Caring UK Weekly - 20 April 2022

Issue 104 20.04.22

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Operator plans new affordable homes for staff A HIGHLAND care home operator is to build new affordable rental homes for its staff and other key workers as part of a multi-million pound investment in Inverness.

Grantown based Parklands Care Homes began work on the first phase of a £10million integrated care hub at Milton of Leys in Inverness in December, a 58 bed care home due to open in 2023.

A later living village comprising 11 two bedroom bungalows for sale, will follow.

The later living village is intended to act as a bridge between independent living and the traditional care home model, with residents enjoying access to shared services and social activities with the care home, while leading otherwise independent lives.

In the meantime, Parklands has submitted plans for 24 affordable homes on a nearby site. The proposed £4.5m Leys Square development will consist of 12 two bedroom apartments and 12 two bed cottage flats.

The company hopes its investment will encourage key workers to take up new posts at the care hub.

Priority will be given to Parklands employees but, if there is spare capacity, the accommodation could be offered to other health and social care workers in the local community.

A planning statement by Parklands cites the “lack of quality rental accommodation

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offered and available at affordable rents for those seeking employment within the care sector.”

It adds: “The proposal provides essential key worker accommodation associated with healthcare in the community and thus supports the national and indeed local strategy to support an ageing population.

“Good quality accommodation at affordable rents for both staff and indeed the wider care and key worker sector is often overlooked through current provision.”

Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes, said: “Recruiting quality care staff is particularly difficult at the moment because of the pressures of Covid-19 and the shortage of qualified staff across the UK. “The cost of living crisis and the lack of affordable homes for rent are further barriers to recruitment. This is the first time we have invested in employee accommodation.

“However, given the scale of our commitment to Inverness, the undoubted difficulties many key workers face in securing affordable accommodation and the challenges of recruiting care staff, we believe the situation demands a new and innovative approach.”

Parklands announced it would offer a £2,000 welcome bonus to new full-time nurses and a £250 cash incentive for other new employees, including carers.

Octogenarian care worker Liz Thomson has added to her growing list of accolades with a national award win. Liz, 81, activities coordinator at Balhousie Huntly in Aberdeenshire, won the Shona McKenzie Shine category of the s1Jobs Recruitment Awards. The award recognises those who “go above and beyond their call of duty, offer excellent service and take pride in their work.” Believed to be the oldest care worker in the country, Liz was honoured at the glittering awards ceremony in Glasgow. Hosted by comedian Jo Brand, they honour some of the country’s top employees. Liz was joined by colleague Jen Aitchison, who was commended in the same category. Jen is manager at ASC, Balhousie’s specialist services arm.

Awards nominations now open 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.

Win a three in one Triflex vacuum cleaner by taking part in the Miele survey on our Caring UK website https://www.caring-uk.co.uk/

20/04/2022 15:44

20 22

CARING UK AWARDS

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

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11/04/2022 15:46

Caring UK Care Providers Conference Delivering excellence in care in challenging times

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5

CARINGWEEKLY

Teams win an RBKC Mayor’s Award OCTAVIA’S care, support and communities teams received an award from the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for their work in supporting people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

They were recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of ‘Local Community Organisation’ for going ‘above and beyond’ their role to support people in the borough during the months of lockdown.

Assistant director of care, support and communities, Neil McCarthy, said: “The last two years have been difficult for many people in our community, but older isolated and vulnerable people have been among the worst affected.

“For many during the pandemic, Octavia carers were a friendly face at distance from the doorstep or window to say ‘hello’ and ask how they were getting on.

“They worked tirelessly in the community, week in, week out, when most of us had moved to working from home. They were always upbeat, even though, like the rest of us, they were unsure of the risks in those early days of Covid. They were driven by the needs of others.

“It is thanks to their dedication, and the dedicated support they received from colleagues, that we were able meet the needs of so many people in our local community during this time.

“As an organisation, we are very grateful to them and we are honoured

that their contribution has been recognised with this award.”

Many colleagues went the extra mile to offer help to people throughout the pandemic and provide it whenever it was needed.

Much of this intense activity was taken on by staff based at Octavia’s The Reed community centre in North Kensington, who were supported by the operator’s other teams working remotely.

While most of the country was isolating at home, Octavia’s Care team was out and about in Kensington and Chelsea, providing vital support in a number of ways, including hand delivering food vouchers to people, preparing and delivering food parcels, shopping for residents who were shielding, visiting members of the Kensington Day Centre and vulnerable residents to provide social contact and emotional support, and working with local charity partners to distribute meals.

They were supported by colleagues from Octavia’s communities team, who arranged telephone befriending with volunteers for isolated people, undertook regular wellbeing checkin phone calls to see if needs had changed, and arranged the issue of emergency food parcels and food vouchers (often outside of their working hours).

The award was presented at the RBKC Mayor’s 2022 awards ceremony.

Southport home awarded Outstanding CQC rating TUDOR Bank in Southport has been given an outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission.

The nursing home cares for residents with dementia or mental health conditions. Inspectors praised it for ensuring that people’s diverse needs were not seen as barriers to people living life to the full.

Inspectors reported that staff told of how they looked forward to going to work and making people smile, while relatives of residents were said to be astonished by the progress made by their loved ones, how they were now enjoying a quality of life they would not otherwise have had.

The report said: ‘The service demonstrated great innovation in its commitment to continuously seek ways to drive forward improvements.

People were supported in such a way

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that allowed them maximum choice and control of their lives’.

For one person who was very reclusive and reluctant to mix with others, staff quickly identified that they had an interest in technology and music.

Over time with staff support this interest developed into the person becoming pivotal in the organisation of the service’s social events. The person was empowered to have real control of their own life.

The deputy chief inspector of adult social care said: “Everyone who uses services deserves to receive compassionate high-quality personcentred care that meets their needs.

“Tudor Bank was found to be providing high standards of care and support and are an example of what outstanding care looks like.”

Care assistants recognised for their impressive actions A GROUP of Bluebird Care franchises across the South East have recognised a care assistant and live-In care assistant with awards for their impressive actions during 2021.

Nancy Licul and Lybubitsa Babunska were the winners across the five Bluebird Care offices who care for customers in their own homes that cover Gravesham and Dartford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet and Folkestone and Dover.

Nancy took home the live-In care assistant of the year award in recognition for her dedication and commitment to delivering quality to each of her customers.

Throughout the challenges of the pandemic Nancy earned a reputation for always going the extra mile to ensure that those who depend on her receive the best in person care and support possible.

She said: “I am over the moon to have been selected by management out of a field of such skilled and dedicated colleagues.

“Despite the challenges that care assistants and workers in the sector faced last year, I enjoy everything I do for my customers and thoroughly enjoy working for Bluebird Care.”

Meanwhile, Lybubitsa Babunska’s earning of the care assistant of the year’ award is a testament to the remarkable relationships she has with her customers.

Having joined Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tonbridge Wells four years ago following a career in care overseas, Lybubitsa has enjoyed personal development and career progression since.

She always supports customers and promotes independence, and regularly enjoys daily outings and lunch trips with those she cares for.

Both Nancy and Lybubista were rewarded with gifts totalling £300 from the five Bluebird Care offices in the region.

Operations director Clare Mortlock added: “2021 was a difficult year for the whole social care sector.

“To be acknowledged and rewarded by those you work with is a notable achievement whilst negotiating those challenges makes their awards even more notable.

“Both care assistants develop personally, support their colleagues, always deliver for customers and go above and beyond.

“We are all immensely proud of them.”

Residents of Cotmaton House, a sheltered housing scheme for older people in Sidmouth managed by the Abbeyfield Sidmouth Society, have contributed more than £400 and countless other items to a collection for Ukrainian refugees. The residents and staff arranged a collection amounting to £437.35, from which they were able to amass a huge assortment of clothes, toiletries and other essentials for the refugees.

20/04/2022 15:45

Unlock the power of effective marketing for your care home Severe staffing shortages and falling incomes caused by the pandemic are pushing many providers to the brink of survival. Whether you are from a small independent home or a large organisation with a variety of brands, all homes and agencies have the same objective and are facing the same challenges.

The best possible marketing campaign to make your business the most attractive to potential new staff and residents has never been more important, and this is where we can help. At Script we know care, backed up by more than 20 years of serving the industry through Caring UK magazine, as well as the highly successful Caring UK Awards that are now in their fifth year.

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7

CARINGWEEKLY

Vida Healthcare has partnered with a Harrogate-based school to bring Easter cheer to its staff and residents. The partnership saw students at Rossett Acre Primary School work together to handcraft Easter bonnets. The celebrations culminated with a parade through Vida Grange in Pannal, which saw the children bring Easter cheer to the home and showcase their handmade bonnets to residents and staff.

Home manager Victoria Edwards said: “Bringing local children into our care homes is always special, but after years of lockdown restrictions, it was clear to see how much the visit meant to residents and staff. The children and their bonnets brought a smile to so many faces in Vida Grange. Maintaining links with our community is crucial to us at Vida Healthcare and we’re always looking for new ways to partner with schools, businesses and organisations from across the Harrogate district.”

Sunny Easter fun at Colten Care homes featured garden egg hunts, arts and crafts, visits by the Easter Bunny and collecting and donating chocolate treats for charity. Residents at Abbey View in Sherborne gathered, sorted and donated dozens of chocolate Easter eggs for distribution to families supported by Sherborne Food Bank. In Brockenhurst in the New Forest, residents at Woodpeckers enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in aid of the home’s nominated charity, the Brockenhurst and Sway Friday Group. Arts and crafts sessions on an Easter theme were also held at The Aldbury in Poole and Wellington Grange in Chichester. And children at schools close to all 21 Colten homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex took part in an art project organised by the customer service teams in each area. Pupils were provided with an Easter-themed picture to colour in, with residents judging the entries and picking their favourites to receive prizes and certificates. The homes will be using the pictures to create bunting and other decorations.

Residents at Braywood Gardens care home had an eggcellent Easter weekend hosting their egg hunt. In the build up to Easter, residents spent their time lovingly creating 20 beautifully decorated Easter eggs, which were then hidden around the home’s grounds. In addition to the hunt, participants enjoyed a raffle, a cake stall and even an appearance from the Braywood Bunny. Everyone who managed to complete the Easter egg hunt received a chocolate Easter egg donated by Morrisons community champion in Netherfield. Customer relations manager Lydia Morris said: “We had a wonderful time during the Easter Egg hunt. It was lovely to see the residents’ faces light up throughout the event.

They had a big part in creating the Easter Eggs and they had a great sense of satisfaction when they finished the Easter Egg hunt and received their chocolate Easter egg.”

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Residents at Woodbury Court enjoyed a magical few days watching their chicks hatch over the Easter weekend. They were delighted to welcome 10 chicks into their Laindon home just in time for their Easter celebrations. The team thought it would be a wonderful experience for residents to see first-hand the chicks hatch from their eggs.

The incubator was put in one of the home’s social areas, and residents sat together eagerly watching as the chicks hatched one by one. By Easter weekend all 10 had hatched and, from this week, residents will be able to hold them. Home manager Mel Oliver said: “Everyone at Woodbury Court was so excited to see the chicks hatch and some residents even stayed up watching and waiting. We love to create and share in truly magical moments for residents, and this really was a great treat for us all. The residents are looking forward to handling and caring for the chicks and watching them grow.”

Residents at a Crewe care village welcomed the arrival of newborn feathered friends just in time for Easter. After much anticipation, five baby chicks are now calling Belong their first home after they hatched into the world. The fluffy additions have quickly forged close relationships with Belong Crewe’s older residents, including those living with dementia, who have been supported in nurturing the chicks by feeding them, watching them play in their pen and providing lots of cuddles.

Other activities in the run-up to Easter included crafts and games, and the village is currently awash with colour with daffodils planted by the ‘Belong in Bloom’ in-house gardening club. Kind-hearted residents and colleagues have also donated a bundle of Easter eggs to St. Paul’s Pantry (also known as Crewe Food Bank). A visit from nearby St. Andrew’s Church led the Easter Sunday service and Holy Communion.

Bluebird Care team members, customers and their families from across Essex and Southend got into the Easter spirit with a selection of fun and exciting events. There was much anticipation amongst attending guests as the homecare provider’s team hosted its annual customer tea party to celebrate everybody’s efforts over the last 12 months.

Attendees were treated to a live music performance by former team member Laura Louis and her band, The Blarneys Cover Band. Guests then got stuck into a fun-filled afternoon of games, including the ‘guess the baby’ picture game and bingo. For the children there was an opportunity to take part in an Easter egg hunt and spoon race. The Easter escapades did not stop there as the teams at neighbouring Bluebird Care Mid Essex and Bluebird Care Essex West hosted their own events with Easter egg hunts taking place for team members and their families.

20/04/2022 14:56

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