Sandfields is shortlisted for national award

Home news

Jun 05, 2018

Sandfields is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national industry award. 

Sandfields has been shortlisted in the Best Maintenance Team category at the Care Home Awards 2018. 

The Care Home Awards are held annually to celebrate the very best people in the long-term care sector, culminating in an awards ceremony on Wednesday 27th June. The 17 categories highlight excellence within the care sector, and reward those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

In the nomination, Dave Capewell, who is in charge of maintenance at Sandfields, was praised for his attention to detail and outstanding maintenance standards. It was also highlighted that he always ensures residents feel at home and can live a fulfilled lifestyle.

Dave ensures that residents who are keen to be involved in the home’s maintenance can be, with meaningful activities including water temperature checks, painting and decorating. He often instigates gardening moments, encouraging the residents to take part in planting and weeding.  Dave also created a Gents Club for residents who have an interest in maintenance tasks, and regularly organises trips to the hardware store.

Dave was praised for going the extra mile for residents. After finding out one resident was a keen golfer, he set up an outdoor putting area as well as an indoor putting area set outside their room. Another resident used to be a professional photographer, which inspired Dave to curate a gallery of the pictures the resident has taken for everyone to enjoy, and he and the resident go out together on Thursdays to take photos of the local area. 

Dave also formed a close relationship with a resident, a former gunner-girl, through their mutual Army connection by sharing wartimes memories. He also returned to her base to record some footage of the locations she was familiar with during the war. This initiative enabled the resident, who prefers to stay in her room, to connect with the outside world in a way that suits her better. Dave intends to develop this initiative and collect more footage of places that are meaningful to all of the residents.

Home manager at Sandfields, Deanna Lane, said: “We are thrilled to have been nominated for an award in this year’s Care Home Awards. Residents are at the heart of everything we do here at Sandfields, and Dave embodies this perfectly.

“Every resident knows who Dave is – and Dave knows every resident’s name! He always takes time to get to know them and make them feel at home in any way he can. Dave is a true asset to the home, and I am delighted to see his hard work recognised.

“I wish everyone the best of luck at the awards, and have my fingers crossed we walk away as winners!”