As part of our series of contributions from the care sector to support the COVID-19 Day of Reflection, here we share My Home Life England’s report, ‘Rebuilding Together’ – Insights into how care homes coped during the pandemic.
Based upon conversations with over 200 people from 34 care homes across England, and launched in 2023, on the third anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown (23rd March 2020), the report is a summary of insights into how care homes coped during the pandemic and what they need now to recover and rebuild.
An important legacy of the report is where it details what support care homes felt was valuable during the pandemic, and this will help inform future responses to crises.
At the time the report was published, the pandemic was still evident in many care homes, both in terms of COVID-19 infection and the long-term trauma that it had left behind, and the report also explores what support care homes needed at that that time.
The reports foreword points out:
‘The report has purposely not focused on the dreadful and sometimes terrifying experiences that these people had, as this has been documented elsewhere.
‘Instead, we have tried to create a report using an appreciative lens that helps the world recognise why we should be so proud of our care homes and those living and working within them.
‘The report is one small way for My Home Life England to really thank care home teams for their bravery, resilience, skills, flexibility and extraordinary heart during the pandemic, now and into the future.’
Key findings
Teamwork, loyalty, resilience, commitment and connection to one another were critical for people living and working in care homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When support was absent, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, this led to people feeling alone and sometimes very scared. Care home managers expressed a desire to be recognised, supported and appreciated (on par with NHS colleagues), and for guidance and policy to be clear, consistent and timely.
They also identified a desire to sustain some of the positive changes experienced during the pandemic, for example greater knowledge of IT systems, infection control procedures and different forms of communication with families and community links.
The report concludes that there is a vital need for care providers, the wider health and social care system and local communities to invest in the wellbeing of care teams, to actively engage in open conversations with people living and working in care homes and to explore what would help them now and into the future.
Read more about the report and download it from the My Home Life England website here.
Get involved with the Day of Reflection
Be a part of this Day of Reflection series, hosted on our Day of Reflection webpage. We are keen to share activities, stories, learnings, and legacies from across the sector, so please send copy and images to info@careprovideralliance.org.uk.
Need some ideas of what to do on the day?
Watch the recording of our webinar held Thursday 19 February, 11-12:30pm: COVID-19 Day of Reflection – Preparing for the Day. This webinar aims to give providers resources and ideas for the Day of Reflection, and for providers to share thoughts and their plans for the day.
Join us for our webinar on Thursday, 19 March, 11:00 am – 12pm: The COVID-19 Day of Reflection – Sharing the Day. In this webinar, providers share their activities of the day, and any learning for future years. Details and register here.
