Bracknell care home shortlisted in national awards

Home news

Apr 29, 2021

A care home in Bracknell is celebrating after being named as a finalist for a national award.

Care UK’s Bickerton House, on Warfield Road, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best New Care Home’ category at the Care Home Awards, thanks to its focus on innovation, creativity and its person-centred approach to care since it opened its doors in January 2020.

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

Understanding the need for a person-centred approach to residents’ care, the team at Bickerton House capture each resident’s life history in detail when they move into the care home. This is put into a life story book and used by the team to support each individual to continue to live a fulfilled life.

One such example of the team’s dedication was their learning to sing happy birthday in another language for a resident from Russia when he celebrated his 66^th birthday. The team also organised a special celebration for him, as the Russian Orthodox faith celebrates Christmas on 7^th January, speaking with his daughter to learn about the food that he might like for that day to ensure he could celebrate in his traditional way.  

Another resident was a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War and for the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020, he was encouraged to deliver a talk about his experiences to residents and the team. He loved the occasion, proudly wearing his medals and showing his flying hat and logbook, which also sparked lively conversations between residents about their memories of the war.

Activities at Bickerton House are always linked to residents’ interests and experiences. Fun events are hosted regularly, such as the beach party in May last year that included fish and chips, mocktails, beach games and even individual trays of sand so residents could enjoy the sensation of sand between their toes. In the autumn, residents set about making a scarecrow family which have become a feature in the garden – and at Christmas the residents decked them out in lights and Santa hats.

Many of residents at the care home are well travelled, so Lifestyle Coordinator Katie Spiers worked with the home’s chef, Susan Barton-Taylor, to create themed days. One themed around Spain included tapas, sangria and Spanish music, and encouraged residents to reminiscence about holidays they had enjoyed in younger years.

As part of its commitment to supporting residents to keep in touch with loved ones throughout the pandemic, the team introduced the RelsApp, which enabled relatives and residents to communicate via a secure networking app. The home’s Facebook feed is also updated regularly, so relatives can see what their loved ones have been getting involved in – and the team even hosted a Zoom party for relatives and residents.

The care home also has a hair and beauty salon, a café, and a cinema, complete with a bar called The Heron. The bar is the focal point of the home and has hosted big-screen football matches, pub quizzes and parties – and allowed residents to enjoy a drink throughout the pandemic when the rest of the UK’s pubs were in lockdown.

Erika Smith, Home Manager at Bickerton House, said: “We are delighted to have made it to the finals in the ‘Best New Care Home’ category at the Care Home Awards.

“Being shortlisted is testament to the team’s hard work and innovative thinking to ensure every resident leads a happy and fulfilling life. The last year has certainly had its challenges, but the team have gone above and beyond to maintain as much normality as possible for residents, while keeping morale high with fun activities and events within the home.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and everything they do to ensure Bickerton House is a fantastic place to call home. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a win later this year!”

The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony taking place on 10^th September 2021.

Bickerton House is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hair salon and café.

For more information about Bickerton House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Jo Anderson, at jo.anderson@careuk.com or call on 01344 989943.

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/bickerton-house