Care Roadshows are back in 2021 – register for your free ticket today!
Registration is now open for Care Roadshows 2021 and these fantastic one-day events are back with a triumph and ready to re-connect the care sector. This year, the Roadshows will be returning to Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Cardiff. As always, the events strive to help attendees deliver outstanding care by bringing them face-to-face with the leading innovation and inspiration in the sector. Attendees can prepare to meet a wealth of suppliers at each show, discovering the up-coming products in the market and benefitting from one-to-one guidance. Across the event floor, networking opportunities will be prime. Being the only regional care event of its kind in the UK, delegates can expect more high-quality networking than ever before. A previous visitor commented; “The Roadshow exceeded my expectations and the venue, seminar, exhibitors, food and information were very interesting and relevant. I have spoken to care providers who were unaware of the event, but perhaps they’re not on LinkedIn. Thanks for a great day!” – Jo Smith, A1 Training Services During the day, which runs from 9:30am – 3:00pm, free CPD seminars and interactive workshops will be ongoing. The exciting sessions welcome top speakers from the sector, who will be sharing their expertise and best practice. Historically, the seminars and workshops at Care Roadshows spark new and positive ways to deliver care, offer inspiration and a whole lot of fun! When asked about the day, a past visitor said; “Well organised, very friendly, excellent seminars.” – Anita Cobb, Service Manager, Disabilities Trust The event is free for all care professionals to attend, and the 2021 dates and locations are as follows: Care Roadshow Liverpool 13th July 2021 Aintree Racecourse Care Roadshow Glasgow 9th September 2021 Hampden Park Stadium Care Roadshow London 19th October 2021 Epsom Downs Racecourse Care Roadshow Cardiff 9th November 2021 Cardiff City Stadium To register for your free tickets today click here – https://careroadshows-2021.reg.buzz/care-and-nursing, or alternatively you can also call the team on 01425 838393.
Barchester Healthcare scoops best recruiter at the 2020 Laingbuisson Awards
The talented recruitment team at Barchester Healthcare has been named Best Recruiter at the 2020 LaingBuisson Awards. The awards celebrate businesses that set new standards within their industries and celebrate industry excellence across a range of categories. The 2020 award ceremony, usually held in London, was postponed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions and instead the winners were announced via a virtual awards ceremony held on 22 April 2021. The Recruiter Award recognises excellence in the recruitment of professionals in the healthcare and social care sectors. In their award summation, the LaingBuisson judges said: “Barchester Healthcare’s Recruitment Team is an industry leading exemplar showing how to bring it all in-house, with an innovative approach, making real achievements by matching people to culture and gaining outstanding commercial success.” Barchester Healthcare’s Recruitment Director, Tony Woollett, comments: ““This award is the culmination of our hard work over the last couple of years to make Barchester recruitment the best in the industry. Time and time again, as challenges have presented themselves, we have faced and overcome them and proven what a great team we have. I want to say thank you to the entire Recruitment Team for their continued hard work, dedication and support, this couldn’t have happened without everyone pulling together and always going that extra mile.”
Dedicated training helps care home get ship-shape
Surrey-based charity The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is reaping the rewards of its dedicated staff training programme, delivering career opportunities for team members and improving facilities for residents and tenants. The Society, which cares for 68 residents and up to 28 tenants at its 14-acre Weston Acres estate in Banstead, invests heavily in training to deliver long-term career opportunities for its team, with many choosing to dedicate years of their careers to the charity. This includes an in-house trainer and upskilling across the Society’s teams, which has been key in supporting the development of team members and delivering efficiencies for the charity. This focus on upskilling has allowed the Royal Alfred’s teams to learn a range of new skills, removing any additional costs of hiring sub-contractors and reducing waiting times. The Society’s dedicated maintenance team now complete 95% of all jobs on-site and have been key in supporting the charity’s ambitions to reduce the home’s reliance on fossil fuels. One member of the maintenance team identified the opportunity to renovate a number of flats in the Society’s sheltered housing unit to deliver value for tenants and ensure ongoing modernisation. The project included all electrical work, tiling and redecorating, without the need for external contractors. Another member of the team joined the Society as a general assistant on the housekeeping team before showing an interest in joining the maintenance team; with support from the Society, he was able to complete an electrical course and has since helped complete renovation projects for the home, delivering huge cost efficiencies. The Society installed solar panels which have cut electricity bills by around 15% and introduced a sustainable pellet-fired biomass boiler which has reduced gas usage by around 20%. Their latest environmental initiative was sinking a 135m borehole to supply fresh water to the home which, now up and running, will save the home £8,000 a year, allowing for even more investment in facilities for residents. Maintenance Technician Nick Potroanchenu joined the Royal Alfred in 2012 after carrying out work at the home as a building contractor. Nick said: “I have always liked a challenge and working at the Society has allowed me to build on my skill set to learn new things that can make a real difference for residents and tenants day-to-day. I’ve done everything from carpeting to tiling, carrying out complete refurbishments and renovation projects within the home, and am always supported by the Society to further my knowledge through training, qualifications or just getting stuck into something new!”Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, Chief Executive of the Society, said: “Our commitment to training and development fosters a culture that keeps talented, caring individuals with the Society long-term, which contributes to the comforting environment we’ve created for residents and tenants and helps us save money on everything from recruitment to maintenance. “As a charity, we have to manage the challenge of keeping costs down where possible while delivering an outstanding level of care to all our residents and continually innovating and improving our facilities. The work the Estate management team have carried out shows the benefit of internal training and support provided to our colleagues. “Our Estates staff are one of the main cogs that keeps the Society moving. From groundkeepers to maintenance staff, the team are in-charge of the day-to-day running and upkeep of both Belvedere House Nursing Care Home and Weston Acres House for independently living tenants. As well as improving the standard of living for our current residents and tenants, the maintenance team are also working towards a lasting legacy for the Society.” To find out more about the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society please visit the website: www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk. To keep up to date with the latest news from the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society you can follow and like the official Society Twitter (@RAseafarers) and Facebook pages.
Stepping into spring: seasonal activities at CHS Group services
As the days get longer and brighter, CHS Group has been celebrating the new season with a range of activities across its nurseries, care homes and community support services – from hatching chicken eggs to creating bird feeders and enjoying a sing and dance in the garden. Sunflower Nurseries – Cambridge & CambourneChildren at CHS Group’s Sunflower Nursery in Cambourne have been exploring nature and looking out for different animals, including ducks at the local lake and rabbits in the surrounding woodland. At the Cambridge nursery, staff members have recently reintroduced the ‘Living Eggs’ experience for the children, a two-week educational programme that provides nurseries with everything they need to hatch chicks. Over the past few weeks, children have been waiting patiently for the eggs to hatch and now have an unmissable opportunity to look after the baby chicks for two weeks at the nursery, gaining a better understanding of the life cycle of a chicken. CHS Group’s Cambridge Care homesElderly residents at CHS Group’s Langdon House care home made the most of the milder weather recently and experienced some garden entertainment – including a sing and dance – with The Entertainment Providers’ Rock Around the Clock show. Residents at Langdon House and Alex Wood House have been keeping busy with lots of cooking, painting and gardening activities, and, as more springtime birds come out to sing, they have also been handmaking bird feeders which will hang outside the lounge window, making an attractive bird watching spot. At both Langdon House and Alex Wood House care homes, residents have enjoyed the easing of restrictions around visitors and being reunited with family members. Russell Street serviceDuring the inaugural National Day of Reflection, which recognised a year since the first UK lockdown, residents and staff at CHS Group’s Russell Street service put together and buried a time capsule to mark both their individual and shared experiences over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Russell Street offers accommodation and support for single adults (18-64) who have a learning disability, are on the autistic spectrum, or have acquired brain injuries. Railway House serviceRailway House offers accommodation and support for young people aged 16-25 who would otherwise be homeless. To ensure residents did not miss out on Easter celebrations, supporters donated £176 to ensure every young person received an Easter egg and they were even treated to a lockdown takeaway too. Nigel Howlett, Chief Executive, CHS Group, comments: “As the seasons change, the days get warmer and England moves out of the latest COVID-19 lockdown, there is much cause for celebration. We love hearing about all of our nursery children’s explorations with nature – there is so much curiosity about animals and the way the world works. It is also truly wonderful to see the residents at our care homes finally able to see two visitors, however, we recognise the need for ongoing cautiousness over the coming months and we will be putting on lots of garden and socially distanced activities while certain lockdown measures remain in place. “I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our staff members across the CHS Group services who always go the extra mile to offer such creative, brilliant activities to our residents, nursery children and service users – no matter what challenges they face.”
How one care home manager has brought joy to elderly residents during lockdown
A care home manager who has dedicated more than half her life to social care, has been named a Healthcare Hero in a nationwide search celebrating key workers. Danielle Bullent from Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth has been awarded the accolade in Quinyx’s inaugural Workforce Heroes Awards. She was nominated by her colleagues from Laurel Lodge residential home in Norwich and her former manager from Park House in Great Yarmouth. Danielle was involved in organising a surprise anniversary celebration for Derek and Phyllis Mapes. The couple, both aged 90, were unable to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary as they had been apart for eight months because of lockdown. After Derek joined Phyllis at Laurel Lodge in the autumn, Danielle and the team organised a special meal with entertainment, to commemorate the occasion. The 35-year-old mum-of-two began working in the care industry as a care assistant, aged just 17. Steadily progressing up the career ladder, in October 2019 she accepted the role of manager with the Black Swan Care Group home, after completing an NVQ in Leadership and Management. After only 12 weeks in the new position, the coronavirus pandemic hit. Danielle recalls how the past year has been challenging but how she is extremely proud of keeping the care home COVID-free, while prioritising residents’ mental health and wellbeing and maintaining a positive environment for all. Describing work as “her passion”, she explains: “I was new to the role and there were many different protocols and procedures to implement around infection control, PPE and safeguarding residents because of the virus outbreak – so it was a lot to get my head around at the start! “There were some real lows – residents missed their families, and the team was faced with significant additional pressure. But looking back they did, and are still doing, a tremendous job. I couldn’t be prouder.” To keep spirits high amongst her workforce of 39, Danielle introduced regular group chats for her team on WhatsApp so everyone could air their thoughts and feelings, while being commended on their achievements. The team could also take advantage of pizza treats and sweet baskets, for when they worked late or needed a little pick-me-up. The addition of a ‘You Matter’ display, which featured helpful local information and support services and a breakdown of the ‘who’s who’ of the head office team, proved particularly popular with Danielle’s colleagues. Making this difficult time a little easier to bear for the 30 residents and their families, Danielle organised daily Zoom chats between loved ones and ensured the weekly schedule of activities included something for everyone, from cooking or dancing to a music session. A former majorette, she put on a baton twirl show for residents and hand-delivered them all biscuits and a rose on Valentine’s Day. Danielle’s idea of a wishing tree, for the community to share their hopes and aspirations, resulted in one palliative care resident getting a signed Wolves shirt that he had always longed for and signed autographs from his favourite players. And at the end of last year, memory books were created for the families of those who had sadly passed away. The keepsakes featured images of the resident along with messages and memories from the care home team. Although this past year has been mentally and physically tough for Danielle and has meant her willingly clocking up 60+ hour weeks, she has focused on keeping herself and her family, sons Jay (17) and Harry (11) plus husband Remi, healthy. Losing a stone since November, after she took up running to help manage her stress levels, Danielle concludes: “When I started the new manager job the weight crept on as I was grabbing convenient foods and snacks when I could. I started to feel sluggish and it was making me feel a bit low, so I began making healthy food with the family and now run about five miles, three times a week. I feel great for it.” Daniel Holmberg, Country Manager for workforce management solution Quinyx UK was one of the judges for the Workforce Heroes Awards. He adds: “We had some really strong entries for the accolade of Healthcare Hero – it is so hard to pick just one winner when there’s so many fantastic examples of people going over and above at work. “What really stood out from Danielle’s entry was that she’d been nominated several times by her team and she is so passionate about making sure everyone is happy and healthy – both physically and mentally. She faced the pandemic head on – leading by example, making her a very deserved winner.” Celebrating the hard work and dedication of frontline workers who really excelled in 2020, Quinyx launched the Workforce Heroes UK search in early 2021 to find the Retail, Healthcare and Logistics Heroes.
Care Roadshows When & where!
• Birmingham: 8th June 2021, Villa Park Stadium • Liverpool: 13th July 2021, Aintree Racecourse • Glasgow: 9th September 2021, Hampden Park Stadium • London: 19th October 2021, Epsom Downs Racecourse • Cardiff: 9th November 2021, Cardiff City Stadium Care Roadshows are an exciting series of free regional care events throughout the UK thatconnect both the Home Care and Care Home sectors. These one day events showcase high quality products and services, leading suppliers and expert care speakers. The events have been taking place across the UK since 2011 and have built a strong reputation among the care sector. This year, the Roadshows will be returning to Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Cardiff (dates above). As always, the events strive to help attendees deliver outstanding care by bringing them face-to-face with the leading innovation and inspiration in the sector. Get ready to network with like-minded care professionals and take part in free seminars and workshops. Being the only regional care event of its kind in the UK, you can expect more high-quality networking than ever before. You can find out more about how to book your ticket, the programme, plus information oneach of the venue’s health and safety guidelines here – https://careroadshows-2021.reg.buzz/care-and-nursing
NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service support Sue Ryder in light of the coronavirus pandemic
Sue Ryder is amongst the first healthcare providers in England to use the recently launched NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service to meet the new official cleaning standard. The NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service has completed bespoke training for Sue Ryder cleaning staff and follow-up audits of its premises. The charity, which runs hospices and specialist neurological care centres across the country brought in the NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service in order to ensure that staff, patients and visitors feel reassured with the extra layer of cleaning protocols in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service trained the hospice and neurological care centre staff in ‘Cleaning the NHS Way’, the first ever programme for domestic cleaning to be accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health. The training programme is delivered by NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service founders, NTH Solutions, an NHS wholly-owned facilities management company and subsidiary of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. NTH Solutions worked in partnership with their infrastructure delivery partner Tutum Health to provide the service to Sue Ryder. On top of training, each hospice and neurological care centre was audited by the NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service, and offered additional guidance and assurance on cleaning protocols, as well as certification for all cleaning staff in attendance. Ian Peri, Head of Health, Safety, Estates and Environment, who managed the roll out of the service across Sue Ryder, said: “The service we have received from NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service has been exceptional. “Receiving accredited training and on site support for our staff from the NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service has gone a long way in ensuring that sense of security for both our staff and our patients.”Mike Worden, Managing Director of the NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service, said: “When our Service was developed a year ago, our aim was to bring confidence to our community colleagues, so that they could feel safer in their environments. We started very locally, just education trusts and local businesses, to help people deal with the pandemic. Cleaning is such a fundamental step in protecting ourselves against diseases and we had a lot of knowledge at our disposal to help the people around us. We also wanted to take off pressure from our local hospital in Stockton as it managed a growing number of Covid patients. We then began to expand our service and provide support on a wider geographic scale, and a year later, it’s incredible that we’re helping to protect communities and vulnerable people all over the country. “Partnerships such as this one with Sue Ryder provide the public with all of the experience and expertise in the NHS standard of cleanliness, as well as the reassurance we were giving to the doctors and patients at the height of the first wave in our hospital that it was a covid safe environment. Improving our public cleaning is key not only for coming out of the pandemic, but for reducing the risk of another pandemic in the future.”
Redcot care home committed to supporting people with dementia
Friends of the Elderly’s Dementia Champion Dedicated To Caring At Friends of the Elderly’s Redcot Care Home in Haslemere, Surrey which specialises in residential care, its dedicated Dementia Champion is devoted to providing bespoke and person-focused care for its residents living with dementia. Lana Boneva, the Dementia Champion at Redcot, is exceptionally passionate about her work and is keen to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds the condition. Through her daily activities, Lana ensures each and every one of the residents she cares for receives the highest standard of care, support and social interactions by taking the time to understand the individual needs of each person. Commenting on her role as Redcot’s Dementia Champion, Lana said: “The word ‘dementia’ is a daunting one. To be faced with the loss of your memory, thinking ability, your language and problem-solving skills is an awful thing to go though as your daily life will never be the same. “I’ve worked for Friends of the Elderly at Redcot for two years and what motivates me is knowing that even the smallest things I can do, make a real difference in providing person-centred care. No day is the same – one day I could be supporting people with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, having a meal or reading the newspaper and another I could be keeping them company to ensure they are enjoying an activity and are safe in what they are doing. I try to introduce familiar, comforting routines as these can help and benefit those people living with dementia, but every day is different as it depends on what our residents want to do and when they want to do it. “I work closely with our care home’s Activities Co-ordinators to put together a wide range of activities that engage, entertain and stimulate our residents. To make sure our residents like and participate in the activities, I find out their preferences, likes and dislikes as it’s the small details that count, no matter how silly they may seem. This way, I can ensure they have activities tailored to what they want to do.”Jan Daly, the Manager at Redcot added: “Everyone at both Redcot and Friends of the Elderly believe in seeing the person first and not their diagnosis. Lana is extremely enthusiastic about her work, the residents and ensuring she delivers the highest standard of care and support to everyone she looks after. Lana is totally focused on what our residents can do, rather than what they can no longer do.” In closing, Lana added: “My role as a Dementia Champion and working with people living with dementia is not just by job, it’s my calling. Being a Dementia Champion is rewarding in so many ways. I meet really interesting people with different stories to tell and through them, I learn something new every day. I get a real sense of achievement when they are happy and smiling. It makes my day – every day.”
Dementia UK annual fundraiser
The tables for Dementia UK’s annual cake and tea event have been completely reset; backyard brews, driveway cake sales, and takeaway cuppa and slice deliveries are some of the ideas families, businesses and communities up and down the country have to raise funds and awareness of Dementia UK’s dementia specialist nurses, whilst keeping safe during the pandemic. Dementia UK is the only charity dedicated to supporting the whole family through dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. The event takes place 1st-8th May. When things get challenging or difficult for people with dementia and their families, Admiral Nurses work alongside them; giving compassionate one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions which can be hard to find elsewhere. They are continually trained, developed and supported by Dementia UK. The charity’s annual fundraising event has raised over £1 million since its launch, with the support of fundraisers, Dementia UK staff and celebrities. One of the highlights from last year’s event included celebrity supporters dressing up as much-loved characters to recreate tea party scenes from the world of film; Phyllis Logan was Mary Poppins, music producer Naughty Boy was Jay Gatsby, Emma Barton was Holly Golightly, and Jess and Natalya Wright were Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts. Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, says: “Families with dementia have been adversely affected by lockdown for just over a year now. Care home visiting restrictions, the closure of support and respite services, and the resulting social isolation and loneliness, has disproportionately affected people living with dementia and their family carers. “Whilst Time for a Cuppa will be slightly different this year, we know that dementia support is needed more than ever. We are so grateful to all of our fundraisers who will be whipping up treats, enthusiasm, funds, and who are giving their time for others – in a socially distanced way, of course – in what will be a very special and important Time for a Cuppa.” Karen Houghton, whose mum Christine lives with dementia, is only too aware of the toll that the pandemic has had on people with the condition. With the support of her Admiral Nurse, Marie, the family has felt less alone: “Marie is so personable and has developed a great relationship with my dad, who had been struggling to cope with all the support services closing down. “We needed to move mum into residential care, but this was hard to do in the middle of the pandemic as we couldn’t really get a feel for the homes. Marie picked up the phone and knew exactly what questions to ask the care homes so we could be confident that we were placing mum in the best place possible. Without her, we just would not have felt supported or valued as a family.” Dementia UK currently has 307 Admiral Nurses who have supported families throughout the pandemic across a range of care settings. The charity also has its Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, which is busier than ever before with responding to calls from families who have no one else to turn to. For more information about Time for a Cuppa and how to host your own tea party with our free fundraising pack, please visit: dementiauk.org/timeforacuppa You can also call 020 8036 5380 or email: timeforacuppa@dementiauk.org
