UHI Argyll showcases innovative training initiative at Parliamentary reception

On Tuesday 29 April 2025, staff and students from UHI Argyll attended the Colleges Scotland Parliamentary reception to present a technology-driven training initiative designed for rural Health and Social Care.

Students Christel, based on the Isle of Tiree; Margaret, who oversees housing and care services across Scotland; and Debbie and Julie, who both work in care settings in Helensburgh, attended the event at Holyrood, along with lecturer Margaret Eccles. Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto was keen to meet the students and hear about the collaboration.

The project, Empowering Care Homes – A Training Partnership is a collaboration between Argyll & Bute HSCP, UHI Argyll, and Scottish Care, aimed at addressing training challenges in rural and island-based care homes. With post-COVID-19 recovery funding, it employs a Train the Trainer model to reduce dependence on external providers and enable care homes to deliver in-house training. Given Argyll’s vast and fragmented geography, this flexible approach ensures staff across remote locations receive high-quality, consistent training.

Participants enrol in UHI Argyll’s CPD course, Plan and Deliver Training Sessions in a Care Setting, which is delivered through live online classrooms, interactive learning tools, remote assessments, and individual tutorials. The programme focuses on critical areas such as dementia and end-of-life care, equipping care staff to train their colleagues effectively.

For rural employers, this initiative offers significant advantages by reducing costs, logistical barriers, and reliance on external trainers. It ensures that training fits within 24/7 staffing models, enhances workforce skills, improves care standards, and supports staff retention by offering accessible professional development. By fostering internal expertise, the programme helps care homes maintain training standards aligned with their unique operational needs. The structured approach integrates training into the daily work environment, making it more relevant and immediately applicable.

Dunoon student Grace said:

“The course can bring numerous benefits not only to my own career, but to my staff and residents too. It enhances staff training, compliance and regulations, improves staff retention, and most importantly leads to better resident care. It has significantly enhanced my leadership skills, boosting my confidence in communication, coaching, and mentoring.”

The partnership between Scottish Care, Argyll & Bute HSCP, and UHI Argyll, highlights the power of collaboration and innovation in overcoming challenges. By embracing technology and innovative approaches, the pilot programme serves as a model for sustainable, high-quality professional development across the region, and other rural areas across Scotland.

Jenni Minto MSP with UHI Argyll students Christel, Debbie, Julie and Margaret, and lecturer Margaret Eccles at the Colleges Scotland Parliamentary Reception

Royal Voluntary Service partners with Call-In Homecare for a delightful Vintage Tea Party

On 23 April, Call-In Homecare hosted a heartwarming Vintage Tea Party in celebration of community, connection, and care to raise vital funds for their charity partner, the Royal Voluntary Service.

In Edinburgh, the atmosphere was filled with nostalgia as the Call-In Homecare Head Office transformed into a vintage-inspired haven, with warm and inviting decorations that transported everyone back in time. Staff and service users dressed for the occasion, sharing tea, laughter, and home-baked treats, lovingly prepared by the Call-In Homecare team.

A raffle fundraiser added to the excitement, with the team raising £120 to support the invaluable work of Royal Voluntary Service.

For those in Glasgow, Inverclyde, and the West of Scotland, the team took the celebration to individual service users’ homes. Care Assistants delivered thoughtful afternoon tea boxes filled with sandwiches, scones, and cakes, sharing precious time with those they support.

The tea party was more than a themed event,  it was a celebration of community, dignity, and meaningful connection, providing a platform for service users and Care Assistants to come together, share stories and create lasting memories.

For one service user, Fiona, it was her first time out of bed since Christmas time. She made the effort to be hoisted into a chair to enjoy her tea party fully, a small but powerful victory that brought smiles all round.

To build on the momentum, Call-In Homecare launched an online raffle for a luxury afternoon tea for two, offering more people a chance to support the cause and spread a little joy.

The success of this event highlights the importance of slowing down, connecting, and creating shared experiences, even in the busy world of care at home. Call-In Homecare now hopes to host similar events in the future, continuing to make space for joy and reflection within their services.

Scottish Care congratulates the team at Call-In Homecare for this inspiring initiative and their ongoing commitment to person-centred, relationship-based care. Events like these remind us all of the profound impact that everyday kindness can have.

For more on this story, visit: call-inhomecare.co.uk – Royal Voluntary Service Party