Guild Care combines skilful knowledge with heartfelt care

In this article, we speak to Hannah Milner, early employment support worker, about the award-winning training staff receive from their first day in the role and throughout their career.

Building bonds

At Guild Care, we take the time to get to know every resident, providing thoughtful, person-centred care that reflects who they are and what matters most to them. Our staff training encourages people to form bonds with residents from their first day, getting to know everyone and understanding what makes them unique. We have a blended approach to training, combining e-learning, in-person workshops, online quizzes and shadowing.

Regardless of your role, all colleagues are encouraged to spend as much time with residents as possible, getting to know them and their loved ones. From participating in wellbeing activity sessions with residents, to taking a stroll around the landscaped gardens, these extra touches help us to form bonds. This also enables us to provide the best level of care, forming friendships with residents while having fun together.

Bespoke dementia training

Everybody who joins our team is assigned a buddy on their first day who will help them to settle in and introduce them to the wider team. As a dedicated dementia care home, Haviland House has five purpose-built households designed to care for people at a particular stage of their journey. Our new starters work alongside senior members of the team in each household so they can meet every resident and see how our clinical team cares for each individual.

All colleagues take part in bespoke dementia training that we have developed to meet the needs of our residents. This includes a unique “I’m Still Me” programme, which is an immersive workshop that puts our colleagues in the shoes of a resident living with dementia and echoes how this impacts their senses, emotions and physical experience. It gives them first-hand insight, helping to improve both their understanding of the condition and the level of care they provide.

Continuous development

Every home has its own Practice Development Facilitator who encourages colleagues to progress with qualifications and continuous learning. It’s a really supportive atmosphere and there’s always a supervisor on hand to answer questions. Since working here I have grown in confidence, not just at work but in my personal life too, and I feel really lucky to be in this role.

I’d encourage anyone considering a career in care to give it a go. As long as you have empathy and a willingness to learn, Guild Care will support you with a fantastic training programme and a friendly team who can help you achieve your career goals while enabling you provide high-quality care for our residents.

To find out more about life at Haviland House or any of our homes, please call our friendly customer relationship team on 01903 327327, email [email protected] or visit our website at guildcare.org.