CAMELOT CARE SHORTLISTED TWICE IN CARE FOCUS AWARDS

Wellington-based dementia-care providers Camelot Care are celebrating being shortlisted in two separate categories in the 2017 Care Focus Care Awards.

Now in their 10th year, the awards celebrate excellence across the care, support, health, housing and local communities sectors, aiming to pay tribute to those who have demonstrated outstanding excellence and commitment within their field of work or community.

Alison Southcott and the team at Camelot House and Lodge in Wellington have been shortlisted for the End of Life Care Award, while Joan Spalding’s posthumous nomination has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Alison and her team achieved ‘Beacon’ status for their service for the second time running last year in the industry-leading Gold Standards Framework, evidencing such high standards that the home was one of only seven across the country put forward for Care Home Of The Year 2016.

She is now preparing to be a GSF ambassador working with homes new to the framework to help them establish best practice and prepare for their accreditation.

Joan Spalding’s first contact with Camelot House was when her husband was cared for there. Following his death in 2014, Joan asked if she could continue coming to the home in a volunteer capacity.

She joined the ‘Friends of Camelot House’ and in time became chair of the group, throwing her energies into motivating others to join her fundraising, and helping ensure that the home’s events were enjoyed by residents.

Camelot Care’s operations manager, Clare Woodhead, said: “Joan always went the extra mile for the residents and was an effective advocate for their views and those of relatives in the development of Camelot House.

“Joan was equally at home talking and entertaining our residents as she was talking with the Mayor at our events. She was compassionate, kind, well-organized and always had time to enrich the lives of others.

“In Joan’s time with the Friends of Camelot she helped to raise over £3,500 and she left behind a thriving group.

“We were very saddened to receive the news that Joan was terminally ill. She passed away after a very short illness without time for her to know that she had been selected by the home for this nomination, but it’s lovely that her contribution has been recognised in the Care Focus Care Awards.”

The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner on Friday 7 April at the Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton.