Care home team in Shropshire win national praise

Published by kerri smith for Reach the People Charity in Health and also in Communities, Housing

Carers at a Shropshire care home for people with disabilities have won national recognition for their commitment and dedication.

Staff from the Maer Lane scheme in Market Drayton have won through to the finals of the Great British Care Awards which recognises the most inspiring champions of social care from across the country.

The 16-strong team supports nine adults with learning and physical disabilities who live at the home, which is run by Midlands-based Trident Reach the People Charity.

They were named runners-up in the regional finals for the Care Team Award but so impressed the judges that they have been selected to take part in the national finals in London in April.

Home manager Angela Jones nominated her team for their outstanding care and commitment to customers.

She said: “All the members of my team are very person-centred and totally focused on our customers.

“They go the extra mile and regularly put in volunteer hours. For instance, they gave up their own time to make sure all our customers were able to go away on holiday last year.

“We also raised over £1,000 with fundraising events, such as pub quizzes, market stalls and a summer fete. Some of the money bought a lawnmower for the home and some paid for a video camera because customers wanted one to record their holidays and day trips.

“They are a good team and I’m very proud of them. I’m thrilled that we have made it through to the national finals.”

Angela won the leadership category and her staff won the team category in Trident Reach the Charity’s own staff awards last year.

She will represent the team at the Great British Care Awards final at the Grosvenor Hotel in London in April, before the winners are announced in May.

The national awards promote best practice, celebrate excellence and pay tribute to frontline care workers and other social care professionals, as well as unpaid carers.

They aim to highlight some of the nation’s unsung heroes and the best quality care of vulnerable and elderly members of our communities.

Lisa Carr, a Director of the Great British Care Awards and one of the judges, said: “We will see the real celebrities of social care at our finals. Having been through the rigorous nomination and judging process already, the finals truly showcase the crème de la crème from the sector.

“The awards offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the UK – people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives. It has been very humbling to meet such champions of the sector and we are looking forward to celebrating with them – they are all winners.”

Trident Reach the People Charity provides housing, care and support services for vulnerable people, helping them to live independently and reach their potential through the charity’s residential schemes and work within the community.

For more information about Trident Reach or to find out how you can support its work, contact 0121 226 5800.