The Christmas season is always a time when many people reflect on the year that is just finishing, as well as looking ahead to the new one just around the corner. At United Health we are no different. It’s wonderful to be able to say that we are coming to the end of the first year since 2019 when we have faced no restrictions on our lives. This of course has impacted greatly on people’s mental health and the return of a more ‘normal’ daily existence has benefited everyone hugely, old and young alike.
For us as an organisation that looks after some of the most vulnerable people in society, to be able to do so with a renewed sense of purpose has been wonderful. There were times during the height of the pandemic when simply helping people to survive was the most important priority. Now, although COVID has not gone away, we are able to look ahead to the future and plan how we can make the lives of those in our care as good as they possibly can be.
Key to this are our staff and, as always at Christmas, they deserve our special thanks. Both our elderly care homes, Bunkers Hill and The Valleys, have fantastic staff teams who remain as dedicated to their residents’ wellbeing, as they have always been. I would like to thank all of them for the great care they deliver, exhibiting understanding, kindness, and compassion on a daily basis. As a staff member you should know that your work and commitment has been tremendous and is thoroughly appreciated not just by us, but also importantly by the people you look after, and their relatives.
Similarly, this level of dedication can also be seen in Oakwood Community School and across our Children’s homes. Delivering care to vulnerable young people in our communities is a difficult task requiring skill, patience and empathy. We are fortunate to have both committed and professional staff teams undertaking that task and helping young people to move forward in the world with a sense of hope and achievement.
To all our staff I would like to say that I hope you enjoy yourselves with your families this Christmas; and perhaps take a little time to reflect on what you have achieved this year. You have been, and still are, setting an outstanding example of commitment, professionalism and teamwork, for which you should rightly feel proud.
I would like to wish all our residents, young people, staff, and their families, the best possible Christmas and a very happy 2024.
With very best wishes.
Mandy Cheriton-Metcalfe
Managing Director