A Wonderful Day of Engagement and Conversation.
The Vivaldi Social Care team recently had the pleasure of visiting Lakeview Grange Care Home in Chichester, West Sussex, part of Cinnamon Care Collection, for a fantastic day of meaningful conversations, shared experiences and discussions about the future of care home research.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel incredibly welcome by Home Manager Shaun Matthews and his wonderful team. Lakeview Grange is a beautiful, purpose-built care home offering residential and specialist dementia care, with stunning surroundings and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that was evident throughout our visit.
We were delighted to be joined by residents, family members and members of the care team, who came together to learn more about Vivaldi Social Care and share their thoughts and experiences.
Putting Residents and Staff at the Heart of Research
One of the most valuable aspects of our visits is the opportunity to hear directly from the people living and working in care homes.
The conversations at Lakeview Grange were particularly engaging, with residents and staff asking thoughtful questions about how data is collected, how the study works and, importantly, how the findings could help improve care and influence future health and social care policy.
Discussions explored the importance of consent, the different needs of care homes and the challenges surrounding access to healthcare services.
One particularly interesting conversation focused on access to GP services, including the differences between face-to-face appointments and remote consultations. This prompted wider discussions about how research and data could help us better understand the experiences of people living in care homes and identify opportunities for improvement.
We also explored the differences between residential and nursing care homes, highlighting why it is so important for research to recognise the diversity of care settings and the needs of the people who live within them.
A topic that resonated strongly with residents was the importance of preventing avoidable hospital admissions. There were plenty of nodding heads as we discussed how better evidence and a greater understanding of infections and healthcare needs could help residents remain well and receive appropriate care in the place they call home.
The Power of Conversation
What made the visit particularly special was the opportunity to continue conversations with residents following the group discussion.
One of the home’s resident ambassadors explained that, although she had previously heard about Vivaldi Social Care, she hadn’t fully understood what the study involved. Following our discussions, she felt much clearer about its purpose and was pleased to know she was part of something that could make a difference.
Another conversation with a resident and their spouse highlighted the importance of explaining how residents are included in the study and how the opt-out process works. After learning more, they were reassured and pleased that they had not opted out.
These conversations demonstrate exactly why visiting care homes and speaking directly with residents, relatives and staff is so important. Research can sometimes feel distant from everyday life, but when people understand its purpose and the potential difference it can make, it becomes something they can feel genuinely involved in.
It was also wonderful to hear that conversations about Vivaldi Social Care had continued among residents over lunch, with positive discussions about the study and its potential impact.
Creating Opportunities for Residents to Have Their Say
During the visit, we also introduced the Adult Social Care Engagement Collective (ASCEC), which brings together people from across the sector to share experiences, contribute ideas and help shape research.
It was encouraging to hear about residents’ previous involvement in engagement activities and their enthusiasm for opportunities to contribute their views.
Ensuring that residents, families and care staff have a voice in research is central to the work we are doing. Their lived experiences provide invaluable insight, helping researchers understand what really matters to the people receiving and delivering care.
A Truly Special Home
Alongside the fantastic discussions, we were treated to a tour of Lakeview Grange, and what a beautiful home it is!
The thoughtfully designed surroundings, welcoming atmosphere and obvious pride of the team made a lasting impression on us all. The warmth and hospitality continued with a beautifully presented lunch, providing another opportunity to spend time together and reflect on the conversations of the morning.
A huge thank you to Shaun Matthews and the entire team at Lakeview Grange for hosting such a wonderful visit, and especially to the residents and relatives who took the time to join us, ask questions and share their experiences.
Visits like these remind us that Vivaldi Social Care is about far more than collecting data. It is about bringing research into care homes, listening to the people at the heart of social care and working together to build the evidence needed to influence meaningful change.
We are delighted to have all of Cinnamon Care Collection’s homes signed up to Vivaldi Social Care and look forward to continuing our work together. Their commitment to supporting research and engaging residents and staff is incredibly valuable, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead to strengthen our collaboration and help shape the future of social care.
Because the voices of residents, relatives and care staff are not just important to research – they are essential to its success.
“We were delighted to welcome the Vivaldi Social Care team to Lakeview Grange and provide an opportunity for our residents, relatives and team members to learn more about the important work they are undertaking. Meaningful research has a vital role to play in shaping the future of health and social care, and it is essential that the voices of those living, working and receiving support in care homes are heard as part of that process.
It was wonderful to see such thoughtful discussion and genuine interest from our residents, many of whom were keen to understand how their experiences could help influence positive change for others. We are proud to support initiatives such as Vivaldi Social Care and look forward to continuing our involvement in research that helps improve outcomes and experiences across the sector.”
Shaun Matthews
Peripatetic General Manager
