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Connect to a Care Home and fight loneliness this Christmas

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Somerset County Council and the NHS are encouraging organisations across Somerset to connect to their local care home with a new digital campaign, #ConnectACareHome.

Connect to a Care Home and fight loneliness this Christmas
Somerset County Council and the NHS are encouraging organisations across Somerset to connect to their local care home with a new digital campaign, #ConnectACareHome.
 
Organisations are being asked to send video messages to their local care homes, to help combat the loneliness and isolation experienced by residents and staff who may have been unable to see their loved ones due to Covid restrictions.
SCC-logo-(1).jpg

 
The idea for the campaign came from a small group of NHS and SCC colleagues working together on digital projects. Sarah Moore, Service Manager for the council’s ICT and Tech Transformation team, said: “A lot of time in my job is spent looking at how we can use digital technologies to improve lives for people across Somerset. Working with colleagues in NHS and Adult Social Care alerted me to just how hard this year has been for staff and residents in our care homes, and we were all really keen to do something to create some smiles.
 
“I contacted my daughters’ schools to suggest we send a video of the children’s Christmas carols and performances to our local care home.  Working with colleagues, we thought why not see if we can connect all our care homes in Somerset this Christmas? It’s never been so important to let them know we care.”
 
Mel Lock, Somerset County Council’s Director for Adult Social Care, said: “We’ve already sent a message out to schools asking them to take part in this fantastic campaign, sharing videos of their Christmas nativity, special messages from the children, and even Christmas songs. But we’re keen to encourage a wide range of organisations to take part – from local businesses, community groups, charities and more. We don’t want any care homes to be left behind this year, so please help us spread the word.”
 
David Huxtable, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult year for our care homes this year, and so important that we reach out - we have the technology to connect like never before, so there really is no reason for anyone to be suffering in loneliness and isolation. The #ConnectACareHome campaign is a great way to lift spirits and make a difference this Christmas – let’s get it trending!”
 
How to take part: 
 
• Find your nearest care home • Get in touch to say hello and introduce yourself
  • You should be able to find their contact details on Google
• Get consent
  • Make sure the person in the video knows they are being recorded and knows where the video will be shown. Children will need signed consent from parents.
• Record your video • Edit your video
  • If recording on a phone, there are free editing apps such as Kinemaster or Inshot which you can use to create your video. You can also use programs such as iMovie for Macs, or Movie Maker if you use Windows. OpenShot works on both Mac and Windows, and is also free.
• Upload your video to Youtube • Share your video
  • Email a link of your unlisted Youtube video to your local care home
• Delete the video
  • Have they seen it? Delete the video later if you need to.
• Tell us about it!  
Support is available to anyone who needs it via the Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline on 0300 790 6275. The helpline is open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm and offers a range of support – from help accessing food or medicines, to emotional and financial support, and employment, skills and business advice.
 
Ends
For further information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or emailpressoffice@somerset.gov.uk
For the latest updates on coronavirus, and to sign up to our newsletter, visit:https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/
For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or emailpressoffice@somerset.gov.uk.
To view all our news releases, please visit www.somersetnewsroom.com
The SCC Communications Team are also on social media:
www.twitter.com/somersetcouncil
www.facebook.com/somersetcountycouncil
www.flickr.com/somersetcountycouncil
www.youtube.com/yoursomerset
To find out who the elected Somerset County Councillor is for a particular area, simply visit www.somerset.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/councillors/somerset-county-councillors/
Somerset County Council  County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
 
If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Somerset County Council Communications Team, please email communications@somerset.gov.uk and tell us and we will remove you from our media contacts distribution list.

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Connect to a Care Home and fight loneliness this Christmas



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