Frimley carer wins national award for helping residents stay active and independent

Home news

Nov 18, 2013

The manager of Care UK’s Whitebourne care home in Frimley has won a national award for her commitment and dedication to helping residents lead active and independent lives.

Ros Stevenson – who has managed the care home since 2005 – was nominated for the Activity Based Care (ABC) award by residents, relatives and fellow team members who work at the home in Burleigh Road.

The philosophy of Activity Based Care – which is practised in all Care UK homes and wellbeing centres across the country – seeks to maintain a person’s life skills, independence and quality of life through involvement in daily activities, hobbies, outings and socialising.

Care UK’s expert on Activity Based Care, Deirdre Timney, said: “Ros and her team do a wonderful job as their annual satisfaction surveys show. The home is a hive of positive and worthwhile activity.

“Residents get involved in the home's daily life, including the decisions made about what the home and gardens look like. When the team redecorated, residents worked with an interior designer and a professional decorator to choose the colours they wanted. Residents also chose the plants they wanted to see in the garden.”

Judges were also impressed with the range of activities that take place in the home and wellbeing centre, including visits from professional entertainers and animals ranging from creepy crawlies and birds to pig and Pets-As-Therapy dogs, as well as trips to the coast, the Milestones Museum and a theatre in Aldershot.

Ros, who collected her award at a ceremony in Oxford on Thursday 14^th November, said: “I was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the team, who are all dedicated to residents and their families.

“Life doesn’t stop when you move to a care home. In fact for many people there may be more activity. We focus on learning as much as we can about each and every resident so that we can offer, or create, activities that interest them and help them to stay active and engaged. That way they can help to shape their future and the home’s too.”

The awards were open to all Care UK homes and wellbeing centres across the country.