Abbeyfield’s Finest Lead The Way In Care Home Excellence

Cunningham House, a dementia-friendly residential care home in Epping, has been announced as the winner of the Care Home Team Award at the South East Regional Great British Care Awards (GBCA) 2020.

Cunningham House, managed by charity The Abbeyfield Society, provides dementia specialist care and support for up to 54 older people. Services that the residents can enjoy include a stunning nautical themed garden, a varied year-round activities programme, a hair salon, a sensory room, exercise classes with a personal trainer and a personalised care package. They also have the opportunity to help take care of the house pets, including chickens and a cat.

The awards ceremony, which took place on Friday 23rd July at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, was delayed from its original date in October 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. A number of Cunningham House staff were present to accept the award, including Operations Manager Melanie Kemsley and Heads of Care Ann Bird and Jade Shaw. They were accompanied by Abbeyfield’s Regional Director Kirstan Sparshott and Business Manager Amanda Osborne.

Located in North Weald Bassett, the home’s Care Team has flourished under the leadership of the Melanie, Ann and Jade. The GBCA judges were extremely impressed by Cunningham House’s nomination, commenting, “The team from Abbeyfield exhibited an infectious sense of humour, brand and passion for caring for their residents in their care home.”

Amanda said, “This award could not have come at a better time, and we are immensely proud of the whole Care Team at Cunningham House. They deserve recognition for all the hard work, dedication, and commitment to deliver a first-class service during such a challenging time.”

Cunningham House were also shortlisted for two other awards: Melanie was shortlisted for the Care Home Registered Manager Award, while Housekeeping Manager Karl Smith was also a finalist in the Ancillary Worker Award category. The Abbeyfield Society was also shortlisted for the Care Employer Award.

The Care Team at Cunningham House will now be shortlisted for the GBCA national awards, and will compete against the other Care Home Team Award winners from around the UK. The ceremony will take place at the ICC in Birmingham on Saturday 25th September.