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Care UK Stars Awards 2022

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Care UK Stars Awards 2022

For the first time in three years more than 350 colleagues from across our homes and support teams came together to celebrate the fantastic work they do and their incredible achievements.

During the ceremony a total of 26 awards were handed out,  including Home of the Year and Most improved Region. 

And the winners are...

Best Dining Experience
Metchley Manor

Scott and his team have transformed the dining experience for residents at Metchley Manor.

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.   

Best Housekeeping and Laundry team
Hadrian Park

The housekeeping team at Hadrian Park are passionate about keeping the home spotlessly clean and have taken enhanced IPC measures in their stride.

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. 

Meaningful Lifestyles
Hollins Park

The team at Hollins Park were nominated for the Meaningful Lifestyles award by the family of one resident who said “I feel like the team take an interest not only in my mother but us as a family to keep us involved and encourage meaningful engagement.

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

Maintenance Person of the Year
Tara Deacon

Tara is pivotal to Davers Court. She first joined the home as a carer, being promoted to team leader due to her hard work and dedication.

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

Business Administrator of the Year
Karla Smith

Karla is constantly thinking three steps ahead to ensure that Manor Lodge, one of Care UK’s largest homes, runs smoothly.

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.

Apprentice of the Year
Amy Crumbie

Amy first worked at Church View on a placement when she was 16 years old and, after leaving school, decided she wanted to be a Care Assistant.

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.

Carer of the Year
Evelyn Heron

Evelyn’s dedication, commitment and focus make her an inspiration to work with. She has a special bond with the residents and every day ensures every resident is comfortable and happy. 

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

Team Leader of the Year
Victoria Real-Diaz

Vicky was team leader at Orchard Day Centre, which was forced to close in 2020. The staff transferred to work in the home. This was a huge transition and Vicky’s leadership was instrumental in making sure everything went smoothly.

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.

Nurse of the Year
Edna Hullana

Edna always goes above and beyond to make Greenview Hall feel like a home for residents and she did an amazing job connecting families when they couldn't be together due to Covid.

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. 

Deputy Manager of the Year
Cristina Tibichi

Cristina was seconded to the role of deputy manager in October 2019. She quickly fitted into the role and has been supporting the manager to maintain the home and keep residents safe and well.

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

Outstanding Leadership Award
Katherine Matthews

Katherine has constantly driven herself and her team to push the boundaries of clinical excellence with new initiatives and approaches.

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. 

Outstanding Leadership Award
Christine Gibson

Christine steered her team through a very difficult couple of years, but managed to do so in a way that built stronger relationships with all including families and colleagues.

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. 

Outstanding Leadership Award
Lorraine Running

Lorraine has driven an outstanding turnaround within her home which had been badly affected by the pandemic and has now seen an incredible recovery.

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

Great Dementia Care
Millers Grange

From the moment you walk into Millers Grange there is an atmosphere that reflects the love and care the team feel for their residents.

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

Sales and Marketing
Tor Na Dee

Maureen and her team have a built a reputation of being one of the best care homes in Aberdeen.

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

Salesperson of the Year
Ameila Moore

Amelia has been at Weald Heights since opening and is an integral part of the leadership team responsible for driving the success of the home.

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

Customer Service
Asterbury Place

Christine and the team at Asterbury Place understand the importance of effective communication with both residents and relatives.

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

Dementia Coach of the Year
Kelly Johns

Kelly has been a Dementia Coach at Kingsleigh for several years now and her enthusiasm for enabling people to live fulfilling lives shines through.

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

Chef of the Year
Alex Millichamp

A previous finalist in the Chef of the Year competition, Alex came into the final with an understanding of how quickly he would have to work to present his meals.

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.

Home of the Year
Whitby Dene

This award goes to the home that has demonstrated outstanding and consistent quality, and recognises a team that has lived our values in order to deliver excellence.

"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

Most Improved Home
The Potteries

This award goes to the home which, after an exacting assessment of its performance over the year, has shown that it has demonstrated significant and sustained improvement.

"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

Most Improved Region
South London

This award uses a range of internal and external performance data to identify the team that has supported each other to drive the highest improvements in the past 12 months.

"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

Region of the Year
Surrey

This award goes to the region that has worked as a team to delivery consistent and exceptional quality.

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

Central Region of the Year
North

This award goes to the region that has worked as a team to delivery consistent and exceptional quality.

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

Central Region Most Improved Home
Edgbaston Manor

This award goes to the home which, after an exacting assessment of its performance over the year, has shown that it has demonstrated significant and sustained improvement.

Central Region Home of the Year
Bishops Manor

This award goes to the home that has demonstrated outstanding and consistent quality, and recognises a team that has lived our values in order to deliver excellence.

"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

 

These awards are a way of recognising the compassion and professionalism of care home colleagues and an important way for us all to say thank you to so many incredible teams and individuals.

Andrew Knight
CEO

Congratulations to all our winners, finalists and the hundreds of other colleagues who were nominated for awards this year.