Sponsored by Age UK, City University and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Dementia UK, My Home Life (MHL) is a collaborative partnership aimed at improving the quality of life of those who are living, dying, visiting and working in care homes for older people.
History
My Home Life began as a project and was initiated in 2006 by National Care Forum (represents not-for-profit care homes) and Help the Aged, who commissioned Professor Julienne Meyer at City University London to synthesise the evidence-base for quality of life in care homes (Phase 1: Developing the vision). This work was undertaken in partnership with the National Care Homes R&D Forum, which continues to be linked to the MHL initiative as an academic resource.Phase 2: Sharing the vision(2007/2009) was funded by Bupa Giving and involved the creation of a number of resources to disseminate the vision across the 18,000 care homes for older people across the UK, in hard copy through “Care Management Matters” and electronically via the MHL website. Resources included the MHL literature review and short report; several newsletters; a number of research briefing papers, bulletins and posters linked to each of the eight themes; and a DVD celebrating and sharing best practice and filmed live in care homes across the UK.During Phase 2, MHL naturally grew from a project into a programme of linked work, with MHL Wales being established as a 3-5 year funded initiative. MHL also gained the support of all the provider organisations that represent care homes across the UK.
In 2009, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation invested in MHL as a partner and the programme moved into Phase 3: Supporting the vision in practice (2009/12). MHL is now seen as the voice for quality in care homes and has attracted additional funding from Department of Health, Local Authorities and City Bridge Trust.
MHL is ambitious in its aims and its future will depend on available funding. However, its current success seems to be related to the evidence-based vision and the underlying guiding principles for partnership working. MHL is now seen as a social movement that has moved across borders (local and national).
“Having been involved with the My Home Life (MHL) programme from the outset the National Care Forum is pleased to be associated with it and proud of what it has already achieved. It has given a new focus to quality of life in care homes for older people in positive ways underpinned by sound research evidence. It is our view that the MHL programme has the potential to contribute significantly to improving quality by assisting in transforming care and support services.” Des Kelly OBE
Executive Director, National Care Forum
Current activities
Delivering resources: Developing and delivering a range of creative and accessible resources to care homes to help support their practice in line with the evidence base.
Developing networks: Connecting care homes across the UK to share best practice (supporting regional groups to promote MHL and engage in local partnership working, in order to improve practice).
Supporting change: Working with influential partners (e.g. care home representatives, inspectors, commissioners, educators, government) to embed the MHL vision in mainstream thinking. Linking with, building on and learning from other related initiatives across the UK.
Maintaining momentum: Sharing positive stories about care home practice with the press. Developing an ever-increasing network of people concerned about improving the quality of life of those living, dying, visiting and working in care homes.
The My Home Life Spirit: My Home Life is all about working in partnership with the care home sector and celebrating the best practice that is being developed up and down the country. The future progress of the programme depends upon the active support of the care home sector and the availability of on-going resources to sustain the work.
Our family
Our associates
Care home managers who have completed the My Home Life Leadership Programme become Associates. Our Associates give us valuable insight into the needs and challenges of the care home sector. Their continuing contribution is vital to the My Home Life project.
Associates click here for your open space for discussion with the associate network >
“The My Home Life Programme is making a real contribution to improving care standards and the quality of life for older people. The really important thing about MHL is that it is based on the experience of the sector and is not imposed from above.” Martin Green
Chief Executive, English Community Care Association
Our network
The MHL network consists of its Associates, linked organisations, volunteers and members of the public who share MHL’s objectives and aims.
“For care providers one of the most important parts of the work of My Home Life is the recognition of best practice and the encouragement of the sector to do better. National Care Association welcomes every opportunity to work with the MyHome Life project because of the way it supports every provider to achieve the best possible outcome for people in receipt of care.” Sheila Scott OBE
Chief Executive, National Care Association
Our staff
The My Home Life vision is delivered to care homes by a small team which draws upon the expertise of consultants and volunteers.
“The raising of standards is the objective of Care Forum Wales and Rachel Mortimore, Manager of College Fields who was awarded the ‘Spirit of Care Award’ at the Wales Care Awards by Care Forum Wales has accepted an invitation from Help the Aged to assist with the appointment of a co-ordinator for Wales to promote the project in the Principality.” Mario Kreft,
Chief Executive, Care Forum Wales
Our steering group
The My Home Life Steering Group meets tri-monthly and draws together key figures from other organisations prominent in the field who have related interests.
“I have often bemoaned the lack of genuine, unbiased research into the care provided by the independent sector in care homes and nursing homes. The My Home Life project promises to alter that balance by focusing on best practice in care homes, an approach which is not only welcomed by the providers, but will have a marked impact on those using our service.” Frank Ursell,
Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nursing Home Association.
“It’s great for staff in care homes to have a recognised source of advice based on evidence and good practice, particularly when many are independent, operating in isolation from other larger providers.” Hugh Mills
Chief Executive/Director of Development, Independent Health and Care Providers
London: Barnet, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Enfield
Medway
Plymouth
Wiltshire
“My Home Life has proven a very effective means of first and foremost focusing attention on the experience of those living in care homes whilst at the same time valuing and encouraging the efforts of those working there. Staff have found My Home Lifean aid to accessing and developing best practice.” Ranald Mair
Chief Executive, Scottish Care
About My Home Life
Sponsored by Age UK, City University and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Dementia UK, My Home Life (MHL) is a collaborative partnership aimed at improving the quality of life of those who are living, dying, visiting and working in care homes for older people.
History
My Home Life began as a project and was initiated in 2006 by National Care Forum (represents not-for-profit care homes) and Help the Aged, who commissioned Professor Julienne Meyer at City University London to synthesise the evidence-base for quality of life in care homes (Phase 1: Developing the vision). This work was undertaken in partnership with the National Care Homes R&D Forum, which continues to be linked to the MHL initiative as an academic resource.Phase 2: Sharing the vision(2007/2009) was funded by Bupa Giving and involved the creation of a number of resources to disseminate the vision across the 18,000 care homes for older people across the UK, in hard copy through “Care Management Matters” and electronically via the MHL website. Resources included the MHL literature review and short report; several newsletters; a number of research briefing papers, bulletins and posters linked to each of the eight themes; and a DVD celebrating and sharing best practice and filmed live in care homes across the UK.During Phase 2, MHL naturally grew from a project into a programme of linked work, with MHL Wales being established as a 3-5 year funded initiative. MHL also gained the support of all the provider organisations that represent care homes across the UK.
In 2009, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation invested in MHL as a partner and the programme moved into Phase 3: Supporting the vision in practice (2009/12). MHL is now seen as the voice for quality in care homes and has attracted additional funding from Department of Health, Local Authorities and City Bridge Trust.
MHL is ambitious in its aims and its future will depend on available funding. However, its current success seems to be related to the evidence-based vision and the underlying guiding principles for partnership working. MHL is now seen as a social movement that has moved across borders (local and national).
Current activities
The My Home Life Spirit: My Home Life is all about working in partnership with the care home sector and celebrating the best practice that is being developed up and down the country. The future progress of the programme depends upon the active support of the care home sector and the availability of on-going resources to sustain the work.
Our family
Our associates
Care home managers who have completed the My Home Life Leadership Programme become Associates. Our Associates give us valuable insight into the needs and challenges of the care home sector. Their continuing contribution is vital to the My Home Life project.
Associates click here for your open space for discussion with the associate network >
Our network
The MHL network consists of its Associates, linked organisations, volunteers and members of the public who share MHL’s objectives and aims.
Our staff
The My Home Life vision is delivered to care homes by a small team which draws upon the expertise of consultants and volunteers.
Our steering group
The My Home Life Steering Group meets tri-monthly and draws together key figures from other organisations prominent in the field who have related interests.
National partners
Regional centres
Our Local Authority partners