Recruitment for Caru Workshops Continues...
Caru Quality Improvement Workshops offer a fantastic opportunity for staff to enhance their skills, engage with the Caru Programme, and drive positive change in care settings. Our Regional Leads are always recruiting for the Caru Workshops, so get in touch with them today to find out more!
In the meantime, why not read about some of the previous Workshops that have taken place in each CHO?
Three rounds of Workshops begun in North Dublin (CHO9). In January, Regional Lead, Alison McMahon, commenced a Group with all three homes on Beneavin campus, topping up their existing Groups.
Alison also trained a Group from Bartra Healthcare, hosted by Northwood Nursing Home and also attended by Loughshinny.
A large Group with six nursing homes represented, returned to Irish Hospice Foundation offices in February to recap, with some new faces in attendance too!
Meanwhile, in CHO5, Regional Lead, Janet Tobin-Martin was thrilled to have launched another round of Caru Quality Improvement Workshops on February 18th, hosted by the wonderful team at Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow.
“The engagement, energy, and commitment from participants have been truly inspiring—it’s a privilege to support such dedicated professionals.”
A big believer in the importance of continuous support, Janet has supported staff who have completed the Caru Quality Improvement Workshops, with follow-up support structures providing participants with a valuable opportunities, such as identifying wins and challenges in embedding the Caru Review Process, reviewing ongoing change projects within their organisation, and how to document and evaluate progress to drive quality improvement.
In CHO4, due to the weather warnings in January, the final Workshop for the most recent Cork City Group was postponed to March.
Well done to all the new Caru Leads who completed their Workshop journey from Bandon Community Hospital, Haven Bay, Ballincurrig Care Centre, Curam Care Carrigaline, Carechoice Clonakilty and Beaumont Residential Care.
A new Kerry Group commenced in early March, attending their first Workshop in Meadowlands Hotel Tralee.
Staff from Tralee Community Nursing Unit, Our Lady of Fatima, Riverside Nursing Home, Kilcara Nursing Home, Aras Mhuire Nursing Home, Lystoll Lodge, Caherciveen Community Hospital and Listowel Community Hospital all began their Caru journey with Workshop One, “Supporting Staff Health and Wellbeing”.
With great discussions amongst the Group about staying well at work, minding your physical and psychological wellbeing and supporting each other through the delivery of palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care.
In CHO3, Workshops recommenced in Cahercalla Commuity Hospital, Clare, and the Hospital of Assumption, Thurles, Tipperary. Fourteen nursing homes participated in the Staff Health Wellbeing Workshop.
Reflection, resilience, and self-care were just some of the topics covered. The Group explored strategies for enhancing physical and psychological wellbeing.
The engagement from Group discussions provided food for thought, and allowed peer-supported learning in maintaining balance.
This collaborative learning experience not only supports and equips the Group with practical tools to improve their individual health, but also fosters a supportive culture in the workplace in taking care of each other.
In CHO8, Sharon O’Brien had fantastic engagement from Caru Workshop participants in Longford.
The first Caru Group are halfway through the first series of Workshops. Laurel Lodge Nursing Home kindly provided training space facilitate this Group, that included five Longford and Westmeath nursing homes.
Their two beautiful therapy dogs Maisie and Cleo also liked to join in at times!
In CHO1, our Group in Cavan/Monaghan completed their Caru Workshops in December 2024. They were a fantastic interactive and passionate group of staff from Castleross, Drumbear, Mullinahinch, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Josephs, and Lisdarn Unit for the Elderly.
We also had an award-winner among our participants, and would like to congratulate Gary Morgan on his NHI award received recently for Homecare Medical Overall winner! From what we observed throughout the Workshops, this award was well deserved.
Another Sligo/Leitrim Group started their Caru journey this month with staff from Sonas Enniscrone, Arus Carolan, St. Patricks CNU, St. Johns CNU, Mowlam Sligo, Baileys Nursing Home and Ballymote CNU.
The first round of Caru Workshops in Galway begun in March at the beautiful SCCUL Sanctuary in Oranmore. This serene and welcoming setting provided an ideal environment for learning, reflection, and professional development.
In CHO7, the first round of Caru Workshops for 2025 is nearly complete, but we are inviting expressions of interest from nursing homes in Kildare for the third round, scheduled to take place in May and June.
There are limited places available on all our Workshops, so please get in touch as soon as possible if you are interested in taking part.