Magnolia PressThe newsletter for and about Borough Care people

Summer 2017

The Care Quality Commission gives Wellcroft top rating in its ‘Well-Led’ standard… Page 1

Blackpool beckons residents at Bruce Lodge - a great British day out… Page 5

Adventure days for our residents at Shepley House as they explore stunning locations and gardens… Page 6

In this issue…Borough Care celebrates Care Home Open Day with events and activities across our homes, bringing local communities and multiple generations together.

Read more on page 2

Thousands of care homes across the UK take part in this initiative each year, welcoming the public and arranging events and activities that help to create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities.

Thankfully the weather stayed dry so we took the celebrations out into the garden areas and created a festival feel that drew visitors from across the generations. Our residents especially enjoyed seeing the children from St Peter’s School and Fairway School as they joined in the dancing and games. It certainly got lively!

Lesley Ridgway, Care Home Manager at Bamford Close, said: “Being at the centre of our local communities is so important and events like this are a great way to get lots of different generations to mix. Everyone comes away having had a great day and we hope to build and nurture these important relationships.”

We had a variety of activities that took place on the day. Bamford Close had a ‘Taste the World Day’ with an

A word from our CEOIngrid Smillie, Interim Chief Executive OfficerWell done to all our homes who put on activities and events for Care Home Open Day. It really makes a difference when we can bring people closer together as it enriches the lives of everyone involved. I hope all our visitors enjoyed it as much as the residents and staff.In the next few weeks we will be publishing our Annual Review for 2016/17, which shows, amongst other improvements, the fantastic work of our Activity Lifestyle Facilitators, who help enrich the social lives of our residents and, our dedicated staff, who work to help our residents live life well, in a safe and caring environment. Congratulations to Dan and his team at Wellcroft for their latest ‘Outstanding’ feature rating from CQC; something we aspire for all our homes. (Read more about this below).2017 also brings some changes to Borough Care’s Board members. Steven Normansell recently stepped down as Chair of the Board after serving his full 9 years! He started his association with Borough Care 41 years ago as a volunteer and has helped guide and bring investment into the organisation, playing a key role in projects such as the Vision 2020 programme. We all wish him the very best and thank him for his valuable contribution. I now hope you’ll join me in welcoming our new Chair of the Board, Isla Wilson. Isla is currently a non-executive director for two public sector organisations which work with older adults, vulnerable people and carers. Over the next few months Isla will be visiting homes as part of her role, so please stop and say hello.Finally, a big thank you to all our residents’ family and friends who took part in our recent Borough Care survey. Your feedback will help us better understand your views and experiences of Borough Care so we can make improvements going forward. As promised, we will be making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society for your participation.

Ingrid Smillie, Interim Chief Executive Officer

Congratulations to Wellcroft!Wellcroft is the first Borough Care home to have received an ‘Outstanding’ feature in their recent CQC inspection.

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Care Home Open DayThank you to everyone who helped make Care Home Open Day

a huge success this year.

Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk

Well done to Daniel and the whole team at Wellcroft in achieving Outstanding in the Well Led CQC Key Line of enquiry. Wellcroft was rated overall as ‘Good’ during their inspection which took place in March 2017.

The CQC report stated: “The registered manager was supported by a deputy manager and a team of very

dedicated, compassionate care workers. (He) was very clear about his responsibilities and had developed a culture based on supporting people within a well-led service where people who used the service were at the heart of everything they did.”

Val Egan, Interim Head of Care said: “We are all so proud of Dan and his team who truly demonstrated that excellent care is being provided by a team who are passionate about making a difference for the people they support. This is what we aspire for in all our homes.”

assortment of goodies to eat and even had a visit from a falconer who brought in different breeds of owls. Food was top of the agenda with Shepley House too, their ‘Big Lunch’ gave a free meal to every visitor. Bruce Lodge and Silverdale enjoyed a 1940’s style Tea Dance with plenty of singing and dancing. Bryn Haven had a Country and Western themed afternoon and Cawood House, Reinbek and Wellcroft all held Great British Garden Party’s with live music as entertainment. Lisburne Court and Meadway Court had a seaside themed day with candyfloss, sand castles and even hook a duck!

Former Chair of the Board Steven Normansell with

new Chair Isla Wilson

How did you first get into Care?

I came to work at Borough Care as I heard that it was a fab place to work. I thoroughly enjoy my time at Cawood House, it really is a good team of people.

How do you kick start your day?

I especially enjoy assisting the residents in the morning with breakfast, it’s a good chance for me to have a chat and really get to know them.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy all aspects of my job, from the general cleaning of the home to the interaction I get to have with residents. There is always a lovely atmosphere at Cawood, all of the staff are friendly and there’s a good team spirit.

Do you have an amusing story to share with us?

There is always something funny going on at the home. Last year, when we had a barbecue my Manager, Sophie and Deputy Manager, Merick went on the bouncy castle. It had us all in stitches – laughter is so important.

What piece of advice would you give to someone coming into the care profession?

If somebody asked me about working in the care sector, I would tell them who important it is to work as part of a team. We’re all team players at Cawood House, that’s why it’s really such a great place to work and live.

Borough Care is proud of recruiting great staff so that you are reassured that your loved ones are offered the best care possible.

eMAR’s on its wayFrom August, we will be using eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Record) to replace our current paper records.The system helps to reduce the risk of medication errors by automating the management and administration process. It provides staff with up to the minute personalised information, gives prompts and accurate instructions to care home staff and links to our pharmacy. Widely used across care homes, eMAR is a more efficient, safe and accurate way to record and administer medication for everyone involved.

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Investing in the FutureBorough Care continues to focus on creating the best homes we can, with ongoing

investment to improve the lives of everyone living and working in our homes.

The Vision 2020 projectA long-term investment programme in partnership with Stockport Council.Many of you will have been involved in the early presentations and will be receiving updates on the project as it develops.

In a scheme of this magnitude, the planning stage is crucial. Over the past year we have been working closely with Stockport Council on the designs for the homes and the construction programme, to ensure that the building work is undertaken with residents’ needs, care and safety as a priority.

In May, the Council held a ‘Market Engagement Day’ where potentially interested construction organisations had an opportunity to find out more about the proposals and to ask any relevant questions.

We continue to work with the Council and their architects on the plans and once we have an agreement, we will be coming out to the individual homes to talk you through what is proposed in much more detail.

Tech top upWe have invested in 22 laptops to be used by the Senior Carers to complete Support Plans.The Support Plans will now be completed online giving staff greater flexibility to update and change plans to suit the needs of each individual resident. Technology is about fun too and residents now have access to Nintendo Wii and are supported in using Skype to chat with their family and friends. We’ll be looking to top up our tech with Apple ipads soon, to give staff and residents the chance to try new apps, games and ways of communicating.

Please make sure your care home manager has your latest

contact details.

60 Seconds with… Angela Littlewood

Angela Littlewood is a Housekeeper at

Cawood House. She has worked for Borough

Care since July 2014.

As we strive to grow our teams with high quality care staff we are asking you, as family and friends, whether you may know someone who is friendly, patient and has a caring nature, with the ability to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds?

If so, then we have some great opportunities for new staff to join us, both on a full and part time basis:

• Senior Care Assistants

• Senior Night Care Assistants

• Care Assistants

• Night Care Assistants

• Activity and Lifestyle Facilitator

Visit www.boroughcareers.org.uk for more information or speak with your care home manager.

We are also looking for volunteers across our homes so if you have a spare few hours and would like to help, please get in touch.

Investing in our People

Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk

Strictly Blackpool The residents from Bruce Lodge thoroughly enjoyed their annual holiday to Blackpool. Top of the agenda was a visit to The Tower Ballroom to watch the dancers waltz, fox trot and quick step across the floor.

After all that exertion… food and ice-cream on the pier was much needed, followed by a game of Bingo and then afternoon tea in the sunshine! A great day all round.

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A date for your diary14th August from 2pm

at Offerton Community Centre.

Join us for our popular Tea Dance

Glorious GardensResidents from Shepley House have been busy enjoying the great outdoors this summer.Taking days out to support a variety of different community events at Lyme Park, Brookside Garden Centre and Adlington Plant Hunters Fair, they got to experience some stunning locations and gardens.

As you can see, everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves and of course, there was plenty of tea and cake to keep everyone going!

Wellcroft Hits the High NotesThe residents at Wellcroft were in for a musical treat when lively performers, Shamrock ‘n’ Roll, came to visit. They arrived with a variety of different musical instruments from a bodhrán to tambourines. The residents really enjoyed playing along with the music and the appearance of a singing leprechaun got everyone smiling!

Daniel Cole, Manager at Wellcroft, said: “Music brings everyone together and it was lovely to see the positive effects it had on our residents, helping them recall memories and happy emotions. You couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy yourself.”

Silverdale on the Silver Screen!Silverdale’s Activities Lifestyle Coordinator, Lindsay and Deputy Manager, Hayley, have been rolling up their sleeves and getting creative to make life at Silverdale technicolour! Their 1950’s lounge has been transformed in to a bright cinema room, complete with big screen and popcorn machine, perfect for a Friday Film Night. Opening night will show the MGM classic ‘Singin’ in the Rain.’

Not only that, but the garden at Silverdale has been given the Alan Titchmarsh treatment, introducing beautiful pots and plants kindly donated by relatives and staff and a seating area for residents to relax and enjoy. There are other exciting projects underway so watch this space or pop in to get a sneak preview!

A Born SurvivorWell done to Sam, the Activities and Lifestyle Facilitator at Lisburne Court, who has raised over £300 for the residents’ amenity fund.

The fund is used to subsidise additional activities in the home that will benefit all residents.

Sam completed the ultimate military obstacle course - Born Survivor - and, as you can see from the photos, it was tough going. This an extreme challenge and we’re very proud of her!

Tesco Tea & Craft DaysTesco Community Volunteers came out in force recently, to share their time and lots of Tesco goodies with our residents at Cawood House and Marbury House.

Residents at Cawood House had a fun craft afternoon, getting creative with clay moulding, pictures and colouring. At Marbury House, residents were treated to a tea party, with a wonderful selection of cakes and tea to enjoy.

Nerys Carpenter, Manager at Marbury House, said: “The volunteers really helped to make this a fun occasion for our residents. It was wonderful to see how it got people talking and reminiscing about parties they remembered attending or even hosting. Plenty of smiles all round!”

Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk Newsletter • Summer 2017 • www.boroughcare.org.uk

Congratulations to…Lily Gray

from Bruce Lodge who celebrated her 100th birthday on 7th July

Gladys Robinsonwho celebrated

100 years on 25th July

Marjorie Sydallwho turned

102 years old on 23rd July

Day in the Life of… Daniel ColeCare Home Manager at Wellcroft in Gatley

I started at Borough Care as a casual care assistant in 1999 and worked up to my present role, ticking off cook, housekeeper, supervisor and more along the way!

My role as Care Home Manager is primarily the day-to-day management of the home which certainly makes for a varied and busy job. I need to ensure that the home is running efficiently and effectively; reviewing waiting lists, managing the financial budget and most importantly, ensuring residents are relaxed and cared for by staff that are happy and productive.

My favourite time of day is my morning walkabout. Catching up with staff, joking and chatting with residents; I believe that people come first and that no manager should hide behind a desk.

One of the things I’m really proud of at Wellcroft is how we have transformed the environment and created a real home-from-home! Bedroom doors have become front doors and corridors have been renamed as streets, complete with hanging baskets and post-boxes. The canteen

is now a French Bistro, the summerhouse a Village Store and most famously, the what-shall-we-do-with-it room, a Pub!

Staff have embraced these concepts, taking residents on trips to the ‘village store’, supping a drink at the ‘pub’ or inviting them in to help fold at the ‘laundrette’. It has literally revolutionised the mood and well-being of all who live and work at Wellcroft.

I am confident that anything is achievable when you set your mind to it and it’s fantastic that this hard work has been recognised by the CQC, who have just awarded us an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the ‘Well Led’ category during their recent inspection.

I am really looking forward to the future with Borough Care. I have recently been promoted to Area Support Lead and, along with Sophie Gardiner from Cawood House, we will be using our skills to support the Home Managers and develop a culture of continuous improvement across all 11 homes. In collaboration with staff, residents and families I know we can achieve great things

Wellcroft in Gatley