Inspirational employees and volunteers from care homes in the Central Division and Extra Care Housing (ECH) schemes were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at The Randolph Hotel, Oxford, this month (27 October).  

Over 80 guests attended the 2023 Trust Recognition Awards ceremony for the Central Division and ECH. The opening address was given by Dan Hayes, Chief Executive and the Master of Ceremonies was Jacqui Roynon, Director of People. The Awards were given out by members of the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees including Mark Everall, Chair of Trustees and Mark Brenninkmeyer, Oxfordshire Trustee.

Candidates for the Trust Recognition Awards were nominated by colleagues, residents, and friends of care homes. Nominations were judged by a panel and finalists invited to the awards, where award winners were presented with trophies.

Patsy Just, OSJCT Central Division Director, said: "These awards recognise exemplary achievements, skills and endeavours of dedicated employees and volunteers in our care homes and extra care housing schemes. We celebrated innovation and excellence shown by our teams, which they use daily to enrich the lives of our residents and tenants.”

This year’s award winners are:

Exceptional Dedication to Caring Award

• Natalie Bell, Oxlip House ECH, Bury St Edmunds
• Janet Lawrence, Volunteer, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury

Outstanding Community Engagement Award

• Rachel Smith, Activities Co-ordinator, Isis House, Oxford

The Empowerment Award

• Joanna Dixon, Activities Co-ordinator, Lake House, Banbury
• Fiona Davies, Volunteer, Old Station House, Abingdon

The Inspirational Leader Award

• Rachel Greenough, Home Manager, Meadowcroft, Thame
• Natalie Leigh, Domiciliary Care Manager, Orchard Meadows and Moorside Place ECH
• Catherine Semmence, Head of Volunteering, Central Office

The Personal Development Award

• Sarah Cashmore, Night Care Lead, Spencer Court, Woodstock

Unsung Hero of the Year

• Patricia Thomas, Bursar, Langford View, Bicester
• Carole Smith, Volunteer, Paternoster House, Cirencester
• Francesca Fogell, PR and Communications Executive, Central office

Trust Efficiency and Development Award

• Chiannon Evans, Deputy Domiciliary Care Manager, Isis Court ECH, Oxford

Ferrers Innovation Award

• Natalie Bell, Domiciliary Carer, Oxlip House ECH, Ferrers Innovation Award

Long Service Award

• Sharon Fenn, Home Manager at Marston Court in Oxford receive a 40-year Long Service Award.

The Chairman’s Commendation for Meritorious Service was awarded to:

• Candy Andrews, Care Leader, Spencer Court, Woodstock
• Tracey Bennett, Care Leader, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury
• Natalie Bell, Domiciliary Carer, Oxlip House ECH, Bury St Edmund
• Kayleigh Cross, Area Operations Manager ECH