Personal Care Skills Day: Building Trust and Confidence

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In our commitment to providing the best care for our service users, we recently held a Personal Care Skills training session for Social Care Alba staff. This training was designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of our caregivers, focusing on key aspects of personal care and professionalism. We covered essential personal care tasks, including shaving assistance, oral care, proper washing and drying, and dressing. These tasks may seem routine, but they are crucial in ensuring the well-being and comfort of our service users.

Learning Outcomes

Throughout the training, we spoke about the importance of building trust with our service users and understanding what constitutes good personal care. By the end of the session, our staff had a better understanding of these vital principles, along with practical implications and the consequences of incorrectly administered personal care.

Group Discussions

In our group discussions, we delved into the core values that should guide personal care. Dignity, choice, participation, communication, and respect were highlighted as fundamental principles. We also emphasised the significance of attention to detail, from buttoning clothing correctly to styling hair as per the service user’s preferences.

Professionalism and Ethics

Our training highlighted professionalism in delivering care. Effective communication was identified as the foundation of good personal care. Additionally, we stressed the importance of continually developing proficiency, adapting to service users’ needs, and using the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Organisation and Time Management

Organisational skills were discussed, stressing the importance of preparing equipment and products before initiating personal care. We emphasised the need to allocate sufficient time to each task, ensuring that service users never feel rushed.

Dignity and Consent

Maintaining the dignity and respect of service users at all times is a non-negotiable principle in our care approach. Consent is paramount, and no personal care can be administered without it.

Attention to Small Details

Lastly, our training underscored the significance of seemingly small tasks. These details can make a world of difference to our service users, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in their appearance. By taking time to ensure that our service users appear the way they wish to appear and have all care carried out in the desired manner leads to a positive and constructive relationship that in turn builds confidence and trust within the service user.

Committed to Excellence

By focusing on technical skills, professionalism, ethics, and communication, Social Care Alba aims to build trust and confidence within our service users while ensuring that our caregivers are well-equipped to meet their needs. Our commitment to excellence in personal care remains unwavering, and this training is a testament to that commitment.

Nourishing Communities: How CookeryHQ Can Benefit Your Social Care Business

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In social care, the well-being of individuals is at the forefront of every decision made. It’s not just about providing shelter, safety, or medical attention but also about taking care of the whole person, including their nutritional needs.

Enter CookeryHQ, a unique recipe-sharing platform designed to empower creators and enrich communities. While we often speak to individual home chefs and culinary enthusiasts, today we want to explore how CookeryHQ can offer invaluable benefits to social care businesses.

Nutritional Support

When you are responsible for providing daily meals to a community, be it an assisted living facility or a childcare program, you know that ‘one-size-fits-all’ doesn’t apply. CookeryHQ offers a range of recipes to suit different dietary needs, from low-sodium options to gluten-free solutions. Use these as a resource to diversify and enhance the meals you offer.

Community Building Through Food

Food is much more than just sustenance; it’s a way to bring people together. CookeryHQ can serve as a tool to engage with your community. For example, themed meal nights can become anticipated events that not only provide nutrition but also valuable social interaction.

Enhance Staff Capabilities

If your staff are responsible for meal preparation, CookeryHQ can serve as an ongoing training resource. Our recipes come with detailed instructions, tips, and sometimes even videos. This feature can help your team expand their culinary skills, adding more tools to their caregiving repertoire.

Meal Planning Made Easy

We’re excited to announce that we will be rolling out a meal planner feature. This feature allows for the creation of detailed meal plans, providing you with a roadmap for a week’s or even a month’s worth of meals. This can help you better plan, budget, and provide for the specific needs of your community.

Rekindling Memories Through Food

At CookeryHQ.com, you’ll find a treasure trove of recipes that span different cultures, cuisines, and eras. For many individuals in social care, particularly seniors, food can be a powerful trigger for cherished memories. By incorporating traditional or nostalgic recipes into your meal planning, you can provide not just physical nourishment but also emotional comfort, bringing back fond memories and possibly sparking meaningful conversations among your residents.

Engage Through CookeryHQ.com Discussions

One of the unique ways to make the most out of CookeryHQ.com is to use it as a discussion point to engage with those you support. Whether it’s selecting recipes for the next week or sharing anecdotes tied to a specific dish, CookeryHQ can serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and active participation among your community members.

Share Your Wisdom

CookeryHQ is not just about taking; it’s also about giving back. If you’ve developed a unique recipe that meets specific dietary needs or is just a big hit among your community, why not share it on CookeryHQ.com? Sharing your insights can be a great way to contribute to the larger community of caregivers and food enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Social care is a demanding field that requires a holistic approach to individual well-being. Adding CookeryHQ to your toolkit can make meal planning less stressful, more diverse, and even enjoyable. It’s a way to enrich the lives of those you care for through food and community. Join us today to explore the many ways CookeryHQ can help you meet your goals.

Preventing Infection in Social Care Settings

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Within social care, stopping infections before they start is incredibly important. By looking at what can happen if infections spread and focusing on ways to stop them early, this blogpost explains why it’s so crucial to work hard on preventing infections and keeping everyone healthy by following Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).


You can find all the information below as well as additional resources and scenarios at rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk 🔗

Download the app

Watch the video introduction 

Potential infection risks

Faeces, urine, vomit and/or blood

You may come into contact with blood and/or body fluids during routine care, and these should all be considered potentially infectious. Viruses/bacteria (germs/bugs) in saliva, urine, faeces, or blood can be passed to another person via cuts or abrasions, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. Not all contact will become a spillage, but in the case of unexpected spills see the section on management of blood and body fluid spillages for more detailed information.

Wound exudate

Infection prevention is one of the most important components of effective wound management. There is a risk of infection from wound leakage/oozing which should be managed using SICPs.

Sputum, nasal discharge, or coughing

During routine care you are in close contact with those that you care for, and coughs and sneezes are common causes of cross infection. Viruses/ bacteria (germs/bugs) can easily spread from care giver to care receiver and vice versa.

Unexplained skin conditions

The skin is an essential protective barrier to infection, but skin conditions can also pose infection risks. During routine care you may encounter people with skin conditions. Some skin conditions can be easily transmitted through contact with others during routine care.

Washing and dressing, household tasks, foot care, oral and eye care

Many personal care tasks such as washing and dressing or household type work can bring you into contact with blood or body fluids; sharps; care equipment and the care environment which may present cross infection risks.

PEG feeding, catheter care, colostomy care, PIC/Hickman lines, enteral feeding

Some procedures you carry out when caring for others may require you to handle equipment that has crossed the skin barrier. This can be a potential route of infection into the body. When using this equipment you may need to consider the risk of exposing the person you care for to microorganisms (germs/bugs).

Standard infection control precautions

Resident/person placement

Assess and monitor those who are in or going to be coming into their place of care so that correct infection prevention and control precautions are followed.

Hand hygiene

Wash hands with liquid soap and warm water if available. Alcohol Based Hand Rub (ABHR) can be used for visibly clean hands where care is being delivered and when entering or leaving the area.

Respiratory and cough hygiene

Cough and respiratory hygiene should be used by everyone. Cover nose and mouth following sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, using tissues and safely disposing after use.

Personal protective equipment

The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as disposable plastic aprons and disposable gloves, is a requirement of health and safety legislation. PPE protects you (your uniform/personal clothing) from direct contact with any potential blood and/or body fluid.

Safe management of care equipment

Ensure equipment is maintained, cleaned, disinfected and/or disposed of appropriately.

Safe management of care environment

Ensure the care area is kept clean and dry and free from clutter and equipment.

Safe management of linen

All clean, used, or infectious linen should be handled with care to prevent potential spread of infection.

Safe management of blood and body fluid spillages

Prompt and safe cleanup of blood and body fluid spillages.

Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)

Management of all household and healthcare activity waste.

Occupational safety: prevention and exposure management (including sharps)

Action to take in the event of an injury or exposure to infection at work, particularly those found in blood or body fluids.

Norovirus Scenario

This offers learning opportunities related to the application of the Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) outlined in this guide. The scenario takes place in a care home setting, however, throughout the scenario it is encouraged that you relate the key learning points to your own practice setting and note any points for discussion within your care team.

How to make a playlist for life

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This post provides suggestions on creating a personal playlist. For more details see playlistforlife.org.uk or download the PDF below:

How to make a playlist for life (PDF 135kb)Download

Make it personal

To be effective, a playlist for life should be

  • Uniquely personal
  • Full of meaning for the individual

They’re not really into music – what can I do?

We’re all innately musical, even if we don’t realise it. Old radio, TV, film soundtracks or audio files can all form part of a playlist for life. Dialogue, theme tunes and even catchy adverts have all been shown to be effective. Don’t forget nursery rhymes and poems, which have their own musicality.

How long should the playlist be?

  • Ideally 50-100 songs or more, but 20 is a great start and can be built upon.
  • Don’t make it too short. No-one wants to hear the same tune all day.

How many songs from one artist?

We recommend no more than 5 – 7 from one performer, unless each one really matters.

Do the detective work to create a personal playlist

Here are some suggestions to help you form a very personal playlist for someone who cannot remember:

  • What nursery rhymes and lullabies did they sing to their children?
  • What was playing when they were in their mid-teens / early twenties?
  • Might their siblings have suggestions?
  • Did they go dancing or enjoy a particular band?
  • Are there films you know they liked? Are there any memorable theme tunes?
  • Any favourite TV or radio shows? The theme tunes can be very evocative.
  • Did they go to church? What hymns did they like?
  • What music was played at their wedding?
  • Did they go to Sunday school, Boys’ Brigade, Brownies etc, with associated rhymes and music?
  • Did they sing in a choir? Is there someone who would know the repertoire?
  • Was there a school song?
  • Were they alive during the Second World War? Any
  • wartime songs that they’d be familiar with?
  • Did they play a musical instrument? Is there any sheet music you could dig up?
  • Are there any old records, perhaps in the attic?
  • Were there songs associated with family parties?
  • Are there any musical memories from family holidays – singing in the car perhaps?
  • Are there any scrapbooks, concert tickets or photos that would provide clues?

Persevere with the detective work

While we will know someone’s birth year and era, it can be harder to find out what they first danced to, what their parents listened to or sang to them as children.

  • Keep trying music you think might fit. It takes trial and error. No-one is beyond a playlist for life.
  • The right music will work its magic… 

I’m not sure about a piece of music – is it the right one?

Spotify, Amazon and iTunes offer free snatches of most pieces. Try playing it and watch for a reaction.

I’ve made the playlist – what now?

Introduce it as often as you can. Use it as an opportunity for closeness and conversation. Once you’ve established the effect of particular tunes, try offering these half an hour before an activity known to cause agitation or distress, like bathing or eating or getting clothes on or off.

It’s bringing tears – should we stop?

If a particular piece of music is causing real distress, then stop. But tears are often good and cathartic. Hold your loved one’s hand through it, stroke or cuddle them. Crying may express a sense of beauty and yearning that can be shared.

See also Whistle While you Work: The Power of Music in the Care at Home Setting

Good practice in the design of homes and living spaces for people with dementia and sight loss

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Whether adapting a family residence or designing a purpose-built care home, individual differences in tastes, needs and abilities mean that creating homes that simultaneously cater for all the people who live in them is challenging. People with dementia experience impaired memory, learning and reasoning and become more reliant on their senses. People with very poor vision face a different but not entirely dissimilar set of challenges.

For more information download the full guidance developed by the University of Stirling (PDF, 844kb)Download

Colour and contrast

Colour and contrast can both be used to enable people with sight loss and dementia to identify different rooms and key features inside and outside of their homes. Good use of colour and contrast can facilitate independent living, for example, by supporting people to find their way around and to use fixtures and facilities such as lighting unassisted.

  • Coloured doors (see also: Entrances and exits)
  • Contrasting key features
  • Contrasting potential hazards
  • Choice of colour and contrast

Lighting

Lighting is important to people with sight loss and dementia. Good lighting can make the most of people’s capabilities and help to compensate for poor eyesight; it can assist people in finding their way around both new and familiar spaces and help them to undertake specific tasks.

  • Maximisation of natural light
  • Types of artificial lighting
  • Positioning of lighting
  • Intensity and uniformity of light
  • Control of lighting

Fixtures and fittings

The design of fixtures and fittings within the home is important. Good design can ensure that those people with sight loss and dementia are able to easily identify and use fixtures and fittings in their homes. Well designed fixtures and fittings can facilitate independent living. For example, providing user-friendly kitchen devices may encourage people to prepare their own food, and suitable handrails and grab rails will support people to move independently around their homes.

  • Handrails and grab rails
  • Rugs and mats
  • Controls (e.g. on appliances or for central heating)
  • Light switches and electrical sockets
  • Room furnishings
  • Assistive technology
  • Signage
  • Colour and contrast (see above)

Kitchens

Good layout and design of kitchens can make preparation of food and drink easier and thus facilitate independent living for people with sight loss and dementia.

  • Lighting (see above)
  • Worktops
  • Colour and contrast (see above)
  • Ovens, hobs and microwaves
  • Cupboards and cabinet design

Bathrooms

Good bathroom design can support more independence with washing, toileting and personal hygiene. Good design can also help with identification of the toilet and bathroom, especially during the night.

Entrances and exits

Good design of entrances and exits is important for people with sight loss and dementia. With good design

of both internal and external entrances and exits, people with dementia and sight loss will be able to move easily between rooms and to enter and leave buildings freely.

  • Door security
  • Accessibility of entrances and exits
  • Visibility of entrances and exits (See also: Colour and contrast)
  • Lighting at entrances and exits (See also: Lighting)

Outdoor spaces

It is important that people are able to access gardens and outdoor areas adjacent to their homes. Going outdoors has been shown to have multiple benefits including:

  • providing physical exercise
  • helping to maintain normal sleeping patterns and daily rhythms
  • improving mood and helping people to cope with stress

A well-designed outdoor space can be enjoyed by people with sight loss and dementia, as well as their families.

  • Accessibility of outdoor spaces and path design
  • Perimeter fences
  • Plantings

Diary of a Care Worker – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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As Care Workers, we are able to support so many amazing people, but working with Service Users with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is always a real privilege. It’s a chance to really get to know someone, their likes and dislikes, help with triggers and stimming (self-stimulatory) behaviours, and to play a positive role in their lives. 

However, much of what those of us who work with children and adults with ASD know, can be helpful to everyone – and we can all do ‘our bit’ to educate others. Here are some useful facts and tips about ASD, which affects more than 1 in 100 people in the UK.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability which can make it hard for those with the disorder to form relationships or express themselves. They may sometimes (but not always) have a learning disability. According to the NHS website, the following traits are common to many with Autism:

  • finding it hard to understand how other people think or feel
  • finding things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
  • getting anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
  • taking longer to understand information
  • doing or thinking the same things over and over

If, as a Care Worker, you are providing support to someone with ASD, there are some things you can do to help build a positive working relationship during your visits:

Help to accommodate change

We might often have to make a quick assessment of a situation which can cause anxiety for someone with ASD, and it’s at times like this, that knowing them well can help.  For example, if a Service User is used to being able to ‘tidy up’ his favourite tins of soup when he goes shopping, restrictions like Covid make can make buying the weekly shop problematic. Managing a situation like this can be easier if you know what the person is likely to respond to positively, and taking time to introduce change, slowly, can help with a transition.

The small details matter!

As there will often be times when a Service User with ASD may have a different Care Worker coming in, no detail is ever too small to note. Anything from a lost or broken favourite item, or the introduction of a new daily activity can be easier for the person to handle when everyone is in the know.

Give people with ASD time to process

As with all of us, someone with ASD might have a lot of things going on in their mind when you speak to them.  This is why giving someone plenty of time to process and respond is vital.  It can be frustrating to be rushed – and more so, for someone with ASD.

Be methodical and structured with instruction 

Someone with ASD or Aspergers is likely to need clarity in instruction, and it can be frustrating for them when they don’t understand what you’re asking of them. Be clear and brief in your instructions or questions, avoiding conversational fillers that can dilute your message or confuse it.

Take things in your stride …

Those who work with, or live with, someone with ASD will know that there will often be challenging occasions! Don’t take offence when something is said that might be considered rude or aggressive.  In particular, people with ASD can often find social situations difficult, and your calm approach can help to lower their anxiety and to self-regulate.

Be adaptable

Being able to accommodate the needs of the person, for example, changing approach when something doesn’t work, can enable us to learn more about what works for someone.  Being flexible – and sometimes just accepting ‘not today’ – opens up possibilities for a better tomorrow.
It’s not always easy to get things right, but as with any relationship, there’s a little trial and error in there! Find out more about complex behaviours, and … why not share what you know with others? After all, disability awareness starts with each of us 🙂

Healthy Working: Back Pain

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Back pain accounts for a huge 35% of all cases of work-related ill health in the UK – with around 50% of care workers reporting incidences of back pain each year. However, by being more aware of what can cause this common issue, and by looking after our joints and muscles, we can help to reduce our likelihood of back injury in our day-to-day lives.

Most common types of back pain in care workers

Whilst Lumbago – usually pain in the lower back – is one of the most commonly reported types of back pain, there are others which can seriously affect our ability to carry out our usual tasks. 

Sciatica

A sharp pain coming from the sciatic nerve; this can be debilitating, and cause numbness or tingling in the leg, sporadically.

Slipped disc

This can often occur through lifting something which is too heavy, or by impact, such as falling.

Frozen shoulder

Often associated with repetitive injury, inflammation around the shoulder can cause long-term pain and stiffness

Whiplash

A sudden impact can cause injury to the neck, which can take a few days to appear and last several weeks, or longer.

How to take care of your back …

Of course, we all have our training (and SCA does have excellent training!) but there are other things that we can do to keep ourselves safe and healthy, and our backs, pain-free:

Be mindful of your posture!

Consistently bad posture whilst sitting or standing can actually cause back pain or exacerbate pulled muscles. Check your posture regularly – and if you find yourself slouching (we all do it!), roll back your shoulders and straighten your back. Also, when standing for long periods of time, try to keep your weight balanced on both feet – this helps to straighten your spine and prevent long-term back problems.

Remember your manual handling training!

Our training helps keep everyone safe – especially when we have to undertake difficult manoeuvres, such as supporting Service Users in awkward or small places! Stretching too far, twisting the wrong way, or moving a person without fully assessing the risks can lead to injury for both you and those you care for. Our manual handling training is there to keep us all safe!

Recognise your Limitations

We can sometimes overestimate our abilities, carrying loads that are too heavy, or pushing or dragging large items awkwardly. When we are tired or have a larger than normal workload, it’s even more important to consider our strength and energy levels, and what we can do to mitigate risk. 

Stay hydrated and eat well

This may seem like strange advice to help prevent back pain, but drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and eating a balanced diet ensures that your body has all that it needs to maintain, build and repair muscle. Low blood sugar can also make us feel a little ‘fuzzy’ and reduce our ability to make good choices when it matters most.

Exercise Regularly

As care workers, we are, of course, always busy and active – but other types of exercise, like swimming or walking, will help to support your body in all that you do. Stretching regularly, and taking yoga or pilates classes can make the world of difference to your mind and body! 

Above all, if in doubt – speak to your line manager about your concerns and look for professional advice where necessary. At SCA, our top priority is the health and well-being of our staff. We can’t do the great job we do without you!

Find out more about working with us.

Why a Positive Mindset matters more than ever in Care

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Demand for social care in the UK has never been greater; and whilst social care jobs account for around 8% of all Scottish employment, it’s simply not enough. In fact, a recent report by Audit Scotland reported that an average of 13% of social care workers supply 50 hours per week or more. And this is as much the case in Edinburgh as it is in other parts of the country.

But why are care staff experiencing these pressures? Around the country, the gap between supply and demand is being driven by a combination of stretched resources through dwindling budgets, a low takeup of vacancies, and a record number of workers on long-term sickness absence. 

In the meantime, social care providers must do what they can to maintain a high standard of care for those in need of support.

Supported staff, supported Service Users

Offering competitive rates, career opportunities, and a caring, healthy working environment is critical to maintaining our standards of care-at-home provision, and at SCA, we understand the challenges that our staff face right now. We work hard to ensure that our staff feel rewarded and valued, committed to promoting staff wellbeing, and providing competitive rates and training opportunities, to empower our staff to give their best to our Service Users.  

And this is what it’s all about – giving our best. 

SCA: positive people, positive care

During this time – the very time when we may feel stretched – a positive, empathic approach towards those we support is crucial to giving vulnerable people a sense of security in the services they receive. And whilst we might feel under greater pressure right now, as carers, we must continue to ensure that we meet our clients’ psychological, as well as their practical and personal care needs as we work together to improve care provision. 

Social Care needs more carers with a ‘can-do’ attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of those they support. That’s why SCA takes great care to recruit – and keep valued employees with a positive, proactive mindset.
Interested? Get in touch.

Care work: Finding Fulfilment

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New Year – new career. It’s a common mantra which makes January the most popular month of the year for job-hunting! But how we work, where we work – and who we work with – are all hugely important in finding the perfect job. And for many, social care provides the freedom to work in our local communities in a role which is as rewarding as it is challenging.

You can find out more about what it’s like to work with Social Care Alba, and the training opportunities we provide our staff …

…but of course, that’s only half the story! 

What you want from a career is pivotal to making a wise – and lasting – career move this January …

If you enjoy working with people,

you’re in luck at SCA; you’ll be spending time with a great team, with plenty of opportunities to catch up (our Foodie Fridays are enjoyed by everyone!). You’ll also have the opportunity to buddy up with colleagues as a new team member, and really feel part of the SCA family as you move through our career plans and training opportunities.

If you love helping others in need,

you may well find providing care to be incredibly fulfilling. Those who enjoy providing much-needed support are typically empathic, caring people and feel that they are using their skills to the max in care jobs.

If you have a knack for problem-solving,

here are many situations as a care-at-home worker which will need your skills! Everyday problems might require some quick thinking, whilst changes to a person’s situation – whether abilities or needs – will often need a pragmatic approach. Being resourceful, creative and solution-focused is important in all aspects of care.

If you are a team player,

you’ll find you’re in good company at SCA. We do all we can to make sure that every staff member feels supported and valued, and encourage our team to do the same for each other. That’s what makes a great team, after all!

If you’re at your happiest when you’re busy,

there will never be a dull moment as a personal assistant! Your day will be varied and full-on as you provide personal care, administer medications, take Service Users on outings or shopping, and provide general support around the home.

So if you’re considering a new career in home care, why not check out our Careers Page for vacancies? This might just be your year for the perfect career!

Keeping Busy this Christmas

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Cold, wet days needn’t put a dampener on Christmas spirit; there are many fun and easy things to do that can get us all in a festive mood! Here are some of our top Christmas activities that can be enjoyed with those you support, to help bring a little Crimble cheer …

Homemade Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are always more special when they’re handmade – and significantly cheaper than shop-bought cards! With basic items, like gold and silver paper, and glitter glue from any superstore, the sky’s the limit! If you or the person you care for is crafty, you can get as creative as you like; but at its most basic, a simple motive of bells and holly, or a snowman, is all that’s needed to make a card that will make the recipient smile. Add an even more personal touch by cutting up old Christmas cards to make thoughtful gift labels, by cutting them into label shapes and using a hole-punch to threat the ribbon through.

Deck the Boughs!

Making or putting up Christmas decorations might not be feasible for some in later years, so if you know someone you care for celebrates Christmas, find out if they could use a little help! For those who go to town at Christmas on decorations, it can be a whole night’s work; but very little is needed to create a Christmas atmosphere in the room where someone spends most of their time. Even little activities like untangling the Christmas lights or unboxing baubles can bring back fond Yuletide memories of childhood or parenthood, and help to top-up on Christmas cheer.

Simple Christmas Treats

There are many quick and simple treats that need not take a lot of time or expense, but can be a lovely gift to give to friends and family. Find out what, if anything, the service user likes to – or used to – make as treats. Things like fudge or shortbread, cookies are great – but anything can be made christmassy with a dusting of icing sugar! One of the simplest no-bake things to make is Marshmallow Snowmen – great for those little elves who come to visit!!

Marshmallow Snowmen

Time: 20 minutes | Cost <£5
  • Bag of Marshmallows
  • Icing sugar
  • Black and Orange colouring (or packet of edible gel pens)
  • Bag of pretzel sticks, such as Twiglets
  1. Place 3 marshmallows on top of one another, stuck together by brushing a little water on the base, and pressing lightly.
  2. Break the pretzel sticks in half and insert into the middle marshmallow to create snowman arms
  3. Decorate the face with an orange carrot and two coal eyes, and the body with black buttons

Let the gel or icing sugar set and wrap in cellophane tied with some ribbon at both ends.

Voila! Marshmallow Snowmen!

Christmas Shopping from the Couch

For those who are unable to leave home, finding Christmas presents for loved ones can be difficult – particularly when they are not confident in using technology. An online shopping day can be a practical way of enabling service users to choose gifts from shops they can’t get to.  Make your time a little more special with some hot chocolate and Christmas music in the background, just to get everyone in the mood! It’s not only about the shopping; there’s the added lift of having something we’ve ordered being dropped on the doorstep. Who doesn’t get a buzz from a postal delivery!