A BORDON woman has won a national award for her work at the Ashley House residential care home in Forest Road.
Stella Charman, a care activities co-ordinator for the home, scooped the National Care Award at a ceremony at The Hilton Hotel, London, on Saturday.
Earlier in the year, Ms Charman was shortlisted in the care activities co-ordinator category and went on to win the title.
She said: "I would like to thank all the staff at Ashley House who have supported me in developing our individual and group activities - this has enabled us to focus on individuals' strengths.
"I would also like to thank my manager Margaret Powell for nominating me for this award and for giving me unlimited support in driving through our ambitions in our home. We believe passionately in the wellbeing of those whom we have the honour of caring for and I am enthusiastic about sharing our experiences with others in Sanctuary Care so that we can all benefit and move forward together. I will treasure the award."
Ms Charman was nominated by Ms Powell for making an exceptional contribution to the lives of residents through the provision of activities.
The nomination follows Ms Charman's work for the NAPA Breath of Fresh Air competition, for which the National Association for Providers of Activities (NAPA) for older people asked homes to think of creative ways to bring fresh air to residents.
Ms Charman helped to organise a day at the beach with a difference - residents experienced the joys of the seaside in the home's own garden. She persuaded a builder to donate two tonnes of sand and managed to find a mobile farm which brought along two donkeys.
Residents helped to paint a backdrop of the sea and schoolchildren built sandcastles. There was also a Punch and Judy show and candyfloss and ice cream.
Ms Charman's efforts were appreciated by residents and secured the home second place in the competition.
Ms Charman's appointment has been part of a pilot project, which will be rolled out across the whole of Sanctuary Care - the company that manages Ashley House.