Caring UK Weekly - 15 June 2022

Issue 110 15.06.22

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Stroke fails to stop Yvonne’s painting love A RESIDENT at Signature at Chorleywood has defied expectation for the love of art despite suffering a life-changing stroke in 2016.

Yvonne Field’s lifelong passion for art her whole life has taken her around the UK, beginning with a spell at Harrow School of Art, where she honed her skills.

She then progressed to Goya Cosmetics as a packaging designer, and eventually designing state-of-the-art dentist surgeries throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.

However, it was following a trip to an art exhibit with her husband and children that Yvonne’s artistic path took another step.

During their visit her husband John, surprised Yvonne with an easel, canvases and paints. It was these gifts that kick-started her 55-year career as an oil painter and drove her creative mind to explore new artistic realms.

Yvonne said: “I was born liking art, ever since I was able to hold a pencil or a paint brush and create beautiful ambiences not just for myself, but for others to look at and enjoy. I love working with colours and creating beautiful images. I love to paint every day.

“For all those who are considering painting or taking it up for the first time, just go for it, really go for it. You will create something that is yours and for

everyone around you to enjoy.

Just let it come from the heart.

Simply follow your heart.”

In addition to her continued work as an interior and architectural designer, Yvonne went onto launch her own chocolate business alongside her business partner.

Using their artistic skills, the duo created unique packaging which was sold in Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason and countless other recognisable outlets.

When Yvonne retired at the age of 60 her attention turned once again to oil painting.

As has been the case throughout her life, Yvonne’s talents shone through, and she went onto join the Pinner Association, exhibiting in numerous galleries and shows, and selling her work across the UK and USA. However, in 2016 life took a turn. After suffering a devastating stroke, Yvonne was left paralysed on the right side of her body.

Nevertheless, where some may have been disheartened by the experience, she did not let this stop her from doing what she loves.

Since this point, Yvonne has trained herself to paint with her left hand and continues to produce pieces of art in the studio at Signature at Chorleywood.

CUK Awards nominations now open

Fernlea House Care Home in Cardenden, Fife was treated to visits from dogs Milo and Pippin, who bounded up to residents and staff members for a hug and a treat. Their visits were organised as part of the home’s pet therapy programme, designed to make sure residents keep healthy and happy. Joan Brown, senior carer at Fernlea House, said: “Lots of our residents grew up with dogs, so they enjoy having Milo and Pippin in the home. You feel the difference immediately when they walk through the door – staff and residents love being around them and you see it in all the smiles on faces and laughter to go around.”Staff members organised the visit from Milo, who belongs to one of the home’s carers Jemma Rutherford.

Pippin’s owners Jill and Khaliegh Ireland often bring him along on his much-loved visits to see resident Alison, Khaliegh’s grandmother, in the home.

OPERATORS wanting to put themselves forward for recognition have been urged to enter the Caring UK Awards.

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

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

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

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

“Our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful sector and showcase the innovation and dedication that goes on every day so please share your successes and tell us about your hard work and initiatives by sending in your nominations … it’s a real privilege to read them.”

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

Trophies will be handed out at a glittering ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 1 presented by Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews. n Full details of how to enter are on pages 3 and 4.

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

2 022

CARING UK AWARDS

Call 01226 734605 or email tb@scriptmedia.co.uk for details For general enquiries call: 01226 734630

NOMINATION FORM Category entered: Care home name: When you opened:

Postcode:

Full address:

Main contact: Telephone number:

Job title: Mobile number:

Email: What is the total number of staff (full time)?: What is the total number of staff (part time)?: How many beds do you have?: What is the total of your current residents?: Person making nomination: Telephone number of person making nomination: Email of person making nomination: Supporting information must be sent via email to events@scriptmedia.co.uk (Tick if evidence sent) Please state, in 300 words or less, why you are entering the category indicated and why you think that your care home/team member should be shortlisted:

Please see overleaf for more space Please return to: Megan Prince, Script Events, Script Media Group LTD, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS

NOMINATION FORM

CONTINUED 300 words or less, why you are entering the category indicated and why you think that your care home/team member should be shortlisted:

Please return to: Megan Prince, Script Events, Script Media Group LTD, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS

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CARINGWEEKLY

Dementia awareness series is launched at Scottish care home A SCOTTISH care home is bringing together some of the country’s leading dementia care experts to launch its bumper calendar of activities to raise awareness of the disease.

Cramond Residence is launching ‘Let’s talk about…Dementia’ to build support and connections within the community while sharing important knowledge.

The home will open its doors to members of the public on June 18 to host the informal event with experts from Alzheimer’s Scotland and Home Help Me Care in attendance, alongside the dementia care team from Cramond Residence.

General manager Ross Bijak said: “I have lived with a passion for making tiny changes to people’s lives since I started my career in care and in particular for people living with dementia.

“I aspire to support and educate people who are affected by the condition and have provided 97 per cent of the 123 members of staff at Cramond with some level of dementia training.

“Being part of such an event as the general manager at the home is a privilege to which I hope to lead by example in explaining how Cramond Residence helps people living with the condition to enjoy a fulfilling and dignified life.”

Informative stalls will be set up in the garden for the duration of the afternoon event with three expert presentations covering what the world looks like for those with dementia, how to care for someone living with the condition at home and when it’s the right time to consider residential care.

Rickie Tank, registered manager with local support service Home Help Me Care, which specialises in at-home care, added: “We believe that bringing dementia support services that support people in the community enables them a greater

One of the founders behind the Belong village model has been awarded an order of the Most Excellent British Empire in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to dementia care. Tracy Paine was awarded the MBE for her role in revolutionising dementia care in the UK, pioneering a model which has transformed the quality of life for thousands of older people over the past decade and helped challenge more institutional, taskoriented approaches to care. As then operations director, Tracy was part of the senior management team which launched the first Belong village in Macclesfield in 2007.

Alongside former chief executive Nick Dykes and finance director Tracey Stakes, she went on to transition the not-for-profit organisation’s provision from operating traditional care homes to establishing seven villages across the North West, as well as dementia specialist home care and day care services.

Cramond Residence general manager Ross Bijak. chance of experiencing quality care in later years.

“Every day we hear the stressful experiences of people trying to secure the right support for loved ones but no one really guides them through the process or explains the timescales involved and this often means people have to get to a crisis stage before they secure care.

“By coming together with likeminded community support groups and companies like Cramond Residence we want to share our knowledge to make the journey easier.”

The event hopes to raise awareness through educational sessions and discussions for those living or caring for someone with the condition or generally worried about dementia.

The event starts at 12.30pm and refreshments will be provided.

To book a seat for the expert presentations email enquiries@ cramondresidence.co.uk (spaces are limited).

Home teams up with school to send supplies to Ukraine RESIDENTS from a Dorset care home have donated mother and baby supplies to be taken to stricken families in Ukraine.

Colten Care’s Castle View in Dorchester decided to get involved in the relief efforts within days of the invasion of Ukraine.

Residents including Pat Hills, Jill Kember and Freda Cruickshank donated money which was used by staff to buy baby supplies such as nappies and female sanitaryware.

Staff also operated a fundraising ‘sweetie trolley’ to add to the funds.

The home then took the supplies to The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, which is working with the Bournemouth-based food store Food Plus in Boscombe to take the muchneeded aid into the stricken country.

Colten companion Katja Williams said: “As soon as the invasion of

Ukraine happened, our residents said they wanted to help the people there in any way they could.

“They knew women with babies would be finding it very hard to access supplies and so they decided all their donations would be used to buy goods around their particular needs.

“In no time at all we had amassed a large supply of nappies, nappy cream, baby wipes, etc. We then learned that Gary Spracklen, the fantastic headteacher of The Prince of Wales School had opened a collection point at the school and we were able to go along and hand over our own supplies, knowing they would get to the Ukraine and the people who need it.”

Residents Freda and Jill accompanied Katja to the school for the handover.

The franchise owner of Home Instead in Durham, Trudi Jameson, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours for services to care and older people. Trudi has been part of the Home Instead network since 2012 and has been involved in the care sector since the age of 15 when she volunteered at a residential home; this was initially part of her Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver award and she continued to volunteer with the home for her Gold award. She was inspired to set up the Durham office having struggled to find quality care for her own mother who sadly passed away aged 66 in 2009. Trudi will receive her BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon later in the year.

Norman Edwards, founder and chair of Care Home Volunteers, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. From a small pilot in Salisbury in 2014, CHV has grown quickly, and now its volunteers make 2,500 one-to-one befriending visits per year to the loneliest residents in care homes across the whole of Swindon, Wiltshire and Bath and NE Somerset.

Norman, who is retiring after eight years at the helm, said: “I am so proud to have received this honour. It is a tribute to our wonderful volunteers, our volunteer coordinators, the care home staff we work with, our super team of trustees and all those many people who work for us or support us.” AgeUK, BaNES chair Nicola Gregson will take over from Norman.

Jill Whittaker, managing director of HIT Training, Connect2Care and the Executive Development Network has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. The honour has been bestowed on Jill following her outstanding services to apprenticeships in hospitality, care and management. During her career Jill has helped around 100,000 employees complete their apprenticeships or gain the qualifications they’ve needed to embark on long and fulfilling careers across a wide range of sectors. She is well known for her unwavering passion to drive the future of apprenticeships and works tirelessly to improve the experience of working in industries such as hospitality, adult care, management, early years education and funeral care.

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CARINGQUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Staff and residents at Ferrars Hall in Huntingdon enjoyed a weekend of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The care home hosted a garden party for families and residents complete with entertainment, singing and dancing.

Families joined residents to mark 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign. Residents spent the week making decorations and getting the home ready for the big weekend of celebrations.

They enjoyed making crowns, bunting and banner, and reminiscing about royal events and celebrations over the years. Chef manager Billal West and his team created an afternoon tea for residents and visitors to enjoy together.

Residents at Colten Care’s 21 homes in the south went all out to enjoy themselves for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Braemar Lodge in Salisbury, Kingfishers in New Milton and Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst were among those staging festive ‘street parties’ in honour of the historic occasion. Thanks to an application by Braemar Lodge home manager Jackie Cash to Salisbury City Council, residents were invited to attend the lighting of the city’s Beacon. The Jubilee buzz began weeks before the extended Bank Holiday weekend with residents making themed artworks and decorations. One initiative at Braemar Lodge involved assembling a handmade Jubilee mosaic which took pride of place at the garden party. Woodpeckers residents welcomed a visit by a shire horse called Guinness sporting a patriotic red, white and blue mane braiding and ear bonnet.

Care South’s Devon-based care homes Fremington Manor and Kenwith Castle celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend with indoor street parties and plenty of food, fun and friendship. Fremington Manor commenced the day with a delicious Platinum Jubilee lunch as part of an indoor street party which was held in the home’s dining room and conservatory area. Celebrations continued throughout the day in the landscaped gardens with lots of fun and plenty of games. Kenwith Castle also took part in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an indoor street party for residents, family and friends to enjoy. The home hosted a singer whilst everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch, which had vintage style crockery to make the day really special.

Beauchamp House, a Care South care home, has celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend with an abundance of food, fun and Friendship at an organised family fun day. Staff at the Taunton home hosted the Jubilee-themed day with a picnic on the lawn for residents and the local community. The day included an array of activities for residents and their friends and families to enjoy together and featured a special visit from a resident’s family farm animals including horses and lambs. To finish the day there was a big cake reveal, baked by the in-house chefs, which everyone enjoyed a slice of with a cup of tea.

Signature at Banstead joined the nation to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the weekend. Residents at Banstead got involved by taking part in ladies’ day at Epsom where bets were being placed, Prosecco was consumed and they were treated to a banquet of buffet food. Central to this was a ‘Big Jubilee Lunch’ street party, complete with Union Jack bunting, entertainers and a picnic menu featuring coronation chicken vol-au-vents, salmon and cucumber sandwiches and individual Jubilee designed cupcakes, all of which were designed by Signature’s nutrition and hydration team.

Joyous celebrations at Belong care villages took place over the weekend, with customers and families of the not-for-profit dementia specialist marking Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a party of a lifetime. Amongst an abundance of Union Jack flags, tea and cake, the residents and tenants across the North West and Midlands dressed in their best for a jam-packed bank holiday weekend, featuring right royal garden parties, complete with music from bygone eras, and live entertainment.

Highlights included customers being supported to create Jubilee cocktails and commemorative plates; playing giant lawn games and pin the crown on the queen; visits from the zoo, silhouette artists, singers, dancers and musicians; and even knitting corgis and crowns to decorate local Royal Mail post boxes.

CARINGQUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Residents at Care UK’s Mountbatten Grange in Windsor received the royal treatment when they woke up to find their home had been transformed into a regal residency fit for a queen. After being told in the morning to ‘dress to impress’ for a special surprise, residents were greeted by team members dressed as the Queen’s Guard, before being led down the newly laid red carpet for a right royal knees-up. Residents were amazed to discover the home’s usual coffee shop had been completely transformed into Buckingham Palace. Red drapes, royal portraits, a fireplace and lavish decorations adorned the home – with a giant throne taking centre stage for residents to be crowned royalty for a day. Adding to the quintessentially British theme of the day, the home’s head chef Mohamed Taghouti prepared afternoon tea featuring sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Mayor of Romsey, Councillor Neil Gwynne, joined residents and staff for a party at the Marie Louise House care home to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Together, the Mayor, residents and staff and their families enjoyed lunch, tea and a bubbly toast to her Majesty in street party style at the Romsey based care home. Delvis, an Elvis Presley performer, provided light-hearted entertainment and the residents were soon dancing along to well-known tunes. The Mayor planted a Platinum Jubilee tree in the meadow within the care home’s beautiful grounds, to remember the occasion.

45 people attended the Abbeyfield Neighbourhood Jubilee Lunch Club held at Formby Luncheon Club. The special Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event was put on by the Formby Neighbourhood Project, events of which are run monthly by The Abbeyfield Society, a worldwide organisation that provides care, accommodation and support for older people. The Formby Neighbourhood Project events give older people from the local area the chance to meet, recall old memories and share experiences through a ‘Tea & Memories’ session, which uses archive footage to encourage reminiscence and conversation. Such activities are proven to promote social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation amongst older people, in line with Abbeyfield’s mission. With the special event on Sunday Jubileethemed, the footage shown was of the Queen’s coronation, of which many of the guests had their own memories. Over a light lunch, the topics under discussion included memories of meeting the Queen and royal visit to the local area.

Excitement ran high at Magnolia Court in Golders Green where residents and staff made Jubilee-themed decorations and baked up a storm of red, white and blue cakes and pastries with the help of the head chef and his team. Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations fit for a Queen.

Over the weekend the home held a garden party and concert with live entertainment and a singalong to wartime classics. General manager Octavian Stanciu said: It has been a real collaborative process – thinking about how we wanted to celebrate, planning our activities, decorating the home and creating all the party food. It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us for a proper celebration too.”

Residents and staff at Douro Court in Ivybridge, which is run by Guinness Care, have celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee by inviting family, carers and support workers to a party.

To celebrate this anniversary Guinness funded the Platinum Jubilee celebration at the extra care scheme to help bring everyone together and make it a truly special occasion. Around 50 people attended the afternoon of celebrations in the communal garden which included buffet food, the Queen’s dock ukulele band and a 1952 quiz, all to commemorate the special occasion. Residents also made a £60 donation to the band’s chosen charity Trevi, who provide shelter and support to women and children fleeing domestic violence.

A group of care home residents in Auchterarder, Perthshire have thanked the Queen for a surprise visit to their home to help them celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Residents and staff at Balhousie Ruthven Towers have written a thank you letter to the Queen for dropping in over the weekend and posing for photos. The visit left them “speechless”, they say, although “it did not entirely surprise us that you would choose a trip up here to bucolic, sunny Perthshire over a crowded Pall Mall and rain.” Balhousie Care Group, which is marking its own anniversary after 30 years in business, believes the Queen’s ‘visit’ to the popular Perthshire care home solves the mystery of her whereabouts last weekend when she was absent from events in her honour at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. At Ruthven Towers, she spent time in residents’ rooms and lounges, listened quietly to their stories and took part in their Platinum cream tea – all whilst impressively maintaining the exact same smile throughout her visit.

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11

CARINGWEEKLY

Operator celebrates care co-ordinator’s decade of service BLUEBIRD Care Shropshire is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Kirsty Holland, a specialist care co-ordinator working in their team.

Kirsty joined the home care provider in 2012 where she would travel to the homes of her customers on a moped.

Having initially set out to be a nurse, Kirsty quickly realised she most enjoyed working directly with older people in the community.

Within two years Kirsty was well on her way to a successful career in care.

She enjoyed prestigious recognition, winning a carer of the year award in 2014.

Kirsty said: “I have enjoyed progressing through various career milestones and developing my skills and knowledge through real experiences.

“Through Bluebird Care Shropshire I have completed extra training through work, and from a personal perspective I have developed and grown.

“All of this has enabled me to grow with the business and continue to progress and develop. As we spend most of our lives at work it has been great to be able to help others in a thriving business, and to map out a fulfilling career.”

In May 2018, Kirsty was tasked with launching Bluebird Care Shropshire’s live-in care services. In the four years since, the offering has become

Group recognises workforce’s Covid care at ceremony a thriving service that continues to serve customers most in need at the heart of the local community.

Claire Flavell, director of care at Bluebird Care Shropshire, added: “It is a pleasure to be able to give wonderful people like Kirsty the opportunity to build a career.

“Kirsty is very jolly, enjoys her work and has built a legacy she can be proud of. She is an integral team member.

“Her decade of service is inspiring, and we hope her success encourages others in a similar position to consider a career in home care.”

Sweet sounds reunite Joyce with her church A CARE home resident returned to the Hampshire church where she used to ring bells, enjoying a special keyboard performance along the way courtesy of one of her care companions.

Talented musician Anna Boddy ‘pulled out all the stops’ on the organ at St Mary’s Church in Micheldever to play for the visiting party including Joyce Croft.

The group travelled from Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton in Winchester on a minibus trip to enjoy the church and have a picnic.

Anna, a pianist, music teacher and university lecturer, gained permission in advance to play the organ when they arrived.

She even donned a wig to get into the character of Johann Sebastian Bach, playing a selection of the German baroque composer’s work and completing the performance with pieces by Beethoven and Elgar.

Kirsty Sawyer, companionship team leader at Abbotts Barton, said: “Hats off to Anna for organising a really special treat for Joyce and the other residents on the trip.

“It’s not every day you get to hear such amazing music performed just for you on a magnificent church organ.”

Abbotts Barton residents Joyce Croft and Barbara Langdon-Mudge listen as companionship team member Anna Boddy plays the organ at St Mary’s Church in Micheldever.

Joyce, who is from Micheldever and used to ring the St Mary’s bells with her husband, sat with fellow Abbotts Barton residents admiring the church and listening to Anna play while they all had a cup of tea.

A SURREY care group has celebrated the outstanding work of its care force at an exclusive Superhero Awards ceremony – paying homage to all the hard work, dedication and resilience its staff have displayed over the past two years.

CHD Living, an award-winning, family-owned and operated group of care homes and home care, specialist and rehabilitation services in Surrey, Hampshire and South London, hosted its very own Superhero Awards, where it rewarded care workers who have gone above and beyond for their team, care recipients and wider community.

Highlights included the announcement of the winners, comprising accreditations for Karen Roberts from Surrey Heights, who was named Wellbeing Coordinator of the Year, Grace Dappa from the Summers, who scooped Healthcare Worker of the Year, and Heidi Bradbury from Surbiton Care Home, who took home the title of Adopt a Grandparent Champion of the Year.

Liakat Hasham, founder of CHD Living, said: “It’s no secret that these past couple of years have been particularly challenging for the care sector, so we are both grateful The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue team made dreams come true during a routine visit to Cherry Trees Care Home in Rotherham when they welcomed enthusiastic residents on a tour of the truck as honorary firefighters.

Resident Barry Greenwood (pictured) was one of the lucky ones who was able to meet the crew, explore the engine and the equipment and even try on the uniform.

Home manager Sharron Whaley said: “Residents and staff really enjoyed learning about the role of the firefighters and how they control the variety of fires they meet and put out. I would like to thank The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for taking the time out of their busy day to interact with our residents and put a smile on their faces.”

and humbled that our incredible workforce has consistently displayed resilience, patience, compassion and understanding in the face of such hardship.

“Because of this, we considered it fundamental to pay homage to our unsung heroes, rewarding care workers who have gone above and beyond in their mission to put other people’s needs before their own.”

Held at Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge, the awards ceremony was compèred by Ian Renshaw as Ms. Caera Lott, a London-based performance and visual artist who brought charm and laughter to the affair.

Ian was supported by politician and TV personality Ann Widdecombe, who announced the winners and handed over the awards, before making a speech applauding care home workers, care at home workers, and speaking of the importance of the social care sector as a whole.

Various local partners made charitable donations to CHD Living’s charity of choice, Adopt a Grandparent, an initiative that aims to foster intergenerational relationships in the form of ‘virtual pairings’ to combat elderly loneliness.

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