Richmond care home shortlisted for national award

Home news

Apr 30, 2021

A care home in Richmond is celebrating after being shortlisted in the Care Home Awards 2021.

Care UK’s The Terrace, on Maison Dieu, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Specialist Care’ category, which recognises individual homes for the exceptional specialised care they offer.

The Care Home Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in UK care home management, operation and delivery. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony in September.

The team at The Terrace have been recognised for their insightful, inclusive and empowering approach to dementia care, which supports residents living with the disease to continue to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Judges noted the in-depth training team members have undertaken, including Care UK’s ‘Fulfilling Lives’ training, which has been developed in partnership with the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester. Colleagues are also Dementia Friends and Dementia Champions, have been trained in relaxing Namaste care, and regularly take part in experiential sessions to enable them to have a greater understanding of the challenges faced by those living with dementia.

The Terrace completes personal care and lifestyle plans for each resident before they move into the home, ensuring they have full knowledge of each individual’s likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests, ready to support them to continue doing the things they love. One resident, who was a church minister, has held sermons for those in the home. Others help care for the home’s chickens, walk the dog or maintain the allotments in the garden.

Dedicated to fulfilling lives, residents are also supported to try new things or fulfil lifelong wishes. Residents chose to adopt their own dog, Rossco, and one resident, who wanted to ride a motorbike, was surprised with a vintage 1927 Triumph bike.

Encouraged to try new things, residents are given the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, from baking to pamper sessions. Prior to the pandemic, residents were regularly visited by local school children, and even have pen pals at care homes in Canada and America. The implementation of a new app, Active Minds, has also enabled the team to discover which activities have the greatest impact on resident wellbeing.

Relatives of residents have also shared a number of comments about their experiences of the home, with one relative saying: “I cannot praise The Terrace enough for their continued love, support and kindness that they show not only Mum, but also us as a family. The team have become like an extended part of the family… The best way to sum it up is to use the words of my mum, ‘isn’t this a lovely home I have here? The fact mum calls The Terrace home is testament to all the brilliant colleagues who have allowed her to feel safe.”

Judy Wray, Home Manager at The Terrace, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Specialist Care’ category at this years’ Care Home Awards.

“The last year has been incredibly challenging, and so to be recognised for our hard work and commitment to providing high quality dementia care feels very special indeed. Here at The Terrace, we really are like one big family, and we aim to ensure that life in our care is the next fulfilling chapter of resident’s lives.

“I couldn’t be prouder of all we have achieved – winning would be the icing on the cake!”

The Terrace provides 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 home has its very own bar and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about The Terrace, please call Home Manager, Judy Wray, on 01748 822342 or email judy.wray@careuk.com  

For general information please visit, careuk.com/the-terrace