‘Everyone deserves to find a place where they belong’ – Ipswich care home shortlisted for prestigious award

A care home in Ipswich has been nominated as one of the region’s most inclusive care homes.

The team at Care UK’s Asterbury Place, on Aster Road, has been nominated for the ‘Equality, Diversion & Inclusion’ category at the Suffolk Care Awards.

The Suffolk Care Awards recognise excellence and innovation within the region’s care sector and the local communities that support them.

In addition to extensive inductions and basic training, each team member at Asterbury Place has undertaken additional training to ensure everyone feels supported at the home, regardless of their faith or sexual orientation. 

Working with sister Care UK care homes across the region, the team at Asterbury Place also started hosting their own LGBTQ+ Café morning sessions quarterly. These events, which are open to all, alongside the open-door policy introduced by Home Manager, Christine Da Silva, and the home’s LGBTQ+ book club, all contribute to ensuring the home remains a safe haven for all, regardless of their orientation. 

Residents also receive tailored support. For example, the team reached out to a local LGBTQ+ charity, the Outhouse, in order to receive training for one particular resident. 

The home’s equality, diversity and inclusion doesn’t stop at sexual orientation – it also extends to residents and team members’ faiths. For example, working hours for a team member of Muslim faith were adjusted to give them an opportunity to pray at the required times while working. 

The home also hosts a monthly church service and organises regular priest visits, as well as opening its doors to volunteers from diverse faith to interact with residents of the same faith and bring them comfort. 

In a drive to improve awareness around female health, the home also has a fully trained Menopause Champion on hand who is able to support and provide assistance to residents and colleagues. 

Christine added: “We believe everyone deserves to find a place where they belong, and the whole team works incredibly hard to make Asterbury Place can offer a safe haven for all, regardless of their beliefs or sexuality. 

“This is why I’m delighted to see their efforts being recognised with our nomination in the ‘Equality, Diversion & Inclusion’ category at this year’s Suffolk Care Awards.

“The Asterbury Place family is made up of team members, residents and relatives from all backgrounds and we’re proud to say that we celebrate everyone. We’ll keep our fingers crossed we come out as the winners!”

Asterbury Place is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and end-of-life care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.