Friends of Newcross Care Home

Both Jenna and Sharon said the presence of volunteers is helpful because they give residents someone new and different to speak with. Sharon said residents love speaking with someone who is different and not a member of staff that they see every day.

Sharon said the Friends typically come and spend one on one time with residents. Typically, they will help with games like bowling, paint resident’s nails, and do things like arts and crafts.

In addition to coming regularly, Sharon said when they hold events residents will come in and help with those. The most recent event held at Newcross was a Christmas celebration. At the event, volunteers helped to set up the fayre and ran some of the stalls.

The Friends of Newcross have contributed a lot to the home over the years, including building a gazebo for the garden, bringing musicians into the home and donating gifts like prosecco at Christmas.

Jenna said with events in particular, having volunteers can be extremely helpful. “It’s an extra set of hands,” she said, because the number of care home staff are limited and, although staff who are on-shift during events may want to help, they are not always able to come off the floor of the care home to help and to attend the event.

Jenna said that Newcross considers themselves quite lucky to have volunteers because, not only does it help volunteers in things like career development, it provides extra support for the staff.

“The types of volunteers we’ve got, they’re very proactive,” Jenna said, they don’t come in and wait to be told what to do. Typically, the volunteers will arrive and immediately start chatting with residents until one of the care home managers gives them a particular task.

It was a great day supporting a taster day for 10 students from Wednesfield Academy in a care home. During the visit the chairman also carried out the inductions for a further 20 volunteers from Heath Park School and Wolverhampton Girls’ High School who would like to start volunteering in care home in the near future. This all felt like the good old days.

Friends of Newcross are very grateful for receiving funding of £1000 from Arnold Clark Community Fund. The money will be used for bringing the community together, delivering and organising some nice summer activities in the garden which will have great impact on the resident’s wellbeing.

The residents of Newcross were delighted to receive a gazebo from the Friends. The gazebo will provide shelter and shade for the residents as they are really enjoying their days in the garden. Friends were also able to purchase two portable Bluetooth speakers for the home.

As mentioned previously on the website, The Friends of Newcross Care Home are grateful for receiving One-Stop Community Partnership Grant  for £500.

Thanks to this grant the care home was able to purchase hi-fi-systems which provide for the residents and help them to ease the isolation in current times.

In times like these it’s so important to tackle the isolation and monotony of lockdown. Friends of Newcross, with musicians Elfair and Hedi from Live Music Now, had been visiting residents in recent months, their instruments in tow. They wanted to bring the transcendental joy of music into the residents’ lives, and open up new opportunities for them to express themselves or learn something new and exciting.

During visits made from December through to March, residents at Newcross had been inspired in all sorts of ways: to recall favourite tunes from memory, or pick up an instruments for the first time, often surprising themselves and others. After declaring himself “not musical” Martin began to play the wah-wah bar. Hedi remembers the moment clearly, “His face lit up in the kind of way that stays with you.” These session often led to residents being moved to delight. One resident in particular, Lorna, who’s ”love for the music was palpable, emotional,” would say “Oh, that’s so lovely,” as she looked about the room. They also provided a chance for residents to form new bonds, discover shared loves, as Bill and Hedi did talking about The Beatles, or to explore the personal histories of songs.

For those looking to create their own dialogues beyond these performances, a floor drum was used to create musical conversations. With a rhythm struck by two people, alternating between one another, residents had the chance to communicate feelings that might not be so easily expressed otherwise. Just about every resident had the opportunity to chat back and forth via the drum, with everyone bringing their own unique selves to the conversation.

The musicians remember residents being “so engaged with the session, moving to the music, dancing and never stopping playing their instruments.” These moments of fun, beauty and freedom had been invaluable for the residents, something to break up their regular routines and provide excitement: “We had such a great time with our Live Music Now session. It really does bring joy to all!” They continue to go on, under the Covid restrictions, through a remote concert recorded by Elfair. It includes many of the residents favourite songs, and plenty of chances to play together. It is more important than ever that the residents are able to keep up their new practises, and that they can continue to come together through the music that they’d have otherwise been making with Hedi and Elfair.

The money will be used on items like tablet devices, portable radios as well as active mind resources like jigsaws, puzzles and playing cards and toiletries such as shampoos and shower gels too.

Being able to buy these items means there will be more things to keep residents occupied and entertained within the home and also ease their isolation enabling them to keep in touch with friends, relatives  and volunteers that are currently not allowed to visit them.

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
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Music has the power to transcend words and is a substantial tool for people with speech difficulties. Music is a part of our everyday lives, and is associated with memories of places, people and specific events. Music can soothe souls, energise spirits and touch the most resistant hearts.

On 10^th June 2019, Friends of Newcross received a grant received from Awards for All to launch a project that used music to add value to the lives of elderly residents. The project meant that residents felt a greater sense of community and they also reported an improvement in mood and mental wellbeing.

Thanks to the staff at Friends of Newcross and a team of experienced musicians, we managed to introduce 10 music sessions. The sessions include creating and recording new songs with the collaboration of residents and volunteers and musical instruments. The meetings will lead to a final sharing event “Songs and Scones”, where the residents will be able to showcase all that they have learnt.

The team’s goal is to demonstrate the value of live music as a tool to improve the quality of life in care homes.  With this project, residents can now develop musical skills and bolster their mood. Thanks to music we can tackle the unsweet isolation, uniting all together through the power of rhythm, notes, and lyrics.

The local community has worked together to bring this opportunity to the residents. It is a chance for local volunteers to engage with and learn from the elderly. For the residents, it is a chance to see new faces, discover different interests and stories and, as a result, make each day different.  Fostering social interaction and commitment to looking after each other is a vital step in growing healthy and strong communities. The music project means that the residents and volunteers will have something to look forward to and a chance to feel the joy that has once been forgotten.

Her role as a volunteer at New Cross soon became about much more than gaining experience- she has found that it has been an extremely rewarding opportunity in a number of ways. Adeela has acknowledged that volunteering has helped her overcome her hesitancy to approach people, as being able to engage and communicate with residents at the care home is vital. It has actually become something she enjoys- ‘’I like helping people, seeing them happy and joyous, and putting them in a better mood makes my day as well as theirs!’’

Adeela takes part in a number of activities that are aimed at engaging residents at New Cross. This includes playing games, such as balloon tennis, organising concerts or participating in arts and crafts sessions. A large part of her role is comforting residents, which is done by sitting and comforting them- Adeela finds allowing residents to reminisce is important, as she recognises it is so easy for them to feel overlooked.

Adeela is thankful for the outlook her time at New Cross Care Home has given her career wise- she believes she has picked up some aspects that are essential for a role revolved around caring, such as the dedication and motivation one needs to help others.

On advising others who are interested in volunteering, Adeela encourages all to go for it. ‘’It’s not an easy role, but it’s definitely a worthwhile experience being able to uplift and support people who need help.’’

Originally looking to gain some experience for her diploma, Susan found that she was completely overcome with excitement when she found the right care home through a quick search online, “I really enjoyed my time volunteering and working with people, just helping out whenever I could”, Susan expressed, knowing that she made the right choice with Newcross Care Home.

Susan appreciated working with the people at the care home and spending time with the residents. Whilst she was there, she spent her time painting with the residents and trying out different exercises to activate the residents’ memories. She would visit Newcross for a few hours a week and loved the hours that she spent there, “I really enjoyed talking to the residents”, she stated, and pointed out that she felt a special connection with everyone in the care home. Not only did she connect with the residents, but also with the staff, “I loved talking to the Activities Coordinator and I spent most of my time working alongside her”, she said.

Susan’s impeccable communication skills helped to make her an excellent volunteer for the care home, “I was able to adapt really well to all levels, the dementia was a bit more advanced in some residents at times and I was easily able to adapt to that”.

In order to be a good care home volunteer, Susan stressed that maintaining composure is key, as well as, carrying good communication skills and being able to get along with all staff and residents, “natural caring skills and compassion are very important too”, she mentioned.

The result of her time spent at the care home has encouraged her to carry on working in the Health and Social Care sector, “I realised that I was very good at helping out in this line of work and I adapted to the environment fairly quickly”, she expressed.

For those who are considering starting volunteering work at a care home, Susan would definitely recommend it, “especially if they have got all the right skills to go into health and social care, they should definitely start volunteering in a care home”, she explained, encouraging everyone to give it a try and help make the staff and residents’ lives easier.

Sandra, 18, college student and part-time worker, travels every Thursday for an hour to spend time with the residents of Newcross Care Home in Wolverhampton. Sandra’s volunteering journey with Friends of Newcross is an opportunity to give back to the community as well as gain experience relevant to her interests. Her ultimate goal is to become a midwife – she is doing her best to start a midwifery course at university in the following year. “It can be really hard”, Sandra said, “I wake up 4:30 in the morning to go to work as a part-time cleaner and then I start college at 9am. But it’s just something I love doing.”

Sandra learned about Friends of Newcross from a college friend. “The staff at Newcross were really helpful and the well-being coordinator made me feel welcome and comfortable”, she explained. Sandra also got along with the residents right-away, “they were extremely friendly from the very start, you could tell they were happy to have someone there to hang out with”. Sandra spends time with the residents engaging in activities such as arts and crafts and tai chi exercises. She also takes part in the music project run alongside LiveMusicNow, in which the residents have an opportunity to sing, learn how to play instruments and perform with the staff members and volunteers, “I’m a member of a church where we always sing and dance so during these sessions I can be in my element!”, Sandra explained.

“Having a bit of an artist in you really comes in handy when looking after residents; you can be creative about how you spend time with them as well”, Sandra believes that being creative, energetic and friendly are some of the most important characteristics of a volunteer. “You need to be active, together with other volunteers we keep the residents moving to give them a little boost of energy too”, she advised. “Communication skills are vital too, you want to understand and be understood”, Sandra continued, “good communication builds trust between residents and volunteers”.

Sandra’s experience with Friends of Newcross has only ensured her that a midwife’s career is one that she wants to pursue. “It is a wonderful experience and I would encourage anyone to do it, too. Newcross is a wonderful care home but there are some that lack volunteers and these are key for residents’ well-being.”

On 17^th August 2017, thanks to a grant received from Awards for All, Friends of Newcross teamed up with Live Music Now and launched a music project for the residents of Newcross Care Home.

The team’s goal is to demonstrate the value of live music in care homes as a tool to improve the quality of life in care homes.  With this project, residents can now develop musical skills and bolster their mood. Thanks to music we can tackle the unsweet isolation, uniting all together through the power of rhythm, notes and lyrics.

The local community has worked together to bring this opportunity to the residents. It is a chance for local volunteers to engage with and learn from the elderly. For the residents, it is a chance to see new faces, discover different interests and stories and, as a result, make each day different.  Fostering social interaction and commitment to looking after each other is a vital step in growing healthy and strong communities. The music project means that the residents and volunteers will have something to look forward to and a chance to feel the joy that has once been forgotten.

Live Music Now is a UK-wide initiative, created by Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Stoutzker in 1977. Every year, musicians deliver thousands of interactive music programmes in care homes and hospitals, and a range of community and healthcare settings. Find out more at www.livemusicnow.org.uk.  

With this project, we will purchase a specialist sensory case for the elderly as a tool to exercise sensory perception. The case will include a variety of equipment for residents with dementia and those who might need some sensory stimulation.

The sensory case contains tools which will give the residents the opportunity to exercise visual, olfactory and auditory perception. Musical gloves will give the residents the opportunity to play music with ease and the fruits card game will allow them to recognise and match fragrances with fruits.

Additionally, cushions and armchair covers of various textures will constitute a tool to explore tactile perception.

The kit will be a chance to build a bridge between trained volunteers and the residents, form new meaningful relationships developed through leisure whilst simultaneously improving their physical health. Our volunteers will contribute to improving the lives of residents by exercising day-to-day tasks which involve sensory stimulation. Thanks to this project, residents will gain confidence in recognising textures, sounds and scents and, consequently, improve their concentration and memory.

The Multisensory Equipment project is one more step forward in making residents’ lives more enjoyable and meaningful.

Aliyah’s journey began by researching volunteering opportunities that supplemented her studies best. She came across Friends of Newcross Care Home and got in touch immediately. “I contacted the Newcross Care Home and applied for a volunteering position. The staff were very friendly and helped in ensuring that the process was as smooth as possible”, Aliyah explained.

Aliyah enjoys spending time actively and engages in improving existing activities at Newcross Care Home such as listening to podcasts on how to improve tai chi classes carried out for the residents. Apart from tai chi classes, the staff and volunteers lead morning pampering sessions where residents get their nails painted and make up done. Additionally, Aliyah has got involved in Easter egg and bonnet decorating. Friends of Newcross have also introduced guinea pigs in the life of the residents as a tactic to challenge social isolation, “these activities stimulate conversations and allow them to be more natural and not forced”, Aliyah explained. Aliyah makes sure everything is prepared for the sessions in advance and helps organising them.

Aliyah’s enthusiasm and openness are skills of essence in interactions with residents. “You need to make the first move, start a conversation”, she advised. “Sometimes you will have the same conversation over and over because the residents might not remember what you or they said before”, Aliyah explained. She also emphasised the importance of a proactive approach over waiting to be instructed.

“Volunteering is important because it gives you the chance to give back to the community”, Aliyah said. Aliyah had never thought she would have engaged in a volunteering role with the elderly. The experience has reinforced her growing interest in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease “I was sure I wanted to study medicine but hadn’t chosen what I would specialise in. Working with Friends of Newcross sparked my curiosity in geriatrics”, she explained.

Aliyah found her experience a great opportunity to learn new skills and form beautiful relationships with the residents. “Ideally you would commit long term – the best feeling comes from giving back to residents over a longer period of time”, she advised. “It is an extremely rewarding experience that can prepare you for the future if you seek a career in healthcare and does make the lives of residents more meaningful”.

With this project, we will purchase a specialist sensory case for the elderly as a tool to exercise sensory perception. The case will include a variety of equipment for residents with dementia and those who might need some sensory stimulation.

The sensory case contains tools which will give the residents the opportunity to exercise visual, olfactory and auditory perception. Musical gloves will give the residents the opportunity to play music with ease and the fruits card game will allow them to recognise and match fragrances with fruits.

Additionally, cushions and armchair covers of various textures will constitute a tool to explore tactile perception.

The kit will be a chance to build a bridge between trained volunteers and the residents, form new meaningful relationships developed through leisure whilst simultaneously improving their physical health. Our volunteers will contribute to improving the lives of residents by exercising day-to-day tasks which involve sensory stimulation. Thanks to this project, residents will gain confidence in recognising textures, sounds and scents and, consequently, improve their concentration and memory.

The Multisensory Equipment project is one more step forward in making residents’ lives more enjoyable and meaningful.

On the 18^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.

The Friends of Newcross currently have 8 volunteers attending regularly. They have bible readings which are being well received by the residents. There are plans to recruit volunteers to help with the  chit chat cafe and candy cart.  The Friends will also be looking at a potential bid to purchase a reminiscence pod for the residents.

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

Pictured above, 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.