The Rick Tweddell respite, recovery and independent living suite officially opens in Pinchbeck, offering care services by Good Companions owner Heidi Hayman

A dedicated caregiver has built a ’one-of-a-kind’ respite facility in her own home to meet the needs of patients.

Heidi Hayman runs Good Companions care agency and has opened the Rick Tweddell respite, recovery and independent living suite at her house in Pinchbeck in order to provide services including palliative care.

Named after Rick Tweddell — who received end of life care from Good Companions in his own home on top of his prescribed care — the vision for the suite is to allow patients to be cared for in a non-clinical environment.

Mrs Hayman said: “When someone is told they will need end of life care they do not have much choice or options as to who provides care or where they go - it is hospital or a large care home.

“The whole process of care should be positive and this suite offers a choice for those who don’t want to go back into hospital and want to be comfortable in a home environment to live or recover.

“Person-centred care means everyone should have the choice of how they live until the very end.”

The self-contained extension is a warden controlled temporary residence for those who may be recovering from a hospital stay and it is equipped with a hospital bed in a home-from-home space.

It is also a full time supported or independent living suite for anyone who requires it.

An official opening of the suite by Mr Tweddell’s family members in recent weeks saw a wave of support for the facility as some 94 guests attended the cutting of the ribbon.

Mrs Hayman said: “Rick and his loving family paid for 24/7 care by Good Companions to go alongside the prescribed care four x 30 minutes per day to ensure he was never left alone struggling whilst they were all having to work.

“He was a very loved and charismatic man.

“Rick helped to design the suite as he wanted to ensure no one would have to be alone in their time of need and not be able to afford top quality care.”

Mrs Hayman, who has a young family, never expected to set up a respite suite in her own home, which she bought specifically to create the extension and spent an intense time obtaining CQC registration.

Operations manager Amber Bauldry also helped to design and launch the suite.

With support from her husband Martin to oversee building the suite and her determination for people to receive the highest standard of care, either respite or end of life, has seen the dream realised.

One of the couple’s close friends, who himself is disabled by a crippling condition, project-managed the development and ensured all was done to the highest standards for free.

She said: “My dad looked after my mum for four years and I wanted so many times for someone to give him a break or some respite so he could recharge to care again for my mum.

“Hence Good Companions was born and this was my promise to them both.

“I don’t want anyone to suffer because there isn’t a service like this and the need is there.

“It is about giving people a choice and coming up with a solution. The whole idea is built on this.”

Volunteers and donations of items from families whose loved ones Mrs Hayman has provided care for have helped to build the suite which also has a fully equipped wet room.

Mrs Hayman highlights the help from Dentone Builders in Spalding as ‘instrumental’ in finishing the project.

She said: “They donated a mixer and all the equipment needed and have been amazing.

“Without them we wouldn’t have been able to do what we do.

A family whose father received care at the suite donated a table, another who has used the suite for respite was able to enjoy the therapy garden donated by another inspiring family who donated their fathers garden for others to love the same way as their dad did.

Another donated a rise and recliner chair and is running a marathon later this year towards the cause, and understands the need for facilities like these.

There is also a Help and More service to repurpose items and belongings to charity and supporting the family members in the wake of their loved ones death such as with administrative tasks.

The suite overlooks the garden and has privacy blinds, an alarm to call for help, a dementia clock and kettle, customised press to open cupboards with curved edges, bed hoists and is comfortably furnished.

It is suitable for respite breaks so that people caring full-time for loved ones can have a well-earned rest at home while their family members receive care at the suite.

Mrs Hayman said: “I believe in treating people as you want to be treated.

“Seeing people struggle requires empathy and compassion.”

Julia Tilley works alongside in the office which is in the garden of the property.

She joined in March following the care of her mum by Good Companions and she was moved by the company’s love and care.

Carers are on hand for the person in the suite at all hours.

An open door policy means that family members can visit at any time — unlike stricter hours in a hospital setting — and Mrs Hayman cooks Sunday lunches as part of the round-the-clock care.

Mrs Hayman said: “We are their team of people who don’t just fight their corner for them but navigate the disjointed care system for them also with their family.

“Our team is highly trained to meet everyone’s needs and always think outside of the box for everyone we support, everyone who has enjoyed their time in the suite has loved every member of the team.

“Our ethos is that we care from the heart and it is a privilege and humbling experience.”

Visit Heidi@good-companions.org and info@good-companions.org for further information.

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