Ipswich care home wins prestigious award

A care home in Ipswich is celebrating after being named one of the region’s most inclusive care homes.

The team at Care UK’s Asterbury Place, on Aster Road, has been named winner for the ‘Equality, Diversity & Inclusion’ category at the Suffolk Care Awards.

The Suffolk Care Awards recognise excellence and innovation within the region’s care sector and the local communities that support them.

In addition to extensive inductions and basic training, each team member at Asterbury Place has undertaken additional training to ensure everyone feels supported at the home, regardless of their faith or sexual orientation. 

Working with sister Care UK care homes across the region, the team at Asterbury Place also started hosting their own LGBTQ+ Café sessions. These quarterly events, which are open to all, alongside the open-door policy introduced by Home Manager, Christine Da Silva, and the home’s LGBTQ+ book club, all contribute to ensuring the home remains a safe haven for all. 

Residents also receive tailored support. For example, the team reached out to a local LGBTQ+ charity, the Outhouse, in order to receive support for one particular resident. 

The home’s equality, diversity and inclusion doesn’t stop at sexual orientation – it also extends to residents and team members’ faiths. For example, working hours for a team member of Muslim faith were adjusted to give them an opportunity to pray at the required times while working. 

The home also hosts a monthly church service and organises regular priest visits, as well as opening its doors to volunteers from different faiths to interact with residents of the same faith and bring them comfort. 

In a drive to improve awareness around female health, the home also has a fully trained Menopause Champion on hand who is able to support and provide assistance to residents and colleagues. 

Christine added: “We’re thrilled to have been named winner for the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion award at the Suffolk Care Awards 2023. I am so proud of the team’s efforts here at Asterbury Place and it’s a true testament to everyone’s tireless dedication to delivering the highest quality of care while creating a safe haven for all – where everyone is celebrated, regardless of their beliefs or sexuality. 

“On behalf of everyone at Asterbury Place, I would like to congratulate the team for taking home this special award – their ongoing commitment truly knows no bounds and I am delighted to see their dedication being recognised regionally!”

Asterbury Place is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and end-of-life 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 cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.