Wallingford Care Home Staff Celebrate over 80 Years of Care Service in Oxfordshire

The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), the UK’s second largest not for profit care home provider, held the 2009 Oxfordshire Awards Ceremony for staff from its 17 homes across the county at The Kings Centre, Osney Mead on 24 September.

Patricia Houlihan, Valerie Curtis and Ann Jones, who work at Westgate House in Wallingford, received long-service awards for their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to the care of older people.

Care Leader, Patricia Houlihan, received a 35 years long-service award for her contribution to the caring profession. Patricia often goes that extra mile to ensure that residents have exciting and challenging activities to do in order to have the best quality of life in the home.

Night Care Assistant, Valerie Curtis, was recognised for 25 years of service. Valerie is dedicated to helping Westgate’s residents on a domestic, social and emotional level and has made an outstanding contribution to the care of residents.

Westgate’s Cook Ann Jones, also received a 25 years long-service award. Ann ensures that the best quality and nutritious food is provided for residents, and well known within the area for her Bakewell Tart and homemade biscuits.

Nine long-service awards for 25, 30, 35 and 40 years service to the Trust were also given to other OSJCT employees across Oxfordshire, totalling 265 years.

Certificates were presented to staff who achieved NVQs in Care, Housekeeping, Catering and Administration, as well as City and Guilds qualifications in Training Practice, Moving and Handling, Accounting and Supervisory Management.  The certificates were presented in front of Trustees, colleagues and family members.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nigel Reed, OSJCT’s Chief Executive, said: “The awards ceremony is an opportunity for colleagues, residents, friends and partners of OSJCT to come together to celebrate the hard work shown by our team and say a big thank you to all of our staff.

“We are extremely proud of the high standards of care we provide and recognise that this is down to the dedication shown by everyone who works in the Trust.”

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