Epsom care home manager shortlisted for prestigious award

 

A team member at an Epsom care home is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national award.

Shona Bradbury, Home Manager at Care UK’s  Appleby House, on Longmead Road, has been shortlisted for the ‘Care Home Manager’ award at this year’s National Care Awards 2024, which celebrate and recognise the very best in the social care sector.

Manager of Appleby House for 10 years, the judges were impressed with Shona’s leadership and management skills which have created a positive culture amongst the team. Judges applauded how Shona empowers and motivates her team, encouraging them to voice their ideas and follow their passions to continually improve the resident’s experiences.

For example, judges found how a team member recently had an idea on how to improve the efficiency of welfare checks, their suggestion was then implemented, and was so successful it was later shared across Care UK as a form of best practice.

Judges also recognised Shona’s efforts to increase relative's involvement at the home. This has involved introducing a number of activities relatives can take part in with residents, including an art workshop, where they have an opportunity to be creative with their loved ones. Shona has also started an allotment project for green-fingered residents and relatives, which also offers a peaceful space to sit and reminisce in the home’s garden, in addition to a shop where relatives can donate items which residents can select from, giving families ownership over an area of the home.

The introduction of these inclusive activities and spaces has resulted in relatives feeling a sense of belonging too. Shona’s ability to listen and act on feedback, while implementing activities that encourage family engagement, has helped to increase the home’s relative satisfaction survey to 92%.

One resident’s relative commented: “Shona deserves this award because she runs a wonderful home, that goes beyond excellence in every respect. She does her job with compassion and genuine care for everyone around her and only gives 100%. It’s clear the home is her life and passion. Shona and her amazing team have given my father and my life back, and that I thank her for.”

Shona was also applauded for encouraging independence and choice among residents to allow residents to lead conversations about what they’d like out of their care and their wishes for the home. This open communication on food plans, activities, and days out has resulted in strong and healthy relationships between team members and residents.

A relative of a resident said: “As a manager, Shona is never complacent… she listens and takes on board suggestions from the team, residents and relatives. A good example of this was at the very beginning of my dad’s stay, I mentioned how I took dad out a couple of times a week to a coffee shop. Very soon after there were fresh croissants and Danish’s every morning in the lounge and a fabulous fresh coffee machine.”

Keen to make a difference locally, Shona has also established strong links with the local community, working closely with Age Concern and local charity Love Me Love My Mind, which team members from Appleby House have donated Christmas items to for the last four years. This relationship has resulted in members from Love Me Love My Mind charity helping out at the home’s allotment every Wednesday.

Commenting on her shortlisting, Shona said: “It’s an incredible honour to be shortlisted for this award and to be in this role and lead a fantastic team who ensure Appleby House is not just a care home, but a place where residents feel happy, respected, and truly at home. This shortlisting is a reflection of the amazing effort and passion that everyone here brings to their roles every day.

“I strive to encourage and motivate the team to achieve their goals, as well as trying to provide the highest level of care to residents and create a positive culture in the home. I’m proud and honoured to have been nominated for this award and look forward to celebrating, regardless of the outcome, later this year.”

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.