Congratulations to our Dementia Care Awards finalists
The National Dementia Care Awards have proven to be hugely successful in recognising and rewarding the very best people who work in the hugely important field of dementia care. They highlight excellence and innovation, celebrating those who provide consistently outstanding care in what has been a difficult year for many.
There were 15 categories in the Dementia Care Awards which receive hundreds of entries every year so to be among four or five shortlisted finalists is a huge achievement. Our finalists were:
Best Dementia Training Initiative – My World Suite
Michele Saunders, My World Dementia Project Manager said, “My World is a unique programme for everyone which supports our Dementia Strategy. It has evolved around the resident, looking at all aspects of their lives and will continue to evolve as research into dementia continues.”
The My World suite of training includes three levels of training for colleagues, a practical immersion workshop into the world of dementia, friends and families training and dementia events as well as a leadership programme and courses specifically for chefs and other hospitality team members.
Michele added, “Our training workshops are delivered with passion and adaptability. Person centred care can be delivered in the best way I our homes if those providing the care have stepped into the world of the resident and can see things from their perspective, recognising their fears, loves, losses, emotions and their life histories.”
My World is City and Guilds accredited and recognised by the Princess Royal Training Awards.
Best Activities Co-ordinator for People Living with Dementia – Emilie Huffer, East Hill House
Emilie joined the East Hill House team, in Liss, after visiting them with the local school. She wanted to be part of a great team providing social care for those living with dementia and help to enhance their wellbeing through meaningful activities.
East Hill House Home Manager Charlene Rosewarne said, “Emilie has managed to achieve so much this year, even with the restrictions of the current pandemic. She doesn’t have a magic wand and do all of this herself but does seem to have an exceptional ability to get the most of everyone and engage whoever she comes across…. I believe a superhero cape is what she needs rather a uniform.
“Emilie has a wonderful, kind and caring nature and truly gets the best out of everyone she comes across. She gets to know the residents, relatives and her colleagues well and cares about the little things – it is often these things which help to set up the most engaging activities.”
Best Dementia Garden – Mill House
When developing their garden at Mill House Care Home in Chipping Campden the team told the judges they had one rule – they were not just trying to make it look pretty.
Their entry said, ”We don’t want our garden to be so structured and like a “show-home” garden we want a riot of colour, we want to care about making our garden what our residents who are living with dementia want, while being safe and secure.
The garden is ever changing and has sensory areas including a “to touch” corner, a “to see” corner, a “to hear” corner, a “to smell” corner, and a “to taste” corner.
For example, the “to see” corner might one month be a Cotswold theme to celebrate where Mill House is and then it will be changed to a seaside corner.
But most importantly for Mill House colleagues and residents the garden is for their community to visit when they can, for talking, making friends and, during difficult times, a place for a team member or a resident to take five minutes just to sit.
