30 Aug Be Caring Sheffield’s Innovative Approach to Training
Since opening our Sheffield service in May 2024, Be Caring has quickly become an integral part of the local community, delivering over 2,000 hours of care and support each month. Our team is a diverse mix of passionate individuals, many of whom have joined us from overseas, bringing a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to delivering the highest standard of care. To ensure our care is as person-centred as possible, we held a special training day this August focused on practical cooking skills and the importance of personalised care.
Operations manager Hannah shared, “We recently decided to host a cooking day at Be Caring. With team members from various cultures, we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to come together and share a practical, hands-on experience by cooking traditional Yorkshire dishes as these are favourites among our service users.
The day was designed to involve all staff members, giving everyone a chance to learn, cook, and experience these classic Yorkshire recipes. It was a wonderful event, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It not only allowed us to celebrate local cuisine but also fostered team bonding and understanding.”
Learning Through Cooking
The training day was designed to help our carers, some of whom are new to the UK, get hands-on experience with traditional British food. The day kicked off with practical cooking lessons, where attendees learned to prepare a full English breakfast, amongst other classic dishes. For some, it was their first time cooking, and even tasting, these foods.
A highlight of the day was Aminat’s newfound love for fruit teacakes, so much so that she enjoyed four in one sitting! Meanwhile, Maro and Gaylord were thrilled after tucking into their full English breakfast, exclaiming, “This is Yorkshire!” Maro, in particular, discovered a new preference – fried bread.
Person-Centred Care: Asking the Right Questions
Beyond cooking, the training emphasised the importance of communication in providing person-centred care. We encouraged our carers to ask specific questions to ensure they prepare meals just the way our clients like them. Whether it’s how someone prefers their eggs cooked or whether they want milk in their tea before or after the water, these small details make a big difference in our clients’ day-to-day lives.
We have also developed an ‘Above and Beyond’ programme within our organisation. This initiative allows us to track and manage outcomes achieved for our clients and recognises and rewards colleagues who consistently go the extra mile. This programme is a testament to our commitment to supporting our clients in achieving greater independence and well-being.
At Be Caring, we believe that the quality of our care is directly linked to the development and happiness of our team. We’re proud of our Sheffield care team and excited to see how they will continue to make a difference in the lives of those they support.
