Stow Healthcare is named 'care group of the year'

A family-run company which has driven major improvements at several care homes has collected a trio of top awards.

Stow Healthcare was named the Care Group of the Year at the National Care Awards and the Caring UK Awards.

Meanwhile, Ruth French, operations director, and Alex Ball, operation co-ordinator, won the Workforce Development Award at the East of England Care Awards regional finals.

Mrs French said: “We’re blown away to have been given the top award at two national care awards this year.

“Our company was only formed in 2010 and we remain family owned and run, continuing to take over failing homes and striving to make every home an outstanding care facility.

“This award is a true team award and we dedicate it to every one of our fantastic staff who work so hard to give great care to our residents.”

The company runs five homes and has brought about improvements in all of them including Stowlangtoft Hall, Brandon Park and Ford Place in Thetford, which have been praised as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

It also operates Melford Court and Halstead Hall, which are rated ‘good’.

The National Care Awards judges said Stow Healthcare’s success was down to ‘empowering staff to enable change which is a clear testament to the leadership in this exceptional group’.

The accolade for Ruth and Alex recognises their work implementing training initiatives for staff and residents.

The judges said: “Their use of unique and engaging training scenarios demonstrates their commitment. They are clearly a professional and passionate team that give tangible examples of their amazing work.”

They will progress to the national finals in March.