Care home awards celebrate sterling efforts of staff and volunteers at Bucklesham Grange

Unsung heroes at a Suffolk care home were recognised in a special awards ceremony organised in their honour last week.

Staff and volunteers alike at Bucklesham Grange Care Home had their hard work celebrated among residents at the ceremony on Friday night.

The event was hosted by Mark McDonald, Bucklesham Grange’s general manager, and each winner was encouraged to walk down a red carpet to receive a certificate and award. Each award was jointly presented by a member of the local community as a VIP guest, among them mayor of Felixstowe Doreen Savage.

At the ceremony, Louise Chilvers was named rising star of the year, Chloe Mortimer as carer of the year, Lindsay Reader as nurse of the year and Johanna Wilson as volunteer of the year. Taking the award for ancillary team member of the year was Sadie Potentas, while Tanya Finch took home Lifestyles leader and coordinator of the year and Sharon Harvey was named dementia care champion of the year.

In advance of the event, the finalists had been nominated and interviewed by Hallmark Care Homes regional director, Bucklesham Grange’s general manager, care home residents and people from the community.

Daniel Rowark, clinical care manager at Bucklesham Grange said: “It was lovely to see the team at Bucklesham Grange, the residents and their relatives dressed to impress at our prestigious event.

“The red carpet, the champagne reception and the canapes were all set to make this evening truly special.

“The winners of each category were more than deserved, however it has to be said that each of the finalists and our nominees have added something above and beyond to the care of our residents each and every day.

“We would like thank everyone for their nominations and attendance.”

Friday’s winners have now been automatically entered into the Hallmark Care Homes Awards, which will take place in September and be presented by TV personality Eamonn Holmes.