Family Values Home Help Service

09/12/2020

In July I was asked to start visiting a lovely lady who was 89, living in her own beautiful home, who was strong willed, had a wicked sense of humour, wasn't scared to say what she thought, enjoyed a glass of whiskey and liked the finer things in life...a woman after my own heart!

I grew close to her quickly, how can you not when you visit someone regularly each week, and in time Alex too went to visit her. Her face lit up everytime we walked in that house and she loved Alex to pieces. She used to always say to him "eeeee if only I were 80 years younger..I could just eat you up!" This lovely lady used to always call me a ray of sunshine..I'd bound in common as muck, boss her about in my typical humorous manner and she did nothing but laugh at me. We'd sit and watch the boats go past and she'd tell me where the ferry was heading too..i even had to download an app on my phone to find out where the cargo ships were destined for.

She enjoyed a drink..a Famous Grouse and Ginger to be exact, and she'd raise her glass and say "Cheers...good health!" every single time, so much so that Alex and myself adopted her little phrase everytime we have a drink of pop!

She loved a game of dominoes with Alex, and she loved talking about her family and Skinningrove where she used to live. In fact, in October we jumped in the car and had a beautiful ride round Skinningrove and Loftus, Boulby, Roxby, Danby, Egton and Sleights. She recounted stories of folk long gone and times past..she showed me houses her late husband had built and she continually told me what a lovely day she'd had just getting out and about.

She enjoyed a lovely 90th Birthday bash at the end of August which her lovely daughter in law and granddaughter organised for her and I know she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Earlier last month she took a tumble and never fully recovered, and then after being admitted to hospital due to another fall, she tested positive for COVID-19.

Today I received the news that my lovely friend had passed away this morning 💔

After school, Alex and myself have been up on the cliff to watch the boats go by and raise a drink in memory to our dear friend..."Cheers...Good health" 🥂

Jean Coulson..you were one in a million. And although we only knew you for a short time we adored you, your humour, your glamour and your spirit. I always said I hoped that when I was 90 I'd be half as glamorous as you..but I'm not even that at the age of 36! 💕

We will miss you so much..but now is your time to rest. I hope the bars open up there for you and I hope they've got the dominoes all set up ready for you! 🥃🎲

In your own words Jean..."Take Care And Get There"


Sending all our love to your family and friends ❤❤❤

11/09/2020

Mobility Scooter also for sale in Whitby. Genuine reason for sale. Ideal for helping someone maintain their freedom and independence.

11/09/2020

Excellent little mobility car for sale in Whitby. Wheelchair accessible via rear ramp. Low mileage and a full MOT.

26/08/2020

Today, once again, the family of my lovely friend and client once again have to say their final goodbyes 🙏❣

Mr Thomas Chilton..you were not just someone I worked for, you were a friend that I feel humbled and privileged to have known. Our endless chats about farming, potato harvest, tractors, cows and escapee shorthorn bulls I will treasure always. You always had a story to tell and I wish I could remember them all now. If i was ever going out for the day or had a weekend booked somewhere, you could guarentee you'd have been before and would tell me best way to drive there or best pub to get a meal at. You were the biggest family man and adored seeing and hearing from them..especially the little children. They brought you so much joy and I know how you wished you could see them all grow up..but you needed to be back with June 💑💔

Thank you for accepting me into your home Tom. Thank you for treating Alex like part of the family..he's missing you already. You always supported him in anything he was doing, from buying his duck eggs, raising money for school, saving newspapers for the hedgehogs, and giving him some pennies if we were going away. Thank you for caring about him and being his friend...you've left a lasting impression on him.

Sleep tight now Tom..your work here is done 💞💛

Thinking of all Tom's family and friends today as they say goodbye to him..sending you all love and strength right around the world 🌍💙

18/08/2020

Giving one of my lovely clients a little pamper to keep her spirits up whilst having to continue to reduce her contact with others 💜

18/08/2020

Cheese and Onion Quiche, Chips and Salad for one of my clients lunch yesterday 🍅🥕🥦🌽🥒🍟

06/08/2020

One of my newest clients is a lovely lady who I have great fun with...warm hearted, chatty, full of mischief and stories. On Tuesday she told me how years ago she used to enjoy going to the Salmon Leap to domino drives there. With this in mind, on my Wednesday visit i took in a box of dominoes and we played for over an hour! Considering this lady has trouble with her memory and even said she didnt know if she'd remember how to play, she instantly picked her 7 dominoes and won the first 4 games!

A lovely little exercise which not just helps pass the time and brings enjoyment, but it allows her to reminisce of days long gone when she used to play, and more importantly it helps keep the mind active...brain exercise! Something which is so important at the minute due to social isolation and shielding caused by COVID-19 guidelines!

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04/08/2020

A busy morning already this morning catching up on paperwork and some additional training this morning to keep my current qualifications up to date and most importantly relevant. Also, one of my favourite tasks...filling in the diary!! 😊

Anyone can set up their own Home Help Service..I believe a caring heart and warm nature goes a long way. However, what you get with me is almost 18 years experience as being a senior carer and working at management level. Plus a wide range of qualifications too including:

-BSc Psychology and Criminology
-NVQ 4 Leadership and Management in Health Care Service
-NVQ 3 Health and Social Care
-NCFE Awareness of Mental Health Problems
-NCFE Certificate in Information, Advice and Guidance
-NCFE Counselling Skills
-NCFE Understanding Working With People With Mental Health Needs
-NOCN Certificate in Business Admin
-NOCN Drug and Alcohol Awareness
-BTEC Disengagement and Physical Intervention Skills
-NCFE Nutrition and Health
-NCFE Safe Handling of Medication
-OCNW Health and Safety In The Workplace
-City and Guilds Working With People Who Have Learning Disabilities.

We also have Certificates of Training in the following areas:
-Total Communication 1&2
-Bereavement and Loss
-Vision Impairment Awareness
-Food Hygeine
-Fire Safety Awareness
-Health and Safety
-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
-Equality and Diversity
-Autism Awareness
-Safeguarding Adults
-Mental Capacity Act
-Epilepsy Awareness
-Dementia Awareness
-Sensory Deprivation Awareness

It goes without saying that I have a full clean driving licence, business use car insurance, fully insured including public liability insurance and DBS Checked.

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30/07/2020

**NEW SERVICE**

I am now providing 'home from home' help to people staying locally at their holiday homes/caravans/second homes etc.

With the increase of people suffering from social isolation due to shielding during COVID-19, many people are now seeking solice in their alternative homes. Others, are choosing to holiday locally now that restrictions have been eased.

Are you thinking of staying in one of our beautiful holiday cottages or holiday parks? But are you, or someone you love in need of a little support whilst here? Maybe you normally have a carer come to your own home and would struggle without the support whilst you're on holiday?

One of my most recent clients is staying at their own caravan at one of our local holiday parks. Throughout lockdown they have shielded at home with their elderly father, but with restrictions being eased they have come to stay at their caravan for the remainder of the season. Afterall, a change is as good as a rest! 😊 However, they've been unable to secure carers to come temporarily to help with their father. So, I now visit on a morning for upto one hour to help provide personal care, help him get dressed, apply medicated ointments, make beds up etc.

This visit got me thinking...how many other families are putting off a change of scenery because they'd be missing that little extra helping hand? How many other families would love to come to their holiday home or caravan, but put it off because they dont have anyone else that could share a little of the responsibility and support them?

I can provide temporary support as and when needed 🧡

30/07/2020

What a lovely suprise this morning from one of my clients, thanking me for all my help 😊🧡

28/07/2020

Another busy day today at Family Values Home Help Service..but I've really enjoyed it and I thought you may like a little look into what a normal day consists of and what kind of work I do. So today I've only had three clients and my day went like this:

💜CLIENT A - 9.30-10.30

Client A is an elderly gentleman with Alzheimers. His family own a caravan at one of our local sites and so were looking for some help with him whilst they stay here throughout the season. My hour with Client A involves helping him out of bed and then providing personal care (washing, drying, help getting dressed etc). Once he's all sorted and eating his breakfast i'll tidy round his room, change bedding, make his bed, open curtains and windows etc. Client A has a fabulous personality and full of humour, and despite only knowing him for a week I've learnt so much already..mainly to always put his left shoe on first (something he learnt whilst serving our country in the RAF...left, right..left,right!)

🧡10.40- Between Client A and B I quickly called in at one of my other clients to drop him off a gift of a cornedbeef and potato pie that I promised him.

💛CLIENT B - 11-1.30

Client B is another new client, a lovely elderly lady who's usual home help has had to stop working due to an injury...and what a lovely, warm hearted lady she is! As soon as I walked in she was asking me all about my little boy and asking what he was doing today. Client B has a lovely doting family which is lovely to see, but I visit just to give them a little time to themselves to do their own work etc. Today has involved scrubbing a stain from a carpet, polishing sides, making her bed, opening curtains and blinds, washing pots and putting them away, hoovering throughout and other general household chores. I'm also tasked with administering medication to Client B in order to ensure she takes them and also cooking lunch for her. After lunch I helped Client B to have a bath..running her bath to the correct temperature and ensuring she had all she needs, including clean clothes etc. Once out the bath i administered creams etc and supported her in getting dressed. Then I cleaned out the bathroom, put towels away, put dirty clothes in the washer etc. I'm employed for two hours but ended up staying an extra half hour (free of charge) as we sat down and had a lovely chat all about where she was born, her family etc.

💚CLIENT C - 1.45-4.30pm

My last Client of the day is a lovely lady, who I've actually met numerous times before when visiting one of our wonderful day centres before COVID-19. The global pandemic has caused so many of our elderly and vulnerable to be even more isolated than usual..which has had a huge effect on their physical and mental health. Client C was previously very sociable and always getting out and about but during lockdown has had to remain home. Im employed to help with housework mainly and anythingthat she may need a helping hand with. Today i've polished the living room and the bedroom, tidied the living room, hoovered the entire house, cleaned kitchen sides, disinfected door handles and light switches, emptied kitchen bins and took rubbish out to wheelie bins. Client C then asked me if i could strip one of her beds and tidy up one of the big bedrooms. I really, really enjoy visiting Client C...she is a fountain of local knowledge and has so many stories to tell which I love listening too. Again, I'm employed for two hours with this client but stayed longer free of charge as we were chatting for such a long time.

What i've noticed, particularly today, is how grateful all of my clients were of just having someone to sit and chat too. I've always had 'companionship' as one of my services, as I've always been extremely passionate about tackling social isolation amongst our elderly and vulnerable. However, since lockdown, we have all been forced to self-isolate away from others and this has had such a significant impact on our most vulnerable in our community..I really hope in the coming weeks I can work harder to help tackle this isolation safely for my clients. Today I feel extremely honoured to have spent time with some truly, wonderful people all living in our local community 😊

Stay safe everyone..look out for one another, and never underestimate the power of a phonecall or message to a loved one who might just be feeling the effects of isolation. 👫

23/07/2020

Today is the day June's family lay her to rest. I had the pleasure of caring for June for three years, and I can honestly say it was a complete honour. Such a lovely warm hearted lady, with a wicked sense of humour and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I would take my son to work with me, and it was like visiting family. He would give June her morning papers (once Tom had finished with them!), help butter and marmalade her toast and carry it through for her..and they'd share biscuits that June would get him to sneak in with her cuppa! Often i'd pick June up from Trinity in Whitby and have to take her to school with me to pick Alex up at 3oclock. She would complain about all the cars on the road with their fancy headlights and different colours but enjoyed having a little ride out and to see the kids running out of school. June always asked Alex if he'd had a good day and if he had any homework..he'd tell her stories of things he'd been doing or adventures he'd been on and weeks later she'd still ask again about him.

June loved her family, her room was filled with photos of happy, smiling faces looking back at her. She'd talk you through them all, where they were living, what they were doing and she lived for getting visits from them or phone calls.

So today, as your family say goodbye...we'd like to say our own goodbye too. June, you were loved by many and you will be missed by so many too. It is such a comfort to know that you left this life in peace, at home, surrounded by those beautiful photos of those who loved you. No more pain now, no more discomfort and struggle to breathe...you're free 💖

Sending all our love to Junes family..all around the world 🌍💚

21/07/2020

What a fabulous idea from our friends over at Dalewood Trust. They are now delivering hot meals on Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes. 2 courses (main and pudding) for only £4.

If anyone is interested in this, for either yourself or a family member, please ring 01947 600583 to arrange!

🍗🥗🥩🧀🍜🍦🍨🍰

We are delivering hot meals Tuesday and Fridays lunch times only. delivery locally in whitby and surrounding areas. 2 courses for £4.00 which includes main meal and a pudding. If anyone is interested in having meals delivered for themselves or a family member please give us a ring in 01947600583. This is a steak pie with veg and mash that has gone out today. :)

21/07/2020

Well, I'm back into the full swing of things now. Its been so lovely to spend a little extra time just sitting and chatting to new clients...most of whom haven't had anyone to speak to in their homes for the last four months. What an honour it is to hear how pleased they are to have someone to chat with..really makes my job worthwhile. The companionship and conversation has been an added bonus for most of my clients. The reality is I've been employed to help with cooking, meal preperation, administration of medication, to provide personal care, help with laundry and general household tasks and cleaning. I've been asked today by one clients family whether I'd take my client out to the shops or for lunch one day too.

Today marks 5 days since I started back up, and already I've had such lovely, positive comments.. a real reminder of exactly why i love this work. To look after and support such lovely, genuine people is an absolute honour.

16/07/2020

So as most of my followers will be aware, aswell as starting up my own business and caring for my lovely clients, I'm also a single mother. The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for everybody and everyone was faced with some incredibly tough decisions to make. In one respect I was lucky as the majority of my clients already had family or primary carers supporting them, my role in some respects was to help the primary care givers to have some restbite or to go to work etc. Despite being a classed as a keyworker, my sons school closed and all keyworkers children were asked to attend a different school. For me, this would have increased our social interaction (mixing with more children, from more families who we hadn't previously ever mixed with), and therefore increasing my clients social interaction. So, I made the huge decision to cease working until it was safe to do so for all involved.

Thankfully, we're now able to return to somewhat of a normality..and as of tomorrow I will be opening up my diary again. However, I will significantly be reducing my hours to start with in order to be able to ensure that my clients safety and wellbeing is paramount. What makes me different to others is that I've always prided myself on that personal approach..allowing extra time for clients without the need to rush off to the next client, and accomodating each clients own specific personal needs. This will not change.

I am so looking forward to catching up with old friends, and meeting new. So, I've got my facemasks and hand sanitizer ready and roll on my first day officially back on the job tomorrow!!

Stay safe everyone, look out for one another and be kind...always 🌈💖

11/05/2020

What a lovely idea from our friends over at the Trinity Centre, Whitby ❤

Stay safe everyone!🌈

A busy day for Trinity's team leader, Gail, who is preparing all the activity packs to be delivered to our service users later this week. Lots of creative and fun activities to help maintain well being.

17/03/2020

Can anyone help me out! I've got one and a half mini bottles of Hand Sanitizer left and for the love of god not been able to source any more. Obviously my clients are all in the most vulnerable section of society and I've also offered to volunteer my services for free to others, but I don't want to risk this without taking precautionary measures.
I will now be taking my own Anti-bacterial Hand wash to clients houses, but ideally need Sanitizer as well for the jobs where there is no water (delivering shopping/prescriptions/post etc to clients doorsteps).
If anyone knows where I can source some, please please let me know. Or if anyone is being extra cautions and hoarding a few bottles and has one spare, please consider selling me one so I can continue helping others in these troublesome times.

Thank you!
Clare x

16/03/2020

Sunday Lunch cooked for a client and their family a few weeks ago. All prepared and cooked, and dished up so they could help themselves 🥩🥕🥔🥦