Issue 127 16.11.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Manager helps former teacher with dementia A GENERAL manager at a Hertfordshire care home who has been reunited with his former schoolteacher has given back after helping the now-turnedresident remember to play the violin – something he hasn’t attempted in many years as a result of living with dementia. David Brown, 83, and Foxholes’ Neil Gandecha were reintroduced to each other at the Hitchin care home following the former’s many years of teaching English and French at the town’s Kingshott School. David – whom Neil credits as an inspiring figure for his own career development – was the head of English and dedicated 30 years of his life to teaching literature, before retiring and making the transition into care. Having arrived at Foxholes in 2021, David, who has been living with dementia for several years, has maintained a lifelong love of music and was particularly talented with the violin. Inspired by the work of Dementia Friends, an initiative launched by the Alzheimer’s Society to transform people’s perception of dementia, Neil decided to utilise dementia therapy tools with David to help encourage reminiscence and communication through a collection of music, memories and photos. He then organised for Kingshott School’s head of music Alison Eales, a former colleague
and close friend of David, to visit the care home. With the friendship between the two rekindled, Neil – who noticed David would still light up during activities involving music at the home – wanted to test whether the experience could prompt them to consider playing together again. This led to David picking up the violin and effortlessly performing the Bruce Springsteen song ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ – something he hadn’t been able to do in years. Neil said: “To see Mr Brown and Miss Eales reconnect over lunch and perform a rendition together, especially from a former pupil’s perspective, was a proud moment for me and my sister – who also works at Foxholes. “To pay back our teachers a little, with a moment of reminiscence and happiness, was unforgettable. Mr Brown, who is now insistent that I call him David, played the violin as beautifully as I remember when I was just 10 years old. “It’s been so nice to see a familiar face and rekindle the great relationship we previously had. I know music brings a great deal of joy to David, which meant it was vital that I try to return the favour and make an important contribution to someone who had such a significant influence on my own life.
The residents of Magnolia House in Cottingham and The Manor House in Little Weighton observed a reflective and respectful Armistice Day when they were visited by Jerry Cross, commander and standard bearer and Gary Fraser, secretary and poppy member from the Cottingham branch of The Royal British Legion. The residents and staff of the East Riding care homes, which offer residential, respite and dementia care, welcomed the poignant and emotional remembrance service. The Last Post was played, and the two-minute silence allowed residents to honour their loved ones who served in the armed the forces. This is the third time Cottingham branch of The Royal British Legion has conducted Remembrance Day services at the homes – an annual tradition which began when residents were prevented from attending public services due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
CUK Awards’ tickets in demand TICKETS are selling fast for the industry’s biggest end-of-year party, with plans in place to make this year’s Caring UK Awards the best one yet. Organised by Script Media in partnership with Caring UK and headline sponsor Virgin Money, this annual celebration of success will culminate in a glittering ceremony – taking place at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday December 1 – where host Dean Andrews from Emmerdale and Life on Mars will reveal the lucky winners who will take home an award. We received a record number of entries from all over the UK with so many stories of the wonderful work that was done particularly during the pandemic and we want to thank everyone who sent in
nominations. Shortlisted entries from far and wide have made the finals, now progressing to the next stage of the judging process. Event organiser Dominic Musgrave added: “We have been amazed by the incredible work that has taken and is continuing to take place in homes nationwide, and the last two-and-a-half years has only confirmed to us just how wonderful care staff truly are. “Once again we were overwhelmed with the standard of entries we received from homes up and down the country. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone at the awards on December 1.” Tickets to the care industry’s party of the year are available at https://scriptevents.co.uk/cuk-awards-tickets/
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