Perhaps controversial, and the jury is still out on whether I am a cynic or a realist, but this month I am sharing good news.

It has been refreshing to see positivity in the media, albeit few in number, there have been images and snow stories celebrating care staff who go above and beyond to ensure our most vulnerable citizens remain safe and cared for. And whilst I continue to wonder why it took the ‘Beast from the East’ for many to notice that it’s what our workforce do everyday, I want to eek out that celebration for as long as possible. Hopefully it will help folks through the oft overlooked aftermath.

Perhaps even more controversially, I want to talk about that other oft overlooked subject; Self Directed Support.

Today is Self Directed Support Scotland’s Conference, and whilst they have an excellent range of speakers including support from Scottish Government, I want to direct attention to Norma who will be there presenting her journey to receiving SDS. I became aware of this film via our SDS project funded by Support in The Right Direction in the Highlands, where Anne MacDonald has been working to promote the uptake of SDS. (A similar project has been on-going in the Ayrshires to produce tools and materials to promote SDS, but also with a focus on supporting the introduction of SDS for carers). It’s also worth noting here that in the second half of the week, Anne works for Highland Senior Citizens Network, making her an all-round expert.

As part of the SDS project, she has facilitated the co-production of materials such as a leaflet on SDS from an older person’s perspective in an ‘what I wish I had known’ format, and tested and localised tools to support practitioners and care staff. The key word in all of this is facilitation. The work Anne does is always lead by those who use services, and this is where Norma comes in. Norma worked with Anne to film her experience, and direct and cut the film, with a view to sharing a personal perspective on what SDS offered her.

Norma has allowed us to share the film on the Scottish Care website, so whether you are still ‘on the fence’, or an SDS convert, I urge you to watch it, it’s evidence that SDS can and does make a difference. For many people, it’s not new or rocket science, but simply the delivery of good human rights based care where people are offered the choice control and dignity they deserve.

So to Norma, thank you for sharing your experiences and allowing this to go on our website – if you ever fancy writing a blog for Scottish Care, we would love to hear more.

And while we are celebrating – if you care about those who provide care at home, then let them know. The deadline for submitting a nomination for the Scottish Care Annual Care at Home Awards is fast approaching. I have the privilege of chairing the judging and I can’t wait to read about all of the good work that is going on. We need to make a concerted effort to challenge the negativity in the press and celebrate and share our successes. #careaboutcare

Karen Hedge

National Director

@Hegeit

Winter 2017/2018 has proved to be a challenge for many due to severe weather conditions.  At the end of February, Mother Nature dealt a blow by way of:

“The Beast from the East” 

Seemingly unequipped to deal with the heavy snowfall, which had been forecast for weeks prior to the event, the country almost came to a standstill with many companies closing early to allow staff to get home safely. Some closing due to not being able to receive deliveries. Schools and local services all closed down for Health and Safety reasons.

One employment sector, however, carried on regardless. 

HOMECARE

A wee bit of snow did not deter the carers from the Ayrshire branch of Carewatch, who fought their way through the storm to ensure that care was delivered to North and East Ayrshire’s most vulnerable people.

Carewatch Care Staff abandoned their cars (safely), donned their wellies and waded through the sometimes knee-deep snow, in order to reach their clients.  With some carers walking in excess of 20 miles over the course of a day, to ensure that they carried out personal care, prepared meals and gave important medication to some of the country’s most vulnerable and elderly people.

All Hands on Deck

Management staff and Supervisors all mucked in as the company adopted an “All Hands on Deck” strategy. Calls were made to clients offering them reassurance that their visits would be carried out, although, their care staff may be running late due to the weather conditions.  The office kept in regular contact with the community carers to make sure that they were managing ok, and where possible, supervisors and response staff assisted to cover some of their visits, and helped to get them to and from different areas, which were barely accessible by car. 

Every effort was made to ensure that care staff, as well as the Service Users, were safe and comfortable as they endured the weather. In one Ayrshire area, a supervisor walked almost a mile carrying a bin bag full of wellies and thick socks, which the company paid for,  to give to the care staff as the conditions worsened.  Ironically the local welly shop was closed as their staff were snowed in at home. Thank goodness for the Home Hardware store.

Staff all kept their sense of humour throughout. A couple of snowball fights here and there, and even taking over an Igloo built by the locals – well at least it would have came in handy if the carers got stuck overnight. Not to forget the good exercise for those of us who were still trying to shed the Christmas weight. Walking through snow gives 5 times the impact of regular walking. All in all, a good job done by everyone involved and it shows the dedication and continued hard work of care at home staff, and it just goes to show -

The Beast from the East

Couldn’t defeat

The Best from the West!!

The snow is nearly all gone now on the street where I live. Just a few patches of compacted ice here and there. They'll be gone soon too. The thaw is nearly complete.
It was a different story over the last few days. Tuesday and Wednesday last week the skies opened and deluged the majority of Scotland with the white stuff. Here in Edinburgh the snow came down thick and fast, and the Amber Warning issued by the Met Office was upgraded to Red, soon the buses would stop running.
As Home Carers we still need to get to the homes of the vulnerable people we look after. Medications need to be given, continence pads must be changed, food and drink are essential. We have obligations.
Driving conditions were difficult and getting worse. I keep a bag of grit in my car. A handful or two in front of each tyre and wheels that had been uselessly spinning grip and move. A shovel (admission: I was using a dustpan) can dig away deeper snowfall at the roadside where the car has been parked. I lost count of the number of times members of the public came to my and my colleagues aid with a much needed push. There's nothing like extreme conditions to bring out the best in people.
But Thursday morning on the street where I live was different. 6:30 am and I was the only one up and about. The snow was so thick. I dug my car out but only got a few feet and got stuck. So, wellies on, overcoat, hat, scarf, gloves, and as my mother would have said, it was down to ‘Shank’s pony’. I set off on foot.