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ACF Instructor uses cadet skills in fight against COVID

Devon ACF's County Training Officer, Captain Holly Higgs, has been working throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic supporting the residents of the Court House Residential Care Home, Cullompton.

ACF Instructor uses cadet skills in fight against COVID

20 March 2021

  • Devon ACF

Captain Holly Higgs (Devon ACF County Training Officer) joined the ACF as a Cadet in 2001 and became a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) in 2006, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major Instructor and Detachment Commander of Cullompton Detachment, before commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 2018.

In her day job, Captain Higgs is a Deputy Care Home Manager and works closely with the registered manager to co-ordinate training for 55 staff working at the home(which has been a challenge whilst trying to social distance).

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Capt Higgs passing our from RMA Sandhurst

During the past 12 months, Captain Higgs has been working alongside the manager and proprietors to ensure the home is Covid safe for both the residents and staff. This includes implementing changes to the daily routine, training staff, producing policies, and planning COVID testing (conducted 3 times a week).

A lot of Capt Higgs' time has been spent with the residents over the last 12 months, looking after their wellbeing and ensuring they have regular engagement and interaction. With the home having been closed to visitors for the last 12 months, residents have not been able to have face to face contact with their family and friends. However Capt Higgs acted quickly in March last year to set up video calls with residents' families and friends.

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Capt Higgs received her ACF Long Service Medal

"I have learnt a lot over the past 12 months, especially the ability to adapt quickly and learn from mistakes. The skills I have learnt in the ACF have definitely come in handy, especially when it came to organising the staff having their vaccines."

Captain Holly Higgs, Devon ACF County Training Officer

Capt Higgs, like all frontline workers, has had to learn on the job to keep herself and others safe. Capt Higgs speaks highly of her "amazing team" who have adapted well to the changes.

Like all of us, Capt Higgs can't wait for the day that the home can re-open the doors to all the usual visitors - so that residents can have contact with their loved ones, and importantly a hug with their children and grandchildren.

"An enormous thank you to Holly for her organisational skills and to all the staff who covered [the vaccinations]"

Court House Residential Care Home, Cullompton
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Captain Holly Higgs on Exercise

Devon ACF is extremely proud to have frontline workers within our CFAV population, and it is rewarding to hear our CFAVs talk about how their cadet force skills and experiences have helped in the fight against COVID and the efforts to rebuild the nation.

From all of us at Devon ACF - Thank you Captain Higgs for everything you do.