A WARRINGTON-BASED social care charity has been shortlisted for four Caring UK Awards.
National adult health and social care charity Making Space was already having a bumper year for awards when they heard they were finalists in an additional four.
The charity, which is headquartered in Warrington, has been shortlisted in the end of life care category (Sherdley Court, St Helens), community involvement (Rosemary Court, Darlington), activities team (Dave Valentine from Palmyra, Sefton, Merseyside) and for housekeeping excellence (Ashwood Court, Warrington).
Finalist activities co-ordinator Dave Valentine was talent-spotted by Palmyra residential manager Stephen Watson. Starting at the home as a bank cook in 2017, Watson was impressed with how well Valentine engaged with residents and asked him if he wanted to take on the activities role.
Dave’s friendly and easy-going style has seen many residents at Palmyra, which cares for adults with mental health needs, start to try new things and improve their confidence.
A male resident who previously didn’t want to leave the house now regularly travels to local beauty spots to take photographs, 82-year-old Barbara has discovered a love for digital drawing and 92-year-old Stan has learned to video call his 80-year-old brother.
At Ashwood Court (independent mental health hospital and residential care home) registered manager Judith Oakes praised the entire team for stepping up with housekeeping duties during the pandemic, to create as safe an environment as possible.
Support worker Lucy Hauge at Rosemary Court has been recognised for an intergenerational project she created at the height of lockdown. Her work saw residents at the extra care scheme receive scores of letters and pictures from local children to say they were thinking of them
And at Sherdley Court, the team has been recognised for its striking commitment to end-of-life care. The home has such a high level of expertise that many residents who are nearing the end of their lives are able to remain there, rather than be transferred to a hospital or hospice. Sherdley Court cares for older people living with dementia as well as those under 65 who have mental health conditions.
Rachel Peacock, CEO, Making Space, said: “I continue to be amazed and humbled by the dedication of our teams throughout one of the most difficult periods in social care in living memory.
“I hope these shortlistings go some small way to recognise the dedication, love and sheer hard work that our people put in every day.”
Making Space will find out if it has won at the Caring Awards UK in early December. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Athena in Leicester, presented by Emmerdale and Life on Mars actor Dean Andrews.
