Tag: Dignity for LGBT people in care

Let’s Talk About Care

Our Managing Director, Ramses Underhill-Smith recently spoke to the folks at Let’s Talk About Care podcast.

A media platform that cares about the care sector, the podcast aims to give people hope for the future. It brings funny, heartwarming and inspiring stories about care and hear from experts, policy makers and celebrities as well as those receiving and giving care.

Host Angeline Albert asked Ramses why care homes and home care agencies should champion LGBT+ rights.

Not only does Ramses conclusively answer the question, he shares his personal insight into why it matters.

You can listen to it here:

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

We have been featured in Camden Council Proud Stories!

 

Alternative Care Services and our Managing Director Ramses, have been featured on the Camden Council Proud Stories series.

Marking the London borough’s vibrant and diverse LGBT+ communities, the local authority is sharing stories from some of the people that help to make Camden a diverse and accepting place to live.

Our MD, Ramses took the time to explain why it’s important to be open and inclusive, and why LGBT support is vital for our community.

You can read more about Camden’s Proud Stories series here:

https://www.camden.gov.uk/we-make-camden-proud-stories

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

Dignity in care: we understand more than most why it’s important

Alternative Care Services is a care agency providing support and social care for older LGBT people in their own homes.

Founded by Ramses Underhill-Smith, the company was created after Ramses saw a HIV-positive friend risk his health by rejecting care in his own home, over concern that the care workers might be homophobic.

Some of our staff are trans, gay, bisexual, and from the LGBT community, some aren’t, but all get training in treating patients with dignity.

“If you’ve had surgery and you’ve got scars, you don’t want people looking at them in a certain way. We’re so used to it in the LGBT community – it’s not even the words people say, but the fact that everybody stares. You don’t want to have to explain when you get undressed for personal care.”

Ramses Underhill-Smith: ‘People refuse to accept it when you’re older.’ Photograph: Fabio De Paola for the Guardian

“It’s about knowing that whoever comes to your door is going to understand who you are, that in conversation you’re going to be able to say things openly.” Some frail older people, he points out, barely see anyone but health professionals; if they can’t talk to them honestly, they are completely isolated.”

We are proud that we help provide dignity, support and comfort to our clients and thrilled that our work has been featured in The Guardian.

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon