th uby A n n iver sa r y E d it ion
‘Thank you’ pg 08 An emotional farewell pg 24 Trust in Care SUMMER 2020 · EDITION 40 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST 100 club pg 14
Ruby Issue our 05 06 A message from Dan Life after Covid & Different times, same Trust 07 Hugh’s poems 08 20 A big thank you 10 12 The impact of iPads TRUST in 22 23 care THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST n 25 Editio 012 Winter 2 Good, good, good, good, good! Two New Trust Homes Open & Welcome to our New Chief Executive OSJCT in Top 20 once again! TRUST in care THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST 013 Winter 2 7 ion 2 – Edit Creative communication New Cheltenham Care Centre opens 14 100 Club Trust in Care The Magazine of The Orders of St John Care Trust IN THIS ISSUE Planting a Tree for the Jubilee OSJCT celebrates 25 years of caring 16 18 20 In the press 24 26 Recognising our volunteers Help & advice 28 An emotional farewell Goodbye Don & Jill 100% Good OSJCT homes above industry standards pg 12 Dementia – did you know? pg 18 OSJCT Oxfordshire & Lincolnshire achieve 100% good rating pg 12 A big ‘Thank you’ pg 08 Trust employees recognised for excellence pg 20 /osjct An emotional farewell pg 24 Trust in Care Trust in Care Trust in Care SUMMER 2019 · EDITION 38 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST A Reunion of Pure Chance at Longlands pg 03 WINTER 2019 · EDITION 39 SUMMER 2020 · EDITION 40 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST Virtual reality helps residents reminisce Photograph by Ed Nix, Oxford Times Supporting our efforts at the highest levels None of us had any inkling of what the first half of the new year would bring, and how, as a Trust, we have had to adapt and change to ensure residents and colleagues remained safe in our homes. THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST pg 03 100 club pg 14 This Special Anniversary E dition Passing of the Grand Master is a representation of over 20 years of The Orders of St John Care Trust ‘Trust in Care’ magazine. @OSJCT “ When I wrote my last column for Trust in Care, we were looking forward to celebrating Christmas in our homes and schemes and planning exciting activities for our residents and tenants to get involved in during 2020. July 2017 | Edition 34 23 14 A MESSAGE FROM Dan @OSJCT 04 Copies are available on request during this difficult time. I’d also like to praise our central teams, many of whom have changed their roles to support frontline colleagues. Families and loved ones must be thanked for their flexibility, patience, and support for our teams and lastly, a big thank you to our army of volunteers who have adapted brilliantly to the situation and found innovative ways of continuing to provide an invaluable service to the Trust. We have engaged at the highest levels of Government to underline the important role that care homes play in the social care system, being considered alongside the NHS in terms of access to Personal Protective Equipment, testing and so on. Thankfully, our voices have now been heard and we have seen improvements in accessibility to these essential tools to help us keep everyone safe. I’d firstly like to pay tribute to the incredible teams in our homes and schemes, who have worked tirelessly in caring for our residents and tenants to keep them safe Many of the articles in this, our Ruby edition of Trust in Care, focus on how we have overcome adversity in the most challenging of times; how local communities and suppliers have responded overwhelmingly to support us and of course how our residents continue to enjoy life. We are now working very hard to achieve a sense of normality; we are facilitating visits; we are open for new admissions and we are continuing our strict protocols to ensure residents and tenants stay safe. Dan Hayes Chief Executive 05
and grateful I am for all that you’ve done for me, especially when I was told I got the virus I felt I was sinking into a big black hole and you were able to encourage me to step out and look beyond the virus. Life After COVID-19 I would like to talk to others that have had the virus as well, and try to encourage them to see it as having been a challenge and there’s a new chapter now and we need to live it.” Being told you’ve tested positive for the virus can be a very worrying time. We spoke to some of our residents who have recovered from COVID-19 and here’s what they had to say. Muriel also wrote a lovely letter to the home to express her personal thanks to everyone who had looked after her while she was unwell. “ Muriel It was a real challenge and it made me realise how vulnerable I was during that time; but for the encouragement of the staff I don’t know how I would have got through as well as I did. A big, big thank you to the carers. “ Margaret I can’t thank the carers enough. They were marvellous. Now that I’ve recovered, I want to go dancing.” Margaret was a dancing teacher so when she’s up and about she’s promised to show her carers some dance moves. We can’t wait to see these, Margaret. “ Beryl I’m looking forward to having my hair done and then going for a walk in my wheelchair and going to shop for clothes. I suddenly realised that probably no-one attended my husband’s grave so I phoned up my son who lives quite near; he told me that he’s tidied it all up and he’s going to the garden centre to get some fresh flowers to put on there.” “ Patrick When I knew about COVID-19 I was worried, very worried. I don’t have a secret to getting better because I didn’t know I was ill – I’m looking forward to a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich – thank you, you wonderful carers.” Different times, same Trust We’re also exploring how we can safely open up communal areas so that residents can venture out of their rooms for a time and reunite with their friends in the home. Longlands, Oxfordshire Life in our homes has certainly been different in the last few months as we have contended with the difficult challenges that the pandemic has brought. of essential equipment such as PPE reached homes in good time and families and friends were kept up to date with changes and developments in our homes. Our teams in the homes, and also those in support functions, have worked tirelessly to ensure that loved ones were kept safe, supplies We’ve now been able to open up our homes to enable visits to take place, with a booking system to ensure we can facilitate as many reunions as possible. Visiting guidance is changing regularly but at the time of writing residents can have 2 visitors in our outdoor spaces or 1 visitor indoors if unable to be outdoors. More detailed information can be obtained from the home. Here are some of the recent visits that family members have enjoyed with their loved ones. Grace Care Centre, Gloucestershire Hugh’s Poems e B t OSJ Team es E r Been! Car I’m a Carer and due to you I love the job that I do. They always arrive with a friendly smile, No matter how great the task or trial. They change quite quick into tunics And, once on the floor, begin their work, So residents feel safe and secure, The best feeling all our Carers ensure. Carers strive to engage and interact, And with their residents laugh and chat. But, let’s herald other leading players, For they, too, are seasoned stayers Those who serve Highlights of the Day For the dining table or placed on a tray. It brings a sparkle to residents’ eyes, Whether Sunday roasts or apple pies! But guaranteed to bring a smile on lips Is the prospect of ice cream or chips! I’m a Carer and travel many a mile To see the sunshine of your smile. I’m a Carer neighbours catch a sight, Early in the morning or late at night. I’m a Carer who you can ask, Whatever the need or the task. I’m a Carer who makes you laugh And prepares your food and your bath. I’m a Carer who gives you a wave, A warm wash and a smooth shave. I’m a Carer who’ll always come back To have a laugh and share a chat. Though, in these times, it must be seen A home is safe and also sparkling clean. The Housekeeping staff play as a team, Ensuring handles and rails always gleam. They vacuum carpets, sweep the floors And there’s never been more shiny doors. Handymen maintain fundamental roles, Helping all Units achieve their goals! ‘Front of House’ staff we also applaud: Keeping registers, rotas and records, Hoping no computer ever palls or stalls, While Activities go round making calls. Tho’ never before held at such a station, Senior Staff all rise to this unique occasion Always expected from double cream To support their World Class OSJ Team! I’m a Carer who comes to your home And makes sure you don’t feel alone. I’m a Carer who’ll always stay, Whatever storm is on the way. I’m a Carer and try to be strong, So life for you won’t go wrong. I’m a Carer who understands, Sometimes you need to hold my hands. I’m one of those who give their time To serve and stay on the Front Line. Family and Friends visit Edwardstow Court Hartsholme House, Lincolnshire 06 07
Thank You! 60 bunches of daffodils for the residents. Our homes sit at the heart of their communities. Local community groups, exotic and not so exotic animals, musicians, local DJs and even bagpipe players are regular visitors to our homes. Many of our residents also venture out from our homes into their local communities, engaging with local businesses and people and simply having fun. The pandemic has meant that normal routines have been interrupted but our communities have responded brilliantly, and we have been simply overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses. Gifts of food, flowers, plants, cakes, magazines, books and even hand gel have flooded in to keep our residents’ spirits up. We just wanted to take a moment to say thank you... Salisbury firm Radiquip Media Services had been due to attend an event at Avonbourne Care Centre, but this had to be cancelled because of the restrictions on access. To make up for this the company donated more than Pizzas were on the menu at Monkscroft Care Centre thanks to the generosity of Cheltenham painting and decorating company Decorative Holmes. The home was also grateful for the flowers it received from local firm The Flower Man. College. The home also received flowers from Tesco in Marlborough. Lake House was sent some delicious cakes. The team at Spencer Court loved getting two boxes of creme eggs, a huge box of biscuits and a hamper of chocolates. Townsend House was delighted to receive a special thank you cake from a resident’s relative in America! Tesco in Brackley delivered these beautiful blooms for residents at Larkrise Care Centre, which also received food from A&C Fish Bar in Banbury and the Gaydon branch of Subway. Gregory House employees were touched by the Local Community District Nurse Team sending them a carrot cake to say thank you for their ongoing support, and the care team at Oxlip House really appreciated a care package of snacks and toiletries donated by the local community. Morrisons donated food items to Gregory House and flowers to Whitefriars which also received a food package from Café Nero. Superdrug in Abingdon very kindly managed to source Old Station House 40 large and 40 small bottles of hand gel. Residents at The Meadows were delighted to receive a donation of orchids and potted plants from Chilton Garden Centre. The generosity of the local community over the past few weeks has overwhelmed the staff at Gregory House on Welby Gardens in Grantham. Athelstan House had a donation of plants for its garden from Malmesbury Garden Centre and Millbrook Lodge was given some gorgeous indoor flowers from Brockworth Garden Centre. B&Q Trowbridge kindly donated flowers to be planted in the gardens of Goodson Lodge and Southfield House received a donation of bedding plants from Kindergarden Plants as well as lovely flowers from Spalding Parish Primary School. Resident, Jean Miller said: “I am so happy with my goodie bag from Grantham Lions, receiving this has put a big smile on my face.” Rodley House has had kind donations from Greggs, Aldi UK and Homesense. The Tesco store in Kidlington donated enough flowers for all the residents and carers at Moorside Place which really brightened everyone’s day and even prompted a few happy tears! Coombe End Court was delighted to receive a delivery of surplus food and other items from Marlborough 08 Thank you cards have poured in from residents’ families to the team at Boultham Park House, who are so grateful for such support. 09 Watersmead benefitted from a donation of flowers, magazines and books from the Warminster Waitrose and Townsend House has also had deliveries from their local Waitrose of plants, flowers, puzzle books and magazines. Thanks to Alexandra Workwear, based close to Grace Care Centre in Thornbury, near Bristol, for their generous donation of PPE including gloves, face masks and aprons which we have distributed across our homes.
Learning a new skill in your later years is not the easiest of tasks, especially when it involves technology. While younger generations have grown up with mobile phones, evolving into smart phones and associated “tech”, many of our residents have not had such exposure. But curiosity and a desire to learn certainly took centre stage when iPads were delivered to all our homes and residents discovered that this technology could help them stay connected to their friends and family during the lockdown. There has been a lot of fun and laughter as residents learnt how to Skype with their loved ones and share special moments that would normally happen face to face. The iPads have also proved a crucial lifeline in helping relatives and residents connect special occasions, including residents’ birthdays. The team at Jubilee Lodge made sure Mary celebrated her 100th birthday in style, with a card from The Queen and a super cake with candles and sparklers! Although a bigger birthday party is now on hold, Mary was able to have a video Skype call with her daughter in Scotland and enjoyed a visit from her other daughter who was able to wish her mum ‘happy birthday’ through the window. A big thank you to our IT department who did a sterling job in setting up and distributing the iPads as a priority into the homes to allow family members and friends to easily keep in touch with residents via Skype. As well as staying in touch with people who are unable to visit in person, the iPads are also being used for virtual GP consultations. THE IMPACT OF IPADS Every resident has access to iPads to enable video calls Mary was also treated to a manicure and presents, balloons and cards galore before the whole home sang ‘happy birthday’. Colin, of Langford View, also enjoyed being able to chat with his family via Skype on his 90th birthday after his plans for a big family party at the home had to be postponed. The home even managed to hold a group family Skype call where all his family were on screen at the same time so they could all sing ‘happy birthday’ to him together! Colin, who was particularly delighted to see his granddaughter via Skype, said he couldn’t believe the technology of today! trust we care. Phyliss from Gregory House also tried out the new iPad on her special day! Phyliss said that although she couldn’t see her family in person, she had a lovely birthday and received some beautiful flowers and lots of cards. Here’s Gillian of Townsend House having her first Skype call. The home said Gillian was thrilled to be able to speak to her daughter and that it had brought her “priceless” pleasure. 10 Townsend House also captured this special moment when William chatted with his family via Skype! Old Station House resident Pat Wheeler’s face lit up when she saw her daughter Trish and heard her say “Hello Mum” from the iPad! 11 Kerry Dearden, Deputy Chief Executive, said: “ This technology has helped to provide a vital link between residents and their loved ones and has gone a long way to tackling the problem of social isolation at such a difficult time. We’d like to thank The Order of Malta and Softcat, a strategic IT provider of the Trust, for their generous donations of either funding or iPads which have allowed us to make even more equipment available than we had originally envisaged. Residents love having a video chat, and we’ve had some lovely feedback from relatives who are also delighted to be able to keep in touch with their family members in this way.” THE IMPACT OF IPADS
FREE HOT DRINKS for Health Care Professionals and Emergency Service Crews As a small thank you for your work, our care homes would like to invite all public service men and women to join us for a FREE hot drink any day. Creative communication In our last edition of Trust in Care we proudly announced that we’d launched our new website. Since then we’ve been working very hard on some additional features and benefits to make it even easier for potential residents and their families to choose a home and for those who want to work with us. is easy to use and gets you answers within minutes. We launched this in late June and in the first month we’ve already engaged in 1,240 number of chats, so it’s proving really popular and we’re delighted that the feature has been so well received. A big question we’re always being asked is – “how much does it cost?” We’ve now added a pricing section to all our homes pages so prospective residents and their families can compare homes on their shortlist and make a choice that sits within their budget. We’ve also recognised that sometimes people have a quick question and need signposting in the right direction, or perhaps a phone number, or want to know how to join our team etc. We are piloting a “LiveChat” feature which Coming soon... We’re excited to share with you that we’re working on videos so that you can see what it’s like in some of our homes. You’ll be able to meet the team in a virtual capacity and see for yourself the main areas of the homes from the comfort of your living room. Free coffee mug also available for Health Care Professionals and Emergency Service crews. We’re also looking at a facility to book virtual tours, where someone from the home that you’re interested in can show you round. One of the less fortunate outcomes of COVID-19 has been the fact that families and friends have not been able to visit their loved ones. So we decided to bring their loved ones to them by creating our “Moments” section on our website www.osjct.co.uk/moments Moments brings to life all the wonderful activities that our residents have been involved in during the lockdown. They’ve certainly been having fun! We’ll keep you posted on these, and more exciting developments, as they happen. osjct.co.uk • 0800 988 8133 Meet the team online now at: www.osjct.co.uk CREATIVE COMMUNICATION For participating homes and for event information, contact: 0800 988 8133, go to osjct.co.uk, visit our Facebook pages 12 13
When we welcome new residents into our homes, we’re always keen to find out as much as we can about their life before they came to us. They come from all walks of life and we get to hear fascinating tales of unusual or exciting hobbies, adventures and holidays, love stories, highflying careers and in many cases stories of service to their country. Reminiscence plays an important role in maintaining a vibrant community in our homes and we encourage it at every opportunity. HAPPY Birthday celebrations were not thwarted too much by the lockdown either. Over 200 cards arrived for BIRTHDAY It wasn’t just Dick Charlton, (featured on the opposite page), who became a centenarian this year. The lovely Lily from Grevill House in Cheltenham joined him in the “100 Club” this year. Lily was presented with a fabulous birthday cake, made by the staff at the home, with candles and balloons in the shape of ‘100’ and a beautiful handmade card. She was rather taken aback at the special card she received from the Queen, saying “are you kidding me, a card from the Queen?!” the team ensured she spoke to her family on the day and made her feel very special. Joining Lily and Dick in this special Club is Eileen, a resident at Avonbourne Care Centre. Eileen’s love of music meant the kitchen team had creative licence to bake a fabulous birthday cake in the shape of a piano. Eileen was delighted to receive her card from the Queen to celebrate this amazing milestone and says she’ll display this in her room with much pride. This year we were thrilled to hear the story of Dick Charlton, our very own WW2 veteran, who is a resident at Chilterns Court in Henley, his home town. Prior to moving into Chilterns Court, Dick was a very active member of his local community and in 2018 was awarded a Town Medal for service to the town. Dick, who turned 100 in June, shared his memories of his time during the war with the Henley Herald where he fought bravely on the front line before being captured and held as a prisoner of war. At the end of the war, Dick had an epic journey home but finally made it back home safely. Eileen said, “Thank you so much, it’s been lovely”. And last, but by no means least, Alison from Lake House in Banbury celebrated her special birthday in July. Alison is very active and has lots of interesting pastimes, but her real passion is dancing. Last year our CEO, Dan, learnt the moves to the waltz so he could dance with Alison at her birthday tea dance. Unfortunately, this year it hasn’t been possible for Dan to join Alison for a 100th birthday dance, but he sent her a special birthday message instead. The team at Lake House also asked people to send in video messages of all kinds of dance for Alison to enjoy on her special day. And no-one was left out as fellow residents helped to design and make Eileen’s special card - this took the form of a banner from which they were able to hang their good wishes and birthday messages. She’s looking forward to a bigger celebration later in the year, but 100 CLUB Eileen received lots of cards from family and friends – even the Mayor of Salisbury made an impromptu visit to deliver a card. To top it off, a member of her family was able to drop in and visit her. 14 15 him at the home, following an appeal by Henley Mayor, Ken Arlett, to recognise Henley’s last surviving WW2 veteran, and of course he received a wonderful card from Her Majesty the Queen to mark the special occasion. Friends and family, town councillors and officers all turned up outside Chilterns Court to sing Happy Birthday after which Dick was able to enjoy tea and cake in the home’s peaceful garden with his granddaughter and great granddaughter.
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