Broomgrove Nursing Home

Young volunteers offer a lifeline

Volunteer with residents
Hazara Farooq with residents

At Broomgrove we’re lucky enough to have young volunteers from King Edwards VII School that spend regular time with our residents. Their help and support is invaluable.
The pupils are studying Health and Social Care at either GCSE or A Level. They come to Broomgrove on a weekly basis.

We really feel and see the value of the relationship these volunteers bring to our residents. It also makes you realise just how many lonely older people could benefit from something similar.

The visits bring younger and older generations together.

Many of these school children don’t have older relatives or have that much experience of being around older people. Yet the relationships offer great benefits to both generations.

Older people love to be around younger people and the knowledge they offer younger people is incredible.

One of our volunteers, Hajara Farooq, loves playing scrabble each week with a group of residents and despite the 70 year age gap, they come up with the same words and make a real competition out of it – it is so lovely to see their interaction!

Age UK run a befriending service. If you feel you could spare time for a friendly conversation and companionship on a regular basis, that could really benefit an elderly person please contact Age UK on 0800 434 6105 or e-mail callintime@ageuk.org.uk

Gardening With Caroline proving a hit at Broomgrove

Broomgrove residents are now feeling the benefit of regular sessions with a horticultural therapist.

Caroline Cook is visiting once every month on a Wednesday morning.

She’s doing gardening projects with residents throughout the year and, during the winter months, making garden-related products like lavender bath bombs, garden mosaics and flower arrangements.

Her first visit was a real hit and we can’t wait to welcome her again. You can find out more about her at: www.gardeningwithcaroline.co.uk

New class starts

Horticultural therapy class

Care home worker’s African project gets the thumbs up from residents

Broomgrove is set to back a project to build a school in the hometown of one of its most popular workers.

Residents knew nothing about the double-life of Zambian-born care worker Francis Sukwa and were left speechless when he told them about his ongoing work to open a primary school in his hometown of Mufulira, a town in the Copperbelt Province of the country that is suffering crippling poverty and unemployment.

He has spent every waking hour raising funds and travelling back and forth to Zambia in his time off to head up the ‘M-Shining Star Tutorial School’ project.

Francis Sukwa’s tireless passion means the school will be fully open by January 2016.

Donna Pierpoint, Broomgrove manager, said: “I invited Francis Sukwa to talk about his project at a recent residents’ meeting and he totally silenced the room – everyone was in awe of what he was doing and what he’d already achieved.
“Residents have decided to start raising money for the project and I’m all for it.”

Francis Sukwa said: “Nearly 50% of Zambia’s population is aged under 14 and education in the country is deemed a privilege rather than a right. Raising my own children in Sheffield where education is a right has shown me the kind of standards I need to aim for.”

Sheffield’s own Bankwood Primary School has already donated furniture and Broomgrove Nursing Home has donated computer equipment, chairs and some musical instruments.

Francis Sukwa’s ultimate aim is to have fully sustainable school with well-stocked library, computer room, musical equipment and more.

Any donations are gratefully received and should be sent c/o Donna Pierpoint at Broomgrove (d.pierpoint@broomgrove-trust.co.uk)

Donna Pierpoint (right) with Francis and his wife Mavis
Donna Pierpoint (right) with Francis and his wife Mavis

Record numbers of care home personnel land university places

Staff say farewell
Staff leaving for university say their farewell to Broomgrove

Eight members of staff have landed places at university this autumn!
Residents and staff organised a party to say farewell to the individuals that are leaving to pursue a number of different roles in the healthcare industry.

Donna Pierpoint, the manager at Broomgrove Care Home, said: “We’re always keen for members of staff to better themselves but this year has been record – even for us!

“Thankfully we already have staff to take their place, as we have a rolling programme of students joining and leaving us.

“Three of the people leaving are going to medical school, three to nursing, one to midwifery and one to radiology”.

Many students continue to work at Broomgrove Nursing Home and do ‘bank’ shifts in between their studies.

“It really is a win win situation”, Donna added. “The students gain valuable experience and we gain a highly educated and enthusiastic member of staff. Residents love to watch them grow into the amazing people they become by the time they leave us.”

Staff member of the month – Kay Nicholson

kay-nicholson
Broomgrove’s staff member of the month on the Support Services side is Kay Nicholson. She has been with us for 12 years – firstly as a Care Assistant, then an Activities Coordinator, and now as our In-House Trainer and Music Therapist. She’s a very valued asset and you’ll hear her sing-a-longs every Thursday, brightening up the home!


Privacy Policy