Meet the winners of the Healthcare Homes’ Our Time to Thrive Awards

Healthcare Homes teams from across the business gathered together recently under the theme ‘Our Time to Thrive’. Aligning with Care England’s recent campaign this event signified that as we emerge from the difficult periods of Covid and the energy and economic crisis, we recognise that challenge and adversity have made us stronger and as a business, as teams and as individuals we can once again start to thrive.

Healthcare Homes’ Our Time to Thrive Awards 2023 saw every single part of the company represented by carers, cooks, administrators, gardeners, nurses, and coordinators. In the run up to the awards no less than 550 nominations were received from across the group.  

The best of these were judged by members of the Healthcare Homes executive team, and 28 shortlisted finalists attended an awards event where they were recognised and celebrated as well as the winner for each of the nine categories announced. 

The Our Time to Thrive awards represented the excellence, the commitment and the dedication that defines Healthcare Homes and the very positive impact our teams make every day in the lives of our care recipients and their families.  

Our fabulous winners are listed here along with some of the reasons which made them stand out:

 Learner of the Year – Danielle Russell, Recruitment Advisor  

“Danielle commenced her apprenticeship in March 2023 after becoming a recruitment advisor in October 2022. Danielle came into the role with no experience of recruitment and has since set about learning from the whole team to develop her skills and has produced some incredible results. Danielle is a worthy winner and an excellent member of the team and one who has worked hard for the recognition she truly deserves.” 

 Chef/Cook of the Year  – Sandra Lopes, St Leonards   

“Sandra has worked at St Leonards Court for more than five years, she is dedicated and passionate about the wellbeing and nutritional needs of all the residents. She ensures that all her meals are home cooked, nutritional and fortifying and is keen to work on any concerns regarding a residents weight loss or any modified diet needs. Sandra is always present and involved in the dining experience and pushes the team to do the same. She has consistently maintained her 5 –star rating since being Head Chef at St Leonards.”  

 Inspirational Leader – joint winners        

Joanne Jankowska, Meadow House and Fran Brett, Healthcare Homes Academy  

“Joanna is a wonderful leader, always ready to roll up her sleeves, always looking at ways to improve our residents lives, encouraging staff to think outside the box and allowing them the space and time to develop. She cares very deeply about the residents and the staff and is both a manager and a friend.” 

 “Fran has exceptional leadership qualities, combined with kindness, care, and unwavering commitment. What sets Fran apart is her genuine care for her team members as individuals. She understands that life can impact work performance and is quick to offer support and flexibility when needed.”  

 Manorcourt Carer of the Year  – Caselda Marie Perkins, Thurrock Branch 

“Cassie is a model care worker. She is hardworking, compassionate, and professional. Cassie always goes above and beyond with her service users and they all love her. Cassie is an integral part of our on– call team and gives 100%, she can always be relied on when the going gets tough and sometimes it does. Cassie would do anything to support the branch. Cassie loves looking after the service users and is the branch hairdresser, she goes out in her own time to cut our care recipients hair, which is fully supported by family and service users.” 

 Carer of the Year – Homes Jackie Tynley, Bilney Hall 

“Jackie is a pure example of an exemplary member of staff. She cares for people with the upmost dignity and respect, nothing is too much trouble and she never forgets the family and how they may be feeling. Jackie is a true team player, kind in her language, thoughtful and above all has the highest level of knowledge when it comes to being a senior carer. Jackie is thoughtful and always has time, patience and a comb in her uniform to make sure residents look their best.” 

  Supporting our Services  – Atcharawan Kirby, Tenchley Manor, Housekeeper  

“The team at Tenchley Manor all agree Atcharawan (Koo) is an outstanding member of the team, a great housekeeper, a valued colleague and has been for 13 years. Everyone comments how beautiful and clean the home is, how well kept their loved ones rooms are and the residents love seeing Koo buzz around their rooms. She embraces and promotes the  values and behaviours of the service and goes out her way to deliver  excellence, offers support and help to her colleagues and our service  users. Koo does her job but with a difference – her compassion, commitment, attitude and empathy to those around her is second to none, she’s a wonderful example to all who are lucky enough to work with her.”  

Community Engagement  – Claremont House activities Mandy Reed and Christie Morris-Sanquez  

“These ladies are a team, they are equally as amazing as each other. Their community engagement is exceptional, they have many people and events at the home and also make sure that the residents can access events outside of the home. Their engagement and friendly manner creates a fantastic atmosphere and they are truly loved by residents and their families.” 

Newcomer – Pasang Lhamo, The Chase, Care Assistant 

“Pasang is a joy walking around the home, residents and staff adore her. She is really inspirational, has an exceptional work ethic, is always on the go and ready to help anyone. Kindness, joy and passion are all a part of her personality. Although she is a newcomer Pasang is part of the glue that keeps the team together. The Chase is blessed to have her on the team, she learned quickly about her role, performs excellently. and we love to have her radiant smile around the building.” 

Making a Difference – Rebecca Hough, Activities, Handford House  

“It is clear on seeing Rebecca at work in Handford House how loved she is by the residents and how she takes the time to make a difference to someone’s day – a smile, holding a hand, offering kindness. Rebecca makes a huge difference through her creativity, kindness and passion with the beautiful wish tree just one of her artistic creations – she’s a credit to Healthcare Homes and to the residents she supports.”