Local care home crowns two Maidstone residents ‘Local Heroes’

Home news

Mar 18, 2021

Two Maidstone residents have taken first place in a care home’s ‘Local Heroes’ competition, winning £300 each.

Wendy Pfeiffer and Diane Bromley, who are employed by Inspired Villages, a retirement villages operator, to promote friendship and community with older people in the local area, were awarded the top prize by the team at Care UK’s Invicta Court, on Gidd’s Pond Way.

Wendy and Diane have always worked with older people in the local community and, when they were both made redundant, they continued to keep in touch with the group of people they would usually visit in a safe way. Diane and Wendy called everybody in the group weekly and, when restrictions were lifted, organised walks in the local park and garden visits.

The pair also ensured that everyone understood the government advice and restrictions, and had access to community resources if they needed them.

Second place, and a £200 prize, was awarded to the Phoenix Community, a club that supports vulnerable individuals in Kent so they can live as independently as possible. The organisation provides services and advice for physically disabled people, those with mental health disorders and learning difficulties, as well as their carers and families.

Wendy Pfeiffer said on her win: “Our thanks to Care UK, Invicta Court and to those who nominated us for the Local Hero award, and congratulations also to the Phoenix Community. We are proud to be accepting this award on behalf of our amazing ‘lovely oldies’ who have shown such strength and resilience over the past year.

“We both wish to acknowledge and thank all our volunteers and friends who have supported and encouraged us. Our gratitude also to Inspired Villages, for ensuring this much needed service for older people is here to stay. We would like to spend the prize money on arranging something very special for our team when we are eventually allowed to get together, what a celebration that will be!”

Diane Bromley added: “We really don’t expect to be rewarded, but nevertheless thank you so much. We are lucky to be doing a job we love, and to feel that one is making a difference to someone’s life is immeasurable. We genuinely love talking to all our lovely “oldies” and are counting the days until we can all get together again.”

Jacqui Pompeus, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: “We are thrilled to award first place to Diane and Wendy who are worthy winners of our ‘Local Heroes’ competition. The work they do is invaluable to older people who live in the community – particularly at a time when pandemic restrictions have meant that more people than ever are isolated.

“Congratulations also to the Phoenix Community who won second place, we’re proud to be able to support the important work you carry out.

“Working with older and vulnerable people are causes that are close to our hearts here at Invicta Court, and so we are pleased to be able to reward people and groups who go above and beyond for their community, friends or family, and have a positive impact on the local area – well done to all our winners.”

The new care home offers a full range of older people’s care services in hotel-style surroundings, including a café, hair and beauty salon, bar and cinema. The highly trained, professional team delivers permanent and short-term nursing and residential care, as well as specialist dementia care.

For more information on Invicta Court please call Customer Relations Manager, Jaime Jukes, 01622 807994, or email jaime.jukes@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/invicta-court