Mar 2024
Southfield House Activities Co-ordinator, Lucy, is a Lincolnshire Care Association (LinCA) Awards finalist
Lucy Thorpe is a finalist in this year’s Lincolnshire Care Association (LinCA) care awards in the Activities Coordinator category. She will be attending the gala awards evening on 21 March 2024 at The Double Tree by Hilton, Lincoln, where the winners will be announced.
Lucy is the Activities Co-ordinator at Southfield House. She was nominated for the Award by Elaine Whittle, Home Manager. Lucy said: “It was really special to be nominated and when I got over feeling shy about it, I felt very proud.”
Elaine said: “Lucy is amazing in all she does, our residents’ wellbeing has improved tenfold since Lucy has been with us, she always goes above and beyond, not only with our residents, but their families and friends. Our home is so lucky to have Lucy in our team, she is a shining star.”
The trained nurse became Activities Co-ordinator at Southfield House in summer 2022. Lucy left nursing due to a career break to have her four children, and worked part-time at Southfield House as a senior carer when her children were at primary school. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lucy responded to the national call for nurses and worked for two years administering the Covid-19 vaccinations.
Lucy was sad to leave Southfield House, and missed the team, so when the opportunity to become the home’s Activities Co-ordinator came up, Lucy jumped at it. She said:
“The Activities Co-ordinator role is my idea of a perfect job. It’s flexible, fun, rewarding, and I can use my nursing and care experience to assist residents with their wellbeing and comfort. I had loved my earlier time working with the team at Southfield House and I’d stayed in touch with many of the team.
“When I saw the role advertised, I applied as I found caring for older people rewarding and OSJCT is a great place to work.
“The thing I like most about my role is that I know the residents well and I can provide activities that are centred on their interests and needs. Some enjoy a little chat and an update on the weather and others enjoy a trip out every now and then. Whilst others enjoy group activities and visiting entertainers.
“Offering these varied activities is great for residents’ wellbeing, physically and emotionally. Recent activities include making pompoms for the Spalding flower parade, making lanterns with a charity art group for the light night at nearby Ayscoughfee Gardens and going to see a Dolly Parton tribute act. I took a resident to the seaside after an appointment they had, it was a lovely day. It is so rewarding to be able to make someone’s day in such a simple way.”
Lucy invites residents’ family members to join in with activities and trips, which she knows they enjoy. She also organises a newsletter to share activities and photos with family members. Lucy said: “I’m very happy to say, I think I have the best job!”