Coupar Angus Care Home First in Scotland to Trial RCN Initiative

Residents and team members at Coupar Angus Care Home part of Scottish provider BCG, were full of excitement last week, 22 October, as they hosted the Royal College of Nursing (RCN)’s new Library in a Box pilot demonstration.

Chosen as one of only two homes in Scotland to pilot the RCN’s new initiative, the Coupar Angus team welcomed Carol Dale, lead nurse at RCN, leading the scheme, and Abigail Kleboe, Information Specialist and Learning Rep Coordinator.

Library in a Box aims, following this trial period, to provide education and wellbeing resources to care homes across Scotland. Participating homes will receive a collection of books covering a range of topics including leadership, dementia care and health and wellbeing to support the promotion of learning, development and wellbeing across the home.

The box also includes a QR code linking to online subject guides. Created by RCN information specialists, the guides provide quick access to trusted books, journals, reports and clinical guidance.

The resources are available to all in the home, both staff and residents.

Over the next three months, the team and residents at Coupar Angus Care Home will have unlimited access to the library. Books will be available to read within the home, or borrow and take home, as often as readers like. When the initiative ends, they will be invited to share feedback on how successful they feel the pilot has been, as well as suggest future book topics they would find valuable.

Carol and Abigail visited Coupar Angus to mark the launch of the initiative and opening of the library. Residents, nurses, and care assistants gathered to

learn more about the initiative, and get a first look at the wide range of resources now freely available to them.

Everyone was delighted with the arrival of the library. There was a real buzz throughout the home as the team and residents browsed the resources.

Tina Diamond, Deputy Home Manager, said: “I think Library in a Box is a fantastic initiative. It provides us with valuable opportunities to develop our knowledge and refresh our clinical skills. Having access to learning resources within the care home makes professional development more accessible and encourages us to continue growing in our roles.”

The visit provided an opportunity to explore how the scheme could support continuous learning and development within homes, as well as enhance wellbeing for both team members and residents.

Abigail Kleboe, RCN Information Specialist and Learning Rep Coordinator, said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Kirsty [Stevens, Home Manager, Coupar Angus] and her team and launch our first RCN Scotland Library in a Box. The initiative brings up-to-date, bespoke resources directly to care home staff when visiting a physical library is not always easy, and it was great to see how positively it was received.

“It is more than just books though; it’s also trying to make it easier for staff to connect with the RCN and access further support and learning. We hope the library makes a meaningful difference to Kirsty and her team and we can’t wait to hear their feedback after the three-month trial.”

Anticipating a successful pilot, the Royal College of Nursing intends to expand the initiative to care homes across Scotland, expanding access to valuable educational resources for more nurses, care workers and residents alike.`