Sherwood Grange highly commended in national awards

Home news

Aug 02, 2019

Sherwood Grange is celebrating after being highly commended in the ‘Best for Sporting, Social or Leisure Activities’ category at a national care award ceremony. 

The Care Home Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in UK care home management, operation and delivery. 

Care UK’s Sherwood Grange, on Robin Hood Lane, attained the commendation thanks to the impressive range of activities on offer to residents at the home.

The home takes pride in creating fun and innovative activities for residents to take part in, including its extremely successful initiative to home swap with another Care UK home in Dorset, to allow residents to enjoy a holiday away from home. 

Sherwood Grange offers regular trips which make the most of local places of interest, such as Thames cruises, one of which included a Bonfire Night firework display, trips to a music hall show, the panto and Trooping the Colour, talks from local people linked to residents’ interests, and a visit to RAF Hendon, where residents used virtual reality headsets to experience a Lancaster Bomber.

The home’s vibrant programme is boosted by strong links with three local schools and two universities. The residents put on concerts and shows for the young people, and then visit the schools to watch their performances. Even everyday activities and tasks can be meaningful for residents. For instance, one person helps with the laundry, another enjoys hoovering, and a gentleman collects the newspapers from the newsagent and delivers them around the home. 

Rick Mayne, home manager at Sherwood Grange, said: “We are over the moon to have won the highly commended spot in the ‘Best for Sporting, Social or Leisure Activities’ category. We had tough competition, which makes this achievement even more special.

“The lifestyle team is a huge asset to Sherwood Grange. Family members believe the team has added years to their loved ones’ lives and helped them to discover a whole new lease of life. One relative commented that their mum has enjoyed more trips, activities and visits in the past year at Sherwood Grange than in the last five years of her life. The team are constantly thinking of interesting and fun things for residents to take part in, while encouraging independence.”

Kimberley Atkin, lifestyle lead at Sherwood Grange, added: “At Sherwood Grange, everyone is encouraged to feel comfortable, to get stuck in, and to enjoy themselves. The scope of what we do reflects the residents’ interests and hobbies - just because they are living in residential care, it doesn’t mean their adventures should stop.”

Commenting on the awards, Care UK’s CEO for residential care, Andrew Knight, said: “I am so proud of the whole team for all the fantastic award wins we’ve received at the National Care Awards. It is testament to the incredible and hardworking colleagues we have, who all share our vision that residents should be enabled to live fulfilling lives.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone – I’m delighted to lead such a positive workforce and look forward to continuing the same hard work and dedication in the future.”