Staff at De Brook Lodge care home in Urmston have been recognised amongst the best of the North West’s social care workers by reaching the finals of the regional Great British Care Awards.
The care team have scooped an impressive three finalists across categories including Activities Organiser, Cook/Chef and Care Team of the Year awards. The finalists have been nominated by colleagues, residents, relatives or professionals and are selected by a team of judges from their region. Each nomination is a testament to the team’s dedication to their role, providing person-centred care for their residents.
The purpose of the Great British Care Awards is to pay tribute to those individuals in the care sector who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work. The finalists will attend a virtual meeting later this month where they will be interviewed by several judges who themselves work within the care sector. The results will be announced at a regional gala dinner in April with the winners securing a place at the national awards.
Lifestyle Manager, Danielle Aikenhead, who has been shortlisted for the ‘Activities Organiser of the Year’ accolade two years running said, ‘It’s brilliant to be recognised for my work two years on the trot and to know what I do is making such a difference to our resident’s lives is the icing on the cake. Activities are incredibly important for wellbeing and help us bond with our residents – it is also what makes De Brook Lodge such a caring place to live and work. I am delighted to be a finalist again alongside so many of my co-workers. I am very proud of our team and I wish everyone the best of luck within their categories’.
Linda Smith, finalist in the Cook/Chef award category, said, ‘What a year! I have always said, find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life and I truly come to work each day with the same passion I had on my first shift. I cannot think of a more rewarding career than working in social care’.
The Great British Care Awards announcement follows De Brook’s recent celebrations after receiving an overall rating of ‘GOOD’ from regulatory body, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Inspector learnt how the team have supported their residents and each other throughout the last few months, detailing how staff at the 52 bed care home felt positive about their work and how infection control measures have been increased in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in order to keep everyone safe.
87 year old resident, Phylis Kermode, said, ‘I admire the spirit of the care team at De Brook, they give their all to the residents and go above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need and are happy. I simply cannot fault them, and I feel very lucky to live at De Brook Lodge. I am so pleased they have been recognised by not only the CQC but now the Great British Care Awards! I am rooting for them all to bring home the titles!’.
Registered Home Manager, Wayne Jones, who was commended throughout the recent CQC report for being supportive, honest and understanding, said, ‘‘I am so proud of everything my team have achieved over the past year. Their dedication and commitment to their residents during the course of the pandemic has been nothing short of inspiring and it is great to see how they have been able to continue to adapt to their situation and create fun and exciting things for our residents to do, whilst continuing to provide the highest standards of personalised care. Well done Team De Brook Lodge!’.
