Care home residents sings for Parkinsons sufferers
A CARE home resident has rekindled her love of singing after joining a choir dedicated to raising awareness of Parkinsons disease. Barbara Millican thought she would never sing in a choir again after moving into Hazelgrove Court Care Home, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in October 2017. However, the home’s activities coordinator, Sharon Lewis, found the Tremeloes Parkinson’s Choir, which both she and Barbara have since joined. The choir, named after the tremors those with Parkinson’s experience, recently performed at Saltburn Community Centre as part of Parkinson’s Awareness Week. Barbara said: “I like being part of a choir, just like before I lived at Hazelgrove. It’s lovely to be able to perform again as well.” Sharon added: “It’s lovely to see Barbara doing something she loves so much. We discovered we both sang in the Gainford Choral Society, though at different times. “It’s great to have the love of singing in common and it’s now something we can do together as part of the Tremeloes.” Alongside the choral performance, the Parkinsons Awareness Week event at Saltburn Community Centre included a coffee morning and freely available information on the disease. Hazelgrove Court Care Home volunteer Jenny Hassett also dressed a doll in the Parkinsons colours and ran a guess the name of the doll competition. The competition helped towards a total of £376 raised on the day, which has been donated to Parkinson’s UK, to support those affected and help fund research. The choir has been touring the region, performing at Stokesley Garden Centre and Redcar Primary Care Hospital, among others. They are also planning on recording a song based on a poem written by another resident at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, Felicity Dobson. “Would you Understand” is about the non-discriminatory nature of Parkinsons and how it affects those from all backgrounds. Tina Temple, home manager at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, said: “We always take account of our residents’ hobbies and interests, so we can help them continue to take part and pursue the things they like while living here. “Being able to give Barbara Millican the opportunity to continue singing as part of a choir is hugely important for her own happiness and health. Every time she returns from a session or event she has a huge smile and is already looking forward to the next.” Hazelgrove Court Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Accessibility Mark and RDA Work Together to Help Kitty Achieve Her Goals
12-year-old Kitty Scarboro has loved horses all her life, first sitting on a horse at six months old during an equine therapy session. Kitty, from Battle, East Sussex, was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which means that it affects all the muscles in her body. A wheelchair user, she also struggles with talking, using her hands and arms and her legs are difficult to control. Four years ago Kitty asked her Dad, Simon, if she could learn to ride – not therapy riding, like she does in her equine therapy sessions but what she called ‘normal’ riding. She loved the idea of participating in a sport that didn’t involve her wheelchair. Having tried a number of different stables that didn’t quite fulfil Kitty’s needs she started riding at Grove Farm Riding School in Iden on the Kent/Sussex border. Grove Farm is an Accessibility Mark accredited centre so has undergone training with Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). Said Kitty: “Grove Farm was the only stables that talked to me and actually asked me what I wanted to do, so it was definitely the place for me.” Kitty rides at Grove Farm once a week and has developed a great relationship with her instructor, Jess, and her helper, Georgia. Together the three of them have lots of fun. Georgia walks alongside Kitty to support her to keep the correct position. “When I am riding I feel like I am in control of everything – where I go and what the horse does. I love looking after animals and my favourite pony is called Jimmy. He is black and white with a little moustache and in the summer he gets itchy and they have to put sun cream on his nose! I love cuddling him, which he is very happy to let me do.” added Kitty. Once a week, Kitty also rides at Fairlight RDA in Hastings, which is closer to home, meaning that Kitty can ride during mid-week. Here she gets to participate in group lessons, which she loves. Kitty provides a great example of how RDA and Accessibility Mark work together to ensure the participant is gaining maximum benefit from their sessions as well as setting and working towards common goals. The RDA regional physiotherapist and regional coach, travelled to Fairlight RDA, along with Grove Farm coaches, Jess and Georgia,, to meet the Fairlight RDA coach. They worked together to assess Kitty riding and to ensure everyone is consistent in their coaching. To achieve her goal of riding off the lead rein, it is vital that the lesson planning at both Fairlight and Grove Farm are all geared towards the same aims with safety being paramount. Following this assessment, a report was produced detailing the best way for Kitty to mount and dismount. . A number of set objectives were also included to help her achieve a stable riding position, “The team at RDA talk to me and each other in order to work out what is best for me.I love riding at both centres, meeting new people and having fun outdoors.” said Kitty. Like her hero, Sophie Christiansen, Kitty hopes to one day compete in dressage at the Paralympics and having already competed at two competitions with more planned this year, we are sure she will do all she can to fulfil her ambition. Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by the RDA following training and assessment. The close link with the RDA means that it can offer continuous support to the establishment to ensure it provides a first-class experience that aims to be hugely beneficial to riders of varying levels of disability. There are currently 51 Accessibility Mark-approved centres across the country. To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk
Exciting and versatile new product launch from innovating mobility company Mountain Trike
The Mountain Trike Company produce and manufacture all terrain wheelchairs from their premises in Cheshire, in the UK. These all terrain wheelchairs enable those less able to enjoy the freedom and independence to get out and about to enjoy the outdoors. The current wheelchair product range includes three models – the self propelled Mountain Trike and MT Evo – using the unique lever drive system the rider can power the wheelchair whilst keeping their hands clean and dry. The MT Push is an attendant wheelchair where the steering and braking takes place by the riders buddy using the push handle located behind the rider. All these products come with high end components and a similar specification to that found on a mountain bike. All products are fitted with hydraulic brakes and air suspension so riders can travel over all terrains in comfort and safety. At Naidex 2019 the Mountain Trike Company launched a very exciting new product to the mobility market which compliments the existing range. The eTrike – an electric assist all terrain wheelchair. The eTrike has been designed for a wide range of users – those who would like some assistance to travel off road or active users who want to go further, faster or tackle more challenging terrain. The eTrike is unique to the electric wheelchair market and has the flexibility to be ridden in three different ways; Manually by pushing the drive levers allowing the rider to have clean dry hands; Power assist by twisting the throttle; Hybrid by pushing the drive levers and twisting the throttle simultaneously; This revolutionary all terrain electric power assist wheelchair can combine manual power and electric assist as and when you want which gives an excellent range. The distance range will depend on conditions, user weight, speed and terrain. Designer and Managing Director at the Mountain Trike Company, Tim Morgan, was keen to ensure that all products were modular to ensure customers get the best value for money and long term purchase. eTrike kits can be fitted to the Mountain Trike in the same way that the lever drive kit can be added to the MT Push. The full range of adaptations are highlighted on the website. The all terrain wheelchairs are very technical in design and the eTrike is no different, fitted with hydraulic brakes for excellent control and braking, air suspension providing a stable, smooth and comfortable ride over any terrain and direct steering means you can steer and drive with one or both arms. In addition the eTrike comes with a throttle twist grip or thump lever which can power the eTrike up to 8mph. The hub motor weighs 6kg and fits neatly under the seat of the eTrike and has 5 power settings (level 5 full power), a 12.8Ah, 36V Lithium Ion battery which comes with mains charger is easy to remove and recharge. The electric assist settings are displayed on a LCD screen and shows the speed, distance, average speed, max speed and power settings. Keen to limit the overall weight, the eTrike only weighs in at 25kg, which means it remains highly practical and folds to fit in the boot of most cars and is compact and manoeuvrable enough to go for a country ride and pop into the pub for lunch or head around town to the shops. Talking about the new product, Mountain Trike’s Managing Director, Tim Morgan, says, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be launching the eTrike – it really compliments our existing all terrain wheelchair range and will broaden our appeal in the mobility wheelchair sector. Throughout the design and product development process of all our products we have listened to customers and taken onboard their feedback. I have been working on the design for a good 18 months – a little longer than I envisaged it would take to get it to market. I initially had challenges sourcing the right parts and it was very important to ensure that this product passed all the testing and certification requirements, and in particular, it was user tested. I’m happy to say the prototype has had hundreds of miles clocked up by a customer and their feedback has been invaluable and extremely positive. The Mountain Trike Company is all about inclusive access – the new model will compliment our existing three models and enable more wheelchair users to enjoy the outdoors independently – those that would perhaps require a little more help! As with all our off-road wheelchairs quality, comfort and safety is at the forefront when I’m designing and again this has not been compromised. I’ve also been giving all our models a facelift, using new chassis parts and making the whole range modular and upgradeable. Another main aim as part of the eTrike development was to ensure that anyone who already has a Mountain Trike can benefit from the improvements and an electric power assist kit (eKit) is available which can be back-fitted to the Mountain Trike in the same way that the lever drive system can be added to the MT Push model. It is exciting times for myself and the team at Mountain Trike as we keep moving forward and innovating.” Stephen Hughes, long time Mountain Trike customer and advocate of their products has been clocking up hundreds of miles using a loan prototype for nearly 12 months – testing its durability, battery life and fed back to Tim along the way so tweaks and redesigns could be undertaken. Talking about the eTrike, Stephen says, “I have had my Mountain Trike for about 8 years and try to get out on it daily, so when Tim asked if I would be interested to test ride the eTrike I was more than happy to help. As soon as I could I was out on this new eTrike and it didn’t disappoint – what a game changer! Tim has managed to keep all the cross country ability and added power. What is genius is the flexibility to drive it –
How to create a sensory garden at school
With their interesting sights and smells, sensory gardens are perfect additions for schools to aid with the sensory development of children. Nicky Roeber, Online Horticultural Expert at Wyevale Garden Centres, has given us his easy guide to growing a sensory garden at school. Sensory gardens are carefully planned to invoke all five senses with their plants and décor. They’re perfect for children, especially those with autism, as it provides a safe space to explore each stimulus and promotes sensory development. With National Children’s Gardening Week fast approaching, what better time to start planning your school’s sensory garden? I’ll be giving you my best tips for creating a garden to invoke all the senses. Sight There’s no doubt that gardens are a real treat for the eyes, but did you know that there’s so much more you can do visually than just adding some flowers? I’d recommend planting different types of shrubs and trees with a mixture of flowers and berries, as well as bark, lichen and moss. When it comes to blooms, pick colours on the opposite side of the colour wheel for a contrasting look. For a more complementary style, pick a main colour and build on it with similar tones. For example, pick some nice purple flowers and complement them with pinks and blues. Consider patterns and shapes of paths and flowerbeds and add ornaments to create an interesting display. Plants aren’t the only way to bring colour to your garden, though: you could also paint benches and walls, or try adding mirrors, which will reflect sunlight and make the space brighter. If you’re using large ornaments and mirrors, make sure they’re fixed to walls and floors securely to avoid anyone being hurt. Touch Gardens are perfect places to explore interesting natural textures. Tightly-wound flowers such as houseleek are rather hard to the touch, whereas silver sage has cotton wool-like leaves which are a lot softer. For more rough textures, tree bark is perfect. Paper birch has lovely peeling bark which is scratchy and interesting for children to remove. Lamb’s ear has lovely smooth leaves covered in soft hairs which gives the leaf surface a silky feel. And don’t forget sticky plants like the carnivorous African sundew, which has sticky alien-like leaves to catch prey. Smell Who doesn’t love a sweet-smelling garden? Your plot will really benefit from sweet peas, which have a strong sweet smell. Chocolate cosmos plants have striking dark red petals and are a hit with kids because of their chocolatey vanilla scent. Lavender plants are strong smelling and are perfect for providing a sense of peace in your garden, ideal for calming over-stimulated children. It wouldn’t be a sensory garden without some herbs, which provide some lovely smells as you brush past or get close to them. Peppermint is great for kids because of its sweet minty aroma, along with lemon thyme and rosemary. Taste When creating a sensory garden for children, it’s best to go for more familiar edible plants to avoid any confusion and the possibility of them eating anything that isn’t edible. Fruit such as strawberries are small and perfect for children to pick, as well as cherry tomatoes like ‘Sweet Million’ or the interesting ‘Tigerella’ variety. Carrots, potatoes, radishes and runner beans are great for gardening with children and are a good opportunity to encourage them to eat more fruit and vegetables. Don’t forget about those lovely smelling herbs you planted, all of which are edible, too. Sound Using the right plants, you can create some interesting sounds in your garden. Try planting some birch trees which have fine leaves that rustle together in the breeze. Tall grasses, such as greater quaking grass, make some relaxing swishing sounds in the wind. Alternatively, the long tube-like stems of bamboo blow together to create a hollow knocking sound. You can even turn bamboo into windchimes and hang them up on windy days. For a more unusual sound, the small pods of love-in-a-mist contain seeds, which create an interesting rattling when the pods are shaken. Add bee and bird houses to encourage them to visit your garden, providing lovely buzzing and chirping sounds in the summer. This also presents a great opportunity to talk to children about the importance of insects and birds, and why we should protect them. Growing a sensory garden is a fun and easy way to provide a safe space for children to explore their senses. By following my simple guide, and with the help of some little assistants, you’ll have the perfect sensory garden right in your school grounds.
Computershare helps Edinburgh resident with learning disabilities realise dream
Computershare, a leading financial services provider, is helping an Edinburgh resident with learning disabilities to achieve his dream job. Karl Levy, who has Asperger syndrome and dyslexia, is working as an apprentice operations analyst at Computershare’s city-based Leven House. Computershare supports Karl with specialist equipment and training, while his co-workers are being taught how to communicate effectively with people with Asperger syndrome and dyslexia. Mark McDougall, Global CIO at Computershare, said: “Computershare is an equal opportunities employer that takes its responsibility to nurture all talent extremely seriously, and we are delighted that Karl is progressing well.” Karl said: “The team is very supportive of my needs and how I work. I know I can ask my team leads for support and help if I need it. “I have dreams of becoming an experienced analyst in years to come, so have a great opportunity with Computershare.” Karl was recruited with the support of leading disability, employment and skills specialist Remploy, which Computershare has been working with since 2017 to attract people with disabilities. Computershare’s Leven House deals with IT operations and investor services. Its employees, along with those at a second temporary site at St Andrew Square, are due to move to a new, purpose-designed office in the city in the Spring. Find out more
OXSIGHT’s smart glasses for visually impaired shortlisted for National Technology Awards
OXSIGHT’s range of cutting-edge smart glasses which enhance the remaining vision of blind and visually impaired people have been shortlisted for the Technology for Good award at the National Technology Awards. The National Technology Awards celebrate the pioneers of new technology and excellence in the UK’s technology industry. The Technology for Good award is a new award for 2019, and celebrates organisations which are using technology to improve people’s lives. OXSIGHT’s smart glasses help people with peripheral vision loss, also known as ‘tunnel vision’, by using augmented reality and image interpretation technology to enhance their remaining vision. Peripheral vision loss can be caused by a number of sight conditions, including glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. OXSIGHT user David Quigley was one of the first people in the UK to have an OXSIGHT device. His sight has been seriously reduced for more than 20 years, and he currently only has a very small portion of his central vision remaining. He describes the difference that the glasses have made to his life, “One of my best moments was sitting in the church and being able to see my niece’s face on her wedding day, which I never would have been able to do without my OXSIGHT glasses.” The OXSIGHT glasses are fitted with a camera which streams a live feed into two high resolution video displays. These screens are projected directly in front of the user’s eyes and the images displayed are manipulated to fit into the user’s area of useable vision. This can allow someone with peripheral sight loss to experience a full 68 degrees field of view. The glasses have seven modes, with features including: increased image contrast, super colour mode, textmode, edge enhancement, and a digital zoom to allow users to magnify the image seen. OXSIGHT was founded by a team at the University of Oxford, including Dr Stephen Hicks, a leader in the field of augmented reality and computer vision for the enhancement of sight. The founders set out with the aim of finding a way of using the new developments in augmented reality and computer vision to make a real difference to the lives of blind and visually impaired people. OXSIGHT launched its first two smart glasses devices, OXSIGHT Prism and OXSIGHT Crystal, in the UK in 2018. Both OXSIGHT Prism and OXSIGHT Crystal are registered medical devices and are dispensed by qualified Opticians following a detailed assessment and product demonstration. Funding is available through Access to Work, as well as through a 0% finance plan. About OXSIGHT: OXSIGHT is a leader in image interpretation technology and has developed a range of low vision glasses for people with sight loss. The Company was founded in 2016 by a team at Oxford University; whose research was into how the brain manages visual information. OXSIGHT has since established partnerships with globally recognised partners from both the sight impaired and technology communities including, Google, The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs Association, RETINA UK, The University of Oxford, NIHR i4i, and The Royal Academy of Engineering. The first device, the OXSIGHT Prism smart glasses, were launched in 2018, and OXSIGHT is in the process of developing clinical partnerships with a number of Opticians across the UK and Europe. At present OXSIGHT is already providing assessments, fitting, and clinical support at their clinics in London, Oxford, Durham and Scotland through several clinical partners. Funding support for OXSIGHT devices is available through the Government’s Access to Work scheme, as well as through a 0% finance plan. Contact OXSIGHT for more information. Tel: 01865 580255 Web: www.oxsight.co.uk
Poor nutrition hampers traumatic brain injury recovery
Poor nutrition can hamper Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) recovery, yet its role is still viewed as insignificant compared to physical rehabilitation techniques. According to Chroma, the UK’s leading national provider of arts therapy services, nutrition needs to be considered an integral part of the rehabilitation process. Fatigue, gut health, weight management and tissue viability can all be adversely affected by inadequate nutrition, and as a result Chroma has started to work with Specialist Nutrition Rehabilitation dietitian, Sheri Taylor to ensure nutrition is fundamental in the recovery treatment plan. Sheri Taylor, director of Specialist Nutrition Rehab states: “Those recovering from a brain injury need to eat foods with a high nutritional value, including lean protein, vegetables, fruit, calcium-rich foods and healthy fats, to help the brain and body heal and recover. “Consider the body like a house and a brain injury like a hurricane which has come though and caused a considerable amount of damage. To repair this damage, you need high quality supplies, such as lean protein, vegetables, fruit, calcium-rich foods and healthy fats, which are the nutritional equivalent of bricks and mortar. Takeaways, ready meals, toast, biscuits and sandwiches are the nutritional equivalent of duct tape and cardboard, with less ability to support significant lasting repairs.” Fatigue following a brain injury, known as Pathological Fatigue, severely impacts on the ability to carry out activities especially those associated with rehabilitation. Causes of pathological fatigue vary from depression and anxiety to poor nutrition and cognitive difficulties. Nutrition and hydration should be the starting point for recovery. According to Taylor a deficiency in iron/b12/folate/vitamin D, dehydration, blood sugar fluctuations, thyroid problems or electrolyte imbalance can all increase fatigue. “Some foods such as refined grain products do not maintain energy levels for prolonged periods of time compared to other foods such as porridge and legumes, which contain fibre to help slow down the release of sugar and so maintain energy levels for longer. Drinking plenty of water also helps keeps the brain and body hydrated which is another important factor to help everything work effectively.” Gut issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal distension and bloating are also very common after a brain injury. Animal studies have found brain trauma can make the intestine more permeable, potentially allowing harmful microbes to migrate from the intestine to other areas of the body, causing infection or inflammation which may impair their overall recovery progress. Adjusting the diet in ways to nourish the bowel by consuming foods rich in probiotics (such as yogurt with live bacteria), as well as prebiotic-rich fruits and vegetables can help improve overall gut health. Additionally, consuming foods high in nutritional value ensure that their skin stays healthy and that wounds heal quicker, particularly after any type of surgery. Vitamins, minerals and protein-rich foods such as nuts, eggs, chicken, soy or plant-based protein have been shown to support skin healing. Chroma is encouraging clinicians to add nutrition to the patient assessment process. Daniel Thomas, joint managing director of Chroma, adds: “Nutritional assessment is a simple yet effective way to help educate the client, family and friends on the benefits of healthy eating during recovery as weight gain or loss can adversely affect the recovery progress. “Clients should be assessed for malnutrition at their initial assessment as a client’s weight could prevent them from having surgery that they need. The assessments will also help clients understand the consequences of their food choices. “We cannot expect the brain and body to heal and recover consuming foods with poor nutritional value. To facilitate TBI recovery, patients must consume a highly nutritional, varied, healthy balanced diet to effectively improve recovery time and help progress rehabilitation outcomes.”
Taking the dis- out of disability through extreme sports
David Heard, the founder of Sportability, spoke to UCan2 editor Victoria Galligan about why he decided to set up a charity which helps people with paralysis to take part in extreme sports, and the range of activities now available… Paralsis needn’t stop a person from living life to the full. But back in the late 80’s when David Heard’s friend Richard, a ski instructor, was injured in a motoring accident, there weren’t a lot of options available in sport for people with disabilities. David says: “To help Richard literally get back on his feet we tried going skiing. But that didn’t work. Sadly, it made him feel ‘disabled’ and highlighted how things were different before the accident. But when we tried scuba- diving, which he had never done before, it was a huge success.” David and Richard had a revelation: by organising sporting events for people with paralysis they could get them to not only experience again the adrenaline rush, have some fun and boost their mood; but also restore their self-belief, rebuild their confidence and help make the future look brighter. In 1989 they formed the charity, Sportability. Sportability’s first event was sailing on the Norfolk Broads. Then they set up a centre in Gloucestershire, which offered activities on-site and in the surrounding area. But receiving calls from all over the country – and even overseas – made the Sportability team realise one location wasn’t enough. The charity relies on fundraising, and David took to cycling up the spine of Vietnam, from Saigon to Hanoi to raise seed-corn funding for some regional development. So, their second regional programme was launched in the East Midlands. From those humble beginnings the charity has developed a year-round programme of events almost nation-wide. These include quad-biking, falconry, sailing, gliding, microlight flying, shooting, canoeing, wheelchair tennis, 4×4 off-road driving, powered flying, BloKart sailing, indoor skydiving and more. Sportability is now in 14 regions of the UK with over 800 free places a year available for people who have some form of paralysis – typically spinal cord injury, stroke and MS. And the impact which the Sportability days out have is huge. David explains: “We work with a lot of spinal injury units and they encourage people to see life beyond the hospital. “They realise that it is not enough to tell someone they can carry on living after paralysis. They need to know how.” He gives the example of a middle-aged man, who had come to a Sportability event straight from the spinal injury unit, where he was being treated since his accident. “He came to one of our quad-biking events and was understandably as nervous as hell to begin with. We are asking people to go well outside of their comfort zone. “But the four-wheel motorbikes are stable and operate with a thumb throttle and hand-only controls. We start on a simple circuit at a walking pace. The professional instructors then take the ridersout in groups with the more confident riders in one, and those who are maybe a bit slower and need more support in another. “Our new recruit was one of the more confident. As soon as he began riding his body language changed and after five minutes he started to relax. By the end, he was tackling the big stuff, the rugged terrain and he came back punching the air with delight! He’d spent the last six months in hospital and had gone from there to quad-biking. “Two weeks later he joined us on a gliding event. He was in tears that day and said to me, ’You’ve got no idea what this means. Now I’ve got hope. Now I’m looking forward to my discharge.’ That is the power of sport.” A call for volunteers Local Area Organisers – volunteers who help to organise the sporting events – work alongside the established professional sport and activity providers. They ensure that a wide variety of events can take place in their areas. But David says: “We want to take it to the nation. Ideally, we’d like to get within an hour’s drive for most of the population.” His aim is to make Sportability events even more accessible. So the charity is now looking for people in the South Wales and Tyneside areas to step up as volunteer area organisers and help develop programmes there. Such is the appeal that Sportability has inspired some people to travel the country and take part in even more activities, and for one member, David even arranged quad-biking in Florida, USA. That man told David that he had done more things in his life since having MS, than before. He says: “With MS there are two ways you can go. Either switch off and wait for a cure. Or you can find a different way of living your life. Like a river finding a new course.” And this is the ethos at the heart of Sportability, as David says: “After paralysis a person’s life as they knew it is, in most cases, no longer available. Things have inexorably changed. “But Sportability is about taking the ‘dis’ out of disability and focussing on ability. Their life may be different, but there are still thrilling and exciting opportunities out there. And if we can leave people with the belief and the thought: If I can do this what else can I do? Then we have done our job.” Find out more
Bluebird Care Bristol is one of the best care providers in the region
Bluebird Care Bristol has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. Only 1% of home care providers receive this rating. The CQC rating was awarded following a comprehensive inspection in November 2018 and is a significant achievement, making Bluebird Care Bristol one of the best home care providers in the area. Bluebird Care Bristol provides flexible and high-quality homecare and support services to people living in their own homes in the community, including older people and those with mental health, physical disability or sensory impairment needs. The team provide a variety of services, including Dementia Care, Respite Care, End of Life Support, Live-in Care, Night Care & Support and Specialist Care services for a wide range of other medical conditions. The CQC’s report stated that customers, their relatives and healthcare professionals were “exceptionally happy with the care and support provided by Bluebird Care Bristol.” The report also mentioned that those working for or in some way involved with Bluebird Care Bristol felt “people were at the heart of the service”. The report also highlighted comments from relatives of customers, including: “I find them all absolutely wonderful without exception, they know what they are doing”. One customer said: “we are so happy, of course we feel safe, without exception”. The effectiveness of the service was also praised by inspectors, who felt that “people were supported by staff who had undergone a thorough induction programme, which gave them the skills to care for people effectively”. A customer said “I don’t know where they find [the staff], they are so well trained and so kind, each and every one of them, they are like family”. Staff members were also commended for ensuring other health and social care professionals were involved to “encourage health promotion whenever possible”. Additionally, the report found that the service provided ‘Outstanding’ quality of care. The service was found to be “exceptionally caring”, and across the board, staff, customers, relatives and health care professionals gave high praise. The report highlighted the implementation of a scheme to give additional care and support to people when they were admitted to hospital. Each person who was admitted to hospital received a free visit from their key carer, as well as being sent a get-well card and a small teddy bear to remind them that all the staff were thinking of them. The responsiveness of the service provided at Bluebird Care Bristol was also deemed to be ‘Outstanding’. Customers and relatives said where they had needed to make changes or improvements these had all been listened and responded to. Inspectors also pointed out that care was planned according to how care and support best fitted into each person’s lives, with people choosing how much support they required and when it was delivered. Fundamentally, the service was said to “play a key role in the community”. The inspectors felt the service had a strong, visible person-centred culture at all levels. The service ensured people were made to feel valued and that they mattered. Tim Rowland-Jones, Director of Bluebird Care Bristol, said: “I am immensely proud of this rating and I am so pleased that the CQC have seen all the hard work and dedication that the Bluebird Care Bristol team have been putting in. The team work so well together and always go above and beyond for their customers. “This is reflected in the individual ‘outstanding’ service ratings in the caring nature of our service, as well as the responsiveness of the staff and services at Bluebird Care Bristol. As the report has highlighted, we provide a personalised service, by supporting our customers with small, local teams that are given the chance to build personal and caring relationships. “The whole Bluebird Care Bristol team will continue to work every day to maintain this ‘Outstanding’ service and put our customers and their needs first. It is a great privilege to work with staff and customers who are such wonderful people and I am so grateful for their continued support and dedication to Bluebird Care Bristol.” Yvonne Hignell, Managing Director of Bluebird Care, said: “This is such wonderful news for the Bluebird Care Bristol team. They are such a hard working group of individuals and the leadership at this office has a lot to do with its strong success. “I would like to congratulate Tim and all the team at Bluebird Care Bristol and look forward to seeing what is to come for this franchise in the future.” You can read the report in full on CQC’s website at https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-722532285 For more information about Bluebird Care Bristol visit https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/bristol/home or call 0117 950 5855.