Godalming carer reaches final of national competition

Home news

Oct 29, 2014

Outstanding care in a creative and homely setting has led judges to select a Godalming carer as a finalist in a prestigious national award.

Denise Sewrey, deputy manager at Care UK’s Jubilee House, has reached the finals of the Dementia Care Manager category of the National Care Awards. The awards are Britain’s largest and longest-established care awards and its panel of independent judges seek to highlight the highest standard of care and innovation.

Denise said: “I was amazed and delighted when I heard the news. We have a wonderful team of dedicated carers at Jubilee House and our residents’ relatives play an active and supportive role in the life of the home.

“I love my job. Each day I get to hear about our residents’ lives, their interests and their opinions on lots of subjects. I never know from one day to the next what awaits me and that is a very rewarding challenge.”

Totka Zhelyazkova, home manager at Jubilee House, said: “Since Denise joined us just over a year ago she has helped to transform the home inside and out.

“The outside of the home is looking beautiful with raised beds that enable residents to do some gardening and the fountains have made the gardens very popular with residents this summer. The quality of the team’s gardening was recognised when it received a very highly commended certificate in the Godalming in Bloom competition.

“Denise also supported care colleagues to personalise and signpost residents’ rooms and supported activity co-ordinators to print pictures of areas of local interest as well as of places she knows. Residents’ life history books are important to them.”

To help residents maintain their independence she has also added signposting around the home, including items hanging on walls. Near the bathrooms back scrubbers, shower caps and flannels hang on the walls so residents can identify what is in those specific rooms. She has also brought the outside in, as so many residents have been keenly decorating a garden lounge with a trellis and attached floral arrangements, and filling the walls with garden-related pictures.

Denise has also developed tactile cushions and blankets so that residents who cannot take part in physical activities have tactile stimulation, feeling different materials and seeing different colours.

Denise added: “The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, visited Jubilee House at an open day during Dementia Week and he was very impressed with the environment the team has created. Waverley Borough Council’s Mayor, Cllr Liz Wheatley, is so impressed with the home, that she delights in the opportunity to provide musical entertainment and stimulation for the residents along with other members of Joy Poulter’s Go Sing group.

The Mayor said: “I am delighted that Denise has been nominated for a National Care Award.  Jubilee House provides first class personalised care for their residents and I am proud to be able to support the home through my activities as Mayor of Waverley.”