Opinion


as those who work in the sector will be well aware - neither are they new. No matter the scale of care given, it is what we do day in, day out. It is in our DNA. It is only now these stories are being amplified to the masses, which is great, and long may it continue post-pandemic.


The rise of technology Embracing technology over the last 12 months has also turned out to have made such a huge difference to our residents’ lives during the national lockdowns. Integrating smart technology to keep residents mentally stimulated and connected with loved ones has paid dividends, with staff from care environments across the country noticing an increase in resident engagement and an improvement in overall mental wellbeing. Video calling and photo sharing


technology has been proven to calm residents down when they have been upset or agitated by the lockdowns, while also making them laugh and reminisce. Being tailored to the individual, certain technologies can even give staff a greater insight into residents’ lives and has helped foster stronger, more personal relationships. Not renowned as the quickest of


sectors to embrace technology, I think the pandemic will prove to be a catalyst for further adoption of technology in care homes throughout 2021 and beyond, which can only be a good thing.


Recruitment solutions Recruitment also seems to be a buzzword at the moment, with many care environments urging people to join the sector as it adapts to the ‘new normal’. Staffing shortages was a major issue for many homes during the height of the pandemic, with staff having to self-isolate and work remotely when showing any sign


Infection control practices are more stringent and are now ingrained, and more channels of communication and community support have been woven into the fabric of our industry


of Covid-19 symptoms. The not-for-profit National Care Force


saw more than 20,000 volunteers sign up to the service by May last year, where they were then deployed to registered homes to fill staffing gaps. Endorsed by Care England, the initiative proved to be a huge success and it is crucial we now try to turn as many of those volunteers, who now have a newfound taste and respect for the social care sector, into full-time or part-time staff. As mentioned earlier, social care has


not always received the recognition it deserves but the pandemic has led to more people becoming aware of just how much of a special place it is to work. I have said it many times over the last six months and I will say it again: there is no better time to join the social care sector than now. It is true that the coronavirus crisis


has presented many challenges over the last year, but it is also been proven to be an incredibly rewarding period for those working in our sector. The examples of heroism I mentioned above have spread throughout the media and across social channels, and is actually causing many people to re-think their careers, which is brilliant to witness. People from all different walks of life


have heard stories or seen news of key workers battling courageously on the


April 2021 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


frontline to protect the vulnerable, and have made the willing decision to join them in the trenches. Quite frankly, it is an incredible show of unity.


Morale boost Never before have we felt so appreciated. The ‘essential worker’ label, combined with the weekly ‘Clap for Carers’, really provided a boost to morale and motivation through the tough times. This overwhelming tide of goodwill generated a real sense of pride in our profession and I think most care workers would agree that working in the sector has genuinely never felt better. Of course, the industry also provides


the opportunity to embrace an inspirational vocation, with tremendous opportunity for career progression and development. At Nellsar, we have also experienced


new recruits joining our ranks, helping those made redundant or unable to find work in their previous employment to start new ventures in social care. We had a world record-holding circus entertainer join one of our Kent homes as a recreation and wellbeing champion, after all her shows were cancelled due to Covid-19. A classical dancer and holder of seven


Guinness World Records, she went from sword swallowing and snake charming to caring for our elderly residents, and has


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