Oldbury Care Home Wins Prestigious Award for Innovative Initiative

A care home in Oldbury has been named a winner in the West Midlands Care Association (WMCA) awards for 2023, for an innovative campaign aimed at improving the lives of its residents.

Portway House took home the prestigious award for its ‘What’s the Memory’ initiative, developed to inspire treasured memories among its residents.

The campaign, which took place in April this year, involved having a series of memory boards placed throughout the home, filled with pictures relating to a specific theme, such as childhood memories or holidays.

Residents were encouraged to engage with the images and share cherished stories of their past with staff and fellow residents. Evoking positive memories in this way is an effective way of stimulating recollections, promoting social interaction, and reducing anxiety and depression among older people.

Kim Young, care home manager at Portway House, said:
“We aim to go above and beyond to promote our residents’ well-being and this award is great recognition of all the staff do to ensure we provide fulfilling experiences that make a positive difference.

“It was wonderful to see the positive impact the campaign had on our residents as they shared precious memoirs and experiences from their lives, and I’m proud of our dedicated staff who worked hard to make it a success.”

The West Midlands Care Association Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in care provision, and this accolade is a testament to Portway House Care Home’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care to its residents.