Health
and Care staff in Rotherham have helped care home residents get online as part
of a national campaign.
Barclays
Digital Eagles have committed to help digitally upskill staff and residents at
500 care homes across the UK this year - and Rotherham has played a starring
role.
Not only did Cherry Trees care home in Kimberworth Park take part in the
digital skills training, but they were also picked to star in the latest
Digital Eagles TV ad! You can watch the ad here. https://vimeo.com/484360246/7071a2baf4
Through virtual sessions, Digital Eagles help care home staff make the
most of technology when it’s needed most. They show carers how to access
healthcare appointments online and keep residents connected to friends and
family and have even introduced care homes to various ways to keep residents
entertained, bringing some much needed joy during the Covid pandemic.
Rebekah
Davies, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist and Digital Health Clinical
Lead at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust worked with partners across
Rotherham to help Cherry Trees source network connections and get online.
She
said: “From remote therapy sessions to joining in family celebrations; it has
been heart-warming to see our care home residents connect and come to life when
they see loved ones on screen, when they learn something new or when they watch
something that evokes fond memories. The power of technology for this group of
people should not be underestimated.”
One
resident has even managed to stay in touch with his dogs through technology,
take a look here! https://www.barclays.co.uk/digital-confidence/eagles/care-homes/#danny.
And Ethel Eyre, pictured and originally from Greasborough, is 100 years old and
claims she was once the best dancer in Rotherham! She said: "I love to have a chat with my friends and family I
still get to see them. I also still get to go to church because of the tablet."
The Barclays Digital Eagles skills training was initially piloted in
Rotherham and has now expanded across the country, with the Eagles delivering
digital skills training across the country.
Rebekah
added: “It was a chance conversation with Barclays and a lot of work in the
background from us, NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England and
NHS Improvement to get up and running and which has led to discussions about
developing a national digital skills offer for the care sector.”
David Stewart, Digital programme lead for NHS
England and NHS Improvement said: “Working with Rebekah on the Barclay’s
Digital Eagles project has been wonderful!
“From the initial introduction Rebekah made, the
offer of support grew from Rotherham to the North East and Yorkshire region and
this is now being discussed nationally. This effectively offers thousands of
Care Home Staff the training they need to connect people virtually.”
Toni
Ives, Head of Barclays Digital
Eagles said: “This year our Barclays Digital Eagles have committed to
delivering digital training to care home staff and residents. Our programme has
given both care home staff and residents the confidence and skills to use
technology to keep entertained and stay connected with friends and family.”