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Friends of Newcross Care Home

West Midlands, Wolverhampton

A photo showing the entrance to the care home with garden furniture in the forefront

The Friends of Newcross support the work of the home situated within Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Newcross is a purpose-built care home offering Dementia, Nursing, Residential, Respite and End of Life care. The Friends aim to improve the quality of life of the residents of the care home by working with staff, residents and relatives.  The volunteers add value to the quality of lives of the residents in each care home and support them to have more choice over their day-to-day lives by developing befriending services on the site. Befriending services are valued by some residents who through deteriorating health do not have the confidence to come out of their rooms. The Friends also support the care homes’ activities’ coordinators by providing extra pairs of hands during organised activity sessions and outings. The activity sessions and outings have included bingo, singing, pamper sessions, photography, and a pop-up tea shop, serving traditional teas to the residents.

2016

On the 18th July the Friends held their first meeting at the care home to formally appoint a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Members, to agree the constitution, adopt policies and procedures and discuss business related to the formation of the group

2016

On Tuesday 11th October 2016, the Duke of York visited Attends offices to be updated on Friends of Newcross Care Home’s work. As part of his role, he is patron of each of the Friends’ groups in care homes.

2016

The Friends of Newcross held their committee meeting on the 1st November 2016. The Friends of Newcross currently have 8 volunteers attending regularly. They have bible readings which are being well received by the residents. There are plans to recruit volunteers to help with the Chit Chat Cafe and Candy Cart. The Friends will also be looking at a potential bid to purchase a reminiscence pod for the residents.

2017

On 17th August, thanks to a grant received from Awards for All, Friends of Newcross teamed up with Live Music Now and launched a music project for the residents of Newcross Care Home

2017

Friends of Newcross Care Home was registered as an official charity on 1st December 2017

2019

On 10th June, Friends of Newcross received a further grant from Awards for All to launch a project that used music to add value to the lives of elderly residents. The project meant that residents felt a greater sense of community and they also reported an improvement in mood and mental wellbeing. Thanks to the staff, Friends and a team of experienced musicians, they managed to introduce 10 music sessions.

2020

Friends of Newcross have forged a strong relationship with both Wolverhampton Girls School and Heath Park School. They started a programme for students at both schools which allow the students to volunteer in the care home as part of their work experience but which also benefits the residents, who get to chat with new faces and build meaningful relationships with the volunteers.

2020

The Friends were delighted to be able to provide funding for residents theatre visits, a coach for a safari park trip and also arranged for some therapy animals to visit the home.

Stories from Friends of Newcross Care Home

I'm really close to a few residents now, that I would say they would consider me as their friend

Listen 00:05:04

Story: Zenaide Dlamini - West Midlands, Wolverhampton