Pupils help Mildenhall Lodge celebrate national achievement

The home opened its doors to local people for a special event to celebrate the achievement of being named an ‘outstanding’ home by the CQC – the highest possible ranking a home can receive. 

The day included a special buffet, live music and speeches from the Care UK team and Mildenhall’s County Councillor on Suffolk County Council, Louis Busuttil, at the official ceremony.

Residents and visitors were joined by pupils from Great Heath Academy who provided entertainment with a special musical performance. The pupils also joined the home manager, Katy Hughes to plant a commemorative tree in the care home’s garden to mark the occasion. 

The care team at Mildenhall Lodge conducted one of their regular resident votes to determine which tree should be planted – with the cherry tree coming out on top. 

Katy Hughes, home managerat Mildenhall Lodge, said: “When we were named ‘outstanding’ the team and I knew we wanted to celebrate in a big way – we’re the only Care UK home offering nursing to have been awarded with this rating, so it’s certainly something to shout about.

“We are incredibly proud of the caring environment we have created for the residents and we all had a lovely time celebrating with the local community here in Mildenhall. We would like to say a special thank you to the children from Great Heath Academy for their wonderful performance and for helping us to plant a permanent reminder of our fantastic achievement.”

Phillip Steyn, Care UK regional director, added: “It was fantastic to celebrate Mildenhall Lodge’s brilliant achievement at our official ceremony. This is an incredibly special home and its ‘outstanding’ rating is testament to the care and enthusiasm of the team here and the exemplary leadership of Katy Hughes - I know we wouldn’t have been celebrating this achievement without her at the helm.”