Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home

Paula Colman at Hickathrift has been crowned ‘Memory Lane Champion’ for Barchester’s Central Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2018 and is through to the national finals.

The awards celebrate staff and volunteers who go the extra mile for the benefit of individuals living in Barchester care homes. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Maintenance Champion’ and ‘Team of the Year’.

More than 1,300 nominations were received from homes across the UK. All entries have been of a very high standard and Paula is thrilled to have been named top in the region.

Paula Colman said: ‘I and completely overwhelmed to receive this award - I am so lucky to be supported by a great manager, admin team and colleagues alike, and to receive their votes along with those of residents families and nurses I feel hugely honoured . I am very passionate about my role, with the resident’s well-being paramount in my mind - so thank you again for everyone who voted for me for this recognition’

As the winner for Central region, Paula is automatically through to the national Barchester Care Awards finals. She will soon have an interview with the judges and will then join finalists from across the UK at a special awards luncheon in October to celebrate their achievements and discover if they have won a national award.

Acting General Manager, Ceri Mills, said: “This is an amazing achievement. Paula is a dedicated and fully committed team member, as recognised by the volume of votes for her to gain this recognition. It is a great achievement for her to have been recognised as the Divisional Winner and we are all fully supporting her with the next stage of the company wide awards”

The Administrative Assistant at Hickathrift House has received a prestigious Long Service Award in recognition of working at Barchester Healthcare for 25 years.

Tracey Hills started at the home in June 1993 as a weekend Care Assistant and worked her way up to Deputy Manager in 2000. She then moved to the administration department after starting her family in 2003 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.

We held a day of celebrations with a fancy dress themed to thank the Carerswho make a real difference to the lives of those we support.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. Carers have a vital job in the care of residents throughout the home, and form very special bonds with the people they look after.

Residents at Hickathrift House joined in with the royal wedding celebrations on Saturday 19th May. The home had some beautiful hats donated to us by a family member and the ladies loved wearing them to watch the wedding.

We were very lucky to have a visit from Kirsty, an ex-staff member, on Thursday 10th May, when she brought her beautiful month old daughter, Evelyn, in to see us. Resident, Vera Hogg, had a lovely cuddle, and didn’t want to give her back!

Celebrations were in full swing at Hickathrift House on Friday 4th May, as one resident reached her 100th birthday in style.

Margaret Rowley was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she received a telegram from the Queen in recognition of her landmark birthday. Margaret and her family enjoyed a beautiful breakfast of smoked salmon and Bucks Fizz, prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Nigel Coleman. She was then joined by her family and the Mayor of Wisbech, Steve Tierney, for afternoon tea.