UK Care Week 💚💙

What an amazing 2 days we shared at UK Care Week 2024! ⭐ Here are a few of our highlights from this year’s impactful event… Pre-registration for UK Care Week 2025 is now open! Don’t miss your chance to join us next year, 19th-20th March 2025, at the NEC in Birmingham. Use the link https://hubs.la/Q02XmQK30 to secure your spot today. Be sure to tag us in your favourite moments from UK Care Week! 😊 #UKCareWeek2025

📚As we look ahead to the Autumn #Budget on 30th October, we take a look back at the key comments and themes that emerged from Lord Darzi's report on the NHS and how the government should be at the heart of any plans to create a 'neighbourhood NHS'. Catch up on the care sector response and share your reflections below 👇 https://hubs.la/Q02RsZ9X0

The Canadian-born DementiAbility, developed by Gail Elliot, Founder and CEO, aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia in care homes. Earlier this year, one of Jewish Care's residential care homes received the DementiAbilty accreditation. We caught up with the team at Jewish Care to find out the impact of the specialist dementia training: https://hubs.la/Q02RsYWf0

🗣️ On the 17th of May 2024, frontline care workers from England, Wales and Scotland met at Reuben College, University of Oxford, for a roundtable discussion on the ‘responsible use of (generative) Artificial Intelligence (AI) in adult social care’. This month, the sector read what frontline care workers expect in relation to AI policies. Read comment from Dr Jane Townson and all of the expectations below 👇 📢“We are calling on our employers to put in place AI and technology policies and procedures that set our clearly if, when and how AI can or even should be used by their staff. We are expecting our employers to take on full responsibility for any harm that may be caused using AI if procedures and policies were followed correctly. We are expecting to receive proper training and access to continued learning so that we understand the AI technology we are expected to use, the risks of using it in the remits of our work and proper procedures to mitigate and respond to risks.“ https://hubs.la/Q02RsXSV0

In our September newsletter, My Home Life England (part of City St George’s, University of London) updates on its wide-scale qualitative research project exploring the experiences of residential care, from the perspectives of older people and those who care for them. Dr Bethany Morgan Brett is a Research Fellow for My Home Life England at City St George’s, University of London said, “Older people were actively participating in activities that gave their lives renewed purpose and helped them to feel valued. For example, 82-year-old Irene had had a long career working for a fabric company and this was a critical part of her identity. She told us, “I can’t do my sewing anymore, which was part of my life working for {a textile company} for 27 years. So, I decided to knit…I knit scarves for the staff. I think I’ve knitted 13 since I’ve been in here”. Irene also found a new sense of purpose through volunteering in her care home, to lay tables and through attending to others at mealtimes.“ Our article shares commentary on the 6 ways care homes can support people to thrive. Find out what they are here: https://hubs.la/Q02RsQKP0

📢 Catch up on our September newsletter content! This month, Samantha Crawley, CEO Bracebridge Care Group and Director at The Outstanding Society, shares her exclusive insights with UK Care Week readers on the topic of #recruitment and #retention Sam said, “Retaining skilled team members, on the other hand, often requires a smaller investment but yields far greater returns. The costs of retention strategies—whether through offering benefits like Blue Light Cards, recognising personal milestones, or ensuring fair and consistent treatment—are minimal compared to the disruption and expense of frequent recruitment.“ Read the column here and share with colleagues: https://hubs.la/Q02RsQhB0

“To mark this year’s Afternoon Tea Week, we wanted to give the residents a fun and uplifting afternoon tea party and, as the Cheshire Cat says, ‘It’s always tea time’, so we thought an Alice in Wonderland event would be perfect,” said Chelsey Leather, the Activities Coordinator at New Copford Place. All the care team jumped down the rabbit hole and took part in the ‘Unbirthday Tea Party’. Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at the care home took on the iconic role of The Mad Hatter, Lucy Buckle, New Copford Place’s Deputy Manager became Alice and Carer, Jackie Woodjetts transformed into The White Rabbit. In keeping with the classic Lewis Carroll story, residents enjoyed an array of delicious afternoon tea treats, complete with ‘Eat Me’ and ‘Drink Me’ homemade delicacies. “All the residents had a ‘Wonderland’ time,” said Daniel. “Unlike The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the timeless story, our tea party took place at 3 p.m. and not 6 p.m. The residents had a lovely time, not only enjoying the tasty afternoon tea, but also reminiscing about the Alice in Wonderland story – when they first read the book, saw the cartoon Disney film and some, even the latest Tim Burton cinematic version.”  Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eEbDYynY #carehomes #residentialcare Friends of the Elderly #caresector

🗣 The government's interim report on the CQC, led by Dr Penny Dash, chair of the North West London Integrated Care Board, found inspection levels were still well below where they were pre-COVID, a lack of clinical expertise among inspectors, a lack of consistency in assessments and problems with CQC’s IT system. UK Care Week caught up with Nadra Ahmed CBE DL 💚 to hear her reactions and analysis on the report and Nadra offers her advice to social care providers. You can watch 📺 the full interview on the UK Care Week website: https://lnkd.in/ecMGnk7Z #socialcare #caresector #CQC #regulation #carehomes #inspections #government #policy #interview #content #blogpost #commentary #opinion

📣 What's the latest update on the Workforce Strategy? Skills for Care's Director of Workforce Strategy Dr Jane Brightman 💚 told UK Care Week readers, "We have spent the summer working with the Steering Group to shape plans for implementation across the sector and talking to the government. We are talking to ICS, local authorities and care providers across England and have a call out for people or organisations who would like to become Workforce Strategy Champions." Skills for Care is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming Workforce Strategy Champions. You can be an individual or representing an organisation, with a passion or a stake in adult social care. Sign up to UK Care Week newsletter and catch up on the latest news online and share your comments and reflections below 👇 https://lnkd.in/emvMDZV9 #socialcare #workforce #strategy #government #recruitment #retention #content #newsletter #carehomes #homecare

We're excited to announce that CoolCare are exhibiting at UK Care Week 2025! Find out more about CoolCare here - https://hubs.la/Q02LdBK_0 UK Care Week provides a platform for care professionals to access industry-defining content, live product demonstrations and interactive features to equip them with the skills and knowledge to improve the lives of those they care for. Join us at UK Care Week on 19-20 March, you can pre-register for free today: https://hubs.la/Q02LdFs00