HC-One’s Defoe Court Care Home in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is celebrating the success of two colleagues, Susan and Isobel Henderson, who received Kindness in Care Awards for the great work that they deliver for Residents on a daily basis. The Kindness in Care Awards programme was launched by HCOne in October 2013 to recognise the efforts of their kindest colleagues, and the impact they have on the lives of Residents and their loved ones. This year, a record breaking 135 Awards were presented to colleagues, volunteers, and whole teams within the family of homes that HC-One operates across the UK. Both Care Assistant Susan and Head Chef Isobel were nominated by Defoe Court’s Home Manager Sarah Todd, who gave a glowing review of both her colleagues, saying that they always go out of their way to go the extra mile to provide the kindest care, with Isobel in particular coming in on her days off to make birthday and celebration cakes for Residents.

Since 2013, over 2,700 HC-One colleagues have been awarded for their commitment to kindness with nominations invited from Residents, relatives, colleagues or visitors to the home. HC-One aims to be the first-choice care provider in each of its communities for Residents looking for the very best care and support, and the employer of choice for the best, most professional, and kindest care staff, with sector leading career progression opportunities. HC-One consistently invests in staff, and last year was named as a Skills for Care Centre of Excellence, as well as currently celebrating achieving a 9.3 average rating on the sector’s leading care home comparison website carehome.co.uk. This high rating puts HC-One homes into the very best company in the care home sector. HC-One Defoe Court Care Home Manger, Sarah Todd, said: “We are delighted that both Susan and Isobel have been recognised for their hard work and commitment in providing the kindest care to Defoe Court Residents.

It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated colleagues.” HC-One Regional Director, Liam Jennings, said: “The Kindness in Care Awards programme is about recognising and celebrating colleagues who demonstrate the kindest care and the best practice that we can all learn from, and Defoe Court has the privilege of having two such colleagues. “Each and every day, HC-One staff do incredible work, and make such a difference to the lives of Residents living in our homes. It is great to work with such inspirational, caring and kind people.”