Caring UK January 2024 by Script Media

no.324

incorporating

January 2024

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Recruitment claim angers care sector CARE providers have reacted angrily to claims that they are “broadly relaxed” about changes in overseas recruitment which will hamper them from bringing vital staff to this country. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the Health and Social Care Committee that she had been told the social care sector was broadly relaxed about the measures the Government has put in place, including a ban on care workers bringing over dependents. Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham said: “This comment beggars belief and illustrates how little the Government understands the current situation in social care. To say we are ‘broadly relaxed’ could not be further from the truth – the sector has been plunged further into crisis by these latest measures. “The banning of dependents will deter many people from coming to work for social care when we have 152,000 vacancies and desperately need overseas staff to keep delivering care to older and vulnerable adults who rely upon us on a daily basis. The Government is taking draconian and knee-jerk actions to cut overseas workers but failing to do anything to help us recruit more from this country. “At the moment many providers would not be able to fill their shifts

without their overseas staff, who we should be welcoming with open arms. Instead, the Government is putting measures in place to reduce numbers without having an alternative in place to provide us with the staff we need. By reducing available community care, the Government will undoubtedly increase the number of people who cannot be discharged from hospital, also contributing to rising hospital waiting lists.” The ICG says long standing underfunding of the sector, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, has left the sector in its worst ever staffing crisis. “Social care provision is on its knees,” Mike added. “The last thing we need is tinkering with the lifeline of overseas workers that we have been thrown. “Damaging social care provision goes against the Government’s desire to cut delayed discharges and reduce waiting lists. “Of course we want to recruit in this country but we need to see a proper workforce strategy that brings sufficient funding into social care that makes it an attractive place to work compared to other sectors and on a par with the NHS. “Then we might see a reduction in the workforce shortage that is threatening proper, safe care delivery.”

St John’s House care home in Norwich was named National Care Home of the Year at the sixth annual Caring UK Awards at the Athena in Leicester recently. The Castlemeadow Care operated facility took the top award having picked up the Regional Care Home of the Year Midlands and Wales prize earlier in the evening. The home won the Best Initiative in Care category in 2022. Host for the night was television personality Des Coleman. Full round up starts on page 13.

Charity launches interactive app THE UK’s largest charity care provider MHA has launched MHA Active, an app offering tailored lifestyle and wellbeing content for older people, with the aim of keeping minds and bodies active. Through MHA Active, individuals can access a growing library of more than 600 videos, articles, games and quizzes. Activities such as yoga, tai-chi and arts and crafts are available, with the app also offering a dementia friendly section. Jonathan Mace, director of communities at MHA, said: “We want our app to become the go-to for people over 65 who are looking to stay healthy and active. It’s easy to use and our content is very much user-led, which is what makes it unique. “We already have more than 1,000

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people registered – the majority of whom are from our community schemes and joined the app when they were unable to attend group activity sessions during the pandemic. “We’re excited to now make it available to the wider public, growing our digital community as we add more features and content.” MHA works with multiple specialists, including florists, artists and exercise instructors, to ensure that content is beneficial, entertaining and interactive. All video content is produced in-house and bespoke activities, requested by the app’s users, will be accommodated, where possible. For example, a virtual outdoor walking video was filmed, specifically after a resident wanted to experience being outside in nature, after undergoing hip surgery.

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Veterans receive special message from The King HIS Majesty The King passed on a special message to Royal Star & Garter residents when he met nurses working for the charity. King Charles III asked Walter Chikanya to pass his regards to all veterans living at Royal Star & Garter, during a Buckingham Palace reception he was hosting to celebrate nurses and midwives working in the UK. He said: “I wasn’t expecting a message from The King to our veterans, and I’m very happy to pass it on. It was an incredible experience, and an honour to talk to The King about my work with the charity, and the importance of the social care sector. I was proud to be there, representing the sector, and representing Royal Star & Garter and its residents.” Walter, who is head of care at Royal Star & Garter, was one of three nurses from the charity present at the event. High Wycombe home manager Reggie Ballos and Surbiton clinical nurse educator Grace Nabus were among the other Royal Star & Garter registered nurses attending the reception, which was part of NHS 75 celebrations and fell on His Majesty’s 75th birthday. More than 400 nurses and midwives attended from the multitude of

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backgrounds and cultures which contribute to the UK’s health and social care sector. In addition to British nurses and midwives, His Majesty also met a selection of international nurses and midwives currently working in the UK. Walter was invited to represent social care nurses. Reggie and Grace, who qualified in the Philippines, were part of a group representing internationally educated nurses. Walter spoke to His Majesty about

his 1982 visit to the charity’s old Home in Richmond, which The King said he clearly remembered. It was during this conversation that King Charles III gave Walter his message for Royal Star & Garter veterans. The reception ended with a surprise Happy Birthday song, performed by the NHS choir. The three Royal Star & Garter nurses had been invited to the reception by Professor Deborah Sturdy, the chief nurse for adult social care for England.

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

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CARINGNEWS

Kendal man finds his true vocation with operator Football teams get new kit A CARER’S brainwave means that three local under 11s football teams will get new kit this year following sponsorship from High Wycombebased home care provider Walfinch. Downley Dynamos’ 47 players will be sporting the Walfinch logo on the front of their new kit, thanks to football mum Sian Dewing. Sian’s son Bobby, 10, plays for the Dynamos, and when Dan Baskerville, head coach of this season’s under 11 squad, appealed for sponsorship ideas, she introduced him to her boss, Greg Renk, managing director of Walfinch Mid and South Buckinghamshire, which provides all kinds of home care. “I was happy to sponsor them. I’m a fan of grassroots football, and I’ve been a touchline dad myself,” said Greg. “I know that it costs a lot of money to cover expenses such as kit, pitch hire and communications.” Sian, the care and compliance supervisor and a senior carer in Greg’s care team, added: “It struck me that

a home care provider would make an unusual and eye-catching sponsor, so now we will see the name Walfinch on the Dynamos’ shirts. “It means the players have new kit, and the many mums and dads who go to Dynamos games will know the name of local home care provider Walfinch – useful if they are ever looking for a care service.” The three under 11 teams play games in separate divisions, so the kit will be seen by parents and relatives of the Dynamos and three opposing teams each week across Buckinghamshire, plus their coaches. Greg added: “We’re glad to be able to help fund community activities and the publicity may help attract new clients and people looking for a career in our care team.” The sponsorship is for two years, but kits are sometimes passed down to the next age group coming through, so the Walfinch logo will potentially get exposure for longer than two seasons.

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A KENDAL man who has previously worked making double glazing windows and as a restaurant manager says he has found his ‘true vocation’ after joining the care sector. Artur Kleczek, 43, of Kendal, joined Westmorland Homecare as a homecare assistant in August 2022 and is now a team leader. “It really suits my character,” he said. “I really like to look after people and make sure they are happy and can live their lives to the maximum.” Artur was born and grew up in Poland. He was a student at technical college in Chrzanow before spending five years at a company making double glazing windows. He moved to Cumbria in 2005 and joined the hospitality industry, working his way from being a waiter to becoming a restaurant manager at several Lake District hotels. After working for the Office for National Statistics for a year during the Covid pandemic, he decided to try something new in his career and applied to Westmorland Homecare. “I had no idea if it would be right for me but as soon as I started it just clicked with me like nothing else in my life,” said Artur. “I have found my true vocation. I can care for and look after people and make sure I am changing their lives for the better and you can actually see it happening.” Kelsey Walmsley, the registered manager of the South Lakeland branch of Westmorland Homecare, added: “We quite often say experience is not essential to work for us. We provide full training but it’s personality that counts and here is our proof. “Artur completed his care certificate training and quickly settled into the team, paying attention to detail with every client he came across. “For our clients it’s not just about

Artur Kleczek getting washed – lipstick, perfume and hand-selected jewellery are just as important to make sure they are ready for their day. “Our companionship calls are also vitally important, but they are not just about having a chat. It’s about finding out their interests and finding creative ways to engage clients into meaningful activities and enriching their lives. “Artur soon craved more and began some specialist training, including seizure training, stroke awareness and basic life support. “Artur really engaged in all training aspects and took every opportunity to put it into practice. “He is a very important member of the community and offers outstanding person-centred care to all of his clients. Artur is a shoulder to cry on, a friend to rely on, a smile at the start of a day and the reassurance needed at the end. “As a team leader, Artur will continue his amazing work with our clients out in the community but he will also support others to develop their skills and fulfil their roles.”

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Residents and team members at Colten Care homes have united in a colourful display of solidarity to raise awareness of breast cancer and help fund research into the disease. Homes in Dorset and the New Forest staged a host of activities and events for the Wear It Pink campaign run nationally each year by charity Breast Cancer Now. Residents at Court Lodge in Lymington, Kingfishers in New Milton and Amberwood House in Ferndown were among those dressing up in pink and having fun with hands-on fundraising games and get-togethers. At Court Lodge, home manager Rebecca Hannam and healthcare assistant Eddie Brion volunteered to stand outside ‘in the stocks’ and have wet sponges thrown at them. Resident Jack Harris felt so sorry for them he insisted on being a target himself.

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CARINGNEWS

In his latest in a series of regular columns, care provider Mike Padgham, who is chair of the Independent Care Group, gives us his personal take on the big issues facing social care.

What is 2024 going to bring? NOW that the chimes of Big Ben have died down and the cheery ‘Happy New Year’ salutations have passed, we are left to wonder – what is 2024 really going to bring? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, as its New Year resolution, the Government said: “We’re going to care more, in ‘24.” Let’s face it, 2023 was a year few of us will want to remember for long. There was no movement on reform, a continuing squeeze on funding and, towards the end of the year, a couple of body blows that left us bruised. The unexpectedly large increase in the National Living Wage was welcome for employees, but without a boost in funding it is going to be a major problem for care providers. And the ban on care workers bringing their dependents over is bound to deter some from coming at a time when they are making a vital contribution to our severely under-staffed sector. The Government has done nothing to help us recruit in this country. Still, onwards and upwards as they say. I for one would love to see a General Election this year, as it will give us an opportunity to reset and for the politicians to take a fresh look at their priorities for the years ahead. And I hope they do. Politics seems to be in something of a malaise at the moment, hamstrung and restricted by decisions from the past and the current economic climate. It is time for some fresh thinking and new ideas to break through, energise the country and restore some of our faith in politics and politicians which I suspect is at an all-time low. So, when we read the main political parties’

Mike Padgham manifestos, hopefully very soon, I will be looking for some blue sky thinking, particularly on social care. At the Independent Care Group we will be setting out our manifesto, built around our ‘five pillars’ that we have already suggested. These include ring fencing a percentage of GDP for care, creating a National Care Service, setting a minimum carer wage, establishing a task force for reform and creating fair tariffs for care beds and homecare

visits. So far, only the Liberal Democrats have mentioned social care reform. The party includes free personal care and a Carer’s Minimum Wage in its ‘Fair Deal’. We need to see similar or better from the other parties. I know I sound at times like a broken record, but social care reform makes sense from two enormous perspectives. Firstly, some extra funding into the sector will help us recruit staff and enable the sector to start to tackle the 1.6m people who cannot currently get the care they need, not to mention the hundreds of thousands more who will need it in the future. It would also help the NHS to cut delayed hospital discharges and lower waiting lists – surely, that’s win, win, win. And secondly, it makes sense from an economic viewpoint. Social care employs around 1.5m people in England, but with greater support, it could employ even more and increase the £55.7bn contribution it makes to the economy. It would also free up those who are currently unable to work because they are caring for loved ones. If those two huge benefits were not enough there is surely a major political achievement waiting for someone. How amazing it would be to go down in history as the politician or government that finally tackled social care and gave us a National Care Service to provide true, cradle to the grave care. It would almost put them on a par with the Government that created the NHS, back in 1948. I want to see social care front and centre at the General Election and beyond that I want to see politicians held to account if they fail to carry out promised reform. Never again should we have promises of change that go undelivered. This must be the year.

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DOZENS of healthcare workers from across Kirklees gathered for an event to share information, products, and advice for mental and physical wellbeing. The “Caring for YOU” roadshow came to Aden Court Care Home in Huddersfield, for the latest gathering of the region’s care staff. Diane Roberts, operations director for the Hill Care Group, which operates Aden Court Care Home, was one of those in attendance. She said: “We were delighted to be able to host an event where we could focus on the health and wellbeing of social care staff in Kirklees. “This is a great initiative and feedback from our staff shows it has had a positive impact. “We plan to build upon this in the future.” The initiative is organised by

Kirklees Health and Care Partnership, Kirklees Care Association and Calderdale Cares Partnership as a way for various organisations to share their products, services, information and advice. Among those to host stands at the event was The Health and Wellbeing Academy, part of the University of Huddersfield, who offered free health checks to attendees. Halsa Wellbeing gave diet and nutrition advice, alongside free samples of various teas, dried fruits, breakfast pots and vitamin D sprays. Calderdale Cares Partnership was there to give advice on mental health and finances, as well as the Kirklees and Calderdale Integrated Schwartz Rounds Network, a forum for clinical and non-clinical staff to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare.

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CARINGNEWS

Queen’s Nursing Institute accolade awarded to staff

Home creates garden designed to recall memories of the past CASTLE Dene care home in Bournemouth enlisted the help of the Memory Box Foundation to create a specially designed reminiscence garden to evoke childhood memories and spark conversation around life experiences for residents living with dementia. The gardens have been designed with intricate details to trigger old memories as part of reminiscence therapy, a dementia care initiative which involves discussing events and experiences from the past and aims to relive memories, stimulate mental activity, and improve wellbeing. From windchimes made from old-fashioned cooking implements, vintage teapots pouring eye-catching crystals, bus stops, chamber pot planters and other objects from times gone by, the gardens of the Care South facility now help residents reminisce and start conversations. Lana Wright, home manager at Castle Dene, said: “Reminiscence is something we like to explore at Castle Dene. All the residents love talking about their memories – it’s usually their favourite subject. “The garden looks amazing, and we are very grateful to the Memory Box Foundation for helping create this special place in our home.

“It is enjoyed by all and will be a hub of food, fun and friendship for years to come.” The project was funded by the High Sheriff of Dorset, Nature Heals Seed Fund and was part of an intergenerational project with young people from Townsend Youth Club who helped to make the installations. In addition to reminiscence objects, the gardens were given a refresh with multi-sensory, colourful, tactile plants and herb gardens, creating a calming presence. The Memory Box Foundation is the charity behind the Inside Out garden project. It was set up in 2021 with aims to support those living with dementia, mental health issues and those affected by loneliness and isolation. Kayte West, co-founder of the Memory Box Foundation, said: “It has been a pleasure to support Castle Dene and help create a special place to evoke happy memories and get people talking. The objects in the garden have been carefully chosen to be a conversation starter and prompt. “We’re so pleased that residents have already been able to enjoy the garden and hope they look forward to using it again when the weather is warmer.”

Home gains accreditation COLONIA Court Bupa Care Home has been awarded a ‘Quality Assured’ status from the Huntington’s Disease Association). The Colchester facility is one of just five homes in England to attain this prestigious recognition. The nearest accredited facility is more than 160 miles away, underlining the need for the quality Huntington’s Disease care provided at Colonia Court. Home manager Jiji George said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Colonia Court has been recognised and quality assured by the Huntington’s Disease Association. “The team work extremely hard to provide the highest quality of care for our 22 residents living with Huntington’s Disease within our specialised unit, Amber Lodge. Being awarded ‘Quality Assured’ status is

testament to their dedication and hard work.” The programme identifies the behaviours, cultures and specialised services necessary for a care home to excel in caring for individuals affected by the disease. For Colonia Court, this recognition reflects its carers’ commitment to providing high-quality care for its residents. This achievement is the result of a comprehensive system of self-assessment, observation, and evidence gathering, coupled with valuable feedback from residents with Huntington’s Disease and their families. To maintain the accreditation, the high standards will be reassessed every two years to ensure continued excellence.

A FAMILY-run care home group is celebrating the success of two of its senior team members, having both received the prestigious Queen’s Nursing Institute accolade for their continued excellence in social care. The two proud recipients are Nisha Leo, manager at Princess Christian Care Centre in Woking, Surrey, and Nicoleta Cristescu, deputy manager at Meyer House Care Centre in Erith, Kent — having been recognised for their advocacy for individuals, families and carers, as well as their continued commitment to training and development. Both homes form part of Nellsar Care Homes, which operates a further 11 across Kent, Surrey and Essex. Nisha and Nicoleta embody the group’s commitment to ‘caring with passion’ and are an inspiration to their own teams and those of other homes. The QNI supports leadership, innovation and best practice in order to improve care for people, their families and communities. The award looks to bring together a community of nurses who share common values with a shared title — with a growing network of Queen’s Nurses across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Channel Islands. Delighted to receive the QNI Award, Nisha said: “Nursing has always been my calling, it’s a journey of compassion, care, and dedication. “This achievement fills me with immense delight and passion, knowing that every step in my nursing background has led me to this moment. It’s not just an accolade; it’s a symbol of the profound impact nurses can make in the lives of people they care for.” Equally passionate about her recent success, Nicoleta added: “Having started my nursing career in 2016, I quickly progressed to nursing unit manager. It is such a privilege to have a job role that can make a difference in someone’s life and being recognised by the Queen’s Nurse Institute is an honour. “I could not have achieved this without Nellsar’s support, having provided an excellent training and development programme. I feel extremely grateful to be a part of a big family.”

Nicoleta Cristescu

Nisha Leo From respite, to complex nursing and dementia care, Nellsar’s dedicated teams are equipped to support residents through their changing care needs, every step of the way. Its values focus on the individual, creating an inclusive environment with both residents and staff teams at the heart of its operation. Marisa Spice, learning and development manager at Nellsar, and also a Queen’s Nurse, said: “I’m especially proud of Nisha and Nicoleta for this achievement as I know that it is awarded in recognition of the skills we have as nurses and what we do with those skills. “ In our roles in care homes, we are a direct link between so many people in the community and professional colleagues and we can make positive changes in significant ways. I am just so impressed that we now have three Queen’s Nurses at Nellsar and next year there will be even more of us, I’m sure.” Owls have been lifting the spirits of elderly care home residents in Huddersfield as part of a therapy initiative. The usually solitary birds brought residents at Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home out of their shells during a flying visit. Willow the Eagle Owl, Orville the Little Owl and Pebbles the Barn Owl were among those visiting from Wise Owl Bird of Prey Rescue, based in Huddersfield. Home manager Tracy Keenan said: “The residents thoroughly enjoyed the visit from Wise Owl Bird of Prey Rescue and we’d like to thank them for taking the time to come and see us. We all enjoyed listening to the stories about each bird and holding them. Everyone’s faces lit up when we watched them flying from person to person and they had a go wearing the big glove so they could hold them.”

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CARINGNEWS

Group increases number of homes committed to end-of-life care A SURREY care group has put two more of its homes through a programme aiming to enhance end-of-life care provided by care residences and organisations – empowering its staff to understand the compassionate philosophy of palliative care. CHD Living’s Abbey Chase, a Chertsey nursing centre offering nursing and residential care, and Kingston Rehabilitation Centre, providing specialist care for complex neurological conditions, are the organisation’s two latest services to complete the ‘Six Steps of Success’ programme working alongside Princess Alice Hospice. Becs Page, CHD Living’s quality assurance manager, said: “Having another home become accredited in the Six Steps programme is a further milestone for our organisation and a reflection of our commitment to providing the highest standards of end-of-life care. “It reinforces our dedication to ensuring that every individual, their families, and our incredible staff receive the utmost support, respect, and compassion during this sensitive journey. The Six Steps programme

encompasses our core values and achieving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to consistently elevate the quality of care we provide.” The Six Steps programme aims to facilitate organisational change and support, educating care staff and ensuring that every care facility is equipped with dedicated champions who have access to up-to-date

national and local information around palliative care. Both centres engaged in rigorous training, received visits from trainers to implement new processes, and participated in workshops to enhance their end-of-life care practices. The teams also compiled a comprehensive portfolio showcasing the evidence of their successful integration of the Six Steps training

into their daily caregiving routines. The initiative emphasises the importance of open discussions about end-of-life care and aims to ensure that hospices are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources to deliver respectful, patient-centred, and well-led care. It highlights the significance of caring throughout the end-of-life journey, offering a compassionate and effective approach to supporting individuals in the final stages of their life. The Six Steps programme encompasses six key components: n Discussion as end-of-life care approaches. n Assessment, care planning, and review. n Coordination of care. n Delivery of high-quality care in care homes. n Care in the last days of life. n Care after death. CHD Living’s focus has been on ensuring that end-of-life care is delivered respectfully and compassionately, taking into account the needs of the patient and their family and making sure it’s safe, effective and well-led.

Home celebrates hygiene rating and exceptional culinary experience HILLCREST Care Home, part of the Larchwood Care family, has achieved a five-star hygiene rating from Norwich City Council. The accomplishment highlights the home’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. The recent success can be attributed to the outstanding efforts of new head chef Rob Connor and his dedicated kitchen team. Their hard work and culinary expertise has not only ensured compliance with the highest hygiene standards but also transformed the dining experience for the residents. Rob said: “This recognition is a testament to the

incredible team we have here. “Their commitment and hard work make all the difference.” His culinary skills have been particularly appreciated by the residents, who are delighted with the quality and variety of meals served. Home manager Leona Fitch said: “These heartwarming words from our residents truly showcase the positive impact Rob has made. “His dedication goes beyond preparing meals; he’s enriching the lives of our residents every day. “Food and mealtimes are a very important part of a care home’s day and Rob goes out of his way to make them special for everyone.” Advertiser’s announcement

Royal recognition for outstanding training in the social care sector THE prestigious Princess Royal Training Awards royally recognise and celebrate employers committed to providing outstanding training and skills development programmes. Open to all private, public or notfor-profit organisations operating in the UK and Ireland regardless of size or sector, the Awards are completely free and organisations do not compete against one another, they simply need to meet the Awards’ criteria. Applicants receive support at every stage of the process and there is even an opportunity to get feedback from Assessors on a draft application. Successful applicants attend a high-profile ceremony, join an active Alumni network of 600+ members and benefit significantly from the ongoing recognition and symbol of distinction that the Awards provide. Previous recipients have also reported improved recruitment and retention, increased investment in training and incorporation of L&D into organisational strategy.

Many care sector organisations have achieved these prestigious Awards. Home care franchise, Right at Home UK, achieved an Award in 2023 for their caregivers training programme: “Right at Home is proud to have received such a prestigious award, as it recognises our dedication to investing in our employees, enabling them to deliver outstanding care to our clients. “This accolade has elevated our learning and development profile, acting as an exemplar for our approach to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. “ If your organisation is looking to be recognised for a training programme which has positively impacted your organisation, apply now at https://www. princessroyaltrainingawards.com/ applying/register-your-interest-andapply/?utm_source=caringuk&utm_ medium=article&utm_ campaign=prta24&utm_ content=jan-24 Applications are open until March 28.

CARINGNEWS

Nurse Sobha retires after celebrating milestone

Rob Stanton from the Mansfield office with Martin Jones, CEO UK and International Home Instead, Pip Wilkins, CEO of BFA, Suzie Stanton from Home Instead Mansfield, care professional Alessia Hunt and Ruth Brown, COO of Home Instead.

Provider marks 250th HOME Instead has marked a key milestone in the company’s history – the opening of its 250th franchise office in Mansfield. Owners of the Mansfield office, Suzie and Rob Stanton, accompanied by one of their care professionals, Alessia Hunt, celebrated at a manor house venue in Cheshire along with members of Home Instead’s national office team and franchise owners from the network. Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association, as well as a number of key suppliers, were also in attendance. Speaking at the event, CEO UK and International, Martin Jones MBE recalled celebrating the brand’s 200th office opening which took place at Chester Cathedral in 2019, and the 100th office celebration in 2012 at the

Jodrell Bank Centre in Cheshire. He said: “We have grown significantly as a business but our reason for being hasn’t changed. “Our mission to increase the world’s capacity to care is what unites us and what drives us to deliver quality care which keeps people in their own homes and supports their families. “As society grapples with our ageing population, home care becomes even more relevant. “We will continue to work to better understand the needs of our clients and their families, to adapt our model and grow our service offering to ensure that we continue to lead from the front.” Home Instead was launched in the UK in 2005 with its first office in Chester. The company’s first franchised office opened a year later.

A FAMILY-run care home group is celebrating the achievements of one of its newly retired nurses who, since moving to England in 1972, has reached the remarkable career milestone of spending 50 years providing care. Sobha Mannick, clinical lead at Princess Christian Care Centre in Woking, Surrey, part of Nellsar Care Homes, started her career as a student nurse in Lancashire aged 19 with no prior experience. Upon completion, she worked as a registered nurse for nearly two years before moving to Leighton Hospital in Crewe to do her general nurse training in 1976. Striving to broaden her nursing knowledge, Sobha then took on specialised training in ears, nose and throat nursing, moving to London in 1978 to complete the course at Gray’s Inn Hospital. She then returned to Mauritius in 1979, spending the next 18 years working in different hospitals and specialised units, including accident and emergency, fracture clinic and operating theatres — whilst also working with paramedics for three years. In 1997 a UK nursing home company was looking to recruit registered nurses who had been trained in England. They offered her a four-year permit to work in a care home – a new career challenge for Sobha having spent

Sobha (middle) helping plant a memory garden. most of her time in a hospital setting. Eventually, after spending more than a decade in the social care industry, Sobha moved to Princess Christian Care Centre in 2012, where she has held a range of roles including home trainer, unit manager, lead nurse and, most recently, clinical lead. She said: “I have acquired lots of knowledge and experience during my nursing career and am proud to say I can confidently look after residents with many complex medical needs. Palliative care has been my last speciality, and Princess Christian Care Centre my last place of work. “I do not feel I am ready for retirement, but at the age of 70 I need to take some time for myself.”

Advertiser’s announcement

Syncurio – management software to revolutionise your care home THE intricacies of daily operations within care homes can be overwhelming, leading to potential inefficiencies, overspending, incorrect billing, and, most importantly, a compromise in the quality of care provided to residents. The Syncurio platform is poised to address these challenges headon, offering a comprehensive solution that empowers care home managers and staff to navigate their responsibilities seamlessly. Syncurio was created due to a collective frustration at the software available on the market. Grappling with the challenges of managing staff absenteeism, accurate resident billing and budgeting the business, a network of care home operators decided to come together and collaborate to build a system that could aid and eliminate the problems they were facing. The strength of unity proved encouraging as the group combined their knowledge and insights, culminating in the development of Syncurio. A care management software solution that is a product of firsthand industry experience. Recognising that each care home is unique, Syncurio offers customisation options to tailor the software to the

specific needs of individual facilities. Furthermore, the system is scalable, accommodating the growth of care homes without sacrificing performance. The software’s robust data analytics capabilities present invaluable insights into resident care, staff resource allocation and business financials.

Data within the Syncurio platform is easily accessible, providing operators with up to the minute information on everything from staff absences to EBITDA positions. The software’s user-friendly interface promotes operational efficiency, allowing staff to navigate the platform seamlessly, optimising their time and enabling them to focus

on providing quality care. Debra, a care home manager at Sandiacre Court, said: “With Syncurio, I find myself spending significantly less time on administrative tasks. “This shift has allowed me to focus more on what truly matters – our residents and staff. “I can confidently say that Syncurio has made me happier in my work, knowing that our processes are streamlined and effective.” Despite being a relative newcomer to the market, Syncurio is generating considerable interest within the industry. Participating in their first trade show last year to enormous success, they will be exhibiting at events throughout 2024. The evolution and outcomes of using Syncurio are inspiring operators tackling similar challenges and highlighting the benefits of this ground-breaking solution. Within a short period, it has proven itself as a game-changer. As care homes across the UK continue to embrace Syncurio, the future of care management looks brighter than ever. To find out more, give Syncurio a call on 020 4525 0299 or email sales@syncurio.co.uk

THE CARING UK AWARDS 2023

CARING UK AWARD WINNERS

Activities Team of the Year – Crossways Nursing Home

A shining example of personalised approach to all aspects of care, showing the true benefits of community collaboration. What stands out the most is not only the dedication and commitment to their residents and their wellbeing, but also to others within the community. The initiative approach to ensuring other activities teams within their local area have access to a WhatsApp group is an incredible show of teamwork outside their own organisation, which in turn ensures other residents in other care settings are also accessing the very best opportunities. The team continue to work with other care homes within the area to also provide events such as afternoon tea for residents and regular in person meetings with staff from other homes to share best practice. A fantastic team with great leadership and the community at the heart of it all.

Best Outdoor Environment – West Heanton Residential Home

Having seen a need, the team at West Heanton Residential Home acted upon it and committed wholeheartedly to dramatically improve its outdoor facilities to better engage and support all residents, especially those living with dementia. They embarked on a major “Paths with Purpose” project to redesign their gardens, creating secure enclosed areas and looping paths so residents could freely and safely walk without getting lost or hitting dead ends. This reduced anxiety and feelings of confinement. They added many sensory stimulation features along the paths including a bus to sit in, a fish pond, flower beds, and wildlife areas. The home exterior was also painted to resemble cottages to feel more homelike. These improvements have had a very positive impact on residents and also staff – residents are enjoying spending time outdoors, family/visitors are visiting more, and staff morale has been boosted due to the enhanced work environment.

Catering Team of the Year sponsored by apetito – The Chase Care Home The team’s strength lies in its exceptional communication and teamwork, ensuring residents always enjoy their meals. They stand out for creating visually stunning dishes that appeal to the senses, embodying the concept of ‘eating with your eyes’. Their dedication to varied, resident-influenced menus, catering to individual preferences and dietary requirements, makes mealtimes a daily highlight, something that is clear from the resident feedback. Winning this award is recognition of head chef Juliana and her team’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents through outstanding dining experiences.

Quality in Housekeeping – St George’s Park Nursing Home

This team show a true a dedication to collaboration and bespoke housekeeping needs across the home. It’s clear the head housekeeper has a real passion for not only their own role but their team, and they have achieved an incredible standard in a short period of time in post. The housekeeping team meet weekly to discuss the needs of residents and continually go above and beyond. During a recent emergency the team came in to support the home manager in the middle of the night to ensure this could be resolved and normality could resume the following day. A wonderful example of teamwork underpinned by true leadership.

Dementia Care Team of the Year – Appleby Care Home

Appleby Care Home has done a marvellous job of innovating and putting their residents first. They have implemented various themed settings and areas, from a seaside scene to a bar, and even bringing in their own pet rabbits after seeing the success of pet therapy. The different themed areas and scenes have helped with familiarity, along with specific items they have sourced to recognise a person’s past career or interests. I was particularly impressed and interested to hear of the work they are doing in their all-male unit. The home has two dementia champions, including the first care home manager in the UK to achieve an NIHR Greenshoots award. It is good to hear about the independent research that the home is conducting on nutrition in dementia care, which could benefit the wider community.

Community Involvement sponsored by The Independent Care Group – Mundy House Care Home Mundy House has demonstrated excellent links within the community, from offering volunteering opportunities, to connecting with young people, including youth offender services and youth clubs. I particularly loved the Archie project – making a bridge between generations, hosting visits to and from the local schools, and promoting intergenerational communication, respect and understanding – no doubt significantly benefiting everyone involved. There are good links between local charities, faith groups and clinical services, this strengthens the support they can offer residents, and it’s great to hear of the close team spirit that exists within staff at the care home.

CARING UK AWARD WINNERS

Management Team of the Year sponsored by Coolcare – Oaklands Rest Home The staff at Oaklands have turned the home around from Requires Improvement to Good. The staff have awards nights, employee of the month, and growth with staff development. There is a range of activities for the staff to be involved with alongside the residents, such as going to the beach, flower shows, BBQ’s, a summer fete and Christmas. Oaklands is forward thinking, using technology to improve the experience of the residents and employees. For example, ‘Oaklands Air’ is an immersive experience which transports residents to a global destination of their choice. Oaklands works with a technology specialist to introduce a range of systems such as electronic care planning and an innovative nighttime audio monitoring system which protects residents from falls. The home uses ‘Carefriends’ which is an app to help recruit staff as well as awarding thank you points to staff who have gone above and beyond.

Commitment to Training Development – Stow Healthcare

End of Life Team of the Year – Ford Place Nursing Home

Melford Court want to demonstrate that there is a different way of doing things in social care – and when you do it differently, with real passion and verve, and with people at the heart of what you do, you can succeed and change lives. This ethos was very clear to see. It was quickly obvious that the care team refers to all staff within Melford Court, in fact every member of staff is a keyworker to one of the residents, each based on their interests to ensure the best relationships possible can be built. The team are well-valued, invested in, developed and listened to, and passionate about contributing to the positive improvements which have been implemented within Melford Court. For example the staff suggestion of a winter wonderland garden which has been created in collaboration with the local community, including the local prison creating a wooden sleigh for display.

Ford Place Nursing Home has done a great job in prioritising end of life care and support for its residents and within their local community. From the training provided to its staff, and the champion roles they have in place, to the collaboration with GPs and local hospices to manage a resident’s symptoms – it is clear that end of life care is an absolute priority for this nursing home. Supporting family members is also crucial within end of life care, and it was good to hear how they are supporting residents to complete relevant forms to plan their future care preferences, alongside the family where possible. There were lovely testimonials from residents and family members, and this – alongside the high quality of care, demonstrated by the Outstanding rating by the CQC – makes them my first choice.

Excellence and Innovation in Dementia Care – Ebury Court Care Home The Lavender Club, created by Ebury Court, is a fantastic initiative to support the wellbeing of their residents in an innovative way. Arranging activities three times a day, 365 days per year must be challenging, but the benefits mentioned – including decreased use antipsychotic medication, decreased falls, lower rates of depression, and much more – really bring home the impact that such an initiative can have. It was also pleasing to hear that staff satisfaction has improved as a result, and this is no doubt helped by the tangible activities that they get involved in with the residents, who clearly also benefit from this work. An excellent example of innovation and collaboration.

A truly unique and innovative approach to staff development. The Career Café is a wonderful idea to encourage staff to discuss their own progression opportunities in a relaxed setting, while the use of scenario sessions and dignity ‘Hazard Rooms’ is fantastic, combined with more formal, traditional qualifications demonstrates development of staff at all levels. In addition to all this, Stow Healthcare is also sharing its expertise with the wider community by providing in house practical sessions for health and social care students, which will inspire the next generation of care givers.

Care Team of the Year – Melford Court Care Home

Regional Care Home Midlands and Wales sponsored by Fusion eCare Solutions Ltd – St John’s House St John’s has shown that they not only look to improve the lives of those who draw on their care on support, but also of those within the community by offering a range of opportunities such as a dementia café, film nights and other community events. They have You, Me and I, which is an intensive programme that supports residents and families through difficult periods, one relative stated ‘quite simply I could not have gotten through without the team’. They consistently work in partnership and build positive working relationships with external stakeholders such as local GP practices and continually look to new practices and innovation to ensure they grow as a team and an orgainsation and offer the best to all those who access their service.

CARING UK AWARD WINNERS

Regional Care Home of the Year North – Thornhill House

I was impressed with the huge amount of work that has gone into developing the excellent support offered at Thornhill House. It is clear that staff are extremely passionate, and that residents feel at home. The quality is also demonstrated with the reviews online, and Thornhill being the first home in Barnsley to receive Outstanding by the CQC. I particularly liked hearing about how independence is retained wherever possible for residents, giving the person-centred approach we all strive for. There were good examples – including how residents choose how their rooms are furnished and decorated, having the support to do their own shopping, choosing favourite meals that remind them of holidays, and even visiting their beloved local football club.

Regional Care Home of the Year South – Aveley Lodge Aveley Lodge has done a phenomenal amount of charity work. Just some include: The Royal British Legion, Macmillan, Alzheimer’s Society, HistioUK, Cancer Research UK, WWF, Children in Need, Red Nose Day, sponsoring Tech A Child In Africa. In addition to this, Aveley Lodge has included its residents in their charity work, such as the residents’ knitting hats and boots for babies in special care at hospitals, knitting blankets for a local homeless charity and knitting blankets and toys for Cats Protection. This not only beneficial to the charities but gives inclusion to the residents and must give them a great sense of purpose. Aveley Lodge is also environmentally conscious within and outside the home, they understand the benefits of recycling and discourage the use of products containing palm oil and plastics. The home also has a gardening club which allows residents to have a say in for which vegetables and herbs they would like to grow, pick and eat.

Regional Care Home of the Year Scotland – Allanbank

This award is a testament to the exceptional level of care and commitment demonstrated by the dedicated, talented (thinking of the cabaret photos here!) and caring team at Allanbank Care Home in providing outstanding services to its residents. The award acknowledges Allanbank’s dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for its residents, ensuring their well-being and quality of life. The team not only demonstrate compassion and professionalism but also lots of fun, and play a pivotal role in delivering personalised care that meets the unique needs of each resident. Embracing the local community into life at Allanbank presents many opportunities for all concerned – from the Queen of the South Football Club & the Theatre Royal, to the local hair and beauty college and an innovative gardening project with the local prison. The organisation’s commitment to maintaining high standards and continually improving the quality of its services has earned it this well-deserved recognition.

Care Employer of the Year – Connaught Care Group

As a new and growing organisation, Connaught Care Group demonstrates exceptional commitment to providing quality care and support for their residents. Connaught attracts new residents (and new team members) through community outreach and their growing stellar reputation. Their cohesive team members, through their kindness, dedication and integrity authentically build trust with residents and empower them to thrive. Connaught Care Group’s proactive and people-focused leadership enables the development of individuals through robust training programs. By investing in employees and local partnerships, Connaught Care Group strives to continually enrich their community’s lives. The Care Employer of the Year award recognises their people-first approach, innovative leadership and passion for enhanced care services.

Outstanding Achievement sponsored by Cornerstone Care Solutions Ltd – Ron Taylor Ron’s personal experience as a carer for his Grandfather is quite unique and continues to inform Parklands’ values. When he established Parklands, he resolved that the person centred care he gave to his grandfather should be the care every one of its residents should receive. Thirty years on, that remains the Parklands standard. Ron is also very community focussed. He marked Parklands’ 30th anniversary with a community party in Buckie, where his care journey began. Parklands recently launched its new Pathway Fund to support community projects involving older people, education, sport and wellbeing, young people, and sustainability. Ron has made a positive difference to so many people whose lives he has touched over the last 30 years, residents, family, staff and the wider community. His Grandfather would be very proud of him

Care Employee of the Year sponsored by Arquella – Dawn Lyon (receiving the award on her behalf is judge Neil Grant) Dawn stood out for arranging incredibly unique activities with the residents. The Come Dine With Me has not only helped the residents at Roseway House to strengthen connections with residents at other homes, but this has also benefitted the local care homes as a community. These connections will allow care homes to support one another and learn from each other, providing a benefit for the greater good. In addition, Dawn hosts a range of activities at the home such as choir, crafty corner and cheese and wine parties. In particular, Dawn has hosted ‘Rosebuds’, which is an intergenerational in-house parent and toddler activity, where children join the residents in the community for creative activities, this is beneficial for the well-being of the residents as well as strengthening ties in the community.

CARING UK AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to our runners up Activities Team Speyside Care Home Mountbatten Lodge Best Outdoor Environment Tuxford Manor Avonbridge Care Home Best Initiative in Care sponsored by Yorkshire and Humber Care Association Alliance – Llesiant Delta Wellbeing Community Response Service Llesiant Delta Wellbeing Community Response Service is blazing a trail by looking at things differently. Its innovative initiative aims to prevent hospital admissions and enable people to live independently for longer; by providing a 24-hour response to a wide range of situations – the only one of its kind in Wales. Its mobile service provides ‘emergency bridging’ for individuals and their families. By working with health board and local authority partners in supporting an individual’s wellbeing in a holistic manner, its initiative represents the future of high quality, person-centred care for individuals in the community. For their innovation, dedication and commitment to improving lives, Llesiant Delta Wellbeing is deserving of this year’s Best Initiative in Care Award.

Care UK prides itself on providing the best possible care and quality, being a best-in-class operator and continued business growth. The operator maintain some of the highest regulatory ratings of larger UK providers, with 91 per cent of its care homes rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ – a four per cent increase on the previous financial year. The group invest in key partnerships, like the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies, to continually improve the service it offers, including the Care Fit for VIPs endorsement. In its most recent employee satisfaction survey, 96 per cent said they were proud of their work, and its Net Promoter Score is consistently excellent for the sector. Staff turnover has also reduced by 7.3 per cent over the past year.

Dementia Care Team Friends of the Elderly Field Lodge End of Life Team Ebury Court Care Home New Milton House Commitment to Training and Development Bay Court Rotherwood Group

Care Home of the Year sponsored by Fulcrum Care Consulting – St John’s House

Regional Care Home South Shaftesbury Care The Burroughs

Catering Team Regional Care Home Dorset House Nursing North Home Hollins Park Mill Lodge Care Park View Residential Centre Regional Care Home Quality in Housekeeping Scotland Norfolk House Caledonian Court Gable Court Nursing Lauder Lodge Home Outstanding Achievement Community Involvement Broadlands Thornhill House Residential Home The Chase Care Home Gable Court Best Initiative in Care Maple Memory and Aspen Memory Centre St John’s House

Care Group of the Year sponsored by Virgin Money – Care UK

Regional Care Home Midlands and Wales Aria Care Home Perry Manor

Care Employee Daniel Smeu-Mare Joy Miles Care Employer Care UK Aria Care Home Management Team Jasmine Court St Cecilia’s Care Group Care Group Black Swan Care Group Minster Care Group

Care Team Excellence and Innovation Littleport Grange Care in Dementia Care Home Mundy House Care Haslingden Hall Care Home Home Mumby’s Live in Care

CARING UK AWARDS 2023 PHOTO GALLERY

Watch out for details of the 2024 Caring UK Awards coming soon!

www.caringukawards.co.uk

CARING UK AWARDS 2023 PHOTO GALLERY

Watch out for details of the 2024 Caring UK Awards coming soon!

www.caringukawards.co.uk

CARINGNEWS

Meet our sponsors apetito

We’re dedicated to improving people’s lives through delicious and nutritious food. As the leading meal provider in the industry, we serve over 20,000 residents daily in partnership with over 600 care homes. Our team of chefs, dietitians, and nutritionists work together to create meals that meet specific dietary requirements and nutrition needs while maintaining great taste. We source our ingredients sustainably and design our meals to promote health and wellbeing. With a diverse range of more than 200 meals, including cultural and ethnic options, freefrom, and our award-winning Texture Modified range, we have something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. We understand every care home is unique and therefore, we work closely with our partners to provide tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of both you and your residents. Our goal is to provide the necessary support to help you run an efficient and cost-effective kitchen while nourishing, caring for, and delighting your residents. Let’s partner together to support the health and well-being of your residents. Website: carehomes.apetito.co.uk Phone: 0808 239 2399

Arquella

Simplify and streamline your care processes with Arquella’s connected care solution, reducing the burden of administration, allowing carers to focus on what really matters providing quality care. n Arquella Call – Digital wireless nurse call system without limitation. n Arquella Sense – An advancement in sensorbased fall management technology. n Arquella Move – Automatic staff recognition with accurate location tracking. https://www.arquella.co.uk

CoolCare

CoolCare is the UK’s most innovative care home management software. Managing care homes is often compared to spinning plates. Every day you manage priorities of: occupancy management, staffing, invoicing, training and compliance monitoring, all of which compete for space on your to do list. CoolCare sorts all that out for you by bringing automated efficiencies and time saving tools to your home. CoolCare4 covers all core aspects of running an efficient and modern care home business: n Occupancy and enquiry management. n Resident invoicing. n Time and attendance. n Rostering. n Staff messaging, HR and training. Manual processes, managed through paper records and Excel spreadsheets increase the risk of data inaccuracy, higher cost and incorrect billing. Automation through CoolCare therefore brings major time savings to daily, weekly and monthly admin tasks. Processing invoices, timesheets and payroll is reduced from hours to minutes, with big cost savings too. www.coolcare4.co.uk

Care Association Alliance Y and H

A new alliance of care provider groups in Yorkshire and The Humber is leading the way towards giving social care the unified, campaigning voice it needs as the sector continues to struggle against inadequate funding, ongoing staffing shortages and the rising cost of living. And the Alliance urges all social care providers to join up with their local association and help build this growing voice for social care providers and those who receive care. The Yorkshire and The Humber Care Association Alliance comprises Barnsley Independent Care Home Providers Association, Bradford Care Association, Hull and East Riding Care Association, The Independent Care Group (North Yorkshire and York), Kirklees Care Association, Leeds Care Association, Sheffield Care Association and Wakefield (Independent Sector Liaison Group). As the official, representative bodies for social care, each represents dozens of individual care providers, small, medium and large, from the private and not-for-profit sectors, including unpaid carers. John Pattinson 07956 484754

Cornerstone Care Solutions Limited

Cornerstone Care Solutions Ltd is a leading care home management company based in the UK, specialising in a comprehensive range of services tailored to elevate the standards of care facilities. With a focus on CQC mock reviews, we offer invaluable insights to help care homes meet and exceed regulatory requirements. Our management services encompass operational efficiency, staff training, and quality assurance, ensuring a holistic and individualised approach to care home excellence. Additionally, we provide expert turnaround and insolvency services, conducting due diligence and offering strategic solutions for care homes facing financial and restructuring challenges. Our mission is to deliver exceptional care through innovative management solutions. www.cornerstonecare.co.uk

CARINGNEWS

Meet our sponsors Fulcrum Care Consulting

Fulcrum Care Consulting specialises in helping care homes to deliver exceptional care. With support and guidance about CQC regulations, management issues and operational matters, care home’s can expect to receive great CQC assessments that will attract potential residents. With specialist consultants and industry professionals on hand, with over a combined total of 100 years of experience, Fulcrum provides strategic guidance and customised solutions to address the unique challenges faced by care environments. Its comprehensive services encompass governance and compliance, crisis management, CQC challenges and mentoring that can help to turn around a care home if it is failing or maintain its favourable rating and reputation. https://fulcrumcareconsulting.com

Independent Care Group

ICG is the recognised representative body for independent care providers (private and voluntary) in York and North Yorkshire. We work on behalf of providers for all client groups including care homes, domiciliary care agencies, supported living and extra care housing providers, and day care centres in the private and voluntary parts of the independent sector. ICG is committed to helping providers to give the best possible service to the vulnerable people they care for – working in partnership with others to make this a reality. On behalf of providers we work with North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, the Clinical Commissioning Groups in North Yorkshire and the regulator CQC. We act as a conduit passing on the views and concerns of providers and the requirements of commissioners in an each-way process. We try to achieve the best possible solution for the independent sector on all issues including fee rates, contract terms and assistance through training. As members of the Partnership Board for North Yorkshire we work with all parties to maintain the stability of the market while at the same time encouraging innovation and service development. https://independentcaregroup.co.uk

Fusion

Still using paper based systems to manage aspects of your care business? Yes you might be able to manage that way, you’ve always done it that way, is there a part of you that can’t face changing, not to mention the perceived upheaval, time, investment and training required to change. The thing is, switching to Fusion is none of those things, and once you’re up and running you’ll know for sure your data is safe and compliant whilst your business runs more efficiently. Fusion is for care providers who strive to achieve the best care and the best working practices. Capture relevant information such as resident/ staff details in the most simple time efficient way. Manage your documents to ensure that information is dealt with logically. Avoid duplication of Care Plans and using handwritten timesheets that need to be manually inputted into a payroll system. Streamlining, optimising and automating certain internal processes will reduce delays, human error, red tape, and the complexity of certain manual care and administrative processes as well as relieving the stress of the inspectors visit. www.fusionecare.com 01133 979 555

Virgin Money

Virgin Money is a full-service digital bank, serving 6.5m customers across the UK. It offers market-leading products and services to meet the full range of customers’ retail and business banking needs. Virgin Money aims to provide a consistently world-class experience for customers through its leading technology platform, telephone banking and a national network of innovative stores and business banking centres. By making banking better, Virgin Money seeks to deliver on its purpose of ‘Making you happier about money’. https://uk.virginmoney.com/business/ product/

PHOTOGRAPHY Thanks to everyone who attended the event, it was a wonderful evening and we’d like to congratulate all our winners plus those runners up who were all worthy of being winners, there was a lot of tough decisions for our judges! If you had your photo taken and would like to see this and purchase copies to share and remember the occasion, please visit our online photography portal: www.script-events.co.uk/caring-uk-awards-photography/ You can view a low resolution, watermarked version of your images on our online platform. Any images purchased will be supplied as a high resolution print, with no watermark present either by selecting a physical or digital copy/ If you’d like to purchase images please visit scriptevents.co.uk/ caring-uk-awardsphotography/ or by scanning the QR code on the right. Photographs purchased are £12 inc P&P each.

2023

CARING UK AWARDS

Call 01226 734407 or email dm@scriptmediagroup.co.uk for details

CARINGNEWS

Care home provider elevates dementia awareness SCOTTISH care provider Meallmore Ltd is introducing dementia supportive spaces in several homes across the country, which are designed to transform the way in which communities approach dementia. Greenan Manor in Ayr and Crimond House in Fraserburgh have launched dementia cafés over the summer. These specialised cafés are supported by Alzheimer’s Scotland and aim to create dementia-friendly experiences for older people, connect with communities, improve awareness, and upskill staff. Greenan Manor piloted the café, called Let’s Connect, which provides a space for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to participate in dementiafriendly activities and receive information with family and friends in a safe and supportive zone. In addition to tea and coffee, this includes arts and crafts, board games and puzzles, which are adapted for residents’ abilities and cognitive levels. The Let’s Connect Café has been used for meetings with families, as well as offering space for local healthcare professionals to discuss dementia care. Greenan Manor plans to extend access to its dementia café to members of the public in the autumn.

Greenan Manor manager Elaine at the dementia cafe. Crimond House is in the early stages of establishing its own dementia café and other Meallmore homes have introduced similar supportive spaces, building on the care home group’s leading work in delivering personalised care to residents with the condition. The cafés have been launched as part of the ‘Strive, Achieve and Excellence’ framework, which was established by Meallmore in 2016 and allows the provider’s 26 care homes to trial projects tailored to the needs

of their residents. The framework, which is not limited to dementia, gives each home the opportunity to integrate the latest and best practices into their care and can, ultimately, influence businesswide change. An example of this includes the use of the Pool Activity Level instrument; an occupational therapist-designed framework used to deliver activities in a manner customised to the different stages of dementia. This ensures people living with dementia can participate in all kinds of activities, such as baking and arts and crafts, in a way that makes sense to them. Meallmore initially trialled the PAL framework at St Olaf Care Home in Nairn to great success, resulting in a company-wide roll-out. Hazel O’Rourke, Meallmore’s quality director, said: “The most important thing we can do for people living with the condition is to provide them with the best care we possibly can. “We’re committed to supporting those living with dementia by working to create a compassionate environment and community where dignity is nurtured, identities are preserved and a sense of belonging is fostered. “It’s not only our mission to bring comfort and connection to those

entrusted in our care, but also to educate, listen to and support the families, healthcare professionals and community that interact with those living with dementia. “We wish to bring our families closer together and improve the lives of the people that we care for.” Staff at several Meallmore care homes across Scotland have also participated in specialist sensory training. This involves a two-and-a-half hour session experiencing what it feels like to live with dementia. Colleagues are placed into a dementia experiential environment and asked to perform certain everyday tasks. The training provides insight into the daily lives of people with dementia, allowing colleagues to better understand how to support their needs and further improve their care. Following the session is a debrief that provides key information about dementia and a reflection session discussing how care can be adapted to suit residents with the condition. Training has already taken place at St Modans in Fraserburgh, Auchtercrag in Ellon and Kincaid House in Greenock, with a plan to deliver the experience to other homes across Scotland.

Advertiser’s announcement

Something inspiring to get you moving – My Life TV IT’S A new year and, like many people, perhaps you’ve started January thinking about making resolutions and forming positive habits - to be healthier, happier and more fulfilled in 2024? According to YouGov, last year, one in five Britons said they were making a New Year’s resolution, and more than half of those intended to do more exercise, or improve their fitness. In fact, doing more exercise and getting fitter, has been Briton’s most popular intention, for the past four years. Does this sound familiar? My Life TV, the dementia-friendly streaming service, is spurring everyone on to get active and moving this new year – residents, viewers and carers alike. It’s so good for us. Why don’t you,

your staff and your service users, get involved in regular sessions of chair yoga, or dance and movement classes, which can be found on My Life TV? Or, perhaps the breadth of content available could inspire you to take up something healthy after work? From ballroom dancing to boxing, gardening to going birdwatching, cycling to surfing, to walking tours, juggling and acrobatics – there’s likely to be something to inspire your perfect active pursuit. Rachel Addley, executive director of charity My Life Films, which runs My Life TV, said: “My Life TV exists to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and the elderly, whilst supporting their carers. “We have programming to enable people to continue their hobbies and interests, and to inspire new ones.

“The team here include dog walkers, tennis players, runners, swimmers and we want to encourage all our viewers to get active.” Imagine having more energy, feeling lighter and brighter and those endorphins … Participation activities on My Life TV extend to sing-a-longs, and a wealth of music programming, from opera, to gospel, reggae to Bollywood, swing to feel good hits. There are also art, craft and sewing tutorials, so perhaps you can flex your creative muscles. Aside from hobbies and activities, viewers can enjoy feel good entertainment, films and classic TV, including Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game, Delia Smith, Blue Peter, Mike Yarwood’s Royal Variety Performance, One Man and His Dog and other well known shows from BBC Archive.

The service also offers a wealth of quizzes, historic films and programmes, which promote reminiscence. Rachel added: “My Life TV aims to support carers in providing meaningful moments and activities for those they care for. “Our content is there to help people laugh, remember, encourage thought, relaxation or connection with others, depending on the mood and the moment. “Our subscribers really value the service and we frequently hear the service inspires ideas and sparks conversations.” Take a week’s free trial of My Life TV, by visiting mylifefilms.org or sign-up for a monthly or annual subscription for your care home or care setting. Annual subscriptions cost just £299.99. Terms and conditions apply.

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Operator opens its ninth care home THE Sandstone Care Group has added a new care home to its group. The Cheshire headquartered care home operator has taken operational ownership of Priesty Fields Care Home in Congleton, Cheshire. The 78-bed home, its first in Cheshire, offers refined residential and nursing care customised to each individual in a secure and welcoming environment. The care home’s chef provides a wide selection of freshly prepared meals for residents to choose from, while the home’s activity coordinators ensure residents can pursue cherished hobbies and interests through a weekly activity programme. The home also has a spa for residents to relax in, a cinema, café, gym, corner shop and an in-house hairdressing salon as well as its own gastro-pub. The home, which takes its name

Steven Hamblett, operations director of Sandstone Care Group.

from the expansive green space situated at the south of the market town, joins eight other homes in the Sandstone Care Group in Lancashire, Merseyside, Powys in Wales and Shropshire. Steven Hamblett, operations

director of Sandstone Care Group, which has its head office in Warrington, said: “We’re delighted to be opening our new care home in the historic market town of Congleton and our ninth in the group. “As with all our homes,

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we’re committed to delivering compassionate, person-centred care while empowering our residents to maintain as much independence as possible. “At Priesty Fields Care Home we have a dedicated team ready to provide residential, nursing, respite and tailored professional care services to the local community. “The home’s registered manager is looking forward to meeting all the residents and their families over the coming weeks and to becoming a key part of the local community.” An open day will be held in the New Year so people can pop in, meet the team and have a look around the facilities. As part of the investment in the care home, a number of new jobs are due to be created including nurses, care assistants and care practitioners. A recruitment day will be held in January.

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New Mexborough care home opens THE grand opening for Montagu Hall marked the third facility to be opened by Danforth Care in Yorkshire this year, alongside Sid Bailey in Brampton and Primrose House in Hull. The new home, with direct transport links to Doncaster and Rotherham via the M1 and the A1M, has provided 60 jobs for the area. Each role within Montagu Hall all come with a fully funded DBS check and full support in completing an NCQ qualification if desired. All jobs have permanent contracts and come with uniform. The luxury care home in Mexborough will be home to 66 residents, who can enjoy state-of-theart facilities such as an on-site hair

salon, café, library, sweet shop and cinema. Underfloor heating and landscaped gardens also set this care home, from developers LNT, a cut above the rest. Each resident will also have a private room including en-suite wet rooms, smart TVs and mini fridges, which will be freshly cleaned daily. An experienced team will cater to residents with 24-hour care and a bespoke activity package tailored to their individual preferences, and an on-site chef will cook them restaurant quality food. Residents will also have access to accessible landscaped gardens at their leisure, all provided by developer LNT.

Home manager Julie Afsar said: “It’s wonderful to have the doors of Montagu Hall open to welcome residents from across South Yorkshire. “We are so excited to be starting a community here, and providing a safe and happy home for 66 people. “We pride ourselves on our bespoke activity programmes, and we can’t wait to meet our residents and get started.” It’s not just the residents Montagu Hall is good for; the care home is also good for the environment. With 80 per cent of the available roof space lined with solar panels, the home will be making its own electricity, and selling what it

doesn’t need back to the grid. An underground energy system running miles below the care home will heat the home’s hot water, and provide underfloor heating and air cooling for the residents as an added bonus. Like all Danforth’s homes, Montagu Hall is A rated and will have no gas, going pure electric to save the planet. “It’s very important to Danforth that we’re looking after the planet as well as our residents,” added Julie. “As we extend our respect and level of care beyond those who live here to the environment, it will ensure Montagu Hall can remain a comfortable and happy home for many years to come.”

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Grand opening held for group’s newest home MAYOR of Bolton, Councillor Mohammed Ayub, along with the Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Linda Thomas, have officially opened a new £13m care facility in Bolton. Located on the site of the former Egerton House Hotel, Egerton Manor is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art 64-bed care centre, the latest to be opened by Altrincham-based New Care. It will provide residential, 24-hour nursing, dementia and respite care for those in Bolton and the surrounding areas. Impressed with the design and build of the new care centre, Mohammed and Linda enjoyed a guided tour of the facility, meeting the first residents and seeing first hand the care that the operator would be delivering in the area. Commissioning director at New Care, Dawn Collett, said: “It has been our pleasure to welcome the Mayor and Councillor Thomas to Egerton Manor. “We were delighted that they were able to perform the official opening for us and spend some time chatting with our staff team and first residents.” Working closely with the local

authority, Egerton Manor has been expertly designed to combine style and function to ensure a safe, secure and comfortable home-from-home environment for residents. Each of the 64 fully furnished bedrooms features an en-suite private wet room, and the home boasts a selection of communal lounges, reading rooms and dining rooms, spa-assisted bathrooms, a nail bar, hair salon and access to landscaped gardens and outdoor terraces. Residents will also enjoy personcentred individual care, freshly prepared nutritious meals and a daily programme of wellbeing activities. Retaining a nod to its previous life as the popular Egerton House Hotel, New Care has incorporated many of the historical features of the landmark into the new build including the entrance and bay windows that now form part of reception and the leafy grounds and woodland that form part of the external landscaping. Now officially open and welcoming its first residents, Egerton Manor is recruiting locally with approximately 100 jobs expected to be created over the next 12 months in multiple roles including nurses, carers, hospitality, housekeeping, wellbeing and activities, maintenance and catering.

A HOMECARE provider has opened a new branch in Preston and hopes to recruit up to 50 new staff in 2024. Westmorland Homecare’s Preston branch covers Preston, Fulwood, Penwortham, Kirkham, Bamber Bridge, Walton-le-Dale, Longton, North Leyland, Ribbleton, Lea and Longridge. “There are currently four members of staff, including two homecare assistants, but as business grows we shall be looking to recruit between 30 and 50 extra members of staff during 2024,” said Russell Crossley, a director of Westmorland Homecare. “There is a huge demand for care now but that demand is going to be even greater in future bearing in mind the growth in the number of elderly people and their needing care in their own homes.” Westmorland Homecare provides hundreds of hours of care each week to enable vulnerable and often frail people over the age of 18 to live independently in their own home. Its services include home care, such as help with housekeeping and meal preparation, and personal care, such as help with medication, dressing, bathing and living their life to the full. The new branch reflects the continued growth of Westmorland Homecare Limited, which was founded in 2017 by doctors Josh Macaulay and Chris Moss and director Russell Crossley. Both doctors had experience of caring for people in their NHS roles as an A&E doctor and anaesthetist. Russell’s specialities are in business but he also has a lifetime of experience in care. The company now has branches at South Lakeland, Fylde and Wyre; Preston; and Lancaster and Morecambe. “The Preston branch has the same ethos as the rest of the company,” said Russell. “We believe that every individual should be free to remain in their home as long as they wish and should continue to be as active and independent as possible and to have rich and fulfilling lives.

Pictured at Westmorland Homecare’s new Preston branch are, from the left: Charlotte Cooper, registered manager Tracey Redwood and Lisa Fisher. “We put excellent care and support at the heart of everything we do with clients and also with our staff. Westmorland Homecare accomplishes this by paying our staff the best rates and by providing continuity of care and professionalism.” He said all clients benefited from continuity of care by having the same pro-active homecare assistants visiting them at home and times of visits remained consistent. The registered care manager at the Preston branch is Tracey Redwood, who started work for the company as a homecare assistant at its Poulton, Fylde and Wyre branch, before becoming a team leader, co-ordinator and a senior co-ordinator there before taking on the registered manager role at Preston. “We are currently looking to accept new client care packages,” Russell added. “The packages that we provide are tailored and we can offer services such as help around the home, supporting with medication, meal preparation to assisting with complex care.” The Preston branch plans to hold an open event for everyone in the community to get to know the staff and the services offered. A separate similar event is also likely for local health and social care professionals.

Breaking ground ceremony kicks off community social value campaign A BREAKING ground ceremony has taken place at a Hertfordshire County Council care home development which is set to generate £4.5m in economic and social value for the local community and create more than 50 local jobs. The ceremony was held on the former Little Furze primary school site in South Oxhey and included representatives from Hertfordshire County Council and Kori Construction – the main contractor on the scheme. The £17.5m, three-storey care home was designed by RDT Architects with sustainability at its heart. Set to achieve a high standard of environment accreditation (BREEAM ‘very good’), it will be powered solely by electricity and will have extensive solar panels installed on the roof.

Elaine Kendall, head of sustainability and communications at Kori Construction, said: “A fundamental value of everyone at Kori Construction is that development can be a real driver of

change in our communities, and our goal, as always, is to maximise the value we can derive from this project for the local area. “The effect of this is significantly amplified when you work with

partners, in this case Hertfordshire County Council, who are as committed to achieving positive outcomes as we are. As a result, we put an ambitious target on this project of generating £4.5m in social and economic value for this area. “With the site preparation works now complete and the breaking ground ceremony heralding the start of construction proper, we’re working hard towards delivering that across the duration of the build.” Little Furze care home will include 75 bedrooms with integrated assistive technology to enable greater independence. Residents will also have direct access to garden space from every floor, along with external courtyards, communal spaces and a café to encourage social interaction.

Andy Tait, managing director of Sallyport Commercial Finance.

Group experiences ‘game-changing’ growth annum that provides complex care services to the NHS, as well as private clients in their homes across the South of England. Formed in 2015, they provide care assistants, support workers and registered nurses who support clients with a range of conditions, including complex care for serious conditions such as spinal injuries, motor neurone disease and cerebral palsy. Rajesh Doshi, CEO of Harmony Healthcare, said: “Our mission is to provide the highest standard of healthcare services to our community. “Demand for our services has increased so significantly that we needed to source a reliable financial partner to recruit at scale, but we

wanted to ensure our financial partner would match the quality of our healthcare services and become a true extension to our team. “From the outset, Sallyport has been more than just a financial provider – they’ve become a partner in our growth. The relationship created, advice given and lending provided has been a real game-changer to our business. They have become a true extension to our team and support our ambition of servicing more clients across the UK as we continue to grow. “Their professional team has consistently offered timely, efficient, and transparent factoring solutions, allowing us to focus on what we do

best: caring for our patients.” Sallyport Commercial Finance is an active member of the Homecare Association and has worked closely with the homecare sector since the UK arm of the firm launched in Glasgow earlier this year. Managing director Andy Tait added: “Harmony Healthcare was experiencing high demand for its quality healthcare services, but was unable to grow quickly. “We are pleased to have been able to support them as they expand their business and help them to maintain a steady cash flow with our factoring solutions, and most importantly help them to provide more valuable services to people who need them.”

HOMECARE provider Harmony Healthcare has created 110 new roles in the care sector – growing from five to 30 internal employees and created 80 new direct care positions – following a £750,000 invoicebased lending facility from Sallyport Commercial Finance. The cash injection has allowed the organisation to recruit highly qualified carers and nurses from overseas to help overcome the staff shortages currently experienced in the UK’s healthcare sector, and to expand its training offering for all its employees. Based in London, Harmony Healthcare is a family-run healthcare business with a turnover of £9m per

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healthcare providers who choose Gainsborough benefit from optimum safety, reduced risk and impressive economics. Gainsborough is a truly British business leading the world in assistive bathing technology. Its R&D department is renowned for continually raising the bar in terms of bather comfort and carer support. With one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its kind in Europe, Gainsborough represents the respected name in hi-lo baths with a range that meets all care needs. From the reclining Sentes for added postural support to the multi-faceted, highly adaptable Gentona, every bath from Gainsborough enhances CQC excellence and provides outstanding capital expenditure ROI. Gainsborough delivers an

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Big savings in the Gompels January sale AS THE new year begins, we are thrilled to announce our January sale 2024, providing you with the best deals on essential products including hand sanitisers and disposable aprons from just 90p per pack n Dry wipes for 55p per pack on our case saver deal. n Premium laundry liquids on buy one get one free. n Big discounts on as premium bed pads and soft bath towels. n Save £22.51 on overbed tables and £55.50 on laundry trolleys. n And so many more great offers online…

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