Care UK celebrates its brightest stars

Company news

Dec 19, 2016

Over 100 Care UK care home teams competed nationally in the annual RCS Stars awards. 

The Residential Care Services (RCS) Stars awards recognise and reward individual and team excellence across Care UK’s RCS division. 

A total of 19 awards were handed out during the ceremony, with Mountfitchet House beating off stiff competition and taking the highly coveted Home of the Year award. The team at Mountfitchet House was nominated for the award due to their outstanding performance across all areas of care. 

The panel of judges found that the team at Mountfitchet House has consistently delivered excellent care and strives to continuously improve resident wellbeing. This has resulted in an ‘Outstanding’ rating for ‘caring’ by the CQC. 

Allison Squires, home manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “It was a truly inspirational evening and brilliant to hear about the compassion and dedication of team members as well as the positive impact this has had on residents, which enables them to live fulfilling lives. 

“We are thrilled to have won Home of the Year in Care UK’s national awards. Since we opened in 2014, everyone has worked incredibly hard to create a comfortable and homely environment for residents. After being awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating by the CQC last year, this award from Care UK really is the icing on the cake. I’m so proud of the whole team for their hard work and commitment.”

Sarah Evans, home manager at Station House in Crewe, was presented with the Outstanding Leadership award. The panel of judges found Sarah leads by example and encourages her team to develop their skills and knowledge to help them provide the best care they can. This has been demonstrated by a second success at the awards ceremony, with Rose Billington winning best Housekeeper of the Year.

The awards ceremony also saw the team at Mildenhall Lodge care home in Mildenhall celebrating after its team member, Kayleigh Stokes, won the Carer of the Year award. 

Kayleigh was nominated for the RCS Stars award for the hugely positive impact she has had on residents and the team at the care home since joining Mildenhall Lodge earlier this year. Kayleigh has been commended for her friendly and professional attitude, as well as being praised for being highly competent and an all-round excellent carer. 

Cleves Place care home in Haverhill scooped the Great Dementia Care award, with the team praised for enhancing residents’ wellbeing and taking a creative approach to person-centred care. 

The judges praised the level of care at Cleves Place, highlighting that this has led to the enhanced wellbeing of residents, with impressive outcomes for those living with dementia. The team was also praised for their creativity, expertise, activity-based care and commitment to supporting those living with dementia.  

Appleby House care home in Epsom is also celebrating after its team member, Jacqui Dye, won Activity Coordinator of the Year award. Jacqui was nominated for the RCS Stars award for her passion and enthusiasm for Appleby House and making the care home a hive of activity. 

The panel of judges found that Jacqui is always thinking of fun new ideas for the residents, and has gone the extra mile to train as an Oomph instructor, which means she can host regular exercise classes at Appleby House. 

In total, 19 awards were presented throughout the evening, including: 

Maintenance Man of the Year – Colin Cavell, Whitebourne 
Administrator of the Year – Suzanne Stuart Jones, Laurel Dene 
House Keeper of the Year – Rose Billington, Station House 
Care UK Angel of the Year – Emma Walsh, Grangewood 
Chef of the Year – Nikolina Dimitrova, Priors House 
Engagement award – Tor na Dee
Great Dementia Care award – Cleves Place 
Activities Co-ordinator of the Year – Jackie Dye, Appleby House 
Carer of the Year – Kayleigh Stokes, Mildenhall Lodge
Nurse of the Year – Louise Ross, Cairdean
Deputy Manager of the Year – Amanda Thornsby, Glastonbury Court
Outstanding Leadership – Sarah Evans, Station House 
Most Improved Home – Larkland House 
Home of the Year – Mountfitchet House
Most Improved Region – West London
Region of the Year – North Central 
Sales and Marketing award – Manor Lodge 
Sales and Marketing award (CRM supported home) – Colne View 
Support Team of the Year – Finance Operations