Our focus during September has been very much around continuing to invest in our team's ability to deliver personalised care, with training sessions hosted by the Rare Dementia Support Society, during which we learned more about the rarer forms of Dementia, backed up by the team at Meaningful Care Matters delivering session 2 of our Butterfly course.
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
Music is a great way to engage with those living with Dementia and with the 60's a favourite era for many living in Langham Court, we had a fun day of dressing up and reminiscing over tracks from the Summer of 69!
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
Whilst its been a bit of a wet July, we've still managed to get out and about and always enjoy an afternoon of music at Huntington House
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
Here at The Huntingdon and Langham Estate, the emotional wellbeing of our residents is paramount. This ethos runs through our entire Estate and everyone who works within it, but is perhaps best exemplified in our activity organisers, who we call our Homemakers.
Our Homemakers are pivotal in making our residents feel like part of our family. They plan activities, outings and events, including creative pastimes, quizzes, games, seated exercises, musical performances and trips out in our minibus.
Our activities are not scheduled or set in stone. Instead, our Homemakers are on hand each day to use their experience, knowledge of each resident and their intuition to provide 1:1 or group activities tailored to the personalities and desires of the residents who are doing it.
All residents can enjoy whichever activity, conversation or session is being created at any particular time, come and go as they wish, suggest alternatives and request (and get) the activities they prefer to get involved in whenever they wish.
This is obviously unlike traditional settings where activities are at set times, may be inappropriate for some people, and can make other who aren’t involved feel left out and unstimulated.
Homemaker Claire explains, “When you’ve seen somebody who’s been briefly isolated and, you know, feeling separate and suddenly something different is going on and they’re part of a group, with somebody connecting with them, this is so essential for personal well-being.”
There is no such thing as a day in the life of our Homemakers – what there is, however, is a lot of heart, love and joy and a desire to know our residents, understand what makes them tick and what makes them happy, read the room and see what’s needed.
The role of a homemaker on the estate is about so much more than just providing activities, keeping residents occupied or paying lip service to fun. It’s about creating an environment that nurtures emotional well-being, spreads joy, and helps residents feel safe, comfortable, and connected.
And what happens when the activity chosen just isn’t going down well? That’s when each Homemaker can use their own go-tos to engage, calm or activate the room as needed.
For Homemaker Claire, that’s music. “My go-to is music because even if somebody is agitated, you sing a song you know they like, they cannot help but join in. And it’s one of those things that can be calming, but it can also be uplifting. It’s quite adaptable.”
Every Homemaker has the ability and encouragement to play to their strengths or passions – whatever they may be. We want all our Homemakers to bring their whole selves to work.
We know that everybody has something to offer. It’s about bringing your whole self and your heart, doing what comes naturally and not being afraid to do that and create joy, fun and happiness in a spontaneous way.
Over to Claire again, “There are a lot of people (in the Estate) who like the outdoors, like nature, and we’re really lucky to have these grounds. So sometimes connecting with nature and the green and the being outside and sometimes we’ll go and sit in the sunshine, and that brings a real sense of joy to people. And it’s those little moments, those connections, those conversations, those little bits of joy that make up the fabric of someone’s life.”
To watch the full interview with our MD Charlie and homemaker Claire, please click here.
Our ethos of creating meaningful moments every day, doesn’t end with those living on the Estate, we also understand the impact our care can have on the emotional wellbeing of friends and family of a loved one living at Langham Court, giving comfort through providing the best standard of personalised care we can.
“The staff feel like family, no uniforms or name badges, they are very kind and patient. There is lots of laughter and fun evidently going on. Everywhere is kept beautifully clean by very caring housekeeping staff, who stop and chat with residents and visitors alike, the philosophy seems to be kindness and interaction first, then doing whatever task is at hand next. The gardens are beautiful, with views towards trees and fields of sheep and horses. The gardens have secure fences so the residents can walk in them safely. There are lots of engaging activities for residents, plus a day centre twice a week that residents can join in with. The food is great, prepared freshly and daily on the premises. Langham is of the best standard a care home could be and recommend it 100%.” – Ela S, resident’s relative.
As a team we are like an extended family and are always open to welcoming new people into our circle, so if you’d like to learn more about being a Homemaker and creating joy for our residents, please visit our website or complete our register your interest .
At the Huntington & Langham Estate, we provide luxury care across our two specialist care homes. Family-owned and run, we offer dignified, compassionate and personalised care to our residents, giving them the nurturing support they need to continue living full, independent and meaningful lives.
To arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600 or complete this form.
Two Healthcare Assistants from The Huntington & Langham Estate are the first to be enrolled in their new Nursing Associate Apprenticeship with Winchester University.
Justyna Green and Jean-Paul Rappe both currently work as Team Leaders in Huntington House and Langham Court respectively, having already obtained their NVQ Level 3 qualifications.
They will continue working in their existing roles during their two-year training while also undertaking part-time placements in other settings, from hospitals to prisons, to gain a wide variety of clinical skills.
The Huntington & Langham Estate, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, has a long history of supporting their staff in career progression. Charlie Hoare, Managing Director, says
‘I grew up in Huntington House and remember one of the Healthcare Assistants, who would also babysit my sister and I, leaving to train as a nurse at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and going on to become a Theatre Nurse assisting in surgeries. She was always so grateful to my mum for giving her that opportunity, and I have been in awe of the steady stream of people undertaking similar career progression ever since. I am incredibly proud of everyone on the Estate who finds the time and energy to undertake qualifications alongside the incredible work they already do’.
Two further members of the Estate’s team have recently started degree equivalent NVQ Level 5 qualifications, and many more are enrolled in Levels 2 and 3.
The Estate’s management team are always looking into different ways to support people to progress their careers.
Charlie Hoare adds
‘The beauty of apprenticeships is that you get paid to attend training rather than having to take time out to go back to college’.
If you are interested in a career within social care, the team at The Huntington & Langham Estate would be only too happy to discuss the options with you.
The weather has been magnificent this month for outdoor activities including gardening with grandchildren visiting the Estate, trips to the shops, Bird World and the wonderful Petersfield lake.
For more news on life across the Estate read our monthly Newsletter
The Huntington & Langham Estate opened the Hoare family’s private garden for the Hidden Gardens of Grayshott on the last day of May.
It was amazing how many people have lived in the local area for years and never knew the extent of what exists on the Estate.
But you are forgiven if you have never had a reason to venture down the half mile drive from the Hindhead roundabout, as it is otherwise hidden from view.
If you did visit the Estate during the Hidden Gardens event you may have treated yourself to tea and cake in the walled garden, as did some of the residents of the Estate’s two care homes, Huntington House and Langham Court.
The residents are able to enjoy areas of the Estate such as the lily pond pavilion and woodland walks all year round, but being involved in an event with access to other areas was anticipated with much excitement, particularly by the keen gardeners among them.
There is similar anticipation among residents for the re-opening of the recently grass-seeded view point affording some of the best views from the Estate overlooking Butser Hill and the South Downs.
We all need moments of joy in our lives and as a Homemaker at Langham Court, there is nothing more rewarding than spreading Joy amongst those who live in our Specialist Dementia Care Home.
Claire shares with our MD Charlie Hoare what makes the role of Homemaker so special, providing emotional wellbeing with no one day the same. With the team all bringing their own personal passions into their roles, Claire explains how her go to is creating moment of joy through music.
May has seen the start of our 2023 Butterfly project, with our new home action team joined by Sally Knocker from Meaningful Care Matters to deliver session one of the programme.
With a number of new members of the team if was a fantastic introduction to our approach to Dementia care at Langham Court and a brilliant refresher for the team.
The focus of the day was centred around developing listening skills and enhancing our ability to engage with those living with Dementia and each other.
A third focus of the day was using dancing to create meaningful moment and fun to our interactions with each other.
I was inspired by the importance of enabling the people who live here at Langham Court to have positive experiences, by creating a true and comfortable home environment by focusing on the emotional psychological and spiritual needs of each person, whilst caring for their physical needs.
Helen – Nurse at Langham Court
The Butterfly approach is intrinsic in the Dementia Care offered at Langham Court, making us stand out as one of the leading specialist dementia care homes.
For more information click here
Huntington House
Langham Court
