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

Hillcrest Futures’ Dundee services that support people with drug and alcohol use have been recognised for their commitment to supporting women by receiving the Welcoming Women Award for their work at South Ward Road.

The services were commended by the Head of Health & Community Care at Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) for their efforts in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for women in crisis.

The initiative was made possible thanks to funding from the Gendered Services Project, secured by Hillcrest Futures staff with support from Gendered Services Project Manager, Heather Wilkins.

The Gendered Services Project is funded by the CORRA Foundation and the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP). The project, which is driven by women with lived experience of complex trauma, aims to support services to develop a gendered approach to service delivery.

Hillcrest Futures Senior Project Worker, Justyna Zalewska explains: “We know that women accessing our services are often in incredibly difficult situations. Having a space that feels safe, warm and welcoming can make a huge difference to their wellbeing.

“Thanks to the funding and feedback from women supported by our services, we have purchased cosy blankets, wall art, cushions, lamps, plants and other decorative items to make our interview rooms and recovery café feel less clinical. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams in ensuring that women feel supported when they come through our doors.”

Lead Officer, Protecting Team, Sophie Gwyther added: “Seeing more and more services in Dundee achieve the Welcoming Women Award is fantastic. For any woman considering accessing support services, it gives them assurance that the service will respond sensitively to their specific needs as women and any barrier they may be worried about will be addressed. Well done to Hillcrest Futures for this achievement.”

One of the women who accesses support from the services shared her experience: “When I first arrived at the service, I felt so emotional. My project worker showed me to the women’s room and let me cry. I started to feel calmer in the surroundings. Having a blanket to cuddle into and the nice smell of the room also relaxed me. It felt so therapeutic while my project worker listened and let me talk.”

From left- Kelly Robb, Hillcrest Futures project worker; Heather Wilkins, Gendered Services project manager; Pauline McIntosh, Hillcrest Futures operations manager; Justyna Zalewska, Hillcrest Futures senior project worker.

On Sunday 16 June 2024, Southpark Care Home in Edinburgh celebrated a significant milestone as owner and manager Janice Smith spent her last day at the home. This marked the end of an era for the retirement home, which has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly four decades.

Established in 1984, Southpark Retirement Home has provided care and support for up to 30 elderly female residents. The care home has always been more than just a place of residence; it has been a nurturing environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Janice’s retirement is a moment of celebration and reflection for the entire Southpark family. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication have no doubt left a lasting mark on the home. Scottish Care wishes Janice a joyful and fulfilling retirement, celebrating a lifetime of service and love.

We received an wonderful good news story from Hawkhill House Nursing Home in Aberdeen. Have a read and a look at the pictures below.

Our team has embarked on a team-building event called the “Allotment Challenge” which kicked off on 13th April 2024. We all gathered at Hawkhill House to prepare our allotments, followed by a mouthwatering BBQ.

This event was inspired by our dedication to grow our own soft fruits and vegetables while promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.

We divided into three teams, each led by passionate staff committed to the objective and fostering teamwork: Joanna, Anna, and Lovell lead teams of staff members and families, all working together to achieve the best results.

Our challenge culminates in September, where the winning team will be determined based on points accumulated through meeting the following criteria:

• Quantity of harvested produce
• Variety of produce grown
• Largest produce
• Longest produce
• Heaviest produce
• Creativity and innovation in gardening techniques
• Sustainability – implementation of sustainable practices
• Best presentation of the final harvest

We will also choose the Best Team Player & Sportsmanship Award based on the most cooperative and good sports among teams.

Prizes will include vouchers, trophies, and gift items from sponsors.

This event not only encapsulates the essence of teamwork but also the satisfaction of striving toward a shared goal.

It underscores the importance of collaboration, creativity, and sustainability, demonstrating how staff can unite to make a positive impact on our environment.

We can’t wait to see the harvest in September,  celebrate the beauty of nature, the fruits of our labour and the joy of sharing with others!

Oakbridge Bridge Care Home in Glasgow recently had a truly memorable experience—they enjoyed tea with a special guest, a horse, courtesy of the remarkable charity, RDA Glasgow Group. It was an immersive afternoon that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

The gentlemen at Oakbridge fully embraced this unique sensory experience with Jake, the gentle and intuitive horse. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers for their kindness and hospitality. The participants left feeling elated, calm, and truly in awe of big Jake.

In a groundbreaking achievement for Scotland’s social care sector, Visiting Angelz, a Renfrewshire-based nurse-led care at home service, has secured Living Hours accreditation, marking a significant milestone in fair employment practices. They are the first social care employer in Scotland to achieve this accolade.

Established in 2012, Visiting Angelz specialises in delivering personal and domestic care services throughout Renfrewshire. By meeting the rigourous criteria for Living Hours accreditation, including the payment of the real Living Wage, providing advanced notice for shifts, and ensuring minimum weekly working hours, the company has demonstrated its commitment to fair compensation and secure working conditions for its employees.

Angela Magee, the Service Manager and Owner of Visiting Angelz, said:

“In these times of hardship in our communities, it is important to not only pay people fairly, but to provide them with stability and security at work and the opportunities that come with that through secure working terms. “Hard-working, dedicated people should have the opportunities to realise their full potential in all areas of their lives.”

Rachel Morrison-McCormick, Projects Coordinator at Living Wage Scotland, commended Visiting Angelz for their dedication to fair work practices, saying:

“We are delighted to welcome Visiting Angelz as our first social care Living Hours employer.

“There are over 3400 Living Wage employers in Scotland and it is great to see Visiting Angelz take further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work.

“The values that led them to commit to the real Living Wage are the same values that have led to their expanded commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most.”

According to research by the Living Wage Foundation, over 9 per cent of Scottish workers are in insecure work and earn below the Living Wage, accounting for approximately 250,000 workers.

As Scotland grapples with a significant portion of workers facing insecure employment and earning below the Living Wage, initiatives like Living Hours are crucial in promoting stable incomes and predictable working arrangements. Through Living Hours accreditation, Visiting Angelz exemplifies the values of fair employment and strives to provide its workforce with the means to lead fulfilling lives.

This story was featured on the Gazette, have a read here.