We’re very excited to announce the first UK company to become a Contented Dementia Trust Affiliate.
Our new Affiliation scheme has been set up to support individuals and organisations who share our aim of wanting to improve the lives of people with dementia and their families through the implementation of the SPECAL method, to provide them with sustainable, dementia-specific, fully personalised dementia care.

Karen Thornton, Care 24/7’s Director, spoke to me about what it will mean for her organisation, its staff and the people they help care for.

Tell me about Care 24/7 – what do you offer?

Care 24-7 has specialised in the provision of Home Care Services since 2001, helping people to retain a level of independence in their homes.

We pride ourselves on offering a flexible, consistent and reliable service that meets the personal requirements of each client, whilst also offering a warm and friendly approach to home care.
Above all, we treat people with compassion, dignity and respect.

 

What areas of the UK do you cover?

We cover a wide area of the North East of England, including Bradford, Leeds, Redcar & Cleveland.

How did you first hear about the SPECAL method and what were your first impressions? 

I was introduced to The SPECAL method almost 10 years ago through a training provider who had engaged with the Contented Dementia Trust.  The use of The SPECAL Photograph Album analogy had a profound impact upon me and immediately I realised that it was the right solution for everyone involved in the care of a person with dementia whilst promoting the well-being of the person.

 

What steps did you take next to learn more about SPECAL? 

I read the Contented Dementia book written by Oliver James and I attended a one-day course at Burford Hospital for professionals.  I put my learning into practice whilst working with a client family and experienced, first hand, the immediate effect of using The SPECAL method.  Both the client and I had an enjoyable time together which was free from the usual challenges.

 

What made you decide to forge closer ties with the Trust?

Through these initial learnings I was eager to learn more about The SPECAL method so signed up to complete the SPECAL Practitioner course.  Over the years I have continued to keep my learning and development up to date through various workshops, courses and group networking.  I have spoken with professional caregivers within Care 24-7 as well as family carers in the wider community and received overwhelming support and positive feedback about the difference it has made.

 

You are the Contented Dementia Trust’s first fully affiliated organisation in the UK – what difference will that affiliation make to your organisation for the future? 

We are highly delighted with the affiliation with The Contented Dementia Trust.  This affiliation is an exciting opportunity for us to promote the use of the SPECAL method and to develop the disability model within our own business.  We will build a dementia care service that can be trusted and world-class which promotes the well-being of the person living with dementia and everyone involved in their care.