Care UK recognised with two wins at Caring UK Awards

Care UK colleagues are celebrating  after winning two awards at the prestigious Caring UK Awards ceremony.

Care UK’s Manor Lodge, based in Chelmsford, won South Care Home of the Year. The accolade recognises the team’s hard work and the person-centred care that is championed by every colleague in the home.

The home’s low turnover and long service of its colleagues results in a continuity of care for residents, allowing the development of meaningful friendships between the team and those living at Manor Lodge.

Residents’ interests are well catered-for and prioritised. Residents are actively involved in how the home is run on a day-to-day basis – including which activities they want to take part in, and the food and drink they want to see on the menu. Other standouts include the home’s popular gardening club.

The home is also an active member of the local Chelmsford community. As part of the Archie project, which promotes intergenerational engagement for those living with dementia, the home has fostered relationships with local schools and nurseries while the community is welcomed at Manor Lodge’s events, including the home’s annual summer fete.

Care UK also won the award for Best Initiative in Care for the organisation’s co-creation of Next Level Teas. This sector-first tea was designed to taste better when thickened for those with modified diets and was exclusively developed in a venture between Care UK and family-run company Tea From The Manor.

The tea, which comes in four flavours and is both degradable and compostable, was developed and tested over the course of four months by Care UK’s Hotel Services Manager Andrew Mussett and James Green of Tea From The Manor.

The teas are designed to support those living with dysphagia – around 21% of Care UK’s residents - and have diets between levels one and four of the IDDSI framework.

Andrew Mussett, Care UK’s Hotel Services Manager said: “With James’ expertise, we were able to create a series of teas that brew more quickly than regular teas. This means, even with the additional time needed to ensure that the tea is thickened to the correct level, the liquid remains hot.

“Usually, once the thickener is added, the aroma is lost, but we’re pleased that this is not the case here. You just can’t beat a good cup of tea!”  

If you want to work alongside award-winning colleagues like the team at Manor Lodge, Care UK’s website has all the information you need to find vacancies near you: https://www.careuk.com/careers