Dedication to activity-based care brings award for Co Durham carer

Home news

Nov 25, 2014

Investing time and effort into knowing and understanding residents and their interests has brought Mavis Fluen, activities co-ordinator at Care UK’s Church View care home in Co Durham, a national award for her dedication.

Mavis, who has works at the care home in Murton, near Seaham, was nominated for the Activity-Based Care Champion award by the home’s administrator Leesa Tallon. Leesa said: “Mavis has the ability to put herself in our residents’ shoes and show empathy and understanding in every situation. Nothing is any trouble to her and she will go out of her way for everyone.”

Judging the awards, which are open to all of Care UK’s 114 care homes, director of quality and governance Caroline Roberts said: “During the judging Mavis really demonstrated a passion for making the lives of the people at Church View varied and interesting, ensuring hobbies and prior interests are captured within the activities offered at the home.”

Mavis’ innovative and creative approach is based around supporting residents to stay active and independent. She holds one-to-one sessions with each resident to explore their likes and dislikes, which also helps her to establish the range of their memories. Not only does this mean that she can plan activities which appeal to them, but it helps the team by providing information about what could trigger challenging behaviour and what might help residents to feel calm and happy again.

Leesa said: “One gentleman keeps shouting out all the time due to his condition. Mavis has encouraged him to participate in activities and he is now calling out the numbers for the bingo.”

Mavis plans a wide range of activities for residents at the home, including reminiscence sessions, baking days, entertainers, coffee mornings, bingo, arts and crafts, chair exercises and outings.

Mavis, who received her award at the Residential Care Services dinner on Thursday 20 November, said: “I am so delighted to have won this award – I love being able to find just the right activity for each of our residents and being able to understand how best we can help them.”