News WCS chief executive wins national award
WCS Care’s chief executive Christine Asbury has been recognised for ‘making a difference’ after winning a national award at a prestigious ceremony that highlights innovation and care excellence in the not for profit care and support sector. Christine, who joined the Warwickshire-
based charity in 2012, was invited to the 3rd Sector Care Awards in London after being chosen as a finalist. Presented by Dame Esther Rantzen, the awards celebrate fantastic work across the sector with categories including ‘making a difference’, ‘citizenship’ and ‘leadership’. The ‘making a difference’ award recognises
‘an outstanding chief executive who has demonstrated effective leadership, which has significantly influenced outcomes for people who use their services, their families and the staff’. Under Christine’s leadership, WCS Care has
become the first care home group in England to have five homes recognised as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, and has begun a significant investment, redevelopmentand new build programme across its homes. Christine introduced four key values that are
the bedrock of daily life at the charity – ‘play’, ‘be there’, ‘make someone’s day’ and ‘choose your attitude’ - training every one of the 700- plus team members in these fundamental principles herself. In addition, she’s introduced the Oomph!
exercise programme and MyChoicePad communication tool, which opened new ways of communicating for a number of residents who needed a voice. Judges were particularly impressed with
Christine’s ‘bedside to boardroom’ approach to leadership – it’s not unusual to find her
working a shift as a carer, housekeeper or laundry assistant, which helps her understand what needs to change and develop from the ground up. Asbury says: ‘We’re delighted that our
approach to leadership in care is really making a difference to the lives of the people who live in a WCS Care home, so that every day is a day well lived. Everyone has a responsibility for the culture and reputation of our homes, so the award is recognition for the whole team, who have embraced and helped develop many of the innovations we’ve brought in.’
Home manager raises awareness and money for the homeless
A care home manager has spent a night sleeping rough in Preston town centre to raise awareness and money for the homeless. Kim Horton, general manager at
Barchester’s Sherwood Court Care Home, joined five local people sleeping on the streets of Preston to fundraise in December. She took Barchy Bear, the mascot for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, with her. The idea for the sponsored ‘all nighter’
came from Kim’s friend, Stephanie Jones, also from Preston, who wanted to do more
bags, jumpers and socks. Any remaining money or items will be donated to the Foxton Centre in Preston to be distributed by the charity. Residents of Sherwood Court Care Home
to help the homeless and to break the stigma surrounding the issue. So far the group who took part have raised over £600, which will be spent on essential items, such as sleeping
Ayrshire care worker gets off to a flying start
An employee at an Ayrshire care home has become one of the first care workers to complete an NHS initiative, primarily set up for ward nurses. Victoria Haswell, who works at Bupa’s Claremont Care Home in Whitletts, undertook the Flying Start programme over a four month period, while maintaining her daily work responsibilities. The Flying Start initiative aims to develop
newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to build their confidence in the first year of practice. Keen to progress within her role, and supported and
encouraged by Claremont, Victoria jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Haswell says: “The aim of the programme is
to ease you in from student to nurse and it does exactly that. There is a lot of personal reflection involved and a focus on being an independent learner, and it gave me so much confidence. “Being one of the first to complete the
initiative while working in a care home is special and something I’m very proud of. I would definitely encourage other care home nurses to follow in my footsteps as it really is worthwhile.”
January 2017 •
www.thecarehomeenvi ronment .com Carol Barr, home manager at Bupa’s
Claremont Care Home, says: “This is a fantastic achievement for Victoria and it’s a real reflection of all the hard work she puts in day in, day out.”
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and their relatives have shown huge support for the cause, donating generously and giving food, helping Kim to raise £130 and collect a large hamper of food. Kim Horton says: “This experience was
very humbling and made me appreciate how lucky I am to be able to come home to a warm bed.”
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