‘Anything is possible’: Whitby Dene’s ethos recognised by the industry

Home news

Jul 04, 2018

Whitby Dene is celebrating after winning a highly coveted national award. 

Whitby Dene walked away from the Care Home Awards 2018 with a Highly Commended title for Single Best Care Home in a Group. 

The Care Home Awards are held annually to celebrate the very best people in the long-term care sector. The 17 categories highlight excellence within the care sector, and reward those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

The commendation praised Whitby Dene’s culture and ethos, built around the idea that anything is possible. The home has its own wishing tree scheme, whereby residents submit their wishes and the team works hard to grant them – and no wish is too big for Whitby Dene’s team. Earlier this year, they travelled to Vatican with Father George, resident and former priest, who wished to receive a blessing from Pope Francis. The home organised the trip, and a team member and Father George attended the Papal Audience, where Father George had the rare opportunity to meet him and receive a blessing from him. 

The home has also been highly commended for its specialised, person-centred care programme. On top of providing specialist nursing care, the home has its own enablement programme, designed by drawing on the team’s physiotherapy skills, and adapts its care plans to the residents’ needs, wishes, and abilities. For example, the team created a reminiscence playlist for a resident living with dementia who preferred to stay in her room, which includes her favourite titles and songs based on her family memories. 

Whitby Dene’s involvement in the local community was also highlighted. The home regularly organises free advice events for older people living independently, including the successful “Understanding dementia” event, and is an active member of the Dementia Alliance of Hillingdon. The home is currently planning to expand its Dementia Friend scheme to schools in the local area.

Home manager at Whitby Dene, Salima Baidoo, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised with highly commended in this year’s Care Home Awards. Making sure every resident receives the best possible care is our absolute priority; our personalised care plans and our wishing tree are a fantastic way to get to know our residents better and help us achieve our goals. 

“The team always goes above and beyond to create a “home-away-from-home” feel and to ensure every resident’s needs and wishes are met – it is fantastic to see their hard work recognised.

“We’re all delighted with the high commendation and are thrilled for the other Care UK homes who walked away with an award on the night also.”