A hub for the Clitheroe community

A centre for all

Part of the reason for the home’s success has been the creation of a new day care room. Activities coordinator, Lauren Scheldt, explains that although it is somewhere to hold a day care service for older people in the local area that includes food and activities, it is more than just another room.

“It’s a beautiful, multi-purpose room that can support all sorts of meetings, activities and events. There’s a small lounge section with a fireplace, a library, a tea and coffee station, a bar, and the centrepiece is a large activities table. The room also backs onto a small courtyard which we can take advantage of in good weather.

“The best thing about the room is that it allows us to offer a space to groups in the local area who are looking for a space to meet.

“We have a weekly mums and babies group, a mental health support group and a friendship club who meet here regularly. We also have our very popular fish and chip Fridays. A group from the local church will come in most weeks for Friday lunch, and we even have people walking past who are drawn in by the enticing smell of the cooking.

“Some of the groups are happy for residents to drop in and out, but those that want some privacy have the advantage that we can close the room off and have a separate entrance for guests, so they don’t disturb the residents, and the residents don’t disturb them.”

Janet says that marketing the day care service was not straightforward, and many people were hesitant at first.

“People thought that, if they didn’t require care, then a care home wasn’t for them. The idea of visiting a care home wasn’t appealing, and they saw it as the stereotypical place for older people where there’s not a lot going on.”

However, Lauren’s efforts to promote the day care service over social media and through a variety of local networks is paying off. A couple of people who have started using the day care service have since become permanent residents. Furthermore, the community groups who come in are usually made up of people who are potential service-users, or have family members who are.

In addition to the day care provision, a busy year for ALECS has led them to acquire a new property, Castle View House, which provides independent living services for 10 residents. Although these residents don’t require as much care and support as the care home residents, the services are run in parallel, and the staff team have supported the Castle View House residents to take more ownership of their home. They regularly hold their own fundraising events and were fully involved in redecorating the house when ALECS took over.

Putting people first

It is important to Janet, all the trustees and staff that both Abbeyfield House and Castle View House provide services that are resident-focused and take residents’ views into account.

“We have small resident meetings, and try to speak to different residents each time, to make sure any issues are resolved. One of our trustees also attends these meetings so any important things can be dealt with at board level.”

Janet puts much of the success enjoyed by the Society down to the work of her fantastic staff team, and Lauren has seen the home from both sides, having originally found Abbeyfield House as a home for a family member.

“I came here as a potential customer when my grandmother needed care. I looked at a few care homes in the area, and the facilities at Abbeyfield House were far superior – the garden especially, which was particularly important for her. The home was well decorated, the staff were welcoming, and they were so helpful in assisting her to move in and get settled. They always spoke to her with respect, and we were embraced as part of the family.

“As an employee, the best thing about working here is that everyone is friendly and helpful. Whatever role they have, all the staff are happy to pitch in wherever an extra pair of hands is needed – at both Abbeyfield House and Castle View House – and my manager is available to listen whenever I need to speak to her. I love it here and I don’t intend to ever leave!

“Although I was a customer first, nothing really changed when I started my job, and the family atmosphere has continued as strong as ever.”

Janet agrees that ALECS is a great place to work.

“The best part of my role is going into the home and feeling the buzz, the warmth and the friendliness. We have great staff, super trustees and a lovely atmosphere.”

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