Everyone is entitled to live a fulfilled life and take part in activities that are meaningful to them, including and especially those who live in care homes.
For many of us, getting involved in groups or going to work/volunteering gives us a sense of purpose and pride.
At Exemplar Health Care, we support and encourage the people who live in our homes to take part in a variety of roles, so that they get the opportunity to learn new skills, build new friendships and do activities that give their life meaning and purpose.
These roles can be within the home or across the wider company, and can include:
being a tour guide for visitors
getting involved in interviewing new colleagues
inducting and delivering training for colleagues
acting as a buddy for new service users
delivering newspapers and posts
tending to the garden
taking a tuck shop around the home
planning social activities and events.
Hear from two of our Service User Ambassadors about their roles and how they make a difference.
“I wanted to speak up for people”
Cherrill is the Service User Ambassador at Yarningdale care home in Codnor, Ripley. She also supports the Home Administrator by answering the phone in the home and helping around the office.
She shares: “I am a Service User Ambassador and wanted to do this because I like to help the people here and speak up for them so I thought I would ask Debbie if I could have the job.
“I answer the telephone on reception, take messages and pass the calls to the Home Manager. I also get involved with other office work such as laminating.
“This role is amazing and it’s great when people praise me to the manager. When I walk into reception I become a worker and when I leave I become a service user. It's all official and makes me feel proud that they trust me and there is something for me to do.”
“I’ve always been a busy person and need things to do”
Chris is the founding Service User Ambassador at Thames House care home in Rochdale, and has been involved in lots of projects such as developing the company’s service user holiday policy and implementing better WiFi in our homes.
He shares: “I’ve always been a busy person and need things to do. Being an ambassador enables me to put my ideas forward and get involved in different things that are going on, as well as find out information about the home.
“As an ambassador I help the Manager to interview new people. I generally tend to be the light hearted one, whilst Dawn asks the serious questions."
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