This annual show promotes itself as a gateway into our sector, relevant for product suppliers, service providers and service users alike.
One ‘not to miss’ event is the Care & Occupational Therapy Show, which takes place at Westpoint Exeter – Devon county’s popular performance and events venue – just a stone’s throw from our Training & Development Centre, at Clyst St Mary.
The show promotes itself as a gateway into our sector, relevant for product suppliers, services providers and service users alike – all relevant to the 120,000+ people that use our collective services across the southwest region.
On site, visitors are able to view a variety of seminars, many of which were CPD accredited, and to meet over 150+ exhibitors and an estimated 2000+ visitors.
For our team, of real relevance are those providers that could offer benefit to our clients, or an opportunity to enhance our outstanding services. Of particular note were exhibitors such as EA Mobility, who provide bespoke bathroom solutions for people with mobility needs. Founded by family members after they discovered a real gap in provision of services for their own loved one (similar to the motivation felt by our own Mark and Vanessa McGlade on founding Home Instead Exeter & East Devon over ten years ago), EA Mobility now operate across the UK. Many of our valued clients require ongoing adaptations to their homes to cater to changing needs, and we look forward to finding out more about their trusted services in the future.
On a fun note, the team very much enjoy the demos provided by Hutech Robotics – manufacturers of front of house robots for the restaurant and hospitality sector. Whilst the robots clearly cannot provide the same, person-centred level of care and companionship that our own Care Professionals do on a daily basis, ‘Bella’, ‘Ketty’ and ‘Hola’ were efficient and quite brilliant in previous demonstrations!
For the future, the team were pleased to have the chance to discuss an exciting project being undertaken by the Universities of both Exeter and Plymouth, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. The ‘Time for Dementia’ programme aims to link undergraduate healthcare professionals with ongoing, regular contact with a person living with dementia, and their carer – which is where we come in. It’s an exciting, and hugely beneficial scheme, for which feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
With regard to dementia, we are committed to raising awareness and improving the outlook for those living with dementia, with home Home Instead. Therefore, we are very much looking forward to exploring the idea of taking part in the Time for Dementia programme in the future, to benefit existing and future clients alike.
Keeping ahead of advancements in technology, research and client care is so important to our continued success and contributes to our ‘Outstanding in all areas’ rating by the CQC (Care Quality Commission). Our interest in, and attendance at events such as this, are crucial.