MY MISSION TO INSPIRE WOMEN
Care home staff and residents must be valued and protected, writes Carla Fox
MELANIE Masson has spent most of her life in the public eye – but the Glasgow singer knows what it’s like to feel invisible. “I was frustrated – I’d been at my record label for four years, and very little was happening,” she explains. “There was no huge falling out, no row – but it was hard to make my voice heard, to really be listened to.
“So I thought – why not just do it myself? Many people thought I was mad, leaving behind a big record label with all that firepower but … it seemed the right thing to do. I want to be happy.”
Melanie, who grew up in Cathcart, has set up her own all- female record label, All About Eve. Her first single on the new label, backed by an all- female band, is a cover of the Beyonce hit Why Don’t You Love Me?
“I know how it feels to reach that ‘ certain age’ and suddenly, you are invisible,” she says.
“There is a whole generation of us who understand that feeling. So many talented, able, powerful, clever women, who are great at what they do and for no reason other than their gender or their age, they are dismissed.”
Melanie adds, firmly: “Things have to change. It’s not an anti- man thing, it’s a pro- woman thing. It’s a celebration of women and what we can do. Woman power....”
Melanie, who now lives in London with her husband, the actor and writer Forbes Masson, daughter Rua, 13, and son Ramsay, 11, shot to fame on ITV talent show The X Factor back in 2012, after a heart- rending, roof- raising performance of Janis Joplin’s Cry Baby.
Three million YouTube hits later, and she won fans all over the country. She has worked as a solo recording artist and as a session singer, touring all over the world and performing alongside artists such as Pink and The Stereophonics, and banking Top 40 hits with WIFI and The Bassheads.
Melanie has appeared in West End musicals, notably The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in which she performed the title role to great acclaim, and in panto – including a spell in Cinderella with John Barrowman at Glasgow’s SEC.
“I’m lucky, I’ve had a successful,
I want them to think – if she can do it, so can I
diverse career, even if I’ve never been a massive household name, and I’ve been performing since I was a teenager, because it’s what I love doing,” she says, simply.
“I chose the Beyonce song because it spoke to me – it sums up how I feel about a world which dismisses women – why don’t you love us? Why overlook us?”
The video – a joyous, colourful, bold film featuring ‘ ordinary’ women from all backgrounds – was recorded in London ‘ just in the nick of time’ before everything shut down at the start of the pandemic.
“We were SO lucky,” Melanie nods. “That day was something special. It felt like a therapy session. Loads of fab women, sharing their stories, just having a laugh.
“It was inspiring and I think, more than anything, that’s what I hope the song and video will do – inspire other women to make their voices heard.”
She says: “I want them to think – if she can do it, so can I.”
During lockdown, Melanie and Forbes – who was starring in the stage musical version of David Walliam’s book The Boy in the Dress just before the pandemic put paid to all theatre performances – entertained their neighbours with a weekly ‘ doorstep disco’ called ‘ Singing by the Bins’.
“It was hilarious – we picked a different theme every week – 70s disco, 80s, summer of love – and just got dressed up and sang and dances about in our garden,” explains Melanie.
“It was lovely – we live in a really friendly community in London, and everyone just came out to have a laugh and get through lockdown together. The kids loved it, and the clothes were amazing.”
She adds, with a laugh: “The most embarrassing thing is that we actually had all those outfits in our wardrobes. I mean, it wasn’t like we had to go and hire fancy dress, or anything – we OWN stuff like this…”
ONE of the great tragedies of the Covid- 19 pandemic has been the loss of contact between residents of care homes and their families. Whether it’s a quick visit or taking an elderly relative out for the day, those precious hours have been stolen.
It is part of the helplessness and frustration that families feel but something staff have worked hard to provide as many ways as possible to keep residents connected with their loved ones.
Of course, it’s true to say that this is the most challenging time the care sector has ever experienced.
Not only have care home staff had to provide the usual standards of care, but they have had to add in many extra daily duties to keep the care environment Covid- free. They have had to look after their own health in order to carry on working, and they have also had to minister to families who can’t see their loved ones.
Starting with video calls, staff have taken time to connect residents with the outside world. Moving on to drive- through visits where families can stay in cars and talk to relatives from a distance and window visits, there have also been garden visits.
Now limited indoor visits have resumed, staff have the extra pressure of making sure relatives stick to the rules that have made these visits possible again.
Dr Donald Macaskill is CEO of Scottish Care, which represents the largest group of independent sector social care providers across Scotland.
“Covid- 19 has been difficult for everyone but it has especially impacted our care homes,” he says. “The virus has presented a particular threat to the lives of residents and staff in care homes, for adults and older people, leading to grief and tragedy across the country.”
Macaskill describes the impact of lockdown measures, with visits to care homes restricted and stopped in order to keep people safe, as “profound”.
“Although some visiting restrictions have been lifted, it is still difficult to get the balance between allowing residents to meet their families, and keeping them and staff safe,” he explains.
“This is especially hard in areas with a growing number of Covid outbreaks. Care staff are working hard to ensure that we get this balance right while adhering to guidance and putting measures in place to protect everyone.
“We want to restore visiting as a critical part of care home life while contining to learn to work within the requirements established by Public Health Scotland.”
Of course, some care homes performed better than others, but anyone who has a relative in the care sector cannot deny the fact that carers who work with elderly people are committed and would feel each Covid loss deeply.
“Throughout this crisis, the dedication and professionalism of staff in supporting residents, families and each other throughout this period has been exceptional,” adds Macaskill.
“All parts of the care home system have rallied around to tackle where there have been outbreaks and protect where there have been none. The care home response to Covid- 19 has involved new innovative activity, unprecedented collaboration, and people going above and beyond the call of duty.
“Staff have been flexible and made use of technology and social media to keep residents in touch with their families. There has been a sense of community within and around care homes through this challenging time.”
During this unprecedented time, staff have had to work so much harder and also help combat the feared cognitive decline that can occur with lack of contact.
Macaskill points to the exceptional efforts of staff, despite often personal challenges and exhaustion
“We need to continue to value them and protect care home residents and staff by following the latest guidance and facts at all times,” he says.