Care UK Stars Awards 2022

Nothing is too much trouble – from welcome trays for new residents to beautiful high teas. All meals are of restaurant quality and the team are known for their spectacular five-star food presentation.

The team holds regular meetings with residents to help with menu planning, particularly around the special meals that bring the whole home together on a Sunday evening. Scott and the team create showstopper birthday cakes that would be worthy of a spot on Bake Off – even when residents are on a modified diet and require cakes for varying IDDSI levels.   

During outbreaks in the home they picked up extra shifts to ensure the highest standards were maintained.

The home received an abundance of positive feedback about the presentation of the home from visiting professionals, including one paramedic who said they “love to visit the home, it is always clean and tidy and smells lovely”.

The team involve residents in day-to-day tasks and will always make time for anyone who needs a chat when they are out on the units. 

They have a real flare for making any activity an opportunity and I've been very impressed by how involved the whole home get. This isn't just about the activities team but about every worker from manager to domestic. They clearly try go above and beyond and it's so wonderful to see that they recognise and cater to each person’s abilities”.

"It’s absolutely brilliant to win this award, it’s a true testament for the hard work that our team do in the home and how much they care about the residents." - Tracy Norbury, Home Manager at Hollins Park

As she had previously worked within construction Tara chose to transfer to maintenance. Tara has completed a fantastic redecoration of the cafe, hallways, management offices and residents’ rooms. She has also supported with recreating the garden into a sensory garden for residents. In addition to her hard work maintaining the building and grounds, Tara continues to support with team leader shifts and often works dual roles in service to the home.

"Tara has done an excellent job of supporting the home and doing project work - she’s been brilliant." - Sally Shadbolt, Home Manager at Davers Court

She goes above and beyond to provide kindness and support to residents, relatives and colleagues and is a great motivator and coach to others. Karla worked tirelessly throughout lockdown to maintain staff morale even during particularly challenging times. She is a great support for the home manager, ensuring HR compliance, training and welfare are always prioritised.

With hard work and commitment, Amy has recently completed a Level 3 Diploma with a Distinction. Following her success, Amy has also been asked to be a mentor for new staff embarking on their apprenticeship. Amy has worked exceptionally hard to get her diploma, but it is her outstanding commitment to the health and happiness of residents which makes her so popular within the home.

Murrayside is always at the forefront of Evelyn’s mind, she is flexible, dedicated and has a genuine desire to care. Residents are always her priority and she is excellent in her role as dementia care champion. Her kindness and commitment to both colleagues and residents makes her a highly valued member of the team.

"It feels so good to be recognised and to know that our efforts and hard work are seen." - Evelyn

Vicky has taken over the responsibilities of welcoming new colleagues and ensuring the home’s training is up to date. Vicky also took on the role of IPC champion during the pandemic and her coaching has enabled the team to continually improve. Vicky also has a fantastic relationship with residents, going out of her way to create special memories.

She really cares about residents with all her heart and treats each of them like they are family. Since joining in January 2018 Edna has been involved in various initiatives dedicated to dementia care. Her drive to see the person behind dementia and maintain a person-centred approach is key to the quality of care in the home. 

She is also the clinical lead and she makes a point of leading the home’s nurses from the front, sharing best practices and coaching her colleagues. Cristina is very organised and, despite the sometimes overwhelming job she faces, she is always kind and helpful to everyone. Cristina has fantastic communication skills and encourages all to perform at their best.

"I was not expecting this - I feel so valued. Care UK has been like my home for the past eight years. I’ve been supported by my colleagues, my Home Manager and my Regional Director. Everybody has supported me and I’m very grateful to all of them. With a great team we can make a difference every day." - Cristina

This award recognises outstanding leadership among our home and day centre managers. It recognises the importance of leaders who support their teams with inspiration, motivation and clear direction in order to deliver exceptional quality and commercial performance based on a strong, values-based culture within the home. 

This award recognises outstanding leadership among our home and day centre managers. It recognises the importance of leaders who support their teams with inspiration, motivation and clear direction in order to deliver exceptional quality and commercial performance based on a strong, values-based culture within the home. 

This award recognises outstanding leadership among our home and day centre managers. It recognises the importance of leaders who support their teams with inspiration, motivation and clear direction in order to deliver exceptional quality and commercial performance based on a strong, values-based culture within the home. 

"It’s absolutely fantastic to be recognised. I love everything about working in care, I’ve worked in care for a long time but Care UK has been amazing." - Lorraine

Keeping people in control of their lives, recognising each person as a unique individual, maintaining their sense of self even during difficult times is a priority day and night.

Colleagues have embraced a whole home approach to dementia care and colleagues truly understand the importance of building relationships that gain trust when caring for residents and their families.

"It’s amazing to win, and this is a team effort." - Alison Parry, Home Manager at Millers Grange

The home is always immaculately presented and visitors to the home can’t helped but be wowed by the loving and laughter-fuelled atmosphere the moment they walk in the home.

"It’s absolutely fabulous to win this award - I’m absolutely delighted.What I love about working in care is the satisfaction you get when you make a difference to people’s lives. Care UK is a great organisation to work for." - Maureen Barrett, Home Manager at Tor Na Dee

She has worked incredibly hard to make the home a hub of the local community, chairing the local Dementia Action Alliance and hosting a wide range of events in the home and in the community. In her role as a Senior CRM, Amelia has also supported four other homes through a very successful year.

"It feels amazing to be recognised for all of the hard work of the team and the home. It’s paid off and it’s absolutely brilliant. I’m so proud. What I love most about my role and working in care is seeing people, meeting their families and seeing them on their journey and how much they fulfil their lives, it’s wonderful." - Ameila

They go the extra mile to ensure families feel informed and involved with the care of their loved ones and these efforts have paid off with the home enjoying a positive reputation.

"It’s absolutely amazing to win this award, it’s a real honour and I’m very grateful. I love the impact that we have on people’s lives, that’s the most special thing about working in Care." - Christine Da Silva, Home Manager at Asterbury Place

Kelly maintains high levels of training compliance and Kingsleigh has some of the lowest levels of psychotropic prescribing and administration in Care UK. This is reflective of the ethos of the team at Kingsleigh, recognising each person as a unique individual.

"It’s absolutely amazing to have won this award and to be recognised. What I love most about my job is being with the residents and making their lives better." - Kelly

Alex cooked a Thai chicken and vegetable curry with turmeric mash followed by a lemon marscapone filo tart with poached pears and fresh blackberries. The judges were particularly impressed with some of Alex’s culinary skills which came through in both the taste and the presentation of both his main meals and the IDDSI alternatives.

"It’s wonderful to win Home of the Year. The team have worked very hard to get to where we are, so it is really nice to get this recognition. It will push us to do even better." - Salima Tanimu Boateng, Home Manager at Whitby Dene

"It feels amazing to be recognised. I’m here to represent my team and I couldn’t do it without them, I couldn’t do it alone and I couldn’t do it without the support of my Regional Director.I love care, everything about it. You never know what you’re going to be faced with each day. It’s all about the residents and the smiles on their faces, that’s what I’m there for. I get job satisfaction every day." - Zita Turner, Home Manager at The Potteries

"It’s absolutely fantastic to be recognised, I wasn’t expecting it but it’s amazing. Not just for me but the rest of the team. I’m over the moon." - Regional Director

It recognises both the leadership of the regional director and the manner in which home managers have shared best practice in order to drive exceptional performance.

"I’m over the moon, it means the world to me, but it’s not just me, it’s for my team". - Omar, Regional Director

It recognises both the leadership of the regional director and the manner in which home managers have shared best practice in order to drive exceptional performance.

"It’s been a difficult year but this award is amazing. The best thing about working in care is the residents, just seeing them day to day blossom and being able to help them." - Amanda Holland, Regional Director

"Winning this award feels lovely and it’s what my team deserve. They’re an amazing team so I’m really grateful they’ve been recognised. What I love about Care UK is that they love the residents as much as I do. I feel totally supported by Care UK." - Sarah Diamond, Home Manager at Bishops Manor