details on the CareClean™ Laundry, contact the sales team on 01423 878899.

Not everyone will read this. But everyone SHOULD read this. An evaluation to understand the impact of the PASSsystem on 101 care businesses was commissioned by everyLIFE Technologies in 2017 and completed in 2019. The evaluation was led by both the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and York Consulting. The evaluation has demonstrated evidence based on feedback from business owners, care managers and care workers that the PASSsystem brings significant tangible benefits in terms of managing risk, efficiency, accountability and quality of care.

To read the full report or request the executive summary of the SCIE / everyLIFE evaluation: Go to www.scie.org.uk Or www.everylifetechnologies.com

Proven to: ■ better manage risk ■ realise business efficiencies ■ aid delivery of high-quality care ■ demonstrate accountability to services users, families and regulators

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