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Good news from the homecare sector - late August 2022
Here are some good news stories and examples of innovation our members have been sharing about homecare on social media in the past few weeks. If you'd like to be featured in a future blog, send in your good news stories and examples of innovation to: [email protected]
Carers cycle coast-to-coast for MND charity - without leaving the room!
A team of carers from Surecare Central Cheshire completed a staggering fundraising target as they raised funds for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. The team emulated a bike ride from “Whitehaven to Sunderland” in memory of the late Mary Aston, who they looked after before she passed away on April 6, three years after being diagnosed with MND.
Carers took turns on an exercise bike at Surecare’s Nantwich office to complete their journey, including 'guest riders', including Richard Webb from MNDA Cheshire branch, Claire Woosnam-Savage, Mary’s Occupational Therapist, and family friend, Janice Dale. And they were helped with a plentiful supply of doughnuts to provide fuel!
The fundraising target of £3,000 was smashed, and they reached almost £4,000 with Gift Aid added.
Congratulations to everyone who took part at Surecare – what a super achievement.
Walfinch Mansfield, Nottinghamshire is celebrating after being rated as ‘good’ in all five areas in its first official inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inspectors visited Walfinch Mansfield and spent time speaking with care staff, those receiving care, relatives of clients and the Registered Manager, Tiffany Meachim. The branch subsequently received a ‘good’ rating in each of the five areas inspected.
Tiffany Meachim set-up the homecare business in April 2021, driven by a desire to offer a service that provides local people with complete flexibility of care – from as little as one-hour visit per week to more intensive live-in care, in addition to supporting those with complex needs.
Talking about the CQC ‘good’ rating, Tiffany Meachim said: “I started this business during the pandemic and this was our first inspection. To achieve a ‘good’ rating is a great achievement and one that we are all very proud of. Since launching, I have expanded both our care and support teams and today help people across Mansfield, Ashfield and beyond, with a wide range of care needs in their own homes. This rating is testament to the entire team’s focus on delivering quality care, and now we have set our sights on achieving an Outstanding status and are working together towards that.”
Well done to Tiffany and her team on such a significant achievement!
Wright Care at Home celebrate their 6th birthday with vintage tea party and carer awards
Samantha Wright founder of Wright Care at Home and her team celebrated their 6th birthday in August with a vintage tea party bringing together carers, clients and the local community to thank and recognise the care team for all they have done through the pandemic to ensure their clients live well at home.
The event held at their offices in Stamford involved an afternoon tea, vintage singers who sang songs of yesteryears, with children from a local nursery and preschool joining in with the singing of nursery rhymes. Samantha then awarded her team with recognition awards to thank them for their support and contribution. It was a truly magical afternoon, with many cherished memories made. They also raised over £100 for Marie Curie.
Barbara Livock a client of Wright Care at Home who attended the party said: “It was lovely seeing the girls get their much-deserved awards, and the singing from both old and young gave a real party atmosphere. The food was delicious. Thank you to Wright Care at Home for the help you give me to keep me living at home.”
Commenting about the day, Samantha Wright said: “I am grateful for the many amazing bonds and relationships we have built over the last six years. Six years of trust, success and memories and I am thankful to you all for what you have made of this company. Without all of your contributions, and endless kindness we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
Senior Careworker celebrates 25 years long-service at Oxford House Community Care in Slough
Oxford House Community Care is very proud to have such a wonderful care team. The team believe staff retention sets them apart as they have many long-standing team members, including Senior Carer for Windsor, Denise Neighbour. In July Denise celebrated 25 years working for Oxford House – an amazing achievement, demonstrating her dedication not only to the company but to all the people she looks after in her community.
Denise has helped many clients over the years to remain comfortable and safe at home. Denise goes above and beyond for those she cares for making sure they have everything they need, arranging extra help and support when needed, whilst liaising with health professionals and family members, and generally making their life easier and happier.
Denise says: “Working for Oxford House has been such a rewarding career. I started in 1997 and I've been supported throughout by a great management team who listen, encourage, and support any concerns I have. I’ve received excellent training and its built my confidence to make a difference in the community. My clients put their trust in me to make their lives easier, to support their care needs. Life as a carer is so rewarding and Oxford House have excellent standards, which is why I've thoroughly enjoyed the 25 years I have worked for them.”
Many congratulations Denise and thank you for your dedication to homecare and making sure people can live well at home and flourish in their communities.
Bluebird Care Fareham launch exciting new social activities club
Bluebird Care Fareham wanted to offer its customers the opportunity to interact and socialise with others outside of their own home, so recently launched a new social activities club. The club will offer an array of activities and events for customers to take part in. To kick off this new initiative, a monthly lunch club was introduced. The first lunch club was held in a local community hall with catering provided by a local pub. Customers enjoyed classics such as fish and chips, jacket potatoes and trifle! It was a fantastic opportunity for customers to get to know each other, share stories and be out in a different environment for a few hours. The lunch was a huge success and other lunches are already booked in the diary!
Bluebird customers have also attended a games morning, where they have had the chance to take part in numerous games and enjoy socialising with staff and other customers. These included jigsaw puzzles, board games, outdoor games, music and brain teaser games. The round of Jenga became quite tense and competitive!
Other fun events are also being organised for customers to take part in, including a visit to the local garden centre and an exclusive boat ride around the Solent. All activities are free to Bluebird Care customers with the hope that customers will continue to participate in the activities to make it a fun and special experience for all.
Unique IQ chief raises £2,000 for The Care Workers’ Charity by competing in, and winning endurance cycling competition.
CEO of home care technology firm and affiliate member of the Homecare Association Unique IQ, David Lynes, has handed The Care Workers’ Charity a bumper £2000 cheque following his success in an epic two-day cycle challenge.
Competing against a host of other solo, self-supported riders, each competitor was tasked with planning their own route and deciding on when they should stop to rest and recuperate during the 48-hour period.
A challenge of speed, endurance and strategy, the challenge was not about the number of total kilometres peddled, but how far riders could go in a straight line, with any ferries or trains needed, deducted from the final total.
Starting his ride in Blair Athol in the Scottish Highlands, David managed to ride 648km (as the crow flies) ending his heroic journey in Salisbury, and travelling over 100km more than his nearest rival.
David said: “While cycling alone through wind and rain during the darkest hours of the night was incredibly difficult, the mental toll of the ride was the most demanding part of the challenge. But thinking about the generosity of the people that had sponsored me and sent messages of support really kept me going.
“I’m so proud to have been able to raise this significant amount of money for The Care Workers’ Charity, and know that every penny will be used to support carers that are facing their own difficult challenges.”
