Housekeeping at Avery
Avery has a strong reputation for top-quality care and assisted living facilities, that are tastefully decorated, well equipped, with great attention to detail and the very best in person-centred care. These services, therefore, need to be inviting and fresh, immaculate and well presented at all times.
This requires a dedicated, focused and passionate team of hardworking, conscientious staff who always go further for their residents and their home. Housekeepers are distinctly different from cleaners. A cleaner tends to be a reactive role responding to areas that need attention. A housekeeper works proactively to manage the home environment for the best positive outcomes.
The Avery and Hawthorns Group employs over 200 housekeepers, who work proactively with the care teams to reduce the risk of infections and outbreaks. All areas, including bedrooms, are regularly monitored to ensure the home is a safe environment for our residents. Bed linen and towels, as well as resident’s clothing, are also kept to a high standard, with most laundry departments washing, ironing and delivering an amazing 130,000 items per year.
The positive attitude of the housekeeping teams shows daily, and their pride in fulling their role has been noted by the healthcare sector’s independent CAP organisation (Continuous Advancement Programme) that provides accreditation to operators in the care sector. Inspector Ian Jackson has commented, “Standards of cleanliness at Avery are on a par with acute hospitals.” You can read more about CAP awards at Avery homes in the next issue of Welcome Home.
Highly experienced Regional Support Housekeepers also assist and train staff at other services by sharing best practice. Donna Sylvester, Head Housekeeper at Cliftonville, reveals, “No two days are the same, with deep cleans, bedroom preparation for new residents, descaling, carpet cleaning, replenishing stocks, unpacking linen deliveries. We treat all of our residents individually and make time for them as well as keeping their rooms as they like.”
Regional Support Housekeeper Jason Mottram is Head Housekeeper at Hanford Court in Stoke-on-Trent, and in 2017 won the coveted title of Housekeeper of the Year at the National Care Awards.
“Winning the award confirmed to me that housekeepers are far more than cleaners, and a holistic approach to housekeeping provides great rewards to both ourselves and the residents we work so hard for,” said Jason. “We also get to know and help our residents in other ways; I’m currently helping a resident to regain his mobility by helping him on and off an exercise bike. 15 minutes of my time means little in the day, but means a great deal to him.”
Extensive support and training are provided to all new employees such as Jasmine Stanley, an assistant housekeeper who recently joined the double gold CAP award-winning team at Scholars Mews in Stratford-upon-Avon. “The focus and detail given my induction was great, and the team around me have been very welcoming,” said Jasmine. “I received great help during my first shifts by the Home Manager and the housekeeping team, and have felt fully supported since joining.”
Good housekeeping promotes safety and provides a beautiful environment, with comfort, cleanliness and standards, all with a happy smiley face.
Article by Simon Lawrence, Head of Culinary & Housekeeping.
