Health Secretary Sajid Javid visits Romford Care Home with Romford MP Andrew Rosindell.

Residents and staff at Willows Care Home were delighted to welcome Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for an early-morning visit recently. He was joined at the home by Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, and Andrew Rosindell MP for Romford.

While touring the 72-bed home with Laird MacKay, Canford Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Javid chatted with residents and staff about their experiences of the pandemic. He spoke to the home’s wellbeing team about the importance of keeping up residents’ morale by organising meaningful and enjoyable activities, and supporting them to stay connected with their families. The team had been ably assisted in this by the home’s characterful and much-loved hens, introduced in collaboration with the creative charity Equal Arts as part of the HenPower scheme to promote good health and wellbeing in older people.

The Secretary of State had a lively exchange of stories with residents Peggy James and Iris Stanley who presented him with some sweet treats and looked on as he broke open a large heart-shaped piñata to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Mr Javid also learnt about the home’s ‘Grazebox’ snacks that are provided to our dementia residents. These meals offer a balanced and nutritious alternative throughout the day for residents who find it difficult to eat a large meal in one sitting, and evidence shows that this helps older people to maintain weight.

“It was our great pleasure to welcome Mr Javid, Professor Green, and Andrew Rosindell, to Willows Care Home,” says Laird MacKay. “They were interested to hear about our experiences of the pandemic, the challenges that we faced, and the support that we feel is needed within the sector moving forward. We have wonderful staff at the home who talked with pride about the care they provide and the opportunities to create a fulfilling career within the sector”.

A number of staff within the homes had won Covid-related awards, including Delphina Andrews, nurse team leader, who was nominated by a grateful family member for going above and beyond to keep his mother and other residents safe. The home’s manager, Claudia Ramsamy, had also triumphed at the 2020 Great British Care Awards (East of England region), winning the Social Care Covid Hero award.

Mr Javid spent time talking to staff members: Benjamin Obi our quality and training co-ordinator, and Sarah Williams, our trainee assistant practitioner, spoke about her training programme and her passion for her new-found career.

At the end of the visit, all were shown displays showing the home’s involvement with initiatives such as World Kindness Day and Postcodes of Kindness.