Activities at Rivermead Care Home

Residents of Rivermead were delighted to receive a visit from the Easter bunny when they were surprised by the generosity of the local community who delivered treats for the Residents to enjoy.  Colleagues were on hand to accept the beautiful gifts filled with a selection of eggs all shapes and sizes sure to satisfy any chocolate lover

Activities coordinator, Linda Kirby said: “As always, we were looking forward to Easter. It’s such a nice time of the year – the residents love all the colourful Easter eggs and made Easter extra special for our residents during this challenging period for everyone, It was an eggs-cellent day!”

Team members and residents at Rivermead in Malton received a wonderful surprise from a local supermarket.  Morrison’s in Malton turned up at the home with two large hampers for staff and a lovely note attached, which stated:

“We know the new government advice is to work from home. We also now you, like us are unable to do that.  However, you are saving lives, not selling beans. Here is just a little something to say thank you for everything you are doing to keep us and our families safe.  We appreciate everything you do.  Keep smiling!”

The amazing community gesture brought lots of smiles to the home in this difficult time.  Thank you Morrison’s!

Residents of Rivermead recently welcomed local year 10 students as part of their Archbishop of York Youth Award Group project.  The visit was to provide company for the residents which supports and improves both physical and mental health.  The students achieved this was by playing card games, running quizzes, puppet show and offering craft activities.

The response from the residents and the students was very positive, with both sides making new friends.   The home extend a warm invitation for the pupils to visit again, with one student describing the visit as “a very rewarding opportunity to communicate and interact with the older generation”

Sarah Russell started with us at Barchester in 2010 as a Care Assistant, always helping residents and their relatives feel happy and well looked after. Sarah now works the role of Administration Assistant and supports the homes operations as well as being the friendly, happy face to greet our visitors. Sarah is a huge help to everyone here and most importantly, is a bright and welcome support to our residents and their families.

Our General Manager, Carol Berry, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 10 years of loyal service with Sarah. She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and our residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Rivermead when I say that we’re looking forward to many more years of Sarah’s presence here at our home.’

Lena has lived here at Rivermead since 2013 and has been newly appointed as our home’s Resident Ambassador. This is a role that allows Lena to be a voice for other people living here and a help to those moving in.

Lena, originally a ‘Lancashire Lass’, married her military husband which meant she travelled around from place to place and enjoyed getting to know lots of areas in the UK. Lena than chose Rivermead for her home as Malton is an ideal location for all of her family in the area to visit.

Lena said, ‘to me, the role of a resident ambassador is an important one because not everyone I live with are able to take their thoughts and feelings to the team so I am able to be the voice for them. I also know what an overwhelming experience it is to move in to a new home. I’m lucky that I have been here a long time and know I am well looked after and that this is a happy home and we help each other. I’m glad I’ll be able to offer some reassurance for people at the start of their search for a new home and answer any questions they might have, from a resident’s perspective'.

Lena’s main responsibilities include helping potential residents and their families when they stop by for a visit and being a friendly and familiar face for other residents who might find moving into a care a challenging transition. Lena is dedicated to helping the team at Rivermead improve services and facilities at the home and is enjoying thinking up creative ways to make Rivermead a place of excellence.

Rivermead Care Home on Scarborough Road in Norton near Malton passed a recent Care Quality Commission inspection with an overall “Good” rating after being praised for a responsive, safe, effective, caring and well-led service.

The CQC inspected the home and released their report on 23 January 2020 and rated the home, run by Barchester Healthcare, as “Good” overall.

The report stated that “People had choice and control of their lives and the staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. There was a planned programme of activities open to everyone including family and friends.”

The report went on to say “Staff knew about peoples individual care needs and care plans were person-centred and up to date. People and relatives gave us positive feedback about the staff and described them as "Excellent, caring and friendly." Staff treated people who used the service with compassion, dignity and respect.”

Also highlighted in the report was that “The service was well managed and organised. The management team assessed and monitored the quality of care provided to people. People and staff were asked for their views and their suggestions were used to continuously improve the service.”

In celebration of the rating and to thank each member of the team for their contributions to the home, each team member was presented with £100 gift voucher in appreciation of their hard work.

Carol Berry, General Manager at Rivermead said: “We are delighted that Rivermead was rated ‘Good’ overall following the CQC’s most recent inspection. The team here always strive to provide the best possible quality care for everyone who lives at the home.”

The full CQC report can be read here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-125861852