Hat-trick of national award wins for Bury St Edmunds care homes

Home news

Nov 25, 2019

Two care homes in Bury St Edmunds are celebrating after being recognised for three national awards.

The Residential Care Services (RCS) Stars awards recognise individual and team excellence at more than 120 care homes nationwide across Care UK’s RCS division.

The home manager at Glastonbury Court, on Glastonbury Road, and Davers Court, on Shakers Lane, took home the coveted award for ‘Outstanding Leadership’, which was one of 20 accolades handed out during the event.

Sharlene Van Tonder, home manager at both Glastonbury Court and Davers Court, was recognised for her outstanding approach to leading not one, but two teams. Judges praised Sharlene’s commitment to running both homes to an exceptionally high standard and for creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that is a home first, and a workplace second.  

Sharlene said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award! I’m incredibly proud of the wonderful environments we’ve created at both Glastonbury Court and Davers Court. My colleagues are dedicated, hardworking and make a huge difference to the lives of residents each and every day – and I’m incredibly grateful for their continued support.”

A second win for Glastonbury Court saw Trudy Jennings presented with the ‘Dementia Champion’ award. The panel of judges praised Trudy for her ability to accurately share with colleagues how it feels to live with dementia – ensuring team members leave training sessions feeling inspired and continue finding new ways of enhancing residents’ lives. However, it was Trudy’s exceptionally supportive nature, and commitment to residents and relatives, which judges felt set her apart from competitors in the category.

The team at Glastonbury Court was also recognised as ‘End of Life Team of the Year’ at the Caring UK Awards, which acknowledge those delivering quality care services across the UK.

The home has created a suite for relatives to use, and also provides a portable bed to allow them to sleep in their loved one’s room. Memory books are created for the family, including photographs of their relative’s time living at Glastonbury Court, and messages from residents and team members. Families are invited to hold their loved ones wake at the Glastonbury Court, and the home team continues to offer an open door even after loved ones have passed, to support relatives through the grieving process.

Sharlene continued: “I am incredibly proud of Trudy and the teams at Glastonbury Court and Davers Court for their dedication to providing the best possible care for residents. To be recognised at two different award ceremonies is fantastic, and I would like to thank everyone for all of their hard work, which I know is greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”

Glastonbury Court and Davers Court are modern care homes, providing full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care homes have their very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.

For more information on Glastonbury Court or Davers Court, please call senior business administrator, Lottie Linton on 01284 848 709 for Glastonbury Court, or 01284 847 868 for Davers Court, or email lottie.linton@careuk.com

For general information, please visit careuk.com/glastonbury-court or careuk.com/davers-court