BCG has partnered with Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and Scottish Care to deliver a series of talks from Tommy Whitelaw, a leading advocate of the care sector to encourage culture change on person-centred practices across health and social care.
Hosted at our head office in Perth, over the course of the day, four sessions, called What Matters To You, were led by Tommy along with Dave Henderson, Independent Sector Lead, Scottish Care, Perth & Kinross, and saw team members from across BCG as well as care workers and nurses from NHS Tayside, come together to experience the unique sessions.
Each session asked attendees to consider what it means to grow compassion and kindness in their everyday interactions, the impact that would have on their working day, both for themselves and their service users, and to reflect upon what matters most to them. Through this approach, to embed culture change on kind and compassionate workplaces and services, participants developed a clearer view of how they can make the difference both to their colleagues, to the people for whom they care and the daily experiences of everyone they spend time with.
Tommy’s championing of the care sector began when he became a full time carer for his mother, who was diagnosed with dementia. The profound effect of this experience has led him to share his story and help people develop a positive care culture, by communicating the key message that active listening, and treating people as experts in their own care; connecting and understanding what is important to patients, carers and their families, improves patient outcomes, relationships between patients and professionals, and gives people power and dignity in times that they need it the most.
Tommy said:
“During our sessions at BCG, people have been sharing their personal thoughts and experiences of what matters most to them. I feel passionately, that people working in care have the most precious, most valuable jobs ever created, no matter their role.
“They have the potential and opportunity to make a positive impact on the days of the people they work beside and the experiences of the people for whom they care. That circles around to create a more positive and fulfilling day for them too, which will carry on to benefit their colleagues and service users. And that’s how we develop and continue to build cultural change.
“If we can remind those we speak to in these sessions that they’re part of the greatest profession in the world then we’ve done some good.”
The collaboration between Alliance Scotland, Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Care, NHS Tayside came about to support and inspire care workers across the region. The partnership will see Tommy run 75 sessions in the coming weeks culminating in a party at Perth Royal Infirmary on May 23.
Organisers at BCG have been only too happy to be part of the initiative and see our care teams benefit from the empowering sessions. Tracy McDonald, Operations Director at BCG, said:
“It has been a privilege welcoming Tommy Whitelaw to BCG and to support the work of Alliance Scotland, Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and Scottish Care by hosting a series of these sessions. All our care teams work incredibly hard and make a difference to the lives of our residents every day. But we know, it can be incredibly challenging too.
“Having the opportunity to reflect on the great work they do through these ‘What Matters To You’ sessions reminds us just how valuable care work is – in all its forms. It is worth its weight in gold for all of us at our time of need. Equally, it helps us to be mindful of the importance of being aware of what matters most to those for whom we care, and with whom we work. We all need taking care of each day, one way or another.”
