16 October 2019
Role Model – Lily Chapman
Lily Chapman has been the Lifestyle Lead at Ty Enfys Care Home in Pentwyn, Cardiff, since June 2014. We spoke to Lily to find out what it means to provide meaningful activities and what makes her proud to work at our award-winning home.
What does a usual day at Ty Enfys Care Home look like for you?
No two days at Ty Enfys are ever the same, which is probably why I enjoy my job so much!
Mornings are probably the busiest time at Ty Enfys, with residents enthusiastically asking what activities are taking place on that day. I liaise with the lifestyle and wider team and confirm upcoming entertainment, reviewing the Life History Care Plans on I-Care together with the activity engagement reports. In the afternoon, I am usually out and about on the communities meeting with residents, families and team, organising trips and outings or coordinating activities.
What does the role of Lifestyles Lead entail?
The role of Lifestyles Lead is extremely varied. First and foremost, Lifestyle Leads have the responsibility of meeting everyone’s lifestyle needs, which is no small feat.
To ensure we do this, when a new resident moves into Ty Enfys, I meet with them and their family to gather information about their life history, which includes; their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests to get a wider picture of what activities they might like to take part in. We have a varied activities calendar, from gardening to boules and try to include something for everyone.
Another important part of the role of the Lifestyle Lead is to work with team members to change the culture of care within the home and encourage others to get on board with the importance of lifestyle and activity provision. I also manage a team of Lifestyle Assistants who all have their own strengths in different areas of lifestyle provision. Together we provide a full range of activities for 101 residents at Ty Enfys, seven days a week.
Do you have a personal highlight in your role?
On a recent morning trip, we took a resident who is immobile and cannot verbally communicate, to the local garden centre. For the first part of the trip she was very sleepy and wasn’t really looking around with her eyes, which is all she can really do in terms of movement. Halfway through we had cup of tea which woke her up a little and then we continued around the garden centre. After the little break, I have never seen this lady so alert and moving her head to see things. It was something so small in the grand scheme of things, but it really reinforced how important the little things are and how much of a huge difference it can make to a person. I really felt that I had filled her day with a sense of wonder. I think of that small moment often when there are times I feel I am not achieving as much as I want to, as fast as I would like. I remember that moments like that are the main reason we do the job that we do.
What makes you proud to work at Ty Enfys Care Home?
There are so many reasons why I feel proud to work at Ty Enfys. Firstly, the team are committed to delivering on our promise; to be recognised as the leading provider of relationship-centred care for all residents, and this makes me strive to do better every day. I also feel privileged to look after the well-being of the residents at Ty Enfys. For families to put their trust in you to deliver the best care for their nearest and dearest makes me really proud. Everyone has their own story to tell and it is a real honour when people share their stories with you.
What is the most important part of your role?
The most important part of my role is highlighting the message of how important lifestyle, activity and engagement is to everybody’s physical, social and mental well-being and ensuring that there is a whole-home approach when striving to achieve this.
In my role, it is important to have determination and the ability to multi-task, together with a passion for what you are trying to achieve. You need to have patience and a ‘yes’ attitude to anything that gets thrown at you!
How do you ensure that all residents embrace the activities programme that you offer?
Knowing the residents at Ty Enfys really helps, as it means that you will, most of the time, be able to recall who likes certain activities due to previous life experiences or hobbies – but that doesn’t mean that people don’t like to try new things. Residents receive weekly activity schedules and the team prompt and remind residents of activities occurring and assist them in getting there. We have a family mailing list and invite relatives to come along to activities we are holding, which makes the experience more enjoyable for the resident. Resident’s also give feedback on what they would like to see on the programme and at Ty Enfys we are all about trying new things with a can-do attitude!
How do you spend your free time?
Being from England and living in Wales, unfortunately I do not live near my family. Therefore, my friends are my family and we do something together whenever I am off. I enjoy going to the cinema to see the latest Marvel film, having BBQs and attending concerts. I love animals and love looking after my own pets, as well as Ted the Ty Enfys therapy dog when his mum is on holiday. I am getting married next year so I am in full planning mode, something my role as Lifestyle Lead has equipped me well for!
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