Top national dementia award recognises commitment of care home team

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Nov 12, 2013

Care UK’s Tall Trees care home in Colchester has won a national award for the outstanding work of its care team who help residents with dementia lead fulfilling lives.

Katherine Foley, manager of the home in Mile End Road, collected the National Dementia Care Award for best care team at the annual UK Dementia Congress, in Nottingham, on Wednesday 6^th November.

The judges, made up of a panel of experts in dementia care, praised the team for their tireless commitment to helping residents live as independently as possible and for their efforts in creating opportunities for residents to enjoy outings and activities.

They said: “We have chosen this team because of its wonderful sense of everybody having a part to play in making a difference to people’s lives. They gave great examples of making individual wishes happen and they clearly demonstrated they are a supportive and passionate team.”

Katherine said: “I have a wonderful team. Every single person who works at Tall Trees is committed to making a difference to residents’ lives and wellbeing and that’s what makes them so very special.

“The team has organised many trips to much loved places, such as the seaside to eat fish and chips on the beach, and they have created activities around residents’ interests. This is vital to improving a person’s quality of life and to building relationships between our residents, the care team and their loved ones.

“By getting to really know our residents and their backgrounds we can create genuinely person-centred care that enables residents to maintain their life-skills and to have choice in their care – and real choice is the linchpin of dignity.”

Violet Kotu, a regional director at Care UK, said: “I admire Katherine and her team because Tall Trees is not only a wonderfully run home but it is also a compassionate and empathetic place for residents and their families. It is a place where each and every member of the team wants to do their very best to provide excellent care on a daily basis. I was delighted to hear their name called and very proud to hear the judges’ comments that so wonderfully reflect their commitment and hard work.”