FitzRoy finalists are “Proud to Care”

Huge congratulations to FitzRoy’s Arun Dale team, who reached the final of the Nottinghamshire Proud to Care Awards this week, out of 60 nominations in the Team of the Year category.

Area Manager Warren explains what inspired him to nominate the team: “Earlier this year, Cathryn, one of the people this team supported, sadly became very unwell and her staff went truly above and beyond to support her at the end of her life. When someone we support goes into hospital, the responsibility for their care passes to the hospital staff, but Cathryn’s team made sure she was never alone and sat with her around the clock in her final days. Cathryn had been supported by FitzRoy since 2012 and the team enabled her to achieve incredible things, from learning to walk and talk again after a stroke to going on her first holiday earlier this year. I felt they absolutely deserved to win team of the year and was delighted when they reached the final – it’s a real testament to their extraordinary dedication.”

Regional manager Kimberley said:

Attending the Proud to Care awards was an amazing experience – there were so many inspirational stories that really reminded us why working in care is such an incredible career. There aren’t many people who can say they go to work and make a real difference in someone’s life every day.

“I’m so proud of the team reaching the final of Team of the Year – the Rainbow Children’s Hospice were undoubtedly worthy winners but our team are definitely winners too in my eyes!”

Emily supported Cathryn for many years and said: “A few years after moving in, Cathryn suffered a stroke and was very unwell. Her family were told she was unlikely to speak or walk again, but we knew just how determined a person Cathryn was. Her first word after her stroke was ‘Debbie,’ her sister’s name, and very soon she was asking to see her family. A week later she was strong enough to come home, and we had the privilege of supporting her through her journey of learning to walk again. Cathryn used to say of herself that she was, ‘Cathryn, number one patient, not just a learning disability or epilepsy’. Her spirit and extraordinary strength of character stood her in good stead as she defied her medical prognosis and went on to have many more happy years.

“When Cathryn became unwell so suddenly earlier this year, it was a horrible shock for everyone. As care staff, we’re trained with supporting someone at the end of their life, but providing that support is something different. When Cathryn was admitted to hospital, the staff faced so many difficult conversations and did so with professionalism and dignity throughout.”

They ensured that the hospital staff knew who Cathryn was and what her communication needs were and supported her family during a time of great worry and distress. I for one am very proud of them. We have so many wonderful memories of Cathryn and are so thankful to have had the privilege of supporting her.

After Cathryn’s funeral, the team were honoured to be asked by her family to scatter her ashes in a place that she loved. Her sister Debbie said: “Cathryn received excellent care at Arun Dale and staff always went above and beyond to care for her with love and respect. The past couple of months have been very difficult for my family. However, the situation was made easier by the support and dedication of the amazing team at Arun Dale. Not only did they fully care for and support Cathryn, they also supported my Mum and myself during a time of terrible worry and grief. Please pass on our thanks to them all. You should be extremely proud of all the staff at Arun Dale and FitzRoy who were involved in looking after Cathryn. Our family will always be grateful to them all.”