The Way We Care - 8 foundational principles
There are eight foundational principles to our bespoke Christian approach to care
The Way We Care
The Way We Care is our bespoke Christian approach to caring for older people in communities where they can flourish in their later years, especially as their physical needs increase.
We are committed to seeing the whole person – the history, the experiences, the joys and the sorrows of life, and to knowing who the important people are who make up the bundle of each person’s living.
The Way We Care is grounded in our Christian faith and draws inspiration from the Bible. Every part of what The Way We Care looks like in the daily lives of our care homes is rooted in how the Bible tells us to treat and support others around us.
Watch our videos...
The Way We Care - Friederike explains
Friederike Hamilton explains what makes this approach to care so special, including the vital role of Wellbeing & Dementia Leads in each of our homes
Janet and Sam's The Way We Care story
After a difficult time, life for Janet was transformed by our dedicated staff at Luff House, Walton-on-the-Naze, as they followed our The Way We Care approach which places the individual at the centre
Spiritual comfort through The Way We Care
Our The Way We Care Lead Mark shares how we care for people spiritually
Caring for those with dementia
Meet a Hummingbird... Susan
As a Hummingbird at Shottermill House, Susan provides practical, emotional and spiritual support to our family members
Lifting the lid on memory boxes
Across our care homes, multi-sensory memory boxes are bringing joy and comfort to people living with dementia
A place for everyone...
How personalised placemats are transforming mealtimes for family members at Milward House, our care home in Tunbridge Wells
Family life
We’re committed to creating warm and sharing communities where everyone has opportunities to contribute to family life
About Friederike Hamilton...
Friederike joined Pilgrims' Friend Society in February 2022 after 35 years in the health service working as a nurse, midwife and health visitor. Friederike leads The Way We Care, as well as being an Operations Manager. Her role involves working with the Wellbeing & Dementia Leads in the homes to support all staff to deliver high standards of care and continually improve practice. She supports staff in delivering high quality dementia care by providing training and advice.
Friederike is married to Nigel and they have 2 grown-up sons and a dog. She enjoys walking and gardening. Friederike and Nigel worship at Widcombe Baptist Church in Bath where they are also on the children’s team and home group leaders.
Our Wellbeing & Dementia Leads
Mark Hewett
Wellbeing & Dementia Lead - Emmaus House, Harrogate
After school Mark joined BT, spending 25 years doing a range of roles. Leaving BT, he established his own programme management consultancy spending five years serving differing industry sectors. He then led a church for 12 years. During 2022 he and his wife felt a sense they should be more involved in serving their local community. Whilst looking for a role for his wife, the The Way We Care Lead role (as it was previously known) at Emmaus House caught his eye - the fit seemed remarkable.
Mark says, "I enjoy the breadth of interaction with our family members, being part of the great team here at Emmaus and learning about dementia. Outside of work I enjoy DIY, walking in the Dales and travelling with my wife. I love food and cooking and enjoy being part of our local church family."
Krisztina Boros
Wellbeing & Dementia Lead - Milward House, Tunbridge Wells
Born in Hungary, Krisztina ('Kriszti') graduated as an English and Hungarian teacher and worked in primary schools and secondary schools in Hungary. She has also spent time working as a receptionist on a river cruise boat and lived in Italy for six years where she met her husband. She and her family have lived in the UK for seven years. Before joining Milward House, Kriszti worked as a private carer and in a nursing home.
Kriszti says, “My late grandfather had dementia. I spent a lot of time with him, so I experienced firsthand how important it is for people who live with dementia to have someone who understands them and is kind to them. My grandfather was a Christian and his faith helped him a lot. He used to tell me that “God never gives up on us.” That was his hope.
“I love talking to the family members about their life stories and their faith. I can learn a lot from them. We make sure that those who live with us can take any opportunity to share something they are good at.”
Sonya Keating
Wellbeing & Dementia Lead - Luff House, Walton-on-the-Naze
On leaving school, Sonya took a computer-based role in an office. However, she felt this wasn’t for her and wanted to work with people not machines. She went to work as a carer for Scope and for one of the Leonard Cheshire homes.
After having children, she became as a history teacher and then worked as a senior education advisor for an electricity company. After being made redundant, she was looking for a new direction - something heartfelt.
Sonya says, “I just knew Luff House was the place for me. Both my grandmothers and my father had dementia and now my mother is living with dementia too, so this work is very close to my heart. I first joined the team as a Hummingbird and later became The Way We Care Lead [as the role was previously known].
“I feel excited in this new role. It gives me the chance to work closely with the whole team, to help bring positive change to the home, to ensure that we are together delivering the best care, providing a vibrant and happy home for all who live here, enabling them to flourish.”
Jo Cox
Wellbeing & Dementia Lead - Middlefields House, Chippenham
Jo comes to us from an eclectic mix of care jobs, housekeeping, and business ownership. Jo is a self-confessed nerd, and proud of it, having achieved her degree in politics with the Open University, whilst also caring full-time for her father. As mum to four and step mum to two she loves all aspects of learning, and problem-solving, along with having a daft fascination with garden gnomes. Jo is settling into this new role and really enjoying getting to know all the family members.
Jo first became a Christian in her teens and re-committed her life to God after the birth of her third child over 25 years ago. Her wide range of life experience will hopefully provide insight and inspiration to her continued work at Middlefields House.
Nicole Rusher
Wellbeing & Dementia Lead - Framland, Wantage
Born and raised in the Wantage area, Nicole first visited Framland on a school trip and loved spending time with the family members, listening to the amazing stories they told. She first took on a role as a Kitchen Assistant and Domestic Assistant, and has since been a Carer, a Senior Carer and Hummingbird before becoming the Wellbeing & Dementia Lead.
Nicole says, “I have been following The Way We Care for many years after it first got brought into Pilgrims’ Friend Society and I have enjoyed every moment. When I was asked if I wanted to become the Wellbeing & Dementia Lead I was overjoyed as I am able to make a difference to the people living at Framland, working alongside an amazing team.
“We are like one big family who I love to share my life with. I have just had a baby and everyone is so happy and loves to hear how she is getting on and wants to see pictures.”