Belong at Home's unique approach to dementia care in Chester
Chester Nub News is delighted to announce its partnership with local dementia care specialist, Belong at Home.
Not-for-profit home care operator, Belong at Home, provides high quality care to people in their own homes so they can maintain their independence in the wider community.
Belong at Home as a concept, is based on building trust with customers and developing supportive and positive relationships.
We spoke to Heather Mills, team leader for Belong at Home, Chester, to understand a bit more about how the service operates and how community remains at the heart of its mission.
Explaining the strong emphasis on independence, Heather said: "Just because some of our customers have been given a dementia diagnosis, it doesn't mean they're now shut off from the world.
"We're there to help maintain and promote their well-being and their independence. We're there to support them.
"Our customers are the heart of Belong."
Belong at Home sits differently to other home care providers.
It operates from Belong Chester on City Road and supports both the care village's independent living apartment tenants, as well as those living in the wider vicinity in the city and beyond.
Heather added: "We have an opportunity to bring our community customers to the village, where we have a hair salon, gym with an in-house exercise specialist, a library, bistro, beauty therapist and a garden room.
"There's even a children's nursery.
"That's what I feel that makes us different and what is enjoyable for our customers.
"To know that they have this to come to if that's what they want to do.
"We will always promote Belong Village as a safe space for them because there's everything here that they need."
Belong's local presence also ensures there is an accessibility for customers who use the service, and for their family's peace of mind knowing that reliable and trusting staff are close at hand.
Community, dignity and independence are three factors that are heavily fostered within Belong at Home and the work it does in Chester.
Staff are recruited for their demonstrable empathy and commitment, ensuring that customers are paired with people who can best support their needs.
Support workers are also assigned to the same customers to keep a level of familiarity, meaning friendships often form.
Belong at Home is able to provide support in many ways, from something as simple as companionship to all aspects of care.
This can include washing, dressing, medication, one-to-one support, including personal care, food preparation, housekeeping, running errands and assisting with excursions.
Companionship is also offered through the service, for customers who just want some company.
This could consist of spending time in the customer's home or organising a trip - such as going to the park, theatre or even just browsing around the shops.
Belong at Home offers day-to-day assistance, helping people get out into the community, whether this is to attend important appointments or for leisure and social activities.
People receiving home care also get invited to activities held within Chester's Belong care village.
Customers are given a 'what's on' guide, to ensure they have the option to join in with wider community socialising, such as themed foodie events, day trips, and visiting entertainers.
Furthermore, Belong at Home can assist with transport for customers living outside of the care village who want to attend activities on site.
The provider can support the transition if customers want to move into one of the village's independent living apartments, or one of its 24-hour care residential houses.
Customers also have the opportunity to spend time with children from the village's Nursery in Belong, which is operated by national charity, Ready Generations.
Highlighting the importance of this collaboration, Heather said: "Once residents are with the children, it's like they light up again.
"It's like they're back to who they were before this diagnosis."
Belong staff are further set apart, as carers wear their own clothes when visiting customer's homes, ensuring dignity and privacy is granted within their own communities.
Another feature is B's Café, a memory cafe which is held once a month within the Chester care village and is open to the public.
With admiral nurses in attendance, customers and members of the public living with dementia and their families have the chance to ask questions and receive support in a safe environment.
For those interested in contributing to Belong at Home's important work, vacancies are now open for talented and committed community support workers in Chester.
Unlike many community care employers, Belong at Home pays staff for travel time between appointments, as well as the appointment time itself.
Alongside the meaningful and rewarding work, some benefits include access to care village facilities, 30% off the onsite Bistro, gym access and blue light discounts.
Established officially in October last year, the service is still open for new home care clients.
If you'd like to learn more about the service or enquire further, please click here.
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