The Friends of Alexander Care supported the work of the home. Situated within Lewisham, London, Alexander Care Home is a purpose built 78 bedded care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. Alexander Care Home also provides specialist care for young people with physical disabilities.
The Friends aimed to improve the quality of life of the residents of the care home by working with staff, residents and relatives.
The Friends of Alexander Care were looking to develop services on the site. We found that this was particularly valued by some residents who through deteriorating health did not have the confidence to come out of their rooms. Alongside this, we supported the care homes’ activities’ coordinators by providing extra pairs of hands during organised activity sessions and outings.
Friends of Alexander Care 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
Web: www.attend.org.uk
Christmas festivities - Alexander Care
This season, Friends of Alexander Care are making sure that no one is left out of the Christmas festivities. To make the season a little warmer for the residents at Alexander Care we delivered 12 bottles of prosecco for them enjoy. We wish all the residents and staff a very Merry Christmas from the Friends of Alexander Care team.
Tea Dance at Greenwich
Entelechy Arts enables those who have become a part of marginalised communities due to their disabilities, underlying health conditions or the ageing process to become contributing members of society through the arts. Established in 1989, artists worked alongside multi-disciplinary health teams to support adults with learning disabilities to move back into their communities.
They now specialise in art forms such as dancing, singing, theatre and more, in order to increase participation across generations and cultures, enabling residents, at organisations such as Friends of Care Homes, to feel present and engaged in the world.
Three nursing homes; Alexander, Tower Bridge and Aspen Court, made an appearance at the bi-annual Elizabethan Tea Dance held at the Queens house in Greenwich on Wednesday, 11th July 2018. Free lunch was provided, along with some ice cream on the terrace which turned out to be the highlight of the day for George, a resident from the Albany Care Home. Residents also had the chance to make new connections with the volunteers and elderly from other communities during this event.
Associate artist Christopher Green was welcomed, dressed up as Queen Elizabeth 1st. “He is being transformed isn’t he”, one resident said, amused as Chris was turning into the Queen. The Meet Me Choir, who are part of Walking through Walls (an Entelechy Arts programme commissioned by Attend), were invited to perform at the event and were then joined by the residents of the Alexander Care Home and other Meet Me members who had the chance of helping Chris transform into the Queen.
The residents were given the opportunity to appreciate some dancing from the Elizabethan era while a harp was being played in the background. “I think I am dreaming, I haven’t woken up yet; look at that harp, haven’t seen a harp in ages. You do spoil us”, said one resident from Alexander Care.
The event allowed the residents to form new memories as well as an opportunity to reminisce about their past. Harry from Alexander Care spoke fondly of his memories, “I was here in the 1950’s! I was in the navy. There was the navy hospital (pointing). We used to walk up and down here all dressed up in our officers uniform”. Another resident, Joan, also had the chance to reconnect with her past on the journey to the event, pointing out places where she lived and used to work. She also added, “The problem with where we live is that nothing much happens, it’s lovely to go out and see something different. I used to do all of this”.
As important as reminiscing is, so is forming new memories. A volunteer stated that the Tea Dance event allowed just that and added, “new memories are important as you get older”. Although some residents had forgotten the whole event by the time they got back on the bus, they said that they had had a wonderful time and their family members had also noticed a significant difference in their mood.
Participating in interactive arts allows people to connect with those from similar marginalised communities, to feel productive and to have an active role in society. Entelechy Arts played a big role in making a positive impact on those who attended, by simply allowing the residents to be productive, which Harry would agree with, “that was great because you really feel like you’ve done something with your day”. It demonstrated the effects that interactive arts can have on those who feel excluded and help them feel a part of active society.
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