Carer wins second dignity award for her dedication to residents

Home news

Nov 19, 2013

Dennah Patterson, a senior care assistant at Care UK’s Lennox House care home in Islington, has won her second award of the year for her passion and commitment to dignity in care.

Dennah was presented with the Great London Care award for dignity in care at a ceremony at the Lancaster Hotel in London, where judges praised her work with residents at the care home in Durham Road.

Earlier this year, Islington Borough Council presented Dennah with a Dignity in Care Award and it was the council that nominated her for the Great London Care Award. After passing through the initial stages of the competition, Dennah was interviewed by a panel of care experts on how she promotes dignity in the home’s residential care suite.

Dennah said: “I was delighted to have received the award from the borough council and I was honoured when they nominated me for this award. When my name was called and my photo went up on the day, I was shocked – I just kept saying “Wow, wow, wow!”

“I love my job and I am lucky to work with other carers who are also deeply committed to ensuring our residents are treated with dignity and given real choices about the care they receive.

“When I moved from Jamaica 30 years ago, I started to work in care homes and as soon as I started, I knew it was the career for me. I love seeing the residents happy and their happiness makes me happy.”

Home manager Florence Clarke said: “Dennah is a very caring person and she spends a great deal of time talking to residents. One lady joined us and, because of her condition, she couldn’t recognise people and Dennah knew she must have felt very isolated.

“Dennah spent a great deal of time, much of it her own, with the lady and now she is beginning to recognise people and engaging with Dennah and others in the home.

“She is always on time arriving, but never on time leaving, as she will not stop working until she is sure everyone she cares for is as happy and comfortable as they could be. She truly deserves this award.”