Team members from OSJCT Whitefriars, the 56-room care home in Stamford, which won the East Midlands Great British Care Awards – Care Innovator Award, will be attending the national finals at the ICC, Birmingham, on 17 March. The home, run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), received the award for its resident volunteer initiative.

The regional Award and place in the finals has been awarded to Whitefriars for introducing empowering volunteer opportunities to residents in the home. Roles were advertised on an Opportunities notice board, and included Volunteer Manager’s Assistant, Volunteer Housekeeper, Volunteer Receptionist, and Volunteer Gardener.

Shelly Smith, Home Manager, said: “On behalf of the team, I am delighted that we have reached the Great British Care Awards finals for this initiative. The innovation has been a huge success. Residents were very enthusiastic about it, and we received positive feedback from relatives and health care professionals.

“Our residents all have wonderful skills and experience from their working lives or running their own family homes. By offering them the opportunity to take on easy tasks, which fall within their capabilities, they feel empowered and purposeful, and their wellbeing increased. It really contributes to that feeling of a family home.”

The team at Whitefriars are also winners of the Ferrers Innovation Award, given out at the OSJCT Lincolnshire Awards 2022, named after the not-for-profit care provider’s patron, The Earl Ferrers.