Suffolk care homes celebrate success at internal awards event

Home news

Aug 22, 2016

Ten care homes across the county have been celebrating their successes at the first Care UK Suffolk Awards event.

Residents and colleagues joined together for the special regional awards presentation, followed by a special afternoon tea prepared by the ten care home chefs, on 16th August at Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham.

The Suffolk Awards were introduced this year to celebrate and recognise the individual achievements of Care UK colleagues locally. Winners and finalists were announced for 13 categories, including ‘Nurse of the Year’, ‘Suffolk Chef of the Year’, ‘Most Improved Home’ and ‘Carer of the Year’. There was also a ‘Suffolk Kitchen of the Year’ award where residents voted for the best homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches on the afternoon tea menu.

Care UK regional director Phillip Steyn was part of the awards’ judging panel and presented prizes and certificates to winning colleagues at the event. Phillip said: “We have lots of brilliant colleagues in Suffolk who really go the extra mile to help meet the needs of residents and their families. The awards have been a great way to bring the Suffolk teams together, recognise achievements and highlight best practice across the region.”

Prince George House care home in Ipswich took home two awards – ‘Maintenance of the Year’ for caretaker Paul White and ‘Angel of the Year’ for carer Margaret Jane Brown. Charlotte Golder, who has been praised for providing residents with a variety of activities and trips out each week at Mills Meadow in Framlingham, was pleased to receive the ‘Lifestyle Coordinator of the Year’ award.

Cleves Place in Haverhill scooped the ‘Great Dementia Care’ award for its innovative spaces, such as its traditional pub and old-fashioned curiosity shop, which encourage reminiscence for residents living with dementia. Denise Mason at Britten Court in Lowestoft won the ‘Carer of the Year’ award, and Majella Wilson, lifestyle coordinator at Davers Court in Bury St Edmunds, was delighted to take home the ‘Above and Beyond’ award.