Autumn 2023
HRVAB Newsletter
25 Years of Service
Our wonderful Tim Bell was presented with a certificate and voucher for 25 years working as a carer for Healey House.
Obviously Tim is happy here! He says he loves his time with our residents and suggests anyone looking to work in care, should come work here at HRVAB.
Hello,
from our Chairman
Hello to all our residents, members, friends, and volunteers. Welcome back to our newly revamped newsletter from Hastings & Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind.
HRVAB has been involved with helping the blind and partially sighted in our local community for over 100 years. We are a private independent charity and receive no financial support from the government.
The charity also wholly supports Healey House, ‘our’ care home, which provides a unique combination of care, fun, and good food, in a unique atmosphere that is more like a family than a care home.
Running a care home during the pandemic was extremely challenging for everyone in the care industry and it took dedication from our staff and volunteers to keep everything operating smoothly.
The biggest challenge for the trustees was to oversee an improvement in the home’s Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) rating. This was by no means an easy feat, but with a new house manager, Paul Deigan, hard work, professionalism and persistence paid off and Healey House now proudly bares a “Good” CQC rating which we are all very proud of.
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers for all you do to keep our charity running so well but I want to give our home manager, Paul, one more mention for being the steady, professional and guiding hand the home so desperately needed.
Andy Patmore, Chairman HRVAB
Marathon runner Kevin raises £2000
A very big thank you to Kevin Blowers who ran both the local Half Marathon and London Marathon.
Kevin raised an amazing £2000 for HRVAB.
We appreciate all fundraising and donations. If you have an idea or would like to get involved - contact us today on hrvab@freeuk.com
Day-in-the-life of
Teresa Chalcraft
(Healthcare Assistant)
7:00: I pop to the shop for 2 residents before arriving at Healey House. I catch up on the previous days notes.
Breakfast: 7 porridge, 2 cornflakes (with milk in separate jugs), 2 bread butter, 5 teas, 3 black coffee, 2 white coffee. I load the trolley, not forgetting spoons!
I walk or wheel the residents along to the lounges. I am then back to their rooms to make the beds, bag up washing, replenish towels and toiletries.
Morning Coffee: I take the tea trolley round and support the residents that need assistance to drink and eat. I have time to grab a chair and chat, I offer a quick hand massage with hand cream before going round to collect the empty cups.
Doorbell is going! I escort a nurse up to a patient, I am there to reassure my resident everything is ok.
My lady would like to be wheeled out onto the balcony to sit in the sun (perfect I can have my coffee too).
12:00: I am supporting resident that don’t wish to come down to eat lunch. My tray is loaded (will I make it to the lift and push the button without dropping it all? I made it!) My lady is telling me why her grandchildren have the names they have, it was after her late husband’s service number - I love listening.
I tidy the lunch-room and support the residents back to their bedrooms/the lounge/the balcony.
Break: I sit in the office eating my lunch while putting the residents' lunches and drinks into the computer.
14:00: My lady asks to go to bed - she is 99. Personal care provided we like to sing while doing this, she laughs at my wonderful singing voice! In bed settled, listening to her cd player - her grandson is a wonderful musician so she listens to him playing.
Time to sit with the resident in the lounge to find out how their day is going. Then one lady asks for support with a bath.
16:30: Myself and another colleague get the supper trolley ready. After supper, bells start ringing as residents want support getting ready for bed. All the staff work together dividing these jobs between us. We pride ourself on a calm, loving & supportive environment and this is why I love my job.
Clock-out: A big wave to the residents in the lounge as I walk out, knowing I have given my all to everyone that needed me. I am already thinking of ways to improve the care I deliver to make my residents happy and healthy.
Top 5 Shop Sellers
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Free Drumming Workshop
Starting Monday 11th September
10 week workshop with Inner Vision OrchestraQuiz Nights
Friday 22nd September
Friday 27th October
Friday 24th NovemberChristmas Fete
Saturday 9th DecemberNot forgetting our regular clubs:
Taplin Monday Club
Bexhill Tuesday Club
Taplin Thursday Club -
To all new and existing volunteers, we extend a warm thank you, your support is greatly appreciated. Our members tell us they love having company and getting out, which is why HRVAB volunteers are all important in helping blind and partially sighted people maintain their independence and combat the isolation and loneliness that threatens their everyday lives.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in volunteering, please let us know! Whatever your skills or interests we have a place for you.
