Investing in youth in the community to look after the future

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Mar 28, 2012

Students from West Sussex College, Hayward’s Heath, will be joining in the fun at Care UK’s Beech Hurst nursing home, as well as learning about care and dignity, as they start a programme of work experience this week.

Deputy Manager Rachel Purcell explained: “We use Activity Based Care in the home, which means we help people that live with us to keep up their hobbies, interests and life skills through activities chosen by them. We also encourage them to take an active part in the running of the home. We actively encourage apprentices and community involvement to improve our local community.

“The students will be working with our activities coordinators and taking part in sessions such as ‘knit and natter’, ‘make and bake’ and exercise classes as well as helping out with the many types of arts and crafts our residents enjoy.”

The students will spend 20 hours working with the co-ordinators learning how to create fun and challenging activities that help residents maintain their mobility, strength and independence as well as helping them to keep up their life-long interests.

Rachel said: “Dignity and choice are the most important aspects of care and we hope that, by watching and joining in with our skilled team, the students will learn that listening to residents and helping them to achieve their aims is vital to providing top class care.”

Beech Hurst is a 60-bed nursing home in Haywards Heath providing specialist nursing care for older people, people with dementia and younger adults with mental health needs.