Young carer goes above and beyond to raise spirits at Cheshire Care Home

A carer at Brookview Bupa Care Home in Alderley Edge, has gone the extra mile to lift resident’s spirits and spread joy throughout the recent lockdown.

Since joining the home last April, Portia Tristram has worked to keep morale high at Brookview by creating a book for dementia patients and baked weekly treats for the residents, which has helped her build a strong relationship with all those living at the home.

Going beyond her duties as a Care Assistant, Portia was eager to add to the home’s busy activity schedule to ensure residents stay stimulated throughout the day. She decided to do this by creating a book called ‘What do you see?’ for residents of all abilities to use to help spark discussion with friends.

The picture book contains images of miniature people exploring everyday meals and sweet treats such as chocolate cake, scones, chips and beans. The idea then is that residents discuss what is in the picture and what the miniature people can see. The home uses the book during group activities as well as during one-to-one sessions for residents living with dementia as a memory stimulant, helping them to recognise familiar objects.

The creative carer cooked all of the food that features in the book and put her camera skills to use, capturing all of the photography herself too. ‘What do you see?’ is full of colour and fun and captures the beauty of daily life.

When asked about why she created, What do you see?, Portia said: “I wanted the book to inspire others to see the joy in the little things in life. I hoped to capture normal objects in fun and unusual ways. I’m thrilled that the home has been able to incorporate my project into their activities and I’m delighted that the residents enjoy using it.”

Portia is also a keen baker and regularly makes tasty treats for her colleagues and residents at Brookview. She even leaves uplifting messages on her baked goods, reminding them to look after their health and wellbeing.

The 27-year-old hopes working at Brookview Bupa Care Home will kickstart her career in the healthcare sector. She shared: “I was so pleased to start working as a Care Assistant here at Brookview last April as I wanted to work somewhere where I could help people. I am excited to keep learning and hope to eventually train to become a Nurse.

“I am very interested in holistic health and have a passion for sharing mindful practices to help people find some happiness in their day.”

Sharon Short, Home Manager at Brookview Bupa Care Home, said: “Portia is a ray of sunshine, always spreading joy and positivity around the home. I knew she would fit right in with our friendly team at Brookview from the moment she joined us.

“I was amazed when I found out that Portia had gone to so much effort to create a book for our residents and it just shows how truly caring she is. It must be so rewarding for her to see how much the residents all enjoy reading What do you see? and the team and I all really appreciate her going above and beyond during such a difficult time.”

Brookview Bupa Care Home is situated in Alderley Edge and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care, including those living with early stage dementia, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services/care-homes/brookview-cheshire