Sutton Coldfield care home team member shortlisted for national dementia award

 

A local care home is celebrating after a member of the team has been shortlisted for a national accolade.

Annette Jackson, a Lifestyle Lead at Care UK’s Bishops Manor, on Jockey Road, has been named a finalist for the Best Activity Provider/ Lifestyle Lead in the National Dementia Care Awards. 

The National Dementia Care Awards aim to reward and recognise those who have demonstrated excellence within their field of work. 

Since joining the Bishop’s Manor team in May 2018, Annette has shown creativity and dedication to developing person-centred activities that enrich the lives of residents living with dementia.

Judges applauded Annette’s ability to tailor activities to individual preferences, ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities that reflect their interests, hobbies or previous careers. More recently, this has included introducing residents to boxercise with a professional boxer, who tailors the sessions to suit the requirements of each resident, and yoga and armchair travel where residents are immersed in the culture of various destinations with a multi-sensory approach. This includes authentic snacks, foods and beverages representative of the region which are paired with traditional music, travel vlogs and guest speakers to create a fully immersive experience. 

Annette also focuses on occupational activities with simple household tasks, like washing up, folding washing and laying the tables for the mealtime experience, the tasks provide a sense of purpose, familiarity and accomplishment.   

Annette ensures that activities remain top priority at Bishops Manor and that all team members, including the home’s management team and heads of department get involved. 

Judges praised Annette’s unique approach to making residents laugh. Annette will often finish an activity by reading jokes from her infamous ‘Rubbish Jokes’ book, which is well-loved by residents at the home bringing a smile to their faces.

Judges highlighted how Annette ensures all activities planned are tailored for those living with dementia. Each month, she runs the home’s Reach Out dementia café which is a support group involving residents and relatives, to discuss all aspects of dementia. Over coffee, participants can share stories, ask advice, and gain support from each other. Residents often come to Home Manager, Tom, and express their gratitude for these sessions, and how much they have helped them since joining. 

Commenting on the activities, one of the residents at Bishops Manor said: “Annette has a heart of gold, she is a lovely person and always asks how I am. I always look forward to receiving her monthly activity programme and sharing ‘what’s on’ at Bishops Manor with my daughter. My family also look forward to joining in on the social gatherings in our beautiful bistro.” 

Commenting on her shortlisting, Annette said: “I’m thrilled to be shortlisted for this award and proud to represent Bishops Manor. It’s an honour to work with such wonderful residents and a supportive team who help bring our activities to life. My goal is always to ensure that everyone feels involved, valued, and most importantly, happy – no matter their ability.”

Thomas Bampfield, Home Manager at Bishops Manor, said: “Annette is brilliant at what she does and has a real passion for supporting residents and their loved ones through meaningful, creative activities. Her thoughtfulness and actions have helped to make this home an even more wonderful place to live for all residents, including those living with dementia. Often seen as the life and soul of the Bishop’s Manor party – there is never a dull moment when she is around.

 “We are incredibly proud of Annette for being shortlisted for this award. This recognition is well deserved, and we are all rooting for her!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Bishops Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.