Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG) are delighted to announce the shortlisted colleagues and care homes for the 8th Annual Care Awards, set to take place this July.

The company-wide Care Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the superstar colleagues and care homes that have gone above and beyond over the past year – demonstrating commitment and excellence against a challenging post-pandemic backdrop.

Veteran mental health nurse, Joby Raju, has been appointed as Manager of Cavendish Court care home, Cheshire, with a pledge to enhance the home’s person-centered approach to health and well-being.

The former nurse, who has previously received birthday congratulations from The Queen, recently celebrated this momentous milestone with another marked special memento. Being a lifelong Manchester United Fan, she was delighted to receive a signed framed letter from all at the club wishing her a very happy birthday.

Home manager Jane Clinch said:

“Nora loves football and has followed Manchester United all her life, so it was very exciting to be able to present her with this generous gift from the club.

On Wednesday 2nd October 2019, we saw our first Chef Competition, which was held in the professional kitchens at Unilever in Leatherhead and hosted by My Purchasing Partner.

It was an incredible day and our 8 chefs did the company proud, creating some stunning dishes for judging by Chris Ball – Managing Director MMCG, Ellen Timson – Sales & Marketing Director MMCG, Danny Sillcot (Brakes Chef) and Paul Welburn (Michelin Star Chef – Oxford Kitchen).

Resident at Cavendish Court Care Home celebrated her 100th birthday in September with friends and family. 

Happy birthday from everyone at the home.

We welcomed Assistant Scout Leader, Kathryn Pyper and the Cranleigh Scouts to our home. The scouts are working towards their 'World Challenge Award'. One of the requirements of this badge is to spend some time volunteering with and finding out about a service in your local community. We were delighted to help and scouts made tea on their camping stoves in the garden and entertained residents with show and tell activities.

Staff at Parksprings celebrated the recent success of a Care Inspectorate inspection, with a party, after they achieved scores of 4's and 5's - a testament to their hard work and dedication. Well done to everyone.

It’s not every day when a care home can say that three members of staff make up 66 years of service but here at Willowdene Care Home of Lizard Lane, Sedgefield we are delighted to say just that.  Sue Thomas has been with Willowdene 20 years and Karan Robinson and Carol Heron have been here 23 years each.  Two of our team work in housekeeping and one in care and are a huge asset to the team here at Willowdene. To celebrate in style the residents and staff threw a surprise party for them at the home on the afternoon of 4th September.

Our third and final contestant in the Chef of the Year competition is Julie Birch from Garden Hill Care Home who cooked a chunky vegetable soup with warm roll, beef and onion cottage pie with carrots and broccoli which were cooked to perfection and a gorgeously creamy rice pudding with home made rhubarb sauce.

The battle of the Chefs has commenced in the North East for a position in the finals for the first Maria Mallaband and Countrywide Chef Competition.  The North East is delighted to have three of our own nominated for the finals and regional judging has commenced.  All three Chefs’ in the region have to prepare and cook a three course dinner within the resident’s budget.  A resident along with two regional judges are then required to sample all three meals and a pureed meal to decide who will represent the North East in the competition.