Tansley House Care Home
The manager and care staff of Tansley House Care Home have improved, not only their own lives through learning, but the health, happiness and well-being of their residents (most of whom are in their nineties) – to such an extent that the use of medication has decreased substantially over the last year because they are more engaged and active during the day.
“We were, and are, concerned that in our jobs in a care home, if we merely carry out the statutory requirements for the care of residents, they quickly become sad, lonely, bored and unstimulated”, the learners – Bev, Carole and Kirsten – explained. Searching for help to find the right courses, they made contact with First Taste, a local arts education charity.
Working with First Taste and Derbyshire Dales Primary Care Trust, the care staff have taken First Taste accredited courses in chair-based exercises, games and activities and reminiscence, as well as arts and crafts, ceramics, textiles, music, movement and memory, and IT and photography. These are in addition to the statutory nursing, health and safety and NVQ courses which they are obliged to follow.
“The staff do much more than just attend,” said Jane Brook from First Taste. “They are totally focused on learning so that they can benefit their residents [and that’s] already having a measurable impact on their mental, emotional and physical health.”
Residents are now involved, even participating in statutory training sessions and getting certificates. Bev said, “Learning in a group means the excitement spins off. Residents are happier, more alert, sleep better at night, need less medication, feel less isolated and are more at home”.