Outstanding Care Finalists Rivermede Court Shortlisted for Six Awards this year
Rivermede Court in Egham, part of the Cinnamon Care Collection, is proud that its outstanding care and dedicated team members have been recognised as exceptional by Surrey County Council, Runnymede Borough Council and the Runnymede Access Liaison Group (RALG).
Representatives from the care home, based on The Avenue, have been selected as finalists in four Surrey Care Home Awards, with winners to be announced on 10 November:
Team of the Year: Housekeeping Team
For working tirelessly alongside the care team this year to ensure that Covid infection control procedures were followed at all times. This team goes above and beyond – from sewing buttons on residents’ clothes to working overtime to ensuring that residents always live in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. Their teamwork is exceptional and they have formed strong relationships with residents and their families.
Carer of the Year – Dafne Abril Garcia Nieto
Who possesses all the attributes that make a great carer. She is kind, caring compassionate, hard-working and has an infinite amount of patience and understanding. She has done an outstanding job communicating with one resident living with dementia who has lost her ability to communicate in English but who, like Dafne, speaks Spanish and Italian. The special bond they have formed has enabled Rivermede Court to understand more about the resident’s needs, improving her quality of life. Dafne has overcome a serious illness this year and has returned to work with as much determination, dedication and energy as before.
Unsung Hero Award – Mariano Conceicao, Maintenance Manager
Who keeps the care home looking pristine at all times. Thanks to Mariano, Rivermede Court has passed external Health and Safety Audits with 100% for the last 3 consecutive years – no small feat considering the size of the care home. Mariano is dedicated to the Rivermede Court community, getting involved with dementia community initiatives, coming in to do specific jobs when on annual leave, and even driving residents to appointments and events in his own time.
Residents Involvement Champion Award – Hanka Vlhova
An exceptional team member who creates tailor-made plans for all residents, catered to their individual needs and interests. Hanka spearheads a range of creative initiatives involving residents of all abilities and at all stages of their dementia journey, and arranges trips out of the care home, based on the interests of residents. Thanks to Hanka, residents’ families say their loved ones are happier, their mood is improved, their days are filled with laughter and fun, and, best of all, they say they wish they had made the move to Rivermede sooner!
In addition to the Surrey Care Awards, Rivermede Court was selected as a finalist in the Disability Achievement Awards organised by the Runnymede Access Liaison Group (RALG). This achievement was in recognition of the wide range of engaging activities organised for residents with disabilities, from mobility or sight issues through to dementia, including Pound Fit and Gym Ball drumming exercise classes through to gardening, pet therapy and art & craft. These all have a beneficial cognitive and physical impact on residents’ wellbeing.
Earlier this year, Rivermede Court celebrated being a finalist for the Business Innovation of the Year Award at the Runnymede Business Awards, run by Runnymede Borough Council. The Egham-based care home impressed the judges with its focus on pushing boundaries whilst also creating stimulating initiatives for residents which enabled them to feel part of the local community.
Candice O’Neill, General Manager at Rivermede Court said, “I am so proud of the whole team at Rivermede Court who always go above and beyond to make sure that residents are mentally stimulated, get regular exercise, enjoy the outdoors, develop new skills and friendships, and feel part of the Rivermede and local community. Being selected as a finalist for six local awards is fantastic – a true reflection of the dedication of our team, the breadth of our capabilities and the exceptional care we provide to our residents.”