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Date:  1 June 2007

Directors spend a day on the front line

Two Jewish Care bosses swapped their executive roles and spent a day working on the front line of care – this was the second set of directors to take part in the initiative. Finance Director Helen Verney did a shift at Rela Goldhill Lodge, a home for younger adults with physical disabilities, while Neil Taylor, director of community services, went out with the north-east home care team.

Helen enjoyed the interaction with the residents, staff and volunteers and spent most of her time helping a resident who has MS. “This was the first time I have given anyone a bath – I also washed and blow dried her hair and got her dressed. The pressure was on to dry her fringe straight. I think it was a success.

“Before that I gave her breakfast and I helped her to drink with a spoon. A lot of patience is needed. I started at 7.45am but I couldn’t do a full shift as I leave at four o’ clock to go home to my son.”

Team leader Alex Scarpa partnered Helen, giving her instructions and showing her care plans. She said: “Helen’s been really nice. Her approach was very good – she coped well with all the tasks – and she hasn’t complained about anything.”

Meanwhile, Neil Taylor accompanied senior carer Keith Augustine on home care visits to clients in Hackney and Bethnal Green. He said: “It was a sobering insight into the work of a carer, the relationships they build with the clients, many of whom are totally reliant on daily contact. In some cases this may be their only contact with the Jewish community. Older people want to remain independent for as long as they can and our role is to enable this to happen.”

Talking of the carer he shadowed, Neil Taylor added: “Keith was delightful – compassionate, caring and sensitive. He communicated clearly with the clients and treated them with the utmost dignity.”