Friends of Acacia Mews

Katrina used to be a personal care worker; she had to retire because progressive arthritis in her wrist made in difficult to work. Previous to caring, Katrina used to work in retail as a store manager, “I felt like I wanted to do a bit more than just standing in the shop”. Katrina changed her retail working schedule to a part-time basis in order to begin her career as a care worker, “the role in which you get to help people is much more rewarding”, she said. Following her retirement 4 years ago, she decided to dedicate her time to volunteering 2-3 times a week at Acacia Mews Care Home.

Katrina learned about Acacia Mews when her auntie stayed in a hospital followed by her residency at Acacia Mews.

Katrina was already involved with Acacia Mews Care Home when David and Nichole arrived at the home with a proposition to form Friends of Acacia which Katrina is now part of.

Katrina is a mother of 3 grown-up children who come and visit the residents from time to time, “it’s marvellous what can be achieved with residents when volunteers get involved”, she explained.

Volunteering enables Katrina and others at the care home to tackle loneliness that residents might experience, “there are so many elderly without family, being able to help the residents means the world to them and to us”.

Friends of Acacia Mews do what they can to improve the well-being of their residents. Friends have managed to get a grant to amend new plants, buy furniture and install a water feature in the garden where the residents can socialise and relax in, “it’s nice to talk to them and add a new aspect to their routine”,  Katrina explained.

Katrina started her volunteering experience prepared for the challenges that working with people with Alzheimer’s and dementia entail, “my auntie tells me about her trip to Oxford Circus and what she saw at Mark&Spencer’s  although I know she hasn’t moved from her chair”, she explained. “I had a full training as a care worker. It is really important to remember that you are entering their world and need to know how to act in it.”

In order to help someone, you need to enter their world. And, by entering someone’s world, you make then not feel lonely anymore. Katrina spends her time with the residents whether by having a conversation or doing a jigsaw together. She takes the residents for peaceful walks in the newly refurbished garden.

Some residents at their final stages of life seek closure and comfort in faith. Katrina, an active member of the local church and hymn service deliverer, has previously helped residents pass with dignity following their wishes.

As part of the recently launched End of Life Sitters project, Katrina was able to provide companionship and support to a resident in end of life care a few hours before her passing, “I stayed with her daughter and son, gave the resident a hand massage”, she explained. “There are people who don’t even have family, it’s so important to have a group to help out”.

Volunteers like Katrina are also of tremendous help to the Acacia Mews staff, “they are working so hard to look after all the people, especially through the night”, Katrina said. By taking on some of the teams’ workload and spending time with the residents, Katrina has developed strong bonds with people at Acacia Mews, “I love how they call my name as soon as I come in and make me feel welcome in their home”, she said.

“11 years ago when my husband died, many people helped me when I needed someone to be there, now it’s my turn to be there for someone” – helping others gives Katrina “a great pleasure

“Before I began volunteering, I didn’t realise how important 1-2-1 interactions were to the residents”, Katrina confessed. “There’s a huge need for volunteers

The project was created following a series of consultations with family members, residents and staff of the care home we found a strong need for a service that focused entirely on the residents’ comfort in their final hours of life.

The Friends of Acacia Mews provide training for volunteers to offer companionship and emotional support as well as deliver simple relaxation techniques or a soothing touch to help residents find comfort and peace.

Our aim is that no resident will die alone. We believe that people deserve a holistic care that is tailored to the individual’s needs. Those who approach the end of life have the right to a farewell with dignity and compassion, and with regard to their last wishes. Cultural and religious ceremonies might be some of the residents’ wishes as well, which Friends recognise and fulfil to help residents find spiritual meaning and closure.

Local volunteers will play a key role in the delivery of End of Life Sitters project. Providing this opportunity for people to make a difference to their elderly neighbours can break down islands within the local community. Local residents will be given the chance to connect and spend time with the residents at the very end of their life. The initiative will strengthen Hatfield’s community as local volunteers learn from and engage with the older generation in a humbling experience. This project is a chance to learn that care homes are not places to be afraid of or to avoid.

Among the matters discussed it was highlighted that funding bids had recently been submitted with the funding to be used to train volunteers as End of Life sitters and also to buy mobile multi sensory equipment for residents with dementia. There are also plans to hold a summer fete

6 volunteers have now been cleared to volunteer in the home and another 12 are going through the recruitment process. The Friends are currently aiming to start an End of Life sitters project and will be applying for an Awards 4 All grant to fund this

As part of his role, he is patron of each of the friends groups in care homes.

Pictured here, he is talking to Nichole, project manager, and Kahlil who is newly appointed to the team. He was delighted to hear of the progress to date.

On the 13^th July 2016 The Friends group held their first meeting at the care home to formally appoint a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Members, to agree the constitution, adopt policies and procedure and discuss business related to formation of the group.  We were joined by relatives, residents, staff and volunteers.