Dawn, who won the OSJCT Activities Coordinator of the Year Award 2021, thrives on creating fun themes for events at Rodley House, Lydney. She is the first to dress up and has already appeared as Alice in Wonderland, an elf, a beer maid, a pirate and a Morris dancer.

Dawn joined Rodley House in January 2020 just weeks before the pandemic started. She was thrown into creating new ways to support the wellbeing and needs of the residents at a time when families and friends couldn’t visit.

After a 25-year career in retail management, Dawn now describes her current role as a dream job. She said: “Being an Activities Coordinator is by far the most rewarding job I could have imagined. Every day, when I make at least one person smile (be that a colleague or a resident). I know I’ve achieved my goal.”

Dawn was inspired to become an Activities Coordinator after speaking to a customer who recommended it. When Dawn saw the post advertised for Rodley House, her local care home, she jumped at it.

Home Manager, Karla, spotted her transferable skills and invited Dawn for an interview with residents. Dawn said: “I was delighted to find OSJCT was a not-for-profit organisation. I was overwhelmed and excited when Karla contacted me saying that they (on residents’ advice) had chosen me to be their Activities Coordinator.”

Dawn works with everyone in the care home. She said: “I am inspired by everyone here: residents, management, care, housekeepers and kitchen team members. The cooks are very helpful with my theme ideas, and we plan these together. We also arrange cooking activities for residents such as making pizzas and sandwiches, and regular bread or cake baking. Karla is also very supportive when it comes to organising events.”

Dawn initiated an activities survey, which is shared every few months, to understand residents’ changing needs and preferences, as well as their circumstances, such as mobility and mood. Every new resident also fills out the survey to ensure that Dawn’s programme of activities is inclusive to all.

Connecting with communities

Involving the local community in activities in the care home is important to Dawn as it was an integral part of residents’ lives before they moved into Rodley House. The home runs events and activities, which they invite members of the local community to, such as bake sales, sports days, Wimbledon garden parties, live music events and summer fetes. In the run up to Christmas the home enjoyed visits from singers and a local brass band who performed carols.

The town’s Mayor and local councillors often attend home events, such as last summer’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Residents contributed to a Jubilee banner which was carried in a town procession. The Mayor also visited during September with a book of condolence for HRH Queen Elizabeth II, which was much appreciated by many of residents.

Religious and spiritual worship are a top priority for many of the residents, so Dawn helps to facilitate a regular Sunday worship activity, led by a care leader.

Supporting Baz during lockdown

Whilst Dawn recalls many special events and residents, Baz, made a big impression on Dawn. She said: “I met Baz when he moved into Rodley House in early 2020. His prognosis was poor, he was very unwell, and understandably he was unhappy. However, our carers were relentless in their attempts to cheer him up and encourage him to get out of bed and spend time in communal areas.

“I shared short ‘butterfly’ moments with him, brief but meaningful chats, and I found out more about Baz and his life. In March 2020 when the national lockdown descended, and all visits stopped, Bill was devastated at not seeing his ‘adopted’ family.

Concerned that Baz would fall into decline, Dawn taught Baz house to use Skype. “I’ll never forget the tears in Baz’s eyes at the joy of seeing his loved ones faces on Skype.”

Searching for some new entertainment, Dawn introduced Baz to bingo. She added themes to the game which they played each Wednesday, dog bingo being the most humorous. They developed a great friendship and Baz joined in many more of the themed events, dressing up as an elf and a Mad Hatter amongst other characters. Baz passed away last year, but his family shared their gratitude with Dawn for everything the home had done for him.

Dawn sums up her attitude to her role: “Being an Activities Coordinator is not just a job role, it is an absolute privilege to work in the home of our residents.”