#CelebratingSocialCare: new skills for better care
11 Apr 2025
7 min read
Throughout April we鈥檙e #CelebratingSocialCare and all the great work happening across the sector. We asked you to send in your good news stories and we鈥檒l be sharing these throughout the month. Today we hear how people in social care are learning new skills to deliver better care.
Well-led
About a year ago, a member of the BGS Healthcare team found themselves feeling stressed and unhappy at work. They felt isolated, unproductive and even began contemplating retirement. To remedy this feeling, they decided to apply for 麻豆女郎’s ‘Well-led’ programme.
When they attended the event, they found that everyone in their cohort was a leader in the in domiciliary care space, just like them. They shared that this experience gave them an amazing opportunity to connect with like-minded people who were experiencing similar feelings of stress and loneliness.
Participating in this course really allowed this person to enjoy much-needed connection with others in the sector. They also said prior to the course, they frequently questioned their abilities and wondered if they were truly performing well. The programme gave them a real boost in confidence that has since allowed them to flourish in their role. They have since made big changes in how they perform their role and have seen plenty of positive changes.
The participant said:
Reach out to your fellow care providers; they are likely experiencing similar challenges. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone and ask for their suggestions.
Chantelle’s training success
Chantelle Brooks, a lead adult care worker based in Plymouth, has successfully progressed in her care career, completing her Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care with Inspiro Learning.
She consistently demonstrated her ability to implement what she was learning on her course, taking on more responsibilities, including leading a shift. Chantelle’s success is made even more impressive by the fact that she was on her own personal journey at home throughout her learning as also got married and adopted a baby while studying.
Chantelle said:
I enjoyed completing my advanced apprenticeship in care because I was able to meet different people, expand my knowledge and experiences in the role. I have learnt how independent and organised I am when it comes to the job, and it has impacted my team and the people I care for as I became more reliable and dependable having more confidence and knowledge in what I do. As well as that, I feel having another qualified member of the team reducing poor working practice and being able to teach new staff members vital in care. I would recommend doing a work-based apprenticeship with companies such as Inspiro Learning, because I feel they have great staff to support learners and always positive even when it can be hard.
Walfinch’s Time to Thrive initiative includes teeth too
Walfinch's Oxfordshire team are supporting local people's oral health as part of the Wellness With Walfinch campaign, part of its Time to Thrive initiative.
Kam Gill, Managing Director of Walfinch Oxfordshire, recently arranged for an oral health specialist to make a presentation to people who attend the community physical exercise classes that Walfinch Oxford offers for free in the village of Ducklington.
The oral health presentation was given by Sophie Burton, the Oral Health Improvement Manager at Community Dental Services CIC, funded by the Oxfordshire County Council, which promotes oral health programmes and education services.
Kam said:
We are promoting access to information about oral health, especially for older people, who may be at risk of neglecting oral care.
Oral health is not just about avoiding toothache 鈥� though that can make it harder to speak, eat and take medication, all of which can impact quality of life. It's also linked to conditions such as malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection.
Being unable to chew food properly because of tooth problems can also affect your digestive system, which affects nutrition and general health.
Kam is also in the process of arranging training in preventative oral health for her care team, in line with the Royal College's recommendation that social care providers should give their staff appropriate training about oral health and care. They hope this will provide development opportunities for staff and ensure better care for those they support.
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