Elmstead House carer reaches final of national care awards!

Home news

Oct 28, 2011

Marcia Stacey, one of our carers at Elmstead House has reached the finals of the prestigious National Care Awards!

Marcia has reached the final in the Newcomer Award section of the competition, which promotes excellence throughout the care sector.  Marcia joined Elmstead House in July 2010 after working as a stable girl. Since then, she has impressed staff, residents and their families with her skill and friendly, caring nature.

Diane Maddeford, the home’s manager, said: “Marcia’s dedication to her work is evident: she has already achieved an NVQ 2 in Social Care, an NVQ 2 in Customer Care and she is the Infection Control Representative for the home and one of our In-house trainers.

 “Her work in infection control has led to her heading what has been known in the home as a blitz team: their work has produced an action plan which will mean our high standards can apply even more rigorously to infection control areas.

 “Added to her outstanding caring abilities, Marcia has a lovely nature and she is liked and admired by residents and staff alike. She has great enthusiasm - nothing is ever too much trouble and she has a smile for everyone.”

Elmstead House cares for 50 older residents all who have dementia. Marcia takes an active interest in the all-round care of the residents, encouraging outings to local venues and arranging trips further afield – all of these considerations led to her nomination.

Marcia became interested in a career in caring when her own grandfather became ill and she helped to care for him. She said: “I never thought I would feel so completely fulfilled in doing a job that was far from my comfort zone.  I just get a huge buzz from achieving the smallest reaction from my residents - a smile, a look of recognition, a touch of a hand -  Wow!” 

In reaching the final, Marcia not only had to submit a written entry about her work but also be interviewed in person by a panel of judges chosen by the organisers, Caring Times.  The winners of the National Care Awards will be announced on Friday 25^th November at the London Hilton Metropole.