Caremark Oldham Newsletter – September
Welcome to Caremark Oldham’s September Newsletter 2026, where we bring you the latest updates and stories from our local team.
What is in this Issue
This edition focuses on living well with dementia during Dementia Awareness Month, and includes helpful signposting to local groups and support.
We also celebrated a special customer’s 90th birthday, announced our Care Assistant of the Month and welcomed two former colleagues back to the Caremark team.
Shining a Spotlight on Dementia During Awareness Month
September marked World Alzheimer’s Month, when communities across the country came together to raise awareness and support people living with dementia.
At Caremark Oldham, our team proudly completed the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk. This event helped raise funds for vital support and research, and as a result created a meaningful moment for our staff, customers and their families.
Because two thirds of people with dementia remain at home, care providers play an essential role in supporting safe and confident living. Home often feels familiar and comforting, yet dementia can change how someone interprets their surroundings.
Therefore, our care always goes beyond daily tasks. We look closely at the home environment so that families can create safer, calmer and more dementia‑friendly spaces.
A dementia‑friendly home doesn’t need to be minimalist. Familiar belongings matter, however cluttered walkways, busy surfaces and competing noise can increase confusion. So, we help customers reduce visual distractions and unnecessary noise to create calmer, easier‑to‑navigate spaces.
During our assessments, we consider how the home appears and feels to the person. We follow best‑practice guidance and also focus on lighting, flooring, contrast, clutter and wayfinding.
Small, thoughtful adjustments often boost confidence and independence.
Care Assistant of the Month
This month, we asked our Care Assistants to nominate a fellow colleague who truly shines, as a result we’re delighted to announce Heather as our Care Assistant of the Month for August.
Heather was nominated for consistently delivering high‑quality care, taking time to listen, and empowering her customers at every visit. She also scores highly in our weekly audits, and always upholds our core values and policies.
Heather shared a few words: “I just want to say a huge thank you. I am so humbled to receive this award. Caring for others is something special and something I take pride in, so knowing my work has been noticed and appreciated means a lot to me. Thank you for your kind words, support and encouragement. I feel very lucky to work alongside such a lovely team, this recognition has really made my day.”
A huge well done, Heather, we’re incredibly proud of you and truly grateful to have you as part of the Caremark team.
Welcome to our New Care Assistants
We’re delighted to welcome back two familiar faces to the Caremark Oldham team.
They’ve settled in with ease and already bring their Caremark values to every shift.
Training remains an important part of their journey, from refreshing mandatory learning to reconnecting with our person‑centred ethos. Our Manager, FCS team and experienced Care Assistants all play a vital role, offering shadowing, guidance and real‑world wisdom.
Together as a true team we build confidence and deliver quality care.
Welcome back to the team Evie & Rebecca!
A Milestone Birthday!
We were delighted to celebrate with Doreen, one of our lovely customers, as she marked her milestone 90th birthday with a special party at our office.
Because she loves a celebration, we wanted her day to feel memorable !
Our team organised a birthday cake, prepared plenty of treats and also decorated the office for our guest of honour. We also surprised Doreen with thoughtful presents from everyone at Caremark.
Several of our Care Assistants joined the festivities. Many have supported Doreen for years, and consequently, she holds a special place in their hearts.. It was important to us that her day felt as warm, joyful and cherished as she is.
Live-in – Your life…Your care….Your way
There’s no place like home, and many people feel safest in familiar surroundings.
Live‑in Care offers a safe, reassuring alternative to residential care, giving you 24/7 support while staying in the home you love.
With Caremark Oldham, you’re matched with a carefully chosen Care Assistant who offers consistent one‑to‑one support, helping with personal care, medication, meals, and mobility. Your personalised care plan reflects your routines, preferences and goals, while relief cover ensures continuity. Regular reviews help keep your care aligned as needs evolve.
Live‑in Care suits people who want to stay close to neighbours and maintain community ties. Couples can remain together, and people living with dementia benefit from the comfort and stability of home.
It also works well after hospital stays or when family needs holiday cover.
Caremark’s person‑centred approach includes tailored care plans, continuity of staff and proactive support that helps prevent avoidable hospital visits.
Live‑in Care keeps life feeling like yours, safe, supported and independent in your own home.
Your life…Your care….Your way
If you would like to read our full in-depth article on live-in care, please click here.
Social Prescribing – how it can help you
Do you know what Social Prescribing is, or how it could help you? Are you looking for support or activities in your local area?
Many things that affect our wellbeing can’t be fixed by medicine alone. Instead Social Prescribing connects you to local groups, activities and support that can boost your health, confidence and sense of community.
Oldham Social Prescribing is free, friendly and designed to help you find what’s available in your area, from walking groups and volunteering to mental health support and wellbeing activities. TAction Together delivers this service alongside other local organisations, in partnership with Oldham Council.
If you want to feel better, meet people or get involved locally, this service could be a great place to start.
Call the team: 0161 339 2345 (Option 1)
To view their website, click here
Community engagement & support
Our Business Manager recently spent a day with our Regional Manager visiting a range of local groups, initiatives and projects across the area. Through our community engagement programme, we’ve discovered many organisations offering vital support to our customers, and we’d love to share some of these with you.
AGE UK Oldham run many fantastic groups, including the Older Together Friendship Clubs in Royton, Chadderton and Shaw, and the Chadderton Over 60s Friendship & Enhanced Lunch Club, among many others. These groups meet weekly, and full details can be found on their website.
There truly is something for everyone, from Dementia Music Café sessions and Knit & Natter craft clubs to Walk & Talk groups. And if you simply fancy a coffee and a chat, there are plenty of welcoming options across our local area.
Another great source of community news, events and local groups is Saddleworth Monthly. Local residents receive a free copy through their letterbox, and you can also sign up to read it online each month.
Some useful contacts:
AGE UK Oldham 0161 633 0213 / info@ageukoldham.org.uk / click here to visit their website
Springboard Oldham Dementia Carers Group 07541 705009 / odcg@gmx.com
Dementia Music Café 07770 263286 / gemmacooper@togsmind.org
Saddleworth Monthly, click here to read online
Celebrating Birthdays
Birthdays are a big deal at Caremark Oldham, we love an excuse to eat more cake!
This month, we send our best wishes and many happy returns to all our customers and staff who celebrated a birthday — it was certainly another busy month!
In particular, Doreen, one of our special customers, who celebrated her milestone 90th birthday with the Caremark team.
Care Assistants
- Abigail
- Beenish
- Debra C
- Sonia Teresa
Customers
- Catherine
- Doreen – 90!!
- Jean
- John
- Maureen
- Sandra
- Valerie
About Caremark Oldham
If you’re interested in a career in care please look at our current vacancies , or know someone who may need our support at home you can see our services here. We’re always here for a friendly chat.
Email us at Oldham@caremark.co.uk or call 0161 627 0891