Dorset care home team member shortlisted for national award after bringing residents ‘nothing but happiness’

A care home in Dorset is celebrating after a team member was announced as a finalist for a national award.

Hannah Collins, Lifestyle Lead at Care UK’s Ferndown Manor, on Golf Links Road, Ferndown, has been shortlisted in the Dementia Care Awards 2024.  

The new awards celebrate outstanding practice in dementia services and recognise a commitment to deliver outcome-focussed care for people living with the condition.

After wowing judges with her people-centred and thoughtful approach to residents’ wellbeing, Hannah is in the running for the coveted ‘Activity Co-ordinator Award’. 

Caring Hannah quickly made an impression on the home after joining the team in 2021, putting together activities focussed on enriching the body, mind and soul. She has also planned many special days out for residents, catered around their passions and memories.

Hannah said taking residents on days out is her favourite part of the job. 

She added: “Going on these trips and days out with residents is an amazing opportunity to see who they really are, and to watch their personalities shine. 

“This is my favourite part of my role – being lucky enough to experience the happiness they feel when being out and enjoying the world.” 

Since Hannah’s arrival, the home has reported significant improvement in residents’ wellbeing, with the atmosphere ‘radiating a positive energy’.

The 27-year-old has been particularly praised for her specialised approach towards residents living with dementia, helping them to hold on to their memories.

Sara Muslin, Home Manager at Ferndown Manor, said: “Hannah will sit down with residents and have simple daily conversations with them. If a resident mentions a memory they have, she will note it down and go and research what she can do to help the resident relive that memory.”

The ‘Activity Coordinator Award’ recognises activity leaders that help enhance the lives of those living with dementia. The award champions innovation and making a real-world difference to people’s lives.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 13th June at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. 

Sara added: “Since joining us, Hannah has provided residents with nothing but happiness and thoroughly deserves this honour. 

“A lot of thought and care has gone in to making Ferndown Manor a wonderful place to call home and Hannah consistently goes above and beyond for residents and their wellbeing – particularly those living with dementia.

“On behalf of the whole team, I’d like to extend thanks to Hannah and wish her the very best of luck in the finals.”

Ferndown Manor has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives in a luxury environment. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care. The care home also boasts its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.