August 2017
no.243 • £4.75 incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Time running out to enter first awards
By Dominic Musgrave
TIME is running out to submit your Caring UK Awards’ entries, with nominations for this year closing on August 21. The Caring UK Awards, in partnership with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, recognise excellence and achievement throughout the care industry and recognising team efforts across the UK. They have been created to highlight and pay tribute to the care home teams who make an outstanding contribution to caring for the elderly. Taking place on Friday December 8 at the National Railway Museum in York, there are over 15 trophies up for grabs at this year’s awards including Care Home of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year and Activities Team of the Year. Other categories include Best Innovation in Care, Best Outdoor Environment and Care Employer .of the Year. Derek Breingan, head of health and social care at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, said: “The health and social care sector forms a significant part of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s activities across the country and we consider it a very important sector to support. “We all want the best outcomes
for our loved ones and those who need care and support in our communities. The sector receives its fair share of negative press and this does not highlight the significant positive contribution that so many people that work in care deserve. “Given our ongoing relationships with providers and stakeholders we felt it was important that we could come together and celebrate the real difference that people make to the most vulnerable in our communities. The invitation to become involved in the Caring UK Awards was a fantastic opportunity to do this. We also were excited that the event was being held in York, given most national awards are hosted in London, and therefore might encourage more entries from regional care providers and employees. “We are really encouraging people to enter nominations for the categories available. It is the nominees that make the event, a real opportunity to celebrate with colleagues and other like minded people in the sector, and something to look forward to.” The judges with the tough task of picking the winners and the hosts will be announced in due course. n Enter your nomination at www. caringukawards.co.uk
Television presenter Fiona Phillips was the guest of honour at the opening of a new £11m Hallmark care home in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Fiona, who is also an Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, cut the ribbon at Chamberlain Court Care Home’s official launch event. As part of the 72 bed residential and dementia care home’s special event, guests were invited to view the home’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include a £50,000 cinema, hairdressers, barbers, therapy room and café. Other design innovations include a walk-in and musical therapy bath, a celebrations room which can be reserved for functions, an outdoor activity room and an aviary.
Dance group to visit 12 homes A DANCE group that offers interactive shows for young children and families will be bringing its innovative performances to 12 Northamptonshire care homes. Wriggle Dance Theatre’s latest project, funded by Northamptonshire community foundation’s Compton Fund and in partnership with Shaw healthcare and St Crispin’s Retirement Village, will see eight community volunteers, from nine – 57 years old, visit care homes in Wellingborough, Rushden, Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Desborough, Raunds and Daventry. The performance will incorporate elements for the residents to watch, and moments to interact with
the performers, utilising creative movement, singing and props. The show will be based around the theme of our sense of touch, and how this connects us to the world around us. It’s hoped that the project will encourage creativity and social interaction for the residents living in the homes. The community volunteer performers are made up of parents and their children of different ages. There are seven dancers and a live musician. Jane Harris, of Shaw healthcare, added: “Social interaction and regular activities are vital when providing community care, and I have every faith that our residents will embrace and enjoy the upcoming performances.”