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We’re thrilled to announce that Lauder Lodge Care Home has received outstanding Care Inspectorate ratings of 'excellent' in residents’ wellbeing and 'very good' in team support, a testament to our dedication to resident-centered care. Our team at Lauder Lodge is committed to making every day meaningful for residents. One of our hallmark programs, the Wishing Tree initiative, allows us to fulfill personal aspirations. Recently, we helped one resident learn tap dancing, while another found a sense of purpose in a new part-time reception role—each wish reflects our mission to enrich the lives of those we care for. The Care Inspectorate highlighted our dynamic activities program, including Namaste Care sessions designed for residents with advanced dementia. These sessions engage residents through soothing music, hand massage, and gentle conversation to encourage reminiscence. Such personalised care has a profoundly positive impact, with families often sharing how much their loved ones look forward to and benefit from these moments. Earlier this year, we were also awarded the Care Fit for VIPS accreditation, underscoring our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment for all. Anees Riaz, our Home Manager, proudly shared: “It’s deeply rewarding to see our team’s hard work recognized. Every day, we strive to make Lauder Lodge a welcoming and fulfilling home for our residents, and it’s wonderful to celebrate these achievements alongside our community.
We’re proud to announce that Murrayside has been shortlisted for both ‘Management Team of the Year’ and ‘Scotland Care Home of the Year’ at the Caring UK Awards 2024, following our ‘very good’ Care Inspectorate rating and being named ‘Best for Nursing Care’ earlier this year. At Murrayside, we focus on personalised care, getting to know each resident’s hobbies and life history, even creating a ‘playlist of life’ with their favorite songs. Our Wishing Tree initiative helps residents reconnect with past hobbies or try new experiences – from theatre trips to meeting the Scotland Rugby squad. We’re also proud of our Namaste program, which engages residents living with dementia through sensory activities like hand massages and soft music. With 25 team members trained in this approach, and all staff dementia-trained, this program is a key part of our person-centered care. Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with relatives praising our caring team, warm atmosphere, and attention to detail. As Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager, shared, “We’re thrilled to be recognised for our hard work and dedication to making Murrayside a wonderful place to call home. The team goes above and beyond to support residents, and we’re excited for the awards!” The Caring UK Awards will be held on December 5, 2024, at the Athena in Leicester.
When we discovered that 87-year-old Doreen Cole, one of our residents at our Oat Hill Mews Care Home, had a lifelong love for donkeys, we knew we had to make her wish come true. Doreen had been fond of donkeys ever since she saw them for the first time at the seaside as a child, and although she hadn’t seen one in years, her affection for the gentle creatures had never faded. Determined to create a special experience, we arranged a surprise visit for Doreen to Windmill Farm in Kibworth, where she had the chance to not only see the donkeys but also to feed them. Seeing the joy on Doreen's face as she met these animals was incredibly heartwarming. Doreen shared her excitement, saying, “I have always loved donkeys, but I don’t get to see them very often, so I was over the moon to finally spend time with one. I have so many photos and little ornaments of donkeys, but to see a real one was something special. I loved going with some of the friends I’ve made here too – we had such a good time. I can’t wait to go again!” This trip was part of our ongoing ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put forward their wishes, whether it’s reconnecting with a past passion or trying something new. We love finding ways to make these wishes come true, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s flying a plane, sharing a fish and chip supper, or simply feeding a donkey, we’re dedicated to ensuring our residents have meaningful experiences that create lasting memories.
We’re excited to announce that Care UK has been shortlisted for an incredible 9 awards at the Caring UK Awards 2024! This prestigious event celebrates excellence in the UK elderly care and domiciliary sector, recognising the outstanding contributions of teams and individuals across the country. The Caring UK Awards, now in its 7th year, has become a major highlight of the care industry calendar. The 2024 awards will take place at the stunning Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 5th, 2024, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our colleagues and peers! Here are the categories in which we’ve been shortlisted: Care Group of the Year – Care UK Employer of the Year – Care UK Dementia Care Team of the Year – Appleby House End of Life Team of the Year – Amberley Lodge Management Team of the Year – Murrayside Scotland Care Home of the Year – Murrayside North Care Home of the Year – Halecroft Grange South Care Home of the Year – Appleby House Midlands & Wales Care Home of the Year – Priors House These nominations reflect the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our teams across the UK. From our management and care teams to our commitment to excellence in dementia and end-of-life care, we’re proud to see our colleagues’ efforts recognised on this national stage. We look forward to the awards ceremony and wish all the shortlisted teams and individuals the best of luck!
We recently treated the residents at Anning House in Weymouth to a special afternoon of animal therapy when two fluffy friends trotted into our home. To the surprise and delight of everyone at Anning, we had two new furry visitors, Socrates and Spartan Warrior, who quickly became the talk of the day. These two gentle alpacas were brought in by the team from Alpaca Adventure, an award-winning, ethical animal sanctuary, as part of a special visit designed to bring joy and a sense of connection to our residents. During the visit, residents had the opportunity to interact with Socrates and Spartan Warrior, learning all about these fascinating animals, including their unique history and characteristics. Many residents commented on how friendly the alpacas were and how much they enjoyed the experience. The event also provided a chance for residents to learn about alpacas’ calming and intelligent nature, and their positive impact on well-being. One of our residents, Betty Jackson, was particularly taken with them, saying, “The alpacas were beautiful and had such lovely coats!” Our General Manager, Heidi Williams, reflected on the day: “We had a wonderful time welcoming Socrates and Spartan Warrior to Anning House and giving them a full tour of the home. At Anning House, we understand the value of animal therapy and how beneficial it can be for our residents. Interacting with animals can significantly lift spirits and foster social interaction".
We're thrilled to share that Shona Bradbury, our Home Manager at Appleby House in Epsom, has been shortlisted for the 'Care Home Manager' award at the National Care Awards 2024! Shona, who has been with Appleby House for 10 years, impressed the judges with her leadership and commitment to creating a positive culture. She empowers and motivates our team, encouraging everyone to share ideas and improve resident experiences. One great example is how a team member's suggestion to enhance welfare checks was so effective that it became best practice across Care UK. Shona's efforts to involve relatives more deeply in our home life were also recognised. She introduced creative activities like art workshops and an allotment project where residents and their loved ones can connect. This approach has fostered a sense of belonging for families and boosted our relative satisfaction to 92%. A relative shared: "Shona deserves this award because she runs a wonderful home with compassion and genuine care. She’s given my father and me our lives back, and for that, I thank her.” Shona also promotes open communication, encouraging residents to express their wishes for care, meals, and activities, which has strengthened relationships in the home. On her shortlisting, Shona said: "It’s an honour to be shortlisted and lead a fantastic team who make Appleby House a place where residents feel truly at home. This recognition reflects the passion and effort our team puts in every day".
A local ballet school recently brought some magic to our care home in Bury St Edmunds. Students from Bury St Edmunds Ballet School performed at Glastonbury Court, delighting residents with their graceful moves and impressive choreography. The performance included three costume changes and a stunning display of ballet on pointe. After the show, residents had the chance to chat with the young dancers and learn more about ballet. The event was especially meaningful for resident Hazel Jackson-Kemp, who has always loved ballet but never had the chance to dance as a child. Hazel passed on her passion to her daughter, Karen, taking her to lessons and even handmaking tutus for her. Hazel shared, “It was lovely to see the children. It reminded me of my daughter dancing and how much she loved to dance.” Another resident, Margaret Kavanagh, said, “Watching them brought me back to my childhood—it was so lovely.” Betty Dunn, another resident, added, “They were absolutely fantastic, professional, and seeing such talent was so special.” Ana Mihai, Home Manager at Glastonbury Court, said, “We had an amazing time watching the ballet students perform—this was truly an afternoon to remember! Dancing played a big part in many residents’ lives, and the performance brought back wonderful memories for everyone.”
We are thrilled to announce that Care UK has been shortlisted in three categories at the prestigious In-house Recruitment Awards! The In-house Recruitment Awards celebrate teams who excel amidst ongoing challenges, recognising outstanding accomplishments in a dynamic market. This year, we has been shortlisted in the following categories: Use of Tech Candidate Experience Best Place to Work Use of Tech We impressed the judges with our innovative use of communication systems across 156 homes. Our highlights include the annual "Over to You!" colleague survey, the integration of Loop, Enboarder for essential text messaging to all colleagues, and various support methods available on our website. Candidate Experience Our innovative approach to balancing organisational and colleague needs has earned us a spot in this category. By maximising the candidate experience and supporting our company’s overarching strategy, we have strengthened our workforce, improved retention, and achieved record-breaking net recruitment figures. Best Place to Work We are also in the running for the Best Place to Work award. The judges acknowledged our record-breaking recruitment levels, reduced turnover, and the highest engagement levels since 2022. Individual homes have taken proactive approaches to colleague engagement, implementing home-specific initiatives that make a difference. The winners will be announced on 27th November at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
Join Us for Our Very Own Sporting Tournament! With the Olympics fast approaching, we're gearing up for our own celebration at Heathlands House. On Saturday, 27th July, from 1:30pm to 4:00pm, we’re bringing the spirit of Paris to Cambridge and opening our doors to the local community for a special event. As part of The Big Care UK Sports Day, over 130 Care UK homes across the country, including Heathlands House, are hosting sports days to celebrate and showcase life in a care home. We invite you to join us for an afternoon filled with fun and games. Compete in classic races like the egg-and-spoon and three-legged races, or try your hand at inflatable gladiator-style games for a chance to win your own gold medal. Alongside the sporting events, enjoy refreshments, a raffle, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including sports-inspired arts and crafts such as making bunting, torches, and medals. Razvan Stanbeca, our Home Manager, shared his excitement: “We’re delighted to welcome the local community to join our sporting celebrations. Events like this bring us together for healthy competition and allow us to showcase life at Heathlands House. The day promises laughter and enjoyment, and it's a wonderful opportunity for our residents to meet new people and stay active. We can’t wait for the festivities to begin!” For more information about The Big Care UK Sports Day, visit: careuk.com/care-uk-sports-day.
At Care UK's Lonsdale Mews in Quorn, we recently hosted a special garden party to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June. This event was part of a nationwide tribute coordinated by royal pageant master Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, known as ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace.’ Alongside the three Forces Charities and the Merchant Navy Association, more than 100 Care UK homes participated in this significant event. Our residents and team members transformed the garden with beautiful knitted poppies and cornflowers. Singer Eleanor Matley added to the festive atmosphere with her delightful renditions of 1940s tunes. The ceremony included a poignant reading by the cadets, after which the special lamp, symbolizing the peace following World War Two, was lit by our esteemed resident, Peter Dalton, 92. Peter has a remarkable history. At just 15, he left Leeds to attend the Army College in Chepstow, Wales, and joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 1949. His illustrious career saw him serve in Germany, Egypt, and Cyprus, eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant Major, then Captain in the MOD war office, and finally Major, forming a new unit in Melton Mowbray. “I felt very honoured to be asked to light the lamp. I was an Army Cadet myself when I was at Coburn Grammar School in Leeds, so it was nice to see the young cadets starting out in the service, just like I did"
