Manager of the Month
S HAWKER • May 25, 2021
Liz Hewitt, Registered Manager at Hengrove Lodge is our Manager of the Month.
Here she looks back over her biggest achievements and the challenges she has recently overcome during the last year.
How did you join AbleCare Homes?
After working in care management for many years I had been providing palliative care for my Father-In-Law. At the time he sadly passed away I was contacted by an agency who were working with AbleCare Homes to recruit a Registered Manager. I was interested in the role, I went along to find out more and was quickly offered the job.
What is special about Hengrove Lodge?
It is a small, family run, really homely home. As Registered Manager I have been able to put my own stamp on it. People within the organisation are there to support you so much, but if you are managing well and meeting standards you can get on with things. The Company offer the freedom to do what you would like to do without someone breathing down your neck! Suggestions and ideas are always considered.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I feel really pleased and happy that our staff group are so supportive. That’s why we don’t use agency, they always help out if they can. The Team feel it is important to have continuity for the residents. That makes me feel happy, they want the best for our residents; for them to be cared for really well. The Team get to know all the little bits about the person to make sure the care is how they like it.
What has been your proudest moment?
We had a resident who developed a serious condition which progressed from a minor start really quickly and unexpectedly. With the help of other professionals the Team cared for her in bed for 8 months or so. 2 weeks ago, with approval of healthcare team, she sat her in wheelchair and we took her to get her hair done. Seeing her sat in the wheelchair was so lovely. That’s what it is all about; people don’t just deteriorate, they can get back to how they were and enjoy life. Being cared for in bed had done nothing for this lady’s hair style! It was so rewarding seeing her enjoying an activity she had always loved in the past.
What has been your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?
It has got to be coping with Covid-19, putting a brave face on when you would just like to dodge the situation. In the early days of the pandemic, before we had full PPE and knew what we were dealing with it felt really scary. Living on my own I had to be extra strong and do what I thought. I managed to relax all the staff and help the whole team through that time. Once things were clearer it got to the stage that Hengrove Lodge was the only place you felt safe as there were so many infection control precautions in place. Everyone has just been happy to implement these even though they may seem strict.
Tell us some of the key things you need to provide great care?
You need to definitely think outside of the box. You need to be patient, calm, a good listener, sometimes you need to learn to move quickly. Just listening to what that person wants and understanding, rather than doing and what you think is best is key. Sometimes that can be very hard to do in practice.
How do you relax?
When I had my week off I cut down a 40 foot fir tree with my friend! I have a lot of animals, 2 huskies, 2 rabbits, I love to sit and watch them run around the garden - except when they eat my plants. Watching the fish swim around my big pond is relaxing. I have recently been remodelling my garden. I have just bought a big air filter system for the pond, the water should be crystal clear. I am not going on holiday this year and this is something I’ll enjoy.
Abbie Nichols – Patron House
AbleCare Homes Trust is our linked charity set up to raise funds for extra entertainment for residents in the homes. In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Trustees have been busy securing funds to run our first inclusive garden parties since the covid-19 pandemic
The benefits of life in a residential care home
Sarah Dagger from Crossley House in Winterbourne, Karin Brownlie who manages Crossley House and Frenchay House in Frenchay Village and their colleagues who make up the Care Team at Rosewood House in Henleaze all celebrated success at the regional finals of The Great British Care Awards at Ashton Gate in July. Their dedication in supporting their residents, many of whom live with dementia, was recognised when they received glittering trophies for their devotion; being named some of the best social care workers in the whole of the South West. The team went on to the National Finals in September where over 1,000 of the most respected social care workers gathered to celebrated at a gala event in Birmingham.
Kay Best, Registered Manager at Belvedere Lodge tells us about her experience in social care.
Although the face of residential care has changed dramatically over the last four decades, the values and principles of the family have remained at the foremost in working with the great staff teams they employ. Sam says ‘We have modernised with the times and now offer care for older people with higher levels of need; there is a much greater demand for dementia care too. We have maintained our ability to provide this care in beautiful, homely settings where individual needs, choices and preferences are our first priority.’
|The AbleCare Homes Great British Care Awards Winners
With live music performances interrupted by the pandemic, Live Music Now musicians pitched up in the gardens of care homes to continue involving residents with live music. As a result of the Musical Care Homes project, funded by Quartet Community Foundation, residents enjoyed singing (within Covid-safe guidelines), moving to music and using percussion instruments. This creative solution enabled Live Music Now to host three concert tours comprising a total of 18 performances for all residents and staff of six AbleCare care homes in Bristol. Musical genres ranged from jazz (by the Hopkins Oliver Duo) to folk (Bowreed) and classical (performed by Taff Duo). The importance of this work cannot be overstated. Even pre-pandemic, those in care homes often encountered loneliness and isolation. Taking part in music is so beneficial to those living with dementia, as it improves communication, memory, enjoyment of life and creative thinking. In fact, all homes reported increased engagement during the musical performance, with participants being interested, chatty, enthusiastic and appreciative.
An informal chat with Care Assistant, Kelly, who works at Frenchay House.
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