The ‘Kitemark’ award.
In recognition of the excellent care given to people living with dementia, The Tithebarn care home in Crosby has been awarded with a level one Butterfly Service status ‘Kitemark’ award. This was presented in the Maud Sullivan House Dementia Wing of the home by David Innes, CEO of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, and his wife Anne Marie.
Also present at this special occasion was the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, accompanied by his wife Maureen. A delegation of Masons from the Province of Cheshire also attended, which included three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters of Cheshire, Paul Massie, area one, Adrian Davies, area two and David Dyson, area four. Also present were committee members and their wives of the Friends of Tithebarn, as well as the management and staff from the home.
The Butterfly Service status is a nationally recognised ‘Kitemark’ level award, which is presented by Dementia Care Matters to identify care homes that are committed to delivering excellent dementia care and providing residents with a high quality of life. ‘Kitemark’ award programme homes are awarded a level from six the lowest, to one the highest and the homes are reviewed every year. Dementia Care Matters is a leading global dementia care culture change organisation, founded by their CEO Dr David Sheard and provide consultancy, learning development, training resources and practice based research. Believing in a new culture of care comes focussing on a model of emotional intelligence.
Pictured from left to right are: Ian Elsby, David Innes, Sue Burges, Louise Corris and Tony Harrison.
The Maude Sullivan House Dementia Wing over the last few years has been transformed from a clinical nursing unit into a home for people living with dementia and now has the feeling that it is a home from home, with memorabilia to promote reminiscence, stimulation and interaction for the residents, relatives and friends. The décor being changed in the corridors to look like a street and each room has its own individual front door, with a memory box which has been made to look like a window holding personal items that the resident can relate too.
Tithebarn’s Home Manager Louise Corris, Deputy Home Manager Sue Burge, and shift managers and staff have undertaken a diploma course, with a better understanding of the care needed for people living with dementia.
The presentation was started by David Innes, saying: “The Maud Sullivan House Dementia Wing has been on a journey over the last four years, being led by Linda, Louise and Sue. From when I visited in October 2012 and visiting today I can see some change and we are DCM throughout the RMBI. The Kitemark award programme is independent and grades the home on the standard of care that is given. Tithebarn has received a level one grade which is excellent care. Thank you for the continued support you give whether that is here inside of the Tithebarn, outside in the grounds, or out and about in the area.” David then presented the glass plaque award to Louise and Sue.
Responding on behalf of the award Sue said: “It’s been a worthwhile journey to what we have achieved; the journey to gain it has not always been easy, it took lots of changes and attitudes towards dementia care and we have been awarded with an outstanding care award. What you see today has been achieved by my fantastic team who in the words of Dr David Sheard, ‘Get it’. We have a home here where the residents are loved, feel safe and empowered, yes they have dementia but they are living well. All this could not be possible without the support of the RMBI, but my special thanks go to the Friends of Tithebarn, who as always are so generous and have indulged me with anything we needed down to furniture, decorating, crafts and trips.”
Pictured front row from second left, are: David Innes, Sue Burges, Louise Corris, Tony Harrison with the delegation from Cheshire.
Tony Harrison was then asked to say a few words. Tony thanked the delegation from the Province of Cheshire for attending and said that he had looked around the Tithebarn and he was very proud that the Province of West Lancashire have supported the home and was very impressed. Tony then congratulated and thanked Louise, Sue and the staff on the well-deserved achievement of the award.
The Friends of Tithebarn Chairman Ian Elsby, finished the presentation by saying: “May I reiterate the words of both David and Tony in congratulating Louise, Sue and their team in achieving this tremendous accolade in obtaining the dementia care level one Kitemark. The Tithebarn we all know is a wonderful building, but it is only a building and it is the highly trained, dedicated and caring nature of all the staff which makes it such a special place, and on behalf of the friends, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the lodges and chapters in both West Lancashire and Cheshire for their very generous donations which has enabled us to provide the funds for much of the furniture and equipment for the Maud Sullivan House Dementia Wing.”
Once the presentation had been completed everyone made their way to the newly decorated tea/reminiscence room for an excellent buffet.
Pictured are Ian Elsby, David Innes, Tony Harrison and some of the staff from The Tithebarn.