A Day In The Life Of Horsell Lodge Wellbeing Lead, Rachel Saunders

Wellbeing plays a big part in the person-centred approach to care at Horsell Lodge Care Home in Woking and no two days are ever the same for the Wellbeing team. We join Wellbeing Lead, Rachel Saunders to see what a typically eventful day looks like.

Wellbeing at the Heart of Person Centred Care

Horsell Lodge is home to over 70 residents with a combination of nursing, dementia and residential needs. The home’s wellbeing programme incorporates each resident’s likes and wishes, so there is something for everyone and residents can participate in the things they enjoy. It’s also important that residents come together whenever possible through activities that are accessible to all, which is why the work of Rachel and the Wellbeing team (Olivia, Leila, Victoria and Anna) is so important. Planning and communication are key!

Regular Catch Ups and a Very Musical Morning

9.30am: Rachel’s day always starts with coffee and a catch up with her team. It’s a chance to share any relevant resident updates, plan 1-1 sessions with particular residents, and allocate a Wellbeing team member to each of the day’s scheduled activities, which often take place simultaneously on more than one floor.

10.00am: Rachel joins a group of residents ready for, and very much looking forward to, the latest Marking Moments activity. Based on the archives at Marks and Spencer, Marking Moments is a regular, free, seasonal newsletter containing archive images, activities and supporting notes around a particular theme. In the past, subjects have included fashion, transport, the 1970s, and the Royal Family, complete with fabulous images from the past which always spark recollections from residents. Today’s theme is ‘The World of Work’ and Rachel kicks off with the word search section, which always proves popular. “It’s a wonderful way of engaging our residents” explained Rachel. “There are so many different elements to Marking Moments, which means there’s something for everyone. The Wellbeing team loves running the sessions and especially enjoy seeing the archive pictures”!

11.00: While Rachel attends the daily meeting with the Home Manager, Julie, and the heads of department, Olivia and Leila are busy leading two separate Music and Movement sessions, one tailored especially for residents living with dementia. It’s an activity that residents love – and insist upon - that’s accessible to all and designed around a combination of armchair-based exercises, breathing and meditation. Perfect for waking up the body after the brain workout in Marking Moments!

11.45am: Time for a quick cuppa before residents gather to be thoroughly entertained by a wonderful performance from a section of Gordon's School Pipes and Drums, a special visit that Rachel has organised as as part of the local school’s Make a Difference Day. Student Han Mansek explains the history and detail behind the band's uniform and tartan, and the group chats to the residents, showing them the bagpipes and drums. Han then accompanies Rachel and a teacher to see two residents who were unable to watch the performance, so they can see his uniform. They are both Scottish and for one in particular, the sight of the bagpipes and traditional dress brings back many happy memories of Scotland.

Furry Friends and a Teatime Treat

2.00pm: After lunch, Debby from Browells Wood Pet Therapy arrives with two six-week-old kittens, a handful of puppies, some rabbits, Guinea pigs and a chicken! Residents stroke and pet the impeccably behaved animals, completely entranced. Providing animal therapy is a labour of love for Debby who Rachel regularly invites to Horsell Lodge. Debby understands how much this interaction means to those who may have lived on farms or owned much-loved pets and always makes sure that the furry visitors are taken to see animal-loving residents who are unable to leave their rooms.

3.00pm: Everything stops for tea! After so much excitement, the tinkle of a bell announcing the arrival of the high tea trolley, laden with delicious cakes and sweet treats, is a welcome sound. It’s a weekly ritual and Rachel and her team support high tea service from the trolley which tours the home, visiting lounges on every floor, residents in their rooms, and friends and relatives who have dropped in.

Evening: By popular demand, an evening activity is usually held four nights a week after dinner and can range from mindful meditation to arts and crafts sessions or the Tuesday night pub quiz. After such a fulfilling day residents are happy to relax, chat and reflect on what they’ve enjoyed the most, with the Wellbeing team keen to hear their feedback.

It’s All About the Residents

Resident collaboration is what makes Horsell Lodge tick and there is a monthly Residents’ Meeting where the whole home is represented and ideas are put forward and discussed. Alongside Rachel’s regular contact with residents’ family members and a strong relationship with the local community, this is an invaluable source of ideas and feedback and ensures that the programme of events and activities remains varied and completely resident led.

Every Friday, Rachel focuses on forward planning, working on daily activities at least a month in advance and producing a printed schedule for each week, which is hand-delivered to every resident’s room, emailed to their family members and posted on communal noticeboards for all to see. And so, the cycle of wellbeing and activity continues at Horsell Lodge!

Reflecting on her work, Rachel said: “My role is very hands on and every day is different. It’s challenging but rewarding and I have a great team who help deliver a wide range of activities which contribute to the lively and happy atmosphere in the home. Bringing smiles to our residents' faces is an absolute pleasure”.

Horsell Lodge Care Home in Surrey

Horsell Lodge Care Home, a modern and comfortable care home based in Woking is beautifully furnished and offers residential, nursing and dementia care. Our location makes us convenient for family and friends who are visiting the home, and we’re perfectly placed for a host of different outings across Surrey.