Oonagh Boon, Hospitality and Catering Manager, Belong,
Marvellous MealtimesBelong Villages
“Ultimately good food and an enjoyable mealtime can improve
one’s satisfaction with life. “
Belong villages are places where people can feel at home in their own private space whilst being in close proximity to a range of facilities and activities that are available within a
vibrant community.
Belong provides flexible services and accommodation that will adapt to the changing needs of older people along their life
journey .
Belong - a unique lifestyle concept for older people.
Village centre
Households
Apartments
Belong at Home
Belong villages
Experience Days
Bistro Hair & Beauty Salon The Venue
Internet Café
Vibrant communities
Exercise Studio
Core Village Facilities
72 en suite Bedrooms
26 Apartments
Belong village layout
Support Services • Dementia Care • Nursing Care • Intermediate / Respite • Personal Care Belong at Home
12 bedroom households
Belong dining options
• Bistro• Dining experience• Family and friends• Subtle support• Take away• Households• Belong card
Belong Households
Patio doors on to secure garden area or balcony
Large bedrooms with en-suite shower
Lounge & Living Space
Dining Area
Domestic Kitchen
Spa Bathroom
Open Plan Living
Secure Entrance
Belong Households
Belong households
Kitchens at the heart of the household High visibility Purposeful activity Smells Real choice Flexible mealtimes Access and
involvement Improved appetite
Marvellous Mealtimes
• Our strategy for improving nutrition and enjoyment
• Recognise signs of malnutrition and dehydration
• Improve nutritional awareness• Staff training• Use of MUST for all• Recognise weight loss; do something
about it • Provide real choices• Prevent illness, promote
independence and well being• Improve Mealtimes and Mealtimes
Outcomes• Positive experiences• Nutritional importance increased• Awareness of physical need-
ageing process• Social support and friendship• Partnership and family involvement• Relaxing with time to make
choices• Sense of security, create meaning
and order to the day• Hostess role developed• Importance of crockery, mats etc.
“We aim to protect and improve family mealtimes and create a calm atmosphere for our customers”
Belong Code of Practice
1. Ensure that mealtimes provide an opportunity for residents to socialise with others, to make choices according to their own preferences and to relax.
2. Create a relaxed and social atmosphere by limiting distractions and minimalising noise.
3. Encourage residents to participate in the preparation of meals where possible.
4. Assess each person as an individual and help to develop a diet with the chef that people find appetising and appealing.
Belong Code of Practice
5. Encourage residents to make real choices through the provision of pictures and menus.
6. Involve residents in household menu planning7. Make healthy snacks and drinks visible,
accessible and available throughout the day. 8. Present all food in an appetising manner 9. Avoid the use of laxatives and high calorie
food supplements by offering a well balanced diet and food that boosts calories, protein and roughage.
Belong Code of Practice
10.Be flexible in the times of food service and offer favourite foods at the times a resident prefers and the place eg Bistro.
11.Always carry out a nutritional assessment for anyone that we are worried about and refer to a dietician where necessary.
12.Make sure medication is only given with meals if prescribed as such
13.Remind visitors, GPs, nurses and other visiting professionals not to disturb mealtimes, but welcome them to join us.
Belong Code of Practice
14.Provide crockery and cutlery that is easy to use and is recognisable.
15.Get involved in mealtimes and take our meals with the residents where possible.
16.Do not to take breaks during mealtimes unless it is enjoyed sitting with the residents.
17.Allow sufficient time for people to really savour their food by not offering the next course until people are ready.
18.Ensure ‘Hot’ food and drinks are ‘Hot’!19.Serve coffee/tea at the table after a meal
to allow residents time to relax and chat
Belong Code of Practice
Revealing Belong Atherton
Belong A Home for Life