Redcot’s 82-Year-Old Activities Coordinator Wins Surrey Care Award
At Redcot, the Haslemere-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, the residents and care team have been celebrating with Ann Essam, one of the care home’s Activities Coordinators, who has just won the coveted ‘Unsung Hero – Making Care Possible’ Award at year’s Surrey Care Awards.
Ann, who joined Friends of the Elderly in 2001, after she returned to work following her retirement, was presented with the award on Friday 8th November at the Surrey Care Awards which was held at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.
“When I heard my name being announced as the Winner, I was completely blown away,” said Ann. “I couldn’t believe it. To be acknowledge by the Surrey Care Awards in front of my peers for doing the job that I adore doing, was amazing – it still hasn’t quite sunk in. The residents are my friends – my family – so it’s not like working at all; I spend each day laughing and having fun with my friends.”
Ann returned to work after she’d retired as, in her own words, she couldn’t take to it and was adamant she wanted to continue to care for and help others. “Being able to work each day with the fantastic Redcot residents is a blessing,” continued Ann. “As I’m not that much younger than most of the residents, we can relate and connect so well on so many levels about so many things. I truly believe this is why we are all so close and one big happy family.”
Ann is full of energy and makes sure that the residents are kept both physically and mentally active every day. “Ann has designed and delivers a fantastic activities programme,” added Jan Daly, Redcot’s Registered Manager and one of the Charity’s Regional Managers. “From the minute Ann arrives in the morning, until the second she leaves in the evening, the residents’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything she does.
“To have Ann’s hard work, caring demeanor, her amazing achievements and outstanding skills recognised by The Surrey Care Awards is a great validation of everything Ann does, every day,” added Jan.
“Ann goes the extra mile to positively contribute to the quality of life, health, wellbeing and happiness of each resident, including those who are living with dementia, it’s in her DNA. Redcot and Friends of the Elderly are very lucky and fortunate to have her.”
“To say that I feel honoured is an understatement. Everyone who was nominated at the Surrey Care Awards, not just in my award category, but in each category, were all so worthy. All of us are winners in my eyes,” concluded Ann.
