It was down to our online Learning Management System, which has revolutionised our ability to deliver training remotely and the commitment of colleagues across the organisation embracing our culture of learning and development.

The Learning Management System allows us to offer remote support to learners across a diverse geographical area at any time. The online system has enabled us to develop online interim learning and development activities which encourages learner engagement and because it is accessible 24 hours a day. It facilitates a triangulated approach to supporting learners with a workplace mentor and a training mentor.

The new Learning Management System has revolutionised the way we deliver training and manage talent and skills across our organisation.

Susannah Chard, Learning and Development Manager said, “It’s about building a modern culture of learning and continuous development which engages our workforce and makes learning accessible and flexible.”

VIEW OUR CURRENT VACANCIES AND ENJOY UNRIVALLED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT :

https://choiceshousing.co.uk/recruitment/

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Colleagues at Holdcroft Road in Stoke-on-Trent set up ‘Bar HR’ and service users each placed their order for food and a drink.

Andrea Atkinson explains, “The cocktails were mocktails based on favourites  We did a price list and set the ‘bar’ up near the door so as the people we support came in they could order. We had disposable BBQs in the garden and the table was laid for our guests”.

Who doesn’t love a good burger, especially when it’s washed down with a freshly made ‘mocktail’.

Holdcroft Road is one of our learning disability care homes in Bucknall, providing care and support for 6 service users, whose needs vary and include: dysphagia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and mental health, physical impairment.

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To combat this, we worked with our amazing IT team, who enabled service users to keep in touch via WhatsApp, to use video calls to speak with their loved ones.

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Across our homes, teams have been working with service users to keep them in touch with families and friends, in lots of different ways. In learning disability care, it’s important to maintain a link with families and friends.

Andrea Atkinson, Registered Manager from Holdcroft Road explains, “the people we look after have quite profound learning disabilities, so the communication with families especially, is important for two reasons. It means the world to our services users to be in regular contact with loved ones, but family and friends are really important for us as professionals. That’s because our service users can’t communicate verbally, we rely on our relationship with them, non verbal cues and, crucially, input from families so that we can give them exactly what they need.”

At Holdcroft Road, they have an ‘enrichment board’ (pictured), for staff and visitors to show how they approach caring  for people with a profound learning disability. Andrea continues, “we all build a really close bond with our service users, so that we can pick up on body language and facial expressions and really get to know them as individuals so that they have everything they need – whether it’s their favourite food, an activity they like doing or the specific care and support they receive. It’s what makes the our job so special”.

Service users at Holdcroft Road have been supported to write letters home and include pieces of artwork and photos of themselves enjoying activities. And whilst technology like Skype and Zoom is amazing, sometimes, a good old fashioned letter means the world to the person who receives it. Families have then written back sending letters and cards and made phone calls to staff and service users.

“It was lovely thing to do with them. One of the incredible things about lockdown is that it has really brought the best out our teams at all of our homes. We’ve all had to get really creative and think about the activities we do ands also how we retain that sense of normality and routine for al of the people we care for.”

#LDWeek2020

#LearningDisabilityWeek

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Our Dementia Outreach Service has been providing a telephone support service, to help people living with dementia, and give families reassurance that someone is there for their loved one – whether that’s the carer or a person living with dementia.

We are currently supporting over 25 carers or people living with dementia, with regular telephone advice and support. The type of support we provide varies depending on the needs of the individual, ranging from emotional support to practical help and advice. All provided by people who are highly skilled and experienced in Dementia.

Diane Wallace, who leads our Dementia Outreach Service tells explains:

“I speak to some people everyday, because they need that level of emotional support, some company and reassurance. For other people, I might call once or twice a week, just to check they’re ok, to be the person that they can talk to and share any worries. I also follow up some calls to relatives of people who are living alone with dementia, in order to keep them updated, and to discuss any of their concerns.”

“Living with a loved one who has dementia, can be hard. Sometimes, a husband or wife may not want to share their worries with their children or other family members – they find it easier to talk to us. So we listen, we show them we care and we help them live alongside dementia.”

“We get referrals from police, NHS and the council, who feel glad to be able to offer specialist help and support for carers who are isolated at this time, looking after loved ones with dementia.”

“We’ve helped people in lots of different ways. We helped one gentleman come to terms with a diagnosis, building up his trust over time and slowly beginning to talk to him and help, so that his life wasn’t over and he can live alongside his dementia. Another lady was struggling as she couldn’t talk to her children about their father’s behaviour, so she was able to talk to us. She said she feels she can tell us anything and we help her to cope and that her family would not understand these feelings because they are not there 24/7, like she is.”

“Another lady called because her husband wakes up several times and has no concept of day or night. She said she is exhausted, lonely, sad and frustrated. I told her that it’s normal to have these feelings, and we talked about coping strategies. I call her weekly now, last time she said ‘you’re an Angel, I’m so grateful you re on the end of the phone if I need help”

Diane, from our Dementia Outreach Service, is highly trained and experienced in supporting people with dementia. So if you are a carer looking for advice or just some emotional support, call Diane today on 07837 317 521.

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At Holcroft Road service users have been planting and growing potatoes , leeks , beans, sunflowers , peppers and chillies over the last few weeks. Very impressive!

Whilst over at Community Drive, the gentleman have been busy potting and planting, which it’s fair to say they thoroughkly enjoyed.

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Holdcroft Road is one of our learning disability care homes in Bucknall, providing care and support for 6 service users, whose needs vary and include: dysphagia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and mental health, physical impairment.

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Cheers everyone!

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The story centred on nineteen of our residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and sadly, ten who have died.

We were asked to provide a statement on whether the cases of COVID-19 at Limewood hadstemmed from patients returning from hospital, and you can read that statement in full below.

We can reassure you that we continue to test our residents and staff, and that we have always implemented the recommended PHE guidelines to the letter.

Our statement

“As has been the case across care homes throughout the UK, it has been a difficult few weeks and we are saddened that a number of residents here have tested positive for COVID-19, and that we have seen ten COVID-19-suspected deaths.

First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of those residents.

All PHE guidelines around social distancing, PPE, and not allowing external visitors to Limewood, which is a specialist end of life and dementia nursing home, have been adhered to.

We did have residents hospitalised for non-COVID-19-related issues in April. They initially appeared wholly asymptomatic on their return to Limewood. Once mild symptoms were displayed, we implemented holistic testing across every resident and member of staff. During this time we liaised extensively with our GP.

The welfare of our residents and staff is of the utmost importance, and we are continuing to test everyone at Limewood. Our hard-working frontline care and nursing staff are going the extra mile and taking every possible precaution, and we’re grateful for their service.

We are not in a position to comment either on individual cases or on infection control measures at any NHS Trust.”

Contact us

We have contacted family members of all of our residents at Limewood.

If you are a relative of anyone at Limewood, and would like to contact our staff – we will be happy to talk you through the extensive measures we have in place, and how our testing approach is designed to protect your loved ones.

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The overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ means the CQC think that the service is performing exceptionally well.

Heath Street provides residential care for people with a profound learning disability. Service users are aged from their 40s to their 80s with a physical disability and very complex health needs, so they are totally reliant on their care professionals.

In awarding a rating of ‘Outstanding’, CQC inspectors said that ‘people were cared for by caring and attentive staff who supported people in a dignified and respectful way’.
In their inspection report, the CQC highlighted the ‘passion and dedication of the registered manger and their team,’ adding that they, ‘truly care about the people who live here’. Inspectors praised the proactive, person-centred care, noting that the ‘main goal is to make sure people are happy and involved in their care.’

Sharon Coxon, Registered Manager at Health Street, said, “The people we care for have very complex needs. Achieving an Outstanding rating is recognition of the lengths we go to, to care for our service users, who are totally reliant on us.”

Inspectors cited numerous examples of ‘Outstanding’ care.

Heath Street staff’s continued work with fellow healthcare professionals helped a person, who was unable to eat orally, to be able to overcome this. They noted that this individual had ‘always taken great pleasure from eating, and it was very rewarding to see them enjoying food again.’

The report also highlighted the ongoing activities in the local community. This includes bike rides (with specially adapted bikes to enable people in wheelchairs to take part), going shopping with staff, visiting local garden centres, and enjoying pamper and sensory sessions within the service. 
One inspector noted that ‘people made a wish each month of what they wanted to do with staff. They truly care about the people who live here’.

Sharon added, “I am so proud of the team at Heath Street and how hard they have all worked to achieve this rating of Outstanding. We have a really good team and it’s a lovely place to work, and that’s all due to the hard work that we have all put in.”

Nigel Downs, Managing Director, Choices Housing, said, “Achieving a rating of outstanding takes a lot of hard work and dedication from a talented team, every single day. Heath Street is only one of a handful of care homes across the region to achieve an Outstanding rating. Outstanding means providing the best possible care for our service users and these are the high standards we set ourselves. I am delighted for my colleagues, and all of the people at Heath Street and their families that we care for.”

Choices Housing is part of The Wrekin Housing Group – a housing and care provider that makes a difference to people’s lives across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Read the full report here:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-128024546

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