WHAT’S NEW? CARERS HELP MAKE DANCING


ON ICE DREAM COME TRUE Former casual figure skater and schoolteacher, Alison Lloyd, 49, was given a star-filled surprise, aſter her carers nominated her to live out her dream of watching Dancing on Ice at the live recording of the opening show.


The wish was granted as part of Right at Home UK’s Tin- full of Wishes campaign which encourages CareGivers to nominate homecare clients to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience granted.


Alison suffered a stroke at the age of 46 meaning she now lives with physical disabilities and requires care to maintain her independence. She was nominated for her kindness, bravery and love of life. Alison is a keen figure skating enthusiast, having taken the sport up as a hobby during her time in Edinburgh before studying to become a primary-school teacher – a job she cherished until her stroke.


Commenting on the outing, Alison said: “I’m not usually out in the evening so this was amazing – far better than anything I could imagine. Watching all the skaters live and seeing their amazing costumes sparkle under the lights was beautiful and to top it all off, Philip Schofield even came to speak to us and ask how we were enjoying the show.


“I felt like royalty for the night. Now that I’ve seen it in person, it will mean a lot more to watch the show on TV and remember


an incredible evening each time. My wish came true and I am grateful to everyone who made it happen.”


Jenny Madghachian, Owner of Right at Home Borehamwood and Watford said: “The entire community worked to make Alison’s wish happen – including our CareGivers supporting her on the night and driving the bus a local charity donated. We are all very proud to be part of such a rewarding campaign.


“Alison is an incredible lady and one of the many inspiring people we support. It’s her strength, humility and gratitude which give her the resilience to simply love and enjoy life and we’re delighted we could make her wish come true.”


how care home staff in Southwark should be valued and supported in their work, including:


• All care home staff will be paid at least the London Living Wage.


• They will be paid for the time it takes to carry out a proper handover between shiſts, ensuring safety and continuity of care for residents.


• Zero-hour contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts unless requested by staff.


• Training must be free and carried out in work time.


SOUTHWARK FIRST COUNCIL TO PROTECT CARE HOME STAFF


WITH NEW CHARTER Southwark Council has agreed a Residential Care Charter that will improve the working terms and conditions for all residential care providers in the borough. The Charter will drive up standards for care workers, leading to better working conditions and better quality of care for the most vulnerable residents within the community.


Southwark’s Residential Care Charter lays out the council’s expectations regarding safe and high-quality care, which go above and beyond the current standards set by the Care Quality Commission. New ethical care requirements set out


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Trade union Unison has endorsed the charter and wants to work closely with Southwark Council to promote its benefits nationally to other local authorities.


In 2013, Southwark was one of the first local councils to sign up to Unison’s Ethical Home Care Charter, which introduced a range of improvements for homecare workers’ pay and conditions. These commitments along with feedback from residents, families and providers have helped inform the council’s new targets for local care homes.


Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “While providing care is oſten a vocation, this does not mean staff should not be properly rewarded for the important work they do on behalf of us all. I believe that having a better paid, better skilled and well-motivated workforce in our care homes will help ensure residents receive the high-quality care they deserve.


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