SOUTHPORT: SEPTEMBER RECRUITMENT OPEN DAYS AT BIRCH ABBEY AS JOB CREATION IS BROUGHT FORWARD

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

September 1, 2010.

SOUTHPORT: SEPTEMBER RECRUITMENT OPEN DAYS AT BIRCH ABBEY AS JOB CREATION IS BROUGHT FORWARD.

Photos here.

Southport’s Birch Abbey, hailed as one of the most advanced dementia care centres in the UK, is to bring forward recruitment plans by eight weeks after strong take up of rooms in the new £5 million centre.

Just three weeks after the “new” Birch Abbey opened in Alexandra Road, Southport, Dan Lingard, chief executive of the centre’s owner, iPersonally, gave the go-ahead to demolish the original building, which will be replaced by a further extension – and to advance recruitment plans.

“We’re so delighted with our new home that we’re going to have open days in September so that prospective team members – whether experienced in the care sector, or, like some of our team, from completely unrelated backgrounds – can see at first hand what a fabulous working environment we have.

(Watch video – team response to new working conditions).

(Watch video – team member talks about joining from non-care background).

“The beauty of ‘new’ Birch Abbey is that not only is it considered to be at least the best dementia care centre in the region from our clients’ perspective, it is also a fabulous place to work.

“In supporting and caring for our clients, the Birch Abbey team themselves are supported by cutting edge technology and at least ten features and facilities never combined together anywhere else in the dementia care sector.

“From the start we designed-in features and facilities – both big and small – that will make a tremendous difference to the lives and lifestyles of our community at Birch Abbey – and the team.

“Crucial amongst issues important for our clients and the basic facilities such as hygiene, health, diet, comfort and security – but what’s important TO our clients are the things that make them feel comfortable and relaxed, as well as the all-important opportunities to provide physical and mental exercise and stimulation.”

Facilities include a dance studio, a pub and bistro, locations for a whole series of movements and interaction between clients and families, including a unique home-style family kitchen and dining room which can be reserved for family events and occasions.

But key is in-room technology and vital-signs sensors meaning clients don’t have to be disturbed while they’re asleep, bedrooms which can be configured in a number of formats depending upon the needs and mobility of the individual, and which also help make team members far more efficient and able to spend more quality time with clients and families.

Experienced dementia care support professionals, and prospective team members from other walks of life can call 01704 410010 to get full details of the open day.

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

TWELVE JOBS CREATED AT SOUTHPORT’S BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”.

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

July 21, 2010.

TWELVE JOBS CREATED AT SOUTHPORT’S BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”.

Photos and videos here.

Twelve new roles have been created at what is said to be the UK’s most advanced care facility for people living with dementia, the iPersonally Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport (www.iPersonally.co.uk). 

Birch Abbey has moved next door into a new £5 million building on Alexandra Road, Southport, and is recruiting experienced senior grade carers as well those new to the care sector but who have “a positive personality and attitude”.

“New team members will have a unique career opportunity to become specialists in the much-needed field of dementia care services – and Southport and its surrounding area has care running through the genes of its people, so we intend to recruit locally,” said Dan Lingard, Chief Executive and founder of Birch Abbey owner iPersonally.

“At Birch Abbey there’s a number of features and facilities, from technology to activities, never combined anywhere else in the dementia care sector – underpinned by a unique approach and attitude, plus the introduction of our unique day care service.

“It is a fantastic environment for our clients, which makes it a fantastic environment for our team. We have the very best dementia care team in the region and now we have the best environment in which to live and work.

“Right now we have full-time, part-time and ‘bank-work’ opportunities for senior carers, care assistants and care apprentices – it's a great career, for anyone, at any age, so long as they bring a positive and can-do attitude. We’ll provide all the required training and support in our own training centre. We also have opportunities in catering, cleaning, laundry and administration.

“Key to their roles is recognising what is important TO our clients and their families, as well as what is important FOR our clients. That’s a subtle difference, but extremely important. 

“Our motto is ‘things to do, places to go, people to see’ – and that sums up a key element of delaying or at least mitigating as much as possible the onset of dementia: keeping busy and active. If mind and body are kept active, then the onset may be slowed; at the very least life is focused on what we can do and what we can enjoy and our carers and their personalities are crucial to delivering that experience for each of our clients and their families.

“To support our team we are building our own training and education facility with a technology suite which enables us to train and develop our team, as well as care professionals from around the region and, hopefully, family carers who are interested to learn more,” said Dan.

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

£5 million dementia care home opens in Southport

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2010/07/02/a-5m-dementia-care-home-is-set-to-open-in-southport-101022-26768006/

CHICKENS FIRST IN AS PIONEERING SOUTHPORT DEMENTIA CARE HOME MOVE STARTS.

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

June 29, 2010.

CHICKENS FIRST IN AS PIONEERING SOUTHPORT DEMENTIA CARE HOME MOVE STARTS.

Photos and video available.

The big move is on as Phase One of the UK’s most advanced dementia care facility, the iPersonally Memory Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport, is completed – and the first in on Wednesday, June 30, will be a brood of chickens (watch video).

The £5 million Alexandra Road care home – which will provide a service to the whole of Merseyside - features a range of facilities, up to 60 beds, and an approach to dementia care not previously seen in the UK.

The Birch Abbey team will start to move clients from the old building to the new purpose-built facility during the last week in June 2010, and once everybody has been installed the original building will be demolished and replaced by a second new structure, providing more beds, plus offices and admin.

“The first residents will actually be several chickens – they’re an important part of our community, and a clear illustration of the approach we’ll be taking at the new Birch Abbey and which was pioneered and developed at the original Birch Abbey,” said Dan Lingard, chief executive.

“We may have technology and facilities never before seen in a UK dementia care home, but it is the pioneering approach – acknowledged and documented across the care sector - that makes us truly different.

“Getting people with dementia using their minds and muscles – even in seemingly small ways – can have a massively positive effect.

“We’re creating a ‘living sensory garden’ – the chickens draw residents out into the garden, they provide a talking point; what’s more, our patients collect the eggs, make cakes or biscuits and talk about what they’re doing amongst themselves and to their family members providing valuable mental stimulus.

“Our new and expanded Birch Abbey will be a revolution in care services. To us it just felt right that Southport with its long tradition as a caring community should lead this revolution and the birth of a new era in care.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

SOUTHPORT: BIRCH ABBEY LAUNCHES DEMENTIA DAY CARE CLUB

BIRCH ABBEY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

June 18, 2010.

SOUTHPORT: BIRCH ABBEY LAUNCHES DEMENTIA DAY CARE CLUB.

The iPersonally Care Centre at Birch Abbey, Southport, has launched a day care club for people with dementia.

The £5 million Alexandra Road care home features a range of facilities, up to 60 beds - and an approach to dementia care not previously seen in the UK. But the expanded site and vast range of new facilities means the centre now has capacity for day care clients.

“There is massive demand for day care in and around Southport, and we had a huge waiting list - but we previously had very little capacity for day care clients. However, the new and expanded Birch Abbey has far more space and resource and is geared to offer day care places, with packages ranging from a single hour to full day care,” said Dan Lingard, chief executive.

“This means we can provide planned and scheduled by-the-hour or by-the-day day care for families who have known or regular schedules, or short-notice ad-hoc support for carers or families who find themselves with an urgent or emergency need.

“The day care clients get access to a range of services and facilities – five garden areas, eight recreational rooms, plus essential support services and the highly-experienced Birch Abbey team.

“Rather than simply gearing the new Birch Abbey to provide basic food, hygiene and life care for clients, we have designed in - from scratch - technology, accommodation, entertainment, social interaction and a broad range of care services and features that have never been seen together under one roof in the care industry.

“But, crucially, this is not just about a building – it is about a new, fresh, attitude to dementia care, service and support.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

PressRelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

NEW ROLES AT BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”

iPERSONALLY

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE

May 21, 2010.

NEW ROLES AT BIRCH ABBEY, THE UK ’S “MOST ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE CENTRE”. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/

Several new roles have been created at what is believed to be the UK’s most advanced new dementia care facility, at Birch Abbey, Southport (www.ipersonally.co.uk). 

Birch Abbey, which will soon open a £5 million extension in Alexandra Road, Southport , is recruiting experienced senior grade carers as well those new to care but with a positive personality and attitude. Chief Executive and founder of iPersonally, Dan Lingard, says their team members will have a unique career opportunity to become specialists in the much needed field of dementia care services.

“At Birch Abbey there’s at least ten features and facilities never combined anywhere else in the dementia care sector – underpinned by a unique approach and attitude – plus the introduction of our unique day care service.

“We need add to our great team, with senior grade professional carers as well as people new to care who can bring their positive personality, empathy and passion to help others.” said Dan Lingard.

“These will be special people – key to their roles is recognising what is important TO our clients and their families, as well as what is important FOR our clients. That’s a subtle difference, but extremely important. 

“Crucial amongst issues important for our clients are the basic facilities such as hygiene, health, diet, comfort and security – but we believe these should be a minimum; what makes us different is our passion to ask ‘what’s important TO our clients?’, things that bring satisfaction, purpose, as well as joy, a smile, laughter or help them relax and feel comfortable, as well as the all-important opportunities to provide physical and mental exercise and stimulation.

“Our motto is ‘things to do, places to go, people to see’ – and that sums up a key element of delaying or at least mitigating as much as possible the onset of dementia: keeping busy and active. If mind and body are kept active, then the onset may be slowed, at the very least life is focused on what we can do and what we can enjoy and our carers and their personalities are crucial to delivering that 'experience' for each of our clients and their families.

“To support our team we have built our own training and education facility with a technology suite which enables us to train and develop our own carer team, as well as care professionals from around the region and hopefully family carers who are interested to learn more,” said Dan.

“Birch Abbey currently has accommodation for 18 clients, but without having to close our doors, we are completely rebuilding so that we will be able to provide residential care for 60 clients in addition to our unique day care service, which for the first time offers the local community day care by the hour, 7 days of the week.

“And rather than simply gearing these services to provide the basics of food, hygiene and personal care, we have listened to our clients, to our families and our team members, to their aspirations, and have  designed a service - from scratch - which includes technology, accommodation, entertainment, social interaction and a broad range of care services and features that have never been seen together from one organisation in one convenient location.

“But, crucially, this is not just about a building – it is about an attitude to dementia care and support - and its going to be an exciting time for our clients, families and especially our team members.”

Ends

Further information;

Iain Macauley

Pressrelations.co.uk

+44(0)161 929 0446

+44(0)7788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk www.ipersonally.co.uk

http://birchabbey.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/sets/72157623968229359/