How to avoid burn-out and protect your wellbeing
Working as a carer, whether that be as a paid carer or un-paid carer for a family member, can be challenging for some people’s mental wellbeing. It has been reported that many of those who work in the care sector are experiencing burn out and other negative emotions whilst working in the profession. But how can you take steps to negate these feelings and look after yourself and the person you are caring for? Michael Berkley-Blezard at the Elmfield care group home Old Sarum Manor, shares his tips for protecting your wellbeing when working in care. The signs of burn-out Michael says: “Becoming burnt-out is something that happens over time, and the signs can include anxiety or depression. These can show up at work and at home and symptoms include severe exhaustion, feeling cut off from others, having no hope, energy, or reason for things to change. Burnout can also look less obvious, for instance being unusually forgetful, catching more colds than usual, struggling to make simple decisions, or even feeling guilty for taking breaks. Sometimes carers don’t realise they’re burnt out because they don’t recognise the less common signs.” Michael shares: “Taking time for self-care is essential in preventing burn-out. This can look different for different people but simply taking time to exercise, focusing on proper nutrition and establishing a sleep routine will all help to make you feel more regulated. “Trying to spend time doing hobbies is also a great way to practice self-care. Whether it be reading or playing 5-a-side with your friends, it can help you feel more likeyourself. Even if you can only do it for a couple of hours a week, it is important to carve out that time for yourself.” Michael explains: “Whilst it may feel difficult, sometimes the best thing you can do is talk. Whether it be to your friends and family or you seek out additional support. Charities such as The Care Workers charity, Carers trust and Carers UK are accessible for all carers across the UK. “If there is a serious issue or matter that is affecting your mental health and needs to be resolved, this is when you need to take things higher up to your manager or wider management. This will allow for any significant and drastic issues to be dealt with in a professional way, which will also take some of the pressure and stress off yourself. Whilst it may be tough to do this, it is always the route to take to ensure that problems are solved properly and stops them from impacting on your personalwellbeing.” Michael says: “Knowledge is power, sometimes learning and developing is a great way to support your mental wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of burn-out. This is for multiple reasons, one being that attending training courses may help you understand why situations are dealt with in a certain way. This will help you learn best practices which as a result, can lessen the stress associated with trying to make the right decision. A second reason being that continuously learning and widening your scope helps to keep your days varied and more exciting. “You can also join support groups and learn from other people’s experiences, and share your knowledge with others. Connecting with other people in the same industry or position as you also creates a sense of community, which is seen to be beneficial in supporting mental wellbeing.” “Taking time to reflect on your day or week, or maybe month if you struggle to find time for it, is a great way to be able to check in with yourself and identify how you are feeling before you reach the point of burn-out,” Michael explains. “Journaling and writing down your thoughts, feelings and things that have happened allows you to process and understand them more. “Whether you’re an unpaid carer or working within a care home, remembering the importance of what you do and how you care for and support the people you look after also helps to put feelings into perspective.” Michael says: “Whilst it can be difficult, it is essential to advocate for yourself and your mental wellbeing and know your limits before you do become burnt-out. If you are consistently working more hours than you are supposed to or you are not taking any time to do activities that you enjoy, you need to be able to recognise this and try and put a stop to it. “The simple act of only working your set hours and trying to not think about work or talk to people from work when not there, will contribute greatly to finding a work-life balance which ultimately leads to better mental-wellbeing and prevents burn-out. If you are an un-paid carer, respite care could be something that may benefit you and the person you care for.” Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, shares: “Looking after your wellbeing as a care worker is vital, not just for your own health, but for the people you support every day. The emotional and physical demands of care work can be overwhelming, and without proper support, burnout becomes a real risk. At The Care Workers’ Charity, we’re here to ensure no care worker faces those challenges alone. Whether it’s through mental health support, financial grants, or simply a listening ear, we are committed to helping carers take care of themselves, too.”
Charity’s 120th Anniversary celebrate
At New Copford Place, the Colchester-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the residents and care team put their Blue Suede Shoes to work as they celebrated the charity’s 120th Anniversary with a 1950s community ‘Bop’ party. On Saturday 9th August, the care home went back in time to the ‘Rockin’ 50s’ and hosted a free ‘Jitterbugging’ party and summer BBQ. “To celebrate Friends of the Elderly’s landmark 120th Anniversary, we hosted a ‘hip’ and ‘groovy’, inclusive and accessible summer community event,” said Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at the care home. “The residents thoroughly enjoyed the ‘cool’ event and loved chatting with our guests from the local community,” added Chelsey Leather, the care home’s Activities Coordinator. “The idea for the 1950s extravaganza came from one of our regular reminiscing sessions. The residents adore all genres of music, but the rock n’ roll songs of the 50s are a firm favourite, so they decided that was the theme of the event they wanted to go with.” “To get the party started, the residents and care team pulled out all the stops and dressed in their 1950s best,” added Jaz McDade, New Copford Place’s Deputy Manager. “There were plenty of full, petticoated Poodle skirts, head scarves and smart, sharp suits. Everyone made a fantastic effort and looked so great, they would have easily fitted into a 1950s drive in or a classic American Soda Shop. New Copford Place’s beautiful gardens were transformed into a 50s pleasure park, with a host of garden games for guests to enjoy. “There was a Tombola with lots of prizes which visitors and residents had fun winning, a paddling pool with traditional hook rods for ‘Hook A Duck’, games of Giant Jenga and Quoits and the classic summer attraction ‘Splat the Manager’,” continued Jaz. Everyone at the care home’s 120th Anniversary spectacular enjoyed a delicious 1950s themed BBQ, refreshments, tasty deserts – including the summer staple of Strawberries and Cream – and cooling ice creams from the Whip It Like Webber ice cream van. “We had the brilliant Natalie Edgoose and Les Simmons, who are better known as Cornflower Acoustic, performing a great selection of 1950s hits and chart toppers,” added Chelsey. “Cornflower Acoustic got everyone up and dancing to well-known and much loved 50s songs including Jailhouse Rock, Rock Around The Clock, Tutti Frutti and Rock-In Robin to name but a few.” “We all had a wonderful time celebrating Friends of the Elderly’s 120th Anniversary and seeing old friends and welcoming new friends to New Copford Place. It really was a perfect day and a great chance for everyone at the care home to spend a lovely day together with their families, friends and members and our local community,” concluded Daniel. www.fote.org.uk
Hartford Care acquires five homes from The Graham Care Group
Foundation Partners and Deer Capital have acquired five fully operational homes across Kent from The Graham Care Group, in a move which takes their total investment to over £300m in the last 12 months under the Hartford Care brand. The sale reinforces Hartford Care’s ambitious expansion strategy and adds a further 513 bedrooms to its growing portfolio which now comprises 29 homes in the UK (over 1,800 bedrooms). The purpose-built homes acquired are Cornford House and Hazeldene House in Pembury, Woodchurch House in Ashford, Hawkinge House on the outskirts of Folkestone and Hawkhurst House in Hawkhurst. The homes have a current occupancy in excess of 95%, reflecting the high quality of the service and environment on offer to residents; the experienced and valued staff in every home will be retained. All the homes offer studio and one-bedroom suites, which include a kitchenette, living and dining area. These provide a home for life for residents with nursing needs, while Hawkinge House and Hawkhurst House include a Proactive Assessment Unit, offering hospital discharge patients access to primary assessment and treatment capabilities. Hawkinge House also offers an innovative short-term unit, for those requiring rehabilitation before returning home. Ben Puddle, Managing Partner, Foundation Partners, said: “We are very pleased with this acquisition, which broadens the scope of our services to include complex care alongside our established provision of residential, nursing and dementia care. This milestone brings us one step closer to realising our ambition of delivering a truly national, fully integrated, full-service care offering across the UK. Together with our partners at Deer Capital, we have a strong pipeline of near-term acquisitions that we hope to announce in the coming weeks that will further expand our capabilities and enhance the services and locations we provide to the communities we serve.” Kevin Shaw, Chief Executive of Hartford Care, comments: “The acquisition of these homes from The Graham Care Group represents another exciting milestone in our growth plan and marks our geographical expansion into Kent for the first time. It enables us to offer our expert care and ‘home from home’ environment to even more residents in new communities. We’re proud to carry on the legacy of Graham Care Group’s expertise and are working closely with the team to ensure a smooth transition as we bring the homes into the Hartford Care family.” Ernie Graham, Founder and Owner, The Graham Care Group, comments: “Hartford’s philosophy of care for the entire local community in which each home is based aligns closely with our own. This ethos is evident across their homes and in the expert support and care their residents receive. We’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with the Hartford Care team during the acquisition period and wholly supporting our staff, residents and families through a seamless handover while we continue to operate in other areas of the South East running our existing homes and developing new ones.” Hartford Care’s Central Support Team is based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Established in 2003, its current care homes are in Bristol, Berkshire (Burnham and Maidenhead), Devon (Sidmouth), Dorset (Poole), Hampshire (Aldershot, Barton-on-Sea, Four Marks, Hythe, Portsmouth, Winchester and Woodlands), Isle of Wight (Bembridge, Ryde and Shanklin), Oxfordshire (Witney) and Wiltshire (Downton and Swindon). Two new homes in Alton and Southampton recently opened their doors to new residents, with two more homes under construction. www.hartfordcare.co.uk
Arnold care home marks VJ Day 80th anniversary
The recent VJ Day celebration event is part of Coppice Lodge’s ongoing commitment to promoting wellbeing and happiness among its residents through engaging activities that celebrate life’s joyful moments. HC-One, which delivers all-inclusive, person-centred care at Coppice Lodge Care Home with no hidden fees, ensures residents can live their best lives in a relaxing and supportive environment. Residents at HC-One’s Coppice Lodge Care Home in Arnold, Nottingham, brought history to life on Friday, August 15, with a heartfelt celebration to honour Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), commemorating the end of World War II in true style. VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) in 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender during World War II. It is observed on August 15, 2025, in the UK and Commonwealth, while in the United States, it is celebrated on September 2, 2025. This day is significant as it commemorates the end of the war in the Pacific and is marked by various events and activities to honour the WWII generation. Coppice Lodge residents, along with their families and friends, were treated to an unforgettable afternoon filled with music, nostalgia, and community spirit. The event featured a captivating performance by the talented Amy Evans, who delighted guests with classic wartime hits that echoed the spirit of the era. The atmosphere was alive with smiles, laughter, and plenty of toe-tapping as everyone savoured delicious refreshments and nibbles. The celebration provided a meaningful tribute to a remarkable generation who lived through extraordinary times. Ken Buxton, HC-One’s Coppice Lodge Care Home Manager, stated: “It was a beautiful way to reflect on such an important moment in history. Events like this give our residents the chance to share memories, feel connected, and simply enjoy life surrounded by loved ones.” Resident Doreen said: “The event was brilliant – they had lovely cakes and white wine spritzers for us to enjoy, and they all wore hats. The singer Ami was very clear, and she could hear everyone word that she sang.” The recent VJ Day celebration event is part of Coppice Lodge’s ongoing commitment to promoting wellbeing and happiness among its residents through engaging activities that celebrate life’s joyful moments. HC-One, which delivers all-inclusive, person-centred care at Coppice Lodge Care Home with no hidden fees, ensures residents can live their best lives in a relaxing and supportive environment. The home’s vibrant activities programme – from historical talks and reminiscence sessions to themed tea parties and patriotic sing-alongs – brings residents together for memorable and joyful experiences. For more information about the All-Inclusive campaign at Coppice Lodge Care Home and upcoming events, please contact the friendly team on 0115 920 5906, email coppice.lodge@hc-one.co.uk or visit Coppice Lodge – Care Home in Arnold, Nottinghamshire | HC One
Friends of the Elderly new Chief Executive
Friends of the Elderly is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Hill as its new Chief Executive; Rachel joins the charity from The Whiteley Homes Trust where she has served as CEO since 2020. Rachel brings a wealth of experience in health and social care, having held senior roles across both the NHS and the voluntary sector. Prior to joining The Whiteley Homes Trust, she was Head of Nursing at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and also held leadership positions at Woking and Sam Beare Hospices. Rachel takes the helm at an exciting time for Friends of the Elderly, as the charity celebrates its 120th anniversary and marks the opening of a brand-new care home in Reading, Berkshire. With a proud history of providing care, support, and a grants programme for older people living in financial hardship, the charity is focused on the future, expanding its reach and adapting its services to meet growing demand. Commenting on her new role, Rachel said: “It is a real privilege to be joining Friends of the Elderly at such a significant point in its history. The charity’s long-standing commitment to older people is something that is close to my heart, and it is a real honour to now be part of that story. I’m looking forward to working with the team, volunteers and partners to build on Friends of the Elderly’s legacy and ensure we continue to make a real difference in the years ahead. Chair of Trustees, Chris Maidment, said: “Rachel is an inspiring leader with the values, vision and experience to take Friends of the Elderly forward. Her understanding of the care landscape and her focus on dignity, choice and community make her ideally placed to lead the charity as we open a new care home and mark 120 years of supporting older people.” Rachel officially took up the role on 4th August 2025. www.fote.org.uk
1970s Summer Party
Charity’s Day Care Service Hosts A 1970s Summer Party To Celebrate Its 120th Anniversary To celebrate Friends of the Elderly’s 120th Anniversary, the care team and clients at the charity’s Wallington Day Care Service — which supports people living with dementia and other age-related conditions — are throwing a free, 1970s-themed Summer Party for the local community, complete with an afternoon of disco dancing. “On Friday 15th August from 12:30 p.m., the day care centre will be reliving the glam rock and disco days of the 70s,” said Nicola Davies, the Day Care Manager at the Wallington service. “The clients thoroughly enjoy all our community events and love all genres of music, so we thought they would really enjoy a 70s Summer Party to celebrate Friends of the Elderly’s landmark 120th Anniversary.” The clients, their relatives, friends and local community will be able to enjoy a free delicious picnic and tasty refreshments, whilst ‘getting down’ to 70s songs and tunes thanks to DJ Jimmy who will be spinning the decs and getting the party going. “Alongside the entertainment and scrumptious picnic, we will also be holding a Best 1970s Costume or Outfit competition,” continued Nicola. “We got lots of prizes to give out, and the clients are already in full swing deciding on what they will wear. “There have been lots of chats about the decade since we decided on the 1970s theme. The clients never cease to amaze me; their recollections are amazing. “We’ve talked about the 1976 heatwave, the iconic bicycle of the time, The Raleigh Chopper MK1 and even their favourite 70s television programmes such as Fawlty Towers, The Good Life, Are You Being Served and Porridge. “One client told me that in 1971, British currency changed to the decimalised system we know today and another said they remembered celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee with a street party. It just goes to show that the 1970s were more than just disco music and questionable fashion choices.” “Everyone at Wallington Day Care is super excited for the Community 1970s Summer Party and to be opening the doors of the day care centre and welcoming the clients, their families, loved ones, friends and our local community to join us at what we hope will be fun, funky and seventies-tastic event to celebrate Friends of the Elderly’s 120th anniversary,” concluded Shirley Bradley, the Charity’s Head of Day Care Services. For catering purposes, please RSVP by emailing: DCWallington@fote.org.uk Or by calling 020 8669 7398. www.fote.org.uk
Joint Golden Anniversary
Charity’s Health Care Assistants at Perrins House Reach Their Joint Golden Anniversary At Friends of the Elderly’s Malvern-based Davenham, Perrins House and Bradbury Court, the residential, nursing and dementia care homes which are collectively known as Friends of the Elderly Malvern, run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, two Health Care Assistants – Anita Kendrick and Sue Stocker – have been celebrating and reminiscing about their working careers at Perrins House. Anita and Sue have both worked for Friends of the Elderly at Perrins House for 25 years. “Sue and I have worked together and at the Charity for many years,” said Anita. “If you add our years of service together, we’re celebrating our Golden Anniversary this year, which is quite an achievement.” Anita has worked in the Care Sector for 37 years, after being part of the Youth Training Scheme, a former UK Government program which provided vocational training for young people. “I’d always wanted to work in care as it has always been important to me to support others to help them live a more fulfilled life. It’s such a worthwhile and rewarding role,” added Anita. “I wanted to be a Nurse when I was at school, but became a Hairdresser instead,” continued Sue. “Years later, I took a job working in healthcare, as I still had an inbuilt desire to help and look after others.” Although they did not know each other at the time, Sue and Anita both attended The Chase High School in Malvern. “I really enjoyed Science,” said Anita. “I liked practical subjects but hated sport lessons. I joined in the Staff Sports Day recently, which was great fun, but luckily with my sporting prowess, I don’t mind coming last.” As Health Care Assistants, both Sue and Anita play an important role in the daily lives of the residents, providing support, encouragement and high quality, bespoke care. “Both Anita and Sue are totally devoted to the residents,” said Jo Bennett, the General Manager at Friends of the Elderly Malvern. “Their duties encompass a wide range of tasks including assisting with personal care and daily living activities to observing and monitoring the residents’ health. They are both wonderful listeners and are always on hand to spend time with the residents, chatting, reminiscing and, when needed, providing emotional support.” “The best thing about what I do every day is caring for the residents,” continued Sue. “Making the sure the residents are happy and comfortable is everything. I love coming to work, and being with the residents is like having a wonderful, caring and extended family. No two days are the same, but each day is so fulfilling as I know, no matter how small, I have made a positive impact on the residents’ days.” “There is always something to do, and like Sue said, every day is different,” added Anita. “Over the years, I have grown and nurtured great bonds with the residents and making sure that all their individual needs are met, every day, gives me a wonderful sense of purpose. “We do have a lot of laughs and there are plenty of funny stories too. A while ago, I was playing a word game with the residents, and the question was ‘What H can you put in your handbag?’ and one resident shouted out ‘Your Husband’. It had everyone in fits of giggles; the residents can be so hilarious and cheeky. “Once a resident asked me to pass him a glass of juice, which of course I did. He then thought it would be a rib-tickling joke to pour the glass of juice over my colleague’s head whilst she was doing up her shoe, which he did. It was a naughty prank, but everyone laughed, even my juice covered colleague.” …3 “The other day, the residents asked me a really interesting question,” continued Sue. “If I was the Eight Dwarf, what would my name be. It stumped me for a bit, but as Happy is already taken, I think I’d have to be Smiley, as I hope I make the residents smile and keep them happy, healthy and motivated.” “The residents asked me which three people – apart from my family – would I invite round to mine for dinner,” added Anita. “That was easy – first, Claudia Winkleman as I think she’d be so funny and easy to talk to. Second would be Mary Berry as I’d hope she’d help me with the cooking and last, but by no means least in third place would be Jason Statham – as if all else fails, he’s so handsome to look at, and would have lots of Hollywood stories to tell. My choices got the thumbs up from the residents as well.” The residents, their care and well-being are at the heart of Anita and Sue’s day – every da. “If Anita and I are ever asked why we do what we do? It’s our three, simple little words reply – Because We Care,” concluded Sue. www.fote.org.uk
Future-proof workforce as visa changes
Browne Jacobson report sets out how care sector can future-proof workforce as visa changes restrict overseas recruitment Innovating working patterns, supporting career progression and improving visibility among young people are key ingredients in making care jobs more appealing, according to a new Browne Jacobson report published a year on from a landmark workforce strategy. These are some of the recommendations set out by the UK and Ireland law firm in its white paper, titled Workforce strategies for care providers. It builds on the first-ever Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England by Skills for Care, which was published in July 2024, by advising on how care providers can develop their own talent pipelines across three broad themes – train, attract and retain, and transform. Insights were collected from a roundtable held by Browne Jacobson’s employment and HR services team as part of its “Future of Care” series. It brought together leaders from independent residential care homes, domiciliary care providers, sector-aligned advisers and charities, and the NHS. Laura Chinyere-Ezeh, HR Consultant who leads Browne Jacobson’s HR services team for the health and social care sector, said: “Skills for Care’s Workforce Strategy aims to ensure we have enough of the right people with the right skills to provide the best possible care and support for the people who draw on it. “While this sets out policy recommendations at a macro level, it’s vital that care providers are developing their own workforce strategies to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality care over the coming decades. “This requirement has been reinforced by the government’s immigration white paper, which restricts care worker visas for overseas workers, who represent a significant proportion of the health and care workforce. “Therefore, the care sector must work towards ensuring it has access to the people and skills needed to make it fit for the future. “Despite the absence of formal government adoption and direct financial enhancements such as increased pay or investment, care providers have the opportunity as private businesses to innovate, adopt the recommendations in this report and future-proof their provision with a workforce strategy to meet an increasing demand for their services.” A wide range of challenges were brought to light during the roundtable and reflected in the report. A key issue is in attracting and retaining young people, with King’s Fund research showing only 8% of the social care workforce comprises 18 to 24-year-olds. Barriers include a perception that parents aren’t supportive of young people’s desire to join the care sector and a communications gap about what the job entails. Related to this are challenges around flexible working and career development opportunities, which could be tackled by collaboration between the health and social care sectors to foster mutual respect and equitable treatment of employees. The Workforce strategies for care providers recommendations can be broadly summarised, under the headings of the Workforce Strategy, as: Participants in the roundtable included Karolina Gerlich, of the Care Workers Charity; Rebecca Smith, of NHS Employers; Rick Canavan, of BA Healthcare; Shirley Hall, of Royal Star & Garter; Susanne Chatterley, of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust; and Vishal Shah, of Banyan Care. To read the full Workforce strategies for care providers report, click here.
Care for Veterans café welcomes residents and their families
An in-house café which was previously popular with residents at Care for Veterans has reopened. The Worthing Home relaunched the café, named Cuppa Corner, on Tuesday 1 July, after home care provider Caremark offered to help run it. The café encourages veterans and their visitors to socialise in a communal area and enjoy hot and cold drinks and snacks. It had previously closed in 2018, but is now being run by volunteers from Caremark’s Worthing & Adur branch on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Staff from the domiciliary care provider already come into the Home regularly to help with activities in the Wellbeing Hub. Care for Veterans provides long-term nursing, rehabilitation, respite and end-of-life care to veterans and their families who live with disabilities, including acquired brain injury and degenerative neurological conditions. It is now part of the Royal Star & Garter group, following a recent merger. Among those using Cuppa Corner was resident John. He said: “I’m happy it is open again. It means we can mix with other people and have our family come in.” Monica is also a resident at Care for Veterans, and enjoyed tea and carrot cake with her visiting sister. She said: “I think the café will make us all more sociable.” Caremark named Care for Veterans as its charity of the year in April. Nicky Newham is the Registered Care Manager at the Worthing & Adur branch, and said: “It’s a privilege to come to the Home and help run its café and host activities. Care for Veterans embodies the values we cherish at Caremark Worthing & Adur, including dignity, respect and the right to independence. We’re really excited to help out at the Home and actively participate in their initiatives, strengthening community ties while raising awareness for the vital services they provide.” Vicky Strange is Home Manager at Care for Veterans. She said: “It’s so lovely to see the café open as a focal point at the Home again. The residents love it and have said how happy they are to see it returning. We’re truly grateful to Caremark and their kind staff who are helping run it.” For more information on Care for Veterans, go to www.careforveterans.org.uk
