Caring UK Weekly November 16

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Manager helps former teacher with dementia

A GENERAL manager at a Hertfordshire care home who has been reunited with his former schoolteacher has given back after helping the now-turnedresident remember to play the violin – something he hasn’t attempted in many years as a result of living with dementia.

David Brown, 83, and Foxholes’ Neil Gandecha were reintroduced to each other at the Hitchin care home following the former’s many years of teaching English and French at the town’s Kingshott School.

David – whom Neil credits as an inspiring figure for his own career development – was the head of English and dedicated 30 years of his life to teaching literature, before retiring and making the transition into care.

Having arrived at Foxholes in 2021, David, who has been living with dementia for several years, has maintained a lifelong love of music and was particularly talented with the violin.

Inspired by the work of Dementia Friends, an initiative launched by the Alzheimer’s Society to transform people’s perception of dementia, Neil decided to utilise dementia therapy tools with David to help encourage reminiscence and communication through a collection of music, memories and photos.

He then organised for Kingshott School’s head of music Alison Eales, a former colleague

and close friend of David, to visit the care home.

With the friendship between the two rekindled, Neil – who noticed David would still light up during activities involving music at the home – wanted to test whether the experience could prompt them to consider playing together again.

This led to David picking up the violin and effortlessly performing the Bruce Springsteen song ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – something he hadn’t been able to do in years.

Neil said: “To see Mr Brown and Miss Eales reconnect over lunch and perform a rendition together, especially from a former pupil’s perspective, was a proud moment for me and my sister – who also works at Foxholes.

“To pay back our teachers a little, with a moment of reminiscence and happiness, was unforgettable. Mr Brown, who is now insistent that I call him David, played the violin as beautifully as I remember when I was just 10 years old.

“It’s been so nice to see a familiar face and rekindle the great relationship we previously had. I know music brings a great deal of joy to David, which meant it was vital that I try to return the favour and make an important contribution to someone who had such a significant influence on my own life.

CUK Awards’ tickets in demand

TICKETS are selling fast for the industry’s biggest end-of-year party, with plans in place to make this year’s Caring UK Awards the best one yet.

Organised by Script Media in partnership with Caring UK and headline sponsor Virgin Money, this annual celebration of success will culminate in a glittering ceremony – taking place at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday December 1 – where host Dean Andrews from Emmerdale and Life on Mars will reveal the lucky winners who will take home an award.

We received a record number of entries from all over the UK with so many stories of the wonderful work that was done particularly during the pandemic and we want to thank everyone who sent in

nominations.

Shortlisted entries from far and wide have made the finals, now progressing to the next stage of the judging process.

Event organiser Dominic Musgrave added: “We have been amazed by the incredible work that has taken and is continuing to take place in homes nationwide, and the last two-and-a-half years has only confirmed to us just how wonderful care staff truly are.

“Once again we were overwhelmed with the standard of entries we received from homes up and down the country. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone at the awards on December 1.”

Tickets to the care industry’s party of the year are available at https://scriptevents.co.uk/cuk-awards-tickets/

The residents of Magnolia House in Cottingham and The Manor House in Little Weighton observed a reflective and respectful Armistice Day when they were visited by Jerry Cross, commander and standard bearer and Gary Fraser, secretary and poppy member from the Cottingham branch of The Royal British Legion. The residents and staff of the East Riding care homes, which offer residential, respite and dementia care, welcomed the poignant and emotional remembrance service. The Last Post was played, and the two-minute silence allowed residents to honour their loved ones who served in the armed the forces. This is the third time Cottingham branch of The Royal British Legion has conducted Remembrance Day services at the homes – an annual tradition which began when residents were prevented from attending public services due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Independent living specialist ready for the next 50 years

BLACKWOOD will remain focused on providing accessible and affordable housing for more people – even during these challenging times, given the demand for its homes and services.

Record number of visitors enjoy care home’s garden

A RECORD number of visitors enjoyed the gardens of a New Forest care home in support of the National Garden Scheme.

Around 137 people visited Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, enjoying features including a new wheelchair-friendly woodland walk and an oak gazebo and courtyard garden with cherry trees.

Teas and homemade cakes and scones were offered to visitors, payable by donation.

The event raised £1,021 for the NGS and over £400 for the home’s chosen charity Brockenhurst and Sway Day Centre Friday Club.

Gardener Chris Marsh said: “To open our garden up for the National Garden Scheme, showing what a beautiful sanctuary it has become, was a very proud moment for me, the residents and the team.

“It’s not just an attractive space for our residents to enjoy, but a space they can be proud of, as its their hands which have helped create it. From sowing the sunflowers, to potting on the salvia cuttings, our residents can see their handywork throughout the gardens at Woodpeckers.”

Chris added: “Several visitors during the NGS commented on how surprised they were at a care home investing so much in their outdoor space, creating such a bright, engaging, and diverse garden

for its residents goes beyond your typical easy maintenance landscape planting.

“Establishing bright herbaceous beds and boarders for the residents to enjoy, with soft winding paths laid to guide them around the whole of the property offers an uplifting event whenever they venture outdoors.

“You can go on a real journey from the courtyard, to the woodland walk, to the Dahlia bed and on to the allotment, getting plenty of sunshine, fresh air and exercise along the way.

“Woodpeckers truly embodies Colten Care’s culture of the garden and the therapeutic and positive effects it has on its residents, for both their physical and mental wellbeing. And having the NGS accept us into its scheme is a great validation that we are getting it right.”

Colten Care’s Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, also welcomed visitors.

Head gardener Charles Hubberstey said: “We have active gardening clubs at Woodpeckers and Brook View as well as our other 19 homes in the South and it’s our residents and gardeners who decide together on garden activities and priorities season by season.

“The NGS is a wonderful opportunity to show off all the hard work and love which is put into our gardens by both our residents and our gardening team.”

Carer rewarded in first BBC Make a Difference Awards

CHRISTINE Burnett, who works at Ebor Court care home in York, ‘couldn’t believe it’ when she was announced as the Care of the Year winner in the first BBC Make a Difference Awards.

The BBC Make a Difference Awards celebrate local heroes who constantly go above and beyond for others, ‘improving the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.’

Home manager Shane Talbot said: “We are all immensely proud of Christine. We’re so grateful for everything she does for our home and our residents – nothing is too much trouble for her when it comes to putting a smile on their faces.”

Earlier this year, BBC radio

listeners were asked to nominate local individuals who they thought deserved special recognition for their work in the community.

Having worked in care for more than 10 years, Christine, 73, was nominated by her friends and colleagues at Ebor Court, who commended her for her ‘genuine passion for care’.

Chair Julie McDowell reflected on the previous year at the charity’s AGM while updating plans for sustainable growth and innovation as it marks 50 years of operation.

She said: “The last few years have challenged us in ways we would never have anticipated so it’s crucially important to get together in person to discuss key challenges in the industry and for customers.

“With the spiraling costs of energy, food and living in general, our priority at Blackwood is to continue to provide more affordable homes and reliable support to our customers.

“Despite the challenges, everyone at Blackwood has been working extremely hard to deliver our strategy and stay on course in what is an exciting time as we celebrate our 50th year of operating across Scotland.”

The AGM was hosted at Dundee’s V&A as it returned to an in-person event, welcoming more than 100 attendees who joined in activities and gave feedback on what independent living could look like for the next 50 years. The event included a welcome from MSP Shona Robison as well as a performance from popular comedian Aaron Simmonds.

Attendees enjoyed a range of interactive activities at the AGM, including healthy living games, an overview on how robots support Blackwood’s care initiatives, opportunities to tick off bucket list aspirations and even the chance to take part in a podcast recording.

Chief executive Fanchea Kelly was delivering presentations at a major community housing conference in Australia on behalf of the charity on the day of the AGM, however she delivered a speech virtually.

She said: “This year’s AGM is extra special as we celebrate our 50th year and return to an in-person event after two years.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we believe technology is a powerful catalyst for innovation and design in the independent living sector – which made hosting in the V&A Dundee very fitting.

“The last two years have required rapid learning and adjusting. There are many exciting opportunities ahead of us to help people live independently and create services that don’t just benefit the people who use the services, but make a difference to their carers, family and friends.”

Soldier honoured by home

AN Army veteran who lived at Royal Star & Garter has been honoured by the charity, seven years after his death.

The care home in Surbiton has renamed its ground floor after former soldier, Captain Gary Anglin.

Gary was born in Jamaica and moved to England as a child with his mother. The decision by the charity to honour his memory and celebrate his life was announced during Black History Month, which runs throughout October.

Gary, who lived in Hanworth, Hounslow, with his wife Marjorie, enjoyed a long career in the Army. He joined the 1st Battalion The Queen’s Regiment in 1972, aged 18, and served for 42 years.

He completed eight tours of Northern Ireland, and also served in Germany, Gibraltar and Cyprus. He had attained the rank of Captain by the time he retired in 2014.

Shortly after, Gary was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour, before coming to Royal Star & Garter, where he lived until his death, aged 61.

The Home’s second floor has

been

Home manager Helena Maher said: “I’m delighted that we are able to celebrate Gary and Bevis at Surbiton. “Gary was a much-loved resident here and many staff still fondly remember him. Bevis was a remarkable woman who served her country during the war and in sport. It is an honour to have their names linked to our Home in this way.”

Blackwood chair Julie McDowell.

renamed after Bevis Shergold, a resident at the charity’s former Richmond Home, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service from 1940-46 and later represented Great Britain in the 1948 Olympics.

Care assistants undergo firsthand dementia experience

CARE assistants from Bluebird Care Leeds North have taken part in a state-of-the-art mobile dementia simulator – known as the ‘Dementia Bus’ – to get a first-hand understanding of the condition.

The Dementia Bus by Training 2 Care gave 32 care assistants and four family members of customers from the homecare provider the opportunity to experience the realities people living with dementia face.

Sheree Jenman, director at Bluebird Care Leeds North, said: “With one person developing dementia every three minutes, it is really important that society’s understanding of the condition rapidly improves.

“The ‘Dementia Bus’ is an immersive experience that depicts the realities people living with dementia face.

“It has opened all of our eyes to the experience, frustrations and challenges people with dementia experience every day.

“I am proud that Bluebird Care Leeds North is committed to

increasing dementia awareness and offering practical support to those affected by the condition.”

The mobile simulator is officially sponsored by Bluebird Care and has toured the United Kingdom this year.

It offers participants the chance to experience what dementia might be like by replicating the symptoms and challenges faced by someone with the condition.

The medically-proven training method helps care professionals understand how they can improve the care they deliver to better support those with dementia.

Participants wear mittens in a thick material to impair their ability to perform tasks or hold items, wear headphones and glasses with altered lenses to impair their vision and make them feel disorientated, and navigate dark rooms with coloured lights to add to the disorientation and overall frustration.

Participants also wear spiked insoles in their shoes to cause a pins and needles sensation – a common symptom of dementia.

Home showcases talents of artistic residents

A DORSET care home staged an arts week following the success of a residents’ art gallery last year.

Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton re-opened its gallery and hosted a music day, a ballet and poetry day and exhibitions of a large selection of residents’ work.

Companion team leader Karlene Horswill said: “Our gallery was open all week so residents and their family and friends could pop in and visit, relax, enjoy the art and spend time with their loved ones.

“The specialist music and ballet days were also a great success as we listened to popular tunes from across the decades from the 30s to the 60s and also music from some of the world’s most famous ballet productions, such as Swan Lake.

“Art of all kinds is encouraged and celebrated here and we have many talented residents who have enjoyed dancing, music and painting throughout their lives, as well as residents who have discovered new talents during their time with us.

New dementia sensory garden for care home

CARE South’s Kenwith Castle care home near Bideford has unveiled a sensory garden designed specifically to cater for the needs of people living with dementia.

Making the most of the home’s setting in 30 acres of parkland, the new development has been designed by local garden designer Angie Ward and built by Torrington-based LJ Developments (South West).

Home manager Amanda Williams said: “The dementia sensory garden is one of the best things we have ever introduced at Kenwith Castle.

“Residents in our care have been excitedly tracking its progress, from design to build, and were thrilled to finally have the chance to get out there and explore all it has to offer.

“For people living with dementia, it is so important to create safe, calming spaces.

“The garden is easy to navigate, safe and secure, and has clear pathways to reduce the risk of confusion and disorientation.

“We all know the benefits of being outside in nature and being able to move around and this is equally important for people living with dementia, helping to reduce tension and anxiety.

“Colour, touch and scent all help to calm and ground residents as well as helping to awaken distant memories of happy times.

“This purpose-built garden will be an invaluable addition to our home, allowing residents to stroll freely and safely.”

Wide, flat walkways wind through the garden, past paved seating areas and garden benches, with scented and shrub borders and trees providing colour as well as aroma.

There is a mix of sensory areas with mood boosting colours and quiet spaces for moments of calm and reflection.

Raised borders allow easy accessibility for wheelchair users, ensuring they can get involved in gardening activities with ease.

There’s also a gazebo and water features to calm and soothe the senses, as well as a potting shed and horticultural therapy area.

A bug hotel will be a welcome home for lots of different types of minibeast and insects such as ladybirds, bees, spiders, and woodlice.

The garden was unveiled to staff, residents, and their families at a grand opening where there was also a hog roast, barbecue, and live entertainment.

Home achieves Platinum status for end-of-life care

MUSCLIFF Care Home in Bournemouth has achieved a Gold Standards Framework Quality Hallmark Platinum Award for its delivery of end-of-life care.

The accolade, which recognises health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final years of life, was presented to the nurse-led care home team at the recent GSF Conference and Awards ceremony in London.

The prestigious hallmark places Muscliff in a select group of care homes, primary care settings, domiciliary care agencies and hospitals in the United Kingdom, which have been recognised for delivering the highest standards of care.

Home manager Dedrey Charles said: “Our residents’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do here at Muscliff, and I’m thrilled to see our hard work recognised with this

accreditation.

“To receive this award is testament to the whole team here. We’re passionate about ensuring that the highest standards of care are in place, and we are very proud of what we have achieved.”

The Gold Standards Framework is the UK’s leading training provider for frontline staff caring for people in the last years of life and has been providing training for Muscliff since 2010.

The care home is part of Sears Healthcare and CEO Richard Adams said: “We are a nurse-led care home, so our approach focuses on meeting the healthcare needs of our residents. I’m extremely proud of our Bournemouth team.

“This award recognises the high standards of care they’re all providing and their commitment to consistently providing this care throughout the Covid-crisis.”

“Enabling them to continue to pursue and discover a love of the arts and seeing the wonderful things they produce brings us all much enjoyment.”

Resident Donald Skilling and companion team leader Karlene Horswill view some of the artwork.

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Home’s residents become needlework experts

RESIDENTS at RMBI Care Co. home Lord Harris Court in Berkshire have proved you can pick up a new skill at any stage of life.

With an average age of 90, the residents have recently learned how to combine colours and shapes to create impressive cushions.

Thanks to the latch hooking technique, which they learned at the home’s needlework workshop, residents used a special hook to hoop the yarn, pull it through the canvas and make unique designs.

Residents Gladys Matthews enjoyed this technique so much that she has already made three cushions and will soon start her fourth.

She said: “I am giving the cushions to my daughters and to another resident as presents. This next one will be for me because I want one to put in my room.”

Fellow resident Wendy Hollingsworth loves cats and was

delighted with her Marie from the film ‘The Aristocats’.

She added: “At times it was a struggle to get all the colours in the right places, but I never gave up and now I am delighted with the finished result. It looks lovely on my bed.”

Resident Beryl, another cat lover, depicted her own cats. Now she has started a new design of a Victorian garden.

She said:“I have got the bug; I just can’t put it down. As soon as I get up in the morning I do a few rows. It is so relaxing.”

Angela Walmsley was so pleased with her Winnie the Pooh cushion that she went on to create a much more challenging artwork: a striped lighthouse.

She said: “This was a complicated design that required a lot of concentration.

“I am really pleased with how it turned out.”

Celebrities write to care home for letters campaign

FAMOUS faces from entertainment, sports and politics in the UK and overseas have contributed to a care home’s five-month letter writing campaign to inspire residents and visitors.

Signature at Eastbourne, which provides residential, nursing, dementia and respite care to 80 residents, embarked on ‘A Signature for Signature’, a campaign which has seen the care home write to a host of renowned public figures requesting a signed photo, or letter, acting as their symbol of solidarity and support to the care home.

Sara Connor, activities and volunteers coordinator, at Signature at Eastbourne, who led the project, said: “To see so many people from the public eye take time out of their schedules to send their photos and best wishes is very gratifying.

“Dementia does not discriminate, and we are all in this together. In fact, many of those who wrote to us will probably have a personal connection to this condition.

“The feature wall is to provide a visual representation and reminder to everybody of the sense of unity there is to help our dementia residents live a life as independent as possible, for as long as possible.

“We are hoping that some of those faces will pop in to see their signature on the wall at our home. They are welcome to pay us a visit at any time to see the meaning their signature has.”

The activity was designed to ensure the wall was filled with photos and

letters ready for September, which marked World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, in which the home fundraised for its charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Its purpose is to provide residents, their relatives and loved ones an uplifting contribution, and to demonstrate that public figures have taken the time to think of and support them in Signature at Eastbourne’s dementia community.

The result of the ongoing campaign exceeded Signature at Eastbourne’s wildest expectations. Photos were forthcoming from not just one, but two former Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson and David Cameron. The latter providing a supportive letter further showing support.

Comedians such as Graham Norton, Lenny Henry and Vic Reeves pledged their support with signed photos.

David Jason, known to millions as Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, sent a signed copy of his book, whilst his co-star Sue Holderness, alias Marlene Boyce, is also proudly pictured on the home’s feature wall.

Hollywood stardust has been provided by Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford and Kate Winslet’s signatures. The world of sport has been represented by Matchroom Sport’s chairman and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and six-time world snooker world champion Steve Davis.

A signature from HRH Princess Alexandra, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, rounded off a comprehensive response from 35 public figures, and counting.

Fears over dire shortage of care staff

CAMPAIGNERS have warned of a dramatic rise in people not being able to get the care they need because of dire staff shortages in social care.

Latest figures from Skills for Care showed that the number of vacancies in social care had shot up by 52 per cent to 165,000, the highest rate on record.

It has also found that almost a third (28 per cent) of the care workforce are aged over 55 and may retire in the coming decade.

The Independent Care Group said shortages would spark a huge rise in the number of people denied care –currently around 1.6m.

In a separate report, from the Health Foundation, it has been revealed that even before the current cost of living crisis, one in five people working in residential care was living in poverty.

ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “Here you have two reports that lay bare the crisis at the heart of delivering social care to older and vulnerable adults in this country.

“If, as a country, we value the profession of providing care and dignity to people who need it, then we need to address this right now.

“Report after report comes out and government after government does

nothing. The last figures we had, from Age UK, suggested that around 1.6m people aged over 65 can’t get the care they need. I suspect that figure will by now be nearer 2m or even more and with vacancies rising, the number of jobs falling and carers leaving the sector, that figure is going to rocket.

“The statistic that should ring the loudest alarm bells is the one about those aged 55 and over retiring from the workforce.

“The sector can’t afford to lose any staff, but particularly those with years of care experience under their belts. They are especially difficult to replace.

“If that becomes a trend it will be really hard to find the extra 480,000 posts Skills for Care says we will need by 2035.”

He said the Government would blame providers for not paying staff enough.

“That is always the excuse and it is wrong,” Mike added.

“The simple fact is providers are paying the workforce as best they can in the teeth of a critical shortage of funding.

“Billions have been wiped off local authority social care budgets in the past decade and providers are being squeezed as a result.

“More and more of them are ceasing to operate whilst the rest battle to survive and pay staff what they can.

“The solution is what it has been now for a generation. The Government needs to fund local authorities properly to deliver social care so that they can pay providers a fair price for that care and those providers can, in turn, pay a better, fairer wage to those delivering care.

“The Government says it is listening, well it isn’t listening on social care.

“If Liz Truss wants to go down as the person who did listen and got social care done, she needs to make that

equation happen and then you will tackle the staffing shortage and lift those working in the sector out of the dangers of poverty.”

The main findings in the Skills for Care report are:

n There are 165,000 vacant posts in adult social care in England – an increase of 52 per cent and the highest rate on record.

n The number of filled posts (posts with a person working in them) has dropped by 50,000 – the first drop in the number of social care workers ever.

n Average vacancy rates across the adult social care sector are at nearly 11 per cent which is twice the national average.

n Care workers with five years’ experience are paid 7p per hour more than a care worker with less than one year’s experience.

n The average care worker pay is £1 per hour less than healthcare assistants in the NHS that are new to their roles.

n Workforce growth projections show that employers will need to fill around 480,000 more posts by 2035.

n 28 per cent of the workforce are aged 55+ and may retire in the next 10 years.

Mike Padgham

Residents Wendy Hollingsworth, Beryl Shenton, Angela Walmsley and Gladys Matthews pose with their newly made cushions, created with the latch hooking technique.

delphi festive elves

Our Christmas Wish

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we recognised more than ever the need for communities to come together, to enhance the lives of those who use social care services and combat social isolation. Christmas for most, is a time of joy and celebration but for many people, who have little or no contact with others, Christmas is a time when they may feel a deeper sense of loneliness. This Christmas, we want people to feel connected and to have the opportunity to share happy memories.

How can you help?

Simply register your service, and we'll provide you with a Delphi Festive Elves pack full of conversation prompting templates, reminiscence ideas and Christmas carol lyrics. We'll then add your service details to our Festive Elves Christmas list; where people will be able to send Christmas cards and Festive cheer to all those at your service.