‘It’s a look of joy, happiness and of just being in the moment’

The positive benefits of person-centred care are captured in two winning images from Community Care’s social care photography competition

Inspiring image captures "look of pure pleasure"

Residents from a care home in Waltham Forest, London, are enjoying favourite activities such as baking and watching old films in these winning images from Community Care’s Inspiring Images of Social Care photography competition.

The council-run home, George Mason Lodge, has recently introduced a programme of activities based on the interests and life histories of their residents, including the use of multimedia tools for people with dementia.

The gentleman pictured above had shown a particular interest in baking and he enjoyed cooking, often using ingredients grown by residents in the garden, and then eating with his friends at the home.

Claire Bendall, head of service for adult social care at Waltham Forest Council, said: “The look on the gentleman’s face is pure pleasure and it just spoke to me. It’s a look of joy, happiness and of just being in the moment and enjoying baking.”

"Learning together"

“Learning together”

Over the last few years, Waltham Forest have developed the use of multimedia software with their service users and much of this work has involved getting staff and service users to learn how to use the equipment together, which is captured in this image.

Laptops, tablets and mp3 players have all been used and activities range from looking at old photographs, watching YouTube videos of residents’ favourite music to Skype-calling their relatives. “It’s all about what’s important to the individual,” said Claire.

“This is a stunning photo, which shows the staff and residents learning together.”

She added: “I was gobsmacked to find out we had won twice, it was really lovely. Pictures really do speak a thousand words and it is a fantastic competition, especially due to the fact that these images are going to be visible throughout the year on the calendar.”

The images will join 10 others on a charity calendar, which is sponsored by Caritas recruitment and sent out to thousands of social care professionals.

More from Community Care

Comments are closed.