Staff support in winter: Is the care sector doing enough?
19 November 2024
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Winter can be the most magical time of the year, providing opportunities to socialise with loved ones, especially over Christmas.
But, as we all know, the colder weather can make it harder to get out of the house and socialise…
If you, or your loved one, struggles with mobility or sight then going out in the colder, darker months is no small feat.
Yet, as our Events Manager Monica Paraschiv explains in this blog, socialising during winter is possible for everyone with the right support.
Having something set in the diary, even if it’s a coffee with a friend once a week, really brightens up the winter months!
From our experience, one of the big barriers to this is the increased risk of falls during winter, which is completely understandable.
But we also know the benefits of getting out safely, which is why our carers are more than happy to lend a helping hand to support individuals to run their errands and socialise during winter.
Having the extra reassurance that you, or your loved one, have the security of a trained carer when popping to the shops or visiting friends helps to maintain structure during winter, which also helps to keep the brain active.
Meeting up with old (and making new!) friends helps combat feelings of loneliness which individuals often feel during winter.
As mentioned, getting out and about isn’t always easy but it does work wonders for individuals’ mental health.
Following the pandemic, we noticed the impact that being inside the house without socialising had on people and knew we could make a difference, so we started Nexus Events.
Being able to safely take a trip to the cinema or the Christmas markets with like-minded individuals helps to break the monotony of winter, which one of our clients, Beryl, put best:
“Nexus outings have made a big difference to my life. It means I can go out without any worries.”
If you would like to learn more about our upcoming events, you can view the schedule here.
We understand that getting out during winter can be too challenging for some, but there is also the option to socialise in the comfort of their own home!
Seeing friendly faces helps to break up the days and brings light to the darker days, particularly if the individual struggles to get out of the house.
We tailor our support during the winter, providing additional calls as and when the person needs them.
Knowing there is a friendly person to chat with at various points in the day works wonders for mental health, with the friend of one of our clients commenting:
“Our friend struggles with her mood, particularly during the winter months, and she has coped better due to the care she’s received at home.”
If you or your loved one would like some extra support to stay social this winter, contact our friendly team on 0121 308 2906 (Ext 3 to learn more about Nexus Events).
