Embracing Humanity and Professional Love: Transforming Care, Education, and Play

Introduction:

In a world where age and income often divide us, it is crucial to remember that humanity is at the core of our work. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all have the capacity to contribute to positive change and make a difference. In this blog post, we will explore the inspiring work of three remarkable individuals and organizations: My Home Life England, The Reach Foundation, and Adam Smart from Crown Leisure. Through their innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to relationships, care, education, and play are being transformed, creating a brighter future for all.

My Home Life England: Fostering Intergenerational Connections

My Home Life England is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals in care homes and other care settings. Tom Owens and Amy Simpkins from My Home Life England shared valuable insights into their intergenerational practices and the importance of positive outcomes for all involved. They highlighted the need for pragmatism and taking micro steps to achieve change. Their secrets to success included investing at all levels of management and staff, identifying meaningful opportunities for engagement, and building relationships through preparation and soft skills development.

To facilitate intergenerational connections, My Home Life England has implemented various initiatives, such as an early learning center within a residential aged care home, an Intergenerational Advisory Group, and a Friends and Neighbors Network (FANs). By weaving intergenerational work into existing practices, minimizing paperwork, and focusing on meaningful engagement, they have created an environment where people of all ages can connect and benefit from shared experiences. For example, they initiated interactions between older people and children through activities like exchanging letters, creating "Jars of Joy" filled with items or messages, and even using a "wishing washing line" in supermarkets to spark conversations and interactions.

The Reach Foundation: Education with Love and Purpose

Mei Lim, the Director of The Reach Foundation, is committed to providing high-quality education and opportunities for all children. The foundation's cradle-to-career model focuses on stability, continuity, and coherence throughout a child's educational journey. Mei highlighted the importance of strong, trusting relationships between families and schools, and the potential of all-through schools to maximize children's potential.

The Reach School, with its emphasis on individualism, connection, engagement, and a balance between warmth and strictness, creates an environment where children feel valued and supported. Mei explained that family dining is a centerpiece of the school, where all children are provided with school lunches, ensuring equity and fostering a sense of community. Similarly, the OSHC services follow the same model, ensuring consistency and smooth transitions for children. By maintaining the same site, environment, rules, policies, and expectations, The Reach Foundation promotes engagement, positive experiences, and a sense of belonging among children.

Mei resonates with the concept of professional love, understanding the significance of relationships in education. Mei and the foundation prioritize the "why" behind rules and expectations, making it easier for children to comply. They recognize that stability, continuity, and coherence are vital for all children, but especially for those who may be vulnerable or disadvantaged. By providing a supportive and consistent environment, The Reach Foundation aims to empower children to lead happy, healthy lives of choice and opportunity while contributing meaningfully to civic life.

Adam Smart: Championing Quality and Play in Leisure Services

Adam Smart, a for-profit provider from Crown Leisure in Cambridge, England, has built a reputation for his focus on quality service delivery and loose parts play. With a background in play work, Adam emphasizes being child-led and saying "yes" before saying "no." He acknowledges the challenge of finding good staff and focuses on training to build quality.

Adam believes in the power of play and its ability to enhance children's experiences. He encourages staff to connect and listen to children, valuing their input and fostering a sense of identity and belonging. Within schools, staff members are involved in running the OSHC services, ensuring consistency and promoting engagement. By employing a connect-and-listen approach, Adam strives to create an environment where children feel valued, heard, and empowered.

Conclusion:

My Home Life England, The Reach Foundation, and Adam Smart from Crown Leisure exemplify the power of embracing humanity and professional love in care, education, and play. Through their innovative approaches, emphasis on relationships, and commitment to quality, they are transforming the lives of individuals across generations. By recognizing the inherent value and potential within every individual, regardless of age or income, we can create inclusive environments that foster growth, engagement, and meaningful connections.

Different services, different foci, but all striving to infuse love and professional care into our lives and work to make a positive and lasting impact on the world around us. By promoting intergenerational connections, providing stable and nurturing educational environments, and championing quality and play, we can create a society that values and supports the holistic well-being of all its members.