Restoring trust in care homes

With occupancy rates falling in many care homes, not only due to the high numbers of Covid-19 deaths but because of public fears in relation to their safety making some reluctant to move in, the 'Here to Care' campaign has been launched by the National Care Forum, NCF:

'The aim of the campaign is to restore trust in care homes as safe places to live and make choosing care homes a positive choice, recognising they are places where people thrive.'

Formally constituted in 2003, and built on more than ten years' experience as the Care Forum, the National Care Forum has been promoting quality care through the not-for-profit care sector for 26 years and has become a leading voice in the sector.

'Here to Care' is telling the stories of good care, generating 'positive coverage of care homes and the amazing work staff and carers are doing in the face of Covid-19.

'We have been delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response from our members, confirming their intention to be involved in the campaign. Thank you to the members who have submitted case studies that feature residents (and their families), care workers and care home staff, with a positive story to tell.' 

From banking to working in care

Clare Hall, for instance, traded counting cash and dealing with corporate customer enquiries at a bank, for a career in care with Brunelcare. She finally decided to take the plunge after 23 years in the banking industry and moved into the care sector caring for adults with learning difficulties.

Now, eight years later, she’s joined Brunelcare as the new Registered Operations Manager for South Gloucestershire, and says her wealth of knowledge from corporate banking alongside her eighth-years care experience are a recipe for success at Brunelcare. Clare Hall said:

I have 23-years experience working in the corporate banking industry, and one day a switch went off in my head. I longed for a total change of career and managed to land a job at Bradbury House caring for adults with learning difficulties. I started at Bradbury House as a Support Worker, and I was there for eight years and loved every minute of it. I studied for my NVQ Level 3 and started my level 5 while at Bradbury House and then managed to work my way up into a Registered Manager.

Clare has always had a passion for caring and started with Brunelcare in June. She says her corporate background in banking and her passion for care are a recipe for success as she can implement organisation, relationship building and customer satisfaction into her new role with the charity:

When I got the position at Brunelcare, I was so thrilled. The job seemed perfect and I’m enjoying every minute of it so far. I’m excited to get my teeth into some restructuring around rotas and how we work as a team. I’m keen to also get myself out and about in the community, visiting our clients and introducing myself.

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