Welcome to our 25th Anniversary Regional Care Awards for Suffolk and Essex Region...
The awards, hosted by ITV news anchors David Whiteley and Becky Jago on 2nd July, were staged at the Ivy House Country Hotel, in Oulton Broad, the suburb of Lowestoft where Kingsley was launched in 1999 with the purchase of Lilac Lodge Care Home. Entertainment was provided by Four Seasons tribute band Frankie's Guys.
The hosts of the Kingsley Care Awards 2024
We were delighted to welcome back BBC presenter David Whiteley who is always such an assured and amusing host.
David, a long standing friend of Kingsley, started his career in commercial radio, but became a household name on local BBC programmes including "Look East" and "Inside Out".
He is the co-presenter of cult Radio Norfolk radio show Treasure Quest.
Becky Jago has worked in the media industry for 25 years. Becky is a main anchor for ITV News and co-hosts ITV News Anglia.
Starting her career at Vibe FM radio station, she then moved to Anglia TV as their weather presenter for two years, alongside working on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff as their ‘booth girl.’
In 2001 she joined the children’s news programme Newsround as the main presenter.
years later Becky joined Capital Radio to be Chris Tarrant’s, then Johnny Vaughan’s sidekick on the breakfast show.
Becky then worked as a reporter for GMTV’s Entertainment Today, and Sky Sports News, before returning to ITV News Anglia as a reporter in 2005 and has been the co-anchor of their programme at 6 o’clock for 15 years.
Congratulations to all of our East Region winners...
Norfolk Winners
Registered Nurse of the Year
Aneta Dent - Registered Nurse, Buckingham Lodge Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Aneta is described by her colleagues at Buckingham Lodge as always kind and helpful, in fact a real star. She is a dedicated nurse who always puts residents first and is very good with families and staff alike.
Support Worker of the Year
Gemma Boldy - Senior Support Worker, Thorp House Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Gemma’s colleagues at Thorp House say they have never known a senior carer more dedicated to providing the best life for her residents. She is highly knowledgeable in her field and always available to support and guide other staff members.
Activities Coordinator of the Year
Marcia Hughes - Activities Coordinator, Throp House Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
One nominee said Marcia’s dedication to her role is “the best I have seen in all my years working in social care”. Every day she thinks of imaginative and innovative ways to ensure residents at Thorp House are supported to maintain their wellbeing.
Care Home Business Support Champion
Jenny Barnes - Business Administrator, Downham Grange Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Jenny is described by colleagues at Downham Grange as an “all-round good egg”, a mother hen figure who handles her business administrator workload with consummate knowledge, dedication and professionalism yet still finds time to provide a support network to staff and families.
Care Home Support Services Champion
Emilia Zera - Hospitality Manager, Brooke House Care Home
Judges' Remarks:
Emilia is a cheerful, smiling presence at Brooke House who performs her hospitality manager role with great professionalism and energy. She organises brilliant community events that are popular with local people as well as residents and their families.
Chef of the Year
Eszter Kosztolanczi - Head Chef, Buckingham Lodge Care Home
Judges' Remarks:
Eszter has done wonders with the menu at Buckingham Lodge. Her food is described as outstanding and her cakes are simply amazing. She never fails to have a smile on her face and puts so much effort in to make people happy.
Rising Star
Rebecca Hough - Activities Coordinator, King's Court Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Colleagues at King’s Court say Rebecca is a wonderful person to work with, organising activities in a way that ensures no one is ever forgotten. And she has really hit the ground running organising unforgettable community events, including a fantastic art show and a classic car display.
Suffolk & Essex Winners
Care Home Manager of the Year
Zena Stotter - Home Manager, Lilac Lodge & Lavender Cottage
Judges Remarks:
Zena’s standards for her residents at Lilac Lodge are set exceptionally high and she never wavers from them. Balancing her stoic nature with an inherent heart for caring, she provides a security that her team and residents thrive on.
Registered Nurse of the Year
Christine Dinnage - Registered Nurse, The Depperhaugh Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
One nominee describes Christine as a good, dependable nurse and the most dedicated, honest and hard-working person I have had the pleasure of working with. She has worked at The Depperhaugh for more than 30 years always showing the same work ethic and compassion towards residents.
Support Worker of the Year
Sandra Moss - Senior Support Worker, The Depperhaugh Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Sandra is described by colleagues at The Depperhaugh as the epitome of a first-class carer loved by residents and staff alike. As a senior on days, she ensures shifts run smoothly, supports her colleagues and always wears a smile.
Activities Coordinator of the Year
Tracey Alexander - Lifestyle Coordinator, Hadleigh Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Tracey’s colleagues say her enthusiasm is infectious and staff and residents love her. She is always looking for new activities and experiences for her residents to try and brings the whole community to Hadleigh Nursing Home through popular events such as Easter egg hunts, open gardens and fetes.
Care Home Business Support Champion
Karen Whayman - Home Administrator, Hadleigh Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Her colleagues at Hadleigh Nursing Home say nothing is too much trouble for Karen. She tackles her administrator duties with consummate professionalism but brings so much more to the role, always going the extra mile for staff, residents and their families.
Care Home Support Services Champion
Dave Hunter - Maintenance Person, Kirkley Manor Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Colleagues at Kirkley Manor recognise Dave as a highly skilled maintenance person and so much more! He’s a cheerful presence who lifts everyone at the home and he’s a real team player who helps out on projects at other Kingsley homes as well.
Chef of the Year
Andrew Gray - Chef, Spring Lodge Care Home
Judges' Remarks:
Andrew’s colleagues say he always presents a varied and exciting menu, ensuring nutritional and well-balanced meals. He is a fantastic chef but, on top of that, a lovely guy with a very big heart who will always answer a resident’s request to make them something different.
Rising Star
Jomy James - Support Worker, Kirkley Manor Nursing Home
Judges' Remarks:
Colleagues say Jomy has flourished in her role to become an amazing team leader at Kirkley Manor with excellent communication skills. She is very aware of her residents’ needs and is never afraid to ask questions and make her opinions known on working practices.
Specialist Winners
Care Home Manager of the Year
Aaron West - Home Manager, Lynfield
Judges' Remarks:
Lynfield has become a very homely, calm and well-run care service since Aaron became manager. Totally committed to and well-liked by the home’s residents, Aaron is equally driven to support his staff and ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to take the service forward.
Registered Nurse of the Year
Sue Brown - Staff Nurse, Decoy Farm & Barn
Judges' Remarks:
Sue is described by her colleagues at Decoy Farm as kind, caring and friendly. Always happy to be at work, she runs her shifts with professionalism and dedication and has a great connection with her residents.
Support Worker of the Year
Sam Coote - Senior Support Worker, Decoy Farm & Barn
Judges' Remarks:
Sam is known for being friendly, caring and compassionate and always available to support residents and staff at Decoy Farm in any way he can. He has a good rapport with all the residents who are very fond of him.
Care Home Business Support Champion
Jemma Carroll - Home Administrator, Decoy Farm & Barn
Judges' Remarks:
Jemma is described as a real asset to Decoy Farm, always friendly and willing to do anything to help staff. So much more than an administrator, she maintains a positive approach and will always try to solve any issues raised by residents, staff, families or external visitors.
Care Home Support Services Champion
Maggie Tomset - Chef, Glebe Farm
Judges' Remarks:
Maggie has made a massive impact in her short time at Glebe Farm, demonstrating a positive and proactive mindset. She provides meals to meet the preferences of every resident and has even developed an app to help them make their choice.
Rising Star
Katie Woodward - Deputy Manager, Lynfield
Judges' Remarks:
Katie has gone from strength to strength in her time as deputy manager at Lynfield, demonstrating real vision, aptitude and, above all, the right attitude. She is always keen to learn new skills and never shies away from new tasks. Although young, she has a maturity beyond her years.
Homecare Winners
Home Care Manager of the Year
Hannah Daley - Branch Manager, Kingsley Home Care - Diss Branch
Judge's Remarks:
Hannah is described as an exceptional manager and mentor and a great role model for staff. She sets high standards but is always fair and supportive and colleagues say she is a friend to us all.
Support Worker of the Year
Donna Moran - Care Supervisor, Kingsley Home Care - Lowestoft Branch
Judges' Remarks:
Colleagues say Donna is friendly, helpful and adaptable and nothing is too much trouble for her. She is described as a credit to the team, someone always available to help with training and developing staff.
Home Care Business Support Champion
Leanne Chesney - Central Business Administrator, Kingsley Home Care - Lowestoft Branch
Judges' Remarks:
Everything Leanne does she gives 100 per cent and she is recognised by colleagues for her dedication, professionalism and passion. They say she is always there to support the team and their clients in every way.
Rising Star
Donna Moran - Care Supervisor, Kingsley Home Care - Lowestoft Branch
Judges' Remarks:
All her clients praise Donna’s knowledge and caring attitude and she is know for supporting new staff out in the community and showing them the Kingsley Way. In fact her manager says she has never worked with anyone else who shows such passion in her work. Quite some praise.
View or Download photos from Regional Care Awards 2024 East
