A prized poet: Team member at local care home wins national poetry award

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Oct 14, 2020

A team member at a Whitstable care home is celebrating after taking one of the top spots in the ‘Poems in a Pandemic’ competition.

Theresa Mead, customer relations manager at Care UK’s Harrier Lodge, on Thanet Way, wrote a poem entitled ‘Covid Run’ which took first place in the ‘Observation’ category of the national competition.

The ‘Poems in a Pandemic’ competition was run among frontline team members. The finalists and winners in each category will have their poems published in an anthology, called ‘100 Poems from the Frontline Staff’, with all proceeds going towards supporting the mental health of care workers through art projects.

Theresa’s poem focused on how her routine has changed since the pandemic, from her commute to work to ‘clapping for our carers’, she explored a different aspect of the ‘new normal’ in each verse. A first-time poet, Theresa wanted to express her feelings for the residents of the care home since the start of the pandemic and her journey through the last few months, even challenging herself to use a rhyming scheme in the poem.

Lisa Cullen, a team leader at Harrier Lodge, was also a finalist in the ‘Reflection’ category for her poem ‘Looking Back’ which shared her thoughts and feelings during the pandemic.  

Theresa Mead, customer relations manager at Harrier Lodge, said: “To say I was shocked at winning the category is an understatement. I’ve never written poetry before, but then I thought “well I will give it a go!” I’m so pleased I have been able to share my experiences, and express how it’s felt working in a care home throughout the pandemic.”

Diane Collins, home manager at Harrier Lodge, added: “We’re thrilled that not one, but two, of our team members were successful in the ‘Poems in a Pandemic’ competition. We have some very talented team members here at Harrier Lodge and I’m pleased they have been able to share their experiences through poetry.

“We can’t wait to see your poems published in the anthology – congratulations Theresa and Lisa!”

Harrier Lodge is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 65 older people in Whitstable, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

For more information about Harrier Lodge, please call customer relations manager, Theresa Mead, on 0203 918 2873, or email theresa.mead@careuk.com 

For more general information on Harrier Lodge, please visit careuk.com/harrier-lodge