Whitchurch care home investing in dementia training as it looks for new recruits

The move by Greenfields, which is located on Liverpool Road, comes as operator Coverage Care Services rolls out its new county-wide dementia strategy and faces a rising number of residents in need of dementia care.

Sam Woosnam, head of human resources, said demand was high for dementia care across many of its homes but particularly Greenfields, which has a dedicated team of carers to support people living with the condition.

She said: “We’ve always had a long-standing reputation for providing high quality training and personal development programmes for our employees and as we navigate the post-pandemic era it’s absolutely crucial that our staff have access to more advanced training to improve their existing skills and learn new ones so that we can continue to deliver the highest quality of care to the residents we look after.

“This latest investment involves using a mobile virtual dementia simulator to give staff first-hand experience of what it is like to live with dementia so they can enhance their knowledge and skills and the whole team is very much looking forward to getting involved.”

Better known nationally as the virtual dementia tour, the specially-equipped bus will arrive on site at Greenfields on November 30.

Delivered by top UK provider Train 2 Care, the on-board training involves staff using a range of sensory technologies to blur their normal cognitive thinking so they can begin to explore the world from the same perspective as someone with dementia.

Greenfields manager Jonathan Cook said: “We are certain the training will enable our care teams to understand more fully the challenges and frustrations people living with dementia face on a day-to-day basis so that they can then make relevant adjustments to their living environment within the home.”

The innovative learning session not only coincides with the roll-out of the organisation’s new dementia strategy but also as it embarks on a major recruitment

campaign to fill several care and nursing vacancies at Greenfields and at other homes across the county.

Sam added: “We have always been committed to enhancing the skills, attitude, empathy and sensitivity of our health care professionals and as an organisation we are also heavily invested in ensuring that individual team members are supported to achieve their potential and reach their career goals through a structured personal development.

“It’s something we are very keen to stress as we look to recruit for a number of roles at Greenfields.

“Whether people join us as a kitchen porter, cleaner, carer or specialist nurse, we have development plans in place for all our employees and everyone is given the opportunity to gain NVQ qualifications in social care.

“As part of our winter recruitment package we are also giving all new recruits an iPad on completion of their three-month probationary period to support with ongoing learning and development and a £300 cash incentive after six months.

“On top of all this, we also offer competitive rates of pay, welcoming workplace environments, protected shift patterns and will soon be launching a new employee well-being scheme.”

Current vacancies at Greenfields include various day and night care assistant roles and the care home is keen to hear from individuals new to care and those already working within the sector.

Those interested in applying for a role also have the option of attending a taster session where they can find out more about what the job entails, discover what the care home is like and speak to the manager.

For further information about current vacancies at Greenfields visit carehomejob.co.uk/latest-vacancies/jobs/2-greenfields or to find out about the latest taster days contact Steph Rippard on 01743 283220 or 283200.

Coverage Care Services is Shropshire’s largest not-for profit, independent care provider and employs around 1,000 people to care for 800 residents across 12 care homes.