A care home in Knaresborough will welcome children through its doors for a special event this summer.
The Manor House will run an autism-friendly community craft session with a special guest host – Nidderdale artist James Owen Thomas.
Activities coordinator Katie Pickering, who has organised the session with colleague Joanne Doherty, said she was inspired by her daughter being diagnosed with autism.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We’ve known for years there’s been different things about her but because she’s masked it so well, it was quite a shock when we started talking about autism.
“I think socially, she’s struggled the most, and finding something which she can join in is hard. I’m struggling to find any groups that are for her age, but she’s very artistic and loves arts and crafts, so that’s where the idea came from.
“It was great that James Owen Thomas wanted to join in.
“My colleague and I were talking and saying we must have residents here who have had autism all their lives, and they don’t know and their family have no idea.
“I think it’s nice to start raising awareness of autism in seniors.”
The Manor House, on Hambleton Grove, has been running a parent and baby group every month for more than a year.
It has also introduced family sessions during the holidays, and will run two themed events this summer.
A Harry Potter craft morning for children aged five and over takes place on Monday, August 7, from 11am to noon. Children aged up to give can attend a story and activity session at the same time on Monday, August 14, themed around classic children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
A craft session at The Manor House
The autism-friendly event, which takes place on Tuesday, August 22 at 2.30pm, is the only one to require booking, as places are limited to keep the atmosphere calm and welcoming.
A chill-out room will also be available for anyone who needs a break.
Katie said she hoped the free events would be an affordable option for families looking for things to do over the summer – and would bring benefits to the residents too.
She added:
“They just get so much joy from spending time with the younger generation. Jo and I have done so much research into inter-generational care and it brings so much joy.
“Even just talking to them, not doing anything, just observing the babies makes them so happy. Through the craft and being creative too, it’s a really nice atmosphere.”
To book a place for the autism-friendly session, call Manor House on 01423 797555.
Read more:
- Confirmed: Harrogate Hydro to reopen after school holidays
- Holiday clubs ‘lifesaver’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate mum
Baby group to bring children and Knaresborough care home residents together
A baby group is being held at a Knaresborough care home in a bid to build community links between generations and combat loneliness.
Tiny Tots and Tea Cups will see elderly residents at The Manor House encouraged to sing and play with babies and toddlers.
Activities co-ordinator Katie Pickering is organising the free event with her colleague Joanne Meredith.
She was inspired after talking to a friend who had a lockdown baby, and also witnessing the positive effect of taking her children to visit her grandparents.
She said:
“We have been looking to get more involved in the local community now covid restrictions are lifting.“I had a friend who had a baby in lockdown, who said it was one of the loneliest experiences she’s had. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a parent and baby group here. People from all generations can suffer from loneliness.“Children can sometimes connect to people on a level that adults can’t. I took my daughters to see my grandparents and my grandad later told me it had been such a boost for my grandmother.”
Read more:
- Harrogate mum’s ‘miracle baby’ born on holiday three months early
- Timetable of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Valley Gardens
Katie put out a post on the Harrogate Mumbler Facebook page asking if anyone would be interested in attending.
Following a huge response, the first Tiny Tots and Tea Cups session will take place at The Manor House, Hambleton Grove, on Thursday, June 16, from 11am until 2pm.
Refreshments will be provided and there will also be baby toys and sensory items for the children, which have been cleaned and sterilised. Children up to pre-school age can attend and there is no need to book.
Katie added:
“Our only request is that parents wear a face mask, as we are a care home setting and it is still a legal requirement for us.“If the response is good and people like it, we can look to make this a regular group. So far it has all been really positive.”
Compulsory covid vaccines for care home staff could cause some care workers in the Harrogate district to quit their jobs, a local carer has warned.
But another described it as a positive move that would protect care home residents who were unable to be vaccinated for health reasons.
It was reported today that all care home staff in England will be given 16 weeks to be vaccinated or potentially lose their jobs.
A third of North Yorkshire’s 235 care homes are in the Harrogate district so many staff could be affected.
Alison Morgan, a carer from The Manor House Knaresborough, said she was pro-vaccination but opposed making it compulsory. She said:
“I disagree with it being compulsory because it could result in a loss of jobs.
“I do see both sides but it’s a choice at the end of the day. Some people pre-empted it and changed their minds and got the jab, others have already left the job.”
Ms Morgan said there were mixed feelings among the home’s 65 staff, and that she knew a few workers at other care homes that were likely to leave if vaccines became mandatory. She added:
“It’s almost like the government is making up for the mistakes they made at the beginning and saying ‘we’ll look after you now’. But making it compulsory messes with people’s human rights.”
Alison Morgan from The Manor House, Knaresborough
But Sue Cawthray chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, which operates care homes as part of its mission to help older people, described it as a positive move.She said:
“We’ve been lucky at Harrogate Neighbours that all staff have been vaccinated. From a recruitment perspective, all new staff will need to have the vaccine, which is positive.
“We have a few residents who can’t be vaccinated for health reasons so we have to protect them and this is another way of doing that.”
Read more:
- Over 200,000 covid vaccines have been delivered in the Harrogate district
- Harrogate district covid rate increases again
The government is expected to announce the move in the coming days following a Department of Health and Social Care consultation.
‘Persuasion better than coercion’
Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, which represents care providers in York and North Yorkshire, said on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning he was pro-vaccination but had doubts about making it mandatory for care home staff. He said:
Drag queen visits care home to celebrate Pride 2021“I do believe people should take up the vaccine but it should be by persuasion rather than coercion.
“There is already a recruitment crisis in social care, we’re already short of staff. I’m worried people looking to come in the sector might not come in now and the staff working here now may choose to leave.
“We just need a bit more help and time.”
Residents at The Manor House care home in Knaresborough have celebrated Pride Month with a drag queen belting out hits in their garden.
Miss Bailey Bubbles entertained the residents with showtunes, songs made famous by Doris Day and a few Abba hits.
Carer Alison Morgan said:
“After a long year of covid restrictions at the home it was lovely to share laughter with the residents with our first live entertainment in the garden since last year.”
(Left-right) Care home staff Jo Meredith, Leigh Rudzinski and Hanna Wilks dressed for Pride
Residents June Sharp and Kath Topping agreed. They said:
“It was very different to anything we’ve seen before but we loved it.
“It was a fun afternoon and Bailey took time to speak to all of us afterwards.”
Care home staff Katie Victoria Pickering and Ali Morgan with a Pride rainbow flag
The residents also enjoyed rainbow-inspired art therapy sessions, quizzes and games of bingo. They also helped dress the home and garden with bright, rainbow-themed decorations.
Katie Victoria Pickering, who organised the activities, said:
“The residents embraced the day and everything it stands for, they were happy to be involved in the lead-up and event itself.”
Read more:
Photos bring the outside in for Knaresborough care home residents
A carer from Knaresborough has been overwhelmed with donations after calling on the local community to send photographs of the town in an effort to boost the morale of care home residents.
After being stuck inside for months some of the residents at The Manor House care home were feeling low. Carer, Alison Morgan, set out to ask local people to send their own photos to display around the home.
At first Alison was hoping for three canvases, one to hang on each floor of the home. So far she has been sent four canvases, one framed image and multiple digital images.
One of the donated canvas by Shirley Holden.
Alison said she has been overwhelmed by the response. She said:
“It all came from hearing some of the residents worrying they may never see the autumn colours or the viaduct again and it really hit me. The residents and staff feel like its never going to end, this will give them a boost.
“It’s been amazing. I’ve even had emails from people just sending their love to staff and residents.”
The hope is for all the pictures to be displayed in a social area for residents to look at before they’re placed throughout the home.
Another donated canvas by Paul Birtwhistle. Doreen and Amy Hodgson from the Old Station Cafe in Knaresborough contributed to the printing costs.
Alison hopes the effort can continue and the home can have more local photographers or amateur enthusiasts send some of their work as residents prepare for a “difficult” Christmas.
As a result of the project, Alison has been introduced to several members of the community wanting to continue to help the care home.
They are beginning to make plans for next year, if restrictions allow, including events such as a Spring fair and an outdoor concert for residents to enjoy.
To donate a canvas or send digital prints to the care home call 01423 797555.
Read more:
- The charity provides thousands of meals for vulnerable families and is hoping to continue to spread some cheer during the Christmas period.
- Harrogate school uses autumn leaves to create art.