Epsom care home shortlisted for national award

A care home in Epsom is celebrating after being shortlisted in the Care Home Awards 2022.

Care UK’s Appleby House, on Longmead Road, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Indoor/Outdoor Communal Spaces’ category, which recognises the efforts of a care home in improving care through a commitment to specific training. 

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 July. 

The team at Appleby House have been recognised for their creative spaces which provide meaningful activities and experiences for residents. Recently added to the home is ‘Appleby’s One Stop Shop’, which was created at the peak of pandemic restrictions after residents expressed that they missed their trips out to local shops and garden centres. Residents decide what to stock and now often visit the shop with their family and friends. 

Known for its focus on art therapy, Appleby House also features its own art studio, where residents can use art to develop their mobility, concentration and social skills. Residents often enjoy exploring their creativity by producing artwork that is later displayed around the home for visitors and residents to enjoy.  

Dedicated to ensuring the needs and preferences of all residents are met, the home environment at Appleby House reflects dementia best practice models. Led by Shona Bradbury, the home’s Home Manager, the team constantly adapt the home’s environment to suit the resident’s preferences. This has involved one suite in the home being run by female colleagues only as the residents who live there prefer to live in an all-female setting.  

A comment from a recent visitor highlighted the efforts of team members in ensuring meaningful spaces are designed for creative activities to take place: “The facilities at Appleby House are exceptional. The art room provides my mum with a chance to create pictures, something she has not done in years”. 

Another friend of a resident recently added: “The dedicated staff make the residents feel happy and take notice of their own ideas and contributions when doing creative work. When we saw how happy and contented everyone was, we realised how much art helped those with dementia. Appleby House looks bright and cheerful, with residents’ paintings covering the walls – it is a pleasure to visit as there is always something different to see.”

Shona Bradbury, Home Manager at Appleby House concluded: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the ‘Best Indoor/Outdoor Communal Spaces’ category at this years’ Care Home Awards.

“Being shortlisted is testament to the team’s hard work and innovative thinking to ensure every resident leads a happy and fulfilling life. It is truly encouraging to observe the interactions between residents and team members, and I’m thrilled they are being recognised for the difference they make each day to residents’ wellbeing through thoughtful care, creativity and valued relationships.

“We’d like to wish everyone shortlisted good luck – we have our fingers crossed for the final in July!”

Appleby House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The modern care home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.

To find out more about Appleby House, please call 0333 4343 002 or email Home Manager, Shona Bradbury, at Shona.Bradbury@careuk.com.

For more general information, visit careuk.com/appleby-house.