Age UK Enfield, the leading organisation for older people in Enfield, recently had a double scoop at the Great British Care Awards Regional Finals in November 2021.
The Covid Hero Team Award recognised the outstanding contribution of all Age UK Enfield staff and volunteers during the pandemic, for continuously going above and beyond to support the older people they work with. During lockdowns, the team rapidly re-orientated their services to provide emergency food packages, delivered hot meals, made regular phone calls to check up on people, created a home exercise pack and memory activity packs. The information and advice service, which saw a huge surge in enquiries, was available for telephone appointments, and staff members would visit people on their doorstep to complete benefit applications or other paperwork. Home Care and Day Care services continued to support those most in need, through a hybrid care package including home visits.
CEO Ben Ingber reflects on the charities’ work: “As well as our existing service users needing different or additional support, we also supported a lot of older people who previously hadn’t used our services; those who had been managing quite well, but whose normal support services were no longer operational. The speed at which our staff members and volunteers responded was really so impressive, the whole team was really creative in the way they re-organised services to best suit the guidance at the time”.
Andrew Hall, who has worked at Age UK Enfield’s Parker Centre since 2005 won the Outstanding Dementia Carer award. Andrew started out as a care worker in the community, where he specialised in working with people with dementia. In 2008 he bought his extensive skills and experience to the Parker Day centre, where he works as a care worker.
The Parker Centre, the charity’s specialist day care centre in Edmonton, had to close for some time. The centre normally sees around 60 people each week, supporting people with mild to severe dementia. Normally a busy, bustling and lively environment, staff members were diverted to support the most vulnerable within their own homes, often providing essential respite for carers, and the building was used as a hub for organising emergency food deliveries.
Ben continues: “It has been such a tough time for everyone; but older people have been particularly hard hit. Charities like ours, who are responsible for raising our own funds, are really struggling.
“The Parker Centre is a beacon service in dementia care, with excellent staff and a warm, fun and friendly environment. However the building itself needs a lot of work, it is tired, worn out and in need of refurbishment. This was one of our priorities for 2020 – now we aren’t sure at all how we can possibly make it happen. This is going to be one of our main focuses for next year; seeing how we can make The Parker Centre fit for purpose, to bring the actual building up to the same high standards as the levels of care provided within.
“These awards will help us highlight the excellent work we are doing and stress the need for refurbishment of the centre. I’m so proud of what we achieved, and I’m delighted that this has been recognised by the Great British Care Awards”.
