brighterkind Care Homes Celebrate Dignity in Action Day

Thursday 1st February was Dignity in Action Day, an annual opportunity for social care workers to uphold people's rights to dignity and provide a truly memorable day for the amazing people who use their care services.

Here at brighterkind dignity is at the core of our values, it guides everything we do in all of our homes and is crucial to our person centred approach to care. Each home has a dignity champion who leads on the subject and supports the team to treat people with dignity at all times. As you can imagine everyone in our homes from the maintenance team to our home managers were only too eager to mark the occasion by spoiling their residents rotten – and rightly so!

Avery Mews Care Home in Heckmondwike held a ‘Digni – Tea Dance’ for their residents. Their activity coordinator, Angela Blackburn, encouraged the residents to join her for a dance - an offer that Madge (resident) couldn’t refuse.

The Granby - bandThe Granby Care Home in Harrogate followed suit and held a ‘Digni-Tea’ afternoon tea. They were joined by the local Arthritis Care Group who provided entertainment for the residents. Afterwards the team signed a dignity pledge and wore a badge as a demonstration of support for the day and upholding the right to dignity.

"It was a fabulous day that the whole team got involved with, each of us doing something to make it a special day." - The Granby team.

Taking a different approach, Colinton Care Home in Edinburgh decided to get out in the fresh air by taking a trip to Arthur’s Seat – the main peak in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park - and enjoyed the fabulous view as they looked out over the city. This was followed by a slap up meal at the local golf club. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

Henleigh Hall - dignity treeIn North Yorkshire, Leeming Bar Grange Care Home in held a special afternoon tea. Dignity champion, Marie Adams, led a discussion about what dignity means and how the team make sure everyone is treated with dignity. The residents wrote what dignity means to them and the team wrote how to further their consideration of dignity in their day to day roles. After all the leaves had been written they were hung on a tree.

Henleigh Hall Care Home in Sheffield also made a tree which serves as a physical reminder of the values they strive to uphold every day.

"This was such a positive event, our residents really became involved in what dignity means to them which then makes us as a team look at how we ensure this happens." - Cath Allen, Henleigh Hall's Dignity Champion.

Scarborough Hall - resident Margaret enjoying the bubbles on her feet and in her glass!Meanwhile Scarborough Hall Care Home had a luxurious spa day in which residents received a pampering session and indulged further with a well-deserved glass of champagne!

St Margaret’s Care Home in Edinburgh also opted for some pampering with a wellbeing day supported by a holistic therapist who provided head and hand massages to their residents. By the evening the home was completely serene, filled with some very relaxed residents.

"Raising awareness for upholding one's dignity is very important and should be done often. At St Margaret's we contacted a holistic therapist, Sarah Nixon, to remind the residents of love themselves and to take some time for self reflection -she did an amazing job at that!" - St Margaret's activities coordinator, Susana Cardoso.