Issue 131 21.12.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Care operator opens its new training suite MARIA Mallaband Care Group has launched a new training suite as part of its ongoing investment in staff development. The purpose-built ‘Maria’s Training Suite’ was opened at the group’s Leeds headquarters and will provide a learning and development hub for teams across the estate. The official opening, with MMCG owner and executive chairman Phil Burgan cutting the ribbon, took place ahead of the first ‘Induction for All’ session at head office (previously held off-site). Going forward, this session will be provided at head office for all new starters across the group as they begin the operator’s newly developed induction programme, launching their careers with training and an understanding of its history and ethos. This new centre is an addition to a London training centre which is located in one of the group’s care homes. As well as induction sessions, the new dedicated suite will also be used for continuous professional development for staff, hosting both clinical and non-clinical training, personal development, and leadership sessions. Phil said: “It was a privilege to open our new training room – Maria’s Training Suite – at
our head offices in Leeds – a purpose-built training space created to support and develop our teams to be the best they can be. “I am passionate about making sure the people that live with us in our homes get the best care possible, and I know this comes from the people who work with us feeling valued and appreciated. “The new training room space is just one of the many ways we are investing in people’s future at MMCG, and I truly believe with this, and other developments, we can reach our ambitions further to be a great place to live and work for all.” The operator has a strong reputation for investing in staff, with a multitude of development opportunities and training structures in place. A particular success story in recent years has been the group’s Trainee Nursing Associate programme – with a larger cohort graduating each year since it began in 2019. That is part of a wider offer of apprenticeships, which are available to any member of staff in every department – starting at Level 2 and going all the way up to master’s degree level, with employees working towards Masters in Medical Ethics and Law and Global Leadership and Management.
A New Forest care home shared the magic of Christmas with a ‘meet the reindeer’ community afternoon for residents and local schoolchildren. The fun at Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst featured the chance to get up close with special guests Prancer and Jingles, who were taking time out of their usual seasonal activities. Two days before, Woodpeckers colleagues devised a novel way to raise awareness of the event at nearby Brockenhurst Primary School. With the school’s permission, companionship team leader Jane Bunker and gardener Chris Marsh dressed up in elf and reindeer outfits respectively and leafleted children and families as they left for the day. The event raised around £450 for Brockenhurst and Sway Friday club including £80 for a donated equine print which was the subject of a silent auction.
Residents show they care at Christmas TWO Edinburgh care homes have helped spread some Christmas cheer with a special charity donation. The residents and staff of Letham Park and Mathieson House residential care homes, operated by Renaissance Care, held a festive raffle to raise £350 for local homeless people as their way of giving back to the local community. The money will be donated to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign, which uses funds raised to offer support to homeless people, such as accommodation for the night or a hot Christmas meal. Up for grabs in the raffle was a Christmas hamper filled with specially designed glassware, coffee cups and
special festive crafts, which were all handmade by Kevin Dignall, deputy manager at Mathieson Care Home. He said: “I had made things like that before for staff or families at the home and I just wanted to make a nice hamper for Christmas to raffle off as a prize. “The residents are always keen to stay connected to their local community and it’s a tough enough time for lots of people at this time of year, so everyone felt it was only fitting to try to help some of the most vulnerable people in the community. “It was all great fun, and we drew the raffle on the same day as our Christmas fayre, so we had music going, singing and Santa made an appearance as well.”
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