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CARINGNEWS

Belong Newcastle appoints manager

Katy Cresswell, Valerie Holland and Joyce Morton.

National awards recognise group’s outstanding carers THREE care professionals have been recognised for their exceptional contribution to improving the lives of Bluebird Care customers at the company’s annual awards in London. The awards promote the extraordinary work of the operator’s employees and highlight the opportunities for a rewarding career in the care sector. An independent panel of judges named Joyce Morton, from North East Lincolnshire, as the carer of the year, while Valerie Holland from the Eastbourne franchise won registered manager of the year and Katy Cresswell from Bluebird Care Slough,

South Bucks & South Wycombe won team member of the year. The three national winners were chosen from 18 regional finalists, who had been shortlisted from the 19,000 Bluebird Care staff across the UK. As part of the nominations, the judges heard about Joyce Morton’s “cheery disposition that warms the hearts of anyone she interacts with,” and Katy Cresswell was noted for her “outstanding leadership” and “exceptional, unrelenting positive attitude”. Valerie Holland’s colleagues said that she was “one of the most loyal, hardworking and trusted individuals.”

ALISON Peake has been appointed general manager of specialist care village, Belong Newcastle, which is set to provide a range of dementia and nursing care services, facilities and accommodation when the village opens early in 2018. Alison brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience of health and social care, both with Belong and in her previous roles as hospital matron and hospital director. She takes up leadership of Belong Newcastle from her previous role as lead nurse at the organisation’s Crewe care village. Commenting on her appointment, Alison said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this post with Belong Newcastle and look forward to the months ahead as we prepare for opening and start to recruit to key positions in the village. “This is set to be a very special village for us due to the unique opportunities that will be created by the Belong Heritage Gallery and we are really excited about its potential to engage people with dementia and new and meaningful ways.” Located at the site which incorporates the iconic Maxims nightclub building, Belong Newcastle will incorporate the Belong Heritage Gallery, thanks to a £1.8million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which is enabling the building’s restoration

Alison Peake as part of the project. The gallery will include a range of facilities designed to celebrate the building’s heritage, including Sammy Bell’s Tea Room, a recreation of the Old Pomona Inn and a reminiscence gallery. A timeline will chart its history from its origins as a 17th century home, through to its development as Newcastle’s first pottery, a staging coach inn and more recently its incarnation as Maxims nightclub. Belong’s deputy chief executive, Tracy Paine, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alison to lead the Newcastle team – she has vast experience in working with older people and is very passionate about the care village model. We are sure that her enthusiasm for this role and warm personality will be a great asset to the new village.”