
Over 2,000 practitioners representing small and large care home providers from the independent, voluntary and public sector have joined the My Home Life network to share best practice.
National Care Forum, English Community Care Association, National Care Association, Care Forum Wales, Scottish Care and the Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP) in Northern Ireland have all lent their support for the programme.
The Care Commission in Scotland have given their firm backing of My Home Life. At a recent conference, Jacquie Roberts, Chief Executive of the Care Commission said: 'We are delighted with the work produced by My Home Life project, which sets out a framework for everyone to think about how they are delivering care to avoid the loss of identity of the person being cared for'. She went on to describe how the Care Commission's quality themes link with 'Relationship-centred care' and the 'Senses framework'.
An advisory group has been established for My Home Life Wales following a successful introductory meeting with key partners in the sector. News on new funding for My Home Life - Wales coming soon.
For more information, contact Victoria.Lloyd@helptheaged.org.uk
My Home Life has developed strong links in the South West, building on a care home network developed by Tina Fear at the University of West of England. An event organised by My Home Life & Care Service Improvement Partnership (CSIP) pulled together care homes and a range of representatives from the health services to explore better partnership working.
In addition, Somerset Care are working closely on the My Home Life themes in the development and sharing of practice across its care homes. Care-South and Gloucestershire Care Providers Association are also supporting the programme in the region.
For more information on the care home network in the South West contact Tina Fear at: Christine.Fear@uwe.ac.uk
A network of care home managers, care-assistants, residents and inspectors are coming together on an occasional basis to share best practice in relation to the My Home Life theme of 'Managing transitions'. Their ideas and tips are being fed into the wider programme.
To be linked into the North East network, contact Glenda.cook@unn.ac.uk
My Home Life North East London
Hackney Community Services, in partnership with care homes in the North East London area, are working closely with My Home Life to roll-out training and events relating to relationship-centred care and the theme of 'Maintaining Identity'.
For more information, contact Hackney Community Services through Ann.waugh@hackney.gov.uk
My Home Life rock 'n' rolls into Clacton!
Care homes in Clacton are working with My Home Life programme to explore creative ways to engage volunteers to help improve the quality of life of their residents. Mothers with toddlers, volunteers with dogs, school and university students, housewives, older retired people and computer skills mentors are all getting involved. Future funding has been identified to roll-out this work nationally.
For more information or to engage with this local network, contact Dorothy.seymour@helptheaged.org.uk
MP calls for government support My Home Life
An Early Day Motion (EDM 1588) has been put forward by Timothy Farron MP calling on the Government to take note of the evidence-based recommendations of My Home Life in drawing up new minimum standards for care homes. At the time of writing, 75 MPs have supported the EDM. The My Home Life team will continue lobbying the Government for greater support for care homes.
Care homes have come together to share practice in relation to the theme of 'Shared Decision-making'. This group are exploring ways to develop as a network.