Dementia care - I wrote a bid

Building on my previous blog where  I spoke about my exuberant personality but also my lack of interest in taking the time to analyse and explore options and the financial impact of my vision , I acknowledged that I need to slow down and take the time to do the background and research. The energy I have when I feel strongly about something needs to be channelled into self-exploration of the things I don’t enjoy but need to embrace if I am to be successful. This includes data analysis and financial acumen. Most people will agree with a vision that is based on the greater good, but different personalities will rightly want to know the process, what, how, the what if as well as understand the risk of failure before buying into the vision. Having a vision is one thing but making it a reality in today's climate can't simply be borne from passion alone but from a realistic and effective long term business plan. So I shared with my vision with others and was able to secure support. Rather than simply talk, I then needed to channel some energy into developing a business case.

So last week I completed a business plan for a new year long exploratory project to look at what works well for people affected by dementia living at home but also what doesn't. Working together with local authority, voluntary agencies and health we want to learn about what is being used and meets the needs but more importantly what isn't working for people living at home. At the end we will use the learning from the project to help future commissioning intentions.

It all sound s simple doesn't it? Simple it isn’t as I will need to learn from others around data, analysis, merging and aligning those with what I know about how people feel and believe in order to end up with a result that clearly helps commissioners to plan ahead. This is a great start to achieving my vision. I can’t wait to share this project with our fantastic staff and draw on their expertise to make the vision a reality.

As far as my scholarship goes I have thrown myself into the opportunity and am really enjoying the renewed energy and vigour it's given me. As scholars we are encouraged to learn about ourselves and work on improving our leadership skills in order to improve services/lives for others. I've digested the learning opportunities and have made contact with various key contacts and stakeholders I think will support my own development. I'd love to do this by shadowing or spending time with people I not 

only feel an affinity to or admire, but also those that are experts at things that “don’t rock my boat” in order to learn. I have purposely looked at testing out my own unconscious bias.

Part of my journey is to admit, that whilst I come across as exuberant and happy, I can at times be quite unconfident and have a habit for apologising for things that aren't actually a problem. For example I always tell people I’m rubbish at maths and analysis whereas in fact, I know from a reliable source, I'm actually not that bad and probably quite good. Shock, horror I hear you cry. More of a shock to me I assure you that I might actually have acquired an analytical skill. I’m keen to look at myself, embrace and reflect upon constructive criticism and learn.

I'm very much looking forward to the challenges the programme will provide and have enjoyed researching options available to me. The suggestions are plentiful and all look useful but I can't help but reach wider and am drawing up a long list of things I think will benefit me and my project and ultimately the people I serve. In the next two weeks I’ll know of the project has been funded and then the real work starts. Managing this on top of my already complex and broad portfolio will be the greatest challenge of all

Dementia - social isolation - a duty to make it better.

For those of you who know what Myers Brigg is I am an extremely strong E and F which means I am happy, lively, loud and passionate? With high values and an ethical drive I shy away from things like maths and data. What matters to me is the person inside, the way we behave and how we support each other. However, it would be naive of me to believe that I can function in the corporate and political World without improving and increasing my knowledge in these areas.

For my scholarship I want to enhance the skills of analysis and data to appeal to a broader audience and improve the lives of those affected by dementia. Because it’s what they and their families deserve and I believe it’s what Society needs. Holistic care is about walking in the shoes of those we serve.

I believe that my staff out in the community are ideally placed to see what is missing in the care provided to people at home. If you don’t need a clinical task completing or are not reliant on social services for personal care, you can be largely ignored. Seeking support and help from others is not always an easy thing for people to do or what they what and so they can fall between the lines. People who want to stay at home for as long as possible should be able to do so. Carers do a marvellous job but the social isolation and loneliness I see every day through my work makes me feel as if we are failing as a Society. When people who fought for the rights we take for granted are left alone all day, every day with minimal contact and support I am ashamed and worried for the future.

There are inspirational people around who give selflessly of themselves to support others but if those in greatest need don’t know about them or how to access them they remain largely alone. It’s this group of people I want to think about and do more for. Surely that’s our duty and purpose.

I want to use the skills I learn by being a scholar to make such a fabulous case to meet those unmet needs that no one can say no and together we can change the World around us for the better

Since December, I have met with two fabulous leaders in social care, made numerous contacts via twitter and taken some risks in contacting people direct that I think might test my own belief system and assumptions. It’s my personality to launch into a project with absolute commitment and vigour, but not necessarily to worry about the “how” or the evidence. And so I hope these leaders will slow me down, calm me down and help me to understand that I can’t change the World or do everything in my project. Perhaps they’re right, perhaps not …………….  you don’t know until you try.