One magazine issue 10, spring 2014

Inspirational people: John Russell

Page10

Dementia-friendly gardens

A new national live-in service

Page15

Page18

Latest News / ReaL LIFe stORIes / COMPetItIONs

Food supplies get

a local flavour

Issue 10 Spring 2014

with one this spring

Cross-divisional support

in Darlington

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Page21

News

FEATURE: Mental Health’s Recovery Advisory Panel

FEATURE: Bowes House makes lots of friends

FEATURE: Ask Dr Alia: cervical cancer

FEATURE: Cross-divisional support in Darlington

Coffee break

0411

14

16

20

23

02

eDItOR’s NOtes wItH MIKe PaRIsH

CONTENTS


Mike

Open Mike

This is your magazine, so we’d love to hear your news, views and pics. Here’s how to get in touch:

Email [email protected]

one magazine, Connaught House, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9QB

Get in touch

Chané’s a lifesaverSupport worker’s quick response saves choking resident

Food supplies get a local flavourIain Stott visits first farmer to join a potential supply chain revolution.

Suggestions for ways in which we can work smarter come to life.

Remarkable John Russell picks up Care UK’s first Chief Executive’s Award.

WIN £500 of Homebase vouchers just in time for a spring spruce up of your home or garden.

John Russell drops in

Page 10

It’s easy to

WIN with one!

COVER STORY

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Page12

When you’re climbing a mountain and striving to reach the next peak, sometimes it’s good to pause and look back to where you started. Do that in Care UK, and you’ll see that we’ve come a very long way since the company’s beginnings in 1982.

The huge progress we’ve made is largely thanks to the sheer effort, commitment and determination of our people: thank you all for your hard work. We still have some tough climbing ahead of us, but we have a really strong team in place to tackle the next stage.

one magazine helps us to showcase some of the extraordinary people who work here. Take John Russell, Mental Health Recovery Support Worker (page 10). He’s tackling life head-on and making a huge difference to people’s lives.

We celebrate the awards nominations of colleagues over the last few months, and take a look at Care UK teams working in dementia care. RCS is busy opening new homes and updating existing ones, while CS is pulling out all the stops to provide a personalised, high quality service for service users. And Project Fusion is a pilot scheme in North East England that’s aimed at forging ties between CS & RCS to deliver a more integrated, cross-divisional service.

We love to hear your news, stories and feedback. Please keep it coming in. Who knows, you could feature on our next cover.

Mike Parish

Welcome to the spring edition of one.

Snowdrops take root

Page 8

Page 6

03Issue 10 Spring 2014

After spending a lot of time with them you think you have seen them as happy and engaged as they can be.

Think again. The team at a care home in London are seeing some residents respond in completely new and unexpected ways – all thanks to music.

Dave Thorpe (above, left) was training to do a Masters in music therapy, a recognised health profession, and approached Elmstead House in Hendon to do a series of sessions with the residents. The manager, Diane Maddaford and Activities Coordinator Jenet Itoe agreed willingly.

Dave explains, “The reaction that people can have to music can be truly incredible. One gentleman had lost the ability to speak fluently, but thanks to music he was able to improvise melodies and sing along. It can reconnect people with their thoughts, emotions and their speech.

“I did a presentation to the team and played some of the things from individual sessions. There were gasps from some of them because they were hearing residents doing things they never thought they’d be able to do.”

The weekly music therapy sessions have been such a success that Dave continues to run a music workshop with around a dozen residents every Friday.

“There’s a lot of fun and laughter. We sing songs and play a range of percussion instruments that make a fantastic sound, such as drums, cymbals and chimes, all of which are easy to hold and manipulate. The residents like to identify with a particular instrument, so you’ll find them saying, ‘I’m the drummer’ or ‘I do the cymbals.’

“I work in a lounge area and anyone can come and go. Some want to be there but can’t play. Some will play for a while, while others will sit and just tap their feet. And because the music travels, you can’t escape it when we’re in the home.”

Jenet Itoe, Activities Coordinator says, “These sessions mean such a lot to our residents. The reactions we get and the feedback has been absolutely fantastic. The inspectors that visited us recently were really impressed. We’d recommend it to everyone.”

www.utmtherapy.org.uk

Imagine caring for someone with advanced dementia or mental health issues every day.

Music in mindCare UK is sponsoring research to find out more about the benefits of music therapy for people living with dementia.Musicians and a music therapist will be working with residents at the Station House care home in Crewe, and sharing their findings with academics.The project is being funded by the Care UK Wellbeing Foundation.The Foundation is also making a third of its annual budget available for local good causes that support this theme.Employees can apply for sums of up to £2,000 to help with projects in their own communities.For more details about the Wellbeing Foundation and how you can get involved, see page 5.

Music therapy achieves astonishing results

04 Issue 10 Spring 2014

Take a virtual tour of Devizes’

Treatment Centre

Google has taken its Street View service one step further by enabling you to take a virtual tour of some buildings including, for the first time, an NHS hospital managed by Care UK.

Care UK worked with specialist media company Ideal Insight to create the tour of Devizes’ NHS Treatment Centre. The tour can be accessed directly from Google Maps (via postcode SN10 3UF) and the Care UK website.

The virtual tour showcases the facilities available to NHS patients at the treatment centre, which sees around 1,800 people each month, enabling them to stroll through the rooms and corridors and even operating theatres.

Kevin Walsh, Centre Manager at Devizes’ NHS Treatment Centre, said: “We understand that a visit to hospital can sometimes be stressful. Our team works very hard to make sure that people are fully prepared for treatment. That includes inviting patients to meet the team and their consultant prior to surgery. We believe this virtual tour is a natural extension to that process.”

Belinda Moore, Group Marketing Director at Care UK, said: “This virtual tour is very

useful to people who may be nervous about surgery by allowing them to see the hospital layout and what certain medical equipment looks like before they visit for an appointment. By embracing new technology we are able to help the people we support and care for, as well as their families, to make informed choices about their health and social care provision.”

Patients referred to the treatment centre enjoy some of the shortest waiting times in the region for a variety of day-case diagnostic and surgical procedures and it has an excellent reputation for putting patients first – 94 per cent of people rated it as excellent in a recent survey.

Tour care homes tooCare UK also launched a Google Business View of its new Mill View care home in East Sussex in October 2013, allowing would-be residents and their families to tour the facility’s cinema, coffee shop, village store, hairdressers and beauty salon. More virtual tours are planned during 2014.

www.devizestreatmentcentre. nhs.uk/take-look-inside

www.careuk.com/mill-view

News

Care UK has set up a benevolent fund to support good causes that improve and enhance people’s wellbeing.

In its first year the Care UK Wellbeing Foundation will invest in research and charitable projects that promote wellbeing through the arts.

A third of the fund will be set aside to support local initiatives and community groups whose work is in harmony with this annual theme. Employees are invited to apply for a share of the pot to help support local causes they are passionate about (see panel).

The rest of the fund will be split between a relevant national charity – this year it is Nordoff Robbins, a national music charity dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and adults across the UK – and supporting research.

Putting something backMarketing Director Belinda Moore is championing the move: “It’s important that Care UK puts something back into the communities where we operate. The Foundation makes that possible and allows us to support good causes that are in tune with our values.

“Every year colleagues raise thousands of pounds for good causes and we support many of their efforts by matching the money they raise. The Wellbeing Foundation will build on these efforts and bring fresh resources.

“This year we’ve teamed up with a leading British chamber orchestra, Manchester Camerata. The aim is to find out more about the impact of music therapy on people living with dementia.”

New fund will invest

in people’s wellbeing

Stroll around Devizes’ TC

at the click of a mouse

Care UK’s Station House team in Cheshire is working with Manchester Camerata,

one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras. Music Director, Hungarian-born

Gábor Takács-Nagy, is pictured with the orchestra

Musicians and a music therapist will be working with a number of care home residents who are living with dementia to help them develop their communication through music. The pilot scheme, called Music in Mind, will be evaluated by academics from Manchester University, working in conjunction with both Care UK and Manchester Camerata.

Music in Mind began at Station House care home in Crewe in March. Part of the pilot involves training for employees on the use of music-led activities.

Director news for HealthcareHealthcare has announced that Geoff Benn has been appointed full-time Director on the Health Care Board. Philippa Slinger will be joining Care UK in April as Managing Director for Secondary Care.

Philippa has nearly 30 years’ experience in health and social care, most recently as CEO for Heatherwood and Wexham Park FT and Berkshire Healthcare FT.

Safety awareness at Barlborough TCBarlborough TC held a Health & Safety Awareness Day on 19 February to highlight everyday risks at work and home to patients, visitors and staff. The day included posters, leaflets, giveaways and a ‘spot the hazard’ quiz to get the message across.

Dementia design nomineeCairdean House in Edinburgh, opened in April 2013, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award for its dementia-friendly design by Richard Pollock, Director of Architecture at Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre (see page 18).

Hawker House sees red for the BHFChloe Smee, Resourcing Coordinator – Urgent Care, says well done to everyone at Hawker House for supporting the Ramp up the Red campaign in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The team gallantly donated money, wore red and ran sweepstakes, raising £110.27 in the process.

New prison contractThe Health in Justice (HiJ) team has won major contracts to run healthcare services at two of the busiest prisons in the UK – HMP Pentonville and HMP Brixton. Sue Clements, Director of Service Development says, “Being awarded the Pentonville contract is the pinnacle of my career and is testament to the phenomenal work of the team in a very challenging environment.”


News IN BRIeFNew fund will invest

in people’s wellbeing

You can nominate a project or

charity in your community that

uses the arts (music, dance,

drama, arts and crafts) to enhance

the lives and skills of local people.

If successful, your nominated

group or charity will receive up to

£2,000 towards their work from

the Wellbeing Foundation.

www.careukwellbeingfoundation.com

Up to £2,000 for your

local good cause

Cred

it: J

onat

han

Kee

nan

Dignity policy ‘is not a lip-service exercise’


News

The National Dignity Council’s annual Dignity Action Day on 1 February highlighted the importance of dignity and privacy policies at work.

Dignity Action Day aims to ensure people in care are treated as individuals and are given choice and control of their care.

Care UK’s Dignity at Work policy demonstrates that colleagues can expect similar respect and consideration.

Central to the policy is that people’s interests must always come first, as Susan Marshall, Quality Improvement and Governance Director explains: “This incredibly important subject goes right to the core of proper care, particularly when you are dealing with the more vulnerable members of society.

“Our policy is not a lip-service exercise. It has been produced after an extensive review of how we operate and public engagement to discover exactly what the people we care for expect.”

To mark Dignity Action Day, events have been organised at a number of Care UK services across the country. The North Unit of Greater Manchester Clinical Assessment and Treatment Centre (CATS) held a DIGNI-TEA day and invited patients at the unit on the day to join them to discuss what dignity means to them. The team says that feedback from the day was extremely positive.

In the Autumn 2013 issue of one magazine, Care UK challenged you to identify things we do simply because ‘that’s the way they’ve always been done’ and suggest better, smarter ways to work.

There was a fantastic response, as Barry Nee, Change Programme Director explains: “We received more than 200 ideas from across the business. Almost three quarters of suggestions were related to efficiency and optimisation, and more than 20 per cent were linked to cost efficiencies. General admin was the most popular subject matter, closely followed by staffing and recruitment. The best ideas are being investigated.

Here are two great examples:

Sophie Giles, Recruitment Coordinator, Connaught House, RCSWhen you’re a new recruit it can be hard to find your way around, especially when there’s no-one nearby who knows the ropes. That was the familiar challenge that faced recruitment coordinator Sophie Giles.

“I suggested that people keep a diary of their key daily duties, so that when someone new comes to do the job, they know what the structure of the day is like,” explained Sophie. “These ‘day in-the-life’ records may be particularly useful in places like care homes, where routines are really important.”

Becky Abbink, Manager, Glastonbury Court care home, RCSBecky Abbink transferred from Suffolk County Council to Care UK in December 2012 and soon noticed that Mondays were the busiest day in filling in forms.

Payroll had to be completed on Mondays, agency usage, bed movement sheets, one-to-one care used, transfer of weekly rotas, staff absence and so on.

“It seemed that Monday was information day and the day was spent not catching up with the events of the weekend within the homes, but sat at a computer inputting all of the information required,” says Becky.

“It took most of the day for me and the administrators to ensure we could get all of the required information accurate and out on time to each different department. Reviewing the reporting cycle and spreading deadlines across the week would be very helpful.”

The snowdrop pages on Eureka will be updated to let you know about the ideas we are planning to take forward. If you have a snowdrop suggestion that could make a difference, please email it to [email protected]

Snowdrop ideas take root

Project Snowdrop

Mandy (centre),

with Florence (L)

and Sarah (R)

Thumbs up for Georgia Clarke, Health Care Assistant

• Ensure that privacy, dignity,

ethnicity and diversity are

always respected

• Report any incident where

this isn’t the case

• Attend training and ensure

that the core principles of

the policy are implemented

• Demonstrate that respectful

attitudes and behaviours

are promoted.

The privacy and dignity

policy says that

employees will:

Fire service praises sprinkler standardCare UK’s ten new care homes across Suffolk, due to begin opening later this year, have won praise from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. The installation of automatic sprinklers to British Standard BS9521 exceeds current fire safety regulations.

Day one for two new homesThe doors to two new care homes opened in February. Welcome on board to Sandfields in the heart of Cheltenham and Field Lodge in St Ives (Cambridgeshire) and good luck to managers Ruth Baggs and Matthew Cox and their teams.

Barlborough proves Health & Safety can be fun!The Health and Safety team at Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre in Chesterfield involved not just staff but patients and visitors too in their recent awareness day. Encouraging everyone to take part in games, such as quizzes and word searches, that got the message across.

The ‘spot the hazards in the ward’ was particularly popular, with lots of staff members taking part to spot all ten hazards and risks. The winner, chosen at random, was Nichola Heathcote, RGN in outpatients.

The Health and Safety Team

The NHS 111 call that was one in a million


Although Health Advisor Dannie-Jade Brosnan didn’t know it at the time, the call that she took at 10:40pm on 2 January represented a remarkable milestone.

Dannie had just spoken to the millionth caller to NHS 111, the service that Harmoni – which joined Care UK in November 2012 – manages on the NHS’s behalf.

It is a mark of how the service has developed since Harmoni took its first NHS 111 call for the Croydon service back in 2012.

Dr David Lee, National Medical Director for Urgent Care Services, said: “It is to the enormous credit of all our staff that we have progressed to the point where we have four NHS 111 call centres and have now taken our millionth call.

“I believe the NHS 111 model is now, for the most part, working as it was envisaged to work. I would like to congratulate Dannie-Jade and all our staff for the fantastic work they have done to date and I look forward to our next million calls.”

Nearly a year on from the record number of responses to the last employee survey, now is a good time to review how you are getting on with your local action plan, says Briony Lawton, Head of Organisational Development.

Briony says, “Having had so many employees taking part in our last survey, it’s really important that everyone’s feedback follows through into actions that people can feel, see and touch.

“A lot of great plans were produced, both by the Executive team and at a local level. It’s vital that we keep revisiting our plans so that they stay alive. If you’re a manager, dig out your plan and discuss it at your next meeting; if you’re a member of a team, ask your manager to give you an update.”

Chief Executive Mike Parish agrees: “Taking action on our plans isn’t something that someone else does; it’s something we are all responsible for.

As with everything, there will be teams who are doing really well and feeling the benefit of all the feedback, but I’m sure that many haven’t got the most out of the process yet – but it’s never too late.”

According to Mike this is particularly important as Care UK looks at how frequently surveys are carried out, “We had a big push on the last survey, but I think that in the future surveys will become shorter and quicker to complete, possibly even available on smartphones, so that they become ‘business as usual’.

Watch out for details of the next survey in future issues of one magazine.

News IN BRIeF

Harmoni’s MD, Eddie Jahn, with Dannie-Jade

Don’t let your Over to You!

action plans gather dust!


L-R: Sheryl Milner, Tracey Bowring, Maria Cogger, Emma Ford, Kara-Leigh Waghorne, Lisa Hann, Jill Guthrie, Debi Marriott-Lavery, Regis Orphelin, Michelle Lyndon and Russell Baldwin

15,000 extra hours’ care – just by picking up the telephone.Every week of every month every care at home branch spends from 2pm until 4pm picking up the ‘phone to spread the word about the many services we offer.

It’s called Super Thursday – and it’s proving incredibly successful.

Simply asking whether we can offer other services has led directly to more than 15,000 hours of additional support, reports Jon Mace, National Marketing Manager, “It’s staggering how much work can come from just telling people about the self-funded services we offer.

“The services are predominantly one-offs, with packages ranging from picking up groceries to escorting someone on their dream family cruise – lucky carer! – but it’s a great introduction,” says Jon. “Some teams were worried initially that it might be ‘selling’ – it isn’t, we’re just informing people and they’re pleased that we do.”

The services come under Care UK’s ‘Homecare Select’ package, which was developed in response to councils’ reduced funding for services considered to be ‘optional’.

Since January teams have been focussing on contacting the three-in-four individuals who approach social services for help, but find that they don’t qualify for funding support. Over the last few weeks alone they have amassed more than 2,000 new contacts in this way.

Each quarter participating teams are eligible for a draw to win £500 to spend as they wish. Here are the first winners of the year, being presented with their trophy by Debi Marriott-Lavery, MD of Community Services.

Super response to Super Thursday

A young support worker’s cool-headed response has saved the life of a Camberley centenarian.

Just a year into her career, 20 year old Chané Furlong (pictured) had to put her emergency training into action in January when she realised that the 105 year old for whom she was caring was choking.

Chané, from Farnborough, had prepared the resident dinner when a piece of food became lodged in her throat.

Although the lady indicated that she was alright, Chané was still concerned. She said: “She has dementia, so there was the possibility that something was wrong. She was coughing and I heard a cracking sound in her throat so I knew she was choking.”

“I got her to the sink and started the back-slapping procedure; she was sick but still choking. I called 999 and the operator told me to keep slapping her back.

“After a while, she told me it was time to do the Heimlich manoeuvre, which worried me because of the resident’s age.

“Fortunately, the ambulance arrived and by the time they examined the patient the obstruction had gone, and they spent time checking she was OK.

“I was a bit shocked after it was all

over, but my training just kicked in. The ambulance crew was very nice and said I had done very well. I was just pleased to be able to help.”

The resident’s daughter, who arrived while the ambulance crew was there, said: “Chané showed great presence of mind and really does deserve full praise. I am just so pleased that she was able to keep a cool head and do what needed to be done.”

Chané has recently won a divisional award for her efforts and a spa day to say well done.

Care at Home support worker saves Camberley’s oldest resident

News GM CATS celebrates fifth birthday

The Greater Manchester CATS (clinical assessment and treatment service) team gathered to celebrate the service’s fifth birthday recently.

Peter wants your stamps (and more)Life-long charity supporter Peter Longstaff is asking people across the North East to help him beat his 2013 record stamp-collecting total to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance. Peter, who lives at Care UK’s Ventress Hall care home in Darlington, collected a staggering 29 kilos of stamps last year. This year’s target is 35-plus kilos! Ventress Hall has set up a collection point for any spare stamps – plus postcards, printer cartridges and even old mobile phones. There’s also a pink box in reception at Connaught House, Colchester. Contact Judy Wray on 01325 271 502 or email [email protected]

Princess Royal visits Cheviot Court

Residents at Cheviot Court care home in South Shields met HRH The Princess Royal on her visit to the neighbouring Marsden Road Health and Wellbeing Centre on 22 January. The Princess was taken on a tour of the new £3 million centre and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

Year (and day) of the horse!Residents at Francis Court in West Sussex enjoyed a close encounter of the equine kind recently, when Maxine Tyson and her daughter brought in her miniature horse unannounced – even taking her into residents’ room! The residents were given fans and fortune cookies to mark the Chinese New Year.

Residents’ choir raises the roof and lots of smiles

Cathryn Anderson, who is studying Community Music at the Sage in Gateshead, is nearing the end of a ten-week programme with residents at the home.

Up to 18 residents at a time have joined in singing a variety of songs at the afternoon sessions with Cathryn. “It’s fabulous,” she enthused, “everyone joins in and they enjoy such a range of music. North East traditional songs are very popular, as are classical pieces and popular songs from the 1960s. It is a very uplifting experience.

“Many of the residents have great voices. The other day two people spontaneously burst into Shenandoah and they sang it beautifully. I have to say that I was very envious.”

The sessions have not only been fun but they have also increased the wellbeing of residents, particularly those with advanced dementia. Home Manager David Bell said: “Relatives have joined in with the singing and it is moving to see how the music can join them together when dementia has taken away communication and memories.”

David and Activity Coordinator Lynne Niven are now working with Cathryn to arrange performances for the choir.

Residents at Ponteland Manor have been rediscovering the joy of music after a local student helped them to form a choir.


Some of the Ponteland Manor singers

News IN BRIeF GM CATS celebrates fifth birthday

News


INsPIRatIONaL PeOPLe

‘Caring’, ‘humble’, ‘an inspiration to all…’ these are just some of the descriptions of John Russell by his colleagues at Rosebank House in Reading. John is a charismatic, well-travelled Recovery Support Worker with a lust for life.

Steve Reader, Director of Recovery Services, started John on his Care UK pathway. He said: “When I interviewed John I saw someone with the courage and determination to overcome his own personal challenges. I thought these qualities were a firm foundation for a Support Worker.”

Overcoming challenges is something that John is used to. He has cerebral palsy and a stammer – neither of which he allows to stand in his way.

John joined Care UK 10 years ago after

a long career in the Civil Service, having seen a job advert for support workers and decided it was to be his next challenge.

John saw the job as an opportunity to tackle his own fear of verbal communication. He says: “Avoiding situations where you have to speak isn’t an option in this role. If you can understand how people want to be communicated with, and you can do this on the same level, you can really get through to them.

“Remembering this helps my confidence and in turn helps the service users with their own recovery journeys.” John was a member of Toastmasters International and often talks to audiences about stammering.

It was his respectful attitude and positive

outlook that won John the Managing Director’s Award at Care UK’s Celebrating Success Mental Health Awards in 2013.

Alongside his busy career, John leads an active life raising money and awareness for charities. He has taken to the skies twice to parachute from 13,000ft, raising more than £800 for the British Stammering Association in the process. He has also run half marathons and walked the Great Wall of China for Scope.

Says John Kelly, Manager at Rosebank House: “When I started four years ago I could never have imagined John throwing himself out of planes but, since getting to know him, I’ve discovered that this is exactly the sort of person he is. John would do anything for anyone.”

In recognition of his inspirational work John has recently received a further accolade. In March, he was presented with Care UK’s first Chief Executive’s Award by Mike Parish.

There’s no doubt that John will greet the next challenge with open arms: “I’ve always believed that you should tackle life head on. If you know what has to be done, just get on and do it. If you don’t take any risks, where will it get you?”

John wins the first Chief Executive’s AwardSuper support worker John overcomes personal challenges by ‘tackling life head-on’.

John’s a fearless fundraiser

Abe Ali and Kevin Rush


Recovery Advisory Panel (RAP) members Abe and Kevin help give service users a voice.

FeatURe

RAP members are all service users and come from units across the breadth of the MH operation. As advisors, their role is to represent the views of their peers and offer them support. By getting involved in monitoring and auditing services, they aim to help improve quality and encourage good practice. They provide a mouthpiece for the views of fellow service users and get the chance to influence policy.

RAP’s role is crucial, according to Recovery Care Worker Paul Heaney, who co-ordinates the team’s monthly get-togethers. “We need to understand recovery from the point of view of the people living through it,” says Paul. “Hearing about their experiences helps us to provide the most useful form of

support. They get the chance to have a say in their own recovery and help others.”

It was the idea of using his experience to help others that attracted advisor Kevin Rush to RAP in June 2013. “I feel I have a lot of knowledge I can pass on to other people,” he said. “My role involves listening to residents at other units and giving them help through my experiences. I also give residents a voice on how things can be changed within Care UK from their point of view.”

RAP played a key role in shaping Mental Health’s recovery philosophy and taking it back residents in all the units. When the team gets together they share good ideas and import the best ones to their own

units. Being able to shop and cook was such a popular idea that it has spread.

Abe Ali is a new team member. He enjoys getting out to meet other service users and using his knowledge to implement changes in the organisation. “RAP is important to me because I feel I can give something back to the services and it gives residents a chance to voice opinions that might not otherwise be heard.”

Kevin and his fellow team members meet once a month at Riverbank House. There are currently seven team members, and more are being recruited. The goal is to have a minimum of two representatives from each unit.

Advisory panel aids recovery

the first time Care UK has appointed an approved local fresh food supplier. Providing great quality fresh food is critical to our business and the health of the people we care for.

The pilot shows our home managers that we’ve listened to their requests


Christoph Marr, Care UK’s Group Procurement Director liked the idea and has been looking at how this could work in practice – beginning with food suppliers.

It may not look like much, but the humble spud could start a mini revolution in Care UK’s supply chain, leading to a heavier reliance on produce from local farmers than ever before.

It’s a good place to start. As a nation we love our potatoes, whether it’s a chipped Maris Piper, a crispy roasted King Edward or a Desiree dauphinoise. No wonder we get through more than 90kg of them per person per year in this country!

But as any chef will tell you, the secret to great taste is a fresh product that is transported from field to plate as quickly and carefully as possible.

Iain Stott, Hotel Services Manager (right) worked closely with the Group Procurement team to assess potential suppliers’ product quality, production volumes, policies and financial stability.

The team chose local potato farmer Jeremy Freeman, based in Chelmsford, to be part of a pilot scheme to supply a number of homes in Essex.

Before the trial began, Jeremy visited five of Care UK’s sites to meet the chefs.

Four homes are now using Jeremy’s potatoes: Manor Lodge (Chelmsford), Cherry Orchard (Dagenham) and two homes in London: Elizabeth Lodge and Honeysuckle House.

A first for Care UKIain explains why local supply matters: “This new supply agreement represents

At the last year’s ‘Let’s Talk’ feedback sessions, a number of managers suggested that using local food suppliers would reduce mileage, cut costs and help support the local economies where Care UK operates.

FeatURe This new supply

agreement with

Fresh Pac represents

the first time Care

UK has appointed an

approved local fresh

food supplier.Food supplies get a local flavour

and by supporting the local economy we’re also delivering on our Corporate Social Responsibility too.

“Assuming that the pilot is successful, we will start to look for a small number of key local fresh food suppliers, but only those that pass our

rigorous supplier selection process.

“Key to the success of this pilot is truly understanding what our chefs want, so we hope that many of our future suppliers follow Jeremy’s lead by getting out to ask them what they want in person.”


The Freeman family has farmed for

generations and are well established in

the farming community.

Jeremy Freeman set up Fresh Pac seven

years ago at his farm in Chelmsford.

The Freeman family harvest their own

potatoes and grow different varieties

to ensure all year round supply.

Their potatoes are processed in a

purpose-built facility on their farm,

enabling them to keep a close eye on

quality control and have room to expand.

Deliveries are currently made using

refrigerated vans.

Jeremy supplies potatoes to a number

of businesses across Essex and London.

FeatURe

Freeman’s farm

is a family affair

Making our facilities available to local communities is a win-win.


Moving into a care home for the first time can be difficult and unsettling, with lots of new people to meet and an unfamiliar environment to get to know.

How much easier would it be if the person already knew the care home and its staff? And what if the newcomer had already spent time at the home getting to know residents, being entertained and experiencing its facilities?

That is the thinking behind Care UK’s ‘friends of…’ approach.

Every home is encouraged to play an active role in their local communities, whether it’s inviting people to coffee mornings, making rooms available to community groups or hosting events – all for free.

More than just good PRMaizie Mears-Owens, Head of Dementia Services at Care UK, explains that it’s more than just good PR: “Our approach has enormous benefits on both sides. We want to share our facilities, our skills and our knowledge with people in the community and offer practical advice and support those that care for them.

“This might be running a group to share experiences and practical advice. Equally, we can offer a carer an understanding ear and a cup of tea while we look after their Mum or Dad for a couple of hours.

“Our homes can be a sanctuary for them. If a person shouts out or becomes upset in a coffee shop on the high street, for example, it can draw unwanted attention. In our homes it isn’t an issue.”

It also makes good business sense, “Members of the local community are our future customers,” says Maizie. “If we already have a relationship with someone, it means that they are more likely to consider our other services and even move in to a particular home one day. And if they do, it makes the whole process so much easier.”

Care homes get by with a little help from their friends

FeatURe

Alison Barnes, Manager of Bowes House, with team (including Chef of the Year, Paul Bird) and friends

Bowes House says hello!

Bowes House leads the way

National ‘live-in’ service launched

As part of the service, support workers who are also known as companions, will live in their service users’ homes, offering a minimum of five ‘contact hours’ per day, ranging from simple companionship to dealing with complicated physical and emotional needs.

The service bridges the gap between the two options that customers and their families face typically: either to increase the number of daily home visits or move their loved one into a home full-time. It can also be an interim solution for service users on residential homes’ waiting lists.

Region: National

Call centre: Manchester

Team: 3, growing to around 200

by Sept 2016

Service Manager: Janet Shreeve,

Live-In Business Manager

Launch: Available now

About the new service

Homecare Selectfor later life

The more personal live-in careand companionship service


FeatURe

Members of local ATC with their drums

1950s day and even a Triumph ride-past!

Care UK became the first company to offer a one stop ‘live in’ service to the whole of the country in February.

A home that has become particularly popular with the local community is Bowes House in Hailsham, East Sussex. Despite only opening in 2013, Bowes House has 230 ‘friends’, with more waiting to join.

Anne Morris, Client Relations Manager at Bowes House, explains the secret of their success. “Because we are so welcoming, the home is often buzzing with visitors.

Our coffee shop is invariably full of community groups, including Age UK, U3A (University of the Third Age) and the WI.

Expect the unexpected“We do some things you wouldn’t expect, too. You might find a group of residents playing New Age Curling or skittles in the corridor, Qigong (Tai Chi) in the garden or dancing in the coffee shop!

“We had a fifties week recently with fifties food, a street party, and a fashion show. We even had a Triumph motorbike ridden through our ground floor coffee shop!”

“When I tell people about all the things we do, the reaction I often get is ‘you’re joking!’ Our ethos is ‘We do it differently at Bowes House’ – and there’s not a day goes by that I don’t hear someone say that.”

Following a visit by the local Air Training Corp, Bowes House surprised them with six drums to start a drumming corp. “They were thrilled and come and play for us. They parade the haggis on Burns’ Night,” says Anne, “the residents adore it.”

“I can’t walk into town now without it taking an hour now. Everyone knows us and wants to find out what we’re doing. I feel lucky to have ever found a place like Bowes House to work – it has a huge place in my heart.”

Carmel Malley, Operational Project Support for the new service, explains, “Until now this sort of service has been extremely local, but CQC has permitted us to offer it nationally because we can offer emergency cover too.

The companions will either work two weeks on, two weeks off, or for three months or more at a time. They sleep at the user’s home, with carers stepping in as necessary to provide personal care and help with heavier tasks, such as lifting.

“It’s a great option for the elderly, who don’t want or need to move to a residential home but need more support. We offer five levels of support, ranging from companionship and everyday support

such as cooking and trips out, up to higher level needs, for example PEG feeding*.

“Level five is completely bespoke, depending upon the service user’s needs, and may include caring for someone with an acquired brain injury or multiple sclerosis. Of course, service users may move up through each level as their needs change.”

Part of the familyCarmel explains, “The live-in support worker really becomes part of the family, so it’s vital we get the match right. The approach is very similar to online dating – from pre-selection to interviews and meetings.

“Live-in caring is open to everyone at Care UK, but given its intensity and the fact that you are away from your family, we believe that a large proportion of the companions will be from Eastern Europe, for whom this approach is more common practice and are away from home for extended periods. Obviously their English has to be not just good, but absolutely excellent.”

Although the service may be funded by the NHS or local authorities, Care UK expects that the majority of service users adopting this service will pay for it privately as part of their Homecare Select package and is in discussion with financial advisors about providing financial assistance.

According to Carmel, new innovations are in the pipeline, “We are working on plans to give all customers of this service a tablet computer and broadband so that the family can see what the individual has done, where they have been and discuss any issues with the support worker.”

[email protected]

07888 678 127.

* PEG: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a medical procedure in which a tube (PEG) is passed into a patient’s stomach through the abdomen.

Despite the increased awareness of the need to attend regular screenings, recent research* concluded that almost half of women aged 25-29 put off cervical screening, on average by 15 months.Although only the 19th most common cancer in the UK**, cervical cancer remains the most often diagnosed cancer among under 35 year old women, with nearly 1,000 women dying from the disease each year.

Returning to work

after cancerReceiving a cancer diagnosis is a life changing moment. But when you have been through the tests, the treatment and the recovery – what then? For many people the next big step is returning to work.

Each issue Dr Alia Siddique, GP from The Hill, a Care UK GP Practice in Birmingham, offers her professional view on a medical matter. This issue Dr Alia looks at cervical cancer.

HeaLtH & weLLBeING


Dr Alia Siddique

Cervical cancer affects the entrance to the womb. The reason why so many young women choose not to attend their first smear tests, is that it often has no symptoms initially. And yet caught early, it’s usually possible to treat it using surgery, in some cases without removing the womb.

Signs and symptomsThe most common symptoms of cervical cancer are unusual vaginal bleeding, which can occur after sex, in-between periods or after the menopause. Abnormal bleeding doesn’t mean that you definitely have cervical cancer, but you should book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible just in case.

Ask Dr Alia... Spotting the early signs of cervical cancer

For many people, returning to work offers the chance to return to a normal routine and an opportunity to reclaim your identity beyond cancer and boost your self esteem – not to mention income.

Cancer can leave you feeling isolated and lonely. Returning to work and being around others can be a great comfort and help remind you that you are a valued employee, colleague and friend.

How Occupational Health can helpWhen you begin to consider returning to work, your manager may refer you to Occupational Health to begin to discuss the best way to support you.

The team will contact you to discuss how you are getting on practically and emotionally and discuss the different aspects of your role. They do not need to examine you and do not provide treatment services, but are there to support you when you are ready to return to work.

Following your assessment, recommendations can then be made to your manager to assist you in your return. All the advice is unique to the person, as every person’s recovery is unique to them. If you have had surgery, this may affect your ability to lift, bend or undertake other manual handling

activities. If your duties need you to undertake these sorts of activities we can suggest alternate duties to minimise this, gradually increasing as your strength returns.

For some people sitting for long periods can cause discomfort, and we can suggest measures to assist this, especially if your main duties require you to sit at a desk for long periods.

Many people continued to feel fatigued long after their treatments have finished and may benefit from a phased return to work, perhaps starting on part-time hours.

ProfileAge: 30

Married: Adam

Children: Caleb (10), Esmé (4)

Home: Lincoln

Hobbies: Days with the family walking, fast cars (dream car: BMW M3), Formula One

Music: ‘Split personality’ – from classical to Hip Hop

CaReeRs


At her first day’s training to become a Support Worker, Esther Clayton remembers asking about career progression at Care UK.

The trainer rattled off the names of a number of Support Workers who had gone on to become Branch Managers. Little did Esther think that she would ever be one of them, but that’s exactly what happened.

Esther became acting Branch Manager in April 2013, taking on more responsibility until the post was made permanent four months later.

While Esther clearly had the ability and ambition, an element of luck helped bring her to Care UK. Esther explains, “When I returned from maternity leave my employer couldn’t offer me hours that suited, so I picked up the yellow pages and began at the top!” she explains.

“I spoke to a few companies, but they weren’t very good on the phone. Care UK was very friendly, gave me lots of information and wanted me to come in straight away.

“In July 2010 I joined part time. Everyone was very friendly and I really enjoyed my rounds. The following year I had more time and felt like a challenge, so I covered a Coordinator’s mat leave. It was a shame to leave regular contact with service users, but the experience helped me be a better coordinator.

The next step came soon after. “The branch was recruiting for a manager, but couldn’t find anyone, so I agreed to hold the fort. It was quite daunting initially, with long, hard days doing two jobs. I was slowly drip-fed extra responsibilities, so I wasn’t thrown in at the deep end. I tried not to think too far ahead, but I knew in the back of my mind that this is what I wanted to do.”

“My biggest concern was making the transition from peer to manager. I needn’t have worried – the team was incredibly supportive and when it was announced

that I had been given the role full time there was much whooping and cheering and they had already signed a card for me!”

So does Esther have her eyes on becoming Area Manager now? “Maybe one day, but I still have so much to learn and want to be the best I can be at the role I’m doing before I even consider where I go next. But I’d stay with Care UK – it’s become part of my life and a second home.”

Esther Clayton likes her

career like her cars - fast!

Your GP will then decide whether to refer you to a specialist, who you would normally see within just a couple of weeks for more detailed examinations and tests.

As a GP, I can’t stress enough the importance that all women have regular screenings. The screenings are designed to spot cancers and abnormal or pre-cancerous cells at the very earliest stage, even before any symptoms develop.

NHS Patient Choices: www.nhs.uk

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: www.jostrust.org.uk

* Censuswide for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, January 2014.

** Cancer Research UK

There may be times when additional health, support or changes to work activities may be needed and we can advise upon referral to Access to Work or the Shaw Trust to support this if needed.

Becoming Branch

Manager was a huge

achievement for me

The Occupational Health team: Back row: Helen Hannar, Jane Pockett and Curt Navarro. Front row: Vicky Ward and Houssein Peerally

Spending time outside in a safe, beautiful, fragrant garden can be a wonderful experience for anyone, particularly someone with dementia.

one magazine spoke to Annie Pollock, landscape architect and Director of Landscape Design at the Dementia Services Development Centre at Stirling University, who designed the gardens at Cairdean House in Edinburgh.

Annie shared her top tips for making gardens great for older people and those with dementia.

Think of a garden as a roomI call gardens outdoor rooms, because that’s the best way to think of them. This means minimising the transition between indoors and outdoors in terms of levels, colours and so on, so as to create a barrier-free entrance to the garden for the residents. The important thing to remember is that you’re trying to create someone’s garden – not a ‘campus’.

Make sure it’s safe and secureIt is essential that the garden is a safe and secure outdoors space, both for the residents and the peace of mind of the


A new training programme being rolled out across Care UK’s homes to help drive consistency, excellence and behaviour is proving popular and useful, according to one of the first people to be trained.iCare was developed by marketing and operational teams to create ‘The Care UK Way’ a set of standard operating procedures covering and defining ways of working at key touch points along the customer journey. There are 15 modules in total with examples including defining reception

From award-winning landscape architect, Annie Pollock

iCare training gives great first impression

FeatURe

staff – but remember that gardens may be emergency fire escape routes too.

Although security is vital, it’s important that the garden feels light and inviting – and not imprisoning. For Cairdean, I specified green weld-mesh fencing, which allows light through and a view of the woodland beyond, whilst being secure.

Tips on building a garden for people with dementia

Debbie de Beer, Residential Manager at Colne View

Annie Pollock

Glorious greenery at Silversprings

1

2


area presentation, moving residents, to defining laundry and dining experiences.

Alongside the standards, ‘The Customer Promise’ has been introduced and will be displayed in every home as a reminder to customers and colleagues of commitments.

iCare began in November 2013 with a ‘train the trainer’ programme to explain how the nine-month programme works and how it should be used. The first wave of trainers have now begun using the packs, which include training cards, ‘passports’, managers’ guides and web-based training.

One of the first to try iCare is Debbie de

Beer, Residential Manager at Colne View and ex primary school teacher, who says she’s found the training very useful: “iCare gives me the tools I need to be able to pick up issues and arrange quick training sessions to deal with them – not three hours or an hour, but ten minutes. I can address issues straight away and see the results immediately – it’s very hands-on.”

Trainers will receive a new module every two months. The first modules to be issued are ‘Introducing iCare’ and ‘First Impressions’. Debbie has found them both excellent: “iCare helps everyone to refocus on vision and value, The Customer Promise and how we’ll measure success. It helps us focus on what we’re aiming to achieve as a

Go for traditional rather than trendy plants

Avoid modern trends and go for plants that residents might remember from their youth. I’m often asked about grasses, but they’re a relatively modern phenomenon in garden design and need to be used appropriately. Plant shapes, colours, textures and fragrances can all help those with dementia connect with the memories and stories of their past.

Use colour to signal the seasonsI like to ensure that a garden has year-round colour and plants that reflect the seasons. The small Japanese maple, for example, has pretty, bright leaves in the spring but very different colours in autumn. In the comfort of a care home it can be easy for residents to almost forget about the seasons – but the plants help remind them. The right trees and plants can also help attract wildlife, which the residents love.

Be practical with hard landscapingResidents need to be able to get around paths easily, whether they’re in wheelchairs, using walking frames,

in the company of others or on their own. Paths should be of sufficient width, but be careful that the hard landscaping doesn’t take over. I invariably incorporate attractive patio areas with seating and gazebos and pergolas for shade.

Get residents involvedMany residents love gardening, but they may have limited flexibility, so it’s important to use raised planters that they can work at. The ones at Cairndean can be lifted out for working on. These planters can also be moved around, so that they can be positioned where most useful.

Make the garden manageableGardens have to be manageable, so go for compact or slow-growing varieties of plants that won’t overrun the garden and become a burden. Of course, if you have residents that love gardening and managing annual plants, great!

Win a copy of Designing Outdoor Spaces for People with Dementia, written and co-edited by Annie Pollock. We have two copies to give away to the first two names drawn at random on 30 April 2014. Simply email [email protected]

www.arterre.co.uk

Two of Annie’s books to give away

Do the best you canThese tips are useful whether your garden is already established or you’re starting from scratch. Inevitably there will be financial and practical compromises to make, such as using fewer or less mature plants, but the important thing is to do the best you can.

However, it may be possible to stay within budget while not compromising too much by choosing less mature plants or opting for a less dense planting scheme, although this would require a bit more care while the plants get established.

FeatURe• Four gardens to the south-east,

south-west, north-east and north- west, shared by the three wings

• Multiple smaller gardens

• Nominated for Pinders Healthcare Design Award for Best Dementia Care Home

• Garden completed: February 2013

Cairdean House

Garden facts

GIVE- AWAY

4

3

5

8

6

7

team rather than as individuals.

“I particularly liked the First Impressions module,” says Debbie, “which helped us see our service through the eyes of customers, family members and contractors that visit the home. First impressions are formed before people reach the front door, based on simple things like signage, the grounds and the welcome you receive on arrival.

Unlike some training programmes, iCare aims to make those being trained think about how they would want to receive information, how they would want to be treated, and how they can deliver the Customer Promise.

This is an excellent tool that will be beneficial to homes, colleagues and residents.

‘Project Fusion’ focuses on promoting and delivering a more integrated service that makes it easier for users to ‘step up’ and ‘step down’ between the divisions’ services (see panel, below right).

The project focuses primarily on the North East where there are clusters of homes within the catchment of CS North East (Newcastle) and CS Leeds, concentrating on five care homes:

– The Terrace (Richmond)

– Ventress Hall (Darlington)

– Ponteland Manor (Newcastle)

– Hadrian House (Gateshead)

– Mill Lodge (Bradford)

As well as improving the ‘referral pathway’, the project aims to improve stakeholder communications in order to position Care UK as an organisation that can offer a pathway of care options.

It is also aiming to share training programmes, venues and recruitment, increasing staffing efficiencies and reducing overall agency spending at RCS.

The care home managerJudy Wray, Manager at Ventress Hall in Darlington, says it’s working: “We’ve always worked well with the local CS team, but we are now sharing staff a lot more to cover shifts and holidays. The carers are a fantastic help – they slot into the home straight away.”

Judy has also seen an increase in referrals from CS: “Recently one of the community carers recommended Ventress Hall. The service user is now coming to us regularly for day care and we’re organising some respite care too, which is fantastic.”

When residents return home from respite, Judy is keen to ensure they know what we can offer: “We are raising awareness of our Homecare Select Personal Service among service users, their families and social workers, so that we become their preferred supplier. Community Services didn’t know we could deliver meals, for example.”

A new pilot project that aims to forge ties between residential care and community services is helping both divisions and Care UK service users.

Suffolk war veteran honoured


ReMaRKaBLe ResIDeNts

World War II veteran Liz Austin from Framlingham had a special postal delivery in January from Prime Minister David Cameron when she received a commemorative badge and certificate for her code breaking during the war at Bletchley Park.

Now aged 87, Liz Austin was called up to join the war when she was 17 years old on her last day at school and was sent to Bletchley Park, the iconic code-breaking site in Buckinghamshire, where she learnt how to use the ciphering and encryption machines. She was then based in Middlesex where she helped decipher German codes.

Commenting this week about receiving the long-overdue recognition, she said: “I was amazed and very proud to receive the badge. After some encouragement and persuasion from Care UK colleagues here at Mills Meadow, I decided to tell my story and claim the badge as I would like to pass it onto my grandchildren.”

Liz Austin was born in Framlingham and has spent most of her life in Suffolk. She now lives at Mills Meadow care home and is looking forward to the completion of its redevelopment.

Roz Ingate, Activities Coordinator says, “Liz is a very outgoing lady who is always helping me get people to join in, knitting or reading the newspaper. She is a very modest person and was reluctant to talk about her time at Bletchley Park initially, but we’re very pleased she has chosen to share it with us.”

(Right to left) Liz Austin with her Bletchley Park Commemorative Badge and certificate, with Georgina Penny, Care UK Business Support Manager, and Roz Ingate, Activities Coordinator

Fusing closer ties between Residential Care and Community Services

Despite the challenge of juggling rooms to accommodate request for respite stays, Judy says she’ll always find a way: “We have lots of rolling respite and can usually fit someone in, even at short notice in the middle of the night. If we can’t, we’ll arrange it at a sister home nearby.”

The branch managerBeverley Steel, Branch Manager at the North East Customer Centre (NECC) agrees it’s working: “Seeing what each other does has definitely brought us together as a team. It has been a real eye opener and we’ve all had lightbulb moments where we realise what services we can offer each other.”

The key is showing service users what care homes can offer, says Beverley: “When a service user’s daughter fell ill and couldn’t support her Mum, our care worker looked into a short respite period at Ventress Hall. Once the service user had seen the facilities, she’s now taking a break and using the day club.”

“I guess we just get blinkered and think of ourselves as two completely different companies rather than one company providing two different services,” says Beverley, “It’s just about educating people.”


FeatURe

Offering a helping hand: (L-R) from RCS, Stephanie Bromley, Care Assistant and Diane Encinias, Deputy Manager at Ventress Hall, joined by CS’ Jamie Lee Cocks, Care Worker and Bronwen Roberts, Team Leader

‘Step up’ from CS to RCS– Laundry services– Lunch clubs– Hairdressing– Bathing and personal care– Short to medium term stays

‘Step down’ from RCS to CS– Post hospital recuperation in a care home– Additional ‘in-home’ support– Ad-hoc or regular meal deliveries

Making an easier pathway

between services:

Fusing closer ties between Residential Care and Community Services

I guess we just get blinkered and think of ourselves as two completely different companies rather than one company providing two different services.Beverley Steel

Dr Sarah Bromley, National Medical Director for Offender Health services has become a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, one of a small number working in offender health to enjoy the accolade. Sarah, a GP for 18 years, works with local teams to deliver and improve clinical care in more than 20 prisons across the country.

Lisa’s in the world top 10Accountant Lisa Butler, based in Connaught

House, has flown through her Chartered

Institute of Management Accountants’

(CIMA) exams, with the eight best scores

in the world for the aggregate of three

results at the strategic level. Thanks for

the tip-off, Steven Nelson and team,

and very well done Lisa!

Andrew joins from health-conscious

Weight Watchers UK, where he was

MD, and spent much of his career in

the leisure industry. He has also been

a non-executive director of a NHS

Hospital Trust.

one magazine found out more:

What was your first job?

My first proper job was in Birmingham

working behind the bar and waiting on

tables. Back then I used to sell the odd

bottle of Black Tower or Blue Nun (yes,

it was that long ago!)

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

My spell as a market researcher

involved standing outside a builders’

merchant in Middlesbrough asking

builders what they thought about the

service. Most of their replies weren’t

recorded on my clipboard!

What’s your most precious possession?

My Dad’s watch; it’s not expensive but my

Dad died a couple of years ago and it brings

back lots of very happy memories.

What are you passionate about?

Customer service in all its forms: making

sure that the person serving the customer

has all the tools to do it to the best of their

ability. This means looking after residents

and making sure our teams can do it to the

best of their ability.

How do you relax?I enjoy watching or taking part in sport.

These days I’m often on the sideline of a

hockey or netball pitch watching one of my

two girls play. The odd crime thriller movie

also does the trick.

What makes you happy?

Seeing someone succeed and have the

satisfaction of a job well done; seeing a

customer who’s had a great experience.

Who would you like to be

stuck in a lift with and why?

Sometimes it’s good just

to have a really great laugh,

so I’d settle for Peter Kay.

What’s the best thing about your job?

It is working with people who are clearly

very caring and passionate about looking

after others, and who are so skilled at

what they do.

What advice would you give the

younger you?Don’t buy that damask red Austin Allegro.

It will cost you a fortune, you will write it

off, and it will be really uncool as your first

car if you ever appear on Top Gear.

What’s your all-time favourite song?

It would have to be Bohemian Rhapsody.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A toss-up between a Terry’s Chocolate

Orange or a pint of cask ale!

22

COFFee BReaK


Life Skills Support Worker Annemarie Foster (centre) from the Highbury New Park Day Centre team has won the Islington round of the national Dignity in Care Awards, having been nominated by members from the day centre. The team said that it is ‘very special’ and ‘reassuring to know that our hard work is valued.’

Southampton-based Amicus ITS, part of Care UK, has been named best managed service provider in the UK/Europe and 13th out of 501 worldwide at the prestigious MSPmentor 501 Global Edition Awards. The team was also ranked 5th in Europe and 29th in the world recently by Nine Lives Media in the US.

Accolade for Care UK Medical Director

Amicus ITS named UK’s No1 service provider

Care UK Rocks!F LMore great stories of Fulfilling Lives at its best!

Annemarie wins Islington Dignity in Care Awards

Well done to Kia Mattieson at

Silversprings Care Home in Thorrington,

Essex, for taking the initiative to receive

training and become a ‘Dementia

Friend’. This is part of the Alzheimer’s

Society’s programme to improve people’s

understanding of dementia and the small

things that could make a difference.

MD Steve Jackson pictured proudly displaying the certificate.

Volunteer’s dementia friends

Andrew Knight joined Care UK as Managing Director of Residential Care Services in January.

60 seconds withAndrew Knight, MD of Residential Care Services


One correct entry for each puzzle will be picked to receive a £25 shopping voucher.

How to enterComplete this coupon and post the page to: one magazine, Care UK, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9QB

Email: Send a scan or clear photo to [email protected]

Name:

Location at Care UK:

Contact (phone or email) :

Winners will be drawn on 30 April 2014. Good luck!

After a long and very wet winter, spring has finally sprung and thoughts can turn to getting out in the garden!And if you’re not a gardener, maybe you’ve got your eye on a new barbeque or are pondering your next DIY project.One lucky Care UK employee will win £500 to spend in any Homebase store. Could it be you?To enter, you just need to be registered on Perkz. If you’re already registered, it couldn’t be simpler – you’re automatically entered! If you haven’t registered yet, simply visit www.perkz.com and follow the instructions for first time users, using the company code CUK1. Good luck!

The winner will be drawn on 30 April 2014. No cash alternative available.

Quick sudoku

Across1. Attends the bride (10)8. Donkeys (5)9. Approaches (5)10. Kitchen utensils (4)12. Tiny (6)14. Pertaining to the

post office (6)17. The Orient (4)21. Begin (5)22. Faint (5)23. Very powerful nation (10)

Down2. Ascended (5)3. Partial darkness (4)

4. From that time (5)5. Once more (5)6. Covered with dust (5)7. Group of tents (4)11. Become firm (3)13. Evening (3)14. Mexican money (5)15. Acute (5)16. Participant (5)18. Worship (5)19. Very small (4)20. Capital of Norway (4)

COFFee BReaK

Competition Corner

WIN! a £500 garden makeover voucher

Coffee break puzzles

WIN

Whistleblowing: What would you do if you saw something

at work that worried you?Challenge it? Report it? Ignore it?Poor or bad practice is rare in Care UK, but should it ever happen, every person in the company needs to feel confident about speaking up.

Speak openly and honestly to your manager about any issues that may be troubling you.If you don’t feel that you can do that, talk to your regional manager or your divisional Whistleblowing contact (see right). Alternatively, you can contact Care UK’s Chief Executive Mike Parish directly.

If, for any reason, you feel you can’t or shouldn’t speak to anyone at Care UK, you can contact the independent and confidential whistleblowing charity Public Concern at Work (PCAW).

020 7404 6609

[email protected]

careuk.com

Halfords bike voucher: Oliver Tomlinson, Connaught House (CS Finance)

Sudoku: Helen Rossiter, Cirencester TC (Health Care)

Crossword: Alison Baker, Clara Court (Residential Care Services)

Congratulations to our lucky competition winners from Issue 9!

Divisional whistleblowing contacts

Care UK key contactsReception – Connaught House, Colchester: 01206 757206/752552

Reception – Hawker House, Reading: 0118 952 1900

Community ServicesDonna Cousins – Director of Quality and Clinical Governance [email protected] 07867 527 158

Gill Hallam – Head of Quality [email protected] 07795 655 245

David Bowen – Senior Quality Manager [email protected] 07795 147548

GroupHugo Carter – Group HR [email protected] 01206 517448

Richard Laurence – Head of Group [email protected] 07971 082 804

Health CareSusan Marshall – Quality Improvement and Governance [email protected] 07771 965 219

Mental HealthAlison Rose-Quirie – Managing [email protected] 07733 898 922

Residential CareCaroline Roberts – Director of Quality and Governance [email protected] 07435 960 022

Nicola Gillis – HR [email protected] 07435 964 121

Competition winners

Community Services’ whistleblowing contact Donna Cousins says:

We are unique in that we will not allow our integrity to be compromised by a particular allegiance and will ensure that this is investigated thoroughly informing you of our findings.

Whistleblowers provide an early warning system that can alert us to danger or illegality before it is too late, ensuring we keep our service users and staff safe.

One BIG Thank youThank you to everyone who contributed their time, stories and pictures to this edition… we couldn’t do it without you!

Documents

One magazine issue 10, spring 2014