The Friends of Avery Place support the work of the Acer Court and Alder House Care home situated within Nottingham. Avery Place is a purpose-built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. Avery Place Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.
The Friends aim to improve the quality of life of the residents of the care home by working with staff, residents and relatives.
The Friends of Avery Place Care Home are looking to develop services on the site. We have found that this is particularly valued by some residents who through deteriorating health do not have the confidence to come out of their rooms. Alongside this, we support the care homes’ activities’ coordinators by providing extra pairs of hands during organised activity sessions and outings.
THANKS TO ONE STOP COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRAND SCHEME
The Friends of Avery Place Care Home are delighted to have received funding from One Stop Community Support Grand Scheme for £500.
The money will be used on tablets to ease the isolation so residents can keep in touch with their friends, relatives and volunteers via Skype or Zoom. Part of the grant will also go towards portable radios, active mind resources such as jigsaws and puzzles, books and playing cards. Toiletries such as shampoos, shower gels and razor blades will be purchased too, to have a good stock as there has been a shortage lately. All of this is a great help for residents and it is making them feel cared about.
Friends of Avery Place update
In less than a month it feels like everything has changed. As I was looking at my diary for March, we had committee meetings planned for most homes, and lots of volunteers on the brink of starting. I did get to a Dementia Cafe in very early March but within days we were having to look at everything differently.
Dear Care Home Friend,
In less than a month it feels like everything has changed. As I was looking at my diary for March, we had committee meetings planned for most homes, and lots of volunteers on the brink of starting. I did get to a Dementia Cafe in very early March but within days we were having to look at everything differently.
In all homes, we have no volunteers going in. Understandably, most care homes won’t even allow families to visit residents except in very extenuating circumstances.
We regularly hear from volunteers who want to help, to continue to do something to support the residents and staff of the home that they are supporting. If any of you have any thoughts about something volunteers might practically do, please let us know.
So what are we doing? The King’s Fund, where our offices are located, shut down at very short notice. The last few hours looked a bit like we are passengers on the Titanic grabbing the essentials for an unknown period in the lifeboats. At this point, the care homes support team are all set up to work from home.
You may continue to hear from Sona who is totally reviewing and updating all our records relating to volunteers. We are contacting some as part of the process. Also we are continuing to have regular enquiries from people who want to get involved once we come out the other side of this current situation. We are processing their applications, taking up references etc.
Alongside this Said and Kim are getting the financial records up to date. Today is the last day of the care home groups financial year, so there is plenty to do to prepare the draft accounts.
Alongside this we are continuing to look for funders who might support the projects you have told us you would like to do.
So, while perhaps less physically present, we are continuing to work hard to ensure these projects are in the best position they can be, once we return to practical day to day volunteering in the homes.
Once again, if you have any ideas on what else we might do now, do get in touch. In the meantime, do stay safe and well.
With very best wishes
Nichole Wheaton
Head of Projects Delivery
Tel: 020 7307 2570
Email: nichole.wheaton@attend.org.uk
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Ahsan Shahid Khan
Ahsan is 17 years old, studying Biology, Chemistry and Maths. He aspires to become a doctor because he believes that it will be the greatest opportunity to be a part of someone’s journey towards recovery and having a healthier life.
He lives with his supportive parents, sister and 3 brothers (one of which is his twin); they are all by his side, encouraging of his career goals.
When he spoke about how he found the Friends at Avery, he addressed, “My dad drives by the care home multiple times. I noticed that there was a poster by the care home, and took that as an opportunity to get in touch with the Friends to involve myself within my community”.
Moreover, what sparked Ahsan’s determination to begin volunteering was when he shadowed a GP. “He took me to a care home, and I saw how alone the residents were and that broke my heart”. He added, “From there, I knew I wanted to be someone to make the residents smile, even if it was just a small one”.
When Ahsan is not volunteering, he keeps active through playing squash, badminton or cricket. He explained, “As well as sports, I would consider volunteering as a hobby of mine as well”. Ahsan was involved in helping out at a charity shop, where he helped to assist and serve consumers. “It was a very valuable experience for me”, he mentioned. However, he confessed that volunteering at a care home had far more patient contact, which he enjoys the most and is one of the reasons why he wants to get into medicine. “The satisfaction of having a close connection with anyone I am caring for is simply just the best feeling”.
Despite his schedule being busy, he clears his time out on Sundays to volunteer with the Friends of Avery Place Care Home. So far, Ahsan has been enjoying his time – talking and helping to improve the resident’s lives. He mentioned how he is getting something valuable out of this experience, while doing something he loves – making people happy. “I now understand that talking to somebody even for a short period of time can brighten up their day and make them feel better”. He highlighted that he feels connected with the resident and claimed that he wants to make the most out of the time he is volunteering with the Friends.
Feeling assured, he claimed that volunteering at the care home has confirmed his passion to pursue medicine. This volunteering experience has enhanced him as a person and has made him feel happier, especially as he looks forward to the next time he sees the residents.
To wrap up his experience, Ahsan recommended volunteering and assertively said, “People who enjoy talking to people or want to push themselves should definitely go for it!”
Volunteering opportunities
We know your time is valuable and any time you can spare for us will make a big difference. You could volunteer at a one off event or regularly, it is entirely up to you.
If you don’t see a volunteering opportunity to suit you then please get in touch because we could develop an opportunity just for you. If you would like to volunteer please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk
Befriending
- A friendly approachable manner
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Helpful disposition with an interest in local community
When: Monday – Sunday (AM or PM)
How long: 3 hours a week
How to apply: please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk
Lunch Time Companion “Let’s Do Lunch”
- Patience and understanding
- A calm relaxed nature
- A friendly approachable manner
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
When: Monday – Sunday (Lunch Time)
How long: 1-2 hours a week
How to apply: please download the application form and return by email to info@friendsofcarehomes.org.uk