Caring Weekly August 10th

Issue 116 10.08.22

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Reaccreditation and ‘excellent’ rating for home A LEADING care and culture consultancy has awarded reaccreditation to a Surrey care home following the successful implementation of its personcentred care model.

Huntington House, which makes up the Huntington and Langham Estate, received recognition for establishing ‘The Dragonfly Approach’, an innovative model of care supporting individuals to live well, by Meaningful Care Matters.

Suitable for all care cultures, the Dragonfly Approach is a model that focuses on palliative care and hospice services, mental health, learning disability and generalist health and social care settings.

As part of the reaccreditation, the family-owned care home has also been awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating, which is a testament to its commitment to providing exceptional, all-inclusive care despite two challenging years of Covid-19.

Peter Bewert, managing director of Meaningful Care Matters, said: “The Huntington and Langham Estate is a wonderful example of a home that seeks to ensure its people truly are at the heart of its care services – with the excellent rating fully deserved.

“Our ultimate aim is to create places where overall wellbeing is increased, staff practice is reinvigorated, and safeguarding,

mandatory reporting and staff turnover are reduced. This is exactly what the Huntington and Langham Estate has delivered.”

The Huntington and Langham Estate, near Haslemere, combines two homes offering residential, nursing, respite, day care, and dementia care amidst 30 acres of gardens.

Managing director Charlie Hoare added: “I’m so very proud of our team, and completely overwhelmed with the outcome, especially having managed to maintain such a high standard of true person-centred care when Covid-19 has presented so many challenges along the way.

“Reading the report made me incredibly emotional, as the government Covid-19 guidance has often been at odds with our family ethos and the Dragonfly Approach, making it almost impossible to make the right decisions. However, knowing that the effort to balance it all has had a positive impact on people’s lives makes it all worthwhile.

“There is something so fundamental about looking after each other; it is why we exist as humans. Life in care homes should reflect life in general, and while the care industry still has a way to go to achieve a truly holistic approach, being the first accredited Level One Dragonfly Home is arguably the best evidence that we are leading the way.”

Time to get your Awards entries in ...

A Dorset care home created all the fun of the seaside for residents who are not able to visit the real thing.

Colten Care specialist dementia home The Aldbury in Poole was transformed into the great British seaside of the 1950s and 60s with rock pooling and crabbing, paddling, a sandcastle competition, traditional games, crafts and bingo. The home was decorated with seaside photos, postcards and flags. And residents were also able to pose for pictures with seaside props against a beach backdrop, before feasting on ‘99’ ice creams, cockles, mussels chips and candyfloss. Colten companion Cara Duroe said: “We run trips to the seaside on our minibus.

But some residents aren’t physically able to go along. So, we decided we would simply take the seaside to them.

Resident Anne Brann is pictured sampling the candy floss.

THERE’S just over two weeks remaining for you to get your nominations in for this year’s Caring UK Awards.

Nominations for this year’s event are now open at www. caringukawards.co.uk The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, are free to enter and recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the care industry.

And with more than 20 categories up for grabs, there’s something to suit every type of care business.

These include everything from Quality in Housekeeping and Catering Team of the Year to Best Outdoor Environment and End of Life Team of the Year.

Event organiser Dominic Musgrave said: “Nominations are coming in and our events team is already busy ensuring that this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.

“Our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful 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.”

A shortlist in each category will then be drawn up, with winners chosen by an expert panel.

Trophies will be handed out at a glittering ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 1 presented by Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews. n Full details of how to enter are on pages 3 and 4. For an entry pack email dm@scriptmedia.co.uk

Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk

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CARINGWEEKLY

Group throws party to mark launch of tennis charity A SOUTH East care group has thrown a tennis themed garden party to mark the launch of a new charity supporting young players to chase their dreams – as well as helping those from low-income families gain access to funding to pursue the sport professionally.

Nellsar, a family-run care group with 13 care homes across Kent, Surrey and Essex, recently founded Tennis-Talents – a new charity in the process of registration with the Charity Commision, committed to giving young people the opportunities and skills to enjoy longevity in the sport in which they love, regardless of their financial background.

To celebrate the launch of the charity, which was spearheaded by the care group’s very own Alina Abagiu, Joy Cagande and

Viv Stead, Nellsar hosted a special party at one of its flagship care homes, Abbotsleigh Care Centre, in Staplehurst, Kent, which involved Pimms and strawberries and cream aplenty .

Residents embraced the theme, donning headbands and racquets in a backdrop of white, green and purple bunting.

The event was also held to thank staff for all their hard work over the last two years, and gave the residents a chance to embrace the sport they loved playing in their younger years – with many having attended some Grand Slams themselves.

In addition to themed cakes and a BBQ, staff got into the spirit by dressing up as their favourite players – with managing director, Martin Barrett being John McEnroe for the day.

Residents’ crafty garden project is un-bee-lievable RESIDENTS of Rogers House got stuck into a bug-tastic craft project in a bid to support the wildlife in their garden.

After recently made a hedgehog house, the residents of the Wigmore care home decided to create a bug hotel as part of their big summer garden project.

The crafty residents got together in the activity room, armed with all the materials they needed and some coloured paints, where they worked together to create a bright and inviting home for the wildlife in their garden.

Hannah Newman-Brown and Debbie Padmore, the home’s activity

coordinators said: “We have a lovely garden with a lot of space, but there is so much potential to do more.

“We really want to create a welcoming and inspiring place for the residents, as well as giving the local wildlife a safe space, so we have lots of plans for the coming months to breathe new life into the garden.”

The residents and the activity team have big plans for their garden this summer, which, once complete will include a sensory garden, water pond and even an ice cream shop.

Keen to provide an encouraging habitat for the local wildlife, they also want to add a squirrel run alongside their hedgehog house and bug hotel.

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Residents and Beaver group come together for project RESIDENTS at Signature at Camberley came together with the Farnborough Tenth Beaver Group to create ‘memory boxes’ as part of a community project.

Building on the group’s previous visit to the home prior to the COVID19 pandemic for an arts and crafts session, Lia Thompson, activities co-ordinator at the care home, and Beaver leader Clare Hills agreed it would be a wonderful idea for the two generations to come together once again.

Lia said: “It was great to see the residents interact with the children, having lots of different conversations and helping each other to create the memory boxes.

“You can see the benefits group

session like this have on our residents, the children really brighten up their day.”

The session, which was backed by the Co-Op Community Fund – a grant that supports projects across the UK – gave the group an opportunity to visit the care home and spend some time with residents assembling and crafting memory boxes.

Together with residents at Signature at Camberley, 11 beavers and their three team leaders spent the evening completing seven boxes for those living at the care home.

Included within each was a range of sensory items, including seashells, lavender bags, old coins in a purse, maracas, sensory balls, bags of sweets and postcards.

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CARINGWEEKLY

Care home welcomes Duchess of Gloucester for 125th anniversary Team commended at The Prospers THE team at Longfield Care Home in Maldon, Essex is celebrating a milestone achievement after being announced as highly commended in the ‘Team of the Year’ category at the Essex Care Sector Awards.

The awards, which are also known as The Prospers, are hosted annually

by Essex County Council and celebrate excellence in care across the county.

They cover a range of different roles and award people and teams who have shown an outstanding contribution in their field.

Longfield Care Home manager Gina Copsey submitted a nomination for the team members working at the home with a lengthy description of why they deserved one of these prestigious accolades.

Part of this nomination read: “I am very proud of the team I work with, for their commitment to the home, residents and each other. Every department goes over and above to make life at Longfield special.

“All of the senior team at Longfield started off as care assistants here, including myself and deputy manager Claire. We work collaboratively to encourage and support team members in their training and

development, every step of the way. The care team know all of the residents and their loved ones incredibly well and frequently go above and beyond to support them.

“I believe that Longfield should win Team of the Year due to the collaboration between all team members and departments in the home who share the same goal – creating the happiest of homes for the people who live and work here.

In her emotional nomination, Gina also individually described the impact that certain teams and individuals have on the lives of the people they care for.

This nomination clearly had an impact on the judging panel, who could see the excellence that was being delivered by all team members working at the home.

This was highlighted when the team at Longfield were announced as ‘highly commended’ at a star-studded ceremony at the Temple Cressing Barns.

Gina was incredibly proud of her team for achieving this award and took pride in congratulating them all for the ongoing dedication, support and excellent care they provide to the people living at Longfield.

Exercise class HIITs the spot RESIDENTS at a Wateringbury extra care housing scheme didn’t let the recent rising temperatures put them off as they skipped to the lounge for an exercise class.

Working out in the warm weather?

No sweat for residents at The Orpines as they kick started their day with a gentle group exercise class.

Nick Stapleton, housing officer at Meadow View Court, said: “We support the residents to implement a calendar of activities that they want to do.

“As we opened during the pandemic,

we’re still putting things into place and learning what works and doesn’t work for the residents.

“We have just launched the exercise classes and the first one went down very well, so it looks like that will be a regular activity.”

The class is now part of the regular activity calendar at the housing scheme and is run by Vitality Hub, a local provider which specialises in senior holistic health and training people who are living with chronic illnesses, as well individuals who struggle with everyday movement.

HER Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited Merlewood Care Home in Virginia Water, the inaugural home of national poverty charity Turn2us, to mark its 125th anniversary.

During the visit Her Royal Highness met staff and residents, as well as senior team members from Elizabeth Finn Homes and Turn2us.

The Duchess enjoyed a musical performance by singer Lucy Jesse, before chatting to residents over afternoon tea and officially marking the event by cutting a cake.

Jonathan Crisp, interim CEO of Elizabeth Finn Homes, said: “As the patron of Turn2us, The Duchess of Gloucester has long supported our homes and the great work that they do.

“I was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to help us mark this great milestone, our founder Elizabeth Finn and all that has been achieved since the opening of Merlewood in 1948.”

The Duchess has been a longstanding supporter of Turn2us, becoming patron of the charity in 2003. Turn2us was founded by Elizabeth Finn in 1897 to help people in poverty.

Today, the charity continues to offer vital, practical information and support to people facing financial insecurity. To mark its 125th year of tackling poverty, the charity has launched a campaign to ask ‘How Many More’ to highlight the need for long-term change to catch people before they fall into financial crisis.

Merlewood Care Home is owned

and operated by Elizabeth Finn Care, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turn2us. It is one of nine residences that provide permanent and short stay care, as well as end-of-life care.

Following World War II, there was a shortage of care homes for older people and the charity purchased Merlewood as its first site. It offers 53 en-suite rooms for residents on a permanent or respite basis.

During her time as Patron, The Duchess of Gloucester has attended multiple care home openings and remains in regular contact with the charity on its activities.

Also in attendance at the event were His Honour Christopher Critchlow, High Sheriff of Surrey, Helyn Clack, Chair of Surrey County Council, Margaret Harnden, Mayor of Runnymead and Ben Spencer, MP for Virginia Water.

Home’s raffle supports hospice STAFF, residents, families and supporters of Barty House Nursing Home have raised more than £480 for Heart of Kent Hospice via a raffle.

This was the second raffle organised by the home, which had raised £571 last year for the hospice.

Prizes donated by staff and residents of the Bearsted home, as well as residents’ families and local businesses, were many and varied, and included a hamper, massage and beauty treatments, family ice cream tray, pizzas and a snuffle dog mat.

Barty’s home manager, David Willis, said: “We have worked closely with

the hospice and are always impressed with the care and support they give to people in difficult circumstances.

“Hospices provide a hugely valuable service to the local community, and we are lucky that we have Heart of Kent Hospice so close to us. We are proud to work alongside them.”

Laura Tierney, Barty’s head of activities and organiser of the raffle, invited hospice ambassador Gilly Tully to the home to receive the cheque for £480.

Gilly also joined residents in one of their favourite activities, making mosaics, followed by afternoon tea.

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CARINGWEEKLY

Centenarian Spitfire pilot Residents help test visits beloved planes Blenheim Palace’s A FORMER Spitfire pilot honoured by the Queen has had his wish to be close to an aeroplane once more granted by his care home companions.

Wing Commander Michael Jones OBE is a resident at Colten Care’s Abbey View in Sherborne.

He expressed a desire to be close again to small, old aircraft. So, his carers arranged a visit to Compton Abbas Airfield near Shaftesbury.

Abbey View companionship team leader Bev de Bruyn said: “Michael and three other residents Margaret Webster, Julie Brown and Russell Williams, together with staff members Emma Phillips and Gillian Kellythorn, received a warm welcome at Compton Abbas by the management and staff who were delighted to meet Michael.

“After a light lunch the party watched small aircraft take off and land and a further surprise awaited Michael when his daughter Jennifer arrived, having driven all the way from Torquay especially for the event.

“Michael then visited the aircraft hangar, where he was particularly fascinated with the Tiger Moth and

seemed to be very moved when he touched its fuselage.

“He also checked the anti-spin structure on the craft, which wasn’t there when he flew them and asked the knowledgeable technicians several questions about the planes stored there.”

Michael went to school in Oxford and as a boy dreamt of flying.

He was 17 when World War Two was declared and when he was called up to do his National Service he pursued a career as a pilot.

Michael did his training and advanced training in the United States and went on to complete 13 operations in Spitfires and even more in twin-engine Spitfires.

Bev added: “Michael may now be 100 years old, but he still loves the outdoors and has an uncanny sense of the clouds and how the weather is behaving, which was obviously key as a pilot.

“He told us his visit to Compton Abbas was a truly special day in which a dear wish was fulfilled.

“All the way home in the minibus there was a buzz of chatter and reminiscing of the war days and the courage of the pilots.”

Operator shows support to canine charity event CARE South, a not-for-profit provider of residential and care at home services across the south of England, has shown its support by attending Caring Canines’ presentation party.

Caring Canines is a not-for-profit voluntary group dedicated to promoting canine awareness and its values.

Caring Canines offers the assistance of its assessed, vaccinated and insured dogs in the Bournemouth and Poole community, to break down barriers and enhance the lives of those people who miss canine companionship or benefit from it.

Simon Bird, Care South’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Caring Canines and the work that they do.

“We have worked closely together for some time now and recently made

a donation from the Chairman’s 2020 Fund which is a further way of supporting our very good friends at Caring Canines.

“We really appreciate the visits to our homes as residents thoroughly love these.”

accessibility plans CARE home residents from the Orders of St John Care Trust’s Spencer Court, including a former tour guide, recently visited Blenheim Palace to help inform the large visitor attraction’s accessibility plans.

The trip was arranged by home manager Dorte Chandler and Lorraine Wing, who is a volunteer at the Woodstock home.

Lorraine is also a Palace host, helping with tickets, passes and working alongside the information desk. Before becoming a Palace host, Lorraine was a tour guide.

She started in 2007 so her knowledge of the Palace is extensive.

She said: “It’s nice to bring both of my connections together and take some of the residents on a day out, whilst also bringing the community together.

“It’s also wonderful to see one of the residents back at her former place of work as we used to work together here as tour guides.”

Lorraine is also one of the Palace’s accessibility champions, and in addition to enjoying a nice day out, this was a key aspect of the tour.

She took the group on a guided tour, inside and outside the Palace to test

out wheelchair access across different areas of the Palace.

Lorraine added: “Blenheim Palace has a stairlift taking wheelchairs and pushchairs onto the second floor, and slopes for the bottom levels.

“But until someone has real experience of going around the Palace in a wheelchair, and shares that experience with us, we can’t tell how straightforward it will be. It’s been really valuable to hear feedback from the residents and their carers.”

This was the second tour Lorraine organised for Spencer Court residents, and Dorte and Lorraine plan to have more trips for more residents soon.

The Palace currently offer free walkin passes for locals so they’re hoping they can invite residents’ relatives to come next time.

The Palace has also supported the home by donating several garden planters made at its sawmill.

Lorraine became a volunteer for the Trust earlier this year. Following the pandemic she was aware that residents still weren’t allowed any visitors for a long period of time, so she wanted to help and be a friend to them.

Staff from Royal Star & Garter and volunteers took to the Thames to raise funds in the Kingston Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge. Staff from the charity’s care homes and admin team were joined by a dozen Sea Cadets from the TS Kingston Steadfast group. They all took part in races at Canbury Gardens. The team of paddlers, who had never set foot in a dragon boat before, excelled, winning the first of their three races and finishing second in the other two. They also helped raise £1,200 for the charity, which has homes in Surbiton, Solihull and High Wycombe. More than half the amount came from Minuteman Press in Hampton Hill.

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