Nightclub bingo a hit at Tyneside care home
NIGHTCLUB sensation Bongo’s Bingo has spread to a Tyneside care home. The revamped version of the traditional game, which has become popular in clubs and venues around the UK, was played at Waverley Lodge Care Home, in Lemington, near Newcastle. Students from the Newcastle United Foundation National Citizenship Service (NCS) organised a version of Bongo’s Bingo for the home’s elderly residents. The game involves music, singing, dancing and unconventional prizes for those who complete a line, two lines or a full house. While the nightclub version is accompanied by 90s rave music, residents at Waverley Lodge enjoyed Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and Elvis while marking their cards. Prizes included chocolates, fluffy socks and slippers, with resident Ethel Smith winning several times. She said: “It was the best game of bingo I’ve ever played and lots of fun.” Sarah Burn, Newcastle United Foundation NCS group facilitator, accompanied the students, all aged 15 to 17 years old, at the home. She said: “The group loved every minute spending time at Waverley Lodge Care Home. They were eager to get involved and left really grateful for the opportunity. “Upon leaving, a couple of the group did shed some tears and explained that they didn’t realise how a small amount of their time could have such an impact. Watching them come out of their shell and walk away wanting to make an even bigger difference is why we do our job and why NCS is a great project to be involved with.” Julie Booth, home manager at Waverley Lodge Care Home, said: “When the NCS group came to the home and said they wanted to run a Bongo’s Bingo session, we were all a bit puzzled. “The residents absolutely loved it, however, as it mixes one of their favourite games with music, singing, dancing and some fantastic prizes. “A massive thank you goes to the Newcastle United Foundation and their NCS students. We are hoping to see them back for our Christmas Fayre.” Waverley Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Youngsters sing for elderly on UN Children’s Day
NURSERY children have been entertaining elderly care home residents as part of the United Nations Universal Children’s Day. Youngsters from Orchard Day Nursery, in Huyton, near Liverpool, put on a singing show at nearby Aaron Grange Care Home. The home’s residents and staff enjoyed the performance and joined in with many of the songs. Clare Richards, home manager at Aaron Grange Care Home, on Blacklow Brow, Huyton, said: “There were lots of sing-along songs and the residents thoroughly enjoyed it. “They’re all looking forward to the children visiting again and getting involved with arts and crafts, reading, board games and other fun activities.” The UN Universal Children’s Day is celebrated each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. Aaron Grange Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Christmas Dinner Spreads Cheer Amongst Lonely
A new Dorset care home bed finding website is spreading Christmas cheer to those who are lonely this Christmas. Care Home Bed Finder (CHBF), which is based in Bournemouth, has made a commitment to help lonely elderly people this December, following its November support for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. It has teamed up with local care home providers, social services and domiciliary care providers throughout the county, and aims to accommodate as many guests as possible who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone, perhaps due to bereavement, poor health, increasing age or distant family. The government has recognised loneliness as one of the main challenges faced by British society. GPs in England will be able to refer patients experiencing loneliness to community activities and voluntary services by 2023. Managing Director at CHBF, Malcolm Whitham, said: “The opportunity to enjoy festive fare and spend quality time with people of a similar age and life experiences will hopefully lead to making new friends. “We discovered that some care homes open their doors to outside guests for Christmas Day and decided to launch Operation Feast with Friends to connect homes with people who would be on their own. “We are focusing on Dorset this year, but plan to officially launch it as a charity early in 2019 and, by next Christmas, roll it out across the country.” Several care homes are already involved and actively seeking elderly guests to invite. Once relevant risk assessments have been completed and any special dietary or care requirements established, each guest will be matched with a home and a suitably Christmassy invitation dispatched. CHBF is also contacting taxi companies to request assistance with transporting to and from homes and plans to ensure guests receive a present to open on the day. “Organising this involves a huge amount of coordination,” Malcolm added, “but it is something we feel strongly about because it fits our company ethos of supporting those in care, as well as the wider industry. “Not only will someone enjoy a special Christmas Day, but it will also give people a look at life in a care home and perhaps break down preconceived ideas. We hope a relationship will grow between our guests and the homes, with future visits built upon these links.” Background Information: • An NHS survey revealed that in Dorset there were 375 social care users surveyed in 2017 and 168 felt lonely (Public Health England estimates). • More than nine million people in the UK – almost a fifth of the population – say they are always or often lonely but almost two-thirds feel uncomfortable admitting it (British Red Cross and Co-Op, 2016). • More than half (51 per cent) of people aged 75 and above live alone (ONS, 2010). • Two-fifths all older people say television is their main company (Age UK, 2014). www.carehomebedfinder.co.uk
Bluebird Care supports training company project to help the homeless
Bluebird Care has assisted local training company, Kilpatrick Consultancy, with a project to help the homeless in the Reading area. Rebecca Kilpatrick, a mental health training consultant, approached Bluebird Care to ask for donations and the national home care provider jumped straight into action to do what they could to help. The project aims to gather and make 50 care packages that can be given to homeless people to make this time of year a little easier to cope with. Rebecca hopes these care packages will contain the following; mouthwash, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, socks, gloves, sweets, bottles of water and a variety of food products. Other extras in the bags included dog treats (for those who have dogs), sleeping bags, items of clothing and coats. Bluebird Care was asked to donate carrier bags that would make distribution much easier. The head office responded offering 50 jute bags and extra blankets to add to the donations. Other companies that have donated include Nandos and Aldi who are providing food, Johnson & Johnson who gave toiletries and a Vet in Bracknell who donated money for animal supplies. All other donations have come from friends, family and others who have heard about the initiative. The packs are going to be distributed in the Reading area on 16th December but the organisers are still looking for more resources to go into the pack. If you would like to donate, please get in touch with kilpatrickconsultancy@gmail.com to find out how you can help. Yvonne Hignell, Managing Director of Bluebird Care, said: “This is such a worthy cause and we are very glad to be providing a small helping hand to those sleeping rough. This is such a big issue, which deeply affects such a high percentage of our population in the UK, especially at this time of year when the temperature drops and people’s health is put in serious danger. I encourage everyone to help out to achieve, and even supersede, Rebecca’s goal and do their part to help those who need it the most.” www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
MFC mementoes help residents with dementia reminisce
THE BORO Foundation has been sending out memorabilia boxes to care homes to help residents with dementia reminisce. The boxes containing old programmes, tickets and photos, among other items from past Middlesbrough FC games, have been the centre of activities run at the homes. Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, in Thornaby, was one of those benefitting from the scheme. The home works closely with the Middlesbrough FC Foundation’s National Citizenship Service (NCS), offering teenage volunteers opportunities to work with elderly residents. Kelly Daley, the Foundation’s NCS lead, said: “The club has delivered a number of dementia tours at the Riverside Stadium and the feedback was overwhelming. “All participants really enjoyed it and it had a positive impact upon all of them. “As a result, we thought it would be an idea to take the tour to the care homes that we work alongside across a number of our projects.” Kelly and her colleague Claire Streeter delivered two memory boxes to Mandale House Care Home, alongside a cake for residents and staff. Two of the home’s residents and Boro fans, Billy James and Ted Leckenby, also received shirts from the 2017/18 season. Billy, one of Hill Care’s dementia sufferers said: “I love my Boro shirt.” Kelly added: “From my viewpoint, I think with the personal experience of Alzheimer’s within my family, I have witnessed the heart-breaking effects it can have on the families as well as the patients. “From them not remembering who you are through to not even being able to hold a conversation anymore. “The most heart-breaking thing for me is the fact that, in the early stages of the diagnosis, you witness them trying to find the words but can see in their eyes the struggle it’s proving to be. “I think the ideas behind the memory boxes allow families and patients to engage in a conversation that can be lost and it provides a little joy when patients do recognise memorabilia. So I think they’re a fantastic idea and something that we are happy to support.” Jacqueline Ball, administrator at Mandale House Care Home, said: “It was such a kind thing for the MFC Foundation to do. “The residents loved the memory boxes and Boro kit and those who aren’t really into football really enjoyed the cake. “Our partnership with the Foundation has been fantastic for both our residents and the young NCS volunteers and we look forward to our ongoing work together.” Mandale House Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Fairmile Grange celebrates Children in Need with the help of some special guests
A group of local children recently visited Fairmile Grange care home to help residents and staff raise money for Children in Need. The day involved a range of fundraising activities, including decorating cupcakes, guess the name of the bear and how many rainbow drops were in a jar. Stuart Davey, head chef of Fairmile Grange also prepared a variety of cakes for all to enjoy. Kim Butters, wellbeing manager of Fairmile Grange, said: “Children in Need is such a wonderful cause, so it was fantastic to see our residents and the children from the local community get involved with our fundraising activities held at the home. “We would like to say a special thanks to all of the children who came along and took part in our arts and crafts and cupcake decorating sessions. Everyone had a fantastic day and we are delighted the children enjoyed themselves so much that they will be coming back at Christmas to sing festive songs for our residents to enjoy.” Children visiting residents of Fairmile Grange is part of the care homes intergenerational project, which was launched last year. The scheme was introduced after recent studies suggested intergenerational interaction can decrease loneliness and even improve health issues, such as low blood pressure for the elderly. Kim commented: “Our residents really look forward to when children come to visit, as it makes them feel like they are part of the community. Even simple things such as singing and playing games make such a big difference, so we always ensure a variety of engaging activities are planned for residents and visitors to enjoy.” Fairmile Grange is an 80-bed care home, which is managed by Encore Care Homes. Situated in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Grange has state-of-the-art facilities, a stunning landscape garden and expertly trained staff who are supportive and provide excellent care to the residents. For more information about Fairmile Grange please visit www.fairmilegrange.co.uk or call 01202 007569 to speak to a member of the team.
Increasing confidence in using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
Minutes count when a person collapses in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)and AED machines have been described as the ‘single most important development in the treatment of SCA’ (Resuscitation Council UK). You may have seen the green boxes appearing in various public spaces, i.e. shopping centres, petrol stations and they are continuing to be rolled out because along with CPR, using an AED can dramatically increase the chance of survival. Due to the increase in awareness of defibrillation, we want to ensure that anyone who attends our first aid courses has the chance to practice using an AED. You don’t need any training to be able to use onebut we want to help improve confidence and reduce the hesitance towards using them in an emergency situation. We asked one of our primary first aid trainers, Clare Khan, who delivers the course at least once a month for us, about how delegates have been getting on with using the defibrillators. Clare said: “AEDs are easy to use, compact, portable and very effective and knowing how and when to use a defibrillator, along with basic CPR, is a useful life skill for all. I’ve been using a Training AED for some time now and delegates are initially concerned as they believe that it’s complicated. However following training, delegates are surprised at the ease of using an AED, particularly the visual and verbal prompts that they feel are easy to understand and will prevent them from getting it wrong. After taking it in turns to practice, they say that they feel very confident and would now have no hesitation using one. The delegates are also surprised to learn that by being able to use an AED within the first 3 minutes of a SCA, the chance of survival increases to 80%. I believe passionately that everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency and using an AED is one of those vital skills.” Other vital skills covered in our first aid courses include performing CPR on manikins, learning the Heimlich manoeuvre using choking vests and putting a willing volunteer in the recovery position. More of our trainers will be completing their first aid trainer training at the end of November and we will soon be able to provide courses in more areas across the country. Our contact details are below if you would like any more information. 0114 2472772, info@aspect-training.co.uk Aspect Training Ltd – www.aspect-training.co.uk
Party for resident’s ruby wedding anniversary
AN “UNFORGETTABLE” party was held at a Rotherham care home to celebrate a resident’s ruby wedding anniversary. Broadacres Care Home, on Naylor Street, Parkgate, invited family, friends and fellow residents to join Michael and Pauline Crowley in celebrating 40 years of marriage. Staff at the home put on a buffet and served bucks fizz to toast the happy couple. Michael, who has lived at Broadacres Care Home since December 2017, said: “It was a day to remember. I love Pauline just as much as I did on our wedding day.” Pauline said: “It was an unforgettable and emotional day. Everyone at Broadacres did us proud.” Michael and Pauline married at Rotherham registry office in October 1978. They have one daughter together, Sharon, and two grandchildren, Jamie, 18, and Harry, 14. Jo MacGregor, activities coordinator at Broadacres Care Home, said: “We wish Michael and Pauline a very happy anniversary and many more happy years to come.” Broadacres Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Borough Care Hosts Employee Awards
Borough Care, the largest not for profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, recently held its Employee Awards 2018. The annual event celebrates the hard work and dedication of people working for Borough Care. Borough Care staff were nominated for awards in ten categories. The winner of the ‘Above & Beyond’ category was Amanda Harrison who works at Bamford Close in Cale Green. Amanda is always thinking of ways to improve the environment and to make day to day life brighter for residents. The ‘Aspiration Award’ was won by Robin Bowden, from Lisburne Court. Robin joined Borough Care in 2017 and since then she has shown great enthusiasm for learning and developing herself. Meadway Court’s Judith Burgess won the ‘Best Newcomer’ award. Judith joined Borough Care in August and is already well settled into her role. The ‘Best Team’ accolade went to the laundry team at Reinbek, who work together to ensure that not only is the laundry done efficiently but they engage with residents as they go about their daily tasks. Jessica Hallworth from Cawood House in Brinnington took the honours in the ‘Engaged’ category. Jessica is always a team player. She likes to involve residents in every way she can and ensures they have smiles on their faces. Denise Lyons from Marbury House is this year’s ‘Unsung Hero’. Denise has been fantastic at supporting the catering team since Borough Care transferred its meal service back in-house earlier this year. Denise has built great relationships with all the chefs and has helped develop new starters who join the team. The winner of the ‘Inspiring Leader’ category was Nerys Carpenter from Shepley House. Nerys’ vision has had a positive impact on Shepley House. Since moving to the home she has made a huge difference and created a lovely home for residents to live in and a great place for staff to work. Mei Lloyd, who also works at Shepley House, scooped the ‘Thinking Differently’ award. Mei carries out her role as an Activity Lifestyle Facilitator with great enthusiasm. Imaginative and creative, Mei is always thinking of new ways to engage with residents, making sure there is a variety of different activities on offer. A number of staff were recognised for ’Making a Difference’. Those picking up this accolade were Georgia Dawson from Bamford Close, Linda Hamnett from Bruce Lodge, Michelle Gallimore from Bryn Haven, Caroline Hegarty from Cawood House, Donna Allwood from Lisburne Court, Maxine Haughton from Marbury House, Meadway Court’s Carol Stavordale and Sarah Robinson, Lisa Jewsbury from Reinbek, Judy Knowles from Shepley House, Lindsay Hadfield from Silverdale and Wellcroft’s Kelly Bramley. During the awards evening, Borough Care staff who have completed thirty years’ service received a long service award. These included Christine Millett at Wellcroft, Sandra Sutherland and Pat Nugent from Silverdale and Meadway Court’s Julie Carter. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “Our annual awards are a great opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by people in all areas of our business. We are fortunate to have such committed people, who are dedicated to making the lives of Borough Care residents both comfortable and enjoyable. We are continually improving the service we offer residents and everyone involved with Borough Care has a critical part to play in this.” Find out more here
