Caring UK Weekly - Issue 35

Issue 35 25.11.20

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Programme gives staff an insight WESTACRE Nursing Home has introduced a new training programme for staff which provides them with a deeper insight into the experiences of residents living with dementia.

The Winchester nursing home, which provides dementia care and residential care for up to 50 people, has introduced Dementia Interpreters training for its team.

It begins with an experiential course where staff have their senses and abilities, such as sight or hearing, removed or altered to enable them to better understand what life is like for a person living with dementia.

The ongoing training, provided by Training 2 CARE (UK) Ltd, sees staff develop their ability to interpret and understand what someone with dementia is trying to tell them, and contribute to the development of a ‘dementia dictionary’ – a resource which will then be made freely available to help care providers communicate better with residents.

The first session involved seven members of the care team and management staff.

General manager Lynne Seymour said: “We know how

powerful it can be to have a sensory and experiential insight into the life of someone with dementia. It helps to develop a new level of empathy and understanding which is key to providing the best care for residents with dementia.

“Being able to communicate with residents living with dementia is vital to help staff build relationships and ensure they are meeting residents’ needs and preferences. It can be a challenge – but it is one we are always determined to overcome.

“We hope this course will help our staff reach out and bridge that gap, help them recognise and interpret the ‘language of dementia’ and respond to residents in the best way possible.”

Westacre Nursing Home has previously worked with Training 2 CARE to help understand what life is like for those living with dementia.

In September 2019, the home was visited by the Training 2 CARE Dementia Virtual Tour where members of the community had the opportunity to see, feel and hear like someone who lives with dementia. The event was attended by then Mayor of Winchester, Eleanor Bell.

Competition deadline is extended

Sammi Molyneux celebrated her 30th year of working at Stocks Hall Burscough Nursing and Residential Home. Staff organised a bouquet of flowers and deputy manager and lead nurse, Marlene Panabang organised a party to celebrate Sammi’s time as manager. Everyone enjoyed a delivery of pizzas and sweet treats and finished the day off with a special cake. Sammi said: “I would like to thank our director Sue Lace and operations manager Sam Potter for always being so supportive, and to my wonderful staff for making the day so special.”

A BIG THANK YOU

FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …

WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

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A COMPETITION offering care homes in the East Midlands the chance to win a total of £5,000 worth of PPE is being extended by two weeks to December 14 in recognition of the challenges posed to the care sector by the second wave of Covid-19.

To enter, care homes in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland are invited to nominate their heroes who have gone above and beyond for residents during the pandemic.

There will be nine runners up who will receive an individual prize of £50 worth of Buy a Gift vouchers for a range of experiences from afternoon tea to a supercar driving experience, plus an overall winner who will receive a £100 voucher.

All 10 winning care homes will also receive £500 worth of PPE in the form of 1,000 disposable face masks, 100 visors and 500 disposable aprons.

The competition is being run

by Nottinghamshire company Interflex Ltd who manufacture parts for the automotive industry and its sister company Pinnacle who manufacture PPE. MD Jim Griffin said: “We wanted to run the competition to try and support this community, but recognise that, with the second wave of Covid peaking and the introduction of measures to enable visitors into care homes for the first time in months, staff may well be stretched to breaking point.

“And so, in order to enable as many homes to enter as possible, we decided to push back the closing date.”

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Prepare for tougher inspections ahead, care homes warned

Residents go wild on safari RESIDENTS at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Stisted, Essex, have been having a wild time enjoying a safari in the grounds.

In normal times residents are taken on lots of fun, sociable and stimulating excursions, with some even trying activities such as iceskating to horse-riding.

But since lockdown, for their own safety, residents haven’t been able to go on any trips outside of the home.

Staff were determined to find a way to provide the residents with some outdoor fun and stimulation, so they came up with the idea of creating a safari ride in the grounds, complete with a truck and wild animals to spot among the trees.

Home manager Aggie McDonald said: “We thought hard about what we could do to offer some safe outdoor fun and adventure for our residents.

Our grounds are huge, so one of our

staff had the idea of creating a safari.”

The Association of Friends of Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court helped to make the idea a reality by donating a golf cart, which was redecorated as The Stisted Safari Shuttle.

As well as being a lot of fun, the safari provided residents with a multisensory experience, which supports their health and wellbeing.

Carers drove the truck around the grounds, through the woodland and along the River Blackwater, stopping along the way to point out wildflowers and signs of the changing seasons.

Aggie added: “Our residents absolutely love going out in our new safari truck, so much so that we are introducing it into our weekly routine.

“As well as ensuring they get out in the fresh air, it has proved to be a powerful sensory experience, triggering happy memories and prompting lots of lively conversation.”

CARE homes owners across the country need to start planning now for tougher CQC inspection criteria, a law expert from Preston has warned.

Rachel Adamson, from Adkirk Law, said that the impact of Covid-19 on the sector could lead to stricter requirements in the near future.

She added: “We’re sitting on the edge of another cliff face for care home owners.

“Not only are we expecting significantly more people to require social care support over the next 20 years, but Covid-19 has exposed some vulnerabilities that the Government can’t ignore.

“I think any inquiry into these care home deaths will undoubtedly lead to tougher inspection criteria beyond the main five questions, and potentially stricter criminal and civil enforcement.”

With the latest government figures showing more than 20,000 deaths involving Covid-19 involved care home residents, she said it is inevitable that any future inquiry will suggest even stricter enforcement from the inspection body.

“For care home owners, protecting their residents is always priority number one, but they can only do that

Residents at a Rotherham care home were treated to a night of sequins and spray tan as the staff laid on a Strictly Come Dancing themed event. Staff got into the groove with the Cha Cha and American Smooth, sweeping residents off their feet in celebration of their love for the programme.

Residents also got into the spirit of the show by judging the staff on their moves with the iconic score paddles, dressing up and watching re-runs of the programme.

Care recipients treated to at-home pampering A GROUP of domiciliary care recipients were treated to a touch of at-home pampering following a difficult few months with limited human contact.

Performed by their carers, the treatments were intended to reduce anxiety while providing reassurance and a sense of comfort to care recipients, many of whom have been impacted by the government’s Covid19 restrictions.

CHD Care at Home, which provides domiciliary care and support to those living in their own homes in the Surrey, Hampshire and South London regions, arranged for service users to receive hand massages and manicures during their recent home visits.

Shaleeza Hasham, head of hospitality and communications for CHD Care at Home, said: “Many of our service users are isolating alone, and the last few months have been particularly challenging for them with government guidelines restricting visitors.

“We wanted to do something special to remind them just how loved and appreciated they are, and thought what better way to do this than to treat them to a spot of pampering.

Rachel Adamson by protecting their business.

“Making sure that they are ready for future inspections means being able to retrospectively answer questions on their approach to the pandemic and being prepared to make the necessary changes quickly to protect their reputation and rating.

“While the frequency of inspections has slowed due to the pandemic, care home owners should not rest on their laurels.

“In the near future the enforcement action for a failing home could be come even more serious and those homes which prepare for that now will be in the best place to look after their residents and their business.”

Home hosts Olympic themed day With it having been National Spa Week recently, the timing seemed even more perfect too.”

As part of the initiative, CHD Care at Home’s clients were treated to a soothing, therapeutic hand massage, as well as a nail shaping and polish, which left them feeling and looking fantastic.

Pampering and hand massage is widely believed to serve as therapy for seniors, by lifting spirits and helping them to feel calm.

Some benefits of this activity have a sustained effect on seniors, with one study showing that pampering can reduce agitation for one hour after the treatment.

They can even help ease some behaviour associated with dementia.

IT WAS all fun and games at Edward Moore House when staff hosted an Olympic themed sports day for residents.

With the wet and windy weather keeping everyone indoors, residents of the care home in Gravesend enjoyed an indoor sports tournament, based on the Olympics.

Deputy manager Melanie Martin said: “it’s important for our residents to remain fit and healthy, so gentle exercise forms a regular part of their activity programme, they often enjoy a seated exercise class but this week, the activity staff decided to do something a bit different.

“Following the postponing of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, we decided to host our own Olympics event, the residents had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the friendly competition.”

Flags from around the world adorned the dining room, which had been cleared of tables and chairs in anticipation of the sporting event, with a large British flag taking the

prime position.

The residents engaged in a number of varied challenges, from races to beanbag throwing, with the winner of each activity awarded a medal and applause from the activity team.

While some preferred to be spectators for the day, cheering from the sidelines, residents could join in as little or as much as they wanted.

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Operator scoops ‘Bringing People Together’ Amazon Business Exchange Award HC-One has won the Amazon Business Exchange Award for ‘Bringing People Together’ as part of the second annual event that highlights some of its most innovative customers.

The ‘Bringing People Together’ award celebrates HC-One’s work in keeping residents connected with their loved ones during the pandemic.

HC-One was announced as the winner of this award at a virtual ceremony.

From the start of the pandemic, HC-One has placed a significant emphasis on how it could use technology to support residents to stay in touch with their loved ones, while lockdowns and visiting restrictions were in place.

As part of HC-One’s effort and commitment to supporting the connection between residents and their loved ones, the procurement team used the Amazon Business account to purchase 750 Amazon Fire Tablets in March for its 328 care homes across the UK. This allowed for residents to have video calls with their loved ones while visiting was restricted.

Robi Roccella, head of quality of life at HC-One, said: “Receiving recognition for the work we are doing to keep residents and their loved ones

Robi Roccella connected is a fantastic achievement.

“We centre everything towards promoting the residents’ quality of life and care – they are the focus of everything that we are trying to achieve.

“The Amazon Fire Tablets have supported us to accomplish this, especially throughout the coronavirus pandemic where they enabled the residents to maintain a link to the community and their loved ones and ultimately to stimulate the residents’ wellbeing and enhance their quality of life.”

As well as supporting the connection between residents and their loved ones, the tablets have also enabled residents to enjoy a variety of new wellbeing activities, aided by the endless choice of apps.

Builder brings tea-licious donation to care home BARRATT Developments North East has been giving back to key workers in Durham by donating an afternoon tea experience to staff at Melbury Court Care Home near local development, The Drive at Mount Oswald, to thank them for their hard work and dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The house builder worked with local caterer, No. 19 Afternoon Tea, to have afternoon tea hampers delivered to the door of the care home, contactfree, for 27 members of staff to enjoy.

Delivered as a well-deserved treat for the team, the afternoon tea aimed to create an experience that alleviated some of the stresses experienced by everyone during lockdown.

The hamper contained a mixture of

fruit scones, cakes and various finger sandwiches.

Home manager Hazel Southern said: “We were delighted to accept the afternoon tea from Barratt Developments North East, in recognition of their hard work and bravery during these exceptionally challenging times. “ “We’re really proud of the commitment our colleagues have shown in helping residents to maintain meaningful life during the pandemic.

“Keeping our residents in touch with their loved ones plays a fundamental part of boosting their morale and we would like to highlight the patience and understanding of residents and their loved ones.”

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Special care units open for elderly Covid-19 patients

Pam Osman with fellow resident Rosa Leicester and, holding the cake, Sarah Harley.

and got everyone in the mood for more seasonal celebrations to come.”

As well as the Victoria sponge, residents at Brook View enjoyed individual cupcakes bearing the International Kindness Day logo, again made by the home’s chefs.

Among other acts of kindness across Colten Care’s 21 homes, staff and residents have been fundraising for causes such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Children in Need.

Homes have also supported the Rotary Club’s shoebox appeal for disadvantaged children and begun hosting collections for local food banks in the run-up to Christmas.

And with Covid restrictions ruling out trips to the shops to buy Christmas presents, staff at several homes have been helping residents make their own gifts for loved ones.

In arts and crafts workshops, residents have been hands-on producing items such as soaps, sugar scrubs, cookie-making kits and sweet jars.

ONE of the UK’s largest operators has opened dedicated coronavirus isolation units across the Midlands and North of England to ease pressure on the NHS during the Covid-19 outbreak and help prevent the virus spreading through care homes.

Advinia Health Care has responded to calls from the Department of Health and Social Care who are looking at ways to free up hospital space, boost critical care capacity, and reduce the cross-infection that happened in the first wave of the pandemic.

The government is looking to ensure every local authority has access to at least one Care Quality Commission designated setting.

Chairman and founder Dr Sanjeev Kanoria, a former NHS liver surgeon and healthcare entrepreneur, who spearheaded the project, said: “The wellbeing and quality of life of our residents remains our absolute priority.

“We are doing all we can to ensure they are as safe and well-cared for as possible during this challenging time.

“We have consistently demonstrated that, in spite of operating on much tighter budgets, care homes are significantly safer places to be than hospitals for vulnerable people due to the stringent hygiene standards and our committed, well-trained staff.

“Unlike many care operators, we have estates with multiple buildings so we can provide effective isolation units for those discharged from

hospitals.

“We all have a responsibility to do what we can to help our country and the NHS move beyond this challenging time. It is time social and health care came together to work in partnership.”

The care provider, which has around 3,300 beds across the UK, set up the stand-alone properties within multiunit care home sites in Liverpool, Wakefield, Wigan and Walsall to address the predicted overflow of Covid-positive patients from established NHS locations.

These sites are: n Liverpool – Arncliffe Care Home. n Wakefield – West Ridings Care Home. n Wigan – Bedford Care Home. n Walsall – Parklands Care Home.

They will be opening two additional units in Oxford and Cheltenham at the start of 2021.

Extra protection has been put in place in these segregated units, which will be inspected by the CQC. Each will be staffed with its own dedicated team, with no cross-over with the existing facilities.

To maximise infection control there are dedicated access points and all ancillary services, including food and laundry, will be sourced separately and under strict procedures.

Visiting pods have also been installed at the homes to facilitate the safe interaction of families and residents in a comfortable environment.

Joyce Frederick The court heard that CQC informed Motiv8ed Support Limited that providing personal care without registration was a criminal offence in May 2018.

Despite this, Motiv8ed Support Limited continued to operate without registration for a further five months.

In total, the service carried out personal care unregistered, to at least three people, for almost a year.

In doing so the company exposed service users to the risk of harm and was a significant cause of harm to one of them.

The court heard care delivered to one person was so poor it contributed to the person becoming reclusive and suffering anxiety attacks.

Joyce Frederick, CQC’s deputy chief inspector for registration, said: “The impact that poor care had on one person using Motiv8ed Support Limited’s service, and the risk the company put others at, is deeply upsetting.

“This is why providers of personal care must register with CQC. Under section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, it is a criminal offence not to register a service proving personal care to people.

“When services like Motiv8ed Support Limited fail to register with us it means we are unable to check that care being provided meets the

standards people should be able to expect and that people are safe.

“This is why it is vital providers of services ensure they are registered with CQC before delivering care.”

In October 2020, at Stockport Magistrates’ Court, Motiv8ed Support Limited pleaded guilty to providing personal care, between October 5 and October 12 2018, without being registered with CQC. Joyce added: “Owners of care services can face up to 12-months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine if they provide a service without registration.

“Where we find services that are not registered, we will take legal action, such as that taken against Motiv8ed Support Limited.

“We hope that this serves as a warning to other providers of personal care that they must make sure they are appropriately registered with CQC before they carry out their service or care to people.”

Motiv8ed Support Limited is no longer in operation.

Pam lights up Kindness Day with some early festive joy GOOD deeds, sharing compliments and making others smile – Colten Care residents and staff chose a host of thoughtful ways to mark International Kindness Day. In line with the aim of the annual event – celebrating and promoting kindness in all its forms – there were individual acts of goodwill complemented by group-wide initiatives.

At Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, resident Pam Osman brought some early seasonal cheer by decorating her walking frame with Christmas lights and a knitted Father Christmas and taking it on a tour of the building.

Companionship team leader Sarah Harley, who was on hand to share a celebratory Victoria sponge cake specially made by chefs at the home, said: “We try to make every day a day of kindness but that hasn’t stopped our residents from wanting to share in the official Kindness Day itself.

“Pam’s Christmas-themed walker certainly produced smiles all round

Homecare provider fined for running unregistered service A STOCKPORT homecare agency company has been ordered to pay more than £18,000 after providing a service without being registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Motiv8ed Support Limited appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court having pleaded guilty to carrying on a regulated activity (the provision of personal care) without CQC registration at a previous hearing.

The company was fined £15,000, ordered to pay £3,000 prosecution costs and a £170 victim surcharge following the case brought by CQC. CQC was informed that Motiv8ed Support Limited was providing personal care unregistered by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in 2018.

The council discovered the offence following a review of its Individual Service Fund agreements with providers of personal care.

The review included an audit of support plans, which showed Motiv8ed Living Support was providing personal care.

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Woman moves into David is our latest hero home 28 years after attending opening A WOMAN who attended the opening event of Rogers House Residential Care Home in 1992 has moved in as a permanent resident 28 years later.

When she suffered a stroke and found herself needing care and support last year, 88-year-old Monica Feltham knew there was only one place she wanted to be.

She viewed around eight or nine homes with her children but always knew she wanted to live at Rogers House, as she felt a sentimental attachment to the home.

Monica, who grew up and spent a lot of her life in Borstal with her husband and four children, had fond memories of Rogers House.

To this day, she still recalls attending the opening event with her pastor husband in 1992, through is connection to the church he was good friends with the founders of the home, Tom and Doreen Rogers.

Monica was due to move into Rogers House just before Christmas 2019, but the plans fell through and she had to move into a home in All Hallows instead, while she waited for another room to become available at Rogers House.

In spring, the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, so she ended up staying for a bit longer than she had anticipated.

Monica Feltham “It was a lovely home and I knew I’d be happy wherever I went,” she said.

“But there was only one bus every hour and it was such a long drive for my family when they came to visit, it really was a bit too remote.

“When I finally got the call that there was a room available at Rogers House, I snapped it up quick. I believe the path I took to get here was planned for me, but I am so happy to finally be living here.”

WE received this nomination from Keith Baggaley, deputy manager / QA manager at Bowbrook House in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

He wrote: “David English is the owner and director of residential, nursing and independent living facilities.

“David has continued to work tirelessly and meticulously 14-18 hours every day for more than six months, ensuring safe working environments for the teams, ongoing governance and assistance, further IPC training to staff and ensuring plenty of PPE is consistently available. David also took it upon himself to undertake and complete medication training to support when essential.

“David has been extremely generous during such challenging times, purchasing a fridgefreezer for an employee when shops were closed, providing free accommodation for employees, further protecting residents and their families.

“David incentivised a Covid-19 wage enhancement indefinitely for all staff. He endorsed the alteration of working patterns and interactions of employees where they live with a vulnerable, maintained continuous consultations, and supplied innovative equipment so administration staff can continue working from home.

“Where the anxieties increased amongst the staff and other community essential workers, David organised the fire service and first

responders to meet at the homes and applaud, boosting drive and morale. To maintain and encourage wellbeing, David bought five laptops for families to video call anytime, along with an extra five iPads, ensuring staff can limit interactions with multiple devices.

“He created a secure social media group for families, along with a protected online portal for families and friends, to preserve ongoing interactions with their loved ones.

“For safety, David designed and supervised the construction of contactless handwashing facilities prior to entrance, hand-making washable visors, private changing and wash facilities for staff, installed numerous air purifiers around the homes, hired more housekeeping operatives to ensure the homes can be sanitised regularly and consistently.

Please send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk Closing date is Friday December 4.

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Nominate your lockdown hero who has gone over and above in these most testing of times in the Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour.

We want to hear from you if you know someone who has gone above and beyond in 2020 to make a difference and help their residents and colleagues get through these harrowing times.

The Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour will appear in our January 2021 issue.

Send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in Caring UK magazine, and our weekly Caring UK digital newsletter.

Closing date for entries is Friday December 4.

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The Virtual Care Festival – taking place this week THE OT Show and Care Show is running UK’s first Virtual Care Festival this week, on November 25 and 26.

The festival will be a great opportunity to gain CPD through lectures and seminars, presented by our esteemed speakers from the industry, network with colleagues, and meet your favourite exhibitors.

The Virtual Care Festival will run like an actual event but from the comfort, safety and convenience of your own living room.

Just like a conference centre, you’ll be able to move around and talk to your colleagues like you would at any face-to-face event.

This virtual space is split up into four areas for easy navigation: The Entrance Lobby – this is where the journey starts with easy navigation to all the theatres, exhibition hall, and a help desk for advice.

Exhibition Hall – where you can explore the latest brands, technologies and engage with the exhibitors. This virtual space allows you to have face-to-face conversations with the best companies in the industry. Visitors

can explore more than 50 interactive leading suppliers, showcasing different products and services for all their organisation needs.

Networking Lounge – networking opportunities amongst peers and new acquaintances. A place to meet attendees, speakers, and other exhibitors.

The Theatres – where the learning takes place. Five theatres with worldrenowned speakers to gain more than 60 hours of CPD engagement.

Speakers include: Dr. Michael Iwama, Dean at MGH Institute of Health Professions, Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb, former MP, chair of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and chair of the Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, Michael Mandelstam, legal training in social and health care at Michael Mandelstam Ltd, Debbie Ivanova, deputy chief inspector of adult social care at CQC and Nadra Ahmed OBE, chairman of NCA. The Virtual Care Festival will take place between 9am and 5pm.

Secure your free place at: https:// virtualcarefestival.vfairs.com/en/ A Huddersfield care home resident has used her time to during lockdown to help others. Keen knitter Barbara Armitage has been helping the local maternity units with their requests for hats and blankets for newborn babies. The hobby has helped Barbara to pass time and has also been a point of discussion with other residents at The Oakes.

It also leads to residents reminiscing about their own children.

Station opens at home STAFF and residents at Bowbridge Court care home have unveiled their latest home upgrade; a traditional British railway station.

It features facilities such as a bench seating area, classic luggage with a porter’s trolley and even bespoke decorations and signs to really get the feel of being track-side on the platform.

The Newark care home has designed the countryside themed station to provide a dedicated outlet for residents to reminisce on fond holiday memories and also to provide a space to relax, read and enjoy a cup of tea while ‘travelling in style’ to wonderful locations across the UK. Home manager Claire GordonRundle said: “I am so happy with how our latest renovation project has turned out.

“We have had so much fun building, designing and creating the space and to now see our residents enjoying the railway room is the icing on the cake.

“I am very proud of my team for helping to make this happen, it really is just another way our staff go above and beyond for their residents.”

The design and installation of the

station has been a group effort, with residents and staff working together to decide on a theme as well as choosing the finer details, such as the realistic looking wall mural, during monthly committee meetings.

The railway room comes as just one of many improvement projects undertaken by the care home over recent months, as they have just been crowned regional winners of the Ideal ‘Gardens in Bloom’ competition.

The annual contest encourages both staff and residents to work together to embrace their love of the great outdoors by devising and implementing an exciting garden revamp.

9 Advertiser’s announcement

Chair programme gives everyone a chance to dance ARE YOU sitting down? You’ll need to be...

As we all know, keeping fit is at the heart of maintaining good health.

If we experience an illness or injury, our ability to remain active plays a very important role in our recovery, and is vital in keeping our bodies strong as we get older.

For those living with a disability or long-term health condition, the physical, social and psychological benefits of regular exercise are absolutely critical to continued wellbeing.

Seated SOSA Dance Fitness offers a fantastic insight into the world of dance using authentic footwork, arms and styling movements from 37 international dance styles... adapted to a chair.

Our unique programme has been created for older adults, disabled participants, those with long-term health conditions and GP referral / rehabilitation clients.

The programme offers special considerations and adaptations for all levels of ability and ranges of movement, making it inclusive for everyone who, for one reason or another, is not able to stand to take part in a dance class.

Each routine is broken down into easy-to-learn sections that are fully adapted, set to a soundtrack of chart hits from different decades to get everyone singing as well as dancing.

Engagement in Seated SOSA Dance Fitness changes participants’ mindset from ‘having to exercise’ to ‘developing dance skills’ and ‘having fun’...taking all the hard work element of ‘exercise’ away.

We have also recently developed an exciting new element to this programme called ‘Simply SOSA’, for those with supported mobility or those who simply require the extra balance of a chair as their dance partner.

Our Community Interest Company was developed to provide free fullyfunded dance activities for those who need it the most this winter, during this unprecedented pandemic.

We have recently received government funding to develop an online platform, where you are able to

access our Seated SOSA Dance Fitness and Simply SOSA programmes at your disposal, with pre-recorded material available at the touch of a button, and ‘live’ classes via Zoom every week.

This makes it fully accessible to care homes, retirement/assisted living accommodation and people isolating in their homes with long-term health conditions... not forgetting the carers and NHS workers that are continuing to provide the most fantastic support for our loved ones.

At SOSA, we believe that dance is the best therapy for all and it has no boundaries.

As care home managers, activity co-ordinators and care assistants, we understand that you have a very challenging task on your hands keeping your residents and patients active during this time.

Seated SOSA Dance Fitness is so adaptable, even those who are bedridden are able to take part.

So we are very proud to be able to offer you unlimited access to this online platform for three months completely free of charge.

There is no catch, we just want to make a positive change in people’s lives... because we can.

All you need to do is email Katy Harris, the founder of Seated SOSA Dance Fitness, at katy@ sosastarletscic.co.uk and we will send you log-in details to access the website.

As part of our funding promise, we have agreed to deliver statistics and data back to our funders for everyone we reach with this project, with basic information including age, location and health conditions.

So the only requirement we have is that you help us to help you by providing this information about your participants/residents to us to satisfy our funding requirements (following strict GDPR guidelines).

We are also working closely with MIND, the mental health charity, to include some positive mental wellbeing ‘talks’ on our platform, in order to enhance the psychological benefits of our programme, thus providing a complete package of physical and mental wellbeing to our participants.

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