Goodie bags for poor amongst happy Homecare Day stories

Homecare Day 2020, which took place on Wednesday 9 December, was all about highlighting happy news including care workers putting their hands in their pockets to pay for 'goodie bag' care packages for the poor.

Lynn Laughland, managing director at HRM Homecare said: “Today, I’d like to share a positive story about my staff.

"This year, a year blighted by COVID-19, they have been in the frontline of making sure children and families, adults with disabilities and older people across west and central Scotland receive the home support.

“But at the same time, have taken it upon themselves to raise funds out of their own pockets for those most in need and who struggle to get out to buy the basic necessities that the rest of us take for granted”.

HRM Homecare staff have taken part in events such as ‘Dressdown Fridays’, which encourages people to give a pound for charity, in exchange for wearing what they want that day. Staff raised several hundred pounds and Lynn Laughland decided to match the figure raised herself.

Ms Laughland said: “We are using the total sum raised to put together ‘goodie bag’ care packages for our service users and we intend to distribute them over the course of this month”.

The packages contain necessities such as toothpaste, shampoo, tissues and much-appreciated Christmas sweets and treats.

During the first coronavirus national lockdown, staff in Kilmarnock, Coatbridge and Falkirk donated essential items to local patients in University Hospital Crosshouse and across Lanarkshire and Falkirk. This was followed this up by donations to The Salvation Army and Glenbervie Care Home.

"On this #HomecareDay, I say thank you to all my staff who’ve shown they care, who’ve gone the extra mile by not only doing their jobs with compassion and dignity, but of always thinking of others and following this through by donating from their own pockets to help them.”

Home care provider Home Instead UK shared the story of 75-year-old man Dennis from Torquay who was able to return to his active lifestyle thanks to the actions of his two home care workers.

The home care workers helped him get back into his old routine, after he had a fall while swimming in 2016. Dennis suffered a head injury, which kept him in Torbay Hospital for six months. Recovery was slow and left him tired easily and moving much slower than he did before. He also has difficulty communicating.

For a man used to running marathons, including the New York Marathon, not being able to stay active was a big change for him. Dennis now needs support to live independently in his own home, and his two home care workers from Home Instead Senior Care South Devon are both sporty and have been helping him keep active.

Home care worker Iain, who takes Dennis swimming, said: “His swimming is progressing well. Last time we went he managed four 120m lengths and will soon be conquering five. Taking him swimming also allows him to see old friends and pool staff who he knew from before his fall.”

Pauline, who takes Dennis running, said: “It’s great seeing Dennis’ determination and spirit at the gym. We usually do a couple laps of the track, before Dennis gets into his rowing.

"Not only is this helping him physically, but mentally as well. "I am preparing for a half marathon myself and Dennis is already giving me tips. He said 'We must go to Cockington Park, as it’s a great place for you to practice your running'. Dennis is an inspiration.”

After bereavement 'Super Sam gave me and my brother extra hugs'

On Homecare Day, Bridgewater Home Care shared a letter on Twitter that they had received from a man’s young daughter Eliza about a home care worker dubbed ‘Super Sam’.

Eliza says Super Sam makes her father smile, ‘is always there for us’, makes funny TiKTok videos and after their grandfather died gave ‘me and my brother extra hugs’.

Bridgewater Home Care tweeted that Eliza's letter ‘demonstrates the difference that #care at home can make. Sam is seen as a member of the family’.

The UKHCA and Scottish Care have thanked care workers for sharing their inspiring news by posting a positive story, moment or photo that shows the real impact of homecare on Homecare Day 2020.

Donald Macaskill the chief executive of Scottish Care @DrDMacaskill tweeted on Homecare Day: ‘My hope for 2021 is that we all re-discover that prevention, wellbeing and relationship are the heart of #homecare.

‘They nurture and foster true #community. In that re-discovery let us find the courage to resource adequately and value all who work in the sector. #homecareday’. UKHCA chief executive Jane Townson tweeted: ‘Homecare has risen to the challenge and kept people safe despite being low on the list of @DHSCgovuk priorities.

‘We have had to fight for everything -funding, guidelines, PPE, testing & probably vaccinations too.’

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