Issue 160 20.09.23
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Carers set out their autumn plan of action CAMPAIGNERS have unveiled an autumn plan of action to get politicians to tackle the crisis in the care of vulnerable adults. The Independent Care Group plans to target party conference season to press for positive change in social care. ICG chair Mike Padgham has written to the health teams of the Conservatives and Labour, urging them to make social care a priority. The ICG is also offering to share its expertise with politicians, as well as preparing its own election manifesto for the General Election and stepping up its lobbying and campaigning activities for the benefit of the sector. Mike said: “The party conference season offers a golden opportunity for the political parties to show what they plan for the future of social care. We look to them for bold new ideas to support social care, tackle the inequalities that currently exist and prepare the sector for an exciting future.” At its last Board meeting, the ICG discussed a key messages document, setting out its strategy for the future. The document said: “Across the ICG Board and its membership, we have many hundreds of years’ experience of delivering exceptional social care to thousands of
grateful people and their loved ones – we make that expertise available to politicians and decision makers to shape their future policy. “Social care, and particularly those who benefit from it, do not have a strong voice. They deserve to be heard. “Politicians dare not tackle social care because they fear it will be too expensive and they don’t believe it is a vote winner. They are wrong. By staying quiet and acquiescent, we are allowing these two situations to continue. “The ICG will not stay quiet and perpetuate the view that everything in the garden is rosy, when it isn’t. We want positive change for the sector.” On August 1 the ICG was a signatory to a campaign by the Yorkshire and The Humber Care Association Alliance to encourage all social care providers to join their local provider group to strengthen the voice of the sector across the region. The ICG wants to know how politicians plan to get care to the 1.6m people who currently can’t get it; tackle the 152,000 vacancies in the sector; properly recognise and reward the social care workforce with better pay and conditions and find the extra 445,000 care staff the sector will need to cope with rising demand, by 2035.
Circus fun continues
A rising tide of memories came flooding back to Ripon care home residents when they took a trip to the coast. Saltburnby-the-Sea, in North Yorkshire was the choice for those living at Sycamore Hall. Among the highlights of the trip was a walk along the seafront and down the pier, fish and chips and 99 ice creams all round. As well as residents and staff, family members also joined the seaside excursion, sharing memories and a bag of chips with their elderly parents. Activities coordinator Tessa Danby said: “It’s been a lovely day to be able to bring residents out with their families and friends. They have all had so much stimulation from this trip. All of the residents commented on how much they enjoyed it and it brought back so many memories for them.”
BELONG Newcastle-under-Lyme, the state-of-the-art dementia care village operated by not-for-profit operator Belong, is continuing circus-themed celebrations for the 850th anniversary of the borough. The Belong Heritage Gallery, situated in the town’s oldest building and part of the care village development, hosted a talk about Philip Astley, the father of modern circus, by multi-skilled circus performer, illusionist and historian Andrew van Buren. Andrew, who comes from generations of circus performers, spoke about the life and achievements of the circus pioneer before taking questions from the audience. He also put guests’ coordination and motor skills to the test by teaching them how to spin plates. Emma Palin, heritage and experience coordinator at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “The circus-themed activities have really captured residents’ imaginations. “Events such as these play an important part in celebrating local history and connecting us to our past, which helps us to better understand who we are.” Residents of the care village have taken their enthusiasm for the circus a step further by visiting the ‘Show People of North Staffordshire’ exhibition, which documents the contribution of the circus and fairgrounds to the history of the region, at Appetite Newcastle Common. The Belong Heritage Gallery also houses an exhibition celebrating the local area’s connections with the origins of the circus, featuring memorabilia and artefacts.
Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk