Ceredigion celebrates Care Home Open Day for the first time

The day aims to celebrate the work of Care Homes and invite locals to attend events and meet residents and staff, showing people the excellent facilities and services care homes offer and their importance as the hub of a community.

The idea behind the UK initiative is to encourage local people to visit care homes in their community and to work together to develop better relationships across the generations. Thousands of care homes across the UK take part each year, helping to create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities.

Carys James, Head of Adult Social Care and Commissioning for Ceredigion County Council, said: “This is a great way to show the excellent staff and services on offer and the fantastic work that goes on in our care homes in Ceredigion. All our residents are unique and have wonderful stories to share about their lives. The day is about connecting people, and enriching the lives of everyone involved.”

County Council run care homes in Ceredigion have nurtured wonderful relationships with their local communities over many years. Each home hosts community events throughout the year such as concerts with local schools, whist drives, BBQ’s and afternoon teas.

The care homes also provide links with the community and work closely with health colleagues to benefit residents through enhanced health checks and to provide additional training to the staff. Most care homes also have their own League of Friends, a group set up to raise funds for the benefit of residents. Money raised goes towards organising activities, buying soft furnishings in communal areas, as well as enhancing garden areas with garden furniture and planting sensory gardens.

Heather West, Service Manager (Direct Services) North for Ceredigion County Council said: “We have been working with third sector colleagues for some time, and have a very successful partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society that has helped us train staff to be ‘Dementia Friends.’ We have a new initiative this year with the Ceredigion Association for Voluntary Organisations (CAVO) to encourage more volunteering in care homes, in the hope of creating new befriending opportunities and activities for residents.”

As part of the Care Home Open Day 2016, six care homes in Ceredigion are hosting open days on Friday 17 June, they are:

• Bodlondeb, Penparcau: 2-6pm. Vintage Afternoon Tea, Tai Chi, Art Display, Barry Wynne Singalong and raffle.
• Bryntirion, Tregaron: 1-6pm. Visit the Day Centre and see the work with Service Users. Refreshments. Join a Dementia Friends training session, help Tregaron develop as a Dementia Friendly Community.
• Cartref Tregerddan, Bow Street: 6.30pm: Annual Community fundraising BBQ with the League of Friends.
• Hafan Deg, Lampeter: 1.30pm: Ysgol Bro Pedr will perform at 1.45pm followed by Afternoon Tea and join the Reminiscence session with the “Daily Sparkle”
• Min y Môr, Aberaeron: 1-6pm. Join in with the Arts and Crafts activities, displays, refreshments and entertainment from Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron Primary School.
• Yr Hafod, Cardigan: 1-6pm. Strawberries and Cream. Live Music, fun and laughter with the Heart and Soul Cerdd Music Show”.

To find an Open Day event near you please visit http://www.carehomeopenday.org.uk/care-home