Helen Whately drops in for care home's mindfulness session in Care Home Open Week

Care minister Helen Whately visited Karuna Manor Care Home to have a mindfulness session with residents as part of Care Home Open Week (28 June - 4 July).

The minister was greeted with a welcoming garland of flowers before getting a tour of the luxury care home based in Harrow which has a focus on spirituality.

Karuna Manor care home, operated by TLC Care, has its own temple and the minister was invited to calm her thoughts for a mindfulness session with residents.

Helen Whately met with residents’ families as well as care staff during her visit to the care home which is also known for its vegetarian food and serving Gujarati dishes for residents.

Helen Whately said in a tweet “Fabulous to visit Karuna Manor Care Home @TLCCARE3 to see what a wonderful job they are doing caring for residents – and to hear from relatives how the care home has kept them in contact during the pandemic.

“A great way to start Care Home Open Week 2021”.

The minister also visited the hair and beauty salon, Japanese water garden and the in-house cinema during her tour.

As well as English, Gujarati and Hindi are also spoken at the care home.

TLC Care said in a tweet: “Karuna Manor was delighted to welcome Helen Whately today.

"Partaking in a Mindfulness session, touring the home and engaging with the team, we’re grateful to Minister Helen for her kindness and support. What a tremendous start to Care Home Open Week 2021!!”

Civil servants discuss care home experiences with staff

Hundreds of care homes are taking part in fundraising dance-a-thons, virtual tours, karoake and even fashion shows to celebrate residents and care staff during Care Home Open Week.

Care Home Open Week is a week of fun organised by Champion Social Care to show what care homes have to offer residents. It is also a chance for those considering a career in care to see what life in a care home is like.

Civil servants from Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will attend virtual events to discuss the experience of key roles in care homes, including home managers, activity coordinators and care workers from across the sector.

MPs from across all political parties are taking part in Care Home Open Week, including Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan MP,Shadow Secretary of State for Mental Health.

Hallmark Care Homes will be taking part in a dance-a-thon to raise money for Musica Music and Wellbeing, a social enterprise that supports people living with to use music.

Hallmark hopes to raise £1,000 to enable Musica to offer their online music activity library, Musica Connect, for free to people living with dementia.

Hallmark will also host a discussion ‘How do we restore confidence in the social care sector following the pandemic?’ on Thursday 1 July at 2.12pm. The chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society Kate Lee and the chief nurse of adult social care, Professor Deborah Sturdy will be discussing the issue. To sign-up to the panel discussion visit Hallmark's website.

Four Seasons Health Care care homes is hosting its very own ‘Hidden Talents’ events throughout the week to reveal some of its residents’ and staff members’ hidden talents.

The Orders of St John Care Trust is hosting ‘skills swap’ events, a Hawaiian-themed beach party and a Wimbledon-style picnic.

Champion Social Care stated on its website: “Our top priority is, of course, to keep everyone safe. This may mean Care Home Open Week looks a little different this year, with a mix of virtual and distance events.

“Our aim is still the same though: to showcase the incredibly valuable services that care homes provide at the heart of every local community.”

To find a participating care home in your area, check out the care home participation map here.