Next of Kin - Newsletter

“#BringPeopleTogether” – An Eleanor Initiative A simple way you can help us unite your loved ones with their friends and family Do you know someone who is an old 2020 has been a lonely year for our friend or family member with whom residents. The sense of separation and your loved one would enjoy spending isolation has been devastating to all of us. time? Our teams of managers and caregivers have worked hard to ensure that not a BRING THEM TOGETHER! single resident in our care homes feels alone or left out. We are now taking in new residents. We have vacancies across our 3 care homes, But now, with the end of lockdown on the which we are allocating on a first-come, horizon, we decided to something more. first-served basis. We created the As a part of our #BRINGPEOPLETOGETHER initiative. #BRINGPEOPLETOGETHER initiative, we are prioritising bookings Through this initiative, we aim to unite from friends and family members of our our residents with their old friends and existing residents. family members, with whom they grew up, who know their stories, and can talk and Call or email your care home today. laugh with them for hours on end. We would like to present you this wonderful opportunity to help and show your care for your loved one. Show your Care in just 5 Minutes An opportunity to show your appreciation for the caregivers Simply click on this link and leave us a 2020 has not been an easy year for the review on our care home page. care sector. You can also request a Review Card from the manager during your upcoming care In our care homes, the caregivers and home visit. managers faced extraordinarily challenging situations. We will make sure that the team sees it in print. Your words of encouragement The teams had to follow strict infection will act as a powerful incentive towards control protocols without compromising achieving even greater wellbeing and the quality and duration of care they happiness for your loved one. showed to your loved one. Only their consistent and dedicated efforts have spared us from the worst.

And now that you can start visiting your loved one in our home from Monday, 8 March 2021, you can show your appreciation and acknowledgement of the work the care team has been doing since the beginning of the pandemic. Keeping the Body Fit, Mind Engaged, and Spirits Up How we have helped our residents be their best selves throughout February We have kept your loved one SIR CAPTAIN TOM MOORE DAY engaged physically, mentally, and 3rd February 2021, Wednesday emotionally, with a variety of activities throughout February: Our care homes celebrated the life and contributions of Sir Captain Tom Moore • Sir Captain Tom Moore Day on 3rd February 2021. The home was decorated with Union Jack buntings and • Valentine’s Day the residents wore hats to match the flags. They spoke about how Sir Tom • Pancake Day Moore inspired them through his personal example. Together, the • Love Your Pet day caregivers and the residents applauded all his contributions. Sir Tom Moore fought for Britain during World War II. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he raised over £39 million for the NHS. He succumbed to complications arising from COVID-19 on 2nd February 2021. He was laid to rest on 27th February 2021, Saturday. Thank you, Sir Tom, for all your services! VALENTINE’S DAY 14th February 2021, Sunday The residents were overwhelmed by the show of love from young and old on Valentine’s Day. At Roselands, the entire space was festooned with colourful, heart shaped buntings. The manager Adriana and her team went to great lengths to ensure that not a single resident felt left out or unloved. At Hartley House, the granddaughter of one of our residents gifted a lovingly made poster to Paula Stanford, the manager. The poster read, “for being brave, for looking after my nanny, you’re all stars!” At Bluebell, each resident received cards and roses, along with delicious heart themed patisseries and desserts. The balloons, tasteful red table linen, and decorations made the space come alive. The residents were both surprised and overwhelmed by the elaborate work of Matthew and his team. PANCAKE DAY 16th February 2021, Tuesday Who doesn’t like a hot stack of pancakes, dripping with fresh cream and maple syrup, and topped with kiwi and strawberry?

Pancake Day was a massive hit this year in our care homes. The chefs and managers donned their aprons and got to work. Of course, a few eggs were spilled, and much laughter was heard amongst the residents, but the final results will make your mouth water. Take a look for yourself! LOVE YOUR PET DAY 20th February 2021, Saturday We brought many furry folks to our care homes on Love Your Pet Day. The day was full of braying, barking, purring, clicking, and bleating. Our residents could not stop smiling as they held, stroked and kissed the little visitors (well, not all were small!). It was a welcome change from their ordinary days. One fluffy fellow, Bear, was particularly popular. Here are some snaps from the day. A manager’s tips for your upcoming care home visit How you can make the most of your time your loved one • Book your APPOINTMENT in advance with your We have carefully gone care home manager through the government guidelines and created a • We operate a policy of only one visitor per resident. plan to make your visit to • Your TEMPERATURE will be taken, and our care home as safe, convenient, and LATERAL FLOW TEST will be administered memorable as possible. before you can enter the home (the LFT results take up to half-an-hour to appear.) Plan accordingly. After months of waiting, Only those who test negative will be allowed. the last thing we want is • Maintain SOCIAL DISTANCE from staff and for you or your loved one other residents at all times to be disappointed on the • If you are UNABLE TO ATTEND YOUR VISIT, special day of your call and let us know in advance. reunion. • If you have any SPECIAL REQUESTS or would like to bring any gifts, speak with the manager as So here are some of our each home has its own arrangements. manager’s tips for your upcoming visit.

Stay Connected Follow your loved one’s daily life on our social media channels You can follow your loved one’s life in our care homes on our social media channels. Keep watching these spaces to see your loved one feature in one of our great stories: Facebook: Twitter: Linked-In: Click on the links and follow us!