Lessons Learnt from Preparing for Microsoft Teams to Replace Skype
- By Arnie King
- •
- 30 Apr, 2019
An overview of how we trialed Teams at Manor Community and produced guidance for the care industry.
Go Team(s!!)
Some people might have been caught by surprise a bit recently when emails and notifications started pinging around saying Skype is going to be replaced by Microsoft Teams. If you personally or professionally use the messaging service, then it might be a bit of a shock that your method of communicating with everyone is going to suddenly shut down.
But what is Teams? And what are you meant to do with it?
Teams is basically like Skype but there’s a load of new collaborative functions to play around with and the whole thing has more of a group chat, ‘Whatsapp’ feel to it. It is still designed for work, there’s a range of apps to choose from that vary from very serious spreadsheets and scheduling tools to some more fun things like polls and picture sharing. Plus, you can design the groups they each bolt on to so it best reflects your particular organisation’s structure and culture.
I think that if Skype was like a very functional phone switchboard churning away in the basement of industry, then Teams is like suddenly getting trendy smartphones to hand round and make the factory feel like some sort of Google office or a cool, virtual coffee shop.
The truth is that the handover has actually been a long-term plan, and instead of suddenly shutting down, the Skype platform will hand itself over around the world to the new digital communication app allegedly completely seamlessly.
Why should I CARE about Teams?
We are aware that Teams replacing Skype has been planned for a while because of an innovation project we completed in association with Skills for Care . We at Manor Community are now well seasoned experts in all the possibilities and pitfalls of setting up Microsoft Teams for Health and Social Care, and we have developed an easy to pick up and use guide for any provider to install Teams in their organisation. Details of the project are available in our innovator’s page and case study, but plans are being made to get the instruction guide we have made (that is both fully informed by practical experience and appropriate for a range of accessibilities) available online free and instantly.
The Good, The Bad and The Difficult.
Like anything new (and digital), it did take a little playing around to get the hang of how Teams was going to work. However, once you have a feel for the functions and who should be in what group chats, then it can quite quickly and easily be put in place for people to start chatting like they would on Skype, email or text.
Some of the apps and hardware confused things a bit. But again, once a little playing around happened then it wasn’t much work to start people doing some of the more proper tasks (like making funny backgrounds come up on video calls). Setting it up for the clients will depend completely on the specific needs of those receiving an organisation’s services, although there are a couple options to work with to speed up how to appropriately and safely get everyone involved in digital conversations and online group activities.
Participation is the difficult part. It takes a dedicated small team to get Microsoft Teams ready for your whole team. So, if even some of your team do know Teams, the others may need some prompting to get in the habit of understanding and using the new digital communications platform regularly.
Summary
Generally, Teams is simply a more informal and fun version of Skype, it is fairly easy to navigate and offers a few ways to do some genuinely interesting things. It does require some tailoring to your specific context. There will be massive benefits to all communications being brought together into one place, rather than having confused texts, emails and messages flying around, although Microsoft are open about the development progress still being ongoing to make the evolution from Skype as beneficial as possible.
However, if it is done right then the horizontal structure, open nature and intricate tools do make this platform a properly powerful opportunity to let more varied voices and diverse groups contribute to decisions and cultures across all of social care. It can strengthen people’s voices across the industry, particularly those voices who should absolutely be listened to the most but are often listened to the least. This could happen instantly and easily for everyone, injecting co-production right into all the little decisions and actions that make up our routines. Either way, they’re binning Skype so you might have to get on board anyway!!
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My name is Kanika Akinshegun.
I started at Manor Community In Jan 2025 as a HR & Recruitment Co-ordinator. I have been in recruitment for over 5 years, and I really enjoy engaging with people and helping them to make their next career choice. Often the candidate experience shapes the way a company is perceived, and I always work hard to ensure the first experience someone gets is a positive one. My aim at Manor Community is to ensure we employ the best people for our services, where caring comes naturally to them, in turn making the best experience for our clients.
Going forward I plan on working towards attending relevant recruitment events, with amazing merchandise, ensuring the recruitment is streamlined, cost effective and we plan to ensure we have the right people in place at the right time!
Outside of recruitment I have an 8-year-old son, and a cat called Sonic. I love art and paint on canvases using oil paints as a way of relaxing. I love working out and enjoy making up new workout routines to release those endorphins.
The best kind of recruitment is word of mouth so if you know anyone you can refer to me, please let me know!
Today, our residents were in for a special treat when a little puppy named Teddy paid us a visit! With his soft fur, big eyes, and wagging tail, Teddy quickly won the hearts of everyone in the room, bringing a wave of joy and comfort to our residents.
For many of our residents, it’s been a while since they’ve had the company of a furry friend, and Teddy’s playful energy was a breath of fresh air. As he trotted around, curious and excited, many of our residents couldn't help but smile and reach out to pet him. The simple act of stroking his soft fur seemed to lift their spirits and spark memories of their own beloved pets from years ago.
What seems like an age ago now I first got interested in working in the social care sector working with adults with learning difficulties in the land-based industry. Right from the start I could see the benefits this sector has mainly, obviously to the individuals using a service – improving knowledge, confidence and having a purpose to get up for. After many courses/qualifications and throughout the decades I pursued this sector, again working with adults and young people in different settings including residential and supported living, not only in the land-based sector but supporting people in their communities.
Fast track to the present day and Manor Community. I have been working for Manor for roughly seven years, with a slight hiatus after four years, believe me the grass isn’t always greener. Today my passion for helping people with learning difficulties and mental health issues remains the same, albeit there have been some knocks and falls but after self-reflection and kind words of encouragement you get up and carry on.
Presently at Manor I have progressed through the ranks as a senior. I was thrilled to get the role as it shows that I’m valued within the company. No two days of my working week are the same, I could be completing audits or assisting colleagues with their work one day, to supporting individuals for appointments and social scenarios or pulling my hair out trying to get through bureaucratic (external agencies) red tape ensuring individuals are treated as equals. Occasionally I go home frustrated, but more often I go home satisfied I have made a positive difference to someone’s day.
Continuing our feedback series, we are delighted to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible care workers who make Manor a truly special place. At Manor, we believe that every member of our team plays a vital role in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for our residents. Our care workers are at the heart of this effort, working tirelessly day and night with unwavering dedication, compassion, and skill. They go beyond just providing care—they build relationships, offer comfort, and ensure that each resident feels valued, respected, and safe. Their efforts create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where families can feel at ease, knowing their loved ones are in the best possible hands.
