A Sanctuary Care employee has scooped a prestigious National Care Award.
Stella Charman, who works at Ashley House care home in Bordon, Hampshire, was short listed for the Care Activities Coordinator category of the care sector’s premier annual awards event.
At Saturday’s ceremony at The Hilton Hotel in London, Stella was over the moon when she was named the category winner.
She said: “I would like to thank all of the staff at Ashley House who have supported me in developing our individual and group activities - this has enabled us to focus on individuals strengths.
“I would also like to thank my manager Margaret Powell for nominating me for this award and for giving me unlimited support in driving through our ambitions within our home.
“We believe passionately in the well-being of those who we have the honour of caring for and I am really enthusiastic about sharing our experiences with others within Sanctuary Care so that we can all benefit and move forward together.
“I will treasure the award.“
Stella was nominated by her manager Margaret Powell for making an exceptional contribution to the lives of the residents through the provision of activities.
The nomination follows Stella’s outstanding work for the NAPA Breath of Fresh Air competition, where the National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People asked homes to think of creative ways to bring fresh air to residents.
Stella helped organise a day at the beach with a difference, where residents could experience the joys of the seaside - in the home’s own garden!
She persuaded a builder to donate two tonnes of sand and managed to find a mobile farm which brought two donkeys along.
Residents helped paint a backdrop of the sea and children from a local school built sandcastles. There was also Punch and Judy show and candy floss and ice cream.
Stella’s efforts were greatly appreciated by residents and secured the home second place in the competition.
Stella’s appointment has been part of a pilot project. It has been such a success that it will be rolled out across the whole of Sanctuary Care - with other homes benefiting from dedicated activities coordinators.