Caring UK Weekly

Issue 15 08.07.20 We are committed to supporting customers in these unprecedented times, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of my team to talk about how we can help Derek Breingan, Head of Health and Social Care 07818 454674

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Leader asks politicians to speak out A SOCIAL care leader is calling on politicians across North Wales to speak out against the “iniquitous” postcode lottery of fees in the wake of news that a historic care home is closing.

Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said the devastating news about the decision to axe the Penrhos Polish Home on the Llyn Peninsula, highlighted the threat to the future of care homes throughout Wales.

It’s been revealed that up to 40 “frightened” and elderly residents of the home, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, face an uncertain future.

The home was established to provide accommodation for Polish ex-servicemen and women after World War II. More than 30 residents will be affected by the planned closure, but 63 people living in sheltered accommodation managed by housing association Clwyd Alyn will not be affected.

Gwynedd Council has stepped in to provide short-term support but the announcement has caused huge concern, with the daughter of one of the people living there being quoted as

saying the residents were “very frightened”, Mario said: “The impending closure of this home is an absolute tragedy.

“The home have been longstanding members of Care Forum Wales and our thoughts are with the residents, their families and staff at this difficult and uncertain time.

“This heart-breaking situation mirrors the uncertainty in the social care sector across Wales and has highlighted the financial crisis facing our care homes which are such vitally important community assets.

“For nearly a quarter of a century the policy has been for local government to manage the sector and the problems we are seeing are a direct consequence of that.

“It is something the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, recognised recently when he said the sector was fragile even before the coronavirus crisis began.

“I would urge all North Wales politicians, who are naturally showing their concern in relation to the Polish home, to examine the fundamental cause of the problem because this is not a one-off situation. It is a deep rooted crisis.”

Zoom fitness session held for residents

Staff and residents at Borough Care’s homes for older people in Stockport have participated in the Stars in Memory campaign, by creating and decorating stars to remember those lives lost during the coronavirus. Organisations across the care sector have joined together to produce stars, to mark the loss that has been felt during the pandemic and to show those who have lost loved ones they are being thought about. Residents and staff spent time together designing their stars, which are displayed in the homes’ windows.

Betty Smith, a resident at Bruce Lodge home in Offerton, is pictured with her decorated star.

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FITNESS influencer and personal trainer Alice Liveing hosted a oneoff, fun fitness session for care home residents in celebration of #GladtoCare Awareness Week.

Held virtually over Zoom and offered to more than 180 care homes across the UK who had registered for #GladtoCare Awareness Week, the session saw nearly 2,000 residents between the ages of 70 and 109 taking part.

Alice, who as well as being a qualified personal trainer is a bestselling author and Women’s Health columnist, shared her expertise with participants, talking them through a variety of gentle seated exercises and stretches, as well as strength, balance and breathing exercises.

Usually seen posting daily live workouts to a following of nearly 700,000 across her social channels, Alice fully embraced teaching a new demographic about the best ways to keep mobile during lockdown.

She said: “I am so thrilled to have taught a workout to more than 180 care homes across the UK. “I feel incredibly passionate about getting the over 70s active and moving as so often they are excluded from much of the fitness discourse.

“As an aging population who will benefit so much from some guidance, I am so pleased to have been able to coach them.”

The session was just one of a number of activities that have been organised for participating homes throughout the week.

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CARINGWEEKLY

Homecare provider expands its wellbeing support offering A HOMECARE service provider is helping older people to stay active and independent during the coronavirus lockdown.

Customers of Belong at Home, the homecare provision from dementia specialists Belong, are now enjoying support to help maintain mobility following the launch of bespoke exercise plans and free resistance training bands.

Designed by Belong’s lead fitness instructor Anthony Harley, the daily training programme is tailored to enable older people to maintain vital strength and mobility, and has been provided to all Belong at Home customers to follow in their own home.

He said: “Isolation brings a real risk that older people’s muscle strength, balance and stamina is lost, as they spend more sedentary time indoors.

“These simple exercise plans are designed to help them follow short, targeted exercise routines, little and often, which will make all the difference to their continued independence once we emerge from lockdown.”

The not-for-profit care provider has also issued customers with elastic exercise training bands to help with arm strengthening exercises.

Belong at Home operations manager, Jo Ball, said: “Normally, our

Belong at Home customer Mary Cunliffe. home care customers could visit their local Belong village to use specialist on-site gym facilities or go out to other social activities, which help keep older people active, such as bowls or tea dances.

“With many of our customers in the most vulnerable group asked to shield by the Government, we realised we needed to look at alternative ways to support their physical and mental wellbeing during lockdown and expand our service beyond the

essentials of daily living support.”

The training plans consist of a variety of routines, devised specifically to help older people continue exercising while isolating at home, through a series of standing, sitting and even bed-based routines.

Activities are targeted to specific muscles, such as arms, hands, legs and hips, aiding recovery from operations and reducing stiffness and pain.

Building strength, balance and coordination, they also improve both physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as help reduce the risk of falls at this critical time.

Jo added: “Our customers are now enjoying the benefit of their own training plans from the comfort of their own homes.

“As the Belong at Home service is open to all residents in the wider community, we look forward to supporting new customers, particularly those who are looking for extra support while living in their own homes, and perhaps are feeling isolated or unfit due to the ongoing lockdown.”

The move follows the recent launch of the ‘Belong Active’ YouTube channel, which is accessible to all older people in the community and enables anyone with internet access to join in daily exercise routines.

Madge Dineen with Kay Hawkins.

Sweet treat for Madge BARNES Lodge in Tonbridge held a sweet treat for resident Madge Dineen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

While this birthday was slightly different for Madge due to Covid19, the staff ensured she was still spoilt and treated the whole home to nostalgic 99s to celebrate.

She was absolutely delighted and, even though it had been raining, the staff went out and got one for everyone.

Social activities facilitator Kay Hawkins said: “Just seeing Madge’s face light up and her emotions at seeing the van had come just for her was so wonderful.

“The whole home got to enjoy this treat and the ice cream van owner was kind enough to not charge us for coming out.”

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CARINGWEEKLY

Piper leaves customers hitting the high notes

Appleton Manor resident Billy Hough with his wife Doreen.

Couple celebrate 65th wedding anniversary HC ONE’s Appleton Manor resident Billy Hough celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with his wife Doreen recently.

Wellbeing coordinator Sarah Harrison wanted to make sure this day was as special as possible, even with lockdown meaning they were unable to give each other a hug.

Prior to the day, Sarah helped Billy create a card to give to Doreen, along with a framed photograph of some of Billy’s special memories of him and his wife over the years.

She said: “This was a very emotional day, being able to be a part of it was so special.”

Billy’s wife Doreen came to see Billy through the window so they could celebrate their special day together.

Doreen brought gifts for Billy and was overwhelmed to receive hers from him too.

The team at Appleton Manor gave Billy and Doreen a card and bunch of flowers to congratulate them on 65 happy years spent together.

Sarah has also now put together a photo album of the pictures taken on their wedding anniversary, so Billy and Doreen will have even more memories to look back on together when they can finally reunite properly.

A YOUNG bagpiper has delighted customers at a housing development by playing a special ‘outdoors’ lockdown concert.

Euan Crawford, 18, played in the gardens while residents at Bield’s West Port development in Linlithgow watched on from their windows.

Euan, who plays for the West Lothian Pipe Band and was in full Highland dress for the occasion, was also captured on video which is now being shared among other Bield developments.

The performance was arranged by Carol Owen of the Linlithgow Link Voluntary Group as part of a Tuesday Club collaboration which is held weekly at the West Port development.

Lynne Douglas, chief executive of Bield, said: “We are always grateful to volunteers who take their time to entertain our customers.

“Euan’s performance was excellent and had our customers humming along to his pipes.

“We are always delighted to have young people engaging with our customers.

“It’s little acts of kindness like this that are really bringing communities across Scotland together during a troubling time.

“Again thank you very much to Euan and Linlithgow Link for putting this on.”

This act of kindness follows

Euan Crawford a community group who have distributed nutritional meals to customers during the pandemic.

Ladies of the Rock have been serving up soup and snacks to customers at the Bield development, Greenacre Court in Bannockburn.

The group has been donating their time every Tuesday for the last eight weeks.

Why HR is the key to recovery

By Michael Doolin AS the UK Government announces further measures to ease lockdown, many employers in the care sector will be turning their attention to formalising work plans for the new ‘normal’.

With the safety of residents, staff and visitors paramount, this will largely involve communicating with staff to set out new working practices and redesigning work spaces to adhere to health and safety and social distancing protocols.

But, notwithstanding the unprecedented challenges faced by the care sector over recent months, this next phase of unlocking lockdown could be another daunting prospect for care home managers and staff.

It’s likely that someone’s lockdown experience- and the wider impact of Covid-19 – will have a strong influence on how they respond to transitioning from out of it.

After weeks of lockdown and a complete change of routine that has included home schooling, furlough or even shielding, the heightened level of anxiety felt by workers in care settings could make a return to ‘normal’ feel a very daunting prospect.

For some lockdown has been lonely, restrictive and worrying, while others are happy to say they have enjoyed a slower pace of life and time with families.

Either way, it’s important to

Michael Doolin

recognise what a return to a ‘new normal’ might mean for each individual and how best to support them in the workplace.

Here are five key pieces of advice for how to make this transition back to work a little smoother for your care home team: 1) Coping with anxiety As well as returning to work, workers may also be anxious about their commute to and from the workplace, especially those who rely on public transport. Employers need to ensure they address any employee concerns when planning their return to work. If it isn’t handled appropriately, it could have an impact on an employee’s mental health and cause further issues.

2) Making the workplace safe Care home owners and managers must make every reasonable effort to ensure their setting is as safe as possible for staff, residents and

visiting family members. n Do a risk assessment to identify what might cause harm and take reasonable steps to prevent it. n Follow government guidelines on working safely.

3) Two-way communication with staff Employers should discuss return to work or new work plans with all employees. These discussions should be done as early as possible to ensure a return to the work or any changes in protocols is mutually agreed between employer and employee.

It is best practice to include: n When employees might return to work. n If this is phased, how and when. n How employees will travel to and from work. n How health and safety in the home is being managed and reviewed. n Sharing risk assessments. n Any adjustments being made to the workplace. n Flexible working requests.

4) Supporting employees who are vulnerable, living with vulnerable dependents or having to self-shield People who suffer from certain health conditions remain at higher risk if they contract Covid-19.

Employees living with vulnerable or shielding people or who have childcare responsibilities will also want to stay protected from the virus.

Employees can take a reasonable amount of time off to take care of dependents, there is no set time limit for this and is dependent on the

individual situation, so employers must work with staff to understand each individual’s situation and hopefully mutually agree next steps.

If an employee self-isolates because of a disability this also puts them into a high-risk category, so beware of indirect discrimination in this case.

5) Employees refusing to work if they think it is not safe to do so Given the unique environment and the impact that Covid-19 has had on the care home sector in particular, some employees may feel they are unable, or indeed just don’t want to return to work yet. Employers need to listen to employees’ concerns, be understanding and address them directly, by outlining the measures in place to protect them. By doing this hopefully it can be mutually agreed for an employee to return to work.

While all the above represent reasonable measures to support care staff in the workplace, we must also brace ourselves for the possibility that even after a comprehensive consultation process an employee may simply refuse to attend work without giving a valid reason.

In normal circumstances this would undoubtedly lead to disciplinary action under company disciplinary procedures.

However, at a time when human resource is limited and circumstances unprecedented, we are working with clients to do all we can to prevent this course of action. n Michael Doolin is the managing director of Clover HR.

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CARINGWEEKLY

Care homes raise flags to mark Armed Forces Day RESIDENTS at Royal Star & Garter homes took part in special flagraising ceremonies to mark Armed Forces Day. Veterans in each of the charity’s homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe took part in the event, which was the culmination of Armed Forces Week.

Some helped raise special Armed Forces Day flags, while others paid tribute by taking part in a salute for all those who have served in the military.

At the Surbiton home, Army veteran Peter, who served in the Royal Engineers, raised the flag.

Kingston Mayor Margaret Thompson also joined celebrations with a Zoom video call to the home.

She spoke to World War II WAAF veteran Flo, members of staff, and a volunteer who joined in the call from her home.

Andy Cole, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Armed Forces Week is an important time for us and our residents.

“It is an opportunity to give thanks for the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made, and continue to make, for our country.

“We were especially delighted that the Mayor of Kingston was able to spend time talking to our World War II veterans, staff and volunteers at our Surbiton home.”

In Solihull, residents enjoyed a

Christopher Dean and Shaun Green.

Operator shortlisted for award for its risk mitigation approach Resident Peter raises the flag at the Surbiton home. garden concert from vintage vocal harmony group Boogaloo Babes.

They participated in the salute and tucked into cupcakes, ice cream and Champagne, while observing social distancing.

In High Wycombe 101-year-old Ena, whose husband died in action in 1944, raised the Armed Forces Day flag.

Dr Hilary Jones opens Sandbach care home

ELWORTH Grange, operated by Ideal Carehomes, has held its official ‘virtual’ grand opening ceremony with the help of a very special guest of honour: Dr Hilary Jones.

The care home in Sandbach will create more than 50 jobs for the local community during its first phase of recruitment, and will provide a home for 66 people.

To celebrate the launch of the luxurious home, future residents and their friends and families, as well as the local community, were invited to join the Elworth Grange team ‘live’ on Facebook to safely watch the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Staff virtually welcomed ITV’s Dr Hilary Jones, who gave a heartwarming speech, crediting social care and key workers for their commitment to caring for the elderly.

He officially announced Elworth Grange as open as the staff team cut the ribbon on his behalf.

Regional director for Ideal

Carehomes in the North West, Christina Durnan, said: ‘I have been extremely excited to finally cut the ribbon and open our beautiful home – it was a pleasure to virtually meet Dr Hilary and have him officially open Elworth Grange.

“Our team can’t wait to support our first residents and help them to live life to the full.

“Everything at Elworth Grange puts us at the forefront of care and, with the established Ideal Carehomes team and policies behind us too, we have all we need to ensure the continued wellbeing of our residents and staff.

“The new build allows us to be completely on top of infection control from the very start, and the large social spaces give us the means to social distance with ease.”

Dr Hilary enjoyed meeting the staff team and having a look around the home via an online link, and said that he looks forward to visiting in person when he is able to do so.

CARE home provider Sunrise Senior Living UK has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Approach to Risk Mitigation’ category in the Excellence in Procurement Awards.

These are the top procurement awards in the UK, organised by the Chartered Institute of Procurement.

This category rewards teams who have successfully managed business risk in order to safeguard their organisations against cost or reputational damage, or mitigated risk within the business or supply chain to gain competitive advantage.

Sunrise Senior Living’s UK’s shortlisting was due to its triumph in ‘Project PPE’, as they successfully procured sufficient Personal Protective Equipment supplies for all their UK care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

When Covid-19 first hit the UK, all care homes had to quickly source adequate PPE for their staff.

This is not something that would normally have been planned for, as it is very rare this sort of equipment is needed in such large quantities for day-to-day operations in a care home.

Within 24 hours of being tasked with managing the PPE supply risk, the team had solved the problem and secured ongoing supplies for the UK. Christopher Dean, director of procurement at Sunrise Senior Living UK, said: “We are so proud of our team for their significant efforts

throughout this pandemic.

“Our quick thinking has helped minimise risk of transmission and maximise the safety of residents.”

During the initial stages of the pandemic the UK Sunrise Procurement Team was also able to support Sunrise US, and their 300 sites.

Within 10 days, the team had supported Sunrise Senior Living US with ordering, managing transportation, customs and duty requirements and delivered 300,000 face masks. This bought them valuable time to establish their own more localised supply chain.

Due to the early success of the Sunrise Procurement team, they were able to support additional care providers across the UK, too.

They helped 12 other care providers with PPE supplies, without compromising their own supply chain.

Christopher added: “It was also amazing that we could help our colleagues in the US, as well as other care providers in the UK with procurement of essential PPE. “We have now been able to expand our procurement team and we are so pleased to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.

“We look forward to supporting all our care homes in transitioning smoothly out the other side of this and establish a new normal.”

Bluebird Care has acquired the Irish Master Franchise business from Clemac Home Care Services Ltd. Bluebird Care franchise owners in Ireland will now more directly become a part of the wider Bluebird Care franchise network which includes the UK, and will have access to the wide-ranging support and services available to them. Wayne Smith, acting managing director at Bluebird Care, said: “We are very much looking forward to extending our award-winning support services to the team in the Republic of Ireland, so that they can continue to provide the highest standards of care to customers in their own homes, now during Covid-19, and in the future.”

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Home creates a positivi-tree for residents

STAFF at The Vale in Bolsover have created a positivi-tree in the care home’s back garden for the residents.

The tree was created to enhance positivity and the idea came about for residents and staff to write down what they were looking forward to when the lockdown was over and hang them on a positivi-tree.

Many of the wishes hung on the tree by residents included meeting up with their families for a cuddle, and staff wishes included hoping for a summer holiday.

Home manager James Kelly said: “Lockdown has been difficult for us all, and having restricted visits has meant that residents have missed things they would normally take for granted, like cuddling their families.

“The positivi-tree has been a real mood-booster in the home, and the residents have really enjoyed taking part.

“The tree will definitely be here to stay, and I’m looking forward to reading more of the residents’ thoughts and wishes.”

The home has decided that when restrictions are lifted and lockdown is eased, that the positivi-tree will remain part of the garden for residents to share their thoughts and wishes with each other in the future.

Residents are reunited with families in Covid-safe visits RESIDENTS at Colten Care’s 21 care homes in the south have been reunited with their loved ones thanks to a new Covid-safe visiting approach.

Perspex screens installed in the homes’ entrance ways are enabling families and residents to see and talk to each other in close physical proximity for the first time since lockdown began three months ago.

While conforming to all public health guidance, it’s a safe way to bring people together without the risk of transmitting the virus.

Canford Chase home manager Charlotte Wilson said: “We’ve done amazingly well so far with social distancing, PPE, testing and controls on admissions and visits.

“Now, we’re delighted to have been able to introduce this new safe visiting solution and see our residents and relatives reconnecting. It’s heartwarming.”

Across the 21 homes, relatives and friends book half-hour time slots for the visits so that everyone has a fair opportunity to share in the new protocol.

Visitors are also guided through a full safety procedure including previsit checks.

There was an extra special reason to celebrate the first reunion at Amberwood House in Ferndown.

It gave resident Gladys Blythe, known as Joan, the chance to celebrate her 72nd wedding

Brenda Dyer, a resident at Colten Care’s Canford Chase care home, smiles through the screen to her daughter Beverley Darbyshire. anniversary with visiting husband Peter.

Before lockdown, Peter had visited on a daily basis, with the pair also phoning each other three or four times a day.

Eleanor Abrams, Amberwood House home manager, said: “It was heartbreaking that Peter’s visits had to stop because of lockdown and it was so emotional that they were able

to see each other again, especially on their anniversary.

“Joan was rather nervous beforehand, she said it was like preparing for walking down the aisle again.

“For all our residents, it has been a time of excitement. Some have been a little nervous about how the visits would work but after they’ve seen their loved ones again they’ve been so happy. It’s just lovely.”

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care operations director, added: “Everything we do is centred round the wellbeing of our residents and their families.

“That’s why, as soon as we felt it was safe to do so, we worked with our in-house team to create this innovative solution to enable safe visiting.

“It’s not the same as actually meeting as usual but at least you can see and talk to each other while being physically together, unlike Skype or Zoom.

“Our teams have managed the lockdown restrictions brilliantly. We are so proud of all they have achieved to date, but they fully appreciate just how much residents have been missing visits from their families and friends.

“The new safe visiting protocol looks to be a great success already, giving residents and staff a huge boost.”

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CARINGWEEKLY

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Haringey care provider is rated inadequate by CQC Residents hold events to show appreciation RESIDENTS at Barking Hall Nursing Home near Needham Market were keen to show their appreciation of staff and so arranged a special ‘Barking Hall Week’.

Each staff member received a gift bag with a picture on the front connected with their life.

For example, one staff member is an avid caravaner, and her bag had a caravan on the front.

The bags were put together by the residents with the help of the activities team.

The cards inside said “Thanks to my carer for being there when I needed you most” or “My heart just keeps thanking you, and thanking you for caring for me”.

The colouring in was done by the

residents little by little and in secret.

Each carer also received a mug that has a letter B for Barking Hall on the front.

The bag contained a marble, gold heart, safety pin, penny and star with this message: “A marble for when you lose yours, A gold heart because you have one, A safety pin to keep you safe, A penny for good luck, and a glowing star because you are one” Sue Oates, manager of Barking Hall, said: “Everyone was really touched by this lovely gesture.

“It was remarkable for us all to receive these from the residents who were keen to show their gratitude for everyone’s work in what have been the most extraordinary times – I know I will always treasure mine.”

A HARINGEY domiciliary care service has been rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission.

Focus Learning was rated Inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led.

It was rated Requires Improvement for being caring and responsive, following the inspection in February.

The service has now been placed in special measures.

This means CQC keep the service under review and, if it does not propose to cancel the provider’s registration, it will re-inspect within six months to check for significant improvements.

Neil Cox, acting head of inspection for adult social care in London, said: “We are mindful of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our regulatory function.

“This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.

“We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to

hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

“We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, staffing, need for consent, assessing people’s needs, complaints, good governance and notification of death of a service user.

“We will closely monitor the service to ensure improvements are made quickly and will take further action should the improvements not be made.”

CQC inspectors found: n People at risk of falls did not have appropriate risk assessments to help reduce the likelihood of falls. n People requiring two carers were at risk of harm as they did not receive two carers to provide support. n The manager did not have systems in place to show how they learned from accidents or incidents and how to prevent them in the future.

Feedback was mixed about how caring the service was.

One person and their relative thought the manager was caring.

Another relative did not have a good experience with the management of the service.

Home inundated with community connections to original building FOXHOLES Care Home, near Hitchin, has been overwhelmed with information sent in by the public following the launch of a ‘history hunt’ in April to help uncover the long and eventful timeline of its striking central building.

While the 163-year-old building is known to have been a former maternity ward, Catholic boarding house and care home, tying down its colourful history to fill the gaps has been quite the challenge, with a few blanks left scattered across its timeline.

Foxholes launched the appeal for information in the hope of finally completing the timeline puzzle, so it can create a book on the history of the building and a special ‘wall of memory’ in the entrance of the home that tells everyone’s story.

Neil Gandecha, estate manager at Foxholes, said: “The responses we’ve received since launching the appeal for information have been astonishing.

“So many people from the Hitchin area have got in touch to share their stories, and we’ve even had information sent in from as far afield as Switzerland and California.

“From this, we’ve managed to paint a clearer picture of how the building has been used over the past 163 years, and have pulled together a timeline of key dates.

“However, we still need to fill in some of the missing pieces.

“We’re still not entirely sure when the building was first used as a Catholic boarding house and when it

Foxholes Care Home as it looks today. closed, so any more information the public may have that would help us complete the timeline would be very much appreciated.

“Also, please do keep sending in your connections to Foxholes. It can be an image of you, a relative or a friend in the building, or a story on your connection with it.

“We’ve received old photographs and birth certificates which has been really helpful in pulling the pieces together. So please keep them coming.”

With the help of the Hitchin community, the residential care home has managed the fill in the key dates of the below timeline:

1857 – The imposing building started life as a Manor House for Quaker William John Lucas and his family.

There is a road named Lucas Lane after the family, just north of the care home.

1939 to 1951 – The building was converted into a maternity ward, serving the people of Hitchin and the surrounding area.

1960s – The building was used as a Catholic boarding house for boys who attended the nearby St Michael’s College, before entering the priesthood. During this time, the boarding house was also used as a home for retired priests, who would often help educate the children.

1987 – The building became a nursing home for the general public.

2010 – The old nursing home was demolished following significant investment to transform the building into a luxury residential care home.

2012 – Foxholes Care Home, as it stands proudly today, opens its doors.

As well as helping to fill in the timeline, local residents have also been sharing their personal stories and memories connected to the building.

One resident, Gordan Woods, shared that he was born at Foxholes in 1944 when it was a maternity ward, and that an unexploded bomb caused plaster from the ceiling to fall near to where he was sleeping when it landed nearby.

Another local resident, Bob Sibley, sent in a photo of his boarding mates from when he attended St Michael’s College.

He remembered the grounds back then having a football pitch, bullock stables and an apple orchard.

He described playing football in knee-high grass and avoiding the cow pats as quite the challenge.

Bernie Cotton shared that he was born at Foxholes on July 5, 1948, five days before the NHS was founded, and that his mother, Helen Stewart Cotton, now resides at the home.

North Hertfordshire Museum also contacted Foxholes to reveal that they have a collection of Roman objects on display that were excavated from the kitchen garden by the Lucas family.

The artefacts include knives, jewellery, pottery, and cutlery.

9

CARINGWEEKLY

Care homes receive coronavirus funding THE Royal British Legion has welcomed a grant of £250,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

The award from the Covid-19 Impact Programme will be used to help staff to continue providing critical support for elderly residents at four of its care homes.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is administering the Covid-19 Impact Programme on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office following the allocation of emergency funding from DCMS and HM Treasury in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The money will be used to help pay for PPE and other additional costs due to Covid-19 at Dunkirk Memorial House in Somerset, Mais House in East Sussex, Maurice House in Kent and Galanos House in Warwickshire.

The Legion currently operates a portfolio of six care homes across the UK providing veterans and their dependants with residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.

The Royal British Legion’s assistant director of operations Stephen Barnett said: “This is fantastic news for residents and staff whose lives are impacted by coronavirus every day.

“We have taken an extensive range of measures to protect everyone living and working in our care homes, but this comes at a financial cost.

“This grant will help us to pay for vital PPE equipment and cover staffing costs. The support and services provided by the care sector have never been more important.

“Since the pandemic began, we have seen increased demands on our services and have had to come up with many alternative ways of providing support.

“We will continue to be flexible and responsive while at the same time providing the highest standards of care.”

The Legion has supplied extra iPads and mobile phones and improved connectivity so that residents can maintain contact with their families via video calls.

Activity programmes have also been adapted to provide for smaller groups and one-to-one sessions. Staff have also been finding innovative ways to keep residents engaged and entertained.

Examples range from setting up a pen pal system between residents in one home and local nursery schools to hosting inter-home quiz nights.

Centenarian chorister goes digital during lockdown A 100-YEAR-old from Wellingborough is proving that you are never too old to try new things, taking her choir meetings digital due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joan Furniss, who lives at Lancum House care home, has been getting to grips with technology and been enjoying therapeutic singing sessions with the local ‘Dementia Sings Out’ community choir via the video conferencing app, Zoom.

The centenarian, who moved to Lancum House in 2017, has been a member of the choir for almost a year.

Activities champion at the Shaw healthcare run care home, Jackie Stapleton, said: “Maintaining high spirits in the home is of paramount importance to us, especially at a time when external trips for our residents are not possible.

“It just goes to show with Joan that you are never too old to try new things.

“She loved seeing herself on the screen, it brings a great big smile to her face, and ours.”

Diana Moran

Diana inspires residents with her chair-based programmes FITNESS sensation Diana Moran, better known as the Green Goddess, is bringing joy and motivation to residents at Anchor Hanover care homes during the coronavirus pandemic, with a bespoke chairbased workout programme.

Determined to keep spirits up, Diana, the operator and healthcare furniture specialists Shackleton’s have collaborated to launch the workouts.

Cath Holmes, service improvement manager at Anchor Hanover, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Shackleton’s and Diana to launch these workouts.

“The physical and mental wellbeing of older people across the country is paramount and we’re constantly looking for new and innovative ways

to keep residents engaged.

“The workouts have been really well received by residents as they’re fun and helping to keep people motivated during this challenging time.”

Residents across the group’s homes received a memorable surprise recently when the 80’s fitness star popped up on their TV screens to wish them well and guide them through the workouts.

Since then, staff have been encouraging residents to try the workouts that include shoulder circles, leg stretches and chair squats.

Diana, now 80-years-old, first introduced fitness to the UK in the 1980’s on BBC’s Breakfast Time.

She is now also Shackleton’s health and wellbeing advisor.

New DSE Assessment Tool aids health and safety compliance Joan – who has three daughters, 17 grandchildren and 21 greatgrandchildren – was a keen performer in her youth, often joining in with local ballroom dancing groups.

Lancum House provides accommodation for up to 43 people, including those living with dementia.

Look out for a special feature in next week’s Caring UK Weekly that will include a range of specialist companies who can offer expert technical advice on how you can upgrade your equipment to safeguard residents in the wake of the Government creating a £600million Infection Control Fund.

To advertise your products and services in this feature give our sales team a call on 01226 734288 or 01226 734480

iHASCO has developed an updated version of its Display Screen Equipment assessment, which is provided alongside its IOSH approved DSE training course.

Employees will be prompted to undertake the online assessment on completion of their training.

Fully interactive, the assessment can provide advice and record any outstanding concerns with DSE set-up so issues can be simply resolved by an employer, while keeping a historical record of any communication.

This avoids the need for unnecessary paperwork and filing, as well as allowing employees who are working from an alternative location to the workplace to easily undergo an assessment.

Users will be able to complete the online assessment in around 10 minutes by selecting answers on important questions to ensure their safety when using DSE. It consists of eight topics including work equipment, chairs, screens and devices and the environment around their workstations.

Full integration with a Learning Management System ensures employers are instantly notified of any issues raised by employees, while keeping employees updated with any responses.

During this process employees are able to revisit the full training course or specific sections of the programme, to help reinforce their understanding of DSE set-up to ensure they are working safely.

This interactive assessment allows organisations to work towards DSE compliance with ease and

help prevent absenteeism from these types of workplace injury.

“The interactive assessment has been developed to provide a simple and quick solution to the necessary DSE assessments that employers must carry out,” said Nathan Pitman, director at iHASCO. “It also allows employees to confidently raise any issues and avoid unnecessary injury and fatigue from improper setup.

“We would highly recommend any returning employees to the workplace as a result of Covid19 to refresh their DSE training and complete the interactive assessment.

“This proactive approach will help ensure they use their equipment correctly and remain healthy and productive.” iHASCO’s DSE training course and interactive assessment can be completed in just 45 minutes.

It is suitable for new starters and as refresher training for existing employees.

DSE assessments should be carried out at least every two years or sooner if there is a change in circumstances, such as the use of new equipment or a change of workstation or location (including remote working).

This also applies to returning employees after a period of absence. iHASCO is encouraging employers to get in touch to find out how the interactive assessment tool can support them with DSE compliance.

Enquiries: Email hello@ihasco.co.uk or visit www.ihasco.co.uk

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