#CelebratingSocialCare: your good news stories

Throughout April we’re #CelebratingSocialCare and all the great work happening across the sector. We asked you to send in your good news stories and we’ll be sharing these throughout the month. In this article we hear about activities happening at different providers.

Strike a pose for the Manson House Care Home Vogue-style photoshoot

Manson House Care Home in Bury St Edmunds transformed the people they support into cover stars at their very own Vogue-esque magazine shoot.

The idea was inspired by 82-year-old actress Miriam Margolyes appearing in Vogue.

The aim of the fun activity was to highlight that you’re never too old to look and feel special.

The home is run by Stow Healthcare and so their magazine was fittingly named Stowgue.

The residents of the home were styled in a range of fashions and enjoyed having their photo taken which was then framed in a magazine cover design, which they wrote their own headlines for.

Ruth French, Director, Stow Healthcare, said: “Projects like this inspire people and demonstrate that you can absolutely maximise your later life and have fun every step of the way.”

We are Senior Moments Care takes to the sea on Norwegian cruise

Senior Moments Care took a group of people who live with dementia and some of their carers on a once in a lifetime cruise to the Norwegian Fjords.

There were 14 in total and for some it proved to be their last holiday.

The week was full of laughter and making special memories.

One attendee said: “I would like to say thank you for the cruise, one I will never forget, so friendly, lots of laughter and happy memories.”

Carer Angie helps to tick off bucket list for person she supports

Angie is a care worker at The Good Care Group. She’d been working with one the people she supports for three years, and as that person came towards the end of their life Angie decided to help them tick off a bucket list of goals.

The two discussed things that the person still wanted to do or places that she wanted to go. They had great fun planning some adventures and making the best of things.

One of the most beautiful stories was revisiting her childhood home. They planned the outing last summer, and she was able to direct Angie pretty much to the front door.

When there, she said to Angie: “I wish I could feel like I did when I was a child, riding my bicycle down the road and kicking my legs out in the wind.” Angie took this as a challenge!

They got the wheelchair out of the car, and with a bit of a run up Angie pushed her in her wheelchair down the road and joked “stick your legs out” which she did. They had such laughs as her client waved her arms and legs, giggling and pretending to be young again.

The bucket list also included going back to De La Warr pavilion where she used to go ballroom dancing, visiting friends and different seaside towns.

The person Angie supported has since passed away.

Angie’s manager at The Good Care Group said: “Listening to Angie’s stories and knowing how much she meant to her client and her family touched me as their care manager, and reminded me of why we are all doing this job. So that amazing people can come together and keep life worth living until the very end.”

Cinnamon Care offers a unique way to get active with drum fit class

Cinnamon Care is the first care home group in the UK to introduce trained, qualified exercise leaders running Drum Fit classes, to improve the health of the people they support.

The benefits of drumming include stress relief, increased circulation, decreased pain, improved coordination, mobility, strength, and balance. The active workouts are suitable for residents of all ages and fitness levels, with Cinnamon hosting classes for people supported throughout its care homes. Listening to music and drumming helps participants to breathe rhythmically, which can improve respiratory health, release body tension and lift mood, all of which can positively impact overall quality of life.

Music is a powerful force that evokes strong emotions and memories, making it an effective tool for therapy. Older adults can especially benefit from engaging with music, as it provides an outlet for creativity and mental stimulation. For those who have age-related memory issues, such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia or Parkinson's disease, music has the power to bring back memories, slow age-related cognitive decline and improve cognitive processing speed.

The Drum Fit seated classes are a great way to get less active people moving, incorporating lively sing-a-long music and drumming routines that stimulate movement, increase energy levels and engage participants mentally. 

Geoff Pride, Cinnamon Activities Support Consultant, said: “This workout class encourages participants to release the popstar within. With exercises to music designed to improve coordination, mobility, strength and balance, residents of all ages and fitness levels benefit from a body workout that also promotes health benefits for the mind. Drum Fit is a fabulous addition to Cinnamon’s resident activity programme.”

Adil Romaya, a Parkfield Grange Cinnamon care home resident, said: “These classes are very good and I can feel I exercised all my muscles. It is great fun too, I love it and will make sure I don’t miss a class.”

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