Minster Grange care home is undergoing a transformation with new staff in seven key roles bringing fresh energy and ideas and heralding exciting changes.

From the first face you see on reception, to the menus, to the leadership team, things are shifting at the 62-bed home in Clifton, York, which offers nursing care for disabled young people, residential dementia care, nursing care, and dementia nursing care.

The gradual ‘opening up’ of society after lockdown has seen the long-awaited return of indoor visits, more visitors, trips out and greater contact between family members and friends across our care homes, as we all learn to live alongside Covid.

Delma Dela Cruz, manager at Amber Court in Marton on the outskirts of Blackpool, is among the regional finalists in the Great British Care Awards. Delma was nominated in the ‘Palliative/end of life category’ at the prestigious North West Great British Care Awards 2020 in recognition of her inspirational person-centred approach and her drive to make things better for the individuals in her care through every small action and day-to-day tasks.

The awards ceremony, rescheduled from last year, will take place in Manchester on Thursday 8th July 2021. Good luck Delma!

A  312,000 refurbishment project at Monread Lodge Care Home in Knebworth has been completed, with interior designed spaces, luxury furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and warm colours creating an elegant inviting environment.

The work has transformed the dining room, two conservatories, four lounges, and 20 of the bedrooms, as well as the on-site hairdressers and coffee lounge.

The care home’s 16-bed dedicated dementia unit, Knebworth Court, was also renovated as part of the project.

Congratulations to Jo Burgess who celebrated 26 years of working at Bowerfield Court in Stockport in March. Having started as a kitchen assistant more than a quarter of a century ago, Jo is now a people’s champion care assistant and says she considers everyone living and working at Bowerfield Court as her family. Everyone enjoyed some non-alcoholic fizz and snacks to celebrate! Well done Jo!

Minster Grange Care Home in York has joined forces with Schoen Clinic York to enable this vital service for adults with diagnosed eating disorders and associated problems to remain in the city. Schoen Clinic York has moved into a new 15-bed inpatient facility on the ground fl oor of the care home in Haxby Road in Clifton, having relocated from its previous site in Haxby.

On 12th May we proudly celebrated International Nurses Day. The date marks the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth - the founder of modern nursing.

This year at MMCG, we took the opportunity to reflect on the vital work that nurses do within the care sector and ensured we celebrated their efforts.

Naturally, nursing and caring are at the very heart of what we do. Across our 80 homes, we have over 500 fully qualified nurses, who each received a small gift of appreciation - an engraved water bottle to express our thanks.

The Maria Mallaband and Countrywide 2021 Annual Care Awards have now been launched - and we are awaiting your nominations!

These awards celebrate the outstanding work that happens day-to-day across the entire group. They recognise individuals who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day roles, showing commitment, integrity, hard work, great teamwork, and above all that their individual roles and achievements ultimately provide a first-class service to those living within our homes.

We’re delighted to announce that Maria Mallaband Care Group has been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Care Home Awards.

The categories we’re finalist in are:

Marita Westaway has taken the helm at King’s Manor Care Home, in Ottery St Mary, Devon bringing a wealth of experience to the role after 20 years in the care sector. She said: “Being a busy, outwardlooking, active, and engaged home is so important for us, and by connecting with others and bringing people in, we are also supporting the vibrancy of the brilliant Ottery St Mary community of which we’re proud to be a part.”

At Minster Grange Care Home in York, new manager Victoria Darlow is making changes to boost communication and empower staff to deliver the best care.