Delight as Woodstock Care Home Staff are Shortlisted for Five Awards

The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration  of excellence across the care sector.  The purpose of the awards are to pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.

There are twenty one awards categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of the social care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care. From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.

Mari Mourao, Sarah Burrell, Naomi Daglish, Ellen Sandell, and Chris Stone, from the 27-bedroom Woodstock Care Home in Gressenhall, have been shortlisted in some of the 21 award categories.

Mari is in the finals for the Care Home Registered Manager Award.

“My name is Mari, I have been working at Woodstock Care Home since 2012, I started as a care assistant and worked my way up over the years, I became the Registered Manager in March 2022, I have faced a lot challenges when started as a Home Manager coming out of Covid, but through a lot of  hard work with the team and trying to promote the best person centred care as possible, we have achieved an amazing improvement. Myself and other colleagues have lots of amazing projects to be able to implement and make this home a even better place our residents to live in.”

Sarah Burrell, who is finalist for the Ancillary Worker Award, has worked at the care home for seven years, in the laundry. “I have always took pride and care in my work, with residents personal clothing and bedding. Collecting and returning those items is the most rewarding. Getting to interact with the residents having a chat, making a drink or plaiting their hair if asked.

Ellen Sandell, a Frontline Leader Award finalist, is a Senior Night carer and in-house trainer for safer people handling.  She said, “I always try to lead by example and promote the best care as possible for my team. I thrive on extending my knowledge and understanding and enjoy learning new and transferable skills that can be used in maintaining the highest standards of care that I deliver to our residents. I believe I am an adventurous and bubbly person who has a passion for making a difference in people’s life.”

Chris Stone, who is up for the Care Newcomer Award, said “I came to care in January 2023 after a 20-year career in hospitality management. Feeling unfulfilled by my previous roles I made the decision to move to social care and it is by far the best decision I made. It is truly a privilege to support the residents of Woodstock. Their stories and lived experience inspire me to give them the best experience every day.”

The regional finals are due to take place in Milton Keynes in November and we wish the best of luck to all our finalists.