Westgate Healthcare has been awarded the Outstanding Dementia Training Award by Training 2 Care UK, recognising its commitment to dementia-informed care and supporting colleagues across its homes to grow and develop.
The Outstanding Dementia Training Award recognises organisations that invest in workforce development, raise standards and embed dementia-informed practice across their services. It celebrates providers that go beyond compliance-led training by developing their teams’ knowledge, skills and confidence, helping them deliver safe, compassionate and person-led support for people living with dementia.
Westgate Healthcare’s approach to dementia care is centred on getting to know the person behind the diagnosis. By understanding each resident’s life experiences, routines, preferences and interests, its teams tailor care in a way that supports comfort, dignity and purpose. This includes dementia-friendly environments, meaningful activities, family involvement and ongoing team development.
The recognition reflects Westgate Healthcare’s ongoing investment in dementia care and training across its group. For example, bringing specialist experiential training in-house, helping colleagues develop a deeper understanding of the lived experience of dementia and how this informs everyday care.
Most recently, Westgate Healthcare became one of only three UK care providers authorised to deliver Training 2 Care’s DIET (or Dining Immersive Experiential Training) programme. The training now forms part of the organisation’s three-day induction, alongside immersive dementia training, helping embed dementia awareness and person-led care from the beginning of each colleague’s journey.
As a family-owned care provider with nine homes across the South East of England, the award highlights the work involved in embedding consistent, dementia-informed practice across multiple services and care teams.
Tara Teubner, Director at Westgate Healthcare, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive the Outstanding Dementia Training Award from Training 2 Care UK. It is wonderful recognition of the hard work and commitment of our teams across Westgate Healthcare, and a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.
“Dementia care is about far more than simply meeting standards. It’s about understanding each person as an individual, recognising their unique needs and helping them feel safe, valued and supported every day.
“Maria Fagen, our Learning & Development Manager, has played a key role in our progress, with her dedication to developing the standard of dementia care across Westgate Healthcare and supporting our wider teams in their enthusiasm for learning.
“This award reflects the passion and commitment of Maria and our colleagues, and the way they embrace new opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills and put their learning into practice. Together, this is helping us to provide the very best care and support for people living with dementia.”
