Issue 124 19.10.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Jess contributes to nationwide careers project THE manager of a specialist dementia care home in Bridgwater has been invited to take part in a research project being organised by The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which aims to improve the public perception of care workers and deliver a boost to employment in the sector. Jess Hawker, who manages Avalon Nursing Home, said: “I was really pleased to be asked for my views and am more than ready to help this high-profile campaign hopefully raise the profile of the caring profession in the UK. “I am going to be interviewed for a podcast which will be hosted on the Leaders Council website, and interviewees’ input will also be included in the report which their chair, former Home Secretary and Education Secretary Lord Blunkett, will be presenting to Parliament at a special event in the House of Lords.” Jess’s interview will include her thoughts on what needs to be done to ease the pressures in the care sector, her own experiences and how to make a career in care an attractive prospect. She added: “The care sector has been life for 15 years and I passionately believe we should be doing all we can to attract the
best people to consider a career in care. This project looks to be an effective way to do that. “The researchers say that although care workers from abroad are now able to access ‘skilled work’-based visas, they have spoken with a number of people working in the sector and it seems very few outside the sector are currently considering care as a career. “They’re hoping this campaign – which they plan to promote via social media, in-person meetings, and letters to relevant figures in Parliament – will change the situation, and that’s why they’re interviewing care leaders from across the country to get our thoughts on various issues. “Ours is such an important job. Striving every day to support vulnerable people to live their best lives is challenging but so rewarding, and I would dearly love to encourage anyone who thinks they might be interested to consider caring as a career.” The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland brings together some of the most influential leaders from across the country to ‘celebrate the hard work and achievements of the nation’s unsung leaders, while laying the ground for the next generation.
Tickets to this year’s Caring UK Awards at the Athena, Leicester on December 1 are now available. For more information and to book visit https://script-events.co.uk/cuk-awards-tickets/
A 92-year-old Chichester care home resident fulfilled a long-held wish to reach for the sky once again after carers enabled him to take the controls of a flight simulator. Former army officer Robin Bowley ‘flew’ an MK392 Spitfire from Goodwood Aerodrome down over Chichester harbour, across to Selsey and on to Southampton before turning back to base. The simulated flight, arranged by staff at Colten Care’s Wellington Grange care home, delighted Robin who has previous experience of flying light aircraft for real. To round off the visit, the aerodrome’s head of sales Matt Ponsford gave Robin and his daughters a tour of the Spitfire hangar. This enabled Robin to get up close with the five Spitfires kept there and hear detailed accounts of where they had come from, how old they were and who had flown in them.
Residents and students unite for fun day A PARTNERSHIP between an Edinburgh care home and a local school sees residents and students uniting for a fun day of intergenerational interaction. Students from Fettes College visited Cramond Residence as volunteers, where they were able to form connections with the residents across various activities taking place on each floor of the home, including arts and crafts, nail painting and gentle exercise classes. The event was organised as an opportunity for the school and care home to come together and build relationships that are beneficial for both residents and students. Client liaison manager at Cramond Residence, Christian Daraio, said: “It was an incredible day for everyone involved
and the students put a huge smile on the residents’ faces. “Connecting with the wider community helps eliminate the feelings of isolation that are common in the older generation. “These events are important for fostering intergenerational engagement that play such a big role in the positive mental health of our residents. We are looking forward to welcoming the students back for more volunteering at the home.” Designed to promote independent living and socialisation, the fun day saw residents at the home exchanging vibrant life stories with the students while basking outside in the sun, or indulging in a spot of pampering, painting and games.
Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk