County Durham care home shortlisted for national award

Home news

Nov 24, 2020

A care home in County Durham has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The team at Care UK’s Stanley Park, on Wear Road, is a finalist in the ‘Outstanding Care in a Crisis’ category at the National Care Awards, following its hard work, dedication and incredible resilience during Wave 1 of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a year when it is more important than ever to recognise the invaluable work provided by the UK’s care sector, The National Care Awards will once again be recognising those who work tirelessly to provide high quality care in homes across the country.

The team at Stanley Park has been nominated following its unwavering commitment to providing great care for residents throughout the pandemic, and for ensuring their needs and wellbeing remained the highest priority at all times.

Members of the team quickly adapted to the new circumstances, from pulling together to fill the roles of team members self- isolating, to ensuring relatives remained able to keep in touch with their loved ones. One member of the nursing team even moved into the home for three months to ensure that the best possible care could be provided around the clock.

Commenting on the care of her grandparent, one relative said: “The carers truly loved my grandma and it was clear to see they loved all of the residents too.

“If there is any home in the country that deserves this award it is this one, the carers are special, they don’t just do a job, they make people’s lives better because they want to. I call them the ‘angels of the north’ and I hope to know them for many years to come.”

The team worked tirelessly to keep morale high for the residents with a range of safe and fun activities including socially distanced discos, arts and crafts and music.

Managers at the home also regularly assessed the health and wellbeing of  team members, ensuring its open and honest culture was upheld, and supporting those finding the circumstances challenging to take a step back if needed. This was particularly important as the home was featured widely in the media in the spring after coronavirus claimed the lives of several residents.

Christine Dudley, Home Manager at Stanley Park, said: “This has been a heart-breaking time for everyone at Stanley Park, and we continue to feel the loss of the residents who passed away very deeply.

“To be shortlisted for a National Care Award is testament to my team’s invaluable hard work and determination to ensure every resident is always treated with care, dignity and compassion, and that has been even more important over the last year. Each day, my colleagues astound me with their positivity and hard-working attitude, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every team member for their efforts in making Stanley Park a wonderful place to call home.”

The home team also won the hearts of the local community with gifts of flowers, chocolates and lots of messages of support throughout Wave 1 of the pandemic which really helped all of them at a challenging time.

The team will find out if it has won at a virtual ceremony on 24^th November.

Stanley Park has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential and nursing care, as well as short-term respite.

To find out more about Stanley Park, please contact home manager, Christine Dudley, on 01207 668587 or email Christine.dudley@careuk.com

For more general information, visit  careuk.com/care-homes/stanley-park-stanley