Care UK shortlisted for five National Dementia Care Awards

Company news

Oct 03, 2017

Care UK is celebrating after being shortlisted for the National Dementia Care Awards.

The awards are held annually and recognise the very best in dementia care across the sector, culminating in an awards ceremony on Thursday 9 November. The purpose of the awards is to pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding performance within their field of work.

Appleby House in Epsom, Tor Na Dee in Mill Timber, Cleves Place in Haverhill and Hollins Park in Macclesfield have all been shortlisted.

Home manager at Appleby House, Shona Bradbury, has been shortlisted for the highly contested award of Dementia Care Personality, after both colleagues and residents praised her hard work at the Epsom care home.

During her three years at Appleby House, Shona has implemented a number of initiatives to make the home a more enjoyable place for people living with dementia, including a ‘Happy Café’, regular pamper sessions, a wishing well to allow residents and relatives to offer feedback, and friendship groups with members of the local community.

Care UK’s Tor Na Dee has been shortlisted for Best Dementia Garden. Over the last nine years the team has invited friends, family and members of the Milltimber community to contribute to the home’s outdoor space, which has fast become the hub of the care home.

The focal point of the outdoor space is the sensory garden adjacent to the dementia suite. Featuring winding non-slip walkways, atmospheric lighting, a water fountain and plants with sensory properties, the garden provides an ideal calming space for residents and their visiting loved ones.

The purpose-built Cleves Place is a contender for Best Interior Dementia Design. The care team at the home in Haverhill has responded to residents’ requests and added a number of unique features, including a pub. However, the most popular feature for many is the home’s old fashioned high-street – named Brick Lane by the residents – which is designed to look and feel like a typical high-street from the residents’ younger years. It includes a bakers, a greengrocers, a barbers and a haberdashers. 

Deputy manager at Hollins Park, Tracy Norbury, is representing the Macclesfield care home as she hopes to win the Lead Dementia Nurse Award. Having worked in the care sector for 13 years, Tracy has been described by her colleagues as being warm, welcoming and a great role model for her team, with one member saying: “Tracy is an inspiration to everyone in becoming a better person.”

Speaking about her nomination, Tracy said: “I am really honoured to have been shortlisted at the National Dementia Care Awards, however I wouldn’t be here today without the unwavering support of my brilliant team at Hollins Park. Everyone here works really hard to deliver the best care for all residents in the home, but for those living with dementia, it is even more important to make their lives as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we take great pride in the level of care we provide.

“I am delighted to hear four Care UK homes have received national recognition from the care sector for all of our work with people living with dementia, and I’m hopeful that we can all reach the finals and win our respective categories.”

Dr Nori Graham, Care UK’s non-executive director, is also a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category. As well as being an inspiring teacher and role model for many working in the field of dementia, she is a tireless advocate for greater public awareness and understanding of the experiences of people who are living with dementia, and of those who care for them. Care UK’s managing director, Andrew Knight, said “I wish her success and I cannot think of a more deserving nominee.”