The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Issue17.08.22117
OPERATORS wanting to put themselves forward for recognition have been urged to enter the Caring UK Awards before it’s tooNominationslate. for this year’s event are now open at www.caringukawards.co.uk
Deadline looms so get entering
Book a demonstration today
The letter to Mr Sunak and Ms Truss came after the publication of the Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s report into ‘long-term funding of adult social care’. It concluded that the Government’s plans for social care contained ‘no roadmap, no timetable, no milestones and no measures of success,’ as well as an annual funding gap of at least £7bn.Care England’s letter to the leadership hopefuls calls for a commitment to implement a series of measures to address immediate and long term pressuresMartinadded: “The issues facing the social care sector are symptomatic of one that is underfunded, undervalued, and has for far too long been overlooked by those in power. “The needs of society’s most vulnerable and those caring for them are too often an afterthought.“Thecountry is deserving of a leader who recognises the true value of social care and takes it upon themselves to finally deliver on the manifesto promise to ‘fix’ social care once and for all.” by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk
Letter calls on new PM to ‘fix’ the care sector
The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, 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“Ourever.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 expertTrophiespanel.will be handed out at a glittering ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 1 presented by Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews.Deadline for nominations is noon on Friday, August 26.
CARE England has written to Conservative leadership candidates Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP and Rt Hon Liz Truss MP calling for a commitment to ‘fix’ the key issues facing the social care sector within the first 100 days of entering office. Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: “Despite repeated promises from Government that they would ‘fix’ adult social care, the sector finds itself in unprecedented circumstances. “The immediate financial pressures facing the sector, amid a backdrop of rising energy prices, inflation, and a cost-of-living crisis, as well as long-term issues caused by decades of neglect and chronic underfunding, necessitate considerable and immediate action.“Itisvital that the leadership candidates understand the severity of these issues and the need to address them as a matter of“Inflationurgency. and the rising cost of living are having a disproportionate and detrimental impact on social care providers; Government inaction has meant that care providers are limited in their opportunities to provide their staff with the remuneration and benefits afforded to NHS colleagues.“Thedysfunctionality of the system was once again highlighted in the ADASS Member Survey, which revealed that an estimated 540,000 people are waiting for assessments, care, direct payments or adult social care reviews, a 36.9 per cent increase since November 2021.”
Residents, relatives and team members at a Brighton care home released their inner queen recently by taking part in Brighton Pride. Representatives from Hallmark’s Maycroft Manor took part in the Pride Parade for the first time, dressing up in rainbow colours and holding flags for the occasion. Residents also decorated their walkers and wheelchairs and handmade rosettes for the event. Meanwhile, resident Gill Woods (pictured) was hailed the ‘Queen of all Queens’ dancing for most of the parade which went past Brighton’s landmarks with the crowds cheering her on. General manager Richard Lawson said: “It was the most amazing day and went so much better than I ever thought it would be. Maycroft Manor will be remembered for many a long time after that and the team were outstanding. It was a wonderful experience and we are now planning for bigger and better parade next year.”
Residents and staff at Longfield Care Home have been praised for their green-fingered skills after picking up not one, but two awards at the Maldon in Bloom gardening competition. The annual event, which this year was themed around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrates gardeners and budding artists in the local community. There were seven categories up for grabs this year. They included: Allotment Plot, Community Garden, Decorated Business, Front Garden, Hanging Basket, Planter, Residential Care Home Garden and School Garden or Allotment.
A professional model – more used to working in an artist’s studio –that met the residents’ criteria, was employed to pose while residents got in touch with their creative side to bring his nude form to life. As part of the session, the residents at the home sharpened their pencils and dusted off their rubbers to focus their attention on an accurate recreation of the model. The class has also caught the attention of the media, with photos of the class appearing in several national newspapers including the Sun, Telegraph and Guardian so residents have been enjoying collecting clippings of their memorable day.
Nude life drawing class smashes preconceptions
CARINGWEEKLY6
Mark Adams
Community Integrated Care’s Board of Trustees is now in the process of recruiting a new CEO with the charity’s Policy Group Executive Team collectively leading the organisation in the Libbyinterim.Raper, chair of the Board of Trustees at Community Integrated Care, added: “Mark has made a remarkable impact during his time at Community Integrated Care, not least with his confident, composed and compassionate leadership of our charity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.“Hehasbeen an outstanding leader, driving considerable transformation, strengthening the charity at every level, and becoming a passionate champion for the social care sector. He will leave with our sincerest thanks for his achievements and best wishes for his next step. “Over the coming months, I’ll be working closely with Mark, our Executive Team, and our Board of Trustees to ensure consistency of leadership, ahead of a new successor being appointed. “As we look to the future, we do so safe in the knowledge that Mark’s vision, passion and relentless hard work have put us in the strongest position as we step forward into our plans for the next five years under Best Lives Possible.”
A FULLY nude life drawing class at Sherwood Grange in South West London has smashed a few myths about how care home residents spend theirResidentsdays. at the Care UK operated facility are empowered to take up any activities they fancy – from day trips to France to attending the opera – so when they requested another opportunity to draw a nude model after a successful session in 2019, the team set to work to make it happen. Residents were asked what kind of model they preferred, and almost unanimously landed on a ‘nice handsome man’. Home manager Kristina Jacunskiene said: “We certainly ‘bared’ all at Sherwood Grange with our memorable nude art class. “Most people expect life in a care home to be a certain way – but we’re keen to ensure there are no limitations, and every day can be different and fun. “Life in our care home is all about helping people to enjoy more independent and fulfilling lives –and that meant doing something out of the ordinary and creating a memorable experience. “Sadly the session had to draw to a close – but based on the response we had from the residents and the fabulous drawings they created, we will certainly be welcoming more models in the future.”
Chief executive is to step down after five years
COMMUNITY Integrated Care CEO Mark Adams is to step down after five years at the helm of the national social care charity in the Autumn. Mark and his family will be returning to the United Arab Emirates at the end of September where he will take up the position of chief executive officer at NMC Healthcare, the country’s leading healthcare organisation.Markjoined Community Integrated Care in September 2017 and oversaw five years of significant transformation and growth for the charity.Under Mark’s leadership the organisation has strengthened its core values through the delivery of its We Dare Strategy, bolstered quality across its 450 services, developed new and exciting partnerships and emerged as a prominent campaigner for fair pay, respect and recognition for the social careMoresector.recently, Mark has spent many months working closely with charity’s Board of Trustees and Executive Team in the creation of its new fiveyear strategy, Best Lives Possible. Mark said: “Serving as Community Integrated Care’s CEO has been an incredible honour and will forever be the highlight of my 40-year career. “I feel unbelievably privileged to have witnessed first-hand, the life-changing support that social care provides to society, and the transformative work of our frontline teams, who truly create the best lives possible for the thousands of people we“Wesupport.haveachieved so much together over the last five years and have placed Community Integrated Care at the forefront of quality, social impact, and workforce standards in our“Whilstsector.there is much further to go in providing fairer pay and a better career for everyone working in care, I know that our dedicated Board of Trustees and Executive Team will continue to make great strides towards making this vision a reality.”
SALUTEM Care and Education has appointed a highly experienced chief operating officer as it celebrates its fifth birthday as a multi-service care group.Martyn Heginbotham has worked with the group, which specialises in caring for individuals with complex mental and physical disabilities, since 2017, but established himself in the care sector as a school leaver. His interest in specialist care grew in 2004, when his mother suffered a significant brain injury, and a combination of caring for her and his feelings of how her condition and rehabilitation were handled by the NHS made him want to drive change. His dedication to development and his good humour in the face of difficult circumstances saw him rise through the ranks in specialist care services, which led him to taking up the position of operations director with Salutem five years ago, a position that has grown with him until his recent promotion.
From tea maker to the top job
CARINGWEEKLY 9
Dolphin III skipper John Buckby and John Duffield discussed their shared love of the sea.
Hit song inspires idea to keep home’s residents fit and active
Mandy wins top accolade for introduction of grazing menus
Staff take on mammoth charity cycling challenge
Kathleen Farrow and Sylvia Parry taking part in the 500 laps challenge. MANDY Davies, head of nutrition and dietetics at Elior UK, has won the Health and Nutrition Award at the Public Sector Catering Awards for the development of grazing boxes for residents. Mandy and the team, which includes health, care and retirement living dietitian Gemma Ewen and executive development chef Darren Neal, created the concept for Caterplus – an Elior business which specialises in the care and retirement living sector. A four-week grazing box menu consisting of savoury and sweet items has been introduced for residents in care homes. The menu provides a balance of healthier, higher fibre options, which help treat and prevent digestive issues, as well as higher energy and protein options which help prevent weight loss andThemalnutrition.chef-tested, nutritionally analysed, dietitian approved dishes are suitable for residents with a range of dietary requirements including those requiring texture modified meals. The grazing boxes are dementia friendly and were developed to be served either in place of, or in addition to, traditional plated meals. They contain small portions of nourishing finger foods, which can be adapted to required texture modified levels and can help maintain a person’s independence and encourage more regular eating. Mandy said: “Malnutrition is a significant problem in the UK, especially affecting the elderly, and our grazing boxes help to address this issue and the challenges of catering for residents with dementia.“Sincethe introduction of the grazing boxes we have seen a vast improvement in resident weight gain and are so pleased to have created a solution that supports residents with dementia and enables us to provide enhanced care for all residents.” The grazing boxes can be delivered to residents three times a day or tailored to individual needs and served any time day or night. They can be presented either as a sharing platter or as an individual box. The latter enables care home staff to monitor what individual residents have eaten and they can be specifically tailored to a resident’s individual requirement such as food allergy, additional fortification or increased fibre and the sharing platter helps to create a sense of community amongst residents. Enquiries: Visit http://www.eliorgroup.com or email lee.newton@caterplus.co.uk
Resident John boards boat full of memories
A DORSET care home arranged for one of its residents to relive his love of the sea with a trip on a boat from hisJohnpast.Duffield, a resident at Colten Care’s Outstanding dementia home Fernhill, in Ferndown, enjoyed a sail around Poole harbour aboard The Friends of Dolphin boat Dolphin III. The specially-designed Dolphin III offers free and fully accessible trips around Poole Harbour to people with disabilities.Theboatis crewed entirely by volunteers, with an experienced skipper in charge of every trip. Keen sailor John was a volunteer crew member with the Friends of Dolphin charity for 10 years and was accompanied on his return by some of his fellow Fernhill residents and staff from the home, as well as his wifeSheJocelyn.said:“John adored the water from his early years and during the school holidays he used to sail boats from Wick to Mudeford for £1 a day. But he said he would have done it for free.
“John went on to sail throughout his“Once,life. during our sailing years together we had a Search and Rescue helicopter actually hovering overhead us offering evacuation in stormy weather.ButJohn refused and told me to: “Keep on bailing” as we would: “Wash up on shore if needs be.”
John and his party were taken around the harbour entrance and spotted wildlife including seals and cormorants.Theyalsopassed Brownsea Island where he once volunteered by helping at the quay. Fernhill companion Anne-Marie Knight said: “The skipper John Buckby and crew of the Dolphin III couldn’t have been more attentive and kind to John. “John talked to our John about their shared love of the water and explained how the Dolphin III will take around 200 trips this season between May and September. “We are so grateful to them all for making this wonderful trip possible.”
THE Proclaimers’ hit song ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ has been used as inspiration by a Manchester care home to help keep its residents fit andChanters,healthy.which provides specialist elderly and dementia care in Atherton, as well as looking after people with learning disabilities, has organised a challenge for residents to complete a total of 500 laps of the grounds.Theevent will take place throughout July, and to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games at the end of the month there will be medals for those who take part. Residents at the home are being encouraged to each complete as many laps as they can. Home manager Anne Hargreaves said: “Our activities team is continually looking for different ways of encouraging our residents to remain active and get plenty of fresh air.“Setting a goal of completing 500 circuits of our grounds is a great way of encouraging those living at Chanters to take part in some exercise that they can enjoy at their own pace.”Theresidents’ efforts will be sponsored to help bring in money for the home’s entertainment fund, with each lap being a total of about 200 metres.Inthe past the home, in its quest to help keep residents fit and active, hired a rowing machine, where the goal was for participants to row the equivalent of the English Channel.
STAFF from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes up and down the country have taken on a gruelling 211-mile cycling challenge from Bradford to London to raise money for the operator’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.Overfourdays a team of care home workers cycled from Yorkshire to London, stopping at 15 care homes and one hospital across all four of Barchester’s divisions to meet well-wishers, have a wellearned break and refuel before continuing on their way. The tour stopped off at Magnolia Court in Golders Green where the home held a bake sale and a garden party with entertainment to help raiseResidents,funds. their friends and family and staff from the home all got together to pass on their good wishes and cheer the cyclists on to victory.General manager Octavian Stanciu, who took part in the cycle challenge, said: “I am so very proud to have taken part in this challenge with my Barchester colleagues, it is no mean feat to cycle so far. “Everyone has certainly shown their mettle. “It was wonderful to see many supporting the cyclists as we passed through, all of our residents and staff enjoyed being our support crew for this leg of the Tour and cheering us on our way.”
- the Number One magazine for the care @caringukFollowsectorusPlease send any stories and photos you may have to editor Dominic Musgrave at dm@scriptmedia.co.uk For advertising opportunities please call Bev Green on 01226 734288 or email bg@scriptmedia.co.uk or Tracy Stacey on 01226 734480 or email cuk3@scriptmedia.co.uk A valuable addition to the Caring UK family … keeping you informed alongside the care sector’s Number One magazine For more information and to sign up visit:Forcirculation@scriptmedia.co.ukwww.caring-uk.co.ukoremailMeganPrinceonallenquiriescall01226734779
