Bluebird Care Ranked 16th on Top 100!
Bluebird Care, the UK’s largest homecare provider, has ranked 16th on the prestigious Elite Franchise Top 100 for 2020. Elite Franchise is the definitive publication for the franchising sector, and each year, they produce a list of the top 100 UK franchises. The core criteria used to determine the rank of a franchise include; longevity, financial performance, network size, contribution to the industry and communities, support, innovation and future plans. Bluebird Care was established in 2006 and their network is comprised of over 200 franchises. Each region has its own dedicated Business Development Manager and Quality Manager, as well as the network’s Franchise Support Centre. The Staff Guide App, created by Bluebird Care, also acts as a manual for franchises, offering in-app training and guidance. Speaking about Bluebird Care, Penny and Nick from Bluebird Care Wellingborough said: “The network is like family, they mostly go on with their own lives, but are always there to support you when you need them.” Bluebird Care maintains quality assurance in their network using their training academy, which has its own prospectus and offers many City & Guilds certified training courses. This ranking follows the introduction of Bluebird Care Assist’s innovative Health and Wellbeing Check Service that was launched earlier this year. This technology is used to regularly monitor customer’s vital signs and it detects early stages of a decline in a person’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and can therefore be a beneficial tool for care given at home. Over the next five years, Bluebird hopes to further expand the size of their business, while maintaining a strict focus on the high quality of care they provide. Their expansion plans will soon be revealed, and Brand Manager, Charlotte McKenzie said “the plans will embrace the opportunities for developing specialisms in complex care support.”
Harrogate Neighbours cut fall assistance times thanks to emergency lifting chair
Harrogate Neighbours cut fall assistance times from 6 hours to 15 minutes thanks to emergency lifting chair. Harrogate-based Yorkshire Care Equipment have supplied local charity, Harrogate Neighbours, with a Raizer emergency lifting chair. The specialist lifting device is now regularly used by the team across their domiciliary care services and at The Cuttings, their extra care housing facility. Residents live independently in private apartments with a care team on-site 24/7 to provide assistance if needed. In the past, the care team had struggled to safely help residents back up quickly. They didn’t have the appropriate equipment to allow a carer to lift someone back to their feet on their own. So, they had to rely on waiting for ambulance call outs. The Homecare Manager at Harrogate Neighbours said: “On average, we deal with around one fall per month where the resident needs assistance. Before we got the Raizer, we were having to ring an ambulance every time. Sometimes, the person who had fallen would be laid on the floor for up to six hours waiting for the ambulance to get to us. Then they’d have to be hoisted up by the paramedics.” “But now, we are able to help someone straight away. The Raizer is pretty instant. We had one resident who fell at 12.10 and by 12.25 they were sat in the dining room having their dinner. Anyone can use it, it’s really simple. We include it in manual handling training for new staff and no one is scared to use it.” The Raizer emergency lifting chair is a unique fall assist product because it only needs one carer to operate it. This saves time and money for care staff both at The Cuttings and across wider healthcare services. Harrogate neighbours have been able to support the local community, as well as The Cuttings residents, using just one Raizer lifting device. This is because the chair splits down into 7 lightweight pieces for transportation. The domiciliary care team can pack everything up into the rucksack provided, put it in the back of the car and use it out in the community. Since receiving the Raizer, staff have used it more than eight times to help people up after a fall. Lynsey Robinson, Senior Team Lead at Harrogate Neighbours, described one of her experiences: “I used it in a carpark when someone had blown over in the wind. It was on concrete, so I was a bit worried, but it worked brilliantly. Everything was very relaxed and now everyone swears by it.” The Raizer has been designed to provide a stable lifting experience on a range of surfaces. It can lift people up to 150kg in weight and can provide up to 100 lifts on just one charge.
How To Help & Support Your Activity Coordinators
Calling All Care & Dementia Home Groups, Managers and Regional Support Teams: How To Help & Support Your Activity Coordinators by Gillian Hesketh of Happy Days Dementia Activities & Design Imagine your favourite hobby or pastime. Consider the equipment you need it. Gym kit? Running shoes? Music Scores? Football boots? Books? Gardening gloves, trowel, spade? Tool box? Canvas, Paintbrushes? Where do you store it all? On behalf of Activity Coordinators and Life Style Facilitators, I’d like to say to care home groups, managers and regional support teams simply this: ‘Please consider the provision of storage and preparation space for these enthusiastic and dedicated social care teams. During interior design visits to care and dementia homes, I have seen activity materials, games and jigsaws tumbling from bookcases, stacked high up, squashed into corners of tea rooms and stacked on the floor. Lack of space appears to be the culprit. During AC training sessions, participants almost always discuss the lack of storage and preparation space available. This seems to make planning ahead more difficult and stifles the AC. I’ve listened to stories of AC’s storing materials in the boots of their cars, spare bedrooms and kitchen worktops. Please, help activity coordinators by providing a space where they can organise and store materials on site; prepare activities, plan and create events for their residents. Maybe add a little extra time to their day for preparation of the varied programmes necessary to enrich social care for every resident including people who may be living with dementia. As we know, a good sense of wellbeing goes beyond a healthy diet and exercise, it includes intellectual and emotional good health, requires mental stimulation and a wide range of opportunities for social interaction. Some of us enjoy being part of a group; others prefer a less busy life-style and this is clearly reflected in a residential care setting. Some people may remain in their rooms through choice or immobility and the AC understands the need for provision of varying engagement models. The AC’s role is much more complex than often recognised, working on many levels; planning everyday activities, encouraging outdoor activity, organising entertainment and finding interesting visitors from pets to pat to school visits. AC’s are often responsible for encouraging other carers to be part of everyday activities, enlisting volunteers, creating seasonal events and fundraising. Imagine providing all these opportunities without a base, suitable storage, a workspace, desk or a quiet corner to plan the week’s activities, arrange events and update evidence based feedback for care home and CQC records. If you are reading this and can help, just ask your AC’s what they need to make their day more efficient. Activity Coordinators are passionate, enthusiastic people; their love of life often infectious as they help everyone enjoy everyday. So let’s keep this spirit and energy flowing by establishing a space or base for them to plan, create and grow social activity for wellbeing. It’s a win-win situation which just needs a little attention and perhaps a cupboard or two. Top Tip: Wheel Out Your Activities with a Happy Days Activity Trolley© Another way to help AC’s and care teams store materials and engage. Happy Days Activity Trolleys© are packed with reminiscence baskets or boxes, memorabilia and nostalgic games. Wheel the trolley into lounges, activity rooms or personal rooms. Change the themes daily or weekly. Store in a cupboard or leave at reception for relatives to share with their loved ones during visits. Shop online – Search ‘Activity Trolley’ at www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk Or click/copy to direct link here: https://www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk/? s=activity+trolley&post_type=product Email gillian@dementiaworkshop.co.uk for more information on themed rooms, activity and reminiscence materials, wall art, murals, games and more. We accept NHS purchase order numbers and care home accounts.
Run of positive CQC Inspection Outcomes continues for Runwood Homes
Following news shared earlier this month, Runwood Homes are delighted to continue their string of strong CQC inspection outcomes, with three more positive inspection reports and ratings published this November. Evelyn May House in Landon Hills, Essex, maintained the achievement of Good in all 5 key lines of enquiry (KLOE) in the CQC report, to be published imminently, having last been inspected in April 2017.The latest CQC rating for Longview care home on Canvey Island, Essex, was published on 6 November, seeing the home sustaining its favourable rating, achieving Good in all 5 KLOEs. The previous review was in February 2017. Furthermore, Runwood Homes’ Jubilee Court Care Home with Nursing in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, celebrated an improved rating in their CQC report, published on 13 November, achieving Good in Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led, and Outstanding in Responsive. Chief Operating Officer, Gavin O’Hare-Connolly, comments, ‘Runwood Homes are delighted that three more of our services have either maintained or improved their care standards, as evidenced in recent reports released by the CQC. By continuing to innovate, develop and learn as individuals, and as a large group of residential and nursing care homes, our ethos to provide good quality, personalised care to our residents is being demonstrated, company-wide. Our operational plans for the next 12 months, aims to further cement our success.’ Runwood Homes operates over 70 residential care homes across England and Northern Ireland, providing residential care, dementia care, nursing care, day care and respite for older people, including those living with dementia. Find out more about Runwood Homes here
Let’s do our bit to combat loneliness of older people this Christmas
According to Age UK, more than 3.8m people in England over the age of 75 live alone, with 40% saying that the television is their main source of company. Add to this figure the fact that 7% of older people are in contact with family, friends or neighbours less than once a week and it paints a bleak picture for older people over the forthcoming festive period. Hayden Knight, CEO at Orchard Care Homes, is taking a positive stance in the fight to combat loneliness at Christmas by encouraging care organisations to follow in his company’s footsteps and invite older people living on their own to join in the fun at one of the Orchard’s portfolio. “Christmas is a special time for families to come together and celebrate the festive period, gathering to enjoy a meal and spending quality time together. For those older people living on their own, it’s a difficult time of the year that promotes memories of past times when they too enjoyed the company of their families and friends.” “We are opening the doors to our homes across the North of England and inviting older people who face spending Christmas alone to join the Orchard family, its residents and staff at their local Orchard care home over the festive period. We will warmly welcome older people from the local community to join us for the day, lunch or dinner, and we will even arrange for their transport. We would urge other organisations to do the same and provide a homely place and enjoy the festivities as one big family.” Recent analysis (psychcentral.com) of lonely and non-lonely seniors found that lonely seniors suffered from various medical conditions at a higher rate such as hypertension (3.1%) diabetes (2.4%) and heart conditions (5.3%). Even more reasons to make every effort to keep in touch with loved ones, friends and neighbours who live on their own, including them in family events or just popping round for a cup of tea and a chat. Hayden continued, “At Orchard, we believe that every person is unique, and the care within our homes is tailored to their needs, wishes, life history and interests. We strive to work closely with residents’ family and friends to ensure continuity and a genuine connection between the past and the present. As specialists in the care of older people, we want to give our guests a taste of what it’s like to live at one of our care homes, to feel part of a family community and to enjoy some good food and company at a special time of the year.”
Borough Care Hosts Employee Achievement Awards
Borough Care, the largest not-for-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, recently held its Employee Achievement Awards 2019. The annual awards event celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of Borough Care employees. Borough Care staff were nominated for awards in nine categories. The ‘Team of the Year’ title was won by the Night Care team at Bamford Close in Cale Green. Great communication and an excellent working relationship with each other ensures the team works together to carry out their roles in a responsible and caring way. Shepley House in Hazel Grove was awarded ‘Care Home of the Year’. The number of compliments from residents’ families, along with colleagues, made Shepley House the stand out home. Everyone working at Shepley House shares the same goals in providing the highest standard of care to residents. The ‘Kindness in Care’ award was won by Lewis Pierreponte, a Night Care Assistant at Bruce Lodge in Offerton. Lewis takes time to give care and compassion and his natural interactions with residents enhances their day. The winner in the ‘Best Newcomer’ category also works at Bruce Lodge. Sophie Kenyon, a Peripatetic Night Care Assistant, is great to work with and willing to learn. Fantastic with residents, Sophie is thoughtful to their needs and always smiling. Amanda Millett, from Meadway Court in Bramhall, won the ‘Activity Lifestyle Facilitator Award’. Amanda is always considering how to improve daily life for residents by organising activities suitable for everyone. Selina Taylor, Care Home Business Manager at Bamford Close, took home the award for ‘Workforce Development’. The epitome of this award, Selina is constantly striving for herself and the people around her to be the best. Her natural positive energy encourages her staff to rise to their full potential. The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Social Care’ award was won by Barbara Whittey, Casual Senior Care Assistant at Bryn Haven in Brinnington. Barbara’s job is her life and she truly lives and breathes the values of Borough Care. Barbara is an asset to any home and always goes above and beyond in looking after residents. The ‘Most Innovative Team’ award was scooped by the Catering Senior Management team comprising of Mark Dale, Helen Murphy and Denise Lyons. The standard of catering has vastly improved through their leadership. They work closely with the catering teams, training, motivating and upskilling them to ensure food is at the heart of every home. The ‘Frontline Leaders Award’ was won by Karen Littler, Housekeeper Team Leader. Karen is a keen driver for excellence, both for herself and her team. Her attention to detail and expectations are well-known and respected. Karen’s team, along with the feeling of family and belonging she has created, is one of the most important things to her. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “Our annual employee achievement awards event is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and commitment of Borough Care staff and reward people for the incredible job they do caring for our residents. The awards recognise the vital contribution made by employees throughout Borough Care. At Borough Care, we are fortunate to have a great team of people who are dedicated to providing residents with the best possible care and support.”
Sanders Senior Living launched
Following 32 years of success in the residential care industry as the owner and CEO of Runwood Homes, Gordon Sanders and his family have ventured into the premium, private-pay market, under a new brand and company name, Sanders Senior Living; with an aim to be best in class in the luxury care home sector. With a strong background overseeing and implementing care home designs and builds, and with a renowned business success in providing quality care provisions, cemented throughout his professional years, Gordon Sanders’ ambitious vision to drive forward opportunities identified within the healthcare industry, has now become an exciting reality. The new premium care home group has captured the well-oiled care home model of Runwood Homes, and considerately elevated it to produce an impressive, high-end product, specifically classified for the self-funding care market. The Sanders Senior Living concept aims to provide the highest quality living environment for residents, using premium materials and the latest technology to evidence safe and compliant delivery of medication and personal care, and places the wellbeing of people who choose the service at the very centre of its function. The construction and commissioning teams have collaborated with high-end suppliers, who share the same first-class vision, and will be seeking feedback on how their new homes are operating on a frequent basis, to help achieve their luxe-service objective. Registered with the Care Quality Commission, Sanders Senior Living has just opened its first premium care home, Graysford Hall, in Stoneygate, Leicester, (October 2019), and is welcoming its first residents. Graysford Hall is designed to appeal to seniors, including those living with dementia, and with the capacity for up to 69 people, offers a vibrant community with a professional team of carers and wellbeing leaders. A second SSL home, Claridge Place, in Olton, Solihull, is nearing construction completion, with a plan to open at the end of the month (November 2019). Head of Commissioning and Premium Services, Peta Mandleberg, a Registered Nurse who has worked in the care sector for many years, is passionate about the ethos of the new group. “We aim to help our residents enjoy happy, fulfilled lives; enjoying long established hobbies, discovering new ones and being part of a vibrant community. Visitors are more than welcome to join us for a tour at either of our homes, and to get in touch with us to find out about our unique, all-inclusive living package and our attractive Ways Of Working ethos, which gives Sanders Senior Living homes the ‘wow’ factor, setting us apart from our competitors.” The state of the art, private care homes offer large suites for solos or couples, a bar, bistro, private dining, library, hairdressing salon, therapy room, cinema and a selection of lounges, all finished to an impeccable standard of furniture and unique décor. To find our more please visit www.sandersseniorliving.co.uk or email info@sandersseniorliving.co.uk
Mental health charity helps kickstart building conversion
A local mental health charity is starting preparatory work on a £400,000 building conversion project that is scheduled to begin in spring 2020. Service users from the woodwork department of Blyth Star Enterprises’ Woodfuel Centre have begun to craft and replace windows at the Old Chandlery, Blyth, in preparation for its upcoming transformation into eight spacious, supported living apartments. The Old Chandlery building was previously used as a base for Blyth Star to deliver its innovative range of day services, including cookery classes and art and craft workshops, prior to a recent move to the repurposed Steamboat building. The conversion into new apartments has now been made possible by generous donations from The Bradbury Foundation, The Edward Gostling Foundation, The Barbour Trust, William Leech Charity, The Hospital of God at Greatham and CRASH charity. The Woodfuel Centre’s manager, Neil Hedley, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our service users. They’re excited to implement the skills they’ve learnt as part of such an important project. “Our clients really enjoy getting involved with work that benefits the local community as well as their peers. The conversion project is highly anticipated and it’s great that we can be involved in the creation of the new supported living facilities. “We’re really pleased to play such a big part in the preparation work as the building means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing the finished transformation and will be on hand to assist throughout the project.” Mental health charity – the Woodfuel Centre is one of two small businesses operated by Blyth Star Enterprises which provides sheltered working environments for service users to learn essential skills and gain structured exposure to the local community. The Sleekburn-based centre produces sustainably-sourced, kiln-dried kindling and logs for wood-burning stoves as well as various made-to-order sculptures through its dedicated woodwork depot. While attending the Woodfuel Centre, service users can also complete an in-house vocational training programme which offers the opportunity to acquire higher level skills and qualifications. The course is tailored to fit an individual’s needs and progression is assessed and monitored through use of a personal care profile which tracks how users are developing throughout each module. Gordon Moore, chief executive at Blyth Star Enterprises, said: “Being able to convert one of our buildings into a supported living environment means so much to us and to the people involved. It’s great that the Woodfuel Centre can assist in the building’s conversion as service users have the chance to demonstrate the skills that they’ve acquired through attending the Centre. “It’s important that our service users are given these opportunities as it helps them continue to grow, build self-worth and confidence whilst interacting with the local community. “Blyth Star Enterprises is committed to providing high quality services across Northumberland and look to help as many people as we can. A project of this size involves partnerships with the local council as well as other grant funding charities so we’re extremely grateful to all who have made this project possible. We wouldn’t be able to complete such fantastic work without the generosity of others and we’re always open to new partnerships and support.” Blyth Star Enterprises is a not-for-profit charity providing living support services, training and sheltered employment opportunities. It offers innovative day services to over 350 people living with learning disabilities and lifelong mental health issues across Northumberland and the North East. To learn more about Blyth Star Enterprises and The Woodfuel Centre visit: www.blythstar.org.uk.
Could you win the £1000 Cosyfeet OT Award?
The Cosyfeet Occupational Therapy Award 2020 is now open for entries. This £1000 OT award will be presented to an OT student or qualified OT planning a special project that will develop their professional knowledge and skills while benefitting others. Applications are invited for projects including voluntary work, placements, research or other initiatives. The winning entry will demonstrate how the entrant’s chosen project is of value to their clients whilst advancing their own professional development. This award is designed to assist with costs associated with the applicant’s selected project, which could include expenses for equipment, travel or living. Projects may take place in the UK or abroad. Ann Drea, a band 6 locum OT working for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation, won the 2019 award to purchase assessment equipment to facilitate a safe and speedy return home for clients referred by Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s A&E Department and Acute Assessment Unit. “In January to March 2019, our team received 401 referrals, resulting in 143 safer discharges and 116 instances of admission avoidance,” says Ann. “Having a stock of assessment equipment for clients to try out with instruction means we can more readily involve clients and their support network in their safe return to self-management.” Cosyfeet specialises in extra roomy footwear, socks and hosiery for people with extra wide or swollen feet. The company’s goal is to help keep people mobile for as long as possible by providing good footwear to fit swollen and misshapen feet in comfort. If you would like to apply for the Cosyfeet OT Award, visit http://www.cosyfeet.com/otaward for further information and to enter online before the closing date of April 24th, 2020. The winner will be requested to submit a report and photographs about their project, and to feature in Cosyfeet publicity relating to the award. Cosyfeet is the UK market leader in extra roomy footwear for swollen feet, with many styles suitable for people living with diabetes. As well as being extra wide and deep, Cosyfeet footwear is adjustable, so it fits a range of swelling from minor to very swollen. It also accommodates very wide feet, problem toes, bunions and bandaging. Lots of thought goes into Cosyfeet’s shoemaking including carefully placed seams, cushioned support and removable insoles to accommodate orthotics. Cosyfeet also offers a range of specialist socks and hosiery. With over 36 years’ experience of fitting swollen feet, Cosyfeet is a well-known, respected brand that is recommended by over 11,000 Health Care Professionals. For more information email prof@cosyfeet.com or call 01458 449071.
