Care Home Worker Award for West Sussex Partners in Care 2016 - Walstead Place Care Home

Recipient: Walstead Place Care Home

Date: Tuesday 01 Nov 2016

Walstead Place Carer Wins Care Home Worker Award

Doreen Knight, a Senior Care Assistant at Walstead Place Care Home, has won The Care Home Worker Award for West Sussex Partners in Care 2016 accolades.

She was presented with a glass trophy, framed certificate and a retail voucher at the awards lunch held at the Arundel Wetlands Centre.

Doreen is also one of just five carers across the UK to be called for an interview for the prestigious title of Carer of the Year in the National Care Awards. The winners of this will be announced at a gala dinner on 25th November in London.

Promoted to Senior Care Assistant 12 years ago, Doreen loves looking after the 44 elderly residents. She has worked at Walstead Place Care home, near Lindfield, for 29 years, starting as a Care Assistant working night shifts. Her job encompasses a wide range of duties including participating in the resident activity programme, assisting residents with meals and completing care records.

When asked about her award Doreen said: “It was a bit of a surprise but lovely. I know I have been given the award but it is also for the team. We make such a good team, we are like a family.”

Judges commented upon the many activities Doreen participates in especially her dressing up at Christmas as Father Christmas. They mentioned the good care the team provides and her mentoring skills. One of the activities they recalled was a trip with residents to visit an RNLI boat on the coast.

Jacquie Ferguson, Home Manager at Walstead Place, says: “We are extremely proud that Doreen has been recognised by the West Sussex Partnership for her great skills as a carer locally. Our residents love Doreen and really benefit from her lively presence. When she is on duty nothing is too much trouble and each and every one of our residents is special to her.