Scottish Care/Wagestream Webinar – 14 August 2025

Upcoming Webinar for Scottish Care Members

Beyond the Paycheck: Strengthening Your Care Workforce Through Financial Wellbeing

Date: Thursday 14th August, 12:15pm – 1:00 pm
45-minute session with Q&A

Join us for an exclusive Scottish Care member webinar in partnership with Wagestream, our commercial partner, focused on building a resilient, empowered care workforce.

This session will explore how investing in employee financial wellbeing can help address sector-wide workforce challenges from high turnover and recruitment struggles to absenteeism and burnout. Discover practical tools, proven outcomes, and real-life impact stories from care providers.

What you’ll learn:

  • Why financial stress is driving disengagement and turnover in care
  • How Wagestream’s tools, from flexible pay to budgeting and savings, are improving workforce stability
  • Case study insights: 16% lower turnover, 27% faster recruitment, and up to 32% reduction in agency spend

Who should attend?
CEOs, owners, HR and Finance Directors, and senior leaders in Scottish Care member organisations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to future-proof your workforce.

Register via the Members Area to secure your place!

Care Home Awards 2025 – Nominations Now Open!

We’re delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the Scottish Care Home Awards 2025!

These annual awards celebrate the outstanding dedication, creativity, and compassion shown by care home staff and services across Scotland. It’s your chance to shine a spotlight on those making a real difference every day.

The Awards Ceremony will take place on:
Friday 14 November 2025
Hilton Hotel, Glasgow


2025 Award Categories include:

  • Ancillary & Support Staff
  • Nutrition & Eating Well
  • Meaningful Activity
  • Training, Learning & Staff Development
  • Emerging Talent
  • Outstanding Achievement
  • Leadership
  • Palliative & End of Life Care Practice
  • Nurse of the Year
  • Care Worker of the Year
  • Specialist Service/Unit of the Year
  • Care Home Service of the Year
  • Care Innovation Award

Key Dates

  • Deadline for entries: Monday 1 September 2025 (close of play)
  • Awards Ceremony: Friday 14 November 2025, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow

Help us recognise the individuals and teams who go the extra mile in care homes across Scotland.

We can’t wait to read your inspiring submissions!

Find out more on how to enter here

A Special Bond: Marion and Alice Give Back Together

At Abercorn House Care Home, meaningful moments often start with small acts of kindness, and the inspiring story of Marion and Alice is no exception.

Earlier this month, the sisters began volunteering together at the Salvation Army Charity Shop in Hamilton, turning a shared experience into something truly special. What began as a simple weekly commitment is now blossoming into a growing community initiative, with more residents set to join them.

Read on to discover how this beautiful act of giving back is strengthening family ties, building community connections, and bringing purpose and joy to everyone involved.


At Abercorn House Care Home, we are proud to support meaningful opportunities that enrich lives of our residents, and the story of Marion Conquer and her sister Alice is a beautiful example of that spirit.

On 9th of July 2025, Marion and Alice began their journey as volunteers at the Salvation Army Charity Shop in Hamilton, following their induction. Together, they now volunteer once a week, sorting through jewellery and helping with pricing, a small act with a big impact.

For Marion, this isn’t just about volunteering, it’s about staying connected to her faith, her community, and most importantly, her sister. For Alice, it’s a chance to spend precious time with Marion in a meaningful way. Their shared experience is strengthening their bond and bringing purpose and joy into their week.

What makes this story even more special is that more residents from Abercorn will soon be joining them in this wonderful initiative, turning this act of kindness into a growing circle of community involvement and connection. Recently welcoming another resident, Drina to take part, below are pictures from their latest volunteer day.

We are incredibly proud of Marion and Alice and excited to see how this small, heartfelt act continues to blossom, touching not only their lives but the lives of those around them.

Diamond Home Assist’s ‘Shine’ Group

We’re delighted to share a heartwarming good news story from Diamond Home Assist, a support company and valued Scottish Care member based in West Lothian. Led by registered manager Emma Hurry, their weekly ‘Shine’ social inclusion group is making a real difference in the lives of those they support.

Held every Wednesday morning, Shine offers a welcoming space for service users to come together through their 1-to-1 support, meet others in the community, and take part in a range of fun and meaningful activities. From conversation and creativity to connection and confidence-building, Shine is all about bringing people together in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Read on for an article from Emma to see how this small group is making a big impact.


Shine (Bright Like a Diamond): A Celebration of Connection, Growth, and Joy

In June 2024, we proudly launched Shine (Bright Like a Diamond)—a social inclusion group created to bring our Diamond service users together in a welcoming, supportive space where lasting friendships and meaningful connections could blossom.

From the very beginning, Shine has offered a vibrant mix of weekly activities designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and develop key life skills—all while ensuring our service users remain in 1-to-1 support. Whether it’s a lively game of bingo, a morning of crafting, dancing to favourite tunes, or a relaxing round of dominoes, every session is filled with smiles, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

Each week, we introduce something new to keep our sessions fresh and engaging. We’ve gone on Easter egg hunts to build observation and numeracy skills, held sports days that encourage teamwork and coordination, and introduced new colouring sheets every week—a clear group favourite!

In fact, research shows that colouring can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety. It’s not just fun—it’s healing. Just ask Kirsty, one of our incredible service users, who proudly shows off her colourful creations and sunflower made with support from our team.

Our celebrations go beyond weekly sessions. We’ve hosted unforgettable Halloween and Christmas parties, filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Halloween saw our service users in their spookiest costumes, enjoying apple dooking, “donut on a string,” and dancing the Time Warp.

For Christmas, DJ Disco John (a talented service user) kept the dance floor alive with music, while party games, a festive buffet, and a surprise visit from Santa made the season even brighter.

But the true magic of Shine lies in the remarkable personal transformations we’ve witnessed.

One young woman with a learning disability struggled deeply with emotional regulation and social interactions when she first joined. She expressed discomfort with anger and outbursts, often shouting at staff or acting out physically. One difficult moment involved her hitting another woman with a trolley simply because she felt overwhelmed and didn’t know how to communicate it

Today, she greets others with warmth and kindness, using polite language and asking for space when needed. She’s even taken on a caring role, looking after another group member with Down Syndrome—offering her a drink, making sure her wheelchair fits comfortably at the table, and singing alongside her during karaoke. Her growth in empathy, emotional control, and communication is extraordinary.

Another remarkable story comes from a 59-year-old service user with a severe learning disability, living independently in the community. When he first joined Diamond, he suffered from deep loneliness and anxiety, which led him to pick at his skin and furniture. All he wanted was to “make friends.” Now, he arrives at Shine every week with a cheerful hello for everyone. His anxiety has decreased dramatically, and he’s no longer self-harming or damaging his home. Instead, he’s our beloved karaoke star, lighting up the room with his joyful rendition of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”.

Week after week, Shine has become more than just a group—it’s become a community. A place where friendships are forged, laughter is shared, and growth is celebrated. The positive changes we’ve seen in our service users have been nothing short of inspiring.

We are endlessly grateful to our dedicated and compassionate staff, whose care and commitment make Shine possible. Looking ahead, we hope to grow this beautiful community even further — welcoming more service users, adding new ideas, and creating even more opportunities to celebrate individuality, achievement, and the power of human connection.

At Shine, everyone is welcome, and everyone shines.

Celebrating Nicola Dow’s Impact

Celebrating Nicola Dow: A Champion for Care, Collaboration and Digital Innovation

As Nicola Dow steps down from her role as Branch Chair for Scottish Care’s East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire region, we reflect on her exceptional leadership and her contributions to both local advocacy and innovation. Nicola has been a passionate voice for social care, a supportive colleague across the sector, and a key player in driving forward meaningful digital change at Pacific Care.

Nicola will soon leave her home manager role at Stanely Park, a residential care home in Paisley, and take up a new role managing a larger, nursing-led care home—a natural next step in a career. We are grateful for her time, energy and insight as Branch Chair, and wish her the very best in this new chapter.

Advocating for Change: Why She Stepped Up

Nicola became involved with Scottish Care after completing her Queen’s Nursing Programme, seeing an opportunity to use her skills and voice beyond her immediate workplace.

“It felt natural for me to branch out to the wider care home community so I could champion the amazing work happening in our sector—and try to influence the change needed to improve care home environments.”

Her time as Branch Chair helped her develop new levels of confidence and leadership, particularly in advocating for social care at a local and national level:

“I’m most proud of my personal growth. I now feel confident speaking up for social care—something I wouldn’t have done before.”

“This experience has helped me believe in myself and in my ability to lead. It’s opened doors to new professional opportunities I never thought possible.”

Leading Pacific Care’s Digital Transformation

Alongside her advocacy work, Nicola played a key role in Pacific Care’s digital transformation—an organisation-wide project that has reshaped how care is delivered and managed across all five sites. ­

In 2024, Pacific Care moved away from paper-based systems, introducing tools like Person Centred Software (PCS) for digital care planning, and RotaCloud for staff rostering. This shift was designed not only to improve efficiency, but also to enhance resident outcomes and staff wellbeing.

As highlighted in Pacific Care’s January 2024 feature article, Nicola’s leadership and digital expertise—alongside the dedication of several other key team members—played a vital role in supporting staff across multiple homes to embrace and adapt to the organisation’s digital transformation.

“Having worked in a fully digital environment before, I knew the benefits—but also the fear that comes with such a shift. Some staff were so anxious they considered leaving,” Nicola recalled.

“By being open about my own learnings, giving them time, and providing hands-on training, I helped build their confidence. Watching them go from overwhelmed to capable was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

One standout improvement has been the implementation of RotaCloud, which gave staff greater autonomy over their shifts while reducing stress and out-of-hours communication.

“Everyone’s time is precious. RotaCloud allowed staff to manage extra shifts on their terms. It improved wellbeing and even had a positive financial impact.”

Care delivery has also improved thanks to real-time digital care notes, leading to more consistent documentation and allowing staff to spend less time on admin and more time with residents.

“The quality of record-keeping has gone up, and because it’s in real time, it reflects the care actually being given—not just what we remember at the end of a shift.”

Looking Ahead: Technology and the Future of Care

Nicola is a strong believer in the potential of technology to enhance both care delivery and resident engagement:

“We have residents FaceTiming their families and even placing their own Just Eat orders. Digital tools have brought families closer and helped us deliver truly person-centred care.”

“Technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about connection, confidence, and quality of life.”

With Thanks

Nicola’s time as Branch Chair has made a real and lasting difference. She has uplifted colleagues, advocated for better systems, and led by example—always with humility and warmth.

We extend our deepest thanks to Nicola for her commitment to Scottish Care and to the wider sector. We look forward to seeing what she does next—and we know she will continue to lead with purpose and heart.

Original article: https://www.pacificcare.co.uk/news-events/2025/january/2024-pacific-care-s-digital-transformation/

Video interview with Nicola on the Queen’s Nursing programme: https://youtu.be/eSmYy4VfJ4o

Abercorn House Embraces Virtual Reality

Abercorn House Enhances Resident Wellbeing Through Virtual Reality

At Abercorn House Care Home, innovation and compassion go hand in hand. As part of their continued commitment to enhancing the lives of their residents, the team is proudly embracing Virtual Reality (VR) to create enriching, personalised experiences for residents.

Whether it’s sparking memories, providing sensory stimulation, or simply offering moments of peace and joy, these immersive experiences are making a meaningful difference. VR sessions are tailored to residents’ interests and needs, allowing each individual to engage in ways that feel familiar, exciting, or soothing.

The initiative reflects Abercorn’s wider commitment to enhancing wellbeing through innovation, creating not just a place of care, but a space of opportunity, curiosity, and connection.

A huge well done to the Abercorn team for leading the way in innovative care proving that the future of wellbeing is both high-tech and deeply human.

Abercorn’s Pride Party 2025

Celebrating Love, Diversity and Community- Abercorn’s Pride Party 2025

At Abercorn House, care is not just about support- it’s about belonging. This year, the team proudly hosted a vibrant and meaningful Pride Party, bringing together residents, families, and staff to celebrate the beauty of inclusion, identity and joy.

The home was transformed into a colourful space of love and laughter, with rainbow flags, decorations and the warmest of smiles lighting up every corner.

The day featured:

A resident, staff and families fashion show, where people of all ages strutted with confidence and style, cheered on by proud families and friends.

Live singing and dancing, sparkling happy tears and laughter as everyone got involved.

Heartfelt entertainment, where music bridged generations and filled the home with unity.

What made this celebration so powerful was not just the rainbow colours or fabulous fun- it was the sense of connection. Residents expressed feeling valued and uplifted, especially those who have seen decades of change in how love and identity are embraced.

Families commented on how beautiful it was to see a care home truly living its values-where inclusion is not just a policy but a way of life. Staff led with love, our residents shone with pride, and together, we celebrated every person for exactly who they are. This event is just one example of how Abercorn continues to build a culture where everyone belongs. Residents aren’t just cared for- they are seen, heard and celebrated. Abercorn hopes that their celebration inspires other homes to keep flying the flag of dignity, respect and love for all.

Fife celebrates Africa Day

Fife’s First Care focused Africa Day Celebration Shines a Spotlight on Culture, Community, and Care

Alyson Vale from Abbotsford Care , Audrey MacFarlane from Oran Care. Paul Dundas, Fife Independent Sector Lead and Rachel Payne from Bandrum Nursing Home put on a really successful Africa day celebration on 25th May 25 at Abbotsford Head Office in Kirkcaldy. It was a vibrant event that brought together social care professionals, community members, and partners to honour the rich cultural heritage of African communities working across Fife.

Attendees from each organisation gathered for an afternoon of authentic cuisine, uplifting music, and cultural exchange. The event was designed to foster cross-cultural understanding, celebrate diversity within the care workforce, and strengthen local community ties. The event was put on by the organisations and was free to all staff and their families

Lynne Garvey,  Chief of Fife Health and Social Care was also in attendance. She gave a moving address:

“Africa Day was a celebration of people, pride, and passion. Our international staff bring not only skill and compassion to our services, but also a deep cultural richness that benefits everyone in Fife.”

Guests were treated to traditional dishes prepared by local cook Joy, which attendees described as “a taste of home” and “simply unforgettable.” The event also featured music and personal stories, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere that resonated with everyone present.

Key Outcomes of Africa Day 2025:

  • Increased awareness and appreciation of African cultures in the workplace
  • Stronger bonds between staff and the local community
  • A platform for representation and dialogue around diversity and inclusion

Plans are already underway to expand next year’s celebration, with ambitions to involve more local organisations and build educational opportunities into the programme.

“The energy and joy were contagious,” said one attendee. “It wasn’t just an event—it was a statement of unity and respect.

Carrondale Care Home Recognised in Lodged Parliamentary Motion

Carrondale Care Home Recognised in Lodged Parliamentary Motion for Outstanding Person-Centred Care

Carrondale Care Home in Falkirk has been highlighted in the Scottish Parliament through a motion recently lodged by Michelle Thomson MSP (Falkirk East Constituency) acknowledging the team’s exceptional commitment to person-centred care and creating meaningful opportunities for residents.

The motion was lodged on 15 May 2025 and shines a spotlight on Carrondale’s dedication to improving the lives of residents through education, celebration, and support.

Working alongside Falkirk Council and Forth Valley College, Carrondale has helped residents, including those with complex needs, to gain Level 2 qualifications through the Multiply Maths programme, with some progressing to achieve SQA Level 3 certificates. Further funding has enabled residents to take courses in English, cookery, and digital skills, encouraging continued learning and confidence building.

The motion also celebrates Carrondale’s efforts to mark special occasions, including the 100th birthday of resident Margaret Forest, with a visit from Provost Robert Bissett and a performance from the Jenkins School of Highland Dancers.

A special mention goes to Linda Stewart, Carrondale’s Wellbeing Coordinator, who has been shortlisted for the Dementia Care Awards 2025, recognising her outstanding work supporting people living with dementia and learning disabilities.

In her letter to Carrondale, Michelle Thomson MSP wrote:

“Learning of the fantastic work that your staff have continued to carry out, exemplifying the ethos of person-centred care, I believe recognition in Parliament is rightfully deserved.”

Scottish Care congratulates the entire team at Carrondale for their leadership and compassion in delivering social care that truly puts people first.

Read the Motion Letter here

World Diversity Day 2025 – A Celebration of Culture and Unity

World Diversity Day 2025 – A Celebration of Culture and Unity

On 21st May 2025, the historic Aberdeen Town House came alive with colour, music, and celebration as local care homes joined together for a special World Diversity Day event. The programme was a collaborative effort led by Mel Shearer from Fairview House, Nadine Garcia from Torry Nursing Home, and City Care Homes Lead Nurse Elaine Morrison.

The event began with a warm and heartfelt welcome from Mel Shearer, who shared the inspiration behind the project—to create a space where diversity is celebrated, differences are respected, and staff from different care homes in Aberdeen could come together, connect, and learn from one another. This was followed by a powerful keynote speech from Baldeep McGarry, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Aberdeen City Council. Her message was simple but strong: diversity is not just acknowledged, it’s celebrated and honoured.

A highlight of the day was the incredible performances by care home staff, showcasing dances from around the world including a Filipino, Jamaican, Polish folk dances and a touching song performed in Tagalog. The Cultural Fashion Show lit up the room with traditional costumes from different countries, each with its own story as narrated by Nadine Garcia.

Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoyed homemade dishes lovingly prepared by staff, each one offering a nostalgic taste of their own home.

Before closing, Elaine Morrison presented the results of a staff survey focused on the onboarding experience of overseas workers, sparking conversations on how to better support and welcome them into our community.

With its music, colour, food, and spirit of togetherness, the event was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came and supported, it was a day to remember, from our local community, to staff members, Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership and Care Inspectorate.  We now look forward to making this a cherished annual tradition.