National care hero award for Sheffield carer.
Anita Schole, a Carer at Rosebank Care Home in Sheffield, has won a national social care hero award in recognition of their hard work. The award has been made this week by Support Social Care Heroes (SSCH), an organisation which aims to preserve, protect and improve the health and wellbeing of those providing social care. SSCH launched the monthly award programme this year to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the 1.54m people working in social care in the UK. Anita, who was nominated for June 2022, is the 6th award winner. Anita was nominated by her colleagues, who said: “She’s a real asset and a team player, always willing to learn new things, she’s kind, caring and responsive to the resident’s needs, well done Anita, well deserved.” On hearing they had won the award Anita said: “It’s lovely to be recognised by both Rosebank and SSCH, thank you so much!” Anita will receive a £50 voucher for the grocery store of their choice, a box of chocolates, certificate, a SSCH hoody and Rosebank Care Home will receive a bunch of flowers. The prizes have been sponsored by VAT Solutions. The social care workforce is often overlooked yet they keep the most vulnerable people in our society safe and well. It is hoped that SSCH will receive significant support following research which found that the overwhelming majority of the public feel that social care staff are undervalued (81%) and underpaid (80%). The monthly care hero awards have been created to show that care workers are appreciated. Nicola Richards, Founder of Support Social Care Heroes, explained the thinking behind the idea: “Social care staff often do not get the recognition that they deserve despite being valued by their managers and employers. “Many care homes already have ‘employee of the month’ schemes and we really felt we should do something to bring all these nominations together from around the country to celebrate all our social care heroes and the amazing work they do. “The pandemic has brought social care colleagues across the country together as we have supported each other like never before. I hope these awards will provide a positive boost to carers, managers and the wider care home teams. “These awards are the first step in our long-term plans to ensure those who need care, and those caring for them, are valued by all in society. “Our country’s social care heroes have been on the front line and in the headlines for almost two years and this new initiative will help show them that they are valued and recognise the work they do.” Social care employers are encouraged to nominate their staff for a care home hero award (employee of the month). Taking part has been made simple and easy: post a photo of your employee of the month and which care home you represent, to social media, with the hashtag #SocialCareHeroAwards and tag Support Social Care Heroes page. Tell us in 160 characters why the person is a social care hero. All nominations will be curated by the Support Social Care Heroes team and on the last Monday of each month a winner will be chosen at random. Anyone who wishes to donate to Support Social Care Heroes can do so by visiting: www.ssch.info.
98 Years Young
Friends of the Elderly’s Care Home Resident Celebrates Her 98th Birthday – Saying Cake, Swimming and Family are Her Secret to a Long and Happy Life At Orford House, the Coulsdon-based care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the team has been celebrating resident Dora Jefferies’ 98th Birthday with an afternoon tea party in the home’s glorious gardens, complete with a delicious birthday cake. Alongside the care home celebrations, Dora also enjoyed her special day with her daughter, Tracy and three sons, Michael, Simon and Clinton. Dora, who has been a resident at Orford House for nearly two years, grew up in Lincoln. Born in 1924, the same year as the first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France, it’s no surprise that at school, Dora’s favourite class was Physical Education. “I was particularly fond of the gym lessons and playing hockey, as I liked running about. When I left school, I would have loved to have been a Gym Mistress; instead I went to work in the Accounts Department at the railway – my Father was a Signal Man there,” said Dora. As a teenager during World War II, Dora was lucky not to see any fighting, but added: “During the war, I loved going to the dances with the Airmen who were stationed near Lincoln. I knew a few of them as I volunteered at the NAAFI and remember serving them beans on toast.” Dora’s energy never left her as she met her husband, Jeff, at Lincoln Swimming Baths. Dora’s Daughter, Tracy recalls: “Mum loved swimming and swimming the sea, even if it was freezing. She’d be in there, floating about on the back with her bright orange swim cap on bobbing around in the waves.” Dora married Jeff – a Chemical Engineer – in 1947 at St. Martin’s Church in Lincoln and they honeymooned in London. She is a proud Mother to five children Clinton, Anna, Michael, Tracy and Simon and now a devoted Grandmother to 14 Grandchildren, Tim, Louise, Andrew, Ivan, Victor, Naomi, Stevie, Jack, James, Dominic, Petula, Conrad, Jordan and Eric. The charity’s Regional Director, Cheryl Rothschild who oversees Orford House said: “Dora is always busy and gets involved in many of the daily activities at Orford House,” with Dora adding: “Singing is my favourite.” Talking about her Mum, Tracy continued: “I have so many great memories of Mum, she’s not only our Matriarch, but also our rock. We’ve always been a close family and Mum has always been very nurturing and involved with us all and with all her Grandchildren. She is always good fun and happy to get involved in whatever is going on, we really have laughed a lot over the years. “Another memory that sticks out is Mum learning to drive – it was so entertaining. Back when it was, I suppose, allowed, all us children would be sat in the back of the car with Mum and her Instructor in the front. Unfortunately, Mum never quite mastered driving and finally decided that she’d rather be a passenger. “Mum’s always been a very busy and practical person. I vividly remember her high up on scaffolding painting the windows at our three storey Victorian terraced house. Also, coming home from school on Tuesdays – Mum’s baking day – to the delicious smells of homemade cakes and biscuits. We always went blackberry picking in the autumn and Mum would make jam and lots of apple and blackberry crumbles – she’s always loved a pudding.” Cheryl added: “It is a pleasure to have Dora with us. She’s a fantastic lady who always has a smile for everyone. She’s a well-loved and well-liked member of the Orford House family and is a joy to be around. We’re so glad she had a great day – a great day for a great lady.” “I’ve had a wonderful 98th Birthday with my family and care home friends. I so enjoyed my birthday cake – and I do love cakes. I think that cake, family and of course my years of swimming, really are my secrets to a long and happy life,” Dora concluded.
10 reasons to go digital with electronic care planning and medication (eMAR) systems
Time More time to care Carers never have enough time to care but going digital can provide more. There are so many time-consuming tasks such as writing care notes, completing paper assessments, filling in charts, preparing handovers, and countless other administrative tasks. Going digital can automate many of these tasks and enable the recording of care interactions in real-time, ensuring nothing is left undocumented and saving time that can be better spent providing care. Control Better Control Controlling paper-based systems can be an onerous job. It generates reams of paper that can easily be lost, copied, and, potentially, fall into the wrong hands. Digital care systems are safe and accessible, maintaining the security and confidentiality of your data. This is difficult to achieve with paper because sensitive information must be locked away when not in use per GDPR. Furthermore, digital allows you to determine who can access and what via permission controls. Staff only see what they need to see based on their role. AutumnCare has a number of tools that assist in maintaining security and confidentiality, including this lock screen functionality for use in medication administration rounds! Protection Protect your business Social care is a highly regulated industry and going digital can help you safeguard your business. With multiple regulatory bodies, such as the CQC, CIW, Care Inspectorate, RQIW, Local Authorities and Safeguarding Teams, not to mention families and the justice system. Any of whom can make enquiries or perform inspections at any time and without notice. Going digital makes it easy and efficient to evidence the quality of care you provide. In addition, as a digital system has a complete audit trail, you can be assured the information you are providing is accurate and complete. Costs Costs and environment The most considerable cost saving that going digital can provide is time. While the amount of time saved will vary between service types and roles, this alone makes going digital worthwhile. Additional cost benefits include savings on printing, paper, stationary and confidential waste bin collection. These costs all add up very quickly and are enhanced by the savings in the administrative overhead. Furthermore, going digital reduces paper use and the carbon footprint of regular deliveries. Therefore, going digital can help you become more environmentally friendly. Risk Reduced risk Manual systems carry many risks. It is challenging to manage, analyse and keep data and there is a lack of security. Going digital with your care planning and eMAR can significantly reduce your risk. Using inbuilt alerts ensures that nothing is missed, whether that’s a care plan change or a fall report. Using an eMAR will help reduce medication errors and ensure that the 6 Rs are always met. Going digital also allows the collection of data at the point of care, which can be analysed to identify trends and risks, and demonstrate corrective action. AutumnCare Mobile allows staff to perform clinical assessments and capture notes at the point of care for increased accuracy and care recipient involvement. Retention Improve staff retention Staff recruitment and retention remain long-standing challenges for the care sector, and many factors contribute to the successful retention of staff. Morale is a crucial factor in retaining staff. Using electronic care systems to change the focus from the administration to the delivery of care helps stage engage more with service users. Additionally, providing smart tools like care planning and eMAR software to reduce the administrative burden will decrease staff stress. Quality Improved quality of care With pre-built assessments covering all aspects of health, you can get to know your service users intimately. But it’s not just health; other characteristics such as emotion, likes/dislikes and how they correspond to a wide range of activities can be recorded. Because any changes can be affected at the point of care, updates become a true reflection of the care (rather than a delayed update at the end of a long shift). This information is then easily accessible by other system users, supporting a personalised care experience. Evidence Demonstrate quality of care delivery While the delivery of person-centred care is paramount, care providers must also provide evidence of the care they deliver, and regulatory bodies are actively encouraging the user of technology. For example, the CQC states that the care provider should look to embrace technology that helps monitor care delivery. During an inspection, under the Effective key line of enquiry (KLOE), question E1.3 asks How is technology and equipment used to enhance the delivery of effective care and treatment and to support people’s independence? Digital care plans are the best way to achieve this! Visibility Improved visibility Electronic care systems ensure that managers have real-time access to notes and information to instantly understand the care provided and help identify changes that need to be made to improve the quality of care. On an electronic care system, it is much easier to see what is going on if you are contacted out of hours or on the go. A digital system allows you to log in remotely to see what has been happening across the entire care service at a glance. AutumnCare contains a customisable Dashboard to provide Managers with a snapshot of what is occurring across the care service at any point in time. Users Happier service users Last, and by no means least, going digital can make your service users happier. Digital systems enable you to spend more time caring and less time on administration. There are benefits to happy service users, including positive reviews from family and friends, which may help grow your service. Wondering how to go digital? If you’re unsure of how to get started in your digital transformation, AutumnCare can help! AutumnCare provides specialist digital care planning and eMAR software, enabling providers to migrate to a digital system and providing the foundations for outstanding care. We can walk you through what is required step by step, as well as provide training and support every step of the way. To realise all of the benefits above, plus
DARCO Group serving as the UK distribution hub specialising in foot and ankle products.
V-M Orthotics Ltd started out as a family run business operating in Suffolk. In 2018 we became part of the global hg DARCO Group serving as the UK distribution hub specialising in foot and ankle products. DARCO is a global business operating across: • the USA with DARCO International (where the business started) • Europe (Raisting in Southern Germany), • India (Karnataka) • China (Shanghai) DARCO International Trading Ltd. • and more recently the UK (V-M Orthotics Ltd in Halesworth, Suffolk). We work in partnership with a small number of distributors: • Algeos • Beagle Orthopaedic • Performance Health • Prestige Healthcare Currently we offer a total range of 35 devices across the following categories: -Therapeutic ShoesHealing Shoes (Long and Short Term)-Off-loading Shoes-Cast Shoes & Boots-Height Compensation Shoes -Orthoses & Walkers Lower Leg-Foot-Ankle -Positioning Devices & Off-loading Devices Positioning Splints -Pressure Off-loading Device -Insole Systems & AccessoriesInsole Systems -Accessories (Toe Caps) Some of our latest products to join our portfolio can be viewed here: Commodus Open® – VM OrthoticsA solution for ulcerations and wounds. The open design of the Commodus Open® makes it particularly suitable for the treatment of postoperative wounds and lesions located medially at the MTP I joint, laterally at the MTP V joint and in the entire dorsal and plantar forefoot. The Commodus Open® (sold individually) is used to stabilise the foot and provides shock and pressure redistribution following surgery or when ulcerations occur. Relief Dual® Plus – VM Orthotics The New DARCO Relief Dual® Plus offloading shoe (sold individually) with high ankle support provides 64% higher profile than the Relief Dual® and also provides improved foot and ankle support. Its features include: • an adjustable heel cap • easily accommodates bulky dressings • for treatment of postoperative forefoot conditions, plantar wounds in the forefoot area and dorsal wounds at the heel Body Armor® Heel Reliever – VM Orthotics and which features in the accompanying article. We have a number of exciting new devices in the pipeline for the latter part of 2022/early 2023. These include a new walker and insole system, in addition to the Gentle Step range of shoes, where we will be offering 22 full/half sizes specifically for those patients diagnosed with Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and bony abnormalities of the foot. For further information or to join our mailing list please call us on 01986 798 120 or email info@vmorthotics.co.uk Please click here to view our latest video explaining who we are and what we do. Sharing our DARCO story with you – VM Orthotics We look forward to hearing from you.
Peter Green Commercial Contracts
Our professional Commercial Contracts team is equipped to meet all your B2B flooring and furniture needs. Our Account Managers have a wealth of specialist knowledge, a vast sample library and huge showroom to share with you and will help you choose the furniture and flooring options that are just right for your care or residential home. Our status as a leading independent furnisher established in 1956 allows for a closeness with our clients and attention to detail that you are unlikely to experience with the bigger multinational companies. Peter Green is to this day family owned and run and we take pride in assisting you with your projects from start to finish. How to Sympathetically Incorporate the Latest Design Trends into your care home Most of us must agree that the environment that we live in plays an important role in how we feel about ourselves and go about our daily lives. So it doesn’t take a giant leap of the imagination to understand the positive role that an uplifting and inviting environment can play in the daily lives of the elderly or those with higher care needs, when they are living in a residential care home. Our intention here is not to speak about the health and safety side of care home furnishings, as these we know are all likely well-rehearsed in your heads but more to bring to you some enlightening ideas that can inspire you when making choices. Developing your own ‘unique style’ in furnishings is important, because after all that what’s makes it a ‘home’ isn’t it? It shows that as an organization you ‘care’ enough to have taken the time to provide something unique and that you offer a point of difference to your clients. This may help steer potential customers away from choosing one of your competitors based purely on price point, but instead to focus on the lifestyle and quality of care they are going to receive. There are three major interior design movements that have taken off in other sectors that we feel would be equally valid for a care home situation… 1-Mid-Century Modern The mid-century era produced a furniture style that comprised of simple designs, elegance and functionality. Modern versions of this style comprise of light weight pieces that are easy to interact with. The colour palette is a collection of warm and welcoming oranges, browns, golds and soft greens. Window treatments and wallpapers have strong geometric patterns harking back to the 50s and 60s – a familiar era for many care home residents. 2- Maximalism Maximalism has made a resurgence just lately in the hospitality industry. The maximalist interior relies heavily on bold, mismatched prints, powerful bright colours, contrasting textures and an eccentric mix of accessories. Furniture styles, window treatments, flooring and artwork vary in style and pay homage to many different periods. The overall look is grand and exciting, full of quirky surprises and is supposed to reflect the eclectic nature of a real home. Many patterns and designs incorporated in this style will be familiar to residents, helping maintain psychological comfort and improving recall and memories. Along with the nostalgia, there is a fresh energy and liveliness that is both uplifting and exciting. 3-Modern Scandi Design The appeal of Scandinavian interior never really goes away, probably because the light, bright, white decor lifts the spirits. Monochrome palettes with hints of creams, browns, greys, taupe and tans lend themselves very well to the care home situation… and the overall look is relaxing, calming and clean. Using Nordic minimalism, Scandi furniture has clean lines and good form, flooring is subdued and window treatments are non-fussy. Add some Danish ‘Hygge’ in the form of soft fluffy throws and a little boho with some macramé and you will have created a stylish setting that anyone can call home. Peter Green Commercial Contracts – flooring – furniture – beds – wall coverings – window treatments – accessories – and more! School Lane, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire SO53 4DG tel: 02380 810455 | contracts@petergreen.co.uk
The Importance of Degreasing
Degreasing – Where there are kitchens, there is grease and knowing how to deal with it is essential to making sure your kitchen runs smoothly. It doesn’t matter whether you work in a restaurant kitchen, hospital kitchen, school kitchen or any other kind of cooking area, grease is one of the many universal aspects of kitchen life. Now, you may be asking what is grease exactly? Well grease (in a food waste context) is the common term for animal fats and vegetable oils and can be found in the following when cooked: • Food Scraps • Baked Goods • Cooking Oil • Margarine, Butter and Lard • Meat Fats • Sauces • Dairy Products What are the issues surrounding kitchen grease? The key issue with grease is the frequent incorrect disposal of it by way of the kitchen sink or external drains. It is mistakenly assumed that because the warm oils are liquid they therefore can be poured away. It may appear harmless due to its lack of viscosity and fluid form but as grease cools it begins to solidify causing build ups in pipes becoming a hardened mass. The more grease which is disposed of in this manner leads to large deposits of solid grease which restricts drain flow causing clogs. These blockages can result in burst drains, flooding and seeping water from in between floors and low-level brickwork. Ultimately, hardened grease residue is one of the key contributors to large scale sewage blockages which coined the aptly named “fatberg” term between 2008 and 2010. As a result of mass public campaigning due to the expense required to remove fatbergs from the UKs aging Victorian sewer system, both domestic and commercial kitchens now dispose of FOGs in a more sustainable manner. But, with hardened grease being a problematic substance to get rid of once solid, what should commercial kitchens do with cooking equipment which is prone to grease build up? Invest in a commercial degreaser. The best answer for commercial level grease is a commercial grade degreasing agent / cleaner. Using anything less than a solution which has been designed and tested for professional kitchens will fall short. Domestic ovens are not subject to the same level of use as that of capital equipment in businesses, so you need the right cleaning agent. Should FOGs be allowed to build up in your kitchen it can impact the efficiency of your machines like ovens and ventilation systems meaning such kit takes longer to heat up and requires more energy to maintain constant temperatures. So, to prevent you from requiring many hours and a metal scraper, what degreasers are available? The following are all great options to help keep on top of grease levels in your kitchen: • Deepio Heavy Duty Degreaser Spray – Deepio’s degreaser is a popular choice amongst restaurants and quick service eateries. It is highly efficient and effective at breaking down grease with ease making cleaning equipment a quicker process. The formula features surfactants and high alkalinity to deliver grease-cutting cleanliness. It is also unperfumed. • Flash Professional Degreaser – This ready to use spray is not just a degreaser but a disinfectant too. It is great at degreasing surfaces (not to be used on grills) along with kitchen utensils. It also benefits from being EN14476 accredited and EN1276 / EN13697. The solution is also unperfumed and bleach free. • SURE Cleaner & Degreaser (Concentrate) – SURE’s eco-range of cleaners includes a degreaser option which is perfect for cutting through heavily soiled and greasy surfaces. Perfect for kitchen equipment, cooker hoods and counter tops the degreaser is perfect for any commercial kitchen. It can also be used on tiled floors too. There are many other options but as wholesalers to multiple industries, including the healthcare, care and nursing sectors we’d recommend the above as they are proven across a variety of kitchens in numerous environments. At Alliance Online we have over 20 years’ experience providing quality and professional cleaning solutions to businesses across the UK. As such we are confident in our product offering and options we provide to the care industry. For more information about our care ranges and ways we can help companies in the sector contact us on hello@allianceonline.co.uk or call us on 01270 252333.
The Importance of Degreasing
Where there are kitchens, there is grease and knowing how to deal with it is essential to making sure your kitchen runs smoothly. It doesn’t matter whether you work in a restaurant kitchen, hospital kitchen, school kitchen or any other kind of cooking area, grease is one of the many universal aspects of kitchen life. Now, you may be asking what is grease exactly? Well grease (in a food waste context) is the common term for animal fats and vegetable oils and can be found in the following when cooked: • Food Scraps • Baked Goods • Cooking Oil • Margarine, Butter and Lard • Meat Fats • Sauces • Dairy Products What are the issues surrounding kitchen grease? The key issue with grease is the frequent incorrect disposal of it by way of the kitchen sink or external drains. It is mistakenly assumed that because the warm oils are liquid they therefore can be poured away. It may appear harmless due to its lack of viscosity and fluid form but as grease cools it begins to solidify causing build ups in pipes becoming a hardened mass. The more grease which is disposed of in this manner leads to large deposits of solid grease which restricts drain flow causing clogs. These blockages can result in burst drains, flooding and seeping water from in between floors and low-level brickwork. Ultimately, hardened grease residue is one of the key contributors to large scale sewage blockages which coined the aptly named “fatberg” term between 2008 and 2010. As a result of mass public campaigning due to the expense required to remove fatbergs from the UKs aging Victorian sewer system, both domestic and commercial kitchens now dispose of FOGs in a more sustainable manner. But, with hardened grease being a problematic substance to get rid of once solid, what should commercial kitchens do with cooking equipment which is prone to grease build up? Invest in a commercial degreaser. The best answer for commercial level grease is a commercial grade degreasing agent / cleaner. Using anything less than a solution which has been designed and tested for professional kitchens will fall short. Domestic ovens are not subject to the same level of use as that of capital equipment in businesses, so you need the right cleaning agent. Should FOGs be allowed to build up in your kitchen it can impact the efficiency of your machines like ovens and ventilation systems meaning such kit takes longer to heat up and requires more energy to maintain constant temperatures. So, to prevent you from requiring many hours and a metal scraper, what degreasers are available? The following are all great options to help keep on top of grease levels in your kitchen: • Deepio Heavy Duty Degreaser Spray – Deepio’s degreaser is a popular choice amongst restaurants and quick service eateries. It is highly efficient and effective at breaking down grease with ease making cleaning equipment a quicker process. The formula features surfactants and high alkalinity to deliver grease-cutting cleanliness. It is also unperfumed. • Flash Professional Degreaser – This ready to use spray is not just a degreaser but a disinfectant too. It is great at degreasing surfaces (not to be used on grills) along with kitchen utensils. It also benefits from being EN14476 accredited and EN1276 / EN13697. The solution is also unperfumed and bleach free. • SURE Cleaner & Degreaser (Concentrate) – SURE’s eco-range of cleaners includes a degreaser option which is perfect for cutting through heavily soiled and greasy surfaces. Perfect for kitchen equipment, cooker hoods and counter tops the degreaser is perfect for any commercial kitchen. It can also be used on tiled floors too. There are many other options but as wholesalers to multiple industries, including the healthcare, care and nursing sectors we’d recommend the above as they are proven across a variety of kitchens in numerous environments. At Alliance Online we have over 20 years’ experience providing quality and professional cleaning solutions to businesses across the UK. As such we are confident in our product offering and options we provide to the care industry. For more information about our care ranges and ways we can help companies in the sector contact us on hello@allianceonline.co.uk or call us on 01270 252333.
Girbau UK awarded We Invest in People – Silver Accreditation
Girbau UK, the Hitchin-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial laundry equipment has been awarded We Invest in People – Silver Accreditation by Investors in People, a fantastic achievement that only 15% of organisations assessed actually achieve. The award means that the right principles are in place to support people at work at Girbau UK and to make working there a better place. More than that, it means its people and leaders are making active efforts to ensure there is real consistency in the organisation and everyone feels its effects. “While we are known as a world-leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial laundry equipment for washing, finishing and handling textiles, we recognise that it’s the quality of our people that really marks us apart,” said Peter Rankin, Managing Director of Girbau UK. “I am delighted that Girbau UK has been awarded We Invest in People – Silver Accreditation. My congratulations to our leaders and our entire team for this outstanding achievement in recognition of our caring and supportive workplace culture.” “We’d like to congratulate Girbau UK. Silver accreditation on We invest in people is a remarkable effort for any organisation. It places Girbau UK in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.” said Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People. “We believe that the success of your organisation begins and ends with people. If we make work better for everyone, we make work better for every organisation. And if we do that, we also make society stronger, healthier and happier.” Girbau UK is part of the international Girbau Group, world-leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial laundry equipment. With more than 60 years’ experience and a commitment to customer service, Girbau meets the requirements of a wide variety of industries including hotels and guest houses, residential and nursing homes, hospitals, charities, leisure organisations, colleges, schools, sheltered housing, the emergency services, hairdressers, veterinary surgeries, kennels and catteries. www.girbau.co.uk
Armed Forces Day: First impressions count for Royal Star & Garter Home Manager
Qualified Nurse Jamie Stubbs worked for the NHS before joining the RAF in December 1995. During his 19-year military career, he attained the rank of Flight Lieutenant Nurse. Now he is the Home Manager at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull. To mark Armed Forces Day, he reflects on finding his dream job at the veterans’ care home. I remember walking into the Home for the first time on Christmas Eve, following my appointment as the Interim Home Manager. It was a real opportunity to just feel and see the service I’d heard so much about. It was critical for me that it went well, but I’m always nervous when I’m about to meet a new team on unfamiliar territory. As I approached the reception door with an outstretched finger to press the buzzer, it miraculously opened! Stood there with the warmest welcome was Kevin, who is our Driver and part of the Wellbeing Team. Unknown to me, the Home had received my biography prior to arrival. Kevin appeared to have memorised the whole document because instantly he knew all about me and my past! This led to very easy conversation and instantly settled my nerves. Kevin took me into reception where I was warmly greeted by Sam, the receptionist. Sam explained that she would let Lead Nurse Heni know I’d arrived, which allowed me to have several minutes to soak up the energy of the Home. I was simply delighted to hear staff laughing and talking with each other as they passed through. There was all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas Day. The immense Christmas tree was up in the foyer, there was chatter, there was a buzz in the Home. As I sat there, the military paintings on the wall took me and my thoughts away to familiar places and spaces. I served in the RAF for 19 years, and the paintings made me feel comfortable, almost like I had visited before. Heni then came to greet me. It’s hard to read people’s faces when they have masks on, but I could tell from her eyes that she was smiling, and her introduction was real, warm and genuine. We went to the Lead Nurses’ office and the conversation was easy, free-flowing and it became clear that we both held very similar views on what person-centred care should look like. She spoke with passion about the Home, the residents, the team and the charity. It was infectious – I had felt this energy from the minute I walked into the Home. Heni told me that two other Lead Nurses – Yuriy and Nadine – were coming in on their days off to say ‘Hi’ and introduce themselves! This hadn’t happened to me before, I am acutely aware of how hard people work in this sector, and days off are precious. The reception I received from them was warm, welcoming and from the heart. It was clear their passion and drive matched mine. I felt all my Christmases had come at once! How could I be sat in a room with three people who all wanted to achieve what I did and more? I had never experienced this in adult social care before. One thing that I will never forget from that meeting was when they said to me: “Tell us about you, not the manager you, the real you.” They wanted to know what kind of human I was. That told me all I needed to know about this band of three. The person inside is everything to them and that’s how it should be. My tour of the Home with the three Lead Nurses was a wonderful experience. Each floor was buzzing with laughter, smiling residents, activities and such a positive feeling. Every member of staff I came into contact with wanted to talk to me, they were genuinely interested in me and what I had done previously. They spoke about their work with compassion and conviction. They spoke about going the extra mile. They described residents being at the centre of their care and all that they did. They wanted residents to live their best lives in a safe and secure environment. They involved the residents in their care and decisions related to it. I was in a spin! I had never been surrounded by such positivity in this setting before. What was intended to be a quick 45-minute ‘dip-my-toe-in-the-water’ visit turned into a four-hour afternoon visit. Three months into my interim contract I was appointed as the permanent Home Manager, and I couldn’t be happier – this really is my dream job. Working here made such an impression on me from day one that I never wanted to leave. I became a nurse because I care about people and I wanted to make a difference. I’m doing that now. I’m in the company of people that have similar military experiences, and it’s an honour to look after them. And I think the residents appreciate the bond we share too. We have conversations about military life and what we’ve been up to, we speak about the bits and pieces we have done. I have learned so much in that time! I have visited the other Homes and met all of the teams. Royal Star & Garter appears to be a magnet for attracting only the best, most caring staff across all disciplines. All of the Homes have felt familiar even though the geography is different. The energy of the staff is like nectar. It’s addictive and you can’t get enough of surrounding yourself with it. It is the magical and mysterious glue that pulls us all together and makes us all want to perform at our very best. The first six months have been a thrilling and joyous experience: to be in the company of people who are always striving to do what’s best for our residents, it’s a joy to be working with a team that’s so committed. It makes me
