Refurbishments Yet even prior to Covid-19, such high
levels of health, safety and hygiene are not unusual in this environment as we have navigated through previous norovirus and MRSA outbreaks. It is a very sensitive sector with many vulnerable people, often living close together, so we have a clear part to play in maintaining safe environments today and in the future. The challenges of older people’s housing
are neither new nor a surprise, but we need to act now to ensure that collectively this increasingly important sector gets the investment and expertise it deserves. A key way to achieve this is to ensure that the important role of refurbishment, delivered by people who care is put under the spotlight and no longer seen as the Cinderella to its shiny new build sister.
Caring Homes: Whittington House, Cheltenham When the Ian Williams team began work on a project to redecorate the corridors of Whittington House in Cheltenham - a care home that offers nursing, residential and dementia care support - they received training in dementia. The specialist training offered an understanding of how the condition affects people, as well as advice on how best to communicate with those affected and respect their needs. The overall aim was to ensure that it
would be possible for us to do an excellent job while also being sensitive to the needs of those living in the property. So, when a woman approached the operatives saying she had to urgently leave the building because her aeroplane was due, they knew exactly what to do.
Running repairs We understand that not only specialist properties required to meet the needs of those living with dementia, but we also know that when we are working on repairs or maintenance of properties for older people, we have to be familiar with the ways in which our work might be adapted. A different approach must be taken. For example, a handrail around the building needed to be replaced. Rather than ripping the whole object out it was replaced section by section, meaning we were able to maintain access to the majority of the pathway throughout.
Sensitive working In these situations, daily conversations with the home manager are vital in
understanding exactly how, where and when to carry out the work. The programme must be fluid in case, for example, a resident is taken ill in the night and works to that area or even the whole scheme need to put on hold for a while.
Haford Housing: Brocastle Manor Care Home, Bridgend Set in 14 acres of countryside, Brocastle Manor Care Home provides care and support for over 80 residents. Services range from residential and nursing care for older people as well support for people with disabilities. Hafod Care prides itself on not only maintaining excellent services for residents but also the aesthetics of the site. The site consists of several residential
blocks, many in need of external repair and redecoration. The external surfaces of the buildings in the older part of the site were stained due to weather, algae and dirt and needed to extensive cleaning and pre-paint treatments. The Ian Williams team battled inclement weather to transform the Cadwgan, Llewellyn, Glyndwr and Eifion Court and Iestyn Blocks into homes that blend with the natural surroundings and the newer, more modern properties on the site.
Trivallis: Summerdale Close, Pontypridd Trivallis is one of the largest housing associations in Wales, with its stock made up of 10,049 rented homes, 637 leasehold properties and 1,709 garages. Ian Williams undertook external decoration of Summerdale Close, a sheltered housing complex located in Church Village, Pontypridd in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Summerdale Close was a pilot scheme
for Trivallis and Ian Williams. They have a large proportion of similar blocks with vulnerable, sensitive residents and wanted to ensure the colour selection, quality and works process was set in place before wider roll out. The ten-week programme was to carry
out full external decorations but it was soon extended to include roofline works too. We directly delivered all works with a team based locally using four operatives, who were rewarded by the residents with a surprise tea party to say thank you for their performance and the high-quality finish of the work.
March 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
Haford Housing: Brocastle Manor Care Home, Bridgend
Trivallis: Summerdale Close, Pontypridd
Mike Turner
Mike Turner is executive director of Ian Williams, joined the company in that role in Ian Williams in 2003. Mike has significant experience of collaborative working within the public sector and developing framework solutions within the private sector. He is a regular conference speaker on outsourcing and procurement, vice-chairman of the Housing Forum Older Peoples Housing Working Group, chairman of the NHMF (National Housing Maintenance Forum) Contractors Forum and a judge for the West of England Business of the Year Awards.
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