Activities co-ordinator wins second place in national competition

08.12.10

Bloomfield’s Piotr Jokiel was the runner up at the prestigious Irish Nursing Home Activities Co-ordinator awards held on Thursday, November 11th at a gala dinner attended by over 450 people in City West Hotel, Dublin. The awards were presented by President Mary McAleese who congratulated all of the entries on their great work and dedication to the industry.  The NHI Care Awards are designed to recognise and reward the contributions made by those living and working in nursing homes nationwide.

Piotr has been the activity co-ordinator at Bloomfield Care Centre for four years, promoting and fulfilling many of the activity and social needs of residents within that time.  He facilitates gardening, movie/cinema presentations, a mobile library, Sonas therapy and art classes with the residents as well as providing one to one interventions with some residents.
In addition to this Piotr, along with the Occupational Therapist, co-ordinate outings twice monthly to the places the resident wish to go, which have included the Grand Canal Theatre, Parks, Airfield Trust, Botanic gardens, museums, shopping in Dundrum and many more outings.

Piotr is always thinking creatively and has initiated larger day events for the residents and their families which have included an International Day, Live Theatre and Family Days

Piotr began the Bloomfield Olympics which were a major success last year, where residents compete in teams in sports and activities to win medals and take their place on the winner’s podium.  The Bloomfield Olympics will occur again this year in late summer, with even more activities appearing.

Piotr is always developing better ways to include the residents, be responsive to their needs and provide a social and activity programme that any one of us would enjoy.  As many relatives now live abroad, Piotr also facilitates residents to use skype, webcams AND emails as a way to communicate and keep in touch with their loved ones.  

Piotr takes the time through his audiovisual work and photographic work to record the resident’s life histories both as they recount them on their arrival to Bloomfield, and indeed their life as they continue to enjoy it.  Gaining the person’s views and building a programme around them is a particular skill of Piotr’s and we have all learnt much from this.

Sile McManus, Bloomfield’s CEO commented "Piotr brightens up the lives of our residents with his enthusiasm and willingness to consider all suggestions and find a way to make them happen.  We value his input and his caring way and congratulate him on achieving second place in the national Nursing Home Activities Co-ordinator award"

Pictured left to right:

Catherine Keogh, Senior Occupational Therapist, runner up Piotr Jokiel, Activities Co-Ordinator, Sharon Hennessy, Director of Nursing