Relationship-Centred Care Security – to feel safe Belonging – to feel part of things Continuity – to experience links and connections Purpose – to have a goal(s) to aspire to Achievement – to make progress towards these goals Significance – to feel that you matter as a person

The value of the vision to the care home My Home Life vision provides: Evidence of what residents (customers) want Vision for best practice (shared and owned by sector) Evidence base to articulate decision-making A framework for self- regulation Evidence base for inspectors/ commissioners to assess practice Accentuating positive (disassociate from bad press)

1) Managing transitions I have lived in this residential home for two years … I have now rebuilt my life, thanks to the proprietor and staff. I now want to put the past behind me and live in the present and live as active a life as possible.

2) Maintaining identity It is important for people to realise that what may seem a small matter to the management of the organisation is of great importance to some people living in a place. Everyone has different standards and tastes, but knowing the individual and their ways is helpful

3) Creating community When I was not well one day, a lot of residents came up to see me as they missed me and visited me. It has helped. It is the other residents and staff together – everybody. I have more friends here.

4) Sharing decision-making There is a lot of experience among us [residents] but the skills we have developed in our lives are completely wasted … There are a lot of things that residents could share if give an opportunity.

Relationship-Centred Care Security – to feel safe Belonging – to feel part of things Continuity – to experience links and connections Purpose – to have a goal(s) to aspire to Achievement – to make progress towards these goals Significance – to feel that you matter as a person

The value of the vision to the care home My Home Life vision provides: Evidence of what residents (customers) want Vision for best practice (shared and owned by sector) Evidence base to articulate decision-making A framework for self- regulation Evidence base for inspectors/ commissioners to assess practice Accentuating positive (disassociate from bad press)

1) Managing transitions I have lived in this residential home for two years … I have now rebuilt my life, thanks to the proprietor and staff. I now want to put the past behind me and live in the present and live as active a life as possible.

2) Maintaining identity It is important for people to realise that what may seem a small matter to the management of the organisation is of great importance to some people living in a place. Everyone has different standards and tastes, but knowing the individual and their ways is helpful

3) Creating community When I was not well one day, a lot of residents came up to see me as they missed me and visited me. It has helped. It is the other residents and staff together – everybody. I have more friends here.

4) Sharing decision-making There is a lot of experience among us [residents] but the skills we have developed in our lives are completely wasted … There are a lot of things that residents could share if give an opportunity.

Relationship-Centred Care Security – to feel safe Belonging – to feel part of things Continuity – to experience links and connections Purpose – to have a goal(s) to aspire to Achievement – to make progress towards these goals Significance – to feel that you matter as a person

The value of the vision to the care home My Home Life vision provides: Evidence of what residents (customers) want Vision for best practice (shared and owned by sector) Evidence base to articulate decision-making A framework for self- regulation Evidence base for inspectors/ commissioners to assess practice Accentuating positive (disassociate from bad press)

1) Managing transitions I have lived in this residential home for two years … I have now rebuilt my life, thanks to the proprietor and staff. I now want to put the past behind me and live in the present and live as active a life as possible.

2) Maintaining identity It is important for people to realise that what may seem a small matter to the management of the organisation is of great importance to some people living in a place. Everyone has different standards and tastes, but knowing the individual and their ways is helpful

3) Creating community When I was not well one day, a lot of residents came up to see me as they missed me and visited me. It has helped. It is the other residents and staff together – everybody. I have more friends here.

4) Sharing decision-making There is a lot of experience among us [residents] but the skills we have developed in our lives are completely wasted … There are a lot of things that residents could share if give an opportunity.

Activities: MHL Networks MHL Network 2,000+ Links with Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland MHL Theme Leads established MHL Regional Groups

Action: Supporting change Building on other related initiatives Informed by local practice development initiatives Embedding in mainstream thinking (influencing commissioners, regulators, educators, government) Challenging the negative image of care homes

Action: Maintaining Momentum Communication strategy and press releases Parliamentary activity Making care homes a positive option

Best Practice Shed been very poorly for a couple of days, and in the middle of the night the staff came and woke me up and said We think Betty hasnt got long. Do you want to come and say goodbye to her? So I put my dressing-grown on and went down the corridor and they left me with her. I climbed on the bed next to her and put my arms around her and told her what a good friend she had been to me. She died in my arms.

My Home Life Spirit Building upon energy, enthusiasm and best practice out there Collaborating, sharing, realising a vision for change

Contact Details My Home Life Programme Julienne Meyer, Director Tom Owen, Deputy Director Centre for Care Home Studies City University Philpot Street London E1 2EA, England, UK Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0)