FitzRoy Awards – East region winners

Winner: Stepping Stones, supported living in Suffolk

Highly commended: The Lancasters, supported living in Cambridgeshire

At Stepping Stones, the team has been finding new ways to help Tess communicate what she wants and make more of her own decisions. With support from Elaine and her colleagues in our Specialist Support team, Tess has developed new skills and taken on more responsibility around her home.

She enjoys setting the table for the meals she shares with her friends and housemates and has become the home’s fire marshal, taking responsibility for weekly safety checks. Every Wednesday, Tess makes sure the fire alarms are tested. She has a long stick that she uses as part of the job, and she’s quick to remind staff if she thinks they’ve forgotten. As well at attending council meetings to present her concerns about local planning issues, Tess is also a member of Windmill East, the regional forum for people we support to share their views and ideas about FitzRoy.

Another nomination described how the Stepping Stones support team worked to make sure Katie could organise her day around her own plans and interests. Management arranged additional training for colleagues so Katie could have more flexibility about when she went out and what she wanted to do.

The highly commended nomination came from the Lancasters, where colleagues shared some lovely examples of people enjoying their interests and learning new skills.

One woman can now pick up and put down her own cup and spoon, something she’s spent a long time practising. Another is a huge David Essex fan, so staff helped her get tickets to several concerts and encouraged her to write to him. She was delighted when he wrote back. She’s also made new friends and enjoys going to parties and discos.

Another woman loves Demis Roussos. Her collection includes CDs, photographs and even a duvet cover, and the team makes sure special occasions are celebrated with cards featuring her favourite singer.

Winner: Trevor, manager of Wensum Way Care Home, Norfolk

Highly commended: Mel, manager of Timber Grove Care Home, Rayleigh, Essex

Trevor was recognised for his leadership at Wensum Way, particularly the way he works alongside colleagues when things become difficult.

One nomination described how he supported the team around finding new ways to support someone who was struggling, taking time to understand what mattered to him and encouraging colleagues to build on his interests. Gardening and spending time outdoors became an important part of this work.

Trevor worked closely with colleagues, sharing ideas and helping everyone feel more confident in their approach. He also made sure the person’s wishes were heard when decisions were being made about his support. His colleagues praised his patience, determination and willingness to get involved rather than simply leaving others to work things out.

Mel from Timber Grove was highly commended for her leadership during a challenging period for the service.

Working closely with deputy manager Jo, she helped colleagues through some difficult times while also making changes to improve how the team worked together.

Both were recognised for the time they spent alongside staff, listening to concerns, sharing their experience and helping everyone move forward.

One nomination described how Mel worked with colleagues and FitzRoy’s specialist teams to make sure a person receiving support was listened to and that decisions reflected what mattered to him and shape support around his interests and goals. Another recalled the kindness and thought Mel showed when people living at Timber Grove experienced the loss of someone they knew well.

Her colleagues particularly valued the way she made time for people, even when there was a great deal happening at the service.

Winner: Caitlin, Timber Grove Care Home, Essex

Highly commended: Dana, Norfolk Support at Home

When Caitlin first met the man she now supports at Timber Grove, he was spending most of his time in his bedroom and wasn’t particularly interested in going out.

Caitlin spent time getting to know him and finding out what he enjoyed. Gradually, he began spending more time with his housemates and trying new and different things. These days, instead of staying in his room, he is out and about going shopping, to the pub, discos and spending time at the seafront.

Caitlin also helped him sort through his belongings and arrange his bedroom just how he wanted it, and spending more time with his family. As well as visits,  Caitlin has supported him to keep in touch by sending cards, drawings and photographs. He’s now thinking about booking his first holiday.

Caitlin’s nomination also recognised how much she does for her colleagues, regularly helping with shifts, sharing what she’s learned and bringing plenty of humour to the team. She even ran the London Marathon, fundraising for FitzRoy this year, taking on the challenge at short notice.

Dana from Norfolk Support at Home was highly commended for the thought she puts into supporting people with the things that matter to them.

One woman hadn’t been on holiday for years. After talking about where she might like to go, Dana helped her explore different options and book a trip. She’s now looking forward to her holiday and has started going for daily walks to build up her fitness before she goes.

Dana has also helped another person work towards healthier eating habits, including growing his own vegetables.

Her colleagues describe someone they can always rely on. She’s happy to help when plans change, has recently supported a new member of staff to settle in and is studying for her Level 2 qualification.

Winner: Wensum Way Care Home, Norfolk

Highly commended: Hall Farm Gardens, Norfolk Supported Living

Gardening has always been important to Lawrie. When he could no longer attend the day centre where he had enjoyed working on the land, the team at Wensum Way helped him find a way to carry on doing something he loved.

What started with a couple of raised vegetable beds has grown into quite a project. Lawrie now grows carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and peas, as well as peppers and pumpkins in planters he helped build.

He looks after the roses, keeps the lawns tidy and makes sure the bird feeders are topped up and helped build bird boxes for the garden. There’s plenty of fruit to harvest too, including apples, pears and plums. Lawrie collects the ripe fruit for crumbles, while the vegetables he’s grown are used in meals at Wensum Way.

Other people living at Wensum Way enjoy seeing what’s growing, and the garden has become something everyone can enjoy.

The highly commended nomination came from at Hall Farm Gardens, where colleagues have been making changes both inside and outside the home.

The team has planted trees, started growing vegetables and found ways to reduce waste, including using fewer plastic bags and recycling more. They’ve also supported local food banks and King’s Lynn Night Shelter, donating food and helping others in the area.

Their Macmillan fundraising event brought people together to support a cause close to their hearts. The nomination also recognised the team’s work helping someone settle into a new home, reconnect with family and make more of their own choices about how they spend their time.