Caring Homes Celebrates The Presentation Of The Chief Nurse Gold Award To Two Senior Leaders
We are incredibly proud to announce that Julie Mason, Care Services and Operations Director, and New Commissioning Manager, Scarlett MacDonald, have both been awarded the prestigious Gold Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Award.
The awards were presented by Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, at Broadbridge Park Care Home in Horsham at an event co-hosted by VIVALDI Social Care under the banner ‘Proud, Passionate, Present’, representing the progress and ambitions for social care nursing and the introduction of the newly formed South East Social Care Nursing Advisory Council (SESCNAC).
The event was held during Care Home Open Week and as we were also marking our 30th anniversary, this was the perfect occasion to celebrate two outstanding members of our team.
Industry guests at the event included Amanda Partington-Todd, Deputy Director of Adult Social Care, Care Quality Commission; representatives from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); the VIVALDI Social Care team led by Kate Meacock; Rights for Residents; and other council members. They joined residents and members of the Caring Homes team at a sun-filled Broadbridge Park, where the fabulous garden was a popular spot for chatting and mingling.
The event began with guests enjoying sherry and shortbread– a favourite with Broadbridge residents – and included a talk and open forum held by the VIVALD team, and the presentation of a certificate to acknowledge the participation of Caring Homes in the VIVALDI Social Care project. This was followed by the ‘surprise’ presentation of the Gold Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Awards by Deborah Sturdy. Both Julie and Scarlett had known that the other was due to receive the award but had no idea that they would also be a recipient!
Scarlett commented, ”I am absolutely delighted and overwhelmed to be receiving this award from Professor Sturdy whose work has enabled the pathway for social care nursing recognition. This award is also so special as it shows what a great team Caring Homes is. As Julie was nominating me, I was nominating her and at Caring Homes this support extends to each and every one of the team. “
We were delighted that Caring Homes co-founders Helena and Paul Jeffery had also joined us, and they congratulated Julie and Scarlett on their wonderful achievement – testament to the incredible work they do at Caring Homes and within the social care sector more widely.
Reflecting on receiving the award, Julie said, “Our objective at Caring Homes is to continue to be a leader in the social care sector. This award is a recognition of nursing and social care excellence and it provides an opportunity to draw the attention of colleagues from across the services to the sector. It is an award I feel privileged to have received and I hope it will help to strengthen the part we play in the integration of the acute sector with social care”.
To wrap up the event on a celebratory note, the 30th anniversary cake was ceremoniously cut by Helena Jeffery and shared with guests and residents, while Paul Jeffery thanked the Caring Homes teams for their combined efforts over the years and concluded, “30 years ago, the care homes didn’t look like this but back then and today, it’s about the dedication and commitment of our people - from ancillaries to carers, nurses and management at the home, all working together as a team to be able to deliver great care. I applaud all the wonderful work they do and may it continue for the next 30 years!”
