September 22 2017

Alzheimer’s Support is celebrating after being named a finalist in a prestigious national award scheme for the second year in a row.

The charity’s one-to-one Support at Home service is a finalist in the Best Team category of the National Dementia Care Awards. Registered Services Manager Sally Haddrell-Jenks will meet judges in London next week in the final round of the contest before the winners are announced at a gala dinner part of the National Dementia Congress in November. 

Sally said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to be in line for this award. This is a team award and to have got so far is a tribute to our amazing support workers who every day go the extra mile for people living with dementia here in Wiltshire.”

Alzheimer’s Support employs 56 support workers who spend quality time with people with dementia in their own homes or out and about in the community.  They make a point of getting to know their clients extremely well so they can ensure their two or three hour visits are meaningful, stimulating and enjoyable, and their presence helps people retain skills, interests and independence for as long as possible.

The National Dementia Care Awards is an annual event created to recognise the very best people working in the dementia care sector across the UK.

It is organised by The Journal of Dementia Care, a multidisciplinary journal for all professional staff working with people with dementia in a variety of settings including hospitals, care homes and in the community.

In 2016 Alzheimer’s Support’s Head of Day Care Grant Newton was shortlisted for Day Care Manager of the Year. 

The charity’s CEO Babs Harris said: “I am so proud of all our staff. The Support at Home team work out of the spotlight, in people’s homes or just quietly helping individuals to lead as normal a life as possible in communities throughout Wiltshire. So it is wonderful that the exceptional work they are doing is receiving this recognition on the national stage.”