Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

This week saw the launch of National Apprenticeship Week, a national drive to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have.

At Springhill Care Home we have embraced national apprenticeships with enthusiasm. Great Britain has a long and illustrious history of offering opportunities for learning across a range of skills.

Many of these are linked to the ancient guilds – craftsmen (mostly men in those days) who shared their learning and practical skills with school leavers, producing skilled persons to continue generations of much needed roles which remain as vital today.

Apprenticeships in the health and social care sector are a relatively recent addition to the scheme and are proving popular in achieving a qualification on which to build a career in the many diverse areas of support and care offered around the country.

Springhill has been able to support students in both the health and social care area as well as offering apprenticeships in catering and hospitality. This work-based learning, supported by theoretical application, is increasingly becoming a popular route for gaining qualifications for many of our young people.

At Springhill we offer high standards of training, mentoring and coaching within a superb environment, and work closely with local colleges in a partnership to achieve high levels of success.

One of our apprentices won the highest accolade last year and was voted the Apprentice of the Year by his college tutors.

‘Growing our own’ staff through the apprenticeship scheme has a solid foundation which is twofold – it offers excellent training and secure, long term work prospects for the student, and also gives the residents in our care a highly trained individual who can meet their needs in the best possible way.

Photographed: Huma Khan, Jessica Turner and Anthony McGowan – three of our apprentices at Springhill Care Home.

A big thank you to Marian and Harry

A recent event had a tinge of sadness at Springhill Care Home as we gathered to say goodbye to two long serving and much valued members of our staff team.

 

Marian Doyle has spent the last 12 years as a healthcare assistant at Springhill caring for hundreds of people who have made Springhill their home. Without exception, both residents and Marian’s colleagues spoke of her kindness, dedication and goodness towards them, always going the extra mile to assist them in every way.

 

Theresa Swan, general manager of Springhill Care Home, told the audience: “We will be able to replace your role here, Marian, but we will never be able to replace the person you are and all you mean to this community.”

 

Marian spoke of how much she had enjoyed every minute of her work and thanked everyone for their kind words and gifts which came from colleagues, residents and from Donna Briggs, representing the Springhill Board.

 

One of the highlights Marian has been able to share in recently was our trip to London for the National Care Home Awards final in November last year. We wish her a long and happy retirement and hope she will be a frequent visitor to Springhill.

 

Alongside Marian we also said goodbye to Harry Sumner who has also been at Springhill for 12 years, undertaking an important role within the laundry.

 

As the home expanded, Harry rose to the challenges that came about as the number of residents increase.  He will be missed around all areas of the home and especially by John, one of our residents at Springhill who was his trusty accomplice and quietly supported Harry.

 

Harry and Marian were overwhelmed by the beautiful gifts, cards, floral tributes and wonderful balloons, and enjoyed a champagne toast to wish them both the very best of everything for the future. A wonderful cake, dedicated to both of them, was enjoyed by all the residents and staff who gathered for this great occasion.

Peter reveals his ‘journey’ at dementia forum

Mr Peter AnwylThe second of Springhill Care Home’s popular dementia forums has been held recently, with a very special guest.

 

Peter Anwyl, whose wife Carol was a resident in the home until she passed away, joined us to share his experiences.

 

The dementia forum is a major commitment from Springhill Care Home, pledging to support not just our residents, but also their friends and families.

 

Meeting once a month, it is intended to be a welcoming and confidential setting for people to share their experiences of the dementia ‘journey.’

 

Peter joined us for February’s forum, and really impressed the 14 people who attended, sharing tales of his life and the care his wife received at Springhill

 

We would all like to thank Peter for his time and for sharing his experiences.

To read 'A relative's experience' by Peter (09/08/13) click HERE

 

Margaret gets us dancing

Recently residents, relatives and friends were dancing and singing as we hosted the first concert by Margaret McRae.

A fantastic singer and entertainer, Margaret performed some popular numbers for the watching crowd and encouraged people to join in – dancing and even playing instruments themselves.

Afterwards many in the audience were asking when Margaret would be back. In fact, she was so successful we have booked her to come back every month.

We received one lovely letter from the wife of one our relatives, who said: “Margaret was absolutely brilliant, she encouraged everyone to join in with singing, dancing, playing instruments and hand clapping.

“Margaret performed many lively songs which encouraged people to get up and have a dance! I have to say that I've not seen my husband so animated in a very long time....to the point of him dancing - something he hasn't done in the whole time we have been married!

“I feel sure that other relatives will be of the same opinion that Margaret should be booked on a very regular basis.

“Well done for finding her, we hope to be able to enjoy her concerts for many months to come.”

Rebecca’s Poem

We had a wonderful surprise this morning when a beautiful poem, framed in gold, arrived at Springhill Care Home.  Local poet Mr Hugh Davies was inspired to respond to the article celebrating Rebecca Cooper’s 105th birthday, which we celebrated in style on December 27th.  He has written a very moving poem, which we reproduce here, with permission.

 

Thank you so much Hugh!

 

Born 27th December 1908, enjoys being alive

Life and soul of the party, even at 105

Born the same year as Selfridges opened its first store

A glass of bubbly on her birthday the staff did pour

 

Rebecca a resident at a care home in Springhill

Her career began at the age of 14, a weaver at a local mill

No moans or groans, still singing and dancing

Sensibly eating, drinking, humorous, all life enhancing

 

The Mayor, Judith Addison’s presence added to Rebecca’s joy

As a glass of bubbly with her she did enjoy

Rebecca, you are an inspiration for us all to live long

Keep dancing, laughing and bursting into song!

 

Hugh Davies

Accrington

Opt-in to receive our care group newsletter & communications

Contact Us

Contact : General Manager - Curtis Bennett

Springhill Care Home
Springhill House, Fairfield Street
Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 0LD

Tel: 01254 381719
Fax: 01254 872685
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Call Us: 01254 381719

JOIN US   

Care Homes & Services

 

Click HERE to review Springhill Care Home on carehome.co.uk

Springhill Care Home Recommended on carehome.co.uk     

 

Cookies help us improve our website and make them more user friendly, so you get a better experience. For the full details please read our Cookie Policy. You ok with our use of cookies? To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our privacy policy.

  I accept cookies from this site.
EU Cookie Directive plugin by www.channeldigital.co.uk