West Suffolk care homes celebrate success at regional awards event

Home news

Aug 22, 2016

Care homes in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Mildenhall have been celebrating success at the first Care UK Suffolk Awards event, held on 16th August.

Residents and colleagues joined the nine other Care UK homes across the county for the special regional awards presentation hosted at Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham, followed by afternoon tea prepared by the ten Suffolk care home chefs.

Glastonbury Court care home on Glastonbury Road in Bury St Edmunds was presented with two awards; ‘Deputy of the Year’ for Amanda Thornsby and ‘Administrator of the Year’ for Julie Alcock. The home was also a finalist in the ‘Angel of the Year’ category for the outstanding work of carer Denise Tooke, and a finalist in the ‘Great Dementia Care’ category.

Jennie Rodger, home manager at Glastonbury Court, said: “The team and I are thrilled to receive two trophies at the regional Care UK awards, and to be a finalist in a third category. It was a wonderful occasion to see all the Suffolk homes recognised for their achievements, and to share our successes together.”

Mildenhall Lodge in Mildenhall also received two awards; ‘Suffolk Chef of the Year’ was presented to the home’s head chef Alan Cash for his outstanding culinary achievements, and the home was also recognised as ‘Most Improved’. At Davers Court on Shakers Lane in Bury St Edmunds, lifestyle coordinator Majella Wilson received the ‘Above and Beyond’ award after judges praised her passion, dedication and commitment. At Cedrus House in Stowmarket, Madalina Chiriac was presented with the ‘Nurse of the Year’ award, Nigel Orr received the ‘Maintenance of the Year’ award and the home was a finalist for ‘Great Dementia Care’. 

The Care UK Suffolk Awards were introduced this year to celebrate and acknowledge the individual achievements of care home teams across the county. There were 13 award categories in total, as well as a special ‘Suffolk Kitchen of the Year’ award where residents voted for the best homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches on the afternoon tea menu. The regional award winners will all go through to the finals of Care UK’s national Residential Care Services ‘Stars’ awards, held in November.

Care UK regional director Phillip Steyn was part of the awards’ judging panel and presented trophies and certificates to winning colleagues at the event. Phillip said: “We have lots of brilliant colleagues in Suffolk who really go the extra mile to help meet the needs of residents and their families. The awards have been a great way to bring the Suffolk teams together, recognise achievements and highlight best practice across the region.”