Slough and Windsor care services honoured in Berkshire care awards

Several care providers in Slough and Windsor have been honoured for their efforts in adult social care – both in care homes and in the community.

The Berkshire Care Association (BCA) Care Awards spotlight the achievements of 25 individuals. Candidates were shortlisted from more than 150 entries.

Earning a sweep of awards was Ascot Residential Homes Ltd, including Care Service Recognition Awards for both St Christopher's Care Home and St David's Nursing Home.

Jose Pestana won the Behind the Scenes Award; Stacey Barry won the Inspiration Award; and

Antonio Teixeira was highly commended in the Care Home Cook or Chef Award category.

Stacey Barry, office manager, said: “Being nominated for the inspirational award was a complete surprise, but to be shortlisted and then win was overwhelming.

“There are lots of devoted carers, all over the UK that are unrecognised and undervalued everyday.

“This award reminds them that everything you do can make a difference, to encourage all carers and let them know that people do notice what you do and appreciate all your hard work.”

Laura Cares, which offers help at home for people in central Windsor, also won a Care Service Recognition Award. Owner and regional manager Laura Soye said:

“We were so proud to go pick up the award that staff worked so hard for. I could not be prouder.”

Oxford House Community Care (Farnham Royal) also won a Care Service Recognition Award.

Two of its staff were further honoured; Denise Neighbour won the Long Service Award and

Trudie Twitchen was highly commended for the Homecare Worker Award.

Denise is Oxford House Community Care’s longest serving member of staff. With more than 27 years of caring experience in Windsor, ‘her dedication and commitment are unrivalled.’

Trudie, by contrast, had no previous care experience when she joined Oxford House in 2021. She was praised by a man she looks after as being ‘very patient and understanding’.

Donna Doyle, registered manager and Tony Johnston, managing partner, attended the awards ceremony with Denise and Trudie, which took place in Wokingham on Thursday, April 25.

Donna said: “This is excellent recognition for the dedication they put into their work in the community, helping others by going above and beyond.

“They have both made such a considerable difference to their clients.”

Two staff from Langley Haven Dementia Care Home were also celebrated.

Irina Stanciu won the Care Home Worker Award and Carol Claridge was highly commended in the Activity Co-ordinator or Team Award.

Meanwhile, winners in Maidenhead included Larchfield House, Home Instead Maidenhead and Right at Home Maidenhead.

The awards were presented by Olympic Bronze boxing medallist Hassan Azim; James Sunderland, MP for Bracknell; Kevin McDaniel, executive director of adult services, health and communities RBWM; and Lynne Lidster, director of commissioning for RBWM Optalis.

The BCA Care Awards are intended to ‘serve as a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation within the adult social care sector.’